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Hi. Hope this is a simple answer.

2 layers: Layer 1 and Layer 2 - listed in that order in the layer dialog (below 0).

I draw a line on Layer 1 - line displayed.

I draw a line on layer 2 that intersects the line on Layer 1. That line shows above the line on Layer 1 - as you'd expect.

I then draw a line on Layer 1 that intersects the line on Layer 2. However that line (the Layer 1 line) shows above the Layer 2 line.

How to make lines on Layer 2 ALWAYS display above Layer 1? (Similar to what a graphics program layer hierarchy would behave)

Best
Hugh

I sort of figured it... but it's a kludge:

Select all objects on Layer 1 and change the Draw Order to a value, say 10

Select all objects on Layer 2 and change the Draw Order to a value, say 20

I guess this could be tedious.

What would be nice is if you could start layer objects at a predefined value and auto increment from there:

ie In Layer Properties:
Layer 1 Draw Order Start 1000, Increment 1 (or value)
Layer 2 Draw Order Start 2000, Increment 1 (or value)

This is just a cursory idea. Perhaps I've missed something?

best
Hugh

Hello Hugh,

Panchdara wrote:What would be nice is if you could start layer objects at a predefined value and auto increment from there:

ie In Layer Properties:
Layer 1 Draw Order Start 1000, Increment 1 (or value)
Layer 2 Draw Order Start 2000, Increment 1 (or value)

This is just a cursory idea.

Maybe it would be a good idea to file a Feature request for that

http://www.ribbonsoft.com/bugtracker

Til then - if you need to bring a layer just to the front or to the back of your drawing you could use the "Bring to Front" / "Bring to Back" tools in QCAD. You will find them below Menu / Modify.
How it works: "Select layer" and then use the "Bring to Front" or "Bring to Back" tool. Voilà!
I understand that this will only be a workaround regarding your question but currently the best way to play with the layer hierarchy.

Layers and drawing order are generally not related in CAD (although they often are in other applications).

There would be a logical problem with layers controlling drawing order as you will understand as soon as you start working with blocks. The entities inside a block can all be on different layers. But you wouldn't want a part of a block to appear behind other entities and a part of the same block in front of them. The whole block should always be on the same drawing level, i.e. have one drawing order. In short: trying to use layers to control drawing order is a bad idea in CAD and not the intended use of layers.

That makes sense - thanks for explanation!

Many thanks for explanation. I shall use this explanation as a basis for when I need hierarchy drawing levels. Makes sense (somewhat) and I'll also look at child-layers also for more structure organization (perhaps for blocks?)

Best