Trimble Business Center

It would be beneficial if there was an option to set the default layer specifically for utility trench templates. Currently, these layers default to the layer of the utility network. 

The issue with this is when trying to send out information to the field. I sent out the linework for the trench because it was on the same layer as the 3D utilities without realizing it in the moment. This adds extra unnecessary linework to the field crews designs that they cannot turn off if need be.

Other default layers to consider:

1. Utility node
2. Utility line

The reason for the ability to set the defaults for these is because of the difference between machine control designs and field layout foremen designs.The layout foreman and excavators will have both the utility lines and the the utility nodes but the dozer and graders will not because this is extra linework they don't need and adds extra distractions.

The quick way of changing this:

1. Right click on the network
2. Choose: Select members
3. Use advance select
   1. Select data type: Trench Template Location
   2. Hit okay
4. Go to Properties
5. Change layer to the new desired layer

This is not bad to adjust after the fact but it would be nice to set this up prior to creating entities so things get sent to the right layers from the start.

Thank you for considering!

#enhancementrequest

The other issue with not having the ability to set the default layer, every time the user makes a modification to a utility, everything dependent to the utility line gets regenerated and relayered onto the default layer of the utility network.

Each Run has a default layer that can be different than the network.  That default layer is used for the templates applied to the Run and the linework used to create the framework for the Runs’ surface.  The Runs’ default layer allows for the separation of a Trench and the templates and lines that define it from the Nodes and Pipes.

Each Network has a current Node/Pipe layer, which is the last one used when creating either a Node or a Pipe for that Network.  Nodes can belong to multiple Runs so it does not make sense to try and layer them by a Run.  The simplest case then is to place all of the nodes and pipes on the same layer for a Network.  

Attempting to have defaults at a smaller granularity adds complexity for the user. Users can create smaller networks to increase granularity and they can manually control the layers used as Nodes and Pipes are created.  Consider separating the trench from the nodes and pipes as described above and let me know if this improves your control when sending objects to the field.

I played around with this more this morning and I think it would be more beneficial if the line work generated to represent the trench has tied to the layer of the trench template instead of the utility run default layer. I also think there needs to be an option to set the layer of trench template during creation. This would be consistent with the other trench creation tools such as create pipe or create node.

Please see my video as this explains why.