How to Convert 3D Model Viewports to 2D Drawing, Since Viewports Overlap

[mgorecki]

Hello,

I have an assembly that I want to show an exploded view for.  The parts are all on different layers, and I have multiple viewports defined that show each individual part.  I can line the viewports up, but I cannot overlap them or they will hide the viewport underneath.

Is there a command that can either:

a.  Make the viewports transparent, so that I can see the model in a viewport that is "under" another viewport?

b.  Create a 2D copy of each 3D model viewport so that I can overlap and cleanup to make the exploded view?

I have tried "flatten", but that changes the orientation of the parts and looks odd.

"Viewbase" almost worked, but all of the parts show up in every copy, unless someone knows how to turn of the layers for each individual copy.

Thanks,

Mark

[natasha.l]

Hello @mgorecki, 

Thanks for posting in the community. 

a. You can apply transparency to the layer within the Layer Properties Manager. 

b. If you have Autodesk Inventor it offers a great exploded view feature. If not you can use the features shown in this view to create 3d to 2d views. 

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

[AZain29]

for first question, you can try viewport transparency.

for second question maybe you can try flatshot as here.

[mgorecki]

Hello Natasha,

Thank you for your reply.  What I'm looking for is a way to overlap viewports and still see the objects in the overlapped viewport.

Below is just a quick example of what I mean.  As you can see, when we use realistic visualization, the viewports will overlap and cover the objects in the other viewports.  I was hoping for a command that would make the viewport transparent so I could at least get the objects in the viewports closer together.  As it is, because of the overlap, I have to space the viewports out (even when I clip the viewport very close to the object in the viewport).

Thanks,

Mark

[mgorecki]

Hello AZain, thank you for your reply,

I tried flatshot, but it doesn't do what I need it to do.  The layer transparency seems to only affect the mview outline but doesn't let you "see through" the viewport.

Thanks,

Mark

[j.palmeL29YX]

Create your viewports using the commands Viewbase, Viewproj, ... So you can move the views as close as you need.

[j.palmeL29YX]

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@mgorecki wrote:

"Viewbase" almost worked, but all of the parts show up in every copy, unless someone knows how to turn of the layers for each individual copy.

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Sorry, I didn't read this carefully.

Here a solution. For each viewport you can add/remove as many parts as necessary, i.e. turn on/off their visibility.
Here the correct video.

[mgorecki]

Hello Jurgen,

Thanks, I guess I just needed to play with "viewbase" some more.

I was able to create the picture below, but I am wondering if you know how to hide the overlapping pieces?

[j.palmeL29YX · Accepted solution]

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@mgorecki wrote:

I am wondering if you know how to hide the overlapping pieces?

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I'd try shaded views (as shown in the video above). Be carefull in which order you create the ViewPorts, in this order the views will be drawn. (the last created lies above)

[mgorecki]

Thank you for your help.  I switched to shaded, but I also changed the layer colors to white.

[j.palmeL29YX]

Deleted.