Layers in Visio 2013

This video provides a good look at how to use layers for Visio and what to use them for. You'll learn how to organize large drawings and make them "filterable" in a non-destructive way, such that pertinent details can be highlighted, and less important information can be deemphasized or hidden, or different details can be shown for print vs. screen. It also discusses some of the problems and hard-to-understand details that might stump you when working with Visio layers.
I started a series of videos for Visio 2013, but the project never came to fruition. While targeted specifically at Visio 2013, many of the topics and concepts will apply to Visio 2016, 2019, Visio for Office 365, and even to the venerable Visio 2010. Enjoy!
Key concepts in this video:
- Simplify and filter complex diagrams
- Color, hide, or lock shapes
- Select shapes by layers
- Add layer functions to UI
- Layer gotchas
Jump ahead:
- Assign Layers 0:39
- Manipulating Layers 1:32
- Quick Access Toolbar 4:01
- Using Layers in
Complex Drawings 5:23
- Layer Gotchas 9:53

[@kettch42]

It's weird how few videos there are on Visio floor plans... this channel has the only ones with any depth.

[@azashukri5322]

I was so careless that I didn't even see the layers group in the ribbon and went ahead and used background/foreground pages instead for a project until I saw this video. Awesome work, thank you.

[@olo-burrows]

Background pages are useful for common elements that appear across all finished pages. I use 2 background pages: 1 for proposed drawings, 1 for as-built drawings. Each contains a notation "proposed" (with a "draft" watermark) or "as-built" so I can change the endorsement on each page by flipping its background, it's very quick and easy.

[@Zttish]

Really great video. I learned just what I needed and then some. However one little improvement suggestion - please improve the sound on the video. It is really, really low and I had to go back-wards a couple of times in order to hear you. If your content had not been so great and what I was after, I would normally have left because of that.............

[@blackberrydriver]

I've noticed this too. Not a big issue for me. I just have to remember to turn my volume down after. Cheers!