Architectural Drawing

Architectural Layer Standards

Architectural Layer Standards

General
The CAD Layer Guidelines are organized as hierarchy. This arrangement accommodates expansion
and addition 0f 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. Layer names consist of a Discipline CodeMajor Group-Minor Group-Status Field.
The format for the CAD Standard is as follows:

Architectural Layer Standards

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 primarily to identify the author of the graphic information. Thus, a
structural column 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. 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
C
E
F
G
H
I
L

Architectural
Civil
Electrical
Fire Protection
General
Hazardous Materials
Interiors
Landscape

M
P
Q
R
S
T
X
Z

Mechanical
Plumbing
Equipment
Resource
Structural
Telecommunications
Other
Contractor/shop Drawings

Architectural Layer Standards

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-Roof
A-Beam
A-Cols
A-Detl
A-Elev
A-Fixt
A-Furn
A-Hvac
A-Lite
A-Sect
A-Slab
A-Walk

Roof
Beam
Columns
Detail
Elevation
Fixture
Furniture
H.V.A.C
Lighting Fixtures
Sections
Slabs
Walks

A-Anno
A-Chim
A-Deck
A-Door
A-Fixt
A-Fndn
A-Glaz
A-Jois
A-Pkng
A-Site
A-Spcl
A-Wall

Annotation
Chimney
Floor Decks
Doors
Plumbing Fixtures
Foundation
Glass
Joists
Parking
Site
Special
Walls

Architectural Layer Standards

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.
Appl
Cars
Dims
Esmt
Fixt
Iden
Misc
Patt
Pfix
Site
Strs
Tele
Ther

Appliances
Graphic Illustration of Cars
Dimensions
Easements, Row, and Setback Lines
Fixtures
Identification
Miscellaneous
Hatch Pattern Number
Plumbing Fixtures
Site
Stairs, Treads, Escalators, and ladders
Telephone
Thermostats

Ttbl Title Blocks

Bnch
Cols
Elev
Fenc
Grnd
Legn
Note
Peop
Roof
Step
Symb
Text
Tptn

Benchmarks
Columns
Elevations, Elevation text, 3D, etc.
Fencing
Bushes, Ground Covers and Vines
Schedule, Legend,
Notes
People
Roof
Steps
Symbols
Legends and Schedules Text
Toilet Partitions

Architectural Layer Standards

Annotation
Annotation comprises text, dimensions, sheet borders. Detail references, and other elements on CAD drawings that
dont represent physical aspects of a building. The major group "ANNO" designates annotation. Types of annotation
are as follows:
A-Anno-Dims
A-Anno-Keyn
A-Anno-Legn
A-Anno-Note
A-Anno-Nplt
A-Anno-Redl
A-Anno-Revs
A-Anno-Symb
A-Anno-Text
A-Anno-Ttlb

Dimensions
Keynotes
Legends And Schedules
Notes
Construction Lines, Non-Plotting Information
Redline
Revisions
Symbols
Text
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.

Architectural Layer Standards

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
A-Wall-Strc
A-Furn-Pnl1
A-Furn-Pnl2

Metal Doors
Walls To Structure
Furniture Panels From Manufacturer 1
Furniture Panels From Manufacturer 2

In contrast to the first edition of "CAD Layer Guidelines", this edition does not incorporate a fourth level
of hierarchy for the use-defined layers. In other words, users should use a layer such as A-DOOR-MIDN
instead of A-DOOR-METL-IDEN. Because the Minor Group can accept any user-defined code, the
revised format accommodates flexibility while avoiding long, cumbersome layer names.

Architectural Layer Standards

Layers for Elevations, Details, Sections, and 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
*-Elev-Iden
*-Elev-Otln
*-Elev-Patt
*-Sect
*-Sect-Iden
*-Sect-Mbnd
*-Sect-Mcut
*-Sect-Patt
*-Detl
*-Detl-Iden
*-Detl-Mbnd
*-Detl-Mcut
*-Detl-Patt

Elevations
Component Identification Numbers
Building Outlines
Textures And Hatch Patterns With Different Pens
Sections
Component Identification Numbers
Material Beyond Section Cut
Material Cut By Section
Textures And Hatch Patterns With Different Pens
Details
Component Identification Numbers
Material Beyond Section Cut
Material Cut By Section
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-Elev

Wall Surfaces In 3D Views

Architectural Layer Standards

Architectural Layer Standards