When you put a LvlX Pokemon card down does it count as evolving that card?

Yes, placing a Level X Pokémon card down does count as evolving that card. In the Pokémon Trading Card Game, a Level X card is considered an evolution of the base Pokémon it corresponds to, and it retains any damage counters and effects from the previous stage. However, Level X cards are unique in that they can be played onto the corresponding basic or stage Pokémon without needing to follow the usual evolution rules.