Layer controls

Layers are a way of grouping related elements so that they can be made visible or deleted together.

Work with layers using these controls.

New

Allows you to add a layer to your model. Click New, and layer named New Layer appears in the list. Right-click on this layer (or any other) to rename it.

Activate

Allows you to specify which layer will be active. Select a layer from the list and then click Activate. The name of the active layer is highlighted in bold type.

Tip: Make sure the appropriate layer is active before you create new geometry or mesh entities. New entities automatically become part of the active layer.

Delete

Allows you to remove a layer from your model. You are not allowed to delete the active layer, or to delete all layers. Select a layer and click Delete. Next, you will be asked whether you want to save the selected layer's entities (the selected layer will be deleted, but its entities will be moved to the active layer) or permanently delete the selected layer and all of its entities.

Note: Although components of an assembly are assigned to different layers, deleting a layer that contains CAD components of an assembly will result in the deletion of the whole assembly.

Display

Allows you to open a dialog to specify advanced layer settings.

Assign

Allows you to assign entities to a layer. On your model, select the entities that you wish to assign to a particular layer. Next, in the Layers dialog, select a layer and then click Assign.

Expand

Allows you to assign adjoining entities to the selected layer. Select an entity on the model, then click Expand. Specify the number of levels by which you wish to expand.

Tip: This is a useful mesh correction aid. For example, if you isolate a mesh entity with a bad aspect ratio, use Expand to assign adjoining entities to the layer of the problematic entity. Adjust the aspect ratios of the neighboring entities, to correct the problem.

Note: This operation does not apply to CAD entities.

Clean

Deletes any layers that do not have any entities associated with them.