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Free DWG layer checker

Drop in a DWG and see which layers don't follow the NCS layer format or your office template, which layers are empty, and what's drawn on layer 0 or Defpoints. The checker reads the file without changing it.

Otherwise layers are checked against the NCS format.

Your file is read in this browser tab. It's never uploaded.

What the checker looks at.

  • Layer names are checked against the NCS layer format: a discipline letter, a hyphen, then groups of four characters, like E-LITE or M-HVAC-SUPP.
  • Add your office template (a DWG or DWT) to check against your own layer list instead.
  • Layer 0 and Defpoints are left out of the naming check, since AutoCAD creates them. What's drawn on them is still counted, since objects there can't be controlled or plotted by trade.
  • Layers from attached reference drawings belong to those files, so they're listed but not judged.

Common questions.

The US National CAD Standard names a layer with a discipline designator, a hyphen and a four-character major group, then optional four-character minor groups and a one-character status. E-LITE is electrical lighting, M-HVAC-SUPP is mechanical supply ductwork, and P-DOMW-HOTW is domestic hot water piping. The discipline letter comes first: A for architectural, E for electrical, M for mechanical, P for plumbing, F for fire protection.

Layer 0 is meant for building blocks. Geometry inside a block that sits on layer 0 takes on the layer of wherever the block is inserted, which is useful. Lines drawn straight onto layer 0 in the drawing itself don't belong to any discipline, so they can't be turned off, frozen or plotted by trade.

AutoCAD creates Defpoints for dimension definition points, and nothing on it ever plots. Linework that ends up there looks fine on screen and then disappears from the printed set, which is an easy way to issue a sheet that's missing part of the design.

No. The checker runs inside your browser tab and reads the file there. Nothing is sent to AutoMEP or anyone else, and closing the tab clears it. If you choose to save a PDF, the only thing sent is the email address you type.

Yes. Add your office template DWG or DWT next to the drawing, and each layer is checked against your template's layer list instead of the NCS format. Names are matched without regard to capitals.

Not yet. AutoMEP doesn't rename layers or move existing objects. It draws new work on your standard's layers instead: upload your CAD standard once, describe a change in plain English, and the devices, ductwork and tags it adds land on the layers your office uses.

Drawings saved by AutoCAD R12 through the current release. Very old or damaged files may not read cleanly, and when part of a file can't be read the checker says so rather than show a report it can't stand behind.

Keep new work on your layers.

Upload your CAD standard to AutoMEP once, then describe a change in plain English. The devices, ductwork and tags it draws land on your office's layers, so the next revision doesn't add to the cleanup.

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Also free: Revit version checker. Open-source notices