How To: Copy Topography to Other Layers

Why Use Layers?

A cross section typically has a number of different types of be, some of which may coss-cut each other. The same is true of maps. It is feasible to keep all of the objects on the same layer. However, it does become difficult to select items for modification and to keep them in the right display order. Layers are useful for organising complec drawings. In this example one layer will be used just for the topography outline, another will be used for beds of sandstone, another for a cross-cutting dyke, and a final layer for scales and a key. Copies of the topography are required on each layer.

The Object Manager

First open the Object Manager. In Corel Draw 9 this is under the Tools menu. In Corel Draw 8 it is ...

The Object Manager docker is illustrated alongside. The buttons at the top are used to create a New Layer, Show Object Properties (colour, line thickness, etc), Edit Across All Layers, and Layer Manager View. Try toggling tha letter three buttons on or off to see the effect. There is a tiny button marked with a filled right brace used to invoke Object Manager Options. A new drawing has layers labelled Guides, Desktop, Layer 1 and Grid. The active layer (the one on which the next drawing operation will take place) is marked with a pink (as opposed to grey) page symbol. Notice the Eye, Printer and Pencil symbols. Each can be clicked to toggle its state of activation. So, the Printer symbols for Guides, Desktop and Grid are grey because they are not usually printed. You can make a layer invisible by clicking the blue Eye to make it grey. You can lock a layer to prevent yourself from drawing on it inadvertently by clicking the black Pencil to make it grey. The use of this facility is strongly recommended as novices frequently find themselves drawing on the wrong layer. A layer name can be changed by clicking on it and then typing a new name. The layer order can be changed by clicking on a layer and then dragging it to a new place in the list. This is important as layers are drawn from the bottom up - objects in layers ate the top of the list appear on top of objects in layers at the bottom of the list.

Layer Creation

Click the New Layer button and type a suitable name for the new layer. To change a layer name click twice (slowly) on the existing name.

Copy to Layer

Select the topgraphy that you have perfected. Note that you must either activate the layer on which the topography is located by clicking that layer in the Object Manager, or you must depress the Edit Across Layers button. With the topography selected, click on the Object Manager Options button and select the Copy to Layer item from the pop up menu. A big black arrow should appear. Point it at the name of the layer you wish to copy the topography to and click. You can verify that a copy of the topography is on a layer by making all other layers invisible (click the visibility icons). Once copied, make sure that you not move the copies you need them all on top of each other.