1. Learning Objectives • Understanding Layers. • Working with Layers.
• Line types.
• Properties tool. Properties toolbar.
• Lineweight Units and Width
• Current, global line type scaling, and LTSCALE factor.
• Grid, Snap, and Ortho modes.
• Object Snaps and running Object Snap modes.
AutoTracking.
Function and Control Keys

2. UNDERSTANDING THE CONCEPT AND USE OF LAYERS
Drawing lines and dimensions in different overlays was a manual drawing method. With CAD, it is simulated by using different layers for the different kinds of drawing components.
Typical drawings need at least a few layers, such as:
Object
Center
Hidden
Annotation
Dimensions
Such layer names are abbreviated to four and two letter designations such as:
OBJT
CENT
HIDD
ANNO
DIMS
Layers are assigned linetypes, lineweights, and may have some other properties assigned as well.

3. Advantages of Using Layers
Readability: Drawing with layers provides the ability to graphically see at a glance certain kinds of drawing features, such as their hidden edges or centerlines, as shown at right.
Flexibility: Layers properties are all on by default so that layers will be visible, selectable, printable, opaque & shown in all viewports, but the ability to vary these settings is a great advantage of using layers.

4. WORKING WITH LAYERS
Ribbon: Home > Layers > Layer Properties Command: LAYER or LA
Toolbar: Layers > Layer Properties Manager
The Layers panel of the Ribbon
The Layers toolbar shows the current
active layer. It may be used to set a layer
active or to change layer properties “on the fly”.

5. The new layer tool is circled in red
The new layer tool is circled in red. Left click on it will create a new layer with default settings. Entering comma will make additional new layers without selecting the new tool
Creating New Layers
IMPORTANT NOTE: Only layer 0 is present unless the user has created other layers, and only the continuous linetype is loaded unless the user has loaded other linetypes.
Layer Properties Manager with default layer 0 only. Note the green check mark shows it is actively selected to use for drawing objects. Drag the dialogue box open further to the right to see additional options.

6. Linetypes
Selection of the Linetype of a Layer in the Layer Manager opens the Load or Reload Linetypes Dialogue box. One or more linetypes can be loaded using it. CTRL and Shift keys on the keyboard allow multiple selection.

7. Layer Creation and Assignment
After using the new tool to create new layers, selecting one of the new layers allows renaming it. Selecting each item in each column allows for modification of that items properties. Multiple layers may be selected to modify with CTRL or Shift key on the keyboard, or by using the right click menu.
Above, the colors, linetypes and lineweights have been modified for layers as shown.
Selection of the Linetype icon will allow loading of more linetypes that can be assigned.

8. Right click on layer mgr brings open a context related menu for adjusting Layer properties & other options.
The Layer Properties Manager with the shortcut menu

9. Controlling the Display of Layers
In addition to using the Layer Manager Dialogue box to work with layers, a layer can be set current or some common layer properties may be adjusted using the Layers Toolbar.
A “transparent” command can be done within another command, or “on the fly”. The Layers Toolbar drop down allows such use for Layers. The image shows turn off of the Border Text layer using the drop down list of layers & their states.

10. Partial view of the Layer Properties Manager with the VP Freeze icons

11. Properties by Layer by default
It is by far best to keep layers settings with the default of assigning properties ByLayer.
Setting colors or linetypes or lineweights, etc. to individual objects creates a chaotic drawing environment, difficult for a team of people to navigate.
Assigning properties by layer helps everyone understand how the work is organized more easily.

12. Assigning Lineweight Properties to a Layer
The Lineweight dialog box

13. Assigning Plot Style Properties to a Layer
The Select Plot Style
dialog box

14. Arranging Layers in a Sequence
The layers arranged automatically in numeric form in Layer Properties Manager

15. The layers arranged automatically in Layer Properties Manager

16. Merging Layers
Ribbon: Home > Layers > Merge Command: LAYMRG
The shortcut menu displayed on right-clicking on the layers

17. The Merge to Layer dialog box
The Merge to Layer message box

18. Managing the Display of Columns
Deleting Layers
Managing the Display of Columns
The shortcut menu to manage column heads

