sync layer properties across project

[Anonymous]

I am working on a big project now and I'm going crazy! how can I sync all my layer properties - color, lineweight, etc. - throughout the entire project??

I'm already using project standards, but that doesn't include 'layer properties' for some odd reason. why shouldn't I be able to manage my layer colors the same way I do with aec object, like door color representation??

now Iv already gave a shot for 'cad standards' batch checker, but it doesn't seem to work as expected, I created a .dws file, and configured my drawings to that file. but when changing a layer color - for instance A-STAIR to Color 253 -  in the .dws file and saving it, then when going back to my drawing and launching the check dialog, it wont give me the option to update A-STAIR, how is it supposed to work??? PLS HELP!!!!!

[dbroad]

I'm not sure why layering should be a problem.  If you are using the AEC Model and AEC Sheet templates, use the PN for creating constructs, elements, views, and sheets,  and have layer keying enabled, layering should almost all be taken care of for you.

Project Standards has 3 tabs.  

--The third tab lets you set up AutoCAD Standards but I'm not sure that you should include layers because layers are automatically generated when needed

and set to the correct properties.

--The second tab lets you control synchronization.

If that is not enough for you, you can use layer states or the layer translator.

[Anonymous]

First of all thanks for your time,

If I understand correctly your saying that layer keying automatically places AEC objects on its designated layers.

Now that I kinda knew, I just ran in to this problem cause I'm currently working on a project where I'm dumping in lots of files from different firms and architects - I'm basically working on a 10 story building, and redoing the exterior, but just adding the interior of the building from the architect for it to look complete - so the interior walls and doors are AEC, but all the other objects (furniture, plumbing, etc.) are just polylines.

And that's the reason why I need to sync all the interior floor plans together so that when I apply a color change to one layer, it changes throughout the project (the interior files are layered accordingly).

Another question is if I change the layer or color so an AEC object, can I still manage it's layer and color with layer keying? Or is it strictly for when PLACING the object, and if so is there a way to switch it back to its default layer so I can manage it?

Thanks a lot for your help!
Yiddy

[dbroad]

The colors of AEC objects are not all layer dependent.  If I were you, I would take the non-AEC items and make them conform to AutoCAD Architecture, not the other way round. There are many built in styles and many display settings that govern everything.  The only thing that matters in the end is how the drawings plot.

[Anonymous]

So again, if I place doors in my project and leave it on layer A-DOOR which is default to color 31 (due to layer keying), and then want to change all my doors to blue, how would I go about it?

1) Should I change the layer color of A-DOOR to blue (but it won't change throughout the project files)
2) or should I set the color to blue (and not by layer) in the display manager- on the properties panel.

correct me if I'm wrong, i can't change the color of a layer through layer keying, and expect it to change all object that are already placed!

[David_W_Koch]

The Layer Keys in the current Layer Key Style are used to assign various object types to a layer.  The attributes specified for each layer in the Layer Key Style only come into play when placing an object and if that layer does not already exist in the file.  For example, if the DOOR layer key is assigned layer A-DOOR, and specified to have color 31, but the current drawing already has a layer called A-DOOR, with color 5 (blue) assigned, adding a Door will have the Door placed on layer A-DOOR, with no changes made to the layer.  Most out-of-the-box Door Styles and display settings have all of the visible plan components set up on Layer 0 and color ByBlock, so they would be blue.  But as @dbroad mentioned, it is possible for display components of an object to be set on a specific layer, other than the one on which the parent object is placed or assigned a specific color.  Many components can have their display controlled by the Material Definition assigned to the component, which provides a separate way to get all of the components assigned a particular material to display the same way.

[dbroad]

If I were you, knowing that AA is already built to manage layers and colors, it would be far easier to accept its mechanism than to make it conform to yours.

That said, you can create your own layer-key-style with your own colors.

I had to decide when I started using AA that in order to reap the benefits of a national standard that I would have to be willing to accept a new look and a new naming convention.  Once I stopped griping and trying to swim against the stream, my productivity increased.

AA is a boon to many architect's offices working together because the standardization is built into the program.  The team has to be willing to use the tools that enable standardization and give up some of their personalizations.