Overview

The University of Kansas Layer Standard is based on the "National Cad Standards Version 1" and the "Cad Layer Guidelines Computer Aided Design Management Techniques for Architecture, Engineering, and Facility Mapping" Second Edition, by The American Institute of Architects contained within the standard. The University of Kansas Layer Standard is presented in three different sections, AIA CAD Layer Format Methodology, The University of Kansas CAD Layer Format Methodology and The University of Kansas Master Layer List Alphabetical Listing.
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The AIA CAD Layer Format- Methodology section outlines the concept, usage and methodology behind the AIA CAD Layer Guidelines 2nd Edition. This section is taken verbatim from the original document and can be used for informational/instructional purposes. The University of Kansas CAD Layer Format Methodology outlines the concept, usage and methodology behind the Universitys interpretation of the AIA CAD Layer Guidelines 2nd Edition. The University of Kansas Master Layer List Alphabetical Listing contains a listing of acceptable layer names according to the Universitys interpretation of the AIA Cad Layer Guidelines 2nd Edition.

The University of Kansas Layer Standard

The AIA CAD Layer Format Methodology
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The AIA CAD Layer Format Methodology

The CAD Layer Guidelines are organized as hierarchy. This arrangement accommodates expansion and addition of user-defined extensions to the layer list. Layer names are alphanumeric and use abbreviations that are easy to remember. This legibility is particularly important when CAD files are distributed among architects, consultants, and clients.

Codes, Groups and Fields

The following section details the methodology behind the layer naming conventions and their general use.

Layout of Layer formats.

|--------------------------------| |---------------------| | |---------------| | | |-------|||| --- ------- ------- ------X - Xxxx - Xxxx - Xxxx

Discipline Code Major Group Minor Group Status Field

Layer Name Examples.

The following section gives examples of the use of the various groups.

Layer name with Major group and Minor Group. (Status Field not used)

|------------------------------| |-----------------------| | |------------------ ------- ------A - Wall - Full

Discipline Code Major Group Minor Group

Layer name with Major Group and Status Field. (Major Group not used)

|------------------------------| |----------------------| | |--------------||| ||| --- ------- ------A - Wall - Demo

Discipline Code Major Group Status Field

Simple layer name with only Major Group. (Minor Group and Status Field not used)

|------------------------------| |----------------------|| || --- -----A - Wall

Discipline Code Major Group

Layer name with Major Group, Minor Group, and Status Field.

|-------------------------------| |-----------------------| | |---------------| | | |---------- ------- ------- -------A - Wall - Full - Demo

Discipline Code Major Group Minor Group Status Field

ExplanationThe following section details the use of Discipline Code, Groups and Fields. of Discipline Code, Groups and Fields

Discipline Code

Discipline is the primary method of classification for layer names. The discipline code provides a path back to the originator of the data and provides a logical categorization of CAD information. The discipline code is intended primarily to identify the author of the graphic information. Thus, a structural column placed by an architect would be A-COLS rather than S-COLS. The existence of both sets of information can in fact indicate the need for coordination. This accommodates the use of I as a discipline code, allowing doors and walls to be recognized in both the Architectural and the Interiors disciplines.
The Discipline Code is a one or two-character field with the second character either a hyphen or a user-defined modifier. The discipline codes are listed below.

A C E F G H I L M P Q R S T X Z

Architectural Civil Electrical Fire Protection General Hazardous Materials Interiors Landscape Mechanical Plumbing Equipment Resource Structural Telecommunications Other Contractor/shop Drawings

A second character can by used to further define the discipline code. For example:

AG QK

Architectural Graphic Kitchen Equipment

Major Group

The Major Group designation identifies the building system. This field must contain four characters. Although Major Groups are logically grouped with specific discipline codes, it is possible to combine Major Groups with any of the Discipline Codes. For example, a drawing might contain the following layers.

A-Wall A-Door A-Lite A-Fixt

Walls Doors Lighting Fixtures Plumbing Fixtures

Minor Group

This is an optional, four-character field for further differentiation of Major Groups. For example, A-WALL-PART indicates architecture, new, wall partial height. The following modifiers are defined for use in the Minor Group field.

Iden Patt

Identification Hatch Pattern Number

Status Field

The Status Field is an optional four-character designator that differentiates new construction from remodeling and existing to remain. It is only needed when phases of work must be differentiated. Defined values for these fields are listed below.

Neww Exst Demo Futr Temp Move Relo Nicn Phs(1-9)

New Work Existing To Remain Existing To Demolish Future Work Temporary Work Items To Be Moved Relocated Items Not In Contact Phase Numbers

A remodeling plan might contain the following layers.

