When working on a complex drawing, you may want to turn off specific layers, freeze others, or modify the properties of some layers. If you wish to return to a particular configuration of layers and their settings later, using layer states can simplify this process. A layer state is a snapshot of the current layers and their settings when created. This layer state is saved within the drawing and can be restored anytime.
Here is a detailed guide on how to create a new layer state in gCADPlus while working on a drawing:
Open your drawing
Start by opening the drawing in gCADPlus, where you want to create a new layer state.
Access the Layer States Manager
Go to the Format dropdown menu Layers item.
This will open the Layer Manager window. As a preliminary step, ready for a new layer state, make any required adjustments to the layer visibility, lock state, linetype, lineweight etc. at this stage of proceedings.
Let’s imagine that we wanted to be able to hide a water feature in a design. In the second figure below, the pond and water lilies are on a layer L-POND, so they are turned off.
Once that’s done, open the Layer States Manager window by clicking on the small icon adjacent to the icon to the right of the icon used to create a new layer, as shown in the figure below. This action pops up a window showing the Layer States Manager tools. In this example, four layer states were created previously.
Tip: The Layer States Manager window can be positioned in the drawing interface as desired, but it ‘floats’ directly on top of the Layer Properties window here.
To create a New Layer State
Click the New button in the Layer States Manager window to create a new layer state. A dialogue box will appear, prompting you to name the new layer state. Choose a descriptive name that reflects the purpose of this layer state (e.g., “Water Features” or “Planting Plan”).
Tip: Hit the enter key after typing the new name.
Select close to save the Layer State
Switch Between Layer States
To switch between different layer states, return to the Layer States Manager, select the desired layer state from the list, and click the restore option. This will apply the selected layer state to your drawing, showing or hiding layers and setting their properties accordingly.
Some YouTube movies on the use of Layer States
Managing layer states when working on landscape design drawings with CAD software.
Learn to use the Layer States tool in gCADPlus and efficiently manage landscape design drawings.
Check out a professional landscape designer’s use of layer states in this video.
We show the value of using the layer states tool in gCADPlus while working with a complex design containing many layers. This design has passed through many hands, including a surveyor and architect. It is now in the hands of an irrigation systems designer who uses the layer states manager to add his work efficiently.
Using the Layer States Manager in gCADPlus can simplify drafting and client communication.
This video answers a designer’s question: How do I create a new layer state collection?