1. Tech How-To Database Initiative
ApprentiSHIP
6018 E. Street NW
Washington, DC 20049
Dear ApprentiSHIP,
This prototype package provides an instructional user guide and a visual demonstration of how to
use and implement layers and some of the features that work along with them within Autodesk’s
AutoCAD software. Along with the instructional aspects of the package there is a brief history of
the software and an explanation as to why this prototype package would be useful to engineering
students/interns, as well as well as ones in construction based fields.
While AutoCAD has features that only experts of the software know how to use, all that is need
for the students viewing this prototype package need to understand are the basics of the program.
Basic knowledge such as: being able to open the program and saving a new project, creating
straight lines and simple shapes, and knowing how to input text into the drawing will be
necessary for the user guide and audiovisual component of this package to fully make the viewer
learn and understand the process that is being explained.
You are looking for “short, engaging, usable tutorials”, that has “more engaging, usable
approach” to how the specific skill is taught to the user. With the expectation of the user
knowing the basics of the software, this prototype package does exactly that. This guide has an
equal tone with the user, and does not make user feel like they are being talked down, but more
like a peer is explaining the process to them on a friendlier level.
In putting together this package, Microsoft word was used to create all of the written content,
with screenshots being taken and inserted into the documents from the AutoCAD program itself.
To complete the audiovisual element of the package, Camtasia, and screencast-o-matic were both
used to record and edit the on screen actions and narration whiling using the AutoCAD program.
The user guide was created first, since both the audiovisual and the introductory article required
it as a stepping off point.
Hopefully you like what you see and I look forward to doing more work with you in the future.
Thanks,
Brian Mitchell
TechCOMP

2. Layers in AutoCAD
tudents in the construction and surveying engineering fields
of study, such as yourself, will most likely use Autodesk’s
AutoCAD software at some point in your schooling. From floor
plan designs and wall sections, to elevations and profiles, this state
of the art software packing will find its way to your fingertips at
one time or another in your career.
Origins of AutoCAD
AutoCAD is a drafting software application that allows you to
design in both 2D and 3D. The software has been around since
1982, when Autodesk released the very first version of the program. Now
there has been thirty-one separate releases of the software package since
its debut.
Before this software
was first introduced, designs
such as the ones you can
now done on a computer
with only a mouse and
keyboard, had to be drawn
out by hand. Because the
software was designed to
run on a “microcomputer”, it
was extremely affordable, it
allowed even small
engineering and design
companies to create very detailed technical drawings, and not just big
name companies to do so.
Construction is the main industry that the AutoCAD software is
used. It offers its user a variety of tools that allow them to design,
visualize, and test through simulations, which allow for more efficient
products.
About Layers
Within the AutoCAD
software, the layer function
allows you to organize the
component of your drawings
by their functions or
purposes. Because you can
create as many layers as you
want within any one project,
using this function allows you to add a level complexity to your project.
Since AutoCAD can be used in a variety of engineering and
construction related fields; the ability for the user to give each layer its
own unique name that makes sense to the project, helps set a construction
project apart from a mechanical engineering project (which AutoCAD has
help make that field grow through the use of its software as well).
Why are layers
so Important?
The use of layers, within
this program, is very important
in the sense of making your
drawing easier to work with.
Layers give you the ability to:
associate objects by their
function or location, display or
hide related objects in a single
operation’ and enforce linetype,
color and other property
standards for each layer. This
allows you, the user, to take the
work space and really make it
your own, and gives you the
opportunity to give your designs
a unique touch.
Most companies will adopt
and utilize a specific layer
standard. A layer standard is a
set of layers does that is used on
every drawing that is created for
that specific company. Layer
Standards like these use the
same basic set of layers that
relate to the type of work that
that company does. Because of
this it will be very important for
you, as an up and coming
member of a company like this,
to fully understand an
implement some of these unique
and useful features into your
work.
S

