Display order of zones

[Anonymous]

)Another basic question that I can't seem to figure out...

I want to grey out my background on a 2d elevation. But I have trees in front and it would be too fiddly to go around each leaf in order to put the zone colour in the background. I thought I could simply use the display order tool to bring the trees in FRONT of the zone but that doesn't work.

Any suggestions that don't involve me 'colouring in' ( ) each leaf on my tree??

[Barry Kelly]

I am assuming the trees are just 2D objects.
If so do they have a fill parameter.
Can you set it to a white solid fill rather than a transparent fill?

Barry.

[Anonymous]

Thanks again Barry, but no, they are 3D objects as I am creating some #D renders later so need my trees in there...

[Barry Kelly]

3D trees should have solid surfaces for the leaves, trunk and branches.
You can't use the display order to manipulate 3D objects display position in relation to other 3D objects but you certainly can with 2D elements such as lines and fills.

When you refer to a "zone" in the background do you mean just a 2D fill?

I just placed a 3D tree in front of a wall (with a window) and it automatically masked the wall.
I could add a solid fill and I could manipulate that with the display order of the fill in relation to the other objects.

How are you greying out the background of your elevation.

Barry.

[Anonymous]

But Barry, what happens when you get to the trunk? I want that to show up white rather than grey if you know what I mean...

[Barry Kelly]

Now I look at the problem in more detail I can see that the tree indeed masks the wall and window behind.
However it does not mask the fill.

The fill can be sent backwards so that the wall and frame lines show through or forwards to mask them completely but it has no effect on the tree object.

Barry.

[Barry Kelly]

However go into your section line settings and in the Model Effect section select the "Fill uncut surfaces with" box.

You can choose to use a uniform pen colour (i.e. white if you want just line work) or you can use elements own pen colours if you want a colour shaded view.

In either case you will be able to add a fill and move it in front or behind any of the other elements.

Barry.

[Barry Kelly]

And with a uniform (white) pen colour.
The fill can still be any colour and can be moved behind the wall if needed.

Barry.

[Anonymous]

Thanks barry. I will have a play and see what happens!