The H-Factor

Many users prefer to use their own colors, linetypes, lineweights etc. when drafting. HydraCAD is set up to do just that. The only thing you cannot do is to change our layer names. But, you can add your own layers if you want.

The best overall approach is to set up your own template, beginning with a copy of our template. Our templates have all the layers in them that we need to run HydraCAD. If you start with our template, make your changes to it and save it as your own template, you are not overriding the rules of ours, and we aren't stomping on yours after an update. This blog post explains how that should be done: Creating your own templates

Losing HydraCAD Layers

If you use AutoCAD's PURGE command all unused HydraCAD layers (along with other unused layers) will be removed from the drawing. This is bad.

Rebuilding HydraCAD Layers

Use the Rebuild Layer command in the Hydratools->Tools dropdown menu. Or, type in RBL. This will rebuild all of our layers with their settings. It runs the layer script file that comes with HydraCAD, or the one you created, below.

Going forward, do not use AutoCAD's Purge command. Instead, use our Super Purge, on the same menu as Rebuild Layers. Or, type in PUR. Super Purge does a deep purge of unused layer and blocks. It then runs our layer script file (layer.scr), which reinserts layers, blocks and dimension styles that HydraCAD requires to operate. Furthermore, it does an AUDIT to automatically fix drawing database errors.

Replacing our Layer Script with Yours

Open a drawing that has the layers set the way you like them. Then, pick Create Layer Script from this Drawing from the HydraTools->Options drop down menu. This will replace HydraCAD's default layer script with yours.

To replace our settings and add yours, use the Create Layer Script from this Drawing command instead. The next time you use Rebuild HydraCAD Layers (RBL) or Super Purge (PUR), our layer script will be run with your custom settings, not ours.
If you make a mistake and some of our layers are missing or the layer script will not run or locks up, it is easy to get back to our defaults. In that case, use the Restore Original HydraCAD Layers command just below the Create Layer Script from this Drawing command.

Making a Layer Script with Only Your Layers

This will allow you to retain your own added layers and not have them replaced when you run a HydraCAD update. Open a drawing that has the layers set the way you like them. Then, pick Create Layer Script from this Drawing from the HydraTools->Options drop down menu. This will replace HydraCAD's default layer script (Layer.scr) with yours.

Then, pick the command named Edit HydraCAD Layer Script just above it. This allows you to edit this new Layer.scr file directly. Be careful in here, as script files are very sensitive to extra characters. However, if you want to make a new layer script with just your added layers, then use this command and do the following:

1. Keep the first line and the last lines in the new Layer.scr
2. Delete lines that refer to our layers and keep only those lines that refer to yours
3. Save this file with the name MYLAYER.SCR
4. Run the Restore Original HydraCAD Layers command. This will restore our Layer.scr to the shipped version

The next time you use Rebuild HydraCAD Layers (RBL) or Super Purge (PUR), our layer script will be run as well as yours.

To also have your layers listed under the HydraCAD Layers filter in the AutoCAD Layer panel, and have your layer descriptions there as well, then do this:

1. Locate the file named LAYER.DAT in the \HES\HydraCAD\Ver50\Programs\Version5# folder
2. Open this file with Notepad
3. Keep the first line and the last lines in the LAYER.DAT
4. Delete lines that refer to our layers and add in lines that refer to your layers, keeping the same format we have. You can also keep our lines and replace our terms with yours
5. Save this file with the name MYLAYER.DAT

The next time you use Rebuild HydraCAD Layers (RBL) or Super Purge (PUR), your layer names will be added to the HydraCAD Layer filter along with your descriptions.