Bluebeam：Using Layers to organize information

Using Layers to organize markups

You can create layers in a PDF to help differentiate team members, disciplines (structural, mechanical, electrical, etc.), revisions, or any other method that helps you organize information using separate layers.

There are two common uses for layers: one is to separate and organize information for different disciplines, and the other is to use layers like a slip-sheet, in which revisions are saved as layers on the same page instead of creating new files for each revision.

To create a layer:

1、Open the Layers  panel (Alt+Y).

2、Click the Add New Layer  button, then choose Add Before, Add After, or Add Child to determine where the new layer will be placed in relation to the existing layers. 

Add Child creates a new layer that falls underneath the highlighted layer. This allows you to group layers together, which is helpful both for organization and editing in bulk (e.g. turning the visibility of a group of layers on or off).

1、Type a name for the new layer and click OK.

2、A layer can be set as the current Markup Layer so that all markups are automatically assigned to that layer as they’re created.

To set the Markup Layer:

1、Open the Layers  panel.

2、Right-click on a layer’s name and click Markup Layer.

3、The Markup Layer dialog may appear. If so, click OK.

Creating a version history with layers

One way to use layers is to create a version history by using only the revised region of a PDF instead of the entire sheet. Revu allows you to select an area of the document to be added as a layer, as well as a background color when a new layer is created from an existing PDF page. Using only a region and adding a background color makes it easy to see revisions.

To add a layer from an existing page and add a background color:

1、Open a PDF in Revu.

2、Click the Add Layer from Page  button, then choose Add Before, Add After, or Add Child to determine where the new layer will be placed in relation to the existing layers. An Open dialog box appears.

3、Select the revised PDF and click Open. The Add Layer dialog box appears.

4、Click Create New and then type a name for the revised layer.

5、Click the Background color button and click yellow, for example.

6、Click the Select Region button.

7、Draw a rectangle of the area that you want to be included in the revised layer.

8、Click OK and then click OK again.

These two examples are only the start — there are many ways you can use layers to help your workflow. Get creative and discover the different ways that layers can help you use Revu to get your work done faster.