Layers are a fundamental component of CAD (Computer-Aided Design) drawings, allowing for efficient organisation and management of graphical elements. Each layer represents a logical grouping of objects with common properties or characteristics, such as lines, shapes, or text. By assigning objects to different layers, designers can control visibility, adjust properties (e.g., colour, line weight), and selectively manipulate elements within the drawing. Layers enable easy editing, modification, and collaboration, streamlining the design process and enhancing productivity. They provide a structured approach to organising complex drawings, simplifying navigation, and facilitating customisation based on specific requirements.
In gCADPlus design work, we follow a convention for layer naming developed in a draft paper and published by the American Institute of Architects in 1990.
Eight major groups are defined in these guidelines – A for Architecture, Interiors, and Facilities Management; S for structural elements; M for Mechanical services; P for Plumbing; F for Fire Protection; E for Electrical; C for Civil Engineering and Site Work; and L for Landscape Architecture. Landscape Architecture is subdivided into minor groups. E.g L-PLNT, L-IRRIG, L-WALK, L-SITE, L-ELEV, L-SECT, L-DETL, L-PWLK [Paving and walkways]., L-SHBD [sheet border]. If required, these can be further subdivided as we have done in producing a palette of irrigation symbols, e.g L-SHBD-TITLE or L-IRRIG-PIPE- 19mmPOLY
In a typical gCADPlus landscape drawing, apart from layer ZERO, you are likely to find some or all of the following layers:
L-DIM: Used for dimensions
L-IRRIG: for irrigation information – sometimes further subdivided, e.g L-IRRIG-PIPE-25mmPOLY, L-IRRIG-PIPE- 19mmPOLY
L-PLNT-SYMBOL: a layer used to draw ‘fancy’ plant symbols
L-PLNT-CONSTRUCTION: A layer for a circle and point – used by a construction team to indicate the position of a plant when the L-PLNT-SYMBOL layer is turned off
L-PLNT-EXISTING:
L-PLNT-EXISTING-REMOVE
L-HARDSCAPE: A layer that groups tasks for the construction team – paving, site furniture, etc.
L-HARDSCAPE-PAVING
L-HARDSCAPE-DECK
L-TEMP: A layer often used to temporarily ‘park’ entities ready to isolate and edit
L-SITE-BOUNDARIES: Site Boundaries
L-SERVICES: water, power, and gas supply
L-TITLE: Title block information
The key issue is that all landscape design work is placed on layer L-*. This makes working with other disciplines and sharing files much more convenient.
Tip: We encourage gCADPlus users to include these layer names in templates.
This movie shows a detailed landscape design for a large, sloping, suburban site (shown below). The drawing contains information on more than 80 different layers, and we offer suggestions to make managing the display of various layer combinations much more manageable. Because there was a substantial number of large trees on the site, we demonstrated one method that can be used to create a new symbol, such that details of new construction at ground level can be seen through the upper canopy.
