Create and Edit a Layer

Layers are used in TBCto organize and display objects in your project. Use layers to keep your data organized by type. You can create and delete individual layers, purge all empty layers, and select objects by choosing their layer. Layer properties allow you to change layer colors and line styles to help you distinguish more easily between data on different layers.

Note: Layers can only be imported or exported as part of CAD (.dxf, .dwg, and .dgn) files.

To create a new layer:

Select New Layer to display the New Layer dialog.
Note: As an alternative to using the New Layer command, you can use the Layer Manager command to create a new layer as described in Manage Layers.
Type a unique name in the Layer name box to indicate what type of data the layer will contain.
Select layer display options in the Color, Line style, and Line weight drop-down lists.
Notes:
- If you have a separate line styles file, you can import it using the line styles list.
- If the scale of your lines is small in a graphic view, some line styles display as solid lines to improve performance.
If your project include a layer group to which you want to assign the new layer, select it in the Layer group drop-down list.
Optionally, to prevent the layer from being deleted or renamed, check the Protect layer check box.
If you ever need to delete or rename the protected layer, you can unprotect it in Layer Manager (see below).
Click OK.

To edit properties of a layer:

Select Layer Manager in CAD > Layersto open the Layer Manager dialog.
Make edits to any layer displayed in the list.
The edits are reflected in graphic views immediately.

To delete unprotected empty layers:

An "unprotected empty layer" is a layer to which no objects have been assigned and whose Protect check box in the Layer Manager has not been checked.

Select Layer Manager in CAD > Layers to open the Layer Manager dialog.
Click the Delete Unprotected Empty Layers button located on the dialog's toolbar.
All empty layers are removed from the list.

To select the objects that reside on a layer:

Select Layer Manager in CAD > Layers to open the Layer Manager dialog.
Select one or more layers in the Layers list.
Click the Select Members button located on the dialog's toolbar.
The objects on the selected layers are selected in graphic and spreadsheet views, and in the Project Explorer.

To change the layer on which objects reside:

In a graphic view or spreadsheet, select the objects for which you want to change the layer.
Select Propertiesto display the Properties pane.
If needed, select a subset of the objects in the data type drop-down list located at the top of the pane.
Note: To change the layer, all of the selected objects must have Layer as a property.
In the Layer drop-down list, select a layer.

To set the visibility or selectability of objects by layer:

Select View Filter Manager in Home > View to display the View Filter Manager.
Select an unlocked view filter in the Filter list at the top of the pane.
Notes:
- This sets the visibility and selectability of the layers only for the view filter you have selected.
- To unlock a locked view filter, you can modify or copy it. See Create and Edit a View Filter.
Click the Advanced View Filter Settings icon on the pane's toolbar to display the Advanced View Filter Settings dialog.
Click the icon next to Layers to expand the group.
Check and uncheck boxes in the Visible and Selectable columns as needed.
Click OK.