Everything is greyed out?

[raindrop78909]

Hello, Im a newbie to vw. I have been importing files from ketchup 3d warehouse into my vector work model and it adds a new layer for every item I add automatically. At the minute it doesn't seem to be causing any problems but I don't want it to cause any issues later on, what's the best option to go about this? What do people usually do?

 

[Pat Stanford]

It is always better to post questions to the forum so if I am busy you get the brainpower of the rest of the forum to help.

 

One way to think of Layer is the "where" an object is.  In an architectural project there might be layers for the first floor, second floor, etc.

 

Every object has to be on a layer to be in a drawing. So when you import you get a new layer. You can then change the layer the object is on and delete the original or Cut/Copy and Paste it where you want it to be.

 

Always best to import into a blank file and then copy/paste the object into your working file. I "never" import into a drawing that I care about. Just safer. Especially if you are doing DWF/DXF import that can being in may layers/classes and change attributes.

 

HTH

[raindrop78909]

Thank you!! So I shouldn't get any new classes when copy and pasting from a new file? 

[Pat Stanford]

Classes will transfer with the object. Layer will not.

 

 

[Elite Exhibits]

@raindrop78909 in keeping with @Pat Stanford advice, an item / file / symbol pasted or imported into a new blank document (attached) will show the associated Classes / Layers, and only those.  At that point it is easier to dissect and change these Classes / Layers into those you already use, or to at the least be aware of what will now become a part of the design you will use them in.  

 

We use an application that creates a DWG file from a vector PDF. It separates components into three distinct classes. We are aware of  these class names and change them as needed, in a separate document, before importing. If they make their way into a design, we are able to change Visible / Invisible under Visibility in the Organization Palette.

 

Working with drawings imported / created else where, you may need to turn on all the Classes / Layers to see what is what. Do this if items appear or disappear. Set a Saved View with the Classes / Layers visibility checked  (attached) before you do anything and reselecting that Saved View will quickly back you up to where you started.

or

Use the Visibility Tool (attached) and reset  Visible / Invisible by selecting what you see on the screen. This works en masse or one class at a time.

 

Also note, some CAD applications / CAD operators create exceedingly complicated / concatenate / convoluted symbols. These items might be a good place to start, or ... they might be more work / more effort than the result.

 

Peter

 

 

Classes : Layers_01.pdf Visibility Tool_01.pdf Blank document_01.pdf

[Jonathan Pickup]

My advice is to always leave your class settings on Show/Snap/Modify Other (unless you really know what you are doing).

 

I can't remember the last time I change this.