Help Flattening Stubborn Drawing

[rvtquestions]

I am having difficulty managing a drawing that will not flatten.

Unfortunately I cannot share the drawing for privacy issues but I can tell you that it is a large drawing with no xrefs but with many blocks.

I've tried:

• FLATTEN
• FLATSHOT
• WBLOCK
• CUSTOM LISPS/MACROS
• Importing into another 3D application (most give me an error)

none really seem to do anything. Normally when I run into a similar issue, I am able to rotate the 3D view or click on the viewcube to go to an elevation view and confirm which objects are up in space. In this drawing, when I click on the viewcube to go to a different view/angle or try to shift rotate, it freezes and does nothing.

I would prefer not to explode anything or resort to printing this to a vector PDF to reimport. Is there any other method I can resort to or even export to as a flat file? Your help is much appreciated.

[natasha.l]

Hello @rvtquestions, 

Thank you for providing this detailed information, it really helps. Some of the other suggestions are listed below, but is concerns me that the UCS seems to be out of whack. To reset it on the command line in AutoCAD, type PLAN and then World.

Where did this file originate from did you import this file into AutoCAD from a 3rd party application? 

• Replace the Z value For 3D objects in layout viewports:

  1. Enter OPTIONS in the command line.
  2. On the Drafting tab.
  3. Under Object snap options.
  4. Check Replace Z value with current elevation (not available in AutoCAD LT).

 

To flatten a drawing manually (or as needed in AutoCAD LT):

• Select objects with the QSELECT command:
  1. Select the object type.
  2. Choose the Elevation (or Start Z or End Z), and then Not Equal To > 0 (zero)
  3. In the Properties palette, change Elevation (or Start Z or End Z) to 0 (zero). Note: To use this method with certain objects such as blocks and groups, you need to explode the objects first.
• Use the CHANGE command:
  1. Type in the CHANGE command.
  2. Type ALL to select all objects and then Enter.
  3. Type P for Properties.
  4. Type E for Elevation.
  5. Type 0 and then a final Enter to end the command.

More suggestions can be located here. 

Let us know if your still have issues with your UCS. 

Please "Accept Solution" if a reply or replies have helped resolve the issue or answered your question, to help others in the community.

[3wood]

You can also try CHZ20.

[Anonymous]

There are times I have trouble with certain drawings where FLATSHOT (my go-to command) will not produce the results I need. In those cases I'll use VIEWBASE then EXPORTLAYOUT to create a separate dwg file for editing. VIEWBASE has its own limitations but works well in most cases.