Depth - based lineweights

[Anonymous]

Would be nice if there was a setting in the section / elevation window to enhance the lineweight based on 'depth', like classic drafting. That is, the perimeter of your along the roof (depth=infinite) should have a greater lineweight than the detail of say a door (depth=4").

Would also be nice to have similar controls in the sketch renderer.

[Dwight]

I agree with the principle of this approach, but it seems a little complex....

Play a little with the "marked distant area" control in the section dialog and see if this works for you.

Alternatively, it is fairly simple to outline a building elevation using the magic wand if you need a "cheap draftsman's trick." That would be a really old trick considering that it got it's name before we, being politically correct, called it a "cheap drafterperson's trick."

[Aussie John]

Dwight wrote:
Play a little with the "marked distant area" control in the section dialog and see if this works for you.

I find this option pretty useful but wish it could be staggered like the main section line

[TomWaltz]

I think what the section "distant" tools needed is an intelligent method to adjust pen weights.

For example, if your company uses pens 11 to 20, with 11 being the lightest and 20 being the thickest, the section tool could have a logic like:

For every 10' distant (up to end of section extent) subtract 1 from pen number

You could do the same thing for rows of pens, if you use colors 21, 31, 41, 51 etc, adjust it to be "subtract 10 from pen number."

Another logic would be to set line thicknesses, such as:

CUT line = .50mm, Cut Skin =  .25mm, 
FOR each 10 feet, subtract .125mm  

Whatever the final logic, it would need to be variable based on how offices use pen colors, but still allow for massive variation in depth. The current "distant override" is a nice start, but still needs some work to achieve the "professionally drafted" look architects desire.

[Paul King]

Unfortunately, some penweights depend not only on the distance away, but the distance to the next object beyond the element - for example a ridge of a building against the sky, or against a distant building vs a lean-to roof joint against a higher wall behind.

In other situatons, penweight depends entirely on the element to be emphasised- eg windows openings need emphasis, yet may only have a slight step between reveal and glass behind.