Embedded Files
Layers
Layers
Layers in AutoCAD can be thought of as transparent overlays where each overlay represents a different category to help organize the drawing. Each layer can have different properties and can be modified as well as displayed or turned off. It is common for different layers to have different colors, linetypes (solid, dashed, dotted, etc), and lineweights (line thickness) so that it is easy to distinguish between them.
There is no limit to how many layers can be created in an AutoCAD drawing. Many design companies have a template (see bottom of page) that includes all their standard layers so drafters do not need to recreate from scratch every time.
Layer Properties Manager
Layer Properties Manager
Click on the Layer Properties button to create and edit the layers in the drawing. The default layer is named "0" and is a continuous, white line. This is the layer that all previous drawings have been made on up to this point in the course. Moving forward, it is advised to setup layers before starting a drawing to keep it organized. This is particularly useful once drawings become more complicated.
Example
Example
Below are just a few sheets from a plan set for a commercial kitchen. The full set of plans contains hundreds of drawings that detail all the specifics of constructing the three-dimensional structure shown on the right. Imagine how having various layers can help organize the drawing. Besides organizing the design, how could layers help with estimating the cost of the materials? How could it help ensure that there is not any overlap between objects (for example, an air vent where there is a support column)? How could it help different teams (e.g. architects, mechanical engineers, and electrical engineers) work together on the design?
"Design a Commercial Kitchen" Free CAD File. https://www.freecadfiles.com/2021/02/design-commercial-kitchen-dwg-2d-3d.html
Templates
Templates
Templates are starting AutoCAD files (.dwt) that already have certain settings and options prepopulated to maintain consistent standards and styles across and organization. Some settings that a template might include are units, layers and layer properties, dimension and text styles, layout viewports, and plot settings. For some future assignments, you will be prompted to download and open a template file to save you time.
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