One of the better management features in ArchiCAD is the ability to have an active layer for EACH tool in ArchiCAD.
As you switch from tool-to-tool, elements are place on that tool's current layer – Personally I am very happy with this method.
There may be times (for example when annotating) that a user would prefer if all elements were placed onto the same layer as they are created, irrespective of the tool used.
For example, all lines/polylines/circles/fills/text were placed on an "Annotation" layer.
(This goes against the default ArchiCAD method, but may be of interest in some certain instances – I would not recommend widespread use of this feature)
To assign one layer as the overriding layer for all tools:
- Click on any (layer-based) tool
- Assign the proposed 'global active layer' to that tool (via the Infobar)
- Goto the pulldown menu, Document > Layers > Layer Extras > Active Layer
- A small palette appears, and you can choose one of two options – the 'One Active Layer for all Element Types' is the one to choose
- Place any elements by any tool, and they will all be placed on the layer chosen in step (2)
- When finished with that amount of drawing/modeling
- Switch the option back to 'Individually Set Layers'
- Close the Active Layer palette
This feature has been available in ArchiCAD for a reasonably long time but has only resurfaced recently!!