Layer

The term layer, can shortly be defined as object group. In the basis of layer logic, there is the separation of objects into groups. There are certain objects in every layer. These objects are parts of the project. When the layers are coincide one on the top of the other, the project comes out. It is easier to manage, inspect the project and to take measures against possible errors by the layer logic. The objects that their layers are closed, are not displayed on the screen. You can work on the layers you desire by keeping open these layers and closed the others. By this way, confusions possible to happen because of the objects belong to the other layers are prevented.

To open/close layers;

Click Settings/Layer Settings. The Layer Settings dialog will appear on the screen.

Uncheck the box in the Visible column across the layer name you want to close by left-clicking on the box.

If all the layers are to be closed and only one or a few layers are to be left open, it will be appropriate to use the Hide All button. If you left-click the Hide All button, all the open layers will be closed. After this, check the layer check-boxes by left-clicking, to open the layers you want.

Similarly, to open all the closed layers use the Show All button.

Click OK to exit the dialog. All the layers checked in the layer settings dialog will be displayed where the unchecked ones will not be displayed on the screen.

It is possible to open/close layers without entering the Layer Settings dialog. This process can be made from the layer list in the toolbar.

Left-click the arrow button on the right of the layer toolbox on the toolbar. The layer list will be displayed.

Left-click on the check-box in front of the layer to be closed. The box will be unchecked.

Click on the drawing area. The related layer will be closed. A closed layer can also be opened by the same method.

In some cases, it may be necessary to see some objects on the screen, but to prevent any accidental intervention to these objects. Layer locking is used for this purpose. The objects in the locked layers are displayed on the screen but there is no way to intervene to these objects. To lock layers;

Click Settings/Layer Settings. The Layer Settings dialog will appear on the screen.

Left-click on the lock symbol across the layer you want to lock. The symbol will be closed and turn to red color.

If all the layers are to be locked and only one or a few layers are to be left unlocked, it will be appropriate to use the Lock All button. If you left-click the Lock All button, all the unlocked layers will be locked. After this, unlock the layers you want by left-clicking on the related lock symbols.

Similarly, to unlock all the locked layers use the Unlock All button.

Click OK to exit the dialog. All the objects will be displayed on the screen. However, the objects in the locked layers cannot be intervened. To intervene to the objects, the layers should be unlocked by the same method.

The layer locking process can be made without entering the layer settings as well. For this purpose, use the layer list located on the toolbar.

Left-click the arrow button on the right of the layer toolbox on the toolbar. The layer list will be displayed.

Left-click on the lock symbol in front of the layer to be locked. The symbol will turn to red.

Click on the drawing area. The related layer will be locked. A locked layer can also be unlocked by the same method.

All the objects in ideYAPI programs take place in layers having the same name with the objects e.g. the walls are in the wall layer, the hatchings are in the hatching layer. These are the standard layers and all the objects are included in these layers automatically while being drawn. However, the objects do not have to belong in these standard layers. The objects can be included to different layers before or after being drawn. As these layers can be the other existing layers, it is possible to create new layers with new names as well.

To draw an object in a layer different than its standard layer;

Click Draw/Entities/the related object(e.g. Wall).

The layer of the related object will be displayed in the Layer Toolbox on the toolbar. Left-click the arrow button on the right of the layer toolbox.

Select the layer you wish from the appearing layer list.

The objects of this type (here the walls) to be drawn hereafter will be drawn in this layer.

To return to the standard layer of the object, repeat the same procedure and select the standard layer of the object.

To change the layer of an existing (already drawn) object;

Select the related object.

Click Modify/Entity Edit/Change Entity Layer.

Left-click to select a new layer from the appearing dialog.

Click OK to exit the dialog. The layer of the selected object will be changed.

More than one objects of various types can be selected and included in the same layer by this method. In this way, it is possible to save alternative project drawings in the same window in different layers.

There is a layer named Drafting Mode in the program, designed for this purpose.

When Tools/Drafting Mode is clicked, the drafting mode is opened. In the drafting mode, the project appears in the rear plan in gray-scale. Here you can draw various drafts using primitive objects (line, circle, arc, curve, text) and produce alternative ideas. To make the drawn objects to appear more evident on the screen, thickness can be given to the objects. To do this;

Select the objects that you want to give thickness.

Click Modify/Entity Properties.

Select new thickness from the appearing Primitive Entity Settings dialog.

Click Ok to exit the dialog. The line thicknesses will be changed.

Everything drawn in the drafting mode, take place in the draft layer. After you exit the drafting mode, the draft layer is closed and these drawings are not displayed on the screen. To exit the drafting mode, Tools/Drafting Mode should be clicked again.

Except the existing layers in the program, new, user-defined layers can be created as well.

Click Settings/Layer Settings.

Left-click the New button in the appearing layer settings dialog. You will observe that a new layer with the name “New Layer” will be added at the end of the layer list.

Double-click on the layer name and enter a name for the new layer using the keyboard.

Click OK to exit the dialog. The new layer will be added to the program.

To delete an existing layer click the Erase button from the same dialog.

Another tab in the layer settings dialog is the Drawing Details tab where the sublayers under some certain layers are controlled. The sublayers of such layers that are not wanted to appear in the drawing can be closed from here.

E.g. if door/window labels are not wanted;

Click Settings/Layer Settings.

Get in the Drawing Details tab in the appearing Layer Settings dialog.

The layers and sublayers list will appear.

Uncheck the IWO Label Circle checkbox under the Door/Window layer here by left-clicking on it.

Close the dialog by clicking OK.

The ID labels of doors/windows existing on the drawing area and to be drawn hereafter will not be displayed on the screed, neither they will be plot in the outputs.