Automatic layer assignment not working as expected.

[MarshallZachan2]

Hi all,

Ive been wanting automatic layer assignment to work for a while now, but it doesnt do anything except very basic layers.

Example, bolts go on bolt layers, plates go on plates, beams go on beams, but then everything else goes onto the beams layer too. Columns, purlins threaded rods, how do I get these to work as intended? like 'ObjectLayerAssignment' would have you expect, assigning to layers per model role.

I'm drawing on the standard layer, all layers exist in the .dwt, just doesn't assign them.

I've tried with 'Default layers used for AS objects based on object role' both ticked and unticked.

No luck.

Any help appreciated

[j.hamelin]

Hi,

Some layers cannot be assigned automatically, such as angles, purlins, columns, etc., if they are placed freely in the model.
Columns will only get their layer automatically if they are created using the Column function/macro, bracing if you use the Bracing function/macro, and so on. Also, once you change the model role afterward, the layer rules will no longer apply retroactively.

AS (Advance Steel) assigns predefined layers based on certain criteria, but the section/profile type is not one of them. For example, it does not distinguish between an angle and a W-beam, or between an HSS and a flat bar. They all default to the “beam” layer. The same goes for a column that is added manually (without the dedicated macro), it will also end up on the “beam” layer.

Some assignments are straightforward, like bolts or anchors, which always go to their respective layers. But many other objects need to be assigned manually.

In short: only the elements whose model role is defined through a macro will automatically get the predefined layer from the settings.