AutoCAD Layer/Plot Style Setup

Jimbo

Hello,

I'm considering updating our AutoCAD layer setup as our current one is abit all over the place.

I'm just curious what kind of setup the rest of you have.

Do you use colour-dependant plot styles?

Is it the norm. to use the first 9 colours for different degrees of thickness's of Black?

What pen widths do you use and where?

Do you use half the pen widths for A3 than for A1 size plots?

I'm aware there is a British Standard for the use of pen widths, etc. but are they actually used in reality?

smashey

I use my own with different thicknesses for walls, hatching, furniture etc. and have different colours assigned to each for ease of identification on screen. I just change the colours to white for a black plot. I think it's something you should play about with on a house plan until you're happy with it.

topcatcbr

Personally I use the first 7 colours for varying pen widths in black and assign the pen colours then to layers. Magenta = 0.1 Red= 0.1 Blue = 0.2 Yellow = 0.25 Green = 0.4 Black = 0.5 Cyan = 0.15 (Rarley used) Light Grey & Dark Grey = 0.1 but remain grey for tone.

Its not the most scientific way of doing things but it works and is quick to set up.

Layers eg
Walls = Green
Hatch = Magenta
Text = Yellow
Etc

Jimbo

topcatcbr wrote: »

Personally I use the first 7 colours for varying pen widths in black and assign the pen colours then to layers. Magenta = 0.1 Red= 0.1 Blue = 0.2 Yellow = 0.25 Green = 0.4 Black = 0.5 Cyan = 0.15 (Rarley used) Light Grey & Dark Grey = 0.1 but remain grey for tone.

Its not the most scientific way of doing things but it works and is quick to set up.

Layers eg
Walls = Green
Hatch = Magenta
Text = Yellow
Etc

Do you use that set-up for A3/A2/A1 or for all?

If I were to change the setup, I would probably have to change the layers in hundreds of past drawings. I know there is a function in AutoCAD to convert layers to a new layer system, but does anyone know if there is a program that will change the layers in bulks of drawings?

topcatcbr

jimbo78 wrote: »

Do you use that set-up for A3/A2/A1 or for all?

?

Yes although when detailing at 1/5 i might use polyline set at a thickness to highlight some issues. and for colour schemes i use the remaining 256 available

smashey

Agree with the polyline bit.

Mellor

jimbo78 wrote: »

Do you use that set-up for A3/A2/A1 or for all?

If I were to change the setup, I would probably have to change the layers in hundreds of past drawings. I know there is a function in AutoCAD to convert layers to a new layer system, but does anyone know if there is a program that will change the layers in bulks of drawings?

You wouldn't change the layers in old drawings,
its not really worth it,

When conventions change its best to change from all new drawings, keeping a save of the old CTB profile, this applies to alot of aspects, such are folder structure etc


I used to use CTB, and there are advantages to it, mainly thats its easy.
But i find its optimal to have all silimar objects on the same layer. Say a window on an elevation for example, its best if this is all on layer [AA-Wind] or what ever. With a CTB system, this means that its all the same weight. Which isn't always ideal. So I set weight per line. (you could do this by seting the colour to be different to the layer also).

This way, objects are grouped by layer together. Coloured the same (or differently but on same layer if needed), and the full pallete of colors is available

No6

I used to use a different coloured system ie a colour to each pen width on a black screen but at some stage in the distant past I switched to a white screen and only use black and grey at .25 and .13 and use the colours to appear as colours at generaly .25 but using thicker polylines where required. As for layers I use a csifb based system (loosely), makes sense to me!!!:D

sydthebeat

i never use thickr polylines... just different line weights for different colours... similar enough to topcatbr

magenta = 0.01
red = 0.13
yellow = 0.18
green = 0.25
cyan = 0.35
blue = 0.5
grey '8' = 1

plus other various

i use a layer system as proposed by RIAI, although we're not riai.....

topcatcbr

sydthebeat wrote: »

i use a layer system as proposed by RIAI, although we're not riai.....

Can you post above if not will you pm to me pls:D

sydthebeat

topcatcbr wrote: »

Can you post above if not will you pm to me pls:D

http://www.cita.ie/SIA/186.zip