Productive Use of Name Formats with Object Layer Modifiers

In the prior post, I mentioned that using standard object naming conventions when using object layer modifiers would help keep the layer list standard. If you are using NCS-like layer names, consider this example to start the wheels turning:

Object layer: C-ALGN

Standard Object Names:
· RD1 (roadway)
· SS1 (sanitary sewer)
· ST1 (storm sewer)
· EP1 (edge of pavement)

Resulting Layers:
· C-ALGN-RD1
· C-ALGN-SS1
· C-ALGN- ST1
· C-ALGN- EP1

This of course is in conjunction with configuring object layers with a modifier suffix of “-*”.

It would be helpful to configure the more repetitious object name into the feature’s Default Name Format setting (feature settings). You may use the counter to assign the numbers behind your object type, but these numbers will probably be subject to manual manipulation.

Keep in mind that you can make overrides to these values in the feature’s command settings so that particular object names will be assigned when you execute particular commands. This functionality is useful when creating profiles. Creating a profile by surface usually results in an existing profile; creating profile from a layout usually results in a finished grade profile.

Object layer: C-PROF

Standard Object Names:
· XG1 (existing)
· FG1 (finished grade)

Resulting Layers:
· C- PROF -XG1
· C- PROF -FG1

This is a great way to get control of layers and object names so that people in your organization can move from one drawing to the next and still remain in a familiar environment.