Layer access

[MSachs]

I have just upgraded to v12.5 and am having a problem with a converted file (from v11). Even though the layers option is set for show/snap/modify others, the only layer I can access is the active one. In a new document, it works fine. Any suggestions?

Marty

[jan15]

Different scale?

[MSachs]

Interestingly enough, yes. But why does that matter?

[jan15]

The 'others' in 'show/snap/modify others' means only other layers at the same scale.

Long before there were viewports in VectorWorks, we had some of the functionality of viewports in the layer scale feature. All of model space is seen through a kind of giant automatic viewport into the geometry, its zoom factor being determined by the active layer's scale. Changing to a layer with a different scale is like automatically changing to a different giant viewport that occupies the same 2D space. So geometry at other scales can be displayed at the same time, but not manipulated, because it's in a different viewport.

[Guest]

There are 4 rules for selecting objects:

1. The layer options must allow selection of objects on other layers

2. The class options must allow selection of objects on other classes

3. The layer scales need to be set to the same scale

4. The views of the various layers need to be set to a top/plan view.