Chrisb222

@Kbird1 and @SNestor sorry for running you through the ringer over my dumb mistake in renaming a system layer. You guys are an incredible resource to this forum and I hate that I wasted your time but maybe someone else will see this and learn about those sneaky system layers. Thanks for all you do.

I see that now, but it's not apparent that "Text" layer is a System layer; it doesn't have the "S" designation. I wasn't aware that some System layers did not have the "S" designation. I see now the Residential Template has several such layers. I would never rename a System layer if I knew not to. Innocent mistake, but the program could help by perhaps locking the names of those layers so they can't be changed. Lesson learned. Thanks for the clarification.

Now for real fun, go into the "Changed Default" file and open the Test Text, change the Layer to Text (the OOB CA Default layer): Then click the copy/paste tool and drag out a copy:

Thanks for your efforts Larry. I know about those other settings. Since you asked what my original question was, it is "How to change the DEFAULT LAYER for Text" ... which I still do not know how to do. (see pic in original OP) Somehow I changed that Default Layer in the "Changed Default" plan (which is a stripped-down version of one of my templates that has that Changed Default in it) and I don't know how I did that or why things are behaving as they are. At this point I think there's maybe a bug in the program? Or something I've done? See my next post.... (and yes it is very confusing)

Ok I made two test files. The first one is a stripped-down sample file that has the "Text, 1/2" Scale" layer set as the Default Text layer (still don't know how I did that): Changed Default Test File.plan The second file is an OOB X12 Residential Template plan: OOB Test File.plan The "test text" copied FROM the "Changed Default Test File" and pasted TO the "OOB Test File" does NOT carry its default layer and layer settings. It reverts to the default in the destination file.

I was asking how to change the default LAYER for text (see pic in OP) not the default TEXT. I don't think it can be done. There does seem to be a hard-coded default LAYER that can't be changed... I don't think it has anything to do with SPVs. The Default Layer is the same for all Text except those that have their own dedicated layer. The pic below shows the Default layer in the source file that made me start the thread (and I still don't know how it get assigned this): When text is brought into that file from a file where the Text Default Layer is the OOB "Text," it CHANGES the layer the text was on in the source file, to the Default layer of the destination file, even though that file has a "Text" layer (see pic): So since the copied text is using the "Default" layer, when it comes in it assumes the settings for the destination "Default" layer .... even though the layers have different names, AND the destination file contains a layer of the same name; namely, the OOB Default layer named "Text" - which is weird, and is not consistent with Dermot's post. Can you change the Default layer for Text? Can you make another layer the Default, without changing the name of the OOB default layer? I haven't been able to find a way to do that. But this file has a different default layer It's all very confusing. I need a drink!

Yes, the layer did in fact change. I suspect it's because the text object in the source file was set to use the default layer, and the default layer in the destination file was a different layer so the text switched to that layer.

Not in the original instance that prompted the thread. The source text brought with its LAYER default... so it kept its instruction to Use Layer for Text Style, but it was a different font because it was on a different layer than the Default layer and text style within the destination file. It's difficult to explain, I may not be communicating it clearly. Yes I know. Again, original question is "how to change the default layer for Text." I'm thinking it can't be changed. Thanks again for your efforts.

I want to CHANGE the Default layer for Text. ...and in my test, that did not happen. It reverted to the default for the destination plan. Maybe I did it wrong. Sunday night is probably not the best time to try that.

The source plan used the "Text" layer as the default layer. The text default for the text object copied was set to "Use Layer for Text Style." The Default text layer in the target file was a layer by a different name, with a different text style, and since the text pasted to the default layer the text changed to using those different settings. That's why I asked how to assign the default layer, which I still don't know how to do.

