Architectural Drafting
Using AutoCAD
CAD Layer Guidelines
Naming Layers
The NCS layering standard consists of a layer name that can be broken down into five
distinct data fields. The five data fields contain specific information regarding the type of
architectural feature the layer is representing. The five data fields are listed below:
• Discipline code
• Major group
• Minor 1 group (optional designation)
• Minor 2 group (optional designation)
• Status (optional designation)
The format of the data fields is displayed in Figure 1.
At a minimum, a layer name must include the discipline code and major group. Other
layer names can be created using a combination of the five groups, as long as the first two
categories are included in the layer name. Other group configurations are shown in Figure 2.
Figure 1.
Layer names can
include a discipline,
major group, minor 1
group, minor 2 group, Discipline Major Minor 1 Minor 2 Status
and status code. code group group group field
Figure 2.
Examples of layer names with a discipline code and major group; with a discipline code, major
group, and minor 1 group; and with a discipline code, major group, and status code.
Discipline Code Discipline Code Discipline Code
Major Group Major Group Major Group
The major group designation identifies the type of building component the layer is
representing. For example, walls, doors, and windows are building components that fit into
the major group category. The major group consists of four letters, abbreviating the compo-
nent. Some common major groups are included in the layer names listed in the following
table. Refer to the CAD Layer Guidelines for a complete list of major group classifications.