In this session, we reviewed whether to put information on a design layer, class, or sheet layer as we discussed how to set up a helpful file template.

Topics Covered:

• 00:24    We started the session by discussing where to put information in a template file. We thought that we should start by creating enough design layers for a single-story building—a foundation layer, a first floor layer, and a site plan layer—and that we would link the walls and the roof to the floor plan layer. One time-saving trick would be to use section lines to create the elevations. That way, as the building changes length or angle, you can easily grab the blue dot at the end of the section marker and change its length or angle to match the building. You can copy the section markers to each layer. In a template file, we could include all of our resources—walls, fixtures, furniture, electrical—off to the side of the layer to which they apply, each already assigned to the right class. For example, walls, slabs, and line styles needed for the foundation plan would be found on that design layer, while roof styles, rafters, beams and purlins would be found on the roof design layer. Saved views could be preset to quickly work on typical design layers and classes, such as the Floor-1 design layer with all of the classes that belong to it.
• 11:55    The sheet layers should be laid out in a similar way. For example, the site plan sheet layer has spot levels, open space requirements, a driveway, water supply, a legal description, etc. Everything is ready to jump into, with what you need at hand. In our way of doing things, the model, dimensions, and notes are all on the design layer. The sheet layer has the detail callouts. The dimensions are drawn on the design layer so that they can be associated with the walls and change as the walls change. My roof plans typically have more hatches, flashings, skylights and notes on the sheet layer. In the viewport on the sheet layer, you only want classes that are absolutely needed turned on. We would have sheet layers already set up for each drawing page that we need: cover sheet, site plan, foundation plan, framing plan, floor plan, sections, elevations, windows, window details, roof framing, roof details, wall details, etc. For windows, the dimensions, window numbers, and notes are on the annotation part of the viewport because you don’t want those things changing as you make changes to the model. The sections and elevations have notes and hatching on the sheet layers. Details—such as window and foundation details—only need to be changed from project to project if the materials change. The saved views are important to our template scheme—they allow you to jump from one kind of work to another in the model and to know that the class, line weights, and objects that you need will be turned on. The important thing is to have a consistent plan that you know that you can relate to!

Architect February 2018 pm
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