All drawings must be flattened into a single layer

[jovenm_2000]

Hi. I'm working on drawing submission & one requirement is that 'All drawings must be flattened into a single layer'

Does this mean that they only need to see one layer on my drawing then flatten? I know the command flatten.

[Valentin-WSP · Accepted solution]

@jovenm_2000 ,

Welcome to the forum.

Instead of guessing what the "requirements" mean, ask the client to elaborate.

It may mean making all objects/element in AutoCAD flat - using the FLATTEN Command, and on one layer (highly unlikely) - but why guess.

Or maybe this...

• Merge or flatten layers in the PDF

[pendean]

@jovenm_2000 Why are you asking us what "they" want?

Since you seem unsure... I suspect your jurisdiction is actually asking you to do this to your submitted PDF drawings (which has nothing to do with AutoCAD BTW) https://myresearchpath.duke.edu/quick-reference-guide-how-flatten-pdf
https://pdfpro.com/blog/guides/how-to-flatten-a-pdf/
https://www.printivity.com/insights/what-flatten-pdf-file-means-and-how-to-do-it/

HTH

[paullimapa]

I’m sure they’re referring to pdf not dwg so make this adjustment to your Dwg To Pdf.pc3 device before generating any PDFs:

https://www.autodesk.com/support/technical/article/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/How-to-turn-off-la...

[pendean]

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@paullimapa wrote:

I’m sure they’re referring to pdf not dwg so make this adjustment to your Dwg To Pdf.pc3 device before generating any PDFs:

https://www.autodesk.com/support/technical/article/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/How-to-turn-off-la...

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We have yet to encounter a US based Governmental Jurisdiction already hell-bent on 'flattened' PDFs accepting the results from AutoCAD with that method, that still have 'something" they find and object to fiercely.

[paullimapa]

Time to work in the city of LA. Just helped a friend submit a set of PDFs with the flattened requirement from using AutoCAD and all went through without a hitch 

[ChicagoLooper]

Is your site LA County, California? Or in Canada?

Flattened drawings are typically done to put all objects at Z=0, or all entities at mean sea level.  By placing all objects on the same drawing plane, distances can be accurately determined from plan view. 

If your drawings only need to measure horizontal distances the flattened command will allow a user to ignore Z-values and only consider the X- and Y-components of distances. 

Foe example, if you have two adjacent points in a drawing, the dimensioned distance between them might be 24.6.meters. On the printed hardcopies, though, they only ‘appear’ to be 3.5 meters apart. Why? Because one point is at the top of a waterfall and the other at the bottom. Or on top of a building for one point and on the sidewalk for the other. 

Flattening a drawing using the flatten command doesn’t mean to put objects on a single layer, it means to out all objects on the Z=O plane or to ‘remove’ all elevation from the drawing, to make it flat. The layers can remain at status quo. 

If you draw using Civil3D, this might, or might not, require extra steps in addition to using the flatten command, especially if you create TINs b/c surface elevation is critical to your scope of work, such as final surface grade and water drainage. 

Does your office produce engineering type plans and do you frequently require agency approval for those plans?