Setting Up and Using Smart Layers

Setting Up and Using Smart Layers

Setting Up and Using Smart Layers

The Smart Layer Manager interface is separated into two sections.

  1. Vertical Entities – Vertical entities are parts that will be arrayed along a path. Die wall studs, divisions, or countertop support panels are examples of vertical entities.
  2. Extruded Entities – Extruded entities are parts that will be extruded along a path. Die wall faces, plates, or countertop decks are examples of extruded entities.

To add a vertical entity layer, right-click in the Vertical Entities section, and select “Add.” A window will appear that will display the parameters for setting up the layer.


  1. Part Name – Allows you to enter the name of the part the layer will represent.
  2. Vertical Color – Allows you to select a color for the layer.
  3. Vertical Material – Allows you to select the material to be used.
  4. Vertical Spacing – Allows you to enter the amount used for spacing (arraying) the vertical parts – can be set to Fixed or Equal. Fixed will put a vertical part every 16 inches regardless of the construction path length. Equal will space the vertical parts equally based on the spacing.
  5. Vertical Use Dowels – Allows you to use dowels to locate and attach the vertical parts. A drawing representing the dowel will be required in order to have machining applied.
  6. Vertical Use Dados – Allows you to use dados to locate and attach the vertical parts. Vertical parts must be drawn to penetrate mated parts.
  7. Vertical Associative Joint Type – Allows you to select the joint type when breaks occur. Options are: None, Single Stud, Double Stud, or Quadruple Stud. Once a product has been drawn, an extruded part will need to be selected for the reference on when to place a joint.
  8. Vertical Start Scribe Dimension – Allows you to add a positive value that will move the vertical part in from the start of the construction path.
  9. Vertical End Scribe Dimension – Allows you to add a positive value that will move the vertical part in from the end of the construction path.
  10. Dowel Fixed Boring Height – Allows you to enter a value that will be used as an offset from the center of the material for dowel placement.
  11. Dado Stop Gap – This amount adds a gap to the front or back of the dado.
  12. Dado Width Gap – This amount adds to the width of the dado. The amount will be divided equally on both sides of the vertical part (0.1 = 0.05 on the left and 0.05 on the right).

To add an extruded entity layer, right-click in the Extruded Entities section, and select “Add.” The following window will appear with parameters for setting up the layer.


  1. Part Name – Allows you to enter the name of the part the layer will represent.
  2. Extrusion Color – Allows you to select a color for the layer.
  3. Extrusion Material – Allows you to select the material to be used.
  4. Extrusion Max Linear Length – Allows you to select the maximum length for parts. This value should not exceed the length of material minus the trim lengths.
  5. Extrusion Spacing – Allows you to enter a value that will create a space between extruded parts (often used to create a reveal in panels).
  6. Extrusion Start Offset – Allows you to enter a value that will move the part from the start of the construction path.
  7. Extrusion End Offset – Allows you to enter a value that will move the part from the end of the construction path.
  8. Extrusion Apply Machining – Allows you to specify if the part will receive dowels or dados that were set up in the vertical part(s).
  9. Extrusion Corner Negotiation Type – Allows you to select how extruded parts will be handled at corners. Options are: None, Butt Before Corner, Butt After Corner, Miter, or Distance from Corner. None should only be used if the construction path does not contain corners. Distance from Corner will require a leading and trailing distance.

Once all the smart layers have been set up, they will need to be assigned to a 2D polyline in the drawing. To assign a layer to a polyline, select the layer and then click on the “Select Entities” button located at the bottom of the Smart Layer interface (or you can simply double-click on the layer).


    • Recent Articles

    • Toolbox Release Notes | Build 25.1.0213.641

      The following release notes apply to Toolbox build 25.1.0213.641. Stay Down Nesting Additions 3 new settings have been added to Stay Down Nesting, to resolve specific issues with routes and connectors that have been reported: Fig. 1: New options in ...
    • Toolbox Release Notes: Year of 2024

      This document will catalog all releases for Microvellum Toolbox software builds that were released in the year 2024. This encompasses builds 24.1.0104.641 to 24.1.1206.641. Toolbox Release Notes | Build 24.1.1206.641 The following release notes apply ...
    • Toolbox Release Notes | Build 25.1.0129.641

      The following release notes apply to Toolbox build 25.1.0129.641. SMA Fixes A wide variety of issues with the Solid Model Analyzer have been resolved. Multiple modifications to existing interfaces or settings have been made to improve precision and ...
    • Microvellum Foundation Library Release Notes | Build 25.0124

      The following release notes apply to Microvellum Foundation Library build 25.0124. Additions Added Century Components Waste Bins, Vanity Organizers, and Base Cabinet Organizers. 11”, 14”, 17” Signature Series Bottom Mount 34qt & 50qt. 4”, 5”, 6”, 9”, ...
    • SQL Server Backups

      This article will list out the various types of backups you can create for databases hosted on an SQL Server, explore methods for creating backups manually and automatically, as well as list software/services that may assist you with backing up your ...