Getting Started with Layer

Here's a quick video to help you get set up for success!

Jessica Wyman avatar
Written by Jessica Wyman
Updated over a week ago

Welcome to Layer, we're glad you're here!

Let's get you set up for success with our step-by-step Getting Started video.

Layer can be used on Chrome, Firefox, Opera and Safari browsers. Microsoft Edge and Internet Explorer are not supported. You can also download the Layer App for iOS in the Apple App Store or for Android in Google Play.

Here is an overview of the key concepts and features in Layer:

1. Layer is organized by a hierarchy of Projects, Categories, Elements, and Fields:

Projects:
Think of each Project as the house that keeps all of your rich building data organized under one roof. Since multiple Revit models can now be attached to one Project, we recommend managing one building within one Layer Project. If you have multiple buildings, we recommend creating a Layer Project for each of these buildings.

Categories:
Categories function as tags or filters that organize Elements. Each Category contains Elements that are tagged with that Category name. Categories are super flexible and can organize Elements by Rooms, Windows, and Equipment—and categories like Issues, RFIs, or Work Orders, etc. Within each Project, you can create an unlimited number of Categories.

Elements:
Elements are single buckets of information that can be tangible things like Rooms, Windows, and Equipment— and intangible things like Issues, RFIs, or Work Orders.

Each Element stores its own customizable survey of Fields, in addition to specific contextual items such as Files, Notes, and Tasks. These contextual items can filter by Element or can be viewed project-wide from the overall Elements Dashboard.

Within each Category, you can create any number of Elements (the total number depends on your subscription level).

Fields:
Within each Element, you can create custom surveys. These surveys are built from a wide variety of customizable Fields.


2. Use Contextual Items to store and organize Files, Notes, and Tasks by Element:

Files:
Upload or drag-and-drop any type of file. To view the File within an Element, you can upload it within the Element or tag it with the Element at any time. All Files that aren't tagged with an Element will be accessible only within the overall Elements Dashboard. Files can be viewed in List or Gallery view. Files can also be renamed, deleted, and shared with other Team Members.

Click on the image to open the Layer Mark-up Tool that lets you redline or comment on an image, PDF, or DWG file.

Click on “+ Layer Docs” to create a word processing document that lets you tag Elements and Team Members within the editable text.

Notes:
Create Notes and chat with Team Members in real-time. Notes can be viewed project-wide or specific to an Element.

Tasks:
Create Tasks with due dates that can be viewed project-wide or specific to an Element. View an activity log of all Task activity with user and time stamp data.


3. Search and Filter Elements

Search:
Use the Search bar in the top navigation to search. Use the Filters icon to narrow down results even further.

Filter by Category:
Click on a Category name from the top navigation to filter and view Elements by Category name. Alternatively, use the Filters menu to select a Category.

Filter by Editor:
Use the Filters menu to filter and view Elements by the Team Member who created the Element.

Filter by Completion Status:
Use the Filters menu to filter and view Elements by their completion status: completed, uncompleted, or all.

Filter by Starred Status:
Use the Filters menu to filter and view Elements by their starred status: starred, unstarred, or all.

Filter by Revit Status:
Use the Filters menu to filter and view Elements by their Revit status: attached to Revit, unattached, or all.


Need more help? Contact us at help@layer.team

Did this answer your question?