How to set/unset layout in CakePHP ?

CakePHP provides by default layout in (app/View/Layouts/default.ctp) file, so we need different layouts for different pages as per our requirement.

Change the default layout in all web pages

var $layout = 'mylayout'; //This will apply to our all pages.

we can apply a different layout in our Controller methods or action.. for e.g.

function index() {

  $this->layout='layout1';         //app/views/layouts/layout1.ctp

}

function view() {

    $this->layout = 'layout2';     //app/views/layouts/layout2.cpt

}

function display() {

    // display action will take mylayout.

}

If we dont want any layout for a controller or any action, then we can use controller property $layout.

 class UserController extends AppController {

    public $layout = false; // For all actions

    public function index(){
       $this->layout = false; // For particular action 
    }
}