Inside TrackView All Layers / Specific Layers on the Canvas
If we added the ability to view all layers (or specific layers) at the same time on the canvas/page, there are a few concerns we would need to resolve. Potentially instead of all layers option, it's just a visible/hidden icon for each layer (similar eyeball for showing/hiding takeoffs).
Current Layer vs Visible Layers
We would have to clearly distinguish between the Current Layer and Visible Layers. If there are 5 visible layers, and you create a new takeoff, we need to create the takeoff in the Current Layer. We just need to make sure it's clear to the user which of the 5 is the Current Layer.
Copy / Paste Example
Suppose you are currently in the Framing layer as the Current Layer. Then if you select something from the Concrete layer and copy/paste it, would you expect that the newly created takeoff sections would exist in the Framing layer or in the Concrete layer? Some apps assume that pasted objects always stay in the layer they were copied from by default? Maybe we have special paste capabilities if the user holds shift, or paste As New would past to current layer.
Visibility of Layer Objects
Would you expect all visible layers to display normally, or would you expect only the Current Layer to be full opacity. Maybe the other layers are faded a little (visible but clearly faded like they are disabled)? Maybe there is just an opacity slider that controls visible layers that are not current layer to let you fade them if you want.
The easiest path would be for us to make only the Current Layer editable and the rest of the visible layers read-only with a slider for non-current layer opacity (maybe we start with this and expand as we cover all the "what if" scenarios).
Any input is welcome.
In the scenario mentioned above you would probably need expand the paste function to include "Paste to All Layers" or "Paste Only to Selected Layers" options I suppose
Maybe it would be simpler if when choosing to view all layers it locks the ability to manipulate your takeoff
@Luke That would definitely be the easiest for us to implement (read-only if viewing all layers).
@Jes One tricky part about paste to all layers: the takeoff sections are connected to specific takeoffs. Those takeoffs exist on a specific layer. They also have parent/child relationships in that layer (such as parent folders or child items). These connections/relationships would break if only parts are pasted to another layer.
Yeah, this is a tough nut to crack. Best of luck 😂