Copying: Start part layers w/ rules into existing parts 2

[eholmes]

Goal: to import start part layer scheme (with pre-defined rules) into previously created parts that have non-standard layers (3rd party vendors, contractors, consultants)

To date, I have been working with mapkeys to delete all the layers from a part and make NEW layers, no problem.

However we use rules as part of our design standards and I started investigating the TEMPLATE option via Default_Layer_Model. This only seems to work for newly created features. Not very effective for updating legacy data where only one or two minor edits are required.

Has anyone else implemented something like this?

Eholmes

 

[cadcamguy]

Gleen Beer is the layer guy over at mcadcentral.. I think this question may already be answered over there

 

[mjcole]

Layers have two options for associativity which can be set on the Rules tab.

Associative: Ads all items currently matching the rules for a layer to that layer.

Non Associative: Adds items matching layer rules to layer automatically when they are created.
Layer Associativity

This seems to be a poorly thought about difference and for most of my layers, my mapkeys create the layer with the Associative option checked to add all current items to the created layer. Then continuing the mapkey I select Layer > Properties and un-check the Associative Option so from that point forward all new items -sketches, extrusions or whatever the layer was created for get added.

If you already have your mapkeys recorded you can make a mapkey like the one I made lta Layer Toggle Associativity that is just
Layer > Properties > Rules > Options > Associativity
This works in WF3 but you might need two one to toggle associativity on and one to toggle off like
lta1 Toggle on / lta0 Toggle Off

This will allow you to select the layer you want to update and type in the mapkey to update associative items.

Another option to look at is to create your layers in an Assembly File assemble the files you want to contain the layers and rules and use the
Layer > Extend Rules option which will create the layers that are in the assembly in any Components that are missing that Layer Name.
Extend Rules

Michael