Hello All

‌‌I am very confused over the assigning and use of layers.

I am trying to assign certain products to certain layers when doing panel and rack designs‌‌ so that when I am printing out documents for specific applications I can turn layers on / off depending on if that layer / equipment is needed.

To give a specific application: When drawing patch bays‌‌ I want to assign the connectors to a layer I called "connectors" and the text to a layer called "Engraving" and the plates with the punch detail to "Plates". Then I can print the whole thing for the installers or before that I can "turn off" the connectors layer and export to DXF and email the file off to the engraver to make the identity label plates and then "turn-off"the engraving layer also and export that to a DXF file and email it off to the plate manufacturer for punching the plates.

My problem is that sometimes after selecting / clicking on an item or group of items and going to the property's box to use the layers drop down menu‌‌ to select the requisite layer to link the item/s to the layer needed frustratingly I find the layer I need cannot be found. It's gone! I can go to a different drawing within the same file and the layers is there and then back to the first and it's gone. I thought all layers were available to select. Clearly this is not so.

‌‌I am confused as to whats happening and would really like it stop please. All I want is to find my created layers and be able to use them. Can anyone explain what is that I am doing wrong or not doing or don't understand and if there is a solution to the problem please?

Before I bang my head too hard on the wall and dent it‌‌. The wall that is not my head. That is too hard and thick to damage.

Thanks
Lloyd :-)‌‌‌