Blank Ortho Views from 3D Model

[dzine14u]

I am at a complete loss on this one...any help would be greatly appreciated.

We have a model of a new plant which we have created over this past year.  I have created several plan and section views from the model using ortho view but suddenly every section I try to create comes up blank.  I have tried dozens of things in an attempt to troubleshoot the issue.  I've even removed and reloaded all files into the project manager but I still get nothing but a blank viewport.  I've even tried to wittle down the model by unloading unused xrefs and removing any 3D objects that could be problematic.  Still nothing.   This issue has cost me the last 2 days of work in trying to find a workaround.  I feel I have tried everything and I give up.  The baffling part to me is that I have already created many plans and sections from this very model with no problems.

Any suggestions?  Thanks.

[dave.wolfe]

I've seen this when the template used to create the orthos didn't include the layers used in the ortho settings.

[dzine14u]

Dave:

Thanks for the reply.   I am not sure what you are saying but I was able to create several sections in the same template before and after.  However, there are 3 places that when I try to create an ortho section I only get a blank viewport with no geometry created.  I have tried numerous things including creating a duplicate model and removing all xrefs.  Same result every time....nothing.

[dave.wolfe]

Hmmm, sounds like it may be a selection of objects.  The only way to really test that is to remove some objects (make backups), and then generate the orthos. I'd remove half of the item from the source model, run an ortho. If it turns out right, the items you erased were causing the issue. Repeat.

What version of Plant are you using?

[dzine14u]

Dave:

I am using P3D 2015.  This has happened to me before in 2014.  As stated in my original post, I have already removed any and all items & xrefs that could possibly cause a problem.  I even tried creating a new model file without any xrefs and those same exact sections still come up blank.  I am at a total loss for why this is.  No exaggeration...I have tried well over a dozen things and still nothing.

[dave.wolfe]

Sorry, still trying to get my head wrapped around what you've tried. Xrefs don't matter unless they are referenced as attachments.

When you say the sections come up blank, are you creating new views of the same part of a model?  

 Can you describe your process of creating the section, or record a screencast of it?

https://screencast.autodesk.com/#

[dzine14u]

Dave:

Here are the steps I go through....

a) While in my layout view I select "Ortho View" menu and select "New View"

b) I make sure the proper model is selected and accept

c) I adjust the view cube to the section I wish to show in 2D

d) I select the direction of view and scale from the Ortho View menu and click ok

At this point it returns to the layout view and goes though it's dance to produce the 2D view.  However, on several of the sections where I am having issues...it goes through the same dance but when it's finished all I get is a blank viewport and no geometry has been created in model space for the view.

[quentin.contreras]

Are you able to create an ortho of an area you are having an issue by making it generate a new sheet and do not use an existing sheet?

If you do see that same issue then trying using an out of the box ortho sheet instead of yours. Does the Ortho generate then?

[quentin.contreras]

Also, what version of Plant 3D are you using? 2014 or 2015? Type about at the command prompt and this will give you the version you have installed.

[dzine14u]

Quentin:

I am using P3D 2015.  I had the same thing happen in 2014 as well.

I've tried creating the section in a brand new drawing....same results.

I can create sections before and after where I wish to cut the three that pose problems.  I have weeded out everything that could potentially cause an issue but nothing works.  There is really nothing different in these areas that should cause this problem.

[bryan.mcginnis]

I am having this exact same issue.

I have narrowed it down to a specific piece of equipment within my model. The issue is I do not why that specific model or what in it causes this to happen.

This did happen shortly after migrating from Plant 3d 2014 to Plant 3D 2015.

I've attached some screen shots of my steps. 

I'm completely lost with this, I've wasted days trying to figure it out.

[bryan.mcginnis]

2 more attachments 

[dzine14u]

Bryan:

Oh how I can relate.  I wasted 2 days with zero productivity trying to troubleshoot the same thing.  I kind of went into panic mode because I have put nearly 6 months into this model for the purpose of creating these very sections.  I too have found that there are a few 3D equipment models (all from outside sources) that you simply cannot make a 2D section from.  In those cases I have removed those items, created the section then added the 2D version from the vendor drawings.  What a pain but it did get the job done.  But like you, I am at a total loss as for why this problem occurs.

Thank you for sharing your experience.  At least I know I am not alone.

[dave.wolfe]

Are you able to post the equipment model that is failing?

[bryan.mcginnis]

the file size is too large, it will not let me. 

[dzine14u · Accepted solution]

Dave:

Here is what Ive done....

Originally I had a Master Plant Model of the building with the equipment, platforms, steel structures, etc. xreferenced into the main model.  I was then trying to create the 2D sections from that Master model.  In an attempt to solve the problem I created a new building model with no xrefs but instead I selected those xrefs in the model selection during the ortho creation.  This did seem to help and my theory is that Acad wasn't trying to chew on everything all at once but rather taking smaller bites to accomplish the same task.  This did acheive better results and I was able to create all my needed sections.  However there were still a few equipment models that I had to manually add the 2D geometry to my sections because I simply could not get P3D to make 2D views of them.  Note that those items all came from outside vendors and are not as simplified as I would have created them.  They consisted of a mix of polymeshes, 3D solids and surfaces.  All models I create are 100% 3D solids and I never have these issues.  We dont need the inner workings of this equipment but trather just the shell along with all inlet and outlet connections.

So in a sense I solved the problem myself.  I just dont think P3D likes those vendor model cluster%&*#s!

[dave.wolfe]

Yes, the orthographics routine will only process 3d solids.

[EEEEE_Liminator]

Anyone else find any solutions to this?  I hada similar issue where I was getting blank view ports, I could see everything when settign the view cube though.  After a lot of trial and error of moving the viewcube until I got to the point where it would not generate the view port, I figured out it was a 3D block that was causing the issue.  Initially I though it had too much detail, what is isnteresting is that if I convertedt the block into a plant part the viewport had no problems generating.

Was the 3D solid that was causing the issue converted to a plant part?  When the block I had was causing an issue it was converted with plantpart convert to give it the connection points, but I had not yet converted it to an inline part or custom piece of equipment.  

We are about to start a large project so I need to make sure that we don't have any issues when it comes time to print, finding stray blocks or soids will be a challange later on....  Do 3D solid and blocks typically cause issues if they are not fully converted to plant part or do plant parts still cause issues?

[Wynand_Louw_Aranzu]

Same here, where in the middle of IFC and the drawings that now needs to be updated disappears!! WTH!! Can I sue autodesk for time lost!! All files is generated in Plant 3D 2020. All other view generated, the layers are generated, but as when I create a front view it only shows a blank view port. I''m done...

[Engineeringdesigner2023]

Dear all,

Am also facing the same kind of issue even after converting all dwg xref into Plant 3d equipment. But for me, the Ortho selection box itself is showing "empty" but I am able to generate 2d drawing but issue is I can not fix the area by adjusting the selection box because the objects are totally Invisible. Kindly refer following image and let me know if you can help to solve this issue.

Thanks,