Expert: Bob - 12/24/2008

Question
I HAVE BEEN USING AUTOCAD 2004 FOR ARCHITECTURAL DRAWINGS FOR A FEW MONTHS, IS THERE AN ACCEPTED LIST OR STANDARD USE OF PARTICULAR COLORS FOR CERTAIN LAYERS OR DETAIL WITHIN DRAWINGS, FOR EXAMPLE JOINERY, OR SURFACE WATER DRAINAGE ETC... MANY THANKS, KEVIN

Answer
Hi--

Of course, I HOPE YOU MEAN "are there standard colors for the LAYERS on which I draw joinery,etc etc"?
If you dont understand layers completely, stop and get a good book on your release. DO NOT use AutoCAD without using layers, unless the drawings are just for personal use.

I am very glad that you get the point that drawings should have common components, so they look right, and so others can work with them.

Since you use the u in "colours", I doubt that referring you to the AIA (American Institute of Architects) standard layers will fit your situation, but here, for an example, are the National Cad Standards. which it is useful to read, for understanding.

https://tsc.wes.army.mil/products/standards/aec/2_0_Std/volume1.pdf


I suggest:
1-- consult trade and professional organizations in your country by loking them up online, to see if there are standards you can use.
2 -- check the Internet
ex__ Google  < autocad layers Australia > and see what you get
Try a few ways.
3-- some people work alone, draw as they wish, dont care what others think of it, as long as it prints well
More comonly, each office may have its own standards, which you have to match if you work for them -- but often, these are a mess.

THERE IS NO WORLD STANDARD.

I cant help more than this without being there to see your situation, so I encourage you to ask around, phone, use the Internet.

You have the right idea -- layers (and their colors) differentiate objects. I personally dont use color-dependent plotting, which is another chapter in that book you should have next to the computer.

Good luck

BOB