Adding Layers (PDF)

A r c h i t e c t u r a l

T e m p l a t e s

Architectural Drafting Using AutoCAD Adding Layers Template Development Objectives You will complete the following tasks during this stage of template development: Adjust default lineweight settings. Load linetypes. Create layers. The next stage of template development includes adjusting default lineweight settings, loading linetypes, and creating layers. The templates you create in this book focus on specific architectural drafting practices and use exact lineweights, linetypes, and layers set according to industry standards.

Adjusting Default Lineweight Settings The default lineweight is often set to the lineweight most often assigned to layers. However, the default lineweight is an application setting, and applies to any drawing you open. The default lineweight is not template-specific and remains set until you change the value. Do not assign layers the Default lineweight value if you anticipate using a different default lineweight for different drawing applications. Change each layer’s lineweight individually. This rule maintains flexibility and consistency between drawings. If you know you will always use the same default lineweight between drawings, set the default lineweight as the most common lineweight. Then, assign the Default value to the layers that reference the preset default lineweight. Adjust layers that use a different lineweight separately. Follow these steps to set the default lineweight: 1. Access the Select File dialog box to open the template file. Remember, you are opening the existing template file using the OPEN tool, not creating a drawing based on a template file using the NEW tool. 2. Locate and open the desired template file, such as the Architectural-US template. 3. Access the Lineweight Settings dialog box. 4. Select 0.35 mm from the Default drop-down list to set the default lineweight as medium. It is easiest and most accurate to reference millimeter lineweights even when developing US Customary templates. 5. Close the Lineweight Settings dialog box. 6. Continue developing the current template file, or close the file and adjust the default lineweight for all other templates.

Architectural Drafting Template Development Follow these steps to add layers to the Architectural-US, Arch-Template, and Architectural-Metric templates. The layers are the same for each template. Architectural

drafting templates and layers are usually drawing-specific. For example, one template may be used for drawing floor plans while a separate template is used to create sections. The layers suggested here are a sample of commonly used architectural drafting layers. The specified layers are set according to NCS CAD layering guidelines. You will have Copyright by Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

Adding Layers   

to add many other layers to your templates for specific applications. 1. Access the Select File dialog box to open the Architectural-US template file. Remember, you are opening the existing template file using the OPEN tool, not creating a drawing based on a template file using the NEW tool. 2. Create the layers shown in the following table. Layer Name

