CAD/LAN System Guidebook: Layer Standards Overview

The University of Kansas Layer Standard is based on the "National Cad Standards Version 1" and CAD Layer Guidelines - Computer Aided Design Management Techniques for Architecture, Engineering, and Facility Mapping, Second Edition by The American Institute of Architects.

The University of Kansas Layer Standard is presented in three different sections:

• AIA CAD Layer Format - Methodology

  This section outlines the concept, usage, and methodology behind the AIA CAD Layer Guidelines, Second Edition. This section is taken verbatim from the original document and can be used for information/instructional purposes.

• University of Kansas CAD Layer Format - Methodology

  This section outlines the concept, usage, and methodology behind the University's interpretation of the AIA CAD Layer Guidelines, Second Edition.

• University of Kansas Layer List - Alphabetical Listing

  This is a list of acceptable layer names according to the University's interpretation of the AIA CAD Layer Guidelines, Second Edition.

The CAD Layer Guidelines are organized as hierarchy. This arrangement accommodates expansion and addition of user-defined extensions to the layer list. Layer names are alphanumeric and use abbreviations that are easy to remember. This legibility is particularly important when CAD files are distributed among architects, consultants, and clients.

• Codes, Groups, & Fields

  The following section details the methodology behind the layer naming conventions and their general use.
  • Layout of Layer Formats
    

  • Example 1: Major & Minor Groups only
    

  • Example 2: Major Group & Status Field only
    

  • Example 3: Major Group only
    

  • Example 4: All Tags
    

• Explanation of Discipline Code, Groups & Fields

  The following section details the use of Discipline Code, Groups & Fields.
  • Discipline Code
    Discipline is the primary method of classification for layer names. The discipline code provides a path back to the originator of the data and provides a logical categorization of CAD information. The discipline code is intended pr imarily to identify the author of the graphic information. Thus, a structural co lumn placed by an architect would be A-COLS rather than S-COLS. The existence of both sets of information can in fact indicate the need for coordination. This a ccommodates the use of "I" as a discipline code, allowing doors and walls to be recognized in both the Architectural and the Interiors disciplines.
    The Discipline Code is a one or two-character field with the second character either a hyphen or a user-defined modifier. The discipline codes are listed below.

    A	Architectural
    C	Civil
    E	Electrical
    F	Fire Protection
    G	General
    H	Hazardous Materials
    I	Interiors
    L	Landscape
    M	Mechanical
    P	Plumbing
    Q	Equipment
    R	Resource
    S	Structural
    T	Telecommunications
    X	Other
    Z	Contractor/Shop Drawings

    A second character can be used to further define the discipline code. For example, AG could be used for Architectural Graphic or QK for Kitchen Equipment.

  • Major Group
    The Major Group designation identifies the building system. This field must contain four characters. Although Major Groups are logically grouped with specific discipline codes, it is possible to combine Major Groups with any of the Discipline Codes. For example, a drawing might contain the following layers.

    A-Wall	Walls
    A-Door	Doors
    A-Lite	Lighting Fixtures
    A-Fixt	Plubming FixtureS

  • Minor Group
    This is an optional, four-character field for further differentiation of Major Groups. For example, A-WALL-PART indicates architecture, new, wall partial height. The following modifiers are defined for use in the Minor Group field.

    Iden	Identification
    Patt	Hatch Pattern Number

  • Status Field
    The Status Field is an optional four-character designator that differentiates new construction from remodeling and existing to remain. It is only needed when phases of work must be differentiated. Defined values for these fields are listed below.

    Neww	New Work
    Exst	Existing to Remain
    Demo	Existing to Demolish
    Futr	Future Work
    Temp	Temporary Work
    Move	Items to be Moved
    Relo	Relocated Items
    Nicn	Not in Contact
    Phs(1-9)	Phase Numbers

    A remodeling plan might contain the following layers.

