Civil layers are the worst. I've seen templates that contained over 700 layers. How can anyone keep track? Now, enter into Civil 3D. Unless you want all of your objects on layer zero, you'll have to grasp the difference between object layers and component layers.
Many people have blogged about the differences. When I encounter users who are not familiar with Civil 3D and I start to introduce the concept of object and component layers, there can be much confusion.
The example I usually use to explain the difference is that of using an external reference. When you insert it, the current layer is the one it resides on. If you freeze that layer, the whole external reference disappears. This layer represents an object layer (i.e. those layers configured to objects and labels in Drawing Settings), except you don't have to set an object layer current before creating an object; it's preset.
However, if you keep the insertion layer on (object layer), you can turn off individual layers containing contours, alignments, edge of pavements, and utilities to affect the display of individual items internal to that external reference. These individual layers represent component layers (i.e. those layers configured in styles). These layers can be managed with layer states.
Although you'll want to manage the display properties of your objects with styles, you may need to control visibility with layers when you are plotting multiple plan types from different layouts in the same drawings. There is no way to automagically change styles per viewport. So detailed layers are important.
So back to the subject of object layers:
Instead of adding over 60 layers to cover every object layer type on the list, why not just create one layer for all objects and continue controlling component layers in the model with styles and per viewport with layer states?
Interesting option...
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