Generated drawing views

The Generated Drawing Views functionality allows you to automatically generate associative orthographic and standard isometric views of a 3D solid model. All drawing views are placed in a paper space layout, they are not visible in model space.

Analytical hidden line removal (HLR) procedures are used to create the drawing views using standard 2D entities, mostly lines and arcs. Much like the result of the FLATSHOT command. Drawing views created in V14.1 will be automatically converted into HLR geometry by the VIEWUPDATE command.



The VIEWBASE command generates associative orthographic and standard isometric views of a 3D solid model in a paper space layout.

The VIEWSECTION command creates a cross section view based on a standard drawing view generated by the VIEWBASE command in a paper space layout.

The VIEWSECTIONSTYLE command allows you to modify the appearance of the section views created by the VIEWSECTION command.

The VIEWPROJ command generates additional projected views from an existing generated drawing view.

The VIEWDETAIL command creates a detail view of a portion of a standard generated drawing, at a larger scale.

The VIEWDETAILSTYLE command allows you to modify the appearance of the detail views created by the VIEWDETAIL command.

The VIEWUPDATE command updates a selection of drawing views obtained by VIEWBASE and VIEWSECTION when VIEWUPDATEAUTO = 0.

The VIEWEXPORT command exports the content of drawing views obtained by VIEWBASE and VIEWSECTION to the Model Space of the drawing. This command can be used in Paper Space only.

The VIEWEDIT command allows you to change the scale and the hidden line visibility of drawing views.

Tools to generate drawing views of your 3D solid model are available on:

  • The Model - Drawing Views menu.
  • The Section Types and Detail View Types toolbars.
  • The Drawing Views panel of the Annotate Ribbon tab (Mechanical Workspace).

Standard drawing views

Standard views include multiview orthographic and isometric projections.

In a technical drawing, a multiview orthographic projection is an illustration technique in which up to six images of an object are generated, with each projection plane parallel to one of the coordinate axes of the object.

Isometric projection is a method to represent three-dimensional objects in two dimensions in technical and engineering drawings. It is an axonometric projection in which the three coordinate axes appear equally foreshortened and the angles between any two of them are 120 degrees.

To generate the standard views of your 3D solid model, run the ViewBase command from Model Space.

You can choose between first angle (European) projection or third angle (American) projection.

Orthographic projection (or orthogonal projection) is a means of representing a three-dimensional object in two dimensions. It is a parallel projection, where all the projection lines are orthogonal to the projection plane, resulting in every plane of the scene appearing in affine transformation on the viewing surface. It is further divided into multiview orthographic projections and axonometric projections.

Two projection planes, one horizontal (H.P.) and one vertical (V.P.) divide 3D space in four quarters.

  • In the first angle projection system, the model is placed in the first quarter space (first angle).
  • In the third angle projection system, the model is placed in the third quarter (third angle).


With multiview orthographic projections, up to six views of a 3D model are produced, with each projection plane parallel to one of the coordinate axes of the model. The views are positioned relative to each other, according to either of two schemes: first-angle or third-angle projection. In each, the appearances of views may be thought of as being projected onto the 6 faces of a box around the model. When unfolding the box, all views are organized in a 2D drawing.



The projection type is set by the Projection Type option of the VIEWBASE command or by editing the PROJECTIONTYPE system variable:

  • 0 = First angle projection
  • 1 = Third angle projection

The value of the PROJECTIONTYPE system variable is saved in the drawing.

Generated drawing view lines are created on default layers:

  • BM_Isometric_Hidden;
  • BM_Isometric_Visible;
  • BM_Ortho_Hidden;
  • BM_Ortho_Visible.

The display of the BM_Isometric_Hidden layer is turned off by default.

Additional projected views can be added using the VIEWPROJ command. A projected view inherits the scale, display settings and alignment from the parent view.

Generating section views

A section is the intersection of a 3D solid model with a section plane. In technical drawings, the internal parts of the 3D model are hatched in cross sections.

To generate section views of a 3D solid model, run the VIEWSECTION command from the paper space layout where the standard drawing views are located.



Special views



It is possible to generate drawing views for a selected exploded representation. Normally, an orthogonal projection is used for that; however, BricsCAD allows you to create any standard projection for exploded representations. Sections and detailed views are also supported.

To create a view for an exploded representation, run the VIEWBASE command with the Special views option, select the Exploded view option and then select the required exploded representation from the dialog box.

Generated views for exploded representation can be associative with the original model, so annotations and balloons can be placed. To do that, the views should be created or updated with GENERATEASSOCVIEWS = ON.

Updating drawing views

By default BricsCAD checks whether the source 3D solid model or the associated exploded representation was modified and automatically recalculates the drawing when:

  • opening a paper space layout containing out-of-date views if the VIEWUPDATEAUTO system variable is ON.
  • running the VIEWUPDATE command.
  • running the BMUPDATE command.
Note:
  • Hidden line removal calculation might take some time for complex 3D models. In such cases, it is recommended to set VIEWUPDATEAUTO = OFF. The viewport border of out-of-date drawing views turns red to indicate an update is needed. When executing the ViewUpdate command, BricsCAD prompts you to either select the drawing views to be updated or update all drawing views.
  • If GENERATEASSOCVIEWS = ON, associative dimensions will be updated according to the modified 3D geometry.

Exporting views to model space

The associativity mechanism of drawing views in a paper space layout allows for limited control by the user. Such views can be moved or scaled, but you cannot edit the geometry. In order to get the full control to the drawing views geometry, the ViewExport command allows you to move or copy drawing views to model space or to a separate drawing. Exported drawing views lose their associativity with the 3D model and become standard blocks, which can be exploded, edited, erased, etc.

Customizing drawing views

The first time the VIEWBASE command is launched, four new layers are created:

  • BM_Ortho_Hidden: hidden lines in drawing views;
  • BM_Ortho_Visible: visible lines in drawing views;
  • BM_Tangent_Hidden: hidden tangent lines in drawing views;
  • BM_Tangent_Visible: visible tangent lines in drawing views.

Use the VIEWEDIT command to change the visibility of these layers for all views or for a selection of views only.

  • Edit the properties of these layers, such as linetype, lineweight or color, to modify the display of the drawing views.
  • Use ViewSectionStyle command to adjust different properties of section views such as style, color, and height of identifier text;
  • start and end symbols, their colors, size and direction of arrows scale, patter, color, and angle of hatches;
  • color, type, and weight of a line representing a cutting plane.

Use the VIEWDETAILSTYLE command to adjust different properties of details views such as:

  • style, color, height of identified text, and the type of identifier
  • symbol, and its color and size
  • color, type, and weight of detail view boundary