Putting XREFs on a separate layer. . .

[garethace]

What do you do,

 

had never thought about it much, until I saw this Cadalyst thread.

 

http://cadence.advanstar.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=UBB10&Number=8948&page=12&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=&fpart=1

[Kerry Thompson]

Hi Gareth

 

 

 

I generally reserve a layer for xrefs called x. I find that this assists in managing the things and if you freeze the xref insertion layer, it turn all the xref layers off. I use the same techniques with inserted blocks.

 

 

 

 

 

Kerry

[garethace]

Blocks too?

 

Does make sense too.

 

I am coming from many years of using MiniCAD/MicroStation and other such Apple Mac like kit, to using something that is wholly 100% PC oriented like AutoCAD.

 

I was interested in your guys point of view, since you would be organising large 3D models using AutoCAD too.

 

In MicroStation, references are just references - they do not have any level/layer information associated with them.

[garethace]

Okay let's get some things clear up front, there is no 2D mode in AutoCAD, AutoCAD ALWAYS operates in 3D mode.

Points selected on the screen default to the 0 elevation of the current UCS (plus the setting of ELEVATION)

 

If you start a line from a selected point on the screen then OSNAP to some point on a 3D object that is not in the Z=0 plane of the current UCS, the line will slope.

 

Use .Z filter and select the screen to retrieve the Z=0 of the current UCS.

 

Point filters; get to know 'em, you'll need 'em in 3D.

 

Just something else I found here,

 

http://cadence.advanstar.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=UBB10&Number=8779&page=18&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=&fpart=1

 

Just wondering what you think?

 

Point filters, shift + right click I suppose,

 

to make sure you are not also drawing things in the another dimension value.

 

At least VIZ has got 2.5D Snapping!

 

I have heard the suggestion to use polylines here before too.

 

It is simple in MicroStation though, you simply uncheck the box, snap on XREFs, same with FormZ, you can uncheck snap to a layer etc, etc, etc.

 

 

Point Filters allow you to filter out only the coords you want.

Start the line command, when it prompts for "FROM POINT", enter .Z at the keyboard (that's "POINT" Z, see the point?).

 

ACAD will then prompt "OF", you select a point on the screen. (That will set the Z coord of the point you're building to the current Z=0 of the current UCS)

 

ACAD will ask "NEED XY", osnap to an endpoint of some 3D object.

 

You've just built a "FROM POINT" out of the X and Y coords of the endpoint of some 3D object and the Z coord of the current UCS.

 

 

Filters are handy for a variety of point contructions. You can find the center of a rectangle, by getting .X of the midpoint of a horizontal side, and .YZ of the midpoint of a verticle side.

 

You can build points by getting the 3 coords , each from a different point; the .X of a center, the .Y of some Endpoint, and the .Z of some other midpoint.

 

Using filters makes 3D so much easier.

 

[Chad Warner]

I have always used point filters with 3d modeling, and I don't see how people can get away without using them. As for xrefs, I generally make an xrefplan layer, an xreffront layer, etc. so that I can turn on and off the plans and elevations as I need to.

 

-Chad

[Kerry Thompson]

Hi Gareth

 

 

 

AutoCAD has been 3D I think since version 2.5 (we are now up to version 19).

 

 

 

AutoCAD does not have a plane lock function. I use polylines to "lock" on planes parallel to the current UCS. I extensively use UCS's in my modeling moving them around to suite the various planes in the model. That way I do not get lost. Point filters are also very useful - one way to draw a vertical line from point x,y,z to the .xy of @ (last point) and then give a value for z. Point filters can be used as a kind of plane lock.

 

 

 

Kerry

 

 

[garethace]

I have always used point filters with 3d modeling, and I don't see how people can get away without using them. As for xrefs, I generally make an xrefplan layer, an xreffront layer, etc. so that I can turn on and off the plans and elevations as I need to.

 

-Chad

 

 

Actually now that you mention it Chad, that sounds exactly like the most logical thing to do, if you were to use 3D AutoCAD to model anything.

 

I mean, with 3D AutoCAD, it is nice to stay kinda current with other 2D drawings and stuff I guess.

 

So in your layer dialogue box you would see the various different XREF elevation, floor plan, section 2D Xrefs, on their own separate layers.

 

That makes a huge amount of sense actually, thanx.

 

I am still thinking of VIZ/MicroStation. But this is very helpful, since it has been a while now since I have actively produced anything in AutoCAD.

[garethace]

AutoCAD does not have a plane lock function. I use polylines to "lock" on planes parallel to the current UCS. I extensively use UCS's in my modeling moving them around to suite the various planes in the model. That way I do not get lost.

 

Depth lock in MicroStation, is a big part of MicroStation Triforma, even though I think they have been trying to phase it out altogether for as long as I can remember.

 

Active Depths are quick/handy in MicroStation - so are the multiple 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 Views on dual screens that I tended to use absolutely transparently,

 

and even toggled on and off in the middle of commands, flicking my way through several different views, and using ACCUDRAW to complete operations.

 

Kind of intuitive after a bit of practice.

 

UCSFOLLOW kinda drags it heals a bit for me I am afraid.

 

 

Point filters are also very useful - one way to draw a vertical line from point x,y,z to the .xy of @ (last point) and then give a value for z. Point filters can be used as a kind of plane lock.

 

 

Yeah, that is a nice tip.

 

Thanx for that.

 

The .Z filter will probably work for me like 2.5D snap in VIZ though, cool enough. I am well used to VIZ, and am trying to maybe correlate my VIZ way of thinking with AutoCAD 2004 modelling technique.

 

While still thinking in terms of ACCUDRAW in MicroStation for most else.

 

Difficult, but I will get there hopefully.