Related Topics

Drawing Order
Groups
Layers Table

Layers Visibility


Each drawing may have multiple layers that contain the graphic items on the drawing. The two popup menus shown circled are used to select which layers are drawn. The visibility state of each layer depends on the state of the layer (ON or Off) and the visibility state for the drawing (Active Only, Show Other, Show All, Select Others, Select All). The last two possibilities allow selection and modification of graphics on layers other than the Active Layer.

These selections are made by opening the Layers Drawer for a drawing window. This is accessed from the "Layers" menu item found on the Format menu on the Main menu. Each EazyDraw drawing window (document) has it's own Layers Drawer and unique set of layers. .

The individual layer state selection applies to the layer selected on the Layers Table. To change a state, select the layer then make a selection with the bottom popup menu, shown circled. You may also select and type in the desired state directly in the left column of the layer table. Only one layer may be the Active layer, if a layer is chosen to be the active layer the previous active layer's state is changed to ON.

Two popup menus, Layer State and Enabled Actions, taken together specify what is visible and may be selected on a drawing. The first one defines the visibility of the full drawing. The second describes the Visibility state of the layer selected on the Layers Table. Graphics that are available for selection may also be modified.

The Hide Dimensions check box is used to turn off the drawing of all Dimensions for a given layer. When checked all dimensions for the layer are not shown on the screen or printed page. In all other respects the dimensions remain present in the drawing, they may be selected and deleted, so care must be taken when this hiding is in use.

Selection Active On Off
Active Only Show - Select Hide Hide
Show Others Show - Select Show Hide
Show All Show - Select Show Show
Select Others Show - Select Show - Select Hide
Select Others Show - Select Show - Select Show - Select

The Enabled Actions popup has several selections. The selection determines which layers are shown and available for graphic selection and modification. The selections are generally self explanatory. Show or Select All operates without regard for the On or Off state of the layer. Show or Select Others respects the On or Off state by not presenting layers that are Off. The "Above" or "Below" selections apply to the layer position in the drawing order - as shown by position on the Layers Table view.

The Item Details drawer has a section that is useful when working with layers. The information shown near the bottom of the drawer shows which layer contains a selected graphic. The popup menu found there shows the home layer for a selected graphic.

The popup menu on the Graphic Details Drawer may be used to move a graphic from one layer to another. Select a graphic then use the popup to choose a new layer. The graphic may disappear if it is moved to a layer that is Off and the visibility state is "Select Others".

TheAdvance Duplicate sheet, found on the Edit Menu, allows graphics to be copied to across layers. This action will copy a selected graphic(s) to all other layers, all other On layers, or to a specific layer.

Layers may be Cloaked from inclusion as snap guides or vertices. Cloaking is a menu action accessed from the Format main menu. Cloak states and settings are not present in the Layers drawer.