elevation and sections from 3d model

[nestly]

You're missing the point. In a relatively empty drawing, it's only annoying that when inserting, the Flatshot block is nowhere near the cursor. In a busy drawing, it's virtually impossible to even find the block when it's god_knows_how_far_away_from_the_cursor_and_who_knows_what_direction_to_even_start_looking_for_it. Other considerations are when a basepoint is very far from the block Geometry, Zoom > Extents can leave you looking at a blank screen and wondering where your drawing went, and the same is true when trying to edit such a block... the geometry may be a mere pixel somewhere around the edge of the block editor that you have to go searching for.

If you use FLATSHOT in large complex models, the problem of not being able to even predict where the basepoint might be in relation to the block quickly becomes apparent.

[ReMark]

In large complex models I use a custom lisp routine that emulates Flatshot and generally have no problem finding/seeing the block being inserted but I don't do that type of work day in and day out and it could very well be as you say. Please don't stroke out over this as it isn't worth it. We wouldn't want to lose you nestly.

[Dana W]

Basepoint and insertion point are two completely different things. The basepoint is establishing a reference point, from which you can move the block a distance relative to the basepoint. The insertion point is part of the block and moves with the block.

[ReMark]

We aren't talking about blocks that are made by the user rather 2D blocks created by Flatshot.

[SEANT]

I don’t use Flatshot often as it does seem rather temperamental. I just tested a few applications – does it hold up long term that orthographic and Isometric shots generate an insertion point that corresponds to the current UCS origin?

 

Similarly, a Flatshot of a perspective view seems to align the Insertion point to the camera’s target position.

[jamos]

Hello again

Thank you for all the useful information. Iobserve that this thread advanced to a rather interesting conversation. I shareNestly’s opinion regarding Flatshot being very annoying, maybe because I amstill not very familiar with all of this. I think at this stage I shall stickwith Remark’s first suggestion to make use of ViewBase. The (EXPORTLAYOUT)command works really fine and was more or less what I was looking for. I thinkmy explanation of why I wanted to be able to edit the elevations was not clear(my English is really not that good, sorry) . what I want to do, is to place theelevations in certain order onto the layout sheets and then add height lines, window&doorno’s, annotations, hatchings, etc. Ithink I will stick to my old way of creating elevations (2d draughting) for thetime being and when I have some time I will explore this Viewbase andExplorelayout options a bit further. Another thing that concerns me is that Iam used to use different lineweights in my elevations, for example the itemsnearer to your point of view will have darker (thicker) lines and the furtheritems, “lighter” lines. This gives a rather good looking 2d elevation, creatinga kind of “depth” in the drawing. Copying the elevations from the 3d model willlead to the fact that I will still have to do a lot of editing on the lines interms of layers or lineweight, to achieve this “depth” in my drawing. I’m notsure which is the way to go, but as I have said I will explore all the options.Someone mentioned the use of Revit, but this is not an option at the moment dueto financial reasons. I recently upgraded to AutoCAD 2014. Thanking all of youfor the input and help, I do appreciate it

[ReMark]

The 2D blocks created by Flatshot can be edited for lineweight using the BEDIT command.

[tzframpton]

Someone mentioned the use of Revit, but this is not an option at the moment due to financial reasons. I recently upgraded to AutoCAD 2014.

Understandable. For future reference, you may want to consider Revit LT Suite, which also comes with AutoCAD LT. This is a very cheap alternative which gives a single-user an astronomical amount of efficiency.

 

The Revit LT Suite has many pricing options, such as monthly pay-as-you-need plans which are incredibly reasonable on the wallet:

http://www.autodesk.com/products/revit-lt/buy

 

Since you still get AutoCAD LT, you can always fall back on a familiar tool when you need, but have the great and powerful tool Revit has to offer as well:

http://www.autodesk.com/products/revit-lt/compare/compare-products

 

-TZ

[jamos]

Thanx, I have requested a quote on this REVIT LT version some time ago. All the AutoCAD dealers informed me that only the full version is available here in South Africa, but I will look into it again. thank you for all the help