Color

Linetype

Lineweight

Description

A-ANNO-DIMS

red

Continuous

Default

Dimensions

A-ANNO-DMOV

21

Continuous

Default

Overhead dimensions

A-ANNO-KEYN

242

Continuous

Default

Keynotes

A-ANNO-LEGN

32

Continuous

Default

Legends and schedules

A-ANNO-NOTE

222

Continuous

Default

Notes

A-ANNO-NPLT

cyan

Continuous

Default

Construction lines, non-plotting information

A-ANNO-REDL

red

Continuous

Default

Redlines

A-ANNO-SKET

white

Continuous

Default

Sketch annotations

A-ANNO-STRS

30

Continuous

Default

Stair identification

A-ANNO-SYMB

blue

Continuous

Default

Symbols

A-ANNO-TEXT

12

Continuous

Default

Text

A-ANNO-TTLB

blue

Continuous

0.70 mm

Border and title block

A-ANNO-XREF

white

Continuous

Default

External references

A-AREA

blue

Continuous

Default

Area calculation boundary lines

A-AREA-IDEN

blue

Continuous

Default

Room numbers, tenant identification, area calculations

A-COLS

white

Continuous

0.60 mm

Columns

A-COMM

220

Continuous

Default

Telephone, communication outlets

A-DOOR

blue

Continuous

Default

Doors

A-DOOR-ELEV

white

Continuous

Default

Doors in elevation views

A-DOOR-IDEN

174

Continuous

Default

Door tags

A-ELEV

white

Continuous

Default

Interior and exterior elevations

A-ELEV-CASE

35

Continuous

Default

Wall mounted casework

A-ELEV-FIXT

66

Continuous

Default

Miscellaneous fixtures

A-ELEV-FNSH

35

Continuous

Default

Finishes, woodwork, trim

(Continued) Copyright by Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

Adding Layers  

Layer Name

Color

Linetype

Lineweight

Description

A-ELEV-IDEN

magenta

Continuous

Default

Component identification numbers

A-ELEV-LITE

blue

Continuous

Default

Lighting fixtures in elevation views

A-ELEV-OTLN

white

Continuous

0.60 mm

Building outlines

A-ELEV-PATT

42

Continuous

Default

Textures and hatch patterns

A-ELEV-PFIX

140

Continuous

Default

Plumbing fixtures in elevation views

A-FIRE

30

Continuous

Default

Fire alarm, fire extinguishers

A-FLOR

white

Continuous

Default

Floor information

A-FLOR-ACCS

white

DASHED

Default

Attic, crawlspace access

A-FLOR-CASE

52

Continuous

Default

Casework, manufactured cabinets

A-FLOR-FIXT

green

Continuous

Default

Miscellaneous fixtures

A-FLOR-FPLC

12

Continuous

0.50 mm

Fireplace

A-FLOR-HRAL

36

Continuous

0.50 mm

Stair and balcony handrails, guard rails

A-FLOR-IDEN

106

Continuous

0.50 mm

Room number, names, targets

A-FLOR-MCUT

green

PHANTOM

0.70 mm

Section cutting plane

A-FLOR-OTLN

white

DASHED

0.60 mm

Floor or building outline

A-FLOR-OVHD

white

DASHED

0.50 mm

Overhead items

A-FLOR-PATT

43

Continuous

Default

Paving, tile, carpet patterns

A-FLOR-PFIX

140

Continuous

Default

Plumbing fixtures

A-FLOR-SKET

white

Continuous

Default

Floor sketches

A-FLOR-STRS

54

Continuous

Default

Stair treads, escalators, ladders

A-FLORWDWK

44

Continuous

Default

Architectural woodwork, field-built cabinets, and counters

A-FLOR-WKDA

44

DASHED

Default

Architectural woodwork, field-built cabinets, and counters (hidden or overhead)

(Continued) Copyright by Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

Adding Layers  

Layer Name

Color

Linetype

Lineweight

Description

A-GLAZ

green

Continuous

Default

Windows, window walls, curtain walls, glazed partitions

A-GLAZ-ELEV

white

Continuous

Default

Glazing and mullions in elevation views

A-GLAZ-IDEN

84

Continuous

Default

Window tags

A-GLAZ-OVHD

green

DASHED

Default

Skylights

A-HOTW

red

Continuous

0.50 mm

Hot water heating system

A-HVAC

white

Continuous

0.50 mm

HVAC system

A-POWR

74

Continuous

Default

Power outlets and receptacles

A-POWR-CIRC

74

DASHED

Default

Power circuits

A-POWR-JBOX

72

Continuous

Default

Junction boxes

A-POWR-PANL

green

Continuous

Default

Power panels

A-ROOF

34

Continuous

0.60 mm

Roof

A-ROOF-CHIM

24

Continuous

0.50 mm

Chimney

A-ROOF-PATT

54

Continuous

Default

Roof surface patterns, hatching

A-ROOF-VENT

blue

Continuous

Default

Roof vents

A-SECT

white

Continuous

Default

Sections

A-SECT-IDEN

magenta

Continuous

Default

Component identification numbers

A-SECT-MBND

blue

Continuous

Default

Material beyond section cut

A-SECT-MCUT

white

Continuous

Default

Material cut by section

A-SECT-PATT

92

Continuous

Default

Textures and hatch patterns

A-SLAB

8

Continuous

Default

Concrete slab

A-WALL-FULL

white

Continuous

0.60 mm

Full-height walls, stair and shaft walls, walls to structures

A-WALL-HEAD

white

DASHED

0.50 mm

Door and window headers

A-WALL-PATT

magenta

Continuous

Default

Wall insulation, hatching and fill

A-WALL-PRHT

9

Continuous

0.50 mm

Partial-height walls, stair and shaft walls, walls to structures

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Adding Layers  



3. Resave and close the template file. 4. Access the Select File dialog box to open the Arch-Template template file. Remember, you are opening the existing template file using the OPEN tool, not creating a drawing based on a template file using the NEW tool. 5. Create the layers previously described. If you have already built the layers in the Architectural-US template, use DesignCenter to drag and drop the layers into the Architectural-Metric template. 6. Resave and close the template file. 7. Open the Architectural-Metric template. 8. Create the layers previously described. If you have already built the layers in the Architectural-US template, use DesignCenter to drag and drop the layers into the Architectural-Metric template. 9. Resave and close the template file.

Copyright by Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.

Adding Layers