When should you use layers, and when should you use classes. [ms-protect-content id="34491,34492,34493, 34494, 34495,…
Using Layers or Classes in Vectorworks
I have been reading a discussion on the Vectorworks Discussion email list about how to set up drawings for a renovation project. Some people prefer to use a extra layer for the existing building, I prefer to use one layer for each story of the building. Everything that relates to that floor of the building is on that layer. Yes, this means lots of classes, but with the visibility tool, they are easy to turn on and off.
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The reason I prefer classes for objects rather than layers:
wall styles can be set to use classes automatically;
symbols can be set to use classes automatically;
viewports and override class attributes;
This means that you can have several wall styles with different classes, the wall styles will automatically assign the walls to the correct class, and when you set up the drawings with viewports, you can use the class overrides to make all the drawings you want; existing plan; demolition plan; proposed plan and so on.
But there is a more important reason, risk management. If you duplicate layers, you have to change information in two places. It’s not automatic and it leads to errors. At some point the layers get out of sync, and that’s when you have errors. Usually, you make errors because you get interrupted, and that’s when you forget to update the other layer.
This means that you can have several wall styles with different classes, the wall styles will automatically assign the walls to the correct class, and when you set up the drawings with viewports, you can use the class overrides to make all the drawings you want; existing plan; demolition plan; proposed plan and so on.
But there is a more important reason, risk management. If you duplicate layers, you have to change information in two places. It’s not automatic and it leads to errors. At some point the layers get out of sync, and that’s when you have errors. Usually, you make errors because you get interrupted, and that’s when you forget to update the other layer.
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