Layers and Visualization Filters

 

This section provides information on layers and visualization filters applied to V5 objects:

 

Layers

Opening Existing Objects

When opening existing objects (whatever the release level on which they have been created), the existing geometry is migrated to the current layer. If you do not want the geometry to be assigned to a layer, you must set the current layer to None before opening existing objects.

Furthermore, if you open existing objects with a current layer set to a layer other than None then close the object without making any changes, you will be prompted to save the object because the geometry was assigned to the current layer when opening the object.

 

Layer Application

Layers cannot be applied to sub-bodies, they can only be applied to root bodies. By "root body", we mean a body that is a direct child of the mechanical part.
Let's have a look at the examples below:

Example 1

All highlighted elements have no layer property since they are sub-bodies. This behavior applies to geometrical sets, ordered geometrical sets and hybrid bodies (whether these hybrid bodies are aggregated by an ordered geometrical set or by a Boolean operator).

Therefore, when any of these elements is selected, the Layer box is grayed out:

 

Example 2

Body.3 is an operated solid body (created before V5R14) and as it is operated, its layer property is ignored and cannot be accessed.

The layer property of Body.3 is rerouted to the layer property of the root body, Body.2 in our example:

Below is the result when the body is not operated anymore, the body recovers its original own layer property:
 
 

Hybrid Bodies and Geometrical Sets

Features of a part body inherit the layer of the part body.

However when the part body is an hybrid body, it can have its own layer different from the layer of the solid feature. In that case, when a layer is assigned to a solid feature inside a part body, the layer does not apply to the part body anymore.

Geometrical sets behave like hybrid bodies, i.e. each sub-element can have its own layer. In the example below, if Geometrical Set.1 is assigned to layer 0:

 
  But this layer does not apply to its sub-elements (for instance, Point.1) which stay on the current layer None:
 
 

Link Between Objects and Layers

The link between a given feature or object and a given layer is stored in the representation.

 

Layer Definition

When pointing to the Layer list, a tooltip indicates whether the layer definition location is stored in the representation or in the user settings (i.e. the CATSettings directory).
However, bear in mind that this tooltip is displayed for information only, you cannot modify the storage location which has been set as explained below:

  • At product level, the definition is stored in the user settings.
  • At part body level, the definition (if there is one) is stored in the representation. If no definition is stored in the representation, the part body representation use the definition stored in the user settings.
  • For drawings, the definition is stored in the representation.
 

Visualization Filters

Filter Definition

When pointing to the desired filter name, a tooltip indicates whether the filter definition location is stored in the Representation or in the user settings (i.e. the CATSettings directory).  
However, bear in mind that this tooltip is displayed for information only, you cannot modify the storage location which has been set as explained below:

  • For part objects, the definition (if there is one) is stored in the Representation. If no definition is stored in the Representation, the part objects use the definition stored in the user settings. These visualization filters cannot be administered because it is not relevant for the administrator (he/she would only be able to lock the instance of the currently edited Representation).
  • For drawing objects, the definition is stored in the Representation. These visualization filters cannot be administered (same explanation as above).

Version 4 Objects

If you apply visualization filters to V4 objects, note that these objects have their own way of managing such filters (this is done via a specific menu named Layer Filter).
Depending on the visualization mode you are using, there are two different behaviors:

  • In Design mode, the .cgr format of the component is changed into the original editable component document (geometry is available). Therefore, the assembly contains the real V4 data and, as explained above, V4 elements are visualized according to their own filter. This is why some elements might not be filtered as expected.
  • In Visualization mode, documents appear in .cgr format. Only the external appearance of the component is visualized (geometry is not available). As .cgr elements are V5 data, visualization filters can be applied as for any other element and the result will be as expected.

Regarding dittos, see Layers and Layer Filters for Dittos.