Step 7 - Configuring the Layers
In order to organize the drawing better and allow editing of shapes that overlay other shapes without risking selecting objects within the background, we will use the layers feature of TouchDraw. Imagine a stack of paper where each layer is like a sheet of paper in that stack. One of those sheets of paper can be drawn without impacting what’s on the other sheets of paper; however, where layers differ is that layers are like transparent pieces of paper. One sheet can be drawn while seeing what is on the sheets above and below it without impacting them (if other layers are locked).
Right now, only one layer resides within the drawing (which has the default name “Layer 1”); however, when the tutorial is completed, the drawing will have a total of 10 layers:
- Exterior Walls
- Interior Walls
- Door Cutouts
- Doors
- Stairs
- Bathroom Fixtures
- Fireplace
- Kitchen
- Dimensions
- Room Names
Open the Layers Panel to begin setting up the layers. This can be done by pressing on the Info Button in the Top Toolbar (highlighted below). Open the Info Menu and then select the Layers option.
Once the Layers Panel has been opened, the Drawing Editor will appear as shown below:
The Layers Panelcurrently lists Layer 1 as the only layer in the drawing.
Two icons (buttons) reside to the right of the layer name. The first button is both an indicator and toggle for whether or not that specific layer is locked. The second button is both an indicator and toggle for whether or not that layer is visible. When a layer is locked (and visible) the contents of that layer can be seen; however, it will not be able to be selected or edited. This is a useful option for drawing over something in the background without worrying about accidentally selecting or modifying it.
First, rename Layer 1 to Exterior Walls. This process can be started by performing a triple tap on Layer 1 in the Layers Panel.
After triple tapping on the layer, a popover window will appear for renaming the layer, as shown below. Enter the words Exterior Walls and then press on OK to complete the rename.
The Layers Panel will appear as shown below once the rename has been completed.
Next, press on the Lock Icon (Button) located to the right of the renamed layer to lock it since no additional changes will need to be made to the Exterior Walls.
Creating a layer for the Interior Walls is the next step of this process. To accomplish this addition, press on the Layers Settings Menu located in the upper right corner of the Layers Panel and then select the Add Layer option, as shown below.
After selecting the Add Layeroption, TouchDraw will add and select a new layer called Layer 2.
Repeat the steps above for renaming Layer 1 to Exterior Walls_to rename _Layer 2 to Interior Walls.
Press on the Hide Sidebar Button at the bottom of the Layers Panel to close it, as shown below.
Note: Make certain the Interior Walls layer is selected (highlighted in blue) before dismissing the Layers Panel when completing this step. When the shapes are created in the next step, they will be added to the currently selected layer, which should be the Interior Walls layer.