copying layer from one VW document to another

[noviceCAD]

Is there a way to copy one layer in a VW document to another VW document?

[jan15]

You have to use the Layers palette to create the new layer in the target document. But then you can copy the entire contents of the source layer to the same layer in the target document in one operation. With Layer Options set to Active Only, issue the Select All and then the Copy command. Then, in the target file, issue the Paste-In-Place command.

With Classes, which work like Autocad "Layers", just pasting an object into a file will create the Class that it was assigned to, if that Class isn't already there.

[Jodyb17]

Keep in mind that objects pasted from one file to another will change to the current layer in the target file. Objects pasted will retain their class information. In other words you can copy classes by pasting objects, but you cannot copy layers by pasting objects. The fact that pasting an item can potentially change its layer may take some getting used to if you are coming from Autocad land. I've questioned this aspect of pasting functionality on this forum without explanation. Oh well.

You can create identical layers/classes in a new file by clicking the "new" button in the Design Layers/Classes dialogue box and chosing the "create new layer/class from standard" option. For this to work you must first place the file with the layer/class that you want to copy into the "Standards" folder (Mac Version). You won't be able to copy objects in the layers/classes this way, but this could be useful if you need to populate cad standards into various files.

[jan15]

Yes, you have to think of a Layer as a physical place to store drawing objects, and a Class as a kind of department-name or job title that you assign to an object that helps you to remember what it does and to connect it to its co-workers.

That distinction comes in very handy sometimes, so it would be a bad idea to have a pasted-in object go onto the Layer it was on before, or to have it create such a Layer.

I'm sure Autocad would do it the same way if it had layers. The thing it calls a layer should really be called a class, since it isn't layered (in the normal English sense of one being above or below another). That's why AC vets get confused about VectorWorks layers.