Setting Layer Properties

Use the Layers Manager to control the properties for each Layer.

All drawing entities, such as Lines or Circles, have several properties. Some of the properties like Layer, LineColor, LineStyle, LineWeight, and transparency are common to all entities.

Each Layer has LineColor, LineStyle, and LineWeight properties. Anything you sketch on the Layer adopts the Layer's properties unless you explicitly set a LineColor, LineStyle, or LineWeight other than those of the active Layer.

Setting Layer LineColors

When you start a new drawing, new Layers are automatically assigned the color white. When you create a new Layer, the Layer adopts the color of the selected Layer.

Entities you draw on the Layer appear in the assigned Layer color except those to which you assign a color with the LineColor command.

To set Layer LineColors:

1. In the Layers Manager dialog box, double-click the LineColor cell you want to change.
2. Select a LineColor or select Specify Color for more colors.
3. The LineColor for the Layer is set. When you change the color, all entities on the Layer that were sketched with the color designated as ByLayer appear with the changed color. Entities on the Layer that were sketched with a color other than the ByLayer color are not affected.

Setting Layer LineStyles

To set Layer LineStyles:

1. In the Layers Manager dialog box, double-click the LineStyle cell you want to change.
2. Select a LineStyle or select Other to load a new LineStyle in the Line Style dialog box.
3. The LineStyle for the Layer is set. When you change the LineStyle, all entities on the Layer that were sketched with the LineStyle designated as ByLayer appear with the changed LineStyle. Entities on the Layer that were sketched with a LineStyle other than the ByLayer LineStyle are not affected.

Setting Layer LineWeights

When you change the LineWeight, all entities on this Layer that were sketched with the LineWeight designated as ByLayer appear with the changed LineWeight. Entities on the Layer that were sketched with a LineWeight other than the ByLayer LineWeight are not affected.

To set Layer LineWeights:

1. In the Layers Manager dialog box, double-click the LineWeight cell you want to change.
2. Select a LineWeight.
3. The LineWeight for this Layer is set.

Note: To display the LineWeights, enable LWEIGHT on the status bar.

Setting Layer Transparency

When you change the transparency, all entities on the Layer that you created with the transparency designated as ByLayer appear with the specified transparency. Entities on the Layer that you created with a transparency other than ByLayer are unaffected.

To set Layer transparency:

1. In the Layers Manager dialog box, double-click the Transparency cell to change.
2. Specify a value between 0 and 90% where 0% means no transparency (opaque).
3. The transparency for the Layer is set.

Adding Layer descriptions

In complex drawings, with a large number of layers, you can add a relevant description to increase the clarity of the drawing.

To add Layer descriptions:

1. In the Layers Manager dialog box, double-click the Description cell you want to add.
2. Type a description, then press Enter.

Access

Command: Layer

Menu: Draw > Layer

Layers Palette: Layers Manager