    A-Wall-Neww	New Walls
    A-Door-Neww	New Doors
    A-Wall-Demo	Walls To Be Demolished
    A-Door-Demo	Doors To Be Demolished
    A-Wall-Exst	Existing Walls To Remain
    A-Door-Exst	Existing Doors To Remain

    The Status Field is always placed as the last field of the layer name. In a simple layer name such as A-WALL, the Status Field would be the third field (A-WALL-DEMO). In a more detailed layer name, the Status Field would be the fourth field (A-WALL-FULL-DEMO).

• Annotation

  Annotation comprises text, dimensions, sheet borders. Detail references, and other elements on CAD drawings that don't represent physical aspects of a building. The major group "ANNO" designates annotation. Types of annotation are as follows:

  *-Anno-Dims	Dimensions
  *-Anno-Keyn	Keynotes
  *-Anno-Legn	Legends And Schedules
  *-Anno-Note	Notes
  *-Anno-Nplt	Construction Lines, Non-Plotting Information
  *-Anno-Redl	Redline
  *-Anno-Revs	Revisions
  *-Anno-Symb	Symbols
  *-Anno-Text	Text
  *-Anno-Ttlb	Border And Title Block

  Annotation can be placed in both paper and model space (Model files/Sheet files). Dimensions, symbols, and keynotes would typically be placed in model space. Legends, schedules, borders, and title blocks would typically be placed in paper space. The same layer names would be used in both cases.
  A special case exists when a single model file (x-reference) is referenced by two or more "sets" of annotation. A model file containing both floor plan and ceiling plan information many need different layers for ceiling plan dimensions and floor plan dimensions. In this case, users should modify the Minor Group to indicate the intended view. For example, A-ANNO-DMFP for floor plan dimensions and A-ANNO-DMCP for ceiling plan dimensions.

• User-Definable Fields

  The Minor Group field can be defined by the user, allowing additional layers to be added to accommodate special project requirements. This should only be done if a desired layer does not apply to a project. Some examples of layers using a user-defined Minor Group field are as follows.

  A-Door-Metl	Metal Doors
  A-Wall-Strc	Walls To Structure
  A-Furn-Pnl1	Furniture Panels From Manufacturer 1
  A-Furn-Pnl2	Furniture Panels From Manufacturer 2

• Layers for Elevations, Details, Sections, & Vertical Drawings

  Special Groups of layers within each discipline are defined for elevations, sections, details, and three-dimensional views. Defined layer groups are as follows.

  *-Elev	Elevations
  *-Elev-Iden	Component Identification Numbers
  *-Elev-Otln	Building Outlines
  *-Elev-Patt	Textures And Hatch Patterns With Different Pens
  *-Sect	Sections
  *-Sect-Iden	Component Identification Numbers
  *-Sect-Mbnd	Material Beyond Section Cut
  *-Sect-Mcut	Material Cut By Section
  *-Sect-Patt	Textures And Hatch Patterns With Different Pens
  *-Detl	Details
  *-Detl-Iden	Component Identification Numbers
  *-Detl-Mbnd	Material Beyond Section Cut
  *-Detl-Mcut	Material Cut By Section
  *-Detl-Patt	Textures And Hatch Patterns With Different Pens

  The Minor Group "*-ELEV" can be added to any Major Group layer (A-WALL, A-DOOR, Etc.) to identify information only seen in 3D views. This facilitates integrating three-dimensional CAD models with two-dimensional plans as shown below.

  A-Wall	Walls in Plan View
  A-Wall-Evel	Wall Surfaces in 3D Views

This section details the methodology behind the University's interpretation of the AIA CAD Layer Guideline.

• Overall Guidelines

  The University of Kansas employs the AIA CAD Layer Guidelines, Second Edition. Any drawing containing layer names found to be in compliance with this published standard are acceptable by the University.
  In addition, The University of Kansas allows for minor modifications to the AIA CAD Layer Guidelines, Second Edition for layer name readability. These modifications are detailed below.

