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      <title>Layer Concepts</title>
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      <div class="title_topic3" id="xps10_pagetitle">Layer Concepts</div>
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      <p class="para_topic">The layer options on the Format pull-down menu let you create a model on layers similar to the way the conventional designer creates a model on layers of transparent overlays. A layer is very similar to a transparent overlay with one exception: the objects on a layer are three-dimensional.</p>
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               <p class="para_td">Work Layer</p>
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               <p class="para_td">The work layer is the current layer, of 256 available, on which objects are created. Work may only be done on one layer at a time, and only on the worklayer. Changing its layer status may change any layer of a part to the work layer. When you initially create a part, layer 1 is the work layer and layers 2 through 256 are invisible and non-selectable. Since there is only one work layer allowed at a time, all objects are created on the current work layer.</p>
               <p class="para_td">When you select an invisible, non-selectable layer as the work layer, it automatically becomes selectable and visible. The work layer does not change the visibility status of views with their own mask. The former work layer remains visible and selectable unless otherwise changed. The current work layer is displayed in the Work Layer toolbar.</p>
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               <p class="para_td">Selectable</p>
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               <p class="para_td">Any number of layers may be selectable. Objects on selectable layers are displayed and selectable for all operations such as blanking and deletion. Any existing object on a selectable layer may be used in constructing, defining or displaying new objects on the work layer. Selectable layers are automatically set visible. A layer cannot be invisible and still be selectable. </p>
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               <p class="para_td">Invisible</p>
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               <p class="para_td">Invisible layers contain objects that are not displayed and cannot be made visible by any means other than changing the layer status. Any number of layers may be given invisible status. Invisible layers are automatically set as non-selectable by the system.</p>
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               <p class="para_td">Visible Only</p>
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               <p class="para_td">All objects on visible only layers are displayed but are not selectable unless the layer is specified as selectable. Any number of layers may be given visible only status. </p>
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               <p class="para_td">Categories</p>
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               <p class="para_th">A layer can belong to more than one category at a time. Layers may be assigned to or removed from these categories. For example, in the following example, category names are assigned to layer numbers for Drafting Aids.</p>
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                     <td valign="top" align="left"><img align="left" src="../graphics/note.gif" alt="Note" title="Note"></td>
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                           <p class="para_note_body">Spaces are not allowed in category names.</p>
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               <p class="para_th">Example of Layers by Category</p>
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                        <p class="para_th">Layer Number</p>
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                        <p class="para_th">Categories</p>
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                        <p class="para_td">1</p>
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                        <p class="para_td">Drafting_Aids,_Note</p>
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                        <p class="para_td">2</p>
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                        <p class="para_td">Drafting_Aids,_Label</p>
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                        <p class="para_td">3</p>
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                        <p class="para_td">Drafting_Aids,_ID_Symbols</p>
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                        <p class="para_td">4</p>
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                        <p class="para_td">Drafting_Aids,_Fonts</p>
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                        <p class="para_td">5</p>
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                        <p class="para_td">Drafting_Aids,_Margins</p>
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               </table><br><p class="para_th">Using categories can make using the Layer functions much easier. For example, suppose you have an NX model of an automobile engine, and you have created the pistons on layers 39-42, 47, and 51. To make the layers that contain the pistons invisible, enter the layer ranges, 39-42 and select Invisible. Repeat this for layers number 47 and 51, selecting Invisible after each layer number is entered. This procedure would make the pistons invisible, but it is tedious and requires that you remember which layers contain the pistons.</p>
               <p class="para_th">In this case, categories are the solution. By assigning the layers that contain the pistons to the category Pistons and assigning the other engine parts to categories with appropriate names, you can almost forget about layer numbers when using Layer. In this case, you need only enter the category name, Pistons, select Invisible and click OK or Apply to update the display. </p>
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               <p class="para_td">Layer Accelerators</p>
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               <p class="para_th">Some Layer operations make use of accelerators. You can double-click on a layer number in a list box to change the status immediately, or you can type in the layer number and press &lt;Return&gt; to achieve the following results:</p>
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                        <p class="para_th">Original Status of Layer</p>
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                        <p class="para_th">New Status of Layer</p>
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                        <p class="para_td">Selectable</p>
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                        <p class="para_td">Invisible</p>
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                        <p class="para_td">Visible Only</p>
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                        <p class="para_td">Invisible</p>
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                        <p class="para_td">Invisible</p>
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                     <td bgcolor="#f4f4f4" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">
                        <p class="para_td">Selectable</p>
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                        <p class="para_td">Work</p>
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                        <p class="para_td">Work (no change)</p>
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               <p class="para_td">Category Accelerators</p>
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               <p class="para_th">Use double-clicking or typing and pressing &lt;Return&gt; to change the status of the layers in a category as follows:</p>
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                        <p class="para_th">Original Status of Layers in Category</p>
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                        <p class="para_th">New Status of Layers in Category</p>
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                        <p class="para_td">All are Selectable</p>
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                        <p class="para_td">All are Invisible</p>
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                        <p class="para_td">All are Visible Only</p>
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                        <p class="para_td">All are Invisible</p>
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                        <p class="para_td">All are Invisible</p>
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                     <td bgcolor="#f4f4f4" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top">
                        <p class="para_td">All are Selectable</p>
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                        <p class="para_td">Single Layer and its Work Layer</p>
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                        <p class="para_td">Remains Work (no change)</p>
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                        <p class="para_td">Mixed Status</p>
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                        <p class="para_td">No Change</p>
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               </table><br><p class="para_th">If all the layers in the category have the same status, their status will be changed according to the above rules. If the layers all have the same status except that one is the work layer, the work layer remains unchanged and the status of the remaining layers are changed according to the above rules. If the layers do not have the same status, the layers are merely selected in the layer list. The action buttons Selectable, Invisible, Visible Only, and Make Work become sensitive to allow you to change their settings.</p>
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