Thanks Mick for having a go at this. Yeah good idea. I think you're onto something but I haven't figured it out yet. I followed your idea and opened the OOB Residential Template and changed the NAME of the default text layer, set it to Use Layer for Text Style with a new saved 1" scale Arial text style, then saved it as a new template, opened a file using that template, and all of the Text Defaults used that new named layer as the Default layer (except those with a hardcoded dedicated text layer, i.e. electrical, framing, HVAC etc). I created a text element using the Text tool and it defaulted as expected, using the new renamed layer as the default with the correct 1" scale text style. Then I opened a plan from the OOB template (so the default layer would be a different name) and pasted, expecting it to carry with it the new default layer & text style, but it did not. It reverted to the OOB "text" layer with its associated text style. This is different than the behavior that prompted the topic; when I pasted text from one plan file to another, it brought the source plan's defaults with it. A funny thing though, since my new changed layer was set to use the 1" Arial Text Style, when I hit Paste it LOOKED like it would be a 1" scale object but the actual text was the OOB font @ 1/4" scale (see image). Very weird Look at the grips, they're where they would be if it were a 1" scale size, but the text object is 1/4" with the OOB default font: As soon as I did anything, the grips jumped out to their normal location around the bounding box. Yes, good idea but that's still not assigning a different Default Layer. I did a lot more testing but could never duplicate what happened earlier, and also have not been able to determine how to change the default layer used by Text Defaults except by changing the name of the OOB "Text" layer.... which really isn't assigning a different actual layer at all. I read once there's on old saying around here: "It's a Chief thing!" Lol

**EDIT: So the question in the thread title was answered; the default layer for Text cannot be changed, it's a System layer and should not be renamed. Thanks to @Kbird1 and @SNestor for working with me on this problem, and to @Dermot for solving the mystery. I'm looking to change the default layer for text so that text copied from another plan is pasted into the target Default layer that I set. When I open Default Settings > Text, Callouts and Markers > Text > Edit, click the Line Style tab, settings on the Layer line tell that Text default which layer to be placed on, but has no effect on which layer is set to be the default layer for pasted text (see image). Changing the layer setting there simply unchecks "Default." I need to change which layer is the overall Default. I've searched every setting I can think of, searched Help, searched this website, and can't find that setting... and it's driving me MAD (not to mention bringing my productivity to a screeching halt). I know it can be changed because different plans have different layers set as the Default text layer, that's where the problem came up. I just don't remember how I changed it. Thanks

If I was on vacation at the beach, I would consider this a blessing.

Haha, did not mean to offend. Yes, Cabinet Shelf tool. You can make them whatever thickness you want, as the floating shelves are usually thicker than the default Shelf. Thanks for the "Solution"!

I use the Shelf tool. I know, right?

A door can slide left to right by dragging, and you can raise it off the floor in the dialog box:

Two things. One, you can create a wall type that does not have any wood in it. Two, yes, some fireplace enclosures are framed just like a wall. It just depends on what type of fireplace you're after.

On my PC laptop it's the "p" key On my Mac desktop I use the mouse not the pan tool

Gotcha, yeah I didn't read carefully enough. I don't have a formula for getting that exact, I usually fake it close using cad lines in an elevation.

Why not? Should be the same as your porch depth +/-

Appreciate all the insight, thanks to you all for contributing. I think I finally have the solution to the problem. A long time ago I calculated the sizes of the items in the roof structure tab to replicate the end result I want. However, as a result of working through the ideas presented here, I found that changing the sizes of those items around a little, and using 5.5" for the sub fascia (which is what is actually used), combined with checking "Same Height Eaves" and NOT "Same Roof Height at Exterior Walls", I can still get the end result and it seems the porch beam now builds correctly every time. Thanks again for all your help.

Try turning off the layer "Cameras, Cross Section & Elevation" In this pic it looks like the camera view is active (open), and that you have "Always Display Active Cameras" checked in your 3D View defaults. That will cause the callout for any open camera to always appear, even if the layer is off, until the camera view is closed. Not sure where it is in X7 (been awhile) but look for a Default setting something like this: ...and uncheck it, if you don't want to see open cameras in views with their layer off.

Yes, as mentioned in the OP X12 Residential Template, nothing changed except Roof Structure to match my template. Like Steve said, the gable sub fascia is part of the problem, but I need it to be the same as it will be built

Does anyone know of any differences in the OOB room defaults that would cause a porch to behave differently than other rooms?? I've searched the default settings but couldn't see any difference. Maybe there are aspects of a 'porch' that are different in the hardcode??

1. Yes I get that but I didn't move the baseline to the center of the wall, chief did that. 2. The beam builds correctly when the porch is changed to any other room type, while the baseline remains in the center of the wall. So.... Thank you again for your thoughts.