  Field Code Layout AIA 2nd Edition
  Discipline Code	Major Group	Minor Group	Status Field
  A	Wall	Prht	Demo
  C	Road	Curb	Exst
  E	Lite	Patt	Phs1
  F	Sprn	Pipe	Neww
  T	Anno	Text

  The University of Kansas CAD Layer Guidelines Utilizes the same hierarchy but allows extra Minor Group Codes to be inserted for clarity.
  The University of Kansas Interpretation of the AIA, Second Edition.

  Discipline Code	Major Group	Minor Group	Extra Minor Group	Status Field
  A	Wall	Prht	Wood	Demo
  C	Road	Curb	City	Exst
  E	Lite	Exit	Patt	Phs1
  F	Sprn	Pipe	Flex	Neww
  T	Anno	Text	P013	Neww
  T	Anno	Text	P13

• Summary

  1. The University allows only the Disciplines Codes that are listed in the AIA CAD Layer Guidelines, Second Edition. Discipline code is required. No customization is allowed.

  2. The University allows only the Major Group Codes that are listed in the AIA CAD Layer Guidelines, Second Edition. Major Group is required. No customization is allowed.

  3. The University allows the use of more than one Minor Group Code in a layer name. This is a departure from the true intent of the AIA Cad Layer Guidelines, Second Edition. Where the AIA Second Edition would demand that the user create a single Minor Group Code comprised of a combination of characters from two different Minor Group Codes; the University of Kansas allows the use of both Minor Group Codes.
     AIA Second Edition: A-Anno-Dmfp
     University of Kansas: A-Anno-Dms-Fpln

  4. The University allows only the Status Fields that are listed in the AIA Cad Layer Guidelines, Second Edition. No customization is allowed. The Status field must be the last field in the layer name.

  5. The University allows the last Minor Group Code to consist of less than 4 characters when the Minor Group Code in question is to be the very last section in the layer name. This is not allowed if a Status Field is to follow the last Minor Group Code.
     A-Wall-Phrt-P13 (P13=Pen 13)
     A-Wall-Phrt-P013-Demo (p13= Pen 13)

• Listing of Groups & Codes

  The following lists acceptable and suggested field groups and code values.
  • Discipline Codes (No customization allowed)

    Code	Description
    A	Architectural
    C	Civil
    E	Electrical
    F	Fire Protection
    G	General
    H	Hazardous Materials
    I	Interiors
    L	Landscape
    M	Mechanical
    P	Plumbing
    Q	Equipment
    R	Resource
    S	Structural
    T	Telecommunications
    X	Other
    Z	Contractor/Shop Drawings

  • Major Groups Codes (No customization allowed)

    Code	Description	Code	Description
    Ablt	Anchor Bolt	Irrg	Irrigation
    Accs	Access	Jois	Joists
    Acid	Acid	Lgas	Labratory Gas
    Anno	Annotation	Lite	Lighting
    Area	Area	Ltng	Lightning Protection
    Beam	Beam	Mach	Machine Shop
    Bldg	Building	Mdgs	Medical Gas
    Brin	Brine Systems	Metl	Miscellaneous Metal
    Cabl	Cable	Ngas	Natural Gas
    Chim	Chimney	Nurs	Nursing
    Clng	Ceiling	Pgng	Paging Systems
    Cmpa	Compressed Air Systems	Pipe	Pipe
    Co2s	CO2 Systems	Pkng	Parking
    Code	Code	Plan	Plans
    Cols	Columns	Plnt	Plant
    Comm	Communications	Powr	Power
    Cont	Controls	Proc	Process
    Cwtr	Chilled Water	Prop	Property
    Deck	Floor Decks	Prot	Protection
    Detl	Detail	Rcov	Recover
    Domw	Domestic Water	Refg	Refrigeration
    Dust	Dust	Risr	Risers
    Elev	Elevation	Road	Road
    Elht	Electric Heat	Roof	Roof
    Ener	Energy Management	Sanr	Sanitary
    Eqpm	Equipment	Sect	Sections
    Evac	Evacuation	Sert	Security
    Exhs	Exhaust	Site	Site
    Fire	Fire	Slab	Slabs
    Fixt	Fixture	Soun	Sound
    Flor	Floor	Spcl	Special
    Fndn	Foundation	Sprn	Sprinklers
    Fuel	Fuel	Stan	Standpipe Systems
    Furn	Furniture	Stem	Steam
    Glaz	Glass	Strm	Storm
    Grid	Grids	Test	Test
    Grnd	Grouding	Topo	Topography
    Haln	Halon	Tvan	Television Antenna
    Hotw	Hot water	Walk	Walks
    Hvac	H.V.A.C	Wall	Walls
    Igas	Inert Gas	Watr	Water
    		Xref	External References

