While there are a few 'hidden' (and reserved for internal use only) layers in NX, the maximum number of user accessible layers is 256 and that's it. And before you ask, there are NO plans to expand that number.
John R. Baker, P.E.
Product 'Evangelist'
Product Engineering Software
Siemens PLM Software Inc.
Industry Sector
Cypress, CA Siemens PLM: UG/NX Museum:
To an Engineer, the glass is twice as big as it needs to be.
In most cases, geometry will be created on the work layer. To change the work layer, go to Format -> Layer settings then:
[ul][li]double click a layer in the list (change the filter to "all layers" if necessary)[/li]
[li]enter a number from 1 to 256 in the work layer text input box and press enter[/li][/ul]
In the same dialog you can create new layer "categories" (labels for your own use). Create a new category then right click a layer and choose "add to category". A category may contain multiple layers; a layer may belong to multiple categories.
To some people 256 was not enough! We tried to put each component on separate layers but ran out with 256 in some of the larger assemblies we used to do. We even had a GRIP program for adding components that would switch to the next free layer.
Intergraph IDMS had 1024, as did Anvil 5000 and AutoTrol, I think. Of course the legacy of Unigraphics is Hanratty code prior to him writing the Anvil series. Autotrol was also legacy Hanratty code.
"Wildfires are dangerous, hard to control, and economically catastrophic."
Ben, I sure hope you've given up the idea of using layers to manage the structure of Assemblies ;-) and before anyone considers even for a second doing the same, PLEASE DON'T!!!! Trust me, even if we did increase the number of layers to 1024, like some of those older (and now all but defunct) systems did, it would still be totally inadequate.
While in some people's minds, layers are themselves a bit antiquated, even if you ARE using them today as we expect people to do so (which includes NOT using them to organize Assemblies), 256 should prove to be more than enough.
John R. Baker, P.E.
Product 'Evangelist'
Product Engineering Software
Siemens PLM Software Inc.
Industry Sector
Cypress, CA Siemens PLM: UG/NX Museum:
To an Engineer, the glass is twice as big as it needs to be.
256 is plenty for me. I realized after posting that I had "show layers with objects" selected. So I only had a few layers showing in my layers settings dialogue box. I'm just looking for an easing way to group a selection set so that I don't have to reselect the same 56 objects every time I need to work with them.
cowski, thanks... Does the group function only work in Drafting? When I try and use is in modeling (in an assembly), it doesn't seem to allow me to select any objects.
Groups work in modeling and drafting. But, you can only group stuff that the work part owns. If you are in an assembly, you can't pick certain bits from various components and group them together.
Strange, there are no sub assemblies. If that's what you mean. All the parts that I'm trying to select are direct children of the assembly that I am in.
If you're attempting to 'group' Components of an Assembly that is done from within the Assembly Navigator itself. To get access to these 'tools', place your cursor over some 'white sapce' in the Assembly Navigator, press MB3 and toggle ON the 'Show Component Groups' item. Once enabled, if you select this item in the Assembly Navigator and then press MB3, you'll be given several ways to create Assembly level groups using various rules and options.
John R. Baker, P.E.
Product 'Evangelist'
Product Engineering Software
Siemens PLM Software Inc.
Industry Sector
Cypress, CA Siemens PLM: UG/NX Museum:
To an Engineer, the glass is twice as big as it needs to be.
Being one of the OKOTB (Old Kids On The Block) that layering for components was done prior to V10. With V10, we looked at converting the program and decided it was not worth the effort with the way Assemblies work compared with A&C of V9 and prior.
"Wildfires are dangerous, hard to control, and economically catastrophic."
ok... I think I have groups working as John described. I seem to be having a hard time adding more than 1 component at a time. I'm using the "add component to group", the "from list" tab and graphically selecting... I think I need to play with it a bit to figure it out.
The intended manner in which Components are added to a Component Group is from inside the Navigator using the normal single/multiple selection gestures, then pressing MB3 and selecting 'Component Groups -> Create Named Component Group'. Once created you can edit the 'group' giving it a user-specified name.
The options found when selecting the 'Component Groups in Part' item and pressing MB3 are simply for setting-up what can be described as 'filters' or rules for controlling the behavior of a Component Group. For example, you might set a size rule which will automatically collect all components smaller than a certain size in that Group, even if they are added to the Assembly later on. Or you might set up a rule looking for a certain attribute value, such as 'Material = Steel' or 'Vendor = Acme Corp'. Also, once created, you can use these same rules to add additional Components to an existing group or you can simply use the 'Copy & Paste' method.
John R. Baker, P.E.
Product 'Evangelist'
Product Engineering Software
Siemens PLM Software Inc.
Industry Sector
Cypress, CA Siemens PLM: UG/NX Museum:
To an Engineer, the glass is twice as big as it needs to be.
![[bigsmile]](/data/assets/smilies/bigsmile.gif "[bigsmile] [bigsmile]")
I believe that 256 is more than enough!