Visual Style defaults from conceptual back to 2D wireframe in AutoCAD for Mac

[Anonymous]

Hi-

I'm just getting started learning Autocad for Mac, using the exercise files and videos from LinkedIn Learning. I'm a graphic designer, and basically my end goal is to export layers in shades of grey to vector files I can work with in Illustrator for a client's instruction manual. I'm trying to choose different visual styles in my client's file, but every time I do so...nothing. It always stays the default 2D wireframe view, even though the top left corner says "conceptual", etc. It works as it should in the exercise files from LinkedIn. Is there maybe a box I need to tick somewhere to enable Visual Styles in my client's file?

And to follow up, I'm still wrapping my head around layers, so once I have the visual style figured out, what would be the cleanest, quickest way to export layers to use in Illustrator as described? Thanks.

@Anonymous 

Topic Title changed by @Tiana_Y for better findability. Original Post: Visual Styles Disabled?

[maxim_k]

Welcome to Autodesk Forums!

Hi Derek,

What AutoCAD version are you using?

If you have only 2D objects in your drawing, you won't see any differences when you change Visual Styles.
The only one exception is "Sketchy" Visual Style: it will change lines to "sketchy" lines.
Other Visual Styles will work only with 3D objects: 3D Solids, Meshes, Surfaces.

If you need to export drawing to Illustrator in shades of grey, you can "print" it to PDF file with "grayscale.ctb" or "monochrome.ctb" Plot Style table.

Another way - you always can import DWG in Illustrator, you just need to save your drawings in 2010 or earlier DWG format - use menu File -> Save As and select DWG format on the bottom of "Save As" window.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the advice. Im using the 2021 version for Mac. I’m not sure
exactly how to tell if the items are “2d only”, but I can definitely view
from different angles, spin it around, etc. Does that make me sound like a
total n00b or what? Haha
--
Thanks,

--
Derek Price / Sempervivi
"Always Alive" EP Out Now on Bad Apple Records!
Stream/Buy on Apple Music, iTunes, Amazon, Spotify
Buy the CD from Bad Apple Records

[maxim_k]

Can you share one of the drawings?
Or at least attach screenshots of the drawing with different views.

[Anonymous]

Hey, thanks. See attached.

[Anonymous]

Also, I tried the "sketchy" style, just to see, and it didn't change anything from the appearance of the 2D Wireframe default.

[Anonymous]

Also, I tried saving down to a 2010 DWG file, and tried to open it with Illustrator CC 2020. Not enough RAM. I ran into this issue last week, tried restarting, reinstalling, etc, no dice. I've got plenty of space on my HD, and my Macbook is decently fast. Seems to be a glitch.

[maxim_k]

On screenshots the model looks like 3D.

But if you select one of the objects that make up the model - what do you see in Properties palette? I mean here:

If you don't want to share your drawing here, you can send it to my e-mail: mkanaev@yandex.ru

I'll look at it.

[Anonymous]

See attached. I will also send you my file. It was not initially created in Autocad - I don't recall which program it was authored in, but my client initially sent me a STEP file. I requested a DWG, and went from there.

[maxim_k]

It is a block, but what is inside it? If there are only Lines or 3D Polylines inside this block, then it is just wire model of 3D object and changing Visual Styles won't affect its appearance.
Definitely I need to look at your drawing.

[Anonymous]

Thanks. I sent you a Dropbox link via email, so if you didn't get it,
please let me know.

[maxim_k · Accepted solution]

I received your drawing, looked at it.
I was right - it is wire model without real 3D objects, so it always will be the same in all Visual Styles.
You need to ask your client to send you real 3D solid model.
But even if you will get it and you will be able to export to PDF shaded view, it will be just raster image, not vector graphics. You will not be able to edit imported PDF as vectors.

[Anonymous]

Good deal, thanks. Originally he sent me STEP files made in Solidworks (I
think) so maybe it wasn’t exported correctly. I’m really a 2D design guy,
and just getting started with this 3D stuff, so I feel like I’m in over my
head.

[maxim_k]

I'm not sure exactly, but maybe Solidworks can export PDF as vector graphics, so you can ask your client to send you PDF exported from Solidworks. Then you will be able to edit it in Illustrator.

[Anonymous]

What's funny is that was what I originally requested. He said if they did
that, why would they bother hiring me? haha

Really appreciate your help. I asked him to see if he could export a DWG
with 3D objects, so we'll see what happens.

[dgorsman]

Back to one of your earlier questions... layers in AutoCAD are not like layers in graphics software such as Illustrator, GIMP, etc.  With the latter it's like pieces of vellum you stack on to of each other and changing the order results in how the layers obscure each other.  With AutoCAD, especially in 3D, the layer is just a piece of data on entities, to help organize those entities.  For example it's possible to hide entities by freezing the layer they are on; it's also possible to change how linework prints by changing the color of the layer (without going too far into CTB, BYLAYER vs. BY BLOCK settings, and so on).

[Anonymous]

I was just getting to that. I went back to the original Step file and was
able to open it up in Fusion 360, so I’m about to go down that rabbit hole.