Layers are one of the most significant new features introduced in Leica 3D Disto v6. Borrowed from CAD software, layers let you organize your measurement points and reference data into named, color-coded groups that can be shown, hidden, or filtered independently. This makes it much easier to manage complex projects with multiple trades or measurement phases.
If you are upgrading from v5, note that layers did not exist in that version. All your measurement data in v5 existed in a flat, unsorted list. In v6, you can assign every point, line, or reference element to a specific layer.
In the v6 software, open the Layers panel from the main toolbar or the View menu. To add a new layer, click the + New Layer button. You can assign each layer a name (e.g., “Column Centers”, “Electrical”, “As-Built Floor”) and a display color. The color appears on all points and elements assigned to that layer, making them visually distinct in both the 2D and 3D views.
When capturing a measurement point, the software assigns it to the currently active layer. To change the active layer before capturing, click the layer name in the Layers panel to select it. Any points measured while that layer is active will belong to it. You can also reassign existing points to a different layer by selecting them and changing the layer assignment in the properties panel.
Each layer has a visibility toggle (an eye icon) in the Layers panel. Clicking it hides all points and elements on that layer from the view without deleting them. This is useful for decluttering the screen when working on a specific phase or trade, or for taking screenshots focused on a particular data set. Layers can be re-shown at any time.
If you use consistent layer naming conventions across projects (e.g., the same trades or phases on every job), v6 allows you to save a layer configuration as a template. When starting a new project, you can load the template to instantly recreate your standard layer structure rather than rebuilding it manually each time. Templates are managed from the Layers panel menu.
Plan your layer structure before starting fieldwork. Decide which categories of data you’ll need to separate — for example, design reference points vs. as-built captured points, or different structural systems. Consistent naming across projects will make exporting and reviewing data much more predictable.
For related features available in v6, see What’s New in v6.