Brights ideas needed (level checking problem)

[fawellp]

We create 3d models of buildings from architects plans elevations. To ensure the levels (z axis) are correct we past the elevation drawings into a separate file and align them so that the y coordinate in the elvation drawing is equal to the z axis in the 3d model drawing.

 

To check the levels once the model is complete we compare known points in the 3d model / elevation drawings and check the corresponding y & z coordinates tie up.

 

We would like the ability to hover over points on the model and so that when object snap identifies a point at say z=3000, autocad dispalys a horizontal line in the elevations drawing (a bit like a cross hair spanning full width of page). We can then see visually that the levels instead of reading coordinates.

 

Is there a solution or a better way of constructing the models?

[Dadgad]

This may be a bit too simplistic, but comes close to what you describe.

You could go into an ELEVATION view of your model, and set your UCS to WORLD. Then depending on the perspective from which you are viewing

create an XLINE, which would be called with either the HORIZONTAL or VERTICAL command modifier at the commandline in the XLINE command.

By using your QUICK PROPERTIES palette, and setting it as shown in the image, you would be able to, by selecting the XLINE,

see a level line extending to infinity and immediately see the Z value for that line. Slightly more work than what you described, but it works.

If you turn on your DYNAMIC INPUT the coordinate values can be displayed at the moment the snap is located, but it is only for half a second or so, and thus I would say not user friendly, because as soon as you snap to whatever point it stops displaying the coordinates snapped to.

By creating the construction line you can zoom in and out all you want, and really look around, and it will stay right where you put it.

I am sure somebody else will have a better way to do this, but that may be helpful in the mean time.

 

Alternatively while in an elevation perspective, with your UCS set to WORLD, you could create numerous HORIZONTAL and VERTICAL construction lines, starting at 0 elevation, and using the OFFSET

command modifier step them up by your floor height elevation increments.

You might want to put them on different layers so that they can be color coded, this might become a template drawing, as it sounds like a tool you would use often.

In that way you could very quickly work your way around the perimeter of your model, and at whichever elevation, you would have quick visual references.

Edited December 3, 2012 by Dadgad

[fawellp]

Dadgad, thank you that sounds brilliant, i will experiment today and let you know how I get on.

[Dadgad]

Glad to help, hope that makes sense to you when you try it.

If you are unfamiliar with QUICK PROPERTIES (which I swear by),

enable them at the bottom of your screen on the STATUS BAR.

Click on any particular type of entity on your screen and a short list of

properties will display, but what makes this so incredibly useful is the ability

to customize the display of properties differently for any given entity type, by clicking on the CUSTOMIZE button

which I circled in red in the image, or by right clicking anywhere on the quick properties palette while it is open.

The display settings can also be personalized to suit one's personal work style, also in the right click menu

while over the open quick properties palette.

 

If you like using them, go through the entire list of different entity types, specifying what if anything you want

displayed when one of that type of entity is selected.

Additionally it serves as a very good FILTER when choosing multiple objects, and is

an excellent way to quickly change properties of individual or groups of entities.

 

It just occurred to me that you could do much the same using large enough circles or another type of polygon to completely contain your project, and adjusting their elevations, which would provide

with a single object a reference which could be seen in any of your elevation perspectives.

Although I am quite fond of using XLINES, I use XXX, as my alias, and ENTER then H or V, very quick and useful.

Edited December 3, 2012 by Dadgad