Getting hidden lines to appear properly when viewing a 3D model

[KevinMacDonald]

Hello,

 

I am using Autocad 2000. When I view a 3D object from, say, a top view, I would like lines that would normally be hidden to appear as a dashed lines rather than simply disappearing. Otherwise, it's not possible to use a 3D model to produce a standard shop drawing. Without hidden lines appearing properly (not as solid but as dashed!) there is too much detail that cannot be seen. I have tried playing with many different settings and variables to no avail. Is there no way to do this?

 

Thanks

[ReMark]

I think you would have to derive 2D geometry from the 3D solids to achieve the desired results using commands such as SolView/SolDraw and/or SolProf.

[KevinMacDonald]

That works. Thanks! A downside I see is that I have to explode blocks in order for those commands to work. So, if I have a weldment composed of various solids combined into a block I have to explode it, which makes keeping the drawing updated to the model difficult.

[ReMark]

Not if you keep a duplicate copy of your finished solid either on a layer that is frozen or saved to the folder your drawing is stored in.

[KevinMacDonald]

I have been keeping my complete 3D model in a separate drawing, and using Design Center to drag blocks from it into other drawings to create detail drawings of sub-assemblies and parts. In my ideal world all I do is replace the old block with an updated on and change the few dimensions that need to be changed. I'm not that familiar with SOLVIEW yet, but it seems like what I would have to do is delete the old solids (exploded from the old block) and replace them with the new. And then, I would have to use SOLVIEW again on the new solids to create the view with hidden lines. But, would that cause me to lose any dimensioning I have already done?

[ReMark]

AutoCAD 2000. I don't have my User's Guide with me. Does 2000 have the SectionPlane command and/or Flatshot?