How do Layers work in VCarve Pro & Aspire for organizing vectors and controlling visibility during design and toolpath creation?

Overview

Layers organize your artwork into named groups that can be shown, hidden, locked, colored or selected together. Vectors, bitmaps and the grayscale previews of components can all be assigned to layers. Layers prevent design confusion, let you hide construction vectors during toolpath setup and make complex multi-element designs manageable. 3D components themselves are organized by the Component Tree and its levels, while their 2D grayscale previews can sit on a layer.

The Layers Tab

Open the Layers tab (shortcut Ctrl+L). The layer list is identical in the Layer Control above the views and in the Layers tab. The tab can also control layer ordering and can be left visible, pinned or undocked while you work.

Each layer in the list has five elements:

• Status icon: click to show or hide the layer. A padlock means the layer is locked; right-click and choose Unlock to change it
• Layer color: a swatch that colors all the vectors on the layer
• Layer content icon: grayed out when the layer is hidden. A blank white sheet means the layer is empty (common after importing DXF or DWG files, and you can delete those)
• Layer name: double-click to rename in place, or use the Rename command
• Pop-up menu icon: Activate, Lock, Insert, Delete and Merge layers, plus ways to choose which layers to show and hide

Creating and Naming Layers

1. Click the Add New Layer button. You can also right-click an object in the 2D View and choose Copy to > Layer > New Layer or Move to > Layer > New Layer
2. Give it a meaningful name (for example "Text", "Border", "Toolpath Boundary", "Construction", "Offset Vectors")
3. Press Enter

The Insert Layer command in a layer's pop-up menu creates a new visible, unlocked, black layer above the selected one. Two options control new layers: New Layer is Visible and New Layer is Active. With the second on, the new layer becomes active and new vectors are drawn on it.

Naming ideas used by many shops:

• Design or Artwork: the main design vectors
• Text: all text objects
• Toolpath Boundaries: vectors used as toolpath limits
• Construction: helper lines and reference shapes (hidden before cutting)
• Offset: vectors from the Offset tool
• Do Not Cut: reference vectors that should never be selected for toolpaths

Making a Layer Active

The active layer receives newly created vectors. Choose it from the Layer drop-down in the toolbar above the views, or use Activate in a layer's pop-up menu.

Important: creating a vector while the wrong layer is active is the most common layer mistake. Check the active layer before drawing.

Moving Vectors Between Layers

1. Select the object(s) in the 2D view
2. Right-click > Move to > Layer > choose the destination layer (or Copy to > Layer to place a copy)

Selecting Everything on a Layer

Double-click a layer in the list, or use Select Layer Vectors from its pop-up menu. This is a quick way to pick all the vectors for a toolpath.

Layer Order

Two arrow buttons beside the Layers list heading, or dragging a layer name, reorder the list. Objects on layers higher in the list are drawn first, so they sit underneath objects on lower layers in the 2D view. This matters for bitmaps and 2D component previews that could otherwise hide other objects.

Visibility and Locking

Hiding a layer hides all objects on it. Select All Vectors only selects visible vectors, so vectors on hidden layers are not selected. Hidden vectors still exist and can be shown again at any time.

Pro workflow, hide construction layers before toolpath setup:

1. Put construction and reference vectors on a "Construction" layer
2. Hide that layer before creating toolpaths
3. Only the relevant design vectors remain visible and selectable

Locking a layer prevents accidental edits. Locked vectors are visible but cannot be selected or edited. Lock finished layers while you work on new ones.

One Layer per Operation

A good habit is to put the vectors for each toolpath operation on their own layer:

• "Profile Cut": outer profile vectors
• "Pocket Background": background recess vectors
• "VCarve Text": text vectors for V-carving
• "Drill Holes": hole centers

Then you select all the vectors for a toolpath by selecting its layer. The Vector Selector in the toolpath forms can also pick vectors by layer, which helps toolpath templates find the right vectors when you use a consistent layer naming scheme. Layers in imported DXF files come across as layers, so organizing in your CAD program first can help.

Practical Layer System for Sign Making

Layers vs. Component Tree