Deleting Layer sets

[marty]

Now that X1.5.4 is up and running I am finally going to stop using V10. In trying to make the switch I seem to be accumulating a lot of additional layer sets.

I would like to clean everything up and set up a layer set for each layout page but cannot find any means of deleting old layer sets. I have looked through help and it seems it cant be done.

If that is the case it seems a shortcoming of the new system which is otherwise a major step forward in maintaing the layer settings between plan and layout.

[louis]

Gordon,

You can delete any layer set while in layer set management. The default set cannot be deleted and the active set cannot be deleted.

[louis]

I'm sorry Gordon you said layout sets.

Please ignore my answer.

I don't like to use layout sets!

I do however keep my layer settings between plan and layout.

[spencerdesign]

Hi Marty,

Seems like many of the layersets cannot be deleted. There are several that seem to be needed by the system. Delete them and they come back. But you will very much like the improvements in layers and layer set management.

[marty]

Thanks guys - it was Layer Set management I was looking for. Interesting that searching help for "delete layer sets" gave no results.

It looks like with old plans I need to double click into the plan from layout then re-send the view to layout with the new Layer Set name. It would be nice to be just able to re-name - Layout Set 7 - to become "First floor framing plan". Of course I already have "First floor framing plan" Layer Set but it has no link to the layout.

If there is an easier way I would welocome more information.

[WendyWelton]

Marty,

Unfortunately you cannot rename a layerset. However, if your old "Layerset 475" has the on-off etc settings you want, can copy it, name the new one "Floor Framing", and have the same effect. What's really nice in X1 is that you can have simply "Floor Framing" and use it on each level, as many layout boxes as you want.

You can safely delete any layerset that it will allow you to delete. If it shouldn't be deleted, it won't let you. If you delete one that Chief needs, Chief will put it back when it needs it. If you delete one that's used by one of your layout boxes - when you open your layout, it will prompt you for a new one.

When I'm doing layerset cleanup on legacy files, I do as follows:

- first go to each cad detail, each saved camera, etc - and reassign it a layerset that I want.
- then go to each layout box and relink it to a layerset that I want to keep. Select the layout box and then look for the button that looks like a black ring and a brown ring linked together.
- Then I delete all the crud. It will not allow you to delete a layerset in use by any detail or camera, but you can pare things down nicely once they are all reassigned.

[marty]

Thanks Wendy - I am getting the hang of it now - I think.

The plan I am looking at had 3 layer sets named "Layout set 1" all the way through to 13 - thats 45 layer sets! I cant understand how it created so many - and thats on top of the 30 or so that I created myself.

There were only 3 it wouldnt let me delete.

As an experienced Chief user I find this EXTREMELY complex, non-intuitive and time wasting - how would relative newbies find it?

[WendyWelton]

Gordon,

In Chief 10 and earlier it created a new, separate, layerset for each layout box.

In Chief X1, when you send to layout, make sure to uncheck "make copy of active layerset" to avoid this.

Yes - the old system was complex and non-intuitive. X1 eliminated the required duplication of layersets, but there's still a bit of complexity inherent in any system that has as many parts as this - the layers, layersets, layouts and layout boxes. I almost wish they'd called it the "Model" and the "Drawings" or "Print sheets" or something other than layouts, but there you have it. If they changed the names now, it would probably be even more confusing.

All the other softwares have something similar. In acad it's the Model and Paperspace with Viewports and Xrefs. Having taught both, I actually find Chief's to be a hair easier for newbies to learn.

And - I have no brilliant ideas for any system that would be simpler without losing valuable functionality.

[lbuttery]

In Chief X1, when you send to layout, make sure to uncheck "make copy of active layerset" to avoid this


I would vote for this setting to be off by default to avoid this type of "mess".


Lew

[spencerdesign]

I would vote for this setting to be off by default

Not off by default?

[louis]

Guys there is a method of working in 10 and before that did not do this and I taught and teach this method. I welcome you to look at all our back files an you will not find the other sets. It's all in how you work.

In Chief 10 and earlier it created a new, separate, layerset for each layout box.

Not if you always work from the plan!


...and yes X-1 is easier to get it to work this way.

[spencerdesign]

"make copy of active layerset"

Was for the other school of thought. I guess we all win!

[louis]

Gordon,

I think there is a way to clean this up fairly easily.

I would have to see how your file is organized to know for sure.

[Allen42acj]

I would not bring Version 10 sets into an X1 plan.
The 2d/3d check boxes in the same dbx might cause problems.

[lbuttery]

Not off by default?

Sam:

I don't understand your reply to my post ???


Lew