A-Wall-Neww A-Door-Neww A-Wall-Demo A-Door-Demo A-Wall-Exst A-Door-Exst

New Walls New Doors Walls To Be Demolished Doors To Be Demolished Existing Walls To Remain Existing Doors To Remain

The Status Field is always placed as the last field of the layer name. In a simple layer name such as A-WALL, the Status Field would be the third field (A-WALL-DEMO). In a more detailed layer name, the Status Field would be the fourth field (A-WALL-FULL-DEMO).

Annotation Annotation comprises text, dimensions, sheet borders. Detail references, and other elements on CAD drawings that dont represent physical aspects of a building. The major group "ANNO" designates annotation. Types of annotation are as follows:

*-Anno-Dims *-Anno-Keyn *-Anno-Legn *-Anno-Note *-Anno-Nplt *-Anno-Redl *-Anno-Revs *-Anno-Symb *-Anno-Text *-Anno-Ttlb

Dimensions Keynotes Legends And Schedules Notes Construction Lines, Non-Plotting Information Redline Revisions Symbols Text Border And Title Block

Annotation can be placed in both paper and model space (Model files/Sheet files). Dimensions, symbols, and keynotes would typically be placed in model space. Legends, schedules, borders, and title blocks would typically be placed in paper space. The same layer names would be used in both cases. A special case exists when a single model file (x-reference) is referenced by two or more "sets" of annotation. A model file containing both floor plan and ceiling plan information many need different layers for ceiling plan dimensions and floor plan dimensions. In this case, users should modify the Minor Group to indicate the intended view. For example, AANNO-DMFP for floor plan dimensions and A-ANNO-DMCP for ceiling plan dimensions.

UserThe Minor Group field can be defined by the user, allowing additional layers to be added Definable to accommodate special project requirements. This should only be done if a desired Fields layer does not apply to a project. Some examples of layers using a user-defined Minor Group field are as follows.

A-Door-Metl A-Wall-Strc A-Furn-Pnl1 A-Furn-Pnl2

Metal Doors Walls To Structure Furniture Panels From Manufacturer 1 Furniture Panels From Manufacturer 2

In contrast to the first edition of "CAD Layer Guidelines", this edition does not incorporate a fourth level of hierarchy for the use-defined layers. In other words, users should use a layer such as A-DOOR-MIDN instead of A-DOOR-METL-IDEN. Because the Minor Group can accept any user-defined code, the revised format accommodates flexibility while avoiding long, cumbersome layer names.

Layers Special Groups of layers within each discipline are defined for elevations, sections, for details, and three-dimensional views. Defined layer groups are as follows. Elevations, Details, Sections, and Vertical Drawings

*-Elev *-Elev-Iden *-Elev-Otln *-Elev-Patt

Elevations Component Identification Numbers Building Outlines Textures And Hatch Patterns With Different Pens

*-Sect *-Sect-Iden *-Sect-Mbnd *-Sect-Mcut *-Sect-Patt *-Detl *-Detl-Iden *-Detl-Mbnd *-Detl-Mcut *-Detl-Patt

Sections Component Identification Numbers Material Beyond Section Cut Material Cut By Section Textures And Hatch Patterns With Different Pens Details Component Identification Numbers Material Beyond Section Cut Material Cut By Section Textures And Hatch Patterns With Different Pens

The Minor Group "*-ELEV" can be added to any Major Group layer (A-WALL, A-DOOR, Etc.) to identify information only seen in 3D views. This facilitates integrating threedimensional CAD models with two-dimensional plans as shown below.

A-Wall A-Wall-Elev

Walls In Plan View Wall Surfaces In 3D Views

The University of Kansas Layer Standard

The University of Kansas Master CAD Layer Format Methodology
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The University of Kansas CAD Layer Format Methodology

This section details the methodology behind the Universitys interpretation of the AIA CAD Layer Guideline.

Overall Guidelines

The University of Kansas employs the AIA CAD Layer Guidelines 2nd Edition. Any drawing containing layer names found to be in compliance with this published standard are acceptable by the University.
In addition, The University of Kansas allows for minor modifications to the AIA CAD Layer Guidelines 2nd Edition for layer name readability. These modifications are detailed below.

Field Code Layout AIA 2nd Edition Discipline Code A C E F T Major Group Minor Group Status Field

Wall Road Lite Sprn Anno

Prht Curb Patt Pipe Text

Demo Exst Phs1 Neww

The University of Kansas CAD Layer Guidelines Utilizes the same hierarchy but allows extra Minor Group Codes to be inserted for clarity. The University of Kansas Interpretation of the AIA 2nd Edition Discipline Code Major Group Minor Group Extra Minor Group Wood City Patt Flex P013 P13 Status Field

A C E F T T

Wall Road Lite Sprn Anno Anno

Prht Curb Exit Pipe Text Text

Demo Exst Phs1 Neww Neww

Summary

1. The University allows only the Disciplines Codes that are listed in the AIA Cad Layer Guidelines 2nd Edition. Discipline code is required. No customization is allowed.

