If the same object is placed on a layer, that is assigned the color blue, then the resulting object will be blue.

If an object is placed on a layer that is assigned the color green, the active color property is set to by layer. The definition of by layer is that an objects color, line weight, and line type properties are determined by the settings assigned to the layer, and not by the objects individual settings. The concept of by level symbology was new to MicroStation V8, but not to AutoCAD users who have been using by layer symbology for years. This method can restrict your ability to choose properties independently, but AutoCAD provides tools to make that easier. But cons, using layers as the distinguishing feature, dramatically increases the number of layers required to define a CAD standard. I think this system is easier to implement and tends to encourage compliance to standards. So the user only has to select the correct layer and all the property settings will automatically be defined to follow the CAD standards for color, line weight, and line style. All property settings can be defined to a specific layer. Using layers as the distinguishing feature between graphic objects allows for easier management of CAD standards. So what are the pros and cons? First, the pros.

By layer means the layer defines the properties of the graphics placed on that layer, so the properties are defined by the layer. And some of you may be using by level in MicroStation, it's the same thing. This is referred to in AutoCAD as by layer. You primarily use layers with colors, line weights and line styles directly assigned. Red and blue objects each had a unique layer, the same for varying line styles. If you needed continuous and dashed objects, you placed them on different layers. The most logical way to distinguish drawing objects was through layers. This is very different from the way things work in AutoCAD, since AutoCAD allows you to create unlimited layers. This practice is possible to replicate in the AutoCAD DWG file, but is not recommended. This was common practice and considered normal in a MicroStation DGN file.

So it was common to place multiple graphic objects on the same level, with varying colors, line weights, and line types. In the past, MicroStation was limited to 63 numbered levels. This is similar to how AutoCAD works with layers. One of the most powerful enhancements recently added to MicroStation, is the implementation of unlimited levels. Open the file for chapter six, using layers dot DWG. This chapter will focus on how to use layers to control what graphics are visible and what their properties are, such as color, line weight, and line styles.

Set sketchup layers to bylayer