topic Re: Dotted / Dashed lines on elevation in Libraries & objects

Dotted / Dashed lines on elevation

Hoa Tu — Wed, 24 Aug 2005 01:59:50 GMT

Hi All,

I am wondering if there is a way to make the edges of a solid entity (eg BLOCK, PRISM) to show dotted / dashed on elevation.

Thanks
Hoa

Re: Dotted / Dashed lines on elevation

Aussie John — Wed, 24 Aug 2005 03:29:59 GMT

yes and no
No you cant make an object with dashed lines but you can script around that limitation.

Basically you can make a line appear in 3d using the LIN_ command. Make a line that is a series of short lines and save as a macro. Tip: use a looping function and your line can now be any length.

The solid element needs to be maskable so make your prism_ (not a block)and mask all the edges and "call" the dashed line macro in the position where the prism edges are.

Re: Dotted / Dashed lines on elevation

Hoa Tu — Wed, 24 Aug 2005 23:22:21 GMT

Thanks, John.

The work around you suggested can only work on prism_ and with a lot of trouble writing the macro for each edges. There is no easy way for the other 3D shapes such as tubes, pyramid ... to show dotted on elevation.

GDL should make it as easy as using the LINE_TYPE command in 2D.

Cheers,
Hoa

Re: Dotted / Dashed lines on elevation

Aussie John — Thu, 25 Aug 2005 00:50:37 GMT

Any of the 3d primatives that allow for masking of edges will work with this method. It is easier than it looks, but still a lot of mucking around. complex shapes would be a lot of work and each object would require the workover.

Re: Dotted / Dashed lines on elevation

Aussie John — Fri, 26 Aug 2005 00:58:35 GMT

of course with this method you can make the object "transparent" by masking off the surfaces too.