Plotting a 3D Model

[Isham_Dean21]

I've been working on this issue for several months, and i just can't seem to figure it out. I hate asking for help but i'm at my witts end. After only 5 years of using CAD, i have figured out a considerable amount of knowledge just by playing with the program. However, this one has me stumped...

 

Whenever i have a 3D model, i would like to PDF it using the Hidden Visual Style. However, when i do that, it makes the print come out very, very light. Everything in Layout (Paper) Space plots like it's supposed to EXCEPT for dimenion text. A lot of times, it cuts out small parts of the text. In one instance, there was a dimension of 8'-0"...Well, it just so happened to block out a small peice of that and it clearly said 2'-0" on the print. The dwg was fine on the computer. Just kind of acts really funky...Nothing is XREF'd. I did try to double-click into each Viewport and change every single VP Color to 250. That seemed to help but barely. I still have lines fading or not showing up at all from the Model itself...

 

And this may even be a printer problem. I haven't tried it on a different one. We're a pretty small (yet growing) company so right now all we have is the one. If anyone has any experience with this fiasco, i'd sure love to hear it. Thanks...

[SLW210]

Can you post your plotter settings? Does the Plot Preview show correctly?

[Isham_Dean21]

 

Yes, the Plot Preview shows up just fine usually...

[SLW210]

Try setting the quality to Draft.

[Isham_Dean21]

Didn't do anything. Still very hard to see most model outlines...

[tzframpton]

Do you have an example file you can share? Even if it's through email only to keep public eyes away from it? And by "Hidden" visual style, you do mean hidden linework view, and not a shaded view, correct? If so, it's best to use the 2D visual style, then before you print use the HIDE command to gain the visual representation you're after.

 

Also, see if these options help you:

 

DISPSILH - http://exchange.autodesk.com/autocad/enu/online-help/search#WS1a9193826455f5ffa23ce210c4a30acaf-501e.htm

INTERSECTIONDISPLAY - http://exchange.autodesk.com/autocad/enu/online-help/search#WS1a9193826455f5ffa23ce210c4a30acaf-4f84.htm

 

These two options are available in the Visual Style properties, btw. Just wanted to isolate them for you. One last tip that may help... select the Viewport edge once, then open Properties. While selected, noticed the "Shade Plot" option. Change this to Wireframe, Legacy Wireframe, or Hidden or whatever. Just test each one to see the results you get. I usually stick with Legacy Wireframe in most cases.

 

Hope this helps.

[Guest]

Based on what you have described, I believe that the following thread may be what you are describing. If it is I have contacted Autodesk about the issue and their response was 'this is a known issue', however it seems they have no intention of fixing it.

 

There are two ways that I have found to get around it is dimensioning in paperspace. Or you can use things like SOLVIEW/SOLDRAW, FLATSHOT or SECTIONPLANE to create 2-D representations of your 3D models so that you do not need to hide your viewport. Creating the 2D representations may create more work in the long run depending on your work flow.

 

If you decide that dimensioning in paperspace is the way to go, I would suggest looking at Annotative & Associative dimensioning so that only 1 dimension style is created that will work for any scale.

 

http://www.cadtutor.net/forum/showthread.php?24254-Dimensions-in-a-Hidden-View-Port