Diagram Layers

Home > Documents and Diagrams Procedures > Diagram Layers

Diagram Layers

Layers are useful for organizing objects in diagrams. You can place some objects on one diagram layer and others on another layer, similar to layering several overhead transparencies. Layers are not designed for creating a hierarchy of multiple diagrams; use linking between diagrams instead of layers (see Manage Process Diagrams for steps to create a subprocess). Use layers in a diagram to:

view or print only certain objects, such as a legend or annotations.
protect objects from accidental changes
protect lasso selection from selecting certain objects on other layers

By default, each diagram has one layer. If more than one layer exists for the current diagram, a layer tab bar at the bottom of each diagram window shows a tab with layer names and their order for each layer defined. The current layer tab is white.

On the Arrange menu, point to Layers and choose Layer Manager, and use the Layer Manager to delete or rename a layer, change the order of layers, show or hide a layer, make a layer printable or not printable, and lock or unlock a layer.

Right-click a layer tab to quickly access many layer commands.

Task	Procedure
Add a layer to an active diagram	On the Arrange menu, point to Layers and choose Add Layer. Enter a name for the layer and click OK. The new layer is added in front of the current layer and becomes the new current layer.
Edit all layers	On the Arrange menu, point to Layers and choose Edit All Layers. When editing all layers, you cannot move an object on a lower layer in front of an object on a higher layer.
Move an object to a different layer	Select the object. On the Arrange menu, point to Layers and choose Move To Layer. Click the layer to which you want to move the object.
Move an object forward or back one layer	Select the object. On the Arrange menu, point to Layers and choose Move Forward One Layer or Move Back One Layer.