Switching Layers Shortcut in APD v17.2

You didn't mention what release you are in, so I will assume you're in the current one -- 17.4. There, to perform what you're asking about, simply activate the Layer Select Mode in the visibility tab. As soon as you're in there (where the standard use model is to move between a single active layer at a time, usually), just use the Page Up/Down keys to move up and down the stackup. The up/down/left/right arrows are used to pan and navigate around the design in the 2D plane, so the page up/down keys handle the 3D movement through the layers. 

I don't know what kind of mouse you're using, but it sounds like it supports binding keys/macros to those extra buttons. Should be able to do the same with the keys above to do what you're looking for. ;) Not having your mouse, I haven't tried it to say for certain, though.

Thank you for your response, Tyler. I am using version 17.2. Page up and Page down keys do nothing on my APD layout.

I did activate layer select mode by clicking "Enable Layer Select Mode" in the visiblity tab. Is there anywhere I can assign the page up and page down keys to move up and down the stackup?

When I use +/- I see the layer name changing at the bottom of the display area. When I hover over it, it says Active Class/Subclass. Not sure if that is relevant though. 

I do think you'd need to go to 17.4 release for what you want. The capability was explicitly added there just for users with desires common to your own. Cadence doesn't normally push enhancements to the use model back to earlier releases in an effort to ensure that no customer picks up an update ISR and finds that their flow has been broken unexpectedly. There have actually been a number of updates in 17.4 which you might find very useful to you. Some details are in the blogs, like these two:

    https://community.cadence.com/cadence_blogs_8/b/pkg/posts/navigating-visible-design
    https://community.cadence.com/cadence_blogs_8/b/pkg/posts/174-dark-theme

;) And yes, I know you didn't ask, but I'm particularly fond of being able to add/remove all the named dielectrics and die stack layers from the visibility tab in 17.4, myself. When I've got a lot of wire bond dies in a stack, but I'm working on the substrate routing, I really don't need to see those tiers of dies (And I definitely don't need to page up/down into them)!

Hi Tyler, 

It might take a while before we switch to 17.4. I guess I will have to live without the features for now or write a SKILL script to achieve the page up/page down functionality that is available in 17.4. I really like the Icons and dark theme idea as well. Excited for 17.4 :) 

Thanks,
Siva

you may use the following funckey based on the tips at https://www.parallel-systems.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/PCB_Editor_Tips.pdf

funckey + subclass -+

funckey - subclass --

this one chnges the active class and subclass on the options tab but it does not change the layer on the visibility tab.

so i use different funckeys

Key1 is assigned as L1 and Key2 as L2

funckey 1 "QtSignal ColorVisibilityPane CVPGlobalVisOff clicked;QtSignal CVPLayerGrid CVPBoxAllL1  clicked true"

funckey 2 "QtSignal ColorVisibilityPane CVPGlobalVisOff clicked;QtSignal CVPLayerGrid CVPBoxAllL2  clicked true"

the one highlighted in red is the layer name.