Assigning Objects to Layers

You can assign objects to layers so that only parts of the document are visible.

When you have assigned objects to layers, you then create Using Visualization Filters which allow you to display only those objects located on specific layers referenced by the visualization filter.

Before you begin:
  • Layers can only be applied to 3D Shapes and drawing representations. In product edition context, the Layer box displayed in the Graphic Properties toolbar is grayed out.
  • The current layer is always visible whatever the visualization filter and objects located on this layer are visible as well.
  • New objects are always created on the current layer. To create new objects on a specific layer, set the appropriate layer number in the Layer list first: any new objects will be created on this new current layer.
Related Topics
More About Assigning Objects to Layers

  1. Open a document with geometrical data.

    In this scenario, we use a product with two part bodies containing at least one pad each:

    You can see clearly that the two features are named PadandCylinder and Pad.

  2. Select View > Toolbars > Graphic Properties:



    In the Graphic Properties toolbar, the Layer list indicates the current layer (if no objects are selected) or the layer of the selected object.

    None indicates that there is no current layer, which guarantees that all the contents of your document are visible. You can assign objects to None: any object assigned to None is always visible.

    Important:
    • The layers None, 0 General and 1-999 cannot be deleted.
    • When opening an existing object (whatever the release level on which it has been created), the existing geometry is migrated to the current layer. If you do not want the geometry to be assigned to a layer, set the current layer to None before opening the object.
    • If you open an existing object with a current layer set to a layer other than None then close this object without making any changes, you will be prompted to save the object because the geometry was assigned to the current layer when opening the object.

  3. Double-click a representation to switch to a part edition context.

  4. Select a part body in the tree (PadandCylinder in our example), click the arrow on the Layer list, then select 0 General from the list.

    PadandCylinder is assigned to the layer 0 General.

    The Layer list now looks like this:



    You see only the number because all layers are identified primarily by their number.

  5. Select the different features in the part body (e.g. Pad.1 and Pad.2):



    These features are located on the layer 0 because they inherit the layer of the part body (PadandCylinder).

  6. This time, still in the part body (PadandCylinder), select any of the sketches.

    The sketches from which the features are built remain on the current layer None:

  7. Select another part body in the tree (e.g. Pad).

    Pad is still located on the current layer:

    Important: When pointing to the Layer list, a tooltip indicates where the layer definition location is stored. The storage location cannot be modified and is set as explained below:
    • For products, it is stored in the CATSettings directory.
    • For 3D Shapes, it is stored in the representation. If no definition is stored in the representation, the 3D Shape representation uses the definition stored in the CATSettings directory.
    • For drawings, the definition is stored in the representation.

    The link between a given feature or object and a given layer is stored in the Representation.

  8. Optional: To change the current layer, first make sure no object is selected, then enter the layer number in the list.