Model layers in Drawing

[tschaeferZNBXX]

Does anyone know how to get all of my views to update to the layer used in a model?

I can change the entire part layer but I have to do this for each of my views.  This can be time consuming and error prone.  If I have taken the time to create my models on layers why can these not be shown the same in the IDW?

[swalton]

I haven't found much use for layers in idw files.

What are you trying to do? There may be another workflow to get your desired end result.

[tschaeferZNBXX]

There is not much use for them but I am wanting to just make our Inventor drawings look more like AutoCAD so people can adjust to the idea of moving away from AutoCAD.  In my industry there is still a lot of 2D only.

[swalton]

Good luck.

There may be a way to use some iLogic programming to automatically assign each component in an assembly to a layer in an idw.  People have asked about this over the years, but I don't remember if anyone got it working.

[tschaeferZNBXX]

That is what I am finding. 

I think the best solution may be to add a custom iProperty in the model for "Layer" and then having iLogic that sets the layer in the drawing to that same layer.

The issue is going to be having all of the views update at the same time.

[PaulMunford]

'I have taken the time to create my models on layers'

Can you explain that a little bit more? How did you do that?

[BeKirra]

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@tschaeferZNBXX wrote:

There is not much use for them but I am wanting to just make our Inventor drawings look more like AutoCAD so people can adjust to the idea of moving away from AutoCAD.  In my industry there is still a lot of 2D only.

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IMPOV it would be better if you spend some time with them by giving some of basic training - this is the starting point. This would be straightforward to gain the experience on Inventor because Inventor and AutoCAD are built on different platforms.

One of examples is that Inventor users usually do not worry about layers too much.

It is hard to move from AutoCAD to Inventor if people are not willing to learn something new.

HTH

[blair]

The included ScreenCast shows what actually end up on your drawing page. Very little is actually on the page surface plane.

I believe that someone posted some iLogic code on the site that attempts to put each part on it's own layer. The search function is at the top of this forum page.

[Curtis_Waguespack · Accepted solution]

Hi @tschaeferZNBXX,

The ilogic example at this link puts parts on layers based on their appearance color:

https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/inventor-forum/update-drawing-line-colour-based-on-part-colour/m-p/74...

I hope this helps.
Best of luck to you in all of your Inventor pursuits,
Curtis
http://inventortrenches.blogspot.com

[tschaeferZNBXX]

@PaulMunford wrote:
'I have taken the time to create my models on layers'

Can you explain that a little bit more? How did you do that?

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By going to the Styles and adding the layers.  Only issue is that when you place a part you have to make sure you have it on the correct layer or change that after you place the part.

[tschaeferZNBXX]

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@BeKirra wrote:

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@tschaeferZNBXX wrote:

There is not much use for them but I am wanting to just make our Inventor drawings look more like AutoCAD so people can adjust to the idea of moving away from AutoCAD.  In my industry there is still a lot of 2D only.

---

IMPOV it would be better if you spend some time with them by giving some of basic training - this is the starting point. This would be straightforward to gain the experience on Inventor because Inventor and AutoCAD are built on different platforms.

One of examples is that Inventor users usually do not worry about layers too much.

It is hard to move from AutoCAD to Inventor if people are not willing to learn something new.

HTH

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I agree 100% and this is the first time in 15 years I have worried about layers in 3D.

The problem is I have so many people who are very resistant to change.  I am working on getting them accustom to 3D but was hoping this could ease the transition. 

[tschaeferZNBXX]

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@Curtis_Waguespack wrote:

Hi @tschaeferZNBXX,

The ilogic example at this link puts parts on layers based on their appearance color:

https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/inventor-forum/update-drawing-line-colour-based-on-part-colour/m-p/74...

I hope this helps.
Best of luck to you in all of your Inventor pursuits,
Curtis
http://inventortrenches.blogspot.com

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The iLogic worked perfect.

[PaulMunford]

So - the 'Model' isn't on a layer. Layers are only introduced in drawings.

I think that you are making yourself a lot of unnecessary work here. Let Inventor handle drawing layers for you - don't try and make Inventor work like AutoCAD!

You will absolutely want to set up the styles in Inventor so that your Inventor drawings Look the same as your AutoCAD drawings (Lineweights, Linetypes, text), but you will find that you need a lot less layers in Inventor, so your AutoCAD layering standard won't map across.

I hope that helps?

[blair]

Remember the Inventor mantra, Inventor is not AutoCAD. For most parts AutoCAD is vector based lines on a flat surface trying to represent a 3D model.

It's great to make your Title-Block and Border look the same as your 2D drawings but that's where the similarities end.