3. User Guide
Utilizing
Layers in
AutoCAD
Written by: Brian Mitchell

4. 1 | P a g e
Table of Contents
Table of Contents………………………………………………1
Creating a New Layer…………………………………………. 2
Enhancing Your Layer…………………………………………3
Changing the Color…………………………………….. 3
Changing the Linetype…………………………………..4
Manipulating Your Layers……………………………………5
Changing Layers…………………………………………. 5
Turning Layers On/Off………………………………….6

5. 2 | P a g e
Introduction
Whether you’re working on a new project or
continuing a current one, you can use layers to
make your drawing easier to visualize and
understand or just to make it more visualy
appealing.
Creating a New Layer
To create a new layer within your AutoCAD project:
1) Locate the
Layers panel
within the
home tab of
the ribbon.
2) Click on Layer
Properties.
3) Once in layer
properties, look at the four layer icons, and
select the first one (the one that looks like a
sun).
The other three
icons are not
rarely used.
While the red “X”
and green “”
can be used for
deleting and
setting a current
layer, there are
easier ways to
complete these
actions once a
layer is created.

6. 3 | P a g e
Now you have created a new Layer, but it is still
generic. You will now mak it your own.
4) Think of a meaningful name for your layer,
and type it in where it says Layer1 in the name
column.
Enhancing your Layer
Once you have created and given a unique name to
your layer, it is ready to be implemented into your
AutoCAD project. Although it can be used the way
that it is, you will most likely want change some of
the feature of your layer in order to set it apart
from others within your drawing.
Changing the Color
1) Go back into Layer Properties.
2) Click on the box in the Color column of the
table.
the default layer in
AutoCAD is the 0 layer, and
will be enabled until
another layer is created and
set as the current layer.
* It is important for your layer
names to make sense to you in
order to not confuse yourself
when looking at your
drawings.
* you can also change the
names of your layers at any
time throughout your project,
so don’t worry. Just double
click on the name and give it a
new name.

7. 4 | P a g e
3) Now you can select a
color by clicking on it’s
box, and clicking OK.
Changing the Linetype
1) Sililar to
changing
the color,
go back
into Layer
Properties.
2) This time, click on
the box on the word
continu…
(continuous) in the
linetype column of
the table.
3) To select a new
layer click Load.
4) Scroll throu the
list and select the
linetype you want
by clicking on and
then cliking ok.
The color that you will see used most
often are the ones that are shown to
the right in the red box. These are the
most frequently used colors, because
they are easily seen on both a computer
screen and on paper, when printed out.

8. 5 | P a g e
5) finally, click on
the linetype you
have just loaded
and click ok.
Because there are so many different linetypes,
on drawings that can be printed in color, using
several different linetypes to reperesent
related objects, makes it easier to tell which
lines are which, and it also makes the drawing a
little more visually appealing.
Manipulating Your layers:
While you can change a layer’s color and linetype
from within Layer Properties, there are other ways
that you can manipulate the layers.
Switching Layers
1) Click Arrow to show
the drop down Menu
in the layers
section.
Once a line type is loaded into
a project you will not have to
load it into that project again.
If you would like to make
another layer that uses the
same linetype, just select the
linetype and click okay like in
step 5.

9. 6 | P a g e
This menu will show all of the layers that you
have created in Layer Properties.
2) Click
on the
layer
that you
want to
set as the cuurent drawing
layer.
Turning Layers On/Off
1) Click the drop down menu in the layers
section again.
Notice the light bulb that is
next to each layer?
2) Click the light bulb to turn
off the layer.
3) Click it again to turn the layer back on.
If you have lines already
drawn and you want to
switch the layer that they
are on, select the lines
and/or objects that you
want to switch and follow
the same steps.
By turning off certain layers, you will be able to see
spcific details of your drawings better so you can work
on them, or you might have drawn references that are not
needed in the final drawing but you don’t want to delete.