[solved] Layer help

[Solo318i]

I have a part I have drawn up that I want to separate into 2 layers. I drew the part, then created a new layer named "text" saved the logo onto the new layer.
Now I'm confused..... When I toggle the first layer, both the part and the text disappears. When I toggle the text layer, only the logo disappears....
When I export it to sheetcam, it only shows up as one layer.
I need the 2nd layer so I can separate the cut offset between the logo and the part itself (I think).

Log post bracket.dxf

(174.23 KiB) Downloaded 396 times

I'm sure as usual it's operator error. Can you guys point me to the solution?
As always thanks for the help, Steve

[CVH]

Hi,
Your contours are on Layer0
Your text is a block with its entities declared on Layer0 and the block reference on layer 'text'.

When I toggle the first layer, both the part and the text disappears.

Yes, because all are declared on Layer0.

When I toggle the text layer, only the logo disappears

Yes, because the text layer holds the block reference.

When I export it to sheetcam, it only shows up as one layer.

SheetCam doing, there are two layers, only one holds drawing entities.

Regards,
CVH

[CVH]

BTW:
Edit your block, detect zero entities MZ 0.001.
There are 3 minute vertical connectors, 0.000641 long.
Entities 0x1d79, 0x1cd4 & 0x1ccb (Type TH and enter handle)

Most likely voids originated from the font itself and bridged by a polyline function.
Like I said: There are fonts and then there are fonts ...
CVH

[Husky]

Now I'm confused..... When I toggle the first layer, both the part and the text disappears. When I toggle the text layer, only the logo disappears....

How it behaves depends on your "Layer compatibility" setting in QCAD / Application Preferences.

Your setting regarding Layer 0 is:
Layer 0 behaves Iike a regular Iayer (QCAD)

To get the behavior what you are looking for it should be:

Layer 0 behaves differently (best compatibility)
Entities in blocks on Iayer 0 take on attributes and visibility of block reference.

Husky-2021.04.28-06.png (18.15 KiB) Viewed 7415 times

[Solo318i]

Hi,
Your contours are on Layer0
Your text is a block with its entities declared on Layer0 and the block reference on layer 'text'.

When I toggle the first layer, both the part and the text disappears.

Yes, because all are declared on Layer0.

When I toggle the text layer, only the logo disappears

Yes, because the text layer holds the block reference.

When I export it to sheetcam, it only shows up as one layer.

SheetCam doing, there are two layers, only one holds drawing entities.

Regards,
CVH

So how do I make the layer with the logo separate from the main layer. Please understand that all of us don't have your skill level.

[Solo318i]

Now I'm confused..... When I toggle the first layer, both the part and the text disappears. When I toggle the text layer, only the logo disappears....

How it behaves depends on your "Layer compatibility" setting in QCAD / Application Preferences.

Your setting regarding Layer 0 is:
Layer 0 behaves Iike a regular Iayer (QCAD)

To get the behavior what you are looking for it should be:

Layer 0 behaves differently (best compatibility)
Entities in blocks on Iayer 0 take on attributes and visibility of block reference.


Husky-2021.04.28-06.png

I tried this and it makes Qcad work like I was expecting, But when I open it in Sheet Cam, it is still all on 1 layer.

[CVH]

It seems that the 'best compatibility' isn't a solution ...
It would only work for entities on Layer0 too ...

So how do I make the layer with the logo separate from the main layer.

Select your text in red, what is a block reference.
Type XP, what is the Explode command.

Now your block reference is exploded to its entities and those are selected.
Without doing anything else double click on the 'text' layer in your Layer List.
(On the text works best)

Now all those selected entities are on layer 'text'.

Remove the 'SMW script' block if you don't use it anymore.
Single click on the 'SMW script' block and click the minus icon of the Block List.

Regards,
CVH

[CVH]

Another approach would be:
Edit your 'text' block (double click it)
TA what is short for select all.
Double click Layer 'text' to set them all on the 'text' layer.

Return to the main drawing with the cross icon of the Block List.

The difference is that this way your text is still a block.
For production files I prefer the first method.

Regards,
CVH

[Solo318i]

It seems that the 'best compatibility' isn't a solution ...
It would only work for entities on Layer0 too ...

So how do I make the layer with the logo separate from the main layer.

Select your text in red, what is a block reference.
Type XP, what is the Explode command.

Now your block reference is exploded to its entities and those are selected.
Without doing anything else double click on the 'text' layer in your Layer List.
(On the text works best)

Now all those selected entities are on layer 'text'.

Remove the 'SMW script' block if you don't use it anymore.
Single click on the 'SMW script' block and click the minus icon of the Block List.

Regards,
CVH

Is this something I have to do every time I drop my logo onto a part? Is there any way to make the library part a ready to go piece? I appreciate the help. I'm enjoying learning new skills. I have a host of parts in my head that I can now put on paper(ish).

[CVH]

Is this something I have to do every time I drop my logo onto a part?

That depends on how you have declared your logo and how you import it.
With copy/paste, as library item, import ... one can usually preference how that is preformed.
(Options Toolbar)

But the advice is to set your logo on a dedicated layer 'logo'.
That still can be as a block if the block entities are on the layer 'logo'.
The advice for production files is not to ...
When inserted, it will end up on its own layer.

I have no experience in how SheetCam handles blocks, nor Layer0.

Regards,
CVH

[Solo318i]

Is this something I have to do every time I drop my logo onto a part?

That depends on how you have declared your logo and how you import it.
With copy/paste, as library item, import ... one can usually preference how that is preformed.
(Options Toolbar)

But the advice is to set your logo on a dedicated layer 'logo'.
That still can be as a block if the block entities are on the layer 'logo'.
The advice for production files is not to ...
When inserted, it will end up on its own layer.


Regards,
CVH

Can you go into more detail about this. and why do I not want to do this for production files? I'm currently rt clicking the library item and inserting it into the drawing. I have found no settings for this. (although my full license is on my computer at home). I have been able to follow both sets of instructions from previous posts and they both work and give me the desired results. What makes one better than the other? Does one give me a file with less trash to clean up?

[CVH]

I have found no settings for this.

- Option Toolbar in general.

• See for Library use:
  https://qcad.org/rsforum/viewtopic.php? ... 101#p33101

- One can always set the active layer on the fly.
- Copy/paste 'To current layer' option
- ...

why do I not want to do this for production files?

Not as block, as viewport, no text or hatches, not as splines ....
To keep them as basic as nececary.

My production files only include a reduced and simplyfied dataset of the project file.
Any change can then still be made with the full data format at hand.
A newer snippet is then used as 'updated' production set.

What makes one better than the other?

As block is more suited as project file.
As singular entities on a few layers is more suited as production file.

Regards,
CVH

[Husky]

I have no experience in how SheetCam handles blocks, nor Layer0.

Please test this two modified files in SheetCam. Tell us how SheetCam can handle the layers ...

Log post bracket_mod_1.dxf

(174.72 KiB) Downloaded 385 times

Log post bracket_mod_2.dxf

(179.86 KiB) Downloaded 383 times

[Solo318i]

So I found this to be a VERY useful exercise. This will help me greatly in sorting layers and dimensioning overlapping parts. I also discovered that the layers in Qcad don't carry over to sheet cam. BUT, sheet cam allows you to create layers and move objects between layers. So this can go down as "solved" As usual you guys are very helpful in my learning experience.