2d only projects?

[yrufset]

Hi all!

This is my first post in this marvelous site.

 

I wanted to know:

Is there a way to make a 2d only project in autocad?

Right now i have to FLATTEN my project every time i want to do any action (like offset for example), because my Z plane values are different.

 

Is there a way to make a rule that Z plane is 0 always, no matter what happens?

Is there a way to eliminate 3d functions at all, so the project will be 2d?

 

 

Thanks!

[ReMark]

In plain AutoCAD one can switch to the 2D drafting workspace.

 

Isn't there a huge benefit to doing architectural work in 3D? Why would you want to eliminate that functionality?

[yrufset]

Hey, thanks for the fast reply.

It depends on what sort of project you are working

Sometimes, when I'm working on pure plans, i don't have use for the 3D at all, and it's only getting in my way to complete the tasks

 

Any other ideas?

[ReMark]

Yes, use plain AutoCAD. Your software has that option right?

 

I answered my own question....

 

http://www.cadsoft-consult.com/blogs/architecture/2010/11/where%E2%80%99s-my-autocad-classic-it-only-has-architecture%E2%80%A6-help/

[yrufset]

I already changed my WSSETTINGS and removed 3D modeling and 3D basics, leaving only "Autocad Classic" and "2D Drafting & Annotation".

But it didn't solve my problem.

 

Different blocks and contours still get their Z value from somewhere...

 

Isn't there a way to tell Autocad that in this project, Z value for everything is 0, no matter what happens?

[KJB]

Set OSNAPZ to 1.

[yrufset]

It is already at 1.

[ReMark]

You have Architecture 2011 and basically gutted it to work only in 2D?

[yrufset]

not gutted anything...

 

I want it to work in 2D only for one project, which is driving me crazy with blocks getting Z value from somewhere and contours as well....

[rkmcswain]

AutoCAD is 3D and has been since, what...? R10 (circa 1988)...

Switching workspaces, and configuring system variables can assist in creating objects that are only on the 0.0 elevation of the Z plane, but they will do nothing to existing entities/drawings.

 

There used to be a sysvar named FLATLAND that did what you are asking IIRC. Actually, FLATLAND is still there in 2012, you just can't change its value from 0.

 

So you need to address this at the root problem, where are you getting these drawings that need flattened?

Maybe the DWG authors don't realize they are doing this, or maybe there is a reason the entities do have a non-zero Z value..?

[yrufset]

FLATLAND doesn't let me set its value to 1. weird....

 

Anyway, problem solved by copying everything i had on that project to a new one, after configuring its ELEVATION and OSNAPZ.

 

Thank you all for your kind advices.

[f700es]

Once you are finished with your design simply be in a plan view and then Export to AutoCAD (under the big red A). This will export your acad arch model to a flat, 2d cad file. It will also explode all of your intelligent walls, doors and windows. So be just be aware of this. The export does leave the original arch dwg in place so you can make changes.

 

[Bill Tillman]

...Maybe the DWG authors don't realize they are doing this, or maybe there is a reason the entities do have a non-zero Z value..?

 

I'd have to add my agreement here. I often create things in AutoCAD and to my surprise find that I did something inadvertently and thus end up with a line or object which has a Delta Z of anything but 0. I once did an entire set of elevations where I copied and offset so many lines that were not drawn on a true 0 angle even though when I checked them it said they were at 0. The precision of my Units was not set high enough to pickup this slight discrepency and I had to redraw most of the lines. Took quite a while to find all of them too.

 

Thus, as the saying goes, garbage in = garbage out.

 

And ReMark....I guess the guy is within his rights to use AutoCAD Arch 2012 and do only 2D. Afterall, most of the drawings you really work with in the field are only 2D anyway. Similar to the people I see down here in Miami Beach who own a Ferrari and only drive it to the grocery store. To each his own...!

[ReMark]

You're absolutely right Bill. Why I have a chain saw I use on a regular basis that has never been started. Takes quite a long time to fell a tree with it though. All that 'back and forth'. I should have stayed with hand saw.

[Jack_O'neill]

If your blocks and other information that you insert are already drawn in 3d, then no, you can't set it to bring them in as 2D automatically. Some of the lisp gurus might be able to write a routine that would change them, but you'd have to ask them. I know just enough about lisp to start and run one!

[rkmcswain]

Actually, FLATLAND is still there in 2012, you just can't change its value from 0.

 

 

FLATLAND doesn't let me set its value to 1. weird....

 

 

You must have missed where I pointed this out.