Dotted / Dashed lines on elevation

[Hoa Tu]

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

[Aussie John]

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.

[Hoa Tu]

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

[Aussie John]

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.

[Aussie John]

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