  • Minor Groups Codes (Limited customization allowed)

    Code	Description	Code	Description
    ##	Pen#, Xref#, etc.	Chil	Chilled Water
    2way	2-way	Circ	Circutting
    Aban	Abandoned	City	City
    Accs	Equipment Access	Clhd	Sprinkler head (Ceiling)
    Adag	Disabled Access Guides	Cntr	Center Lines
    Alrm	Fire Alarm	Coax	Coax
    Appl	Appliances	Code	Code Information
    Area	Area Calculations	Cols	Columns
    Asbs	Asbestos	Conp	Condensate Piping
    Bbl#	Basketball Bleachers	Cons	Construction Controls
    Beds	Beds	Cpip	Compressed Air Piping
    Blr1	Bleachers - Closed Partitions	Cprf	Copper Feeder
    Blr2	Bleachers - Opened Position	Cprh	Copper Horizontal
    Bnch	Benchmarks	Cprr	Copper Riser
    Bore	Test Borings	Curb	Curb
    Brdg	Bridges	Data	Data
    Brng	Bearing & Distance Labels	Date	Date Stamp
    Busw	Busways	Deck	Decks
    Cabl	Cable Trays	Desc	Descriptive Text
    Cars	Graphic Illustration of Cars	Dims	Dimensions
    Case	Casework	Dran	Parking Lot Drainage Slope
    Catv	Cable TV	Duct	Exhaust System Ductwork, Hvac.
    Cdff	Hvac Ceiling Diffusers	Edge	Edge of Slab
    Deqp	Compressed Air Equipment	Elev	Elevations, Elevation text, 3D, etc.
    Char	Chairs and other Seating	Hpip	High Pressure Steam Piping
    Emer	Emergency Lighting Devices	Hral	Stair and Balcony Handrails & Guard Rails
    Eqpm	Equipment	Hvel	Electric Lines - High Voltage
    Esmt	Easements, Row, & Setback Lines	Hvsl	Street Lights Lines-HIgh Voltage
    Etcx	Ethernet 10base2 Coax	Hydr	Hydrants
    Extr	Exterior	Iden	Miscellaneous Annotation Symbols & Text
    Feed	Feeders	Igas	Inert Gas
    Fenc	Fencing	Intr	Interior
    Fh1h	One Hour Fire Wall	Irrg	Irrigation
    Fh2h	Two Hour Fire Wall	Isld	Parking Islands
    File	File Cabinets	Jack	Data/Telephone Jacks
    Fire	Fire Wall	Jamb	Door and Window
    Fixd	Fixed	Jbox	Junction Box
    Fixt	Fixtures	Join	Slab Control Joints
    Fldr	Floor Drains	Keyn	Key Notes
    Flor	Floor	Kple	Kpl Electric Lines
    Fnsh	Finish	Kpsg	Kps
    Free	Freestanding	Legn	Schedule, Legend, Table Border
    Full	Full	Less	Asbestos Quantity Less Than
    Ggep	Fuel Gas General Piping	Levl	Level Changes, Ramps, Pits, & Depressions
    Gopr	Fuel Oil Process Piping	Lpip	Low Pressure Steam Piping
    Grid	Grid	Lvel	Electric Lines - Low Voltage
    Grnd	Bushes, Ground Covers & Vines	Lvsl	Street Lights Lines - Low Voltages
    Grrp	Fuel Gas Process Piping	Main	Water Main
    Grtr	Greater	Mbnd	Material Beyond Section Cut
    Head	Door and Window Headers	Mcut	Material Cut by Sections
    Metr	Meters & Valves	Peop	People
    Mhol	Manholes	Peqp	Process Air Equipment