2. The University allows only the Major Group Codes that are listed in the AIA Cad Layer Guidelines 2nd Edition. Major Group is required. No customization is allowed.
3. The University allows the use of more than one Minor Group Code in a layer name. This is a departure from the true intent of the AIA Cad Layer Guidelines 2nd Edition. Where the AIA 2nd Edition would demand that the user create a single Minor Group Code comprised of a combination of characters from two different Minor Group Codes; the University of Kansas allows the use of both Minor Group Codes.

AIA 2nd Edition A-Anno-Dmfp

The University of Kansas A-Anno-Dims-Fpln

4. The University allows only the Status Fields that are listed in the AIA Cad Layer Guidelines 2nd Edition. No customization is allowed. The Status field must be the last field in the layer name. 5. The University allows the last Minor Group Code to consist of less than 4 characters when the Minor Group Code in question is to be the very last section in the layer name. This is not allowed if a Status Field is to follow the last Minor Group Code.

A-Wall-Phrt-P13 (P13=Pen 13) A-Wall-Phrt-P013Demo (P013=Pen 13) Listing of Groups and Codes The following lists acceptable and suggested field groups and code values.

List of acceptable Discipline Codes. No customization is allowed. Code A C E F G H I L M P Q R S T X Z Description Architectural Civil Electrical Fire Protection General Hazardous Materials Interiors Landscape Mechanical Plumbing Equipment Resource Structural Telecommunications Other Contractor/Shop Drawings

AE ME

Architectural/Electrical Mechanical/Electrical

List of acceptable Major Groups Codes. No Customization is allowed. Code Ablt Accs Acid Anno Area Description Anchor Bolt Access Acid Annotation Area Code Irrg Jois Lgas Lite Ltng Description Irrigation Joists Labratory Gas Lighting Lightning Protection Machine Shop Medical Gas Miscellaneous Metal Natural Gas Nursing Paging Systems Pipe

Beam Bldg Brin

Beam Building Brine Systems

Mach Mdgs Metl

Cabl Chim Clng Cmpa

Cable Chimney Ceiling Compressed Air Systems CO2 Systems Code Columns Communications Controls Chilled Water Floor Decks Detail Domestic Water Dust Elevation Electric Heat Energy Management Equipment Evacuation Exhaust

Ngas Nurs Pgng Pipe

Co2s Code Cols Comm Cont Cwtr Deck Detl Domw Dust Elev Elht Ener

Pkng Plan Plnt Powr Proc Prop Prot Rcov Refg Risr Road Roof Sanr

Parking Plans Plant Power Process Property Protection Recover Refrigeration Risers Road Roof Sanitary

Eqpm Evac Exhs

Sect Sert Site

Sections Security Site

Fire Fixt Flor Fndn Fuel Furn Glaz Grid Grnd Haln Hotw Hvac Igas

Fire Fixture Floor Foundation Fuel Furniture Glass Grids Grouding Halon Hot water H.V.A.C Inert Gas

Slab Soun Spcl Sprn Stan Stem Strm Test Topo Tvan Walk Wall Watr Xref

Slabs Sound Special Sprinklers Standpipe Systems Steam Storm Test Topography Television Antenna Walks Walls Water External References

List of possible Minor Group Codes. To be used whenever possible. Limited customization allowed. ## 2way Aban Accs Pen#, Xref#, etc. 2-way Abandoned Equipment Access Chil Circ City Clhd Chilled Water Circutting City Sprinkler head (Ceiling) Center Lines

Adag

Disabled Access Guides Fire Alarm Appliances Area Calculations Asbestos Basketball Bleachers Beds

Cntr

Alrm Appl Area Asbs Bbl#

Coax Code Cols Conp Cons

Coax Code Information Columns Condensate Piping Construction Controls Compressed Air Piping Copper Feeder

Beds

Cpip

Blr1

Bleachers Closed Partitions Bleachers Opened Position Benchmarks Test Borings

Cprf

Blr2

Cprh

Copper Horizontal

Bnch Bore

Cprr Curb

Copper Riser Curb

Brdg Brng

Bridges Bearing and Distance Labels Busways Cable Trays Graphic Illustration of Cars Casework

Data Date

Data Date Stamp

Busw Cabl Cars

Deck Desc Dims

Decks Descriptive Text Dimensions

Case

Dran

Parking Lot Drainage Slope Exhaust System Ductwork, Hvac. Edge of Slab

Catv

Cable TV

Duct

Cdff

Hvac Ceiling Diffusers Compressed Air Equipment

Edge

Deqp

Elev

Elevations, Elevation text, 3D, etc. High Pressure Steam Piping Stair and Balcony Handrails and Gaurd Rails Electric Lines High Voltage Street Lights LinesHIgh Voltage Hydrants

