Load Layer
Use the Load Layer option to list layers in the open design database and load a layer from this list as an underlay.
Note: If environment variables have been set up, then you will be able to select an optional data area. This means that you can list layers from a directory other than your current one. The maximum number of environment variables that can be listed for selection is 40.
Instructions
On the File menu, point to Underlays, and then click Load Layer to display the Design file selection panel.
List by layer
Select this option to list layers by name. All or part of the name needs to be entered. Wildcards such as % (single character wildcard) and * (multiple character wildcard) can be used.
If you try to load a layer from a design database other than the open database and it has the same name as a layer in the open database, you are warned of this fact and asked whether you want to replace the layer in the open database, append to the layer in the open database or to exit the option.
Selecting from the currently open design database
To select layers from the currently open design database, enter the layer name.
|
Layer Name |
Explanation |
|---|---|
|
* |
Lists all layers. |
|
ROAD* |
Lists all layers that start with 'ROAD'. |
|
ROAD%a |
Lists all layers that start with 'ROAD' and are followed by one other character plus the character 'a'. |
Selecting from other design databases which are stored in the current directory and have the same project code as the open design database
To select layers from another design file in your current working directory, precede the layer name with the spatial database identifier and a " (colon). If you don't know the spatial database identifier, you can use * as the spatial database identifier.
|
Layer Name |
Explanation |
|---|---|
|
SURVEY:ROAD* |
Lists all layers that start with 'ROAD' in the SURVEY design database. |
|
*:* |
Lists all design databases together with the number of layers in each database. Selection of a database will list these layers. |
|
*:ROAD4* |
Lists all design databases together with the number of layers in each database that start with 'ROAD4'. Selection of a database will list these layers. |
To select layers from a design database that has a different project code than the open design database, prefix the layer name with an _ (underscore), project code, spatial database identifier and a : (colon), that is(_<proj><sdi>:<layer name>).
For example,_ABCTOTAL:ROAD* where ABC = project code, TOTAL = spatial database identifier, ROAD* = all layers that start with 'ROAD'.
You can also nominate your current working directory as the alternate data area instead of using : (colon) or _ (underscore). See Use alternate data area option described below.
List by description
List by description Select this option to list layers by description. All or part of the description needs to be entered. Any layer that has the entered characters in their description will then be listed. Colons, underscores or wildcards cannot be used when listing by description.
Use alternate data area
Use alternate data area Check this box to list layers from a nominated data area (usually different from your current working directory, although you can select the current working directory). The alternate data area can be used in conjunction with the : (colon) entered in the Layer name field. The colon indicates that another design file is required than the open one, checking this option indicates that another data area is required. The panel where the data area can be specified, displays upon completion of the current panel. Refer to List Files option for information on the Select Data Area panel.
Click OK.
The layers are listed. Depending on your panel entries you may need to select a design database before the layers are listed and, once selected, the layer list displays.
In the list of the layers, the first column shows the layer name (loaded layers are indicated by an arrow), the second column shows the window in which the layer is loaded (blank if it is the Primary Window), the third column shows the description of the layer. If no description has been specified when the layer was created, the date and time of creation are used. The fourth and fifth column show, respectively, the date and time that the layer was last modified. For more information on using the layer list box refer to List Boxes.
The list of design databases shows the number of layers, in each file, that match the entered layer name criteria. An arrow indicates the open design database. Selection of a design database will list the layers.
To load a single layer, click on the layer name and click OK.
To load multiple layers, use the left mouse button in combination with the Shift key to highlight the layers (this is for layers that are adjacent in the list, for nonadjacent layers use the CTRL key and the left mouse button) and click OK.
To cancel the loading of multiple layers, click Esc.
It is also possible to use the Pattern field, the Apply Pattern button and wildcards (* multi-character and ? single character) to highlight the layers that begin or end with certain characters.
For example, if you wanted to highlight all layers that begin with 'A' and have one other character, type 'A?' into the Pattern field and then click Apply Pattern.
Click OK to select the highlighted layers.
Note Layers selected from design databases other than the open one, will be saved in the open database when you exit Vulcan whether or not they have been edited. If you don't want these layers saved in the open database, then load them as underlays (using the File > Underlays > Load Layer option) or clear them before saving (using the Remove option).
