how do I edit line weights and styles on finished 3D drawing

[CAD_e_shack]

Can someone please explain the process by which they produce a finished line drawing from a 3D model.

 

I would like to take my 3D object and (in layout view) make outer edges thick, interior lines thin, and hidden components hidden.

 

I can do this easily in 2D by selecting and changing each line, but how do I accomplish this with a 3D object. I think I missed a concept somewhere.

 

Thanks

Wade

[ReMark]

By "finished line drawing" do you mean all the 2D views being generated from a 3D solid?

[CAD_e_shack]

Yes. By "finished drawing" I mean all my 2D views and isometric views generated in paper space from my 3D solid.

[shift1313]

wade, can you post a screen shot of the type of drawing you are working with. are these floor plans, mechanical components etc? also i have acad05 at home so ill try to work off that so we have the same interface.

[CAD_e_shack]

Here is a simple example of what I would like to achieve. Right now the line weights and styles are the same for the entire solid. (I did this in Photoshop)

[shift1313]

ill take a look on 05 when i get home tonight

[ReMark]

One way to accomplish this task is to use the commands Solview and Soldraw. Solview will generate the top, front, side and isometric views you require. Once you have these set up then use Soldraw to generate the 2D linework. The command creates its own layers for the visible lines as well as all hidden lines. If you elect to cut a section it will even create a layer for cross-hatching. AutoCAD will cross-hatch where required in this section.

 

Are you familiar with these commands?

[ReMark]

I should have mentioned that once the layers are setup you can go back into Layer Manager and set the lineweights to whatever works for you.

[CAD_e_shack]

No, I haven't used SOLVIEW or SOLDRAW yet, but I will learn them. Thanks

[shift1313]

well one thing ive done with acad is take a SECTION to get a 2d section of the object. go up to Draw menu on the top, and Hatch then apply hatch or gradient to my section. If you take a section of say an assembly this hatch will help you visualize solid areas. For what you are talking about i dont think there is a way to change line types of solid objects. You can change the lineweight of the edges using the properties menu if your object is selected but this will not change to dash lines. Its been awhile since ive done layouts using cad but ive always added reference lines after or created a 2d view using section.

[ReMark]

CAD_e: The heavier edge lines and the dashed lines you've shown above can be done using the commands I have described.

[ReMark]

Here is an example of a drawing that I did using the commands I previously mentioned. If you check Layer Manager you'll see layers that end with -DIM (for Dimensions), -VIS (for Visible), and -HID (for Hidden). There is no -HAT (for Hatch) because I did not include a section in this drawing. AutoCAD will prompt for a view name. It is this name that AC will append the designations like -VIS to.

 

Adjustable guide 2000.dwg

 

Make sure to load a hidden linetype that you can assign to all layers with the -HID designation.

[ReMark]

Here's a link to an old but well written tutorial (AutoCAD 2000i) that explains the procedure for using SOLVIEW and SOLDRAW.

 

http://www.ncsu.edu/project/graphicscourse/gc/acadtut/acadtut2000/tutor6text.html

[CAD_e_shack]

Thanks Shift, I will try that.

[CAD_e_shack]

ReMark: Thank you, very helpful. The link much more complete than the help menu. Thanks

[ReMark]

You're entirely welcomed. When you're done with your drawing consider posting it.

[shift1313]

i would go with remarks suggestion. I dont typically do this kind of "drafting" work. I typically dimension each part in an assembly and have no need for hidden lines or line weights:) not from autocad anyway