19. The Customize Layer Columns dialog box

20. Selective Display of Layers
The Layer Filter Properties dialog box

21. Layer States
The Layer States Manager dialog box

22. Reconciling New Layers
The information bubble for
unreconciled layers
Isolating and Unisolating Layers
Ribbon: Layers > Isolate/Unisolate
Command: LAYISO/LAYUNISO
Toolbar: Layers II > Layer Isolate/Layer Unis

23. Controlling the Layer Settings
New Layer Notification Area
Isolate Layer Settings Area
Dialog Settings Area
The Layer Settings dialog box

24. Example 1
Drawing for Example 1

25. Layers created for Example 1
Selecting the Hid layer from the Layers panel of the Ribbon to set it as the current layer

26. LineWeight Units available are Metric (mm) default or Imperial (inch)
The Lineweight Settings dialog box
Note: The Display Lineweight Toggle Box is off by default!!! You can toggle it on or off in this dialogue box, or in the status bar of the graphic screen.

27. Options Dialogue, User Preference Tab
To access the Lineweight Settings type Options, or right click to see and select Options, then select the User Preference Tab, then Select the Lineweight Settings Button (shown checked red), to switch from Metric (mm by default) to Imperial (Inches shown in the image here) or to make other adjustments.

28. Properties Palette Ribbon: View > Palettes > Properties
Toolbar: Standard > Properties
Command: PROPERTIES, CH, MO
The Properties palette

29. GLOBAL AND CURRENT LINETYPE SCALING
Quick Properties Palette
Status Bar: Quick Properties
The Quick Properties palette
GLOBAL AND CURRENT LINETYPE SCALING
Using CELTSCALE to control current linetype scaling

30. The Details area of the Linetype Manager dialog box

31. LTSCALE FACTOR FOR PLOTTING
Changing Linetype Scale Using the Properties Palette
WORKING WITH THE DESIGNCENTER
Ribbon: View > Palettes > DesignCenter Command: ADCENTER
Toolbar: Standard > DesignCenter
DRAFTING SETTINGS DIALOG BOX
Command: DSETTINGS

32. The DesignCenter with the shortcut menu

33. The Drafting Settings dialog box

34. Setting Grid Grid as check lines Grid as dots
The Grid Spacing area of the Drafting Settings dialog box

35. Setting Snap
Creating unequal grid spacing

36. Snap Type
Invisible Snap grid
Isometric Snap grid

37. DRAWING STRAIGHT LINES USING THE ORTHO MODE
Drawing a horizontal line using the Ortho mode
Drawing a vertical line using the Ortho mode

38. WORKING WITH OBJECT SNAPS
Toolbar: Object Snap
The Object Snap toolbar
The Object snap modes shortcut menu

39. AutoSnap
The Drafting tab of the Options dialog box

40. Endpoint Midpoint The Endpoint Object Snap mode
The Midpoint Object Snap mode

41. Nearest Center The Nearest Object Snap mode
The Center Object Snap mode

42. Tangent Quadrant The Quadrant Object Snap mode
The Tangent Object Snap mode
The Quadrant Object Snap mode

43. Apparent Intersection
Perpendicular
The Intersection Object Snap mode
Selecting the start point and then
the perpendicular snap

44. Node Insertion Snap to None Using Node object snap
The Insertion Object Snap mode
Snap to None

45. Parallel Extension Using the Parallel Object Snap mode
Using the Extension Object Snap
mode

46. Midpoint Between 2 Points
From
Midpoint Between 2 Points
Using the From Object Snap mode to locate a point
Using the Midpoint Between 2 Points Object Snap mode to locate a point

47. Temporary Tracking Point
Combining Object Snap Modes
Using temporary tracking point

48. RUNNING OBJECT SNAP MODE
Toolbar: Object Snap > Osnap Settings Command: OSNAP
The Drafting Settings dialog box (Object Snap tab)

49. Overriding the Running Snap
Cycling through Snaps
Setting the Priority for Coordinate Entry
Using the TAB key to cycle
through the snaps
Setting the coordinate entry priority

50. Setting the priority for coordinate data entry in the Options dialog box

51. USING AUTOTRACKING Object Snap Tracking Using AutoTracking to locate
a point (center of circle)
Using AutoTracking to locate a
point (midpoint of rectangle)

52. Polar Tracking AutoTrack Settings
The Polar Tracking tab of the Drafting Settings dialog box
The AutoTrack Settings area in the Options dialog box (Drafting tab)

53. FUNCTION AND CONTROL KEYS