Ground surface

[cadgal]

Hello
I was just wondering what you all use for creating ground surfaces? I'm drawing a plan (a basin) in acad architecture 2010 and would like the foundation to show up "dashed" on my plans since, well, it's underground. I was thinking I need to have a "ground surface" of some sort placed in there . . . Am I going about this wrong? 'Is there an easier way?

The civil portion of this project is not in 3D.

Thanks!
Mandi

[Noahma]

you will need to change the wall style to show a dashed line. To do this edit wall style, then go to display properties, then click on plan. Change the correct display representation IE above cut plane, below cut plane. to the desired linetype.

the structural elements should always take display dominance over all else though. So your foundation walls should show solid even though they are being shown below grade level.

as for creating your site, I would use poly lines to draw each grade line, then move them to the appropriate elevation, next switch to a 3d view and connect the end points of every grade line with a 3dpoly line, and use the drape command. Use irregular when the choice comes up to use measured or irregular, and it should drape a mass element to your grades to use for site. Then you can subtract masses from it to remove the parts where your foundation will be setting.