Layers

[Dale]

Hi:
I have a Visio diagram that has two layers.
Is there a way that I can merge these 2 layers into one, and then
delete the two individual layers? If so, please expand on this.
Also, does Visio have any limits on the number of layers it
allows you to use in one "page" (not multiple tabs) ?

Thank you

DaleB

 

[Al Edlund]

The discussion is easier than the action. What happens under the covers is
objects/shapes can be assigned to multiple layers simultaneously. Select the
shape, right click-select format-select layer. This should show you the
layer(s) that a shape is assigned to. By (de)selecting the check marks you
can move shapes between layers.
al

 

[Dale]

Thanx !

Do you know if Visio has any limitation on how many layers can be applied
to one specific drawing (a single page/tab) ?

Thank you

DaleB

 

[Dale]

Hi:
Here's a related question:
Say that I have a few objects on the screen (drawing) with links connecting
them.
Say that I have a layer called ALL that shows everything (links in Black).
Now, say that I create a new layer called Link1 in which I address one
specific
link between two objects...and I want this link to show up in Red.
I can turn-on the layer that displays ALL to see evereything.
Then, I want to be able to also turn-on Link1 and have it show up in Red over
the old Black link in ALL. And, I would like to be able to do similar
things for
other links. The probelm that I run into is that when I select a link and
change its color to Red in making Link1, the link also shows up in Red if I
only display layer All.
Layer ALL does not maintain its Black coloring for that link.
Can what I am trying to do actually be done ? If so, please enlighten me.

Thanx !
DaleB

 

[Al Edlund]

when working with layers (as you discovered), if you want to show a specific
layer (with it's attributes) you may have to turn visibility off for the
other layers that a shape is attached to. Since this can be cumbersome you
might want to take advantage of visio's ability to create macro's so that
you can call the macro for your customization (i.e. have it record how you
turn off visibility for the "all" layer and turn on visibility for your
"red" layer)
al

 

[Dale]

Hi:
Thanx for your reply...I understand your concept of Macros, but there is still
another issue. If I change the color from Black to Red to be displayed for a
certain link, the link stayes red for all layers...in other owrds, eben if I
just show the All
alyer, the fact that the color wzs changed to red for the Link1 layer keeps
that link Red for the All layer. It appears to be one objcet that can be
addresses
from multiple layers. What I want to do is copy/duplicate the link for the
Red layer, but be able to control its attributes independent of the All
layer...so that I essentially have 2 independent overlaid layers of different
colors. Any ideas ?

DaleB

 

[Al Edlund]

as an example of how I do it.
I have multiple layers on a network diagram (unavailble, available, unknown,
errors) each with different attirbutes (colors). In my scenario of course it
would not be appropriate to have a layer with all of them assigned, but I
could. Programatically I move the assignment of the shapes between the
layers so that the shapes change colors. It is important that they be
assigned to only one layer at a time in my diagram so that another layers
attributes don't over draw what I need to see. I never change the attributes
of a layer because it will impact all others currently assigned to that
layer. I could assign a shape to multiple layers but then I have to control
which layers are visible in the drawing (in your case assign the shape to
the red layer and then turn off visibility for the black layer (a global))
so only the red layer is shown.
al

 

[Dale]

Hi:
Yes...I understand your message...but...if I have the same link in two
different
layers, it doesn't display in a different color depending on which layer is
being shown. Its will show up in the same color for oth layers, even if they
are only turned on one at a time. If the link is Black in layer 1, and I
make it red for layer 2,
ethn turn layer 2 off, it will display as Red in layer 1, where it should be
Black.