Char

Chairs and other Seating Emergency Lighting Devices

Hpip

Emer

Hral

Eqpm

Equipment

Hvel

Esmt

Easements, Row, and Setback Lines Ethernet 10base2 Coax Exterior

Hvsl

Etcx

Hydr

Extr

Iden

Miscellaneous Annotation Symbols & Text Inert Gas Interior Irrigation

Feed Fenc Fh1h

Feeders Fencing One Hour Fire Wall Two Hour Fire Wall File Cabinets

Igas Intr Irrg

Fh2h

Isld

Parking Islands

File

Jack

Data/Telephone Jacks Door and Window Junction Box Slab Control Joints Key Notes

Fire Fixd Fixt Fldr

Fire Wall Fixed Fixtures Floor Drains

Jamb Jbox Join Keyn

Flor Fnsh Free

Floor Finish Freestanding

Kple Kpsg Legn

Kpl Electric Lines Kps Schedule, Legend, Table Border Asbestos Quantity Less Than Level Changes, Ramps, Pits, and Depressions Low Pressure Steam Piping Electric Lines Low Voltage Street Lights Lines - Low Voltages Water Main

Full

Full

Less

Ggep

Fuel Gas General Piping

Levl

Gopr

Fuel Oil Process Piping Grid

Lpip

Grid

Lvel

Grnd

Bushes, Ground Covers and Vines Fuel Gas Process Piping Greater

Lvsl

Grrp

Main

Grtr

Mbnd

Material Beyond Section Cut Material Cut by Sections People Process Air Equipment Plumbing Fixtures Piles, Drilled Piers

Head

Door and Window Headers Meters and Valves Manholes

Mcut

Metr Mhol

Peop Peqp

Misc Mmff

Miscellaneous Multi-Mode Fiber Feeder Multi-Mode Fiber Multi-Mode Fiber Riser Movable Not in Contact Notes

Pfix Pile

Mmfh Mmfr

Pipe Plan

Piping Plans

Move Nicn Note

Play Plnt Pnls

Play Structures Plants Furniture System Panels Electric Poles and Street Lights on the Poles Pools and Spas

Nplt

Non-Plotting Information

Pole

Numb

Power Circuit Numbers Occupant or Employee Names Other Diffusers

Pool

Occp

Powr

Furniture System Power Process Air Piping

Odff

Ppip

Ogep

Fuel Oil General Piping Ceiling and Roof Sprinkler Head (Other) Outlines

Prht

Partial Height

Open Othd

Rais Rbar

Raised Re-bar

Otln

Rdff

Return Air Diffusers Rooftop Exhaust Equipment

Ovhd

Overhead Communication Lines Overhead Detail Outlines or Detail Using Different Pens or Colors Power Panels Textures and Hatch Patterns, Certain Construction Lines (1-9) Roads That Have No Curb and Gutter but Are Pave Service Signage Sills Site Sleeves Under University Roads Single-Mode FiberFeeder Single-Mode Fiber, Horizontal Single-Mode Fiber Riser Smoke Detectors or Heat Sensors Architectural Specialties Irrigation Sprinklers Spot Elevations Playing Fields and Text

Rfeq

Ovhd P#

Risr Roof

Risers Roof

Panl Pat(19)

Rtwl Satv

Retaining Walls Satelite TV

Pave

Sdff

Supply Diffusers

Serv Sign Sill

Tank Tees Tele Texl Texts

Tanks Main Tees Telephone Large Text Small Text

Site
Slev

Smff

Text

Legends and Schedules Text Legends and Schedules Text Thermostats

Smfh

Text

Smfr

Ther

Smok

Tptn

Toilet Partitions

Spcl

Ttbl

Title Blocks

Spkl

Tunn

Tunnels

Spot Sprt

Turf Ucpt

Lawn Areas Under Carpet Wiring

Step Stor

Steps Storage

Undr Unpv

Underground Roads That Are Unpaved Under Floor Raceways

Strp

Floor and Parking Lot Striping and Handicapped Symbol Stairs, Treads, Escalators, and Ladders Suspended Elements Switchboards Swb

Urac

Strs

Util

Utilities

Susp

Vbl#

Floor Striping for Volleyball Courts Catv Video Feeder Paper Space Viewports Catv Video, Feeder Riser` Architectural Woodwork (Field Built Cabinets and Counters) Wiring

Swbd Swbt

Vhcx Vprt

Swch

Switches

Vrcx

Swng

Door Swing Arc

Wdwk

Symb

Symbols

Wire

List of Acceptable Status Field Modifiers. No customization allowed. Code Demo Description Existing To Demolish Existing To Remain Future Work Items To Be Moved New Work Not in Contact Phase Numbers (1-9) Relocated Items Temporary Work

Exst

Futr Move

Neww Nicn Phs(19) Relo Temp

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