Using Layers

You can assign objects to default, or user-defined, layers to define their visibility.

This task shows you how to:

Assign Objects to Layers

You can assign objects to layers so that only parts of the document are visible.

When you have assigned objects to layers, you can create visualization filters that allow you to display only those objects located on specific layers referenced by the visualization filter.

Before you begin:
  • You can apply layers and layer filters only to 3D shapes and drawing representations. This means that in a product editing context:
    • The Layer box displayed in the Object Properties panel is unavailable.
    • You cannot run Visualization Filters....
  • Features of a part body inherit its layer, except when the part body is a hybrid body. In that case, features can have their own layer different from the layer of the solid feature. When a layer is assigned to a solid feature inside a part body, the layer does not apply to the part body anymore. This is the case for geometrical sets that behave like hybrid bodies, and each subelement can have its own layer.
  1. To access the Object Properties panel, do one of the following:
    • From the Tools section of the action bar, click Object Properties .
    • Right-click inside the work area or the top bar, and select Display > Object Properties.
  2. Use the Layer list at the bottom of the panel (where you see None) to define how you want to display objects.
    Important: When opening an existing object (whatever the release level on which it has been created), the existing geometry is migrated to the current layer. If you do not want the geometry to be assigned to a layer, define the current layer to None before opening the object.
  3. Double-click a representation to switch to a part editing context.
  4. Select an object in the tree.
  5. Click the arrow on the Layer list, and then select 0 General from the list.
    The selected object is assigned to the layer 0 General and 0 is displayed in the list. You only see the number because all layers are identified primarily by their number.
    Note: The following elements are stored in the representation:
    • The layer definition. You cannot modify the storage location that is identical for products, 3D shapes, and drawing representations.
    • The link between a given feature, or a given object, and a given layer.
  6. Optional: To change the current layer, first make sure that no object is selected, then enter the layer number in the list.

Add and Name Layers

You can enrich the default layers list by creating your own layers.

  1. To access the Object Properties panel, from the Tools section of the action bar, select Object Properties .
  2. In the Object Properties panel, click the arrow on the Layer list, then select Other Layers... from the list.
  3. In the Named Layers dialog box, click New, and then enter a layer number.
    The new layer is added to the list, and the name Layer 2 is automatically assigned.
  4. Click OK.
    The layer you added (Layer 2) is now the current layer.

    If you select an object before creating the new layer, it is automatically transferred to the new layer.

    Important: Delete lets you remove the name of the selected layer (except if this is the name of the current layer). This does not delete the layer itself because you cannot remove a layer. Naming a layer is totally independent from assigning objects to it. You can edit or remove a layer name without impacting the geometry. This also means that visualization filters referencing this layer are still valid, as well as any objects you may have assigned to it.
  5. Optional: Click the Num and Name columns to present the lists in numerical and alphabetical order.