Layers and levels

This topic confuses some users, probably because both features are in the same dialog box (View-Properties-Layers).

Levels

For better understanding a brief retrospective:

The first versions of WinRail couldn't handle elevations; the layer feature was introduced with version 3.  With elevations and heights, a way was added to display only tracks placed in a certain range of heights, and to hide all others.  It is possible to search all track for elements that are at a particular height.

Layers

Layers are completely independent from the "levels" mentioned above.  A layer is nothing other than just a number applied to certain elements.  The default layer number for elements to be inserted can be set under Element-Properties by setting the "Set Default" check box; the layer number of elements already placed on the layout can be set in the Element-Properties dialog.  If you wish to, you can apply names to the layers.

Click twice on the layer name in the View-Properties-Layers dialog.

The Active Layer feature prevents the inadvertent modification of a layer that is not the one you are currently working on.