is there a way to have more then 256 layers? 1

[scope63]

for all the years i have been using UG/NX (since v16) i have ever only been able to use 256 different layers. today i open a part to examine from some one else and i notice in the model navigator some of the items are on layer 258! i don't know how this could be!
i have changed the show window to 'all layers' but 258 does not come up. help!! some of the part is developed with sheet metal.
i have attached a picture to show.

Scott Copeland
Design Engineering Contractor
Persego Int'l

http://www.persego.com

 

[JohnRBaker]

Actually there ARE more than 256 layers, but under normal circumstances, users only have access to the first 256 of them. The remainder are reserved for secondary yet necessary objects which are created by the software during the creation some features or other NX objects. These additional 'objects', while needed to produce a valid model, have no reason to be seen or selected so the scheme that we use to permanently 'hide' them is to assign them to one of these inaccessible layers.

That being said, I don't really know how your model ended-up organized as it was, but I have seen this before (but not for awhile) and don't recall if anyone ever figured out what happened in those cases either.

John R. Baker, P.E.
Product 'Evangelist'
Product Engineering Software
Siemens PLM Software Inc.
Industry Sector
Cypress, CA
Siemens PLM:
UG/NX Museum:

To an Engineer, the glass is twice as big as it needs to be.

 

[scope63]

hi john

thanks for replying. i have noticed that i can select the object and move to for example 256 so i guess that is what i will do.
funny thing is if i review the properties of the object it does report out layer 258. i was even thinking that it was a 'named' layer but even still the name of the layer does not show up on the model navigator.
if you do get the chance to dig into this more i would appreciate it.

Scott Copeland
Design Engineering Contractor
Persego Int'l

http://www.persego.com

 

[wiengines]

I've noticed that when you use the "sheet metal solid punch" feature and use the option to hide the tool body, it behaves this way (it puts the fetures of the tool body on layer 258).

However, if you edit those feature that are on layer 258, it will display that geometry

See the attached file (NX6)




Chris T.
Project Design Analyst
Kohler Co. Engine Division
Using NX6

 

[JohnRBaker]

I suspect that the Sheet Metal code uses this scheme more than the rest of NX since it needs to create sheet metal 'features' which are often required to be represented both as defined and as flattened. This would allow the management of both sets of objects without while keeping them from interfering with each other and in a manner which didn't mess with a user's mind (except with respect to seeing what appears to be odd layer behavior ;-)

John R. Baker, P.E.
Product 'Evangelist'
Product Engineering Software
Siemens PLM Software Inc.
Industry Sector
Cypress, CA
Siemens PLM:
UG/NX Museum:

To an Engineer, the glass is twice as big as it needs to be.

 

[scope63]

well that makes sense to me. as i said the part i am looking at does have sheet metal features. i am able to edit the layer back to example 256 and then edit the feature but then it will always go back to 258. well anyway at least i know that some one is not trying to make the part impossible to edit! thanks for your help.

Scott Copeland
Design Engineering Contractor
Persego Int'l

http://www.persego.com