Inside TrackView All Layers / Specific Layers on the Canvas
If we added the ability to view all layers (or specific layers) at the same time on the canvas/page, there are a few concerns we would need to resolve. Potentially instead of all layers option, it's just a visible/hidden icon for each layer (similar eyeball for showing/hiding takeoffs).
Active Layer vs Visible Layers
We would have to clearly distinguish between the Active Layer and Visible Layers. If there are 5 visible layers, and you create a new takeoff, we need to create the takeoff in the Active Layer. We just need to make sure it's clear to the user which of the 5 is the Active Layer.
Copy / Paste Example
Suppose you are currently in the Framing layer as the Active Layer. Then if you select something from the Concrete layer and copy/paste it, would you expect that the newly created takeoff sections would exist in the Framing layer or in the Concrete layer? Some apps assume that pasted objects always stay in the layer they were copied from by default? Maybe we have special paste capabilities if the user holds shift, or paste As New would past to current layer.
Visibility of Layer Objects
Would you expect all visible layers to display normally, or would you expect only the Active Layer to be full opacity. Maybe the other layers are faded a little (visible but clearly faded like they are disabled)? Maybe there is just an opacity slider that controls visible layers that are not active layer to let you fade them if you want.
The easiest path would be for us to make only the Active Layer editable and the rest of the visible layers read-only with a slider for non-active layer opacity (maybe we start with this and expand as we cover all the "what if" scenarios).
Any input is welcome.
In the scenario mentioned above you would probably need expand the paste function to include "Paste to All Layers" or "Paste Only to Selected Layers" options I suppose
Maybe it would be simpler if when choosing to view all layers it locks the ability to manipulate your takeoff
@Luke That would definitely be the easiest for us to implement (read-only if viewing all layers).
@Jes One tricky part about paste to all layers: the takeoff sections are connected to specific takeoffs. Those takeoffs exist on a specific layer. They also have parent/child relationships in that layer (such as parent folders or child items). These connections/relationships would break if only parts are pasted to another layer.
Yeah, this is a tough nut to crack. Best of luck 😂
Think future here and put yourself in the trade partners shoes. Future Kyle wants to see trade partners takeoff and also my internal team takeoff. I could care less about "all layers" and like where your second screenshot is headed.
I think we need to ditch the default layer in the future and need to ADD the ability to assign a few critical things before you even start...... trade (could be multiple), ideally unformat, person and company doing it (please sent global defaults, then let us add more custom properites). Right now we only get one name and its the wild-wild west for layer setup, need to help identify what is in that layer.
I like read-only option with only making the active layer editable. My main problem is WTF is in each layer right now.....help us help ourselves stat.......example job I'm on now errrrrrr
The problem is that the current use of folders is basically the same as that of takeoff folders. Early on, I had suggested that what we are calling "layers" should function as transparent overlays on which the takeoffs lived. Layers could therefore have certain pages associated with them and visibility of the associated pages could be toggled on/off. There would be no confusion as to which layer was active just as there is no confusion as to which page is active.
Now, if we are going to continue using layers as "views," simply have the default layer function as "All" and create a layer for each estimator/collaborator. Then add the visibility toggle for each layer when not viewing all. Trades can be easily managed using folders. And since there are related posts about layers and permissions, you could create shareable layers that are, more or less, visual versions of the required reports for the intended recipients.
Back on this thread, one region has this down (Screenshot below), and uses their bid leveling sheet identity number as their takeoff layer. Still love the idea above in adding properties to layer, and even to the extent that zzTO puts a global default for people to fill out company, person and scope in the layer boxes.
Side note this Region wants the ability to "duplicate" layers too......granted that is assuming that hyperlinks automatically come thru when you import drawings for that to work.
@kyle, kind of a neat idea to choose a custom property that drives the layer division but if the intent is automation (going to the right place without selection) you can achieve this by building this into your templates and using custom group by settings in reports
I do think everyone should get to choose what they are deciding to utilize layers for.
one fix for confusion on layers and the can of worms viewing more than one at a time during a live takeoff is two sets of selections per layer
one being working selection (can only select one at a time )
and 👁️ viewing (select as many as you wish)
My only comment would be that the takeoffs are global in the layers, if I make a new takeoff item it should be visible on all layers, right now I use layers to do project area breakdowns so I can generate separate pricing for different areas of the project.