    Misc	Miscellaneous	Pfix	Plumbing Fixtures
    Mmff	Multi-Mode Fiber Feeder	Pile	Piles, Drilled Piers
    Mmfh	Multi-Mode Fiber	Pipe	Piping
    Mmfr	Multi-Mode Fiber Riser	Plan	Plans
    Move	Movable	Play	Play Structures
    Nicn	Not in Contact	Plnt	Plants
    Note	Notes	Pnls	Furniture System Panels
    Nplt	Non-Plotting Information	Pole	Electric Poles & Street Lights on the Poles
    Numb	Power Circuit Numbers	Pool	Pools and Spas
    Occp	Occupant or Employee Names	Powr	Furniture System Power
    Odff	Other Diffusers	Ppip	Process Air Piping
    Ogep	Fuel Oil General Piping	Prht	Partial Height
    Open	Ceiling & Roof	Rais	Raised
    Othd	Sprinkler Head (Other)	Rbar	Re-bar
    Otln	Outlines	Rdff	Return Air Diffusers
    Ovhd	Overhead Communication Lines	Rfeq	Rooftop Exhaust Equipment
    Ovhd	Overhead	Risr	Risers
    P#	Detail Outlines or Detail Using Different Pens or Colors	Roof	Roof
    Panl	Power Panels	Rtwl	Retaining Walls
    Pat(1-9)	Textures & Hatch Patterns, Certain Construction Lines (1-9)	Satv	Satelite TV
    Pave	Roads That Have No Curb and Gutter but Are Pave	Sdff	Supply Diffusers
    Serv	Service	Tank	Tanks
    Sign	Signage	Tees	Main Tees
    Sill	Sills	Tele	Telephone
    Site	Site	Texl	Large Text
    Slev	Sleeves Under University Roads	Texts	Small Text
    Smff	Single-Mode Fiber-Feeder	Text	Legends & Schedules Text
    Smfh	Single-Mode Fiber, Horizontal	Text	Legends & Schedules Text
    Smfr	Single-Mode Fiber Riser	Ther	Thermostats
    Smok	Smoke Detectors or Heat Sensors	Tptn	Toilet Partitions
    Spcl	Architectural Specialties	Ttbl	Title Blocks
    Spkl	Irrigation Sprinklers	Tunn	Tunnels
    Spot	Spot Elevations	Turf	Lawn Areas
    Sprt	Playing Fields & Text	Ucpt	Under Carpet Wiring
    Step	Steps	Undr	Underground
    Stor	Storage	Unpv	Roads That Are Unpaved
    Strp	Floor and Parking Lot Striping & Handicapped Symbol	Urac	Under Floor Raceways
    Strs	Stairs, Treads, Escalators, & Ladders	Util	Utilities
    Susp	Suspended Elements	Vbl#	Floor Striping for Volleyball Courts
    Swbd	Switchboards	Vhcx	Catv Video Feeder
    Swbt	Swb	Vprt	Paper Space Viewports
    Swch	Switches	Vrcx	Catv Video, Feeder Riser`
    Swng	Door Swing Arc	Wdwk	Architectural Woodwork (Field Built Cabinets & Counters)
    Symb	Symbols	Wire	Wiring

  • Status Field Modifiers (No customization allowed)

    Code	Description
    Demo	Existing To Demolish
    Exst	Existing To Remain
    Futr	Future Work
    Move	Items To Be Moved
    Neww	New Work
    Nicn	Not in Contact
    Phs(1-9)	Phase Numbers (1-9)
    Relo	Relocated Items
    Temp	Temporary Work