S u p p l e m e n t a l m a t e r i a l

Architectural Drafting
Using AutoCAD
CAD Layer Guidelines

The CAD Layer Guidelines, formerly published by the American Institute of

Architects (AIA), is part of the United States National CAD Standard (NCS). The CAD
Layer Guidelines module provides standard practices for naming and organizing layers
in CAD drawings. Layering standards help multiple disciplines (such as the architec-
tural, mechanical, plumbing, and electrical disciplines) work together by eliminating
confusion as to what the layers in a project are representing. The following describes the
CAD Layer Guidelines module as developed in the fourth version of the NCS. For more
information about the NCS, go to www.buildingsmartalliance.org/ncs.

Naming Layers
The NCS layering standard consists of a layer name that can be broken down into five
distinct data fields. The five data fields contain specific information regarding the type of
architectural feature the layer is representing. The five data fields are listed below:
• Discipline code
• Major group
• Minor 1 group (optional designation)
• Minor 2 group (optional designation)
• Status (optional designation)
The format of the data fields is displayed in Figure 1.
At a minimum, a layer name must include the discipline code and major group. Other
layer names can be created using a combination of the five groups, as long as the first two
categories are included in the layer name. Other group configurations are shown in Figure 2.

Figure 1.
Layer names can
include a discipline,
major group, minor 1
group, minor 2 group, Discipline Major Minor 1 Minor 2 Status
and status code. code group group group field

Figure 2.
Examples of layer names with a discipline code and major group; with a discipline code, major
group, and minor 1 group; and with a discipline code, major group, and status code.
Discipline Code Discipline Code Discipline Code
Major Group Major Group Major Group

Minor Group Status Code

A-WALL A-WALL-PRHT A-WALL-D

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 The discipline code consists of one or two letters and a hyphen separating the
discipline code from the major group. The letters used in the discipline code corre-
spond to the type of architectural, engineering, or construction discipline that created
the layer. The following table lists some common discipline codes. Refer to the CAD
Layer Guidelines for a complete listing of discipline codes.

Discipline Code Description

A Architectural
C Civil
E Electrical
M Mechanical
P Plumbing
S Structural

The major group designation identifies the type of building component the layer is
representing. For example, walls, doors, and windows are building components that fit into
the major group category. The major group consists of four letters, abbreviating the compo-
nent. Some common major groups are included in the layer names listed in the following
table. Refer to the CAD Layer Guidelines for a complete list of major group classifications.

Layer Name Description

A-DOOR Doors
A-CLNG Ceilings
C-TOPO Contour lines
C-STRM Storm drainage
E-LITE Lighting
E-DATA Data outlets
M-HVAC Heating, ventilating, and air
conditioning (HVAC) system
M-REFG Refrigeration system
P-DOMW Domestic water system
P-FIXT Fixtures
S-FNDN Foundations
S-COLS Columns

Copyright by Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. CAD Layer Guidelines  

 The major groups in the layer names listed in the previous table identify the type of
objects drawn on the layer. Major groups can also be used to identify the drawing
type or text items. The following table lists these additional major codes.

Major Code Description

*-ANNO Text, dimensions, symbols,
and borders
*-ELEV Elevations
*-SECT Sections
*-DETL Details

The optional minor 1 group is a four-character designation further identifying the

objects on the layer. For example, a layer name of A-GLAZ-SILL indicates the layer
is used for window sills. Although there is a list of common designations, you can
create your own minor codes. The following table lists some common layer names that
include minor 1 groups. Refer to the CAD Layer Guidelines for a complete list.

Discipline Code, Description

Major Group,
and Minor Group
A-WALL-PRHT Partial-height walls
C-ROAD-CURB Curbs
E-POWR-PANL Power panels
M-EXHS-EQPM Exhaust equipment
P-STRM-PIPE Storm drainage piping
S-SLAB-RBAR Slab reinforcing

Remember that the minor 1 group is also considered a user-definable group. If

there is a need to further describe a major group, create a minor group.
The minor 2 group is also a four-character designation. This category is optional and
is used to further describe the major and minor 1 groups. For example, a layer name of
A-WAA-PRHT-DIMS indicates an architectural discipline code, the major group of walls, a
minor group indicating a partial-height wall, with an additional minor group indicating
the layer is used for dimensions. Although there is a list of common designations, this field
is also defined as a user field for which you can create your own specific descriptions.
The status field is also an optional, four-character designation. This provides addi-
tional information about the objects on the layer. The status field can be used to identify
existing objects, specify objects to be demolished, or indicate when an object will be
installed. The status field is always placed at the end of the layer name. This way, a full
description of the item is made with its current status. The following table contains

Copyright by Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. CAD Layer Guidelines   

 some common layer names including status fields. Refer to the CAD Layer Guidelines for
a complete list of status fields.

Layer Name Description

A-FURN-FILE-MOVE File cabinets to be moved
C-PKNG-ISLD-DEMO Existing parking lot islands
to be demolished
E-SITE-OVHD-RELO Relocated electrical overhead
lines
M-STEM-MPIP-FUTR Medium-pressure steam piping
to be installed in the future
P-SANR-FLDR-EXST Existing floor drains to remain
S-GRID-INTR-NEWW New interior column grid

Typical Layer Example

A drawing may contain a few layers or many layers. Architectural layers can be mixed
with structural layers or mechanical layers in the same drawing file. However, standard prac-
tice places different disciplines into separate drawing files that are referenced together.
A typical floor plan might contain the following layers:
A-ANNO-DIMS Annotation dimensions
A-ANNO-LEGN Annotation schedules and legends
A-ANNO-NOTE Annotation notes
A-AREA Areas
A-COLS Architectural nonbearing columns
A-COMM Telecommunications
A-CLNG-GRID Ceiling grids
A-DOOR Doors
A-DOOR-DEMO Doors to be removed
A-DOOR-IDEN Door numbering symbols
A-FLOR Floor plan symbols
A-FLOR-CASE Floor plan casework (cabinets)
A-FLOR-FIXT Floor plan fixtures
A-FLOR-HRAL Stair and balcony handrails
A-FLOR-IDEN Room numbering symbols
A-FLOR-OVHD Overhead features on a floor plan
A-FLOR-PATT Floor plan hatch patterns
A-FLOR-PFIX Plumbing fixtures
A-FLOR-RISR Stair risers
A-FLOR-STRS Floor plan stairs
A-FURN Furniture plans
A-GLAZ Windows
A-GLAZ-IDEN Window numbering symbols
A-GLAZ-SILL Window sills
A-LITE Light fixtures
A-LITE-SWCH Light switches
A-POWR Power lines and receptacles

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 A-ROOF-OTLN Roof outlines
A-WALL Walls
A-WALL-IDEN Wall numbering symbols
A-WALL-FIRE Fire wall patterning
A-WALL-FULL Full-height walls
A-WALL-PATT Wall hatch patterns
A-WALL-POWR Wall power receptacles
A-WALL-PRHT Partial-height walls
S-BEAM Structural beams
S-COLS Structural columns
S-FNDN Structural foundation information
S-JOIS Structural joists
S-WALL Structural bearing walls

Copyright by Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. CAD Layer Guidelines