Locating this option
Available from: Setup menu > Colours > Layers tab
Using the Layer Colours Tab
This tab is used to control the colour and visibility of all items on a layer.
The dialog contains two tables. The top one represents normal layers. The lower one is for the special layers which represent groups of layers (see below).
Unchecking the Displayed or Selectable cells for a given layer will make all items on that layer not displayed or unselectable regardless of the state defined on any of the other tabs in the colours dialog. These other states are retained, but temporarily overridden. If the Displayed or Selectable cells are subsequently checked again later, the items return the their original state.
The Colour cell is different in that changing it will cause all items on that layer to become the new colour. Their original colour is not retained.
Translucency
These columns allow a translucency value to be specified that will be applied to design items on the relevant layer. Checking the Enabled cell allows a translucency value to be specified as a percentage in the Opacity (%) cell. By default it is unset, but once set all shape based items such as copper, doc shapes, etc. and pads and vias on the layer will appear appropriately translucent on screen allowing other items underneath to be visible.
Hatching
These columns allows a hatch style to be specified that will be applied to design items on the relevant layer. Checking the Enabled cell allows the Hatch Style cell to be used to choose from those defined in the design’s technology. By default it is unset, but once set all shape based items such as copper, doc shapes, etc. and pads and vias on the layer will be drawn on screen using the chosen hatch style.
The Special Layers
There are some special layers, which represent groups of layers; through the board (
A special case is when all the layers in the top table are not visible. In which case you can view the special layers on their own.