Create 2D drawings from 3D Models, using layers with different colors

[Palacean]

Hello,

 

I am using Autocad 2012. I need to make some 2D execution drawings from a 3D model. I tried to use the following commands: flatshot, flatten &section plane. All of them are having bad results. From all this 3 commands the closer to my needs is the flatshot. But I am working with many layers which have different colors, so when I will generate the 2D views I need to see the same color as the layers have (each color is for a particular medium).

I am using this command without showing the obscured lines.

When I am generatic the isometric views with the flatshot I am seeing strange objects (UFO), is far away from the original model, you can see in the attachment.

My questions are: It is possible to generate somehow 2D views (front views&isometric views) seeing the color which every element has, and it is possible to correct somehow those ugly isometric views ( the guys from autocad should do something with this, because when I am generatic a isometric view the 2d drawing that I recived is completely different from the 3D model !).

I want to make the drawings using the 2D views, because the 3D Models are very big (50-60MB) and it is very hard to work with them!

Waiting for sugestions!

[danielk]

VIEWBASE command only with autocad 2013 or above all the rest are pain in the $#@$@ when you document , yes autodesk made half work converting 3d to 2d documents , and no you will not be able to see the colors of the layers as far as i know

[Dadgad]

Actually Viewbase was introduced in 2012, so should be an option. While it is pretty useful, it will not maintain the original colors

when creating your view. Once it is created you could change them, but obviously in a file that

size, you would not want to have to do that.

[danielk]

the problem is 2012 doesnt let you the option which part of the model to document , and you cant create sections views . in 2013 2014 you can...

[Dadgad]

the problem is 2012 doesnt let you the option which part of the model to document , and you cant create sections views . in 2013 2014 you can...

 

You are definitely right that it was pretty bare bones in 2012.

I have used it a bit in 2013 and it is definitely better, haven't tried it in

2014 yet, but glad to hear that it may have gotten better again.

[GP_]

Procedure limited to 3d models without curves and without removing hidden lines:

 

go to the view desired

xedges

ucs -> view

flatten (Remove hidden lines?: N)

copyclip

view -> top

pasteclip

[ReMark]

the problem is 2012 doesnt let you the option which part of the model to document , and you cant create sections views . in 2013 2014 you can...

Which command are you using? View Base?

 

AutoCAD has five ways one can extract 2D views of 3D objects automatically. They are...

 

1. Flatshot

2. SectionPlane

3. SolProf

4. SolView/SolDraw

5. View Base (a.k.a. - Base View)

 

None of these five ways will maintain the original colors.

 

So your last option is to use the method as described in the post by GP_.

[Dadgad]

Actually there is one more option. When using the Express Tool FLATTEN the colors and layers are preserved, as it actually converts the

existing 3D model into the image, and in so doing, consumes the 3D model which it is replicating.

Other than the fact that the layers and colors are preserved,there is little to recommend it, as the results are reasonably horrific.

[ReMark]

That's why I never recommend or even mention FLATTEN when talking about extracting 2D views of 3D objects.

[Palacean]

Thank you guys for yours suggestions, but does someone know to make a lisp for this task?

[ReMark]

Starting with what command?

 

What would be some of the particulars of this lisp routine?

[Palacean]

Hello,

 

It is not possible to modify the flatshot command somehow, and remove the box "Foreground lines" (where it is the button with color) and place all elements in layer 0 and keep the original color of the element?

[ReMark]

I do not know of any way the Flatshot command could be modified. The way it is set up now the user has the option to explode the block to make additional changes. Apparently that is not to your liking.

[Lee Mac]

Not sure if this program would help at all?

 

[ may require membership to view thread ]

 

Image referenced from above thread:

 

[Palacean]

An Error Has Occurred!

Registration has been disabled for the time being. If you want to join theswamp.org please send an email to mark at theswamp dot org. Include the username and email address you wish to use. You will receive an email message with the login information. Please allow up to 12 hours for all of this to happen. I apologize for the inconvenience.

 

Not possible!

[Lee Mac]

Registration has been disabled for the time being.

 

Sorry - I forgot registration had been disabled at the Swamp (blame the spammers).

If you were to send a polite email to Mark, he should be able to sort it for you.

 

In the meantime, could you please edit your post to remove the email address, as we don't want yet more spammers!

[David Bethel]

What precision does the 2D drawings need to retain ? -David

[Palacean]

The flatshot command is working perfect, if I can keep the colors from the layers using this command it will perfect!

[ReMark]

I think we have just come full circle then.

[irneb]

I think what you're after (if it's like Lee's suggestion) is to use SolProf. It generates 2D lines for both the external (visible) edges of all solids selected, as well as hidden edges. These two sets are placed on 2 new layers, so you can adjust the colour / linetype of them all in one go by adjusting those layers' settings.

 

The issue with solprof though: You need to do it through a viewport to get decent results. And if you want to have separate objects with different colours, you'll need to run the command once per object. That last part is very possible to automate through Lisp though.

 

I want to make the drawings using the 2D views, because the 3D Models are very big (50-60MB) and it is very hard to work with them!

Just a question: What kind of hardware do you have? CPU/RAM/Graphics. Generally working with 3D objects requires a lot better hardware than the run-of-the-mill CAD station, usually you should look at more RAM and a better Graphics card for working faster (in that order). If possible a better CPU might help a bit, but it's usually more involved in rendering than in display & modification.