# Change an object's layer, color or linetype

> Change the layer, color, linetype and elevation of one or many objects at once in the Properties panel.

4 min · Updated 2026-11-11 · https://vcad.dk/en/help/change-object-properties

Once you are done, the selected objects look the way you want them. Each change is one step that **Ctrl+Z** undoes, even when it touches many objects.

## Select the objects

1. Select the objects you want to change. At the top of the **Properties** panel it says what you have selected, for example **Polyline (4)**.

    ![The Properties panel with four selected polylines, the heading Polyline (4) ringed and the Layer field showing Varies](https://vcad.dk/help/change-object-properties/selected-en.png)

    > If you cannot see the **Properties** panel, click **Tools** on the toolbar and choose **Properties**.
    >
    > If you have selected different kinds of objects, it says for example **Multiple (5)**, and the panel only shows the fields they have in common. Click the heading and pick one kind.

## Change the layer

1. Click the **Layer** field.

    ![The Layer field open with the list of the drawing's layers, 0, Boundary, Building, Kerb and Points, ringed](https://vcad.dk/help/change-object-properties/layer-list-en.png)

2. Choose the layer in the list. All the selected objects move to that layer straight away, and the field shows the layer's name.

    > If the objects disappear, the layer is frozen, and frozen layers are hidden. Press **Ctrl+Z**, or thaw the layer in the **Layers** panel.

## Change the color

1. Click the **Color** field.

    ![The Color field open with ByLayer, ByBlock, a red color under Most used and More colors at the bottom, ringed](https://vcad.dk/help/change-object-properties/color-menu-en.png)

2. Choose **ByLayer** so the objects take the layer's color, or pick a color under **Most used**.

    > If the color is not in the menu, click **More colors...** and click the color in the **Select color** window.

## Change the linetype

1. Click the **Linetype** field.

    ![The Linetype field open with ByLayer at the top and the linetypes below it shown as solid, dashed and dotted strokes, ringed](https://vcad.dk/help/change-object-properties/linetype-list-en.png)

    > If there is no **Linetype** field, you have selected something other than polylines, for example points, circles or a group.

2. Choose **ByLayer** so the lines take the layer's linetype, or pick a linetype in the list.

## Change the elevation of points

1. Select one or more points.

2. Click in **Elevation (Z)** and type the new elevation. You can use a comma or a dot as the decimal mark.

    ![The Properties panel for a point with Easting (X), Northing (Y) and Elevation (Z), with the new elevation 12.85 typed in Elevation (Z), which is ringed](https://vcad.dk/help/change-object-properties/point-elevation-en.png)

    > If you change your mind before you press **Enter**, press **Esc**.

3. Press **Enter**. The field shows the new elevation, and if you selected several points, they all have it.

> A 3D line has an elevation at every vertex. You change those on the **Vertices** tab when you have selected the line on its own.

## If something doesn't work

| What you see | What to do |
| --- | --- |
| The objects are no longer selected after you changed the layer | The layer is locked. Unlock it in the **Layers** panel if you want to select the objects again. |

## Related guides

- [Select objects](https://vcad.dk/en/help/select-objects.md): Select objects with a click or a box, take single objects out of the selection again, and clear it with Esc.
- [Find your way around VCAD](https://vcad.dk/en/help/find-your-way-around.md): See where things are in the VCAD window: your session tabs, the toolbar, the panels, the bar at the bottom and the account menu.

Stuck? Write to us at info@vcad.dk