AutoCAD - Can I assign multiple layers to one object

[WJBlount]

Hey all,

First post here.  I'm trying to find a solution to a problem we run into with every project we work on at my office.  Each drawing package includes 2d plan view drawings as well as 3d isometric drawings.  We have about 4 different isometric drawings we produce.  I'll try to explain the problem in a simplified form.  So for example in ISO drawing one we might need pipe 1,2 & 3 on one layer, but in ISO drawing two, pipe 1,2, & 3 are on a different layer or may not even be on the same layer anymore.  We x-ref in our base drawing, but we haven't been able to find a way to keep all of our ISOs in one drawing and use viewports to only show what we need for each drawing.  So we end up making separate drawings for each ISO.  Which is fine until we start having to make changes, then instead of being able to make changes to one base drawing and have it update across all the drawings, we have to make the changes multiple times across all the drawings.  Does anyone have a way to clean this up, so we can do all of our work in one drawing, but have individual pieces show up differently?

[ The subject line of this post has been edited for clarity by @handjonathan Original: Can I assign multiple layers to one object ]

[paullimapa]

Instead of separate 2d isometric drawings, can you just create different iso views looking at the one 3d drawing model? Then you can xref a single 3d drawing and then set the iso metric views (create * save using VIEW command), rename the block name (to that xref), then xref the same single 3d drawing again and use VIEW command again to restore those same views saved. Now since you have 2 different block names but both referencing the same drawing, you can use VPLAYER control to freeze the xref you don't want to show up in the pspace vports

[pendean]

NO is the answer to your question (thought I would go ahead and state it).

Explore the other methods suggested to achieve the results you want.

[WJBlount]

I'll have to try and see if I can make that work.  I'm not sure, because a couple of our ISO drawings only need 2-3 layers to show the info needed, while the other drawings have 100s of layers.  So I'll have to play with it a bit, and see if we can make that work.

[WJBlount]

So the Xref idea doesn't quite work.  We have the situation were for example: we have 2 sections of 20' of pipe for 40' total.  In one ISO the entire pipe might be on layer 1 but in another ISO the first section of pipe could be on layer 1, and the second section on layer 2.  Is there a way to change layers in an x-ref without it effecting the source drawing?  We are hoping to be able to have one model with each different ISO needed on a tab, instead of having four completely separate drawings.

[paullimapa]

Since you need two sections modify the three d model to fit your needs

[RobDraw]

Why are you assigning different layers for the same object?

The only reason I could think of is for phasing. Maybe if you describe what you are trying to achieve, someone could come up with a more efficient way than making copies in separate files.

[WJBlount]

Due to corporate security I can't get too detailed, but I will try to explain the best I'm allowed.  So we have distribution sites that have dozens to hundreds of different pipes in them.  We color code the pipes and print the drawings in color to designate different info.  So in one ISO we are using different colors to show who owns which pipe.  In a second ISO we are showing the pressure rating of each pipe using different colors.  In a third ISO we are using different colors to show corrosion mitigation, and in a fourth ISO we are using different colors to show different regulations for each pipe.  Currently we have a separate drawing for each ISO, so that we can coordinate the colors by layer, but when we make a change to a site, we then have to make the change in 4 different drawings, which obviously takes more time, and increases the likelihood of an error.  We would like to have one drawing with a paper space tab for each of the different uses, and be able to have the info display the proper color in each viewport.  So that we only have to make the changes in one drawing. 

[Washingtonn]

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[pkolarik]

In your original post you said you're looking for a way to assign more than one *layer* to an object because you want to have the same object on different layers for different drawings/tabs.

However, in your latest response you only mentioned the *colors* needing to be different.

If it's truly only the different colors you need for an object, that can be done very simply by using vp overrides for the color. You can do this on a per-layout tab basis and save each color scheme in the Layer States Manager for easy recall/application to a layout tab.

You also mentioned "3d isometric drawings";  are you truly modeling these pipes in 3d? Or it is 2d linework in a isometric view? (I only ask because here we do our isometrics as 2d linework in an isometric view, yet some people call them "3d drawings".)

[Washingtonn]

The difference in effort/flexibility between assigning tags to an object and having the tags determine the color in any viewport vs. manually assigning a different color to the same object based for each viewport is huge.

The video shows cycling through the classifications tags assigned to each existing objects. Since objects retains those classification tags and the color is based on the classification scheme displayed,  classification changes can be made once and every (existing and new) viewport will reflect the changes.

While it is is true that only one layer scheme is available at a time, the user can simply cycle through each layer scheme to display whichever classification is desired and plot the appropriate layout(s) before going to the next.

[pkolarik]

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@Washingtonn wrote:

The difference in effort/flexibility between assigning tags to an object and having the tags determine the color in any viewport vs. manually assigning a different color to the same object based for each viewport is huge.

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Not really, depending on exactly the results the OP is after. And it only needs to be done one time;  if it's a standardized procedure those can be applied each time after the initial setup.

Edit:  I just looked up "Solid Pipe Designer" add-in for AutoCAD.... $3000? You can do an awful lot of work in the Layer States Manager for $3000.

[paullimapa]

The challenge is in OPs 5th response 

where there are at least 3 separate schemes: entire 40’ pipe one color, 20’ of pipe one color the other 20’ another color. As my reply stated this can be resolved by going back to the 3D model. Now providing more detail in what I would do is to create the pipe in two separate sections. This way you can have the each pipe section placed on its own layer. So with the scheme where the entire pipe is the same color you would set both layers with same color. Then with scheme where each section needs to be a different color then since there are 2 separate layers this can easily be done. Now the only issue hopefully is that you don’t have other schemes where different length sections need different colors. Then you may have to once again go back to the 3D model and perhaps create the pipe in one foot segments so that you can have that kind of flexibility 

[RobDraw]

I think you need more robust software. Revit can do this without the need for multiple models or changing settings for printing different tabs in the same .dwg.

[Washingtonn]

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[WJBlount]

If only it were that easy. Changing VP colors was my first thought, however because the layers don't "line up" this doesn't work...They are true 3d models, each pipe has an elevation assigned to it.

[WJBlount]

Sadly, you hit the nail on the head...each pipe may need to be a different color in each drawing. So yes, we would have to go down to 1' or smaller segments, and we are dealing in some places with 1000s of feet of pipe.