making flat 2d drawings of a 3d dwg.

[plastic]

hi,

i recieved a 3d DWG file, and want to save all views as 2d DWG/DXF, to be able to import it with other software.

anyone knows how this works?

[STRAT]

type in FLATTEN

[Guest guardian256]

you can try this if you have autocad.

 

set up a new printer in acad

under printer types choose acad dxb fomat

set it up to be max steps 32767 / 1 for both x and y and set it up to hide lines & save file

 

then when youre in the drawing, plot it and use this new plotter and choose a file name.

 

when plotted you can then use "dxbin" to import the file. which will then be a 2d version of you view.

 

only drawback with this method is 1. its old ( like me ) and 2. you'll probably have to clean it up a bit.....depending on how complex and how many curves there are.

 

hope it helps....email me if you have problems setting it up patrick@siliconbauhaus.com

[quizzy]

guardian,

 

could you please update your profile? firstname lastname, the correct e-mail...

 

thanks

[nuno]

some AutoCAD versions also supports CREATEHLR command.

 

best to you

nuno

[Wojciech Klepacki]

Hi nuno,

What do u mean typing: " some AutoCAD versions "? I have AutoCAD 2002 with service pack (most recent), I have bought it in Poland at my local dealer. It doesn't support any command from above: CREATEHLR or FLATTEN. I've had more than 10 years of experience in AutoCAD and I haven't met with such commands. Have u some extra lisp routines or what?

rgds,

[Guest guardian256]

details updated

 

flatten is a lisp routine the will only set the z point to zero of lines etc. wont wotrk on solids ( unless this is a different version of flatten then my applogies )

 

as for the other command....nope never heard of it

[Wojciech Klepacki]

Thanx guardian256, I thought that my acad is invalid... But if it IS a LISP routine I can write similar one to solids. Ufff... it explains all. Of course I can write different versin of flatten :-D.

rgds,

[Kerry Thompson]

Hi All

 

I think that FLATTEN and CREATEHLR are part of the Express Tools – typing APPLOAD on my AutoCAD lists the source of this command as coming from that area. Express tools are indispensable when using AutoCAD. – Originally supplied with AutoCAD 2000, one now has to pay for them but they that can be migrated to 2002 if you have a copy available.

 

From what I can see, FLATTEN will only work in AutoCAD entities - so solids and ADT objects will not be affected. With solids, maybe try to a horizontal section to form a 2D view. Or use the plot to dxb example listed above.

 

With ADT, create a vertical elevation object (an elevation view looking from the top rather than the side) and then explode. Or maybe use the command AECCREATEHLN, again looking down from the top of the model to create a hidden line projection..

 

Hope this helps

 

Regards

 

Kerry Thompson

[nuno]

hi wojciech,

in AutoCAD 2002 i dont know ('cause i dont use it), but in ADT 2 there is a command called CREATEHLR (create hidden line removal)(not documented) i think it does not make part of express tools but i dont have sure of that... :???:

but if acad 2002 dont have it, just use the dxb method ... it works fine for me too.

 

best to you

nuno

[Wojciech Klepacki]

Hi nuno,

I always use DXB way. It works fine...

rgds,

[plastic]

ok, thanks for the replies...seems like the virtual plotting is the only universal way...

[Spongebob]

If the model is created using nothing but solids the absolute best way is to use solview and soldraw.

 

We use this method at my office and it is great.

Flatten involves alot of time consuming cleanup afterwards. I do not have createhlr so I cannot give my opinion.

 

It involves alot of steps, but they go quickly and create beautiful results. I will go through them quickly.

 

1. Create the model out of solids.

2. Rotate the view to the desired results. (i.e. iso, perspective)or plan if you need orthographic drawings.

3. Rotate the UCS to 'view'

4. Type 'solview' - this command simply sets up a viewport in paperspace which displays the view we set up in model space. This is necessary for the next steps to work. The typical inputs for the prompts are UCS->Current->.1->[specify the views center]-> [specify the viewports size] -> [Give it an name] (i.e. top, side, front, iso) -> Lastly dont forget to ENTER out of the command, pressing ESC at this point cancels the whole command.

5. Set up and additional solviews you may need, soldraw can draw several views at once. The easiest way to do this is to use solview again from paper space and use 'ortho'. Then select the viewports edge you'd like to project from and the viewports center and size.

6. While in paper space type soldraw and select the windows you'd like to have drawn in 2D. The program will then do the rest.

 

The 2D will be drawn with 2 new layers, a VIS (visible) and a HID (hidden) change the properties of these layers for better clarity. Also, I usually use 'overkill' as well to eliminate any double lines.

 

Good luck,

Spongebob

[garethace]

I think that FLATTEN and CREATEHLR are part of the Express Tools – typing APPLOAD on my AutoCAD lists the source of this command as coming from that area. Express tools are indispensable when using AutoCAD. – Originally supplied with AutoCAD 2000, one now has to pay for them but they that can be migrated to 2002 if you have a copy available.

 

You do realise guys that this kind of bs, is what drives people NOT to pay for acad licenses anymore, rather than actually encouraging people to buy or upgrade.

 

Flatten routines are standard issue in most other good packages for years now, and they always work, do exactly what you wish them to do. I have used the new flatten command in AutoCAD 2004, a 3GHZ brand new Dell computer and beyond straightening out a couple of stray polylines, it really isn't worth a curse.

 

The hassle it takes just to isolate those few stray polys, by layer or something, isn't even worth the hassle.