FLATTEN Command

[gregWLM2R]

Can Autodesk please include the FLATTEN commend in AutoCad LT. We have no need for full version Autocad yet a lot of our clients (Architects) use Sketchup etc and we really need to flatten their dwgs so we can work from them.

[Dhananjai_Gopika · Accepted solution]

FLATTEN is an Express Tool, and Express Tools are not supported by AutoCAD LT and are not included with the application. Express Tools are provided with the full version of AutoCAD and AutoCAD vertical products.

However, to flatten a drawing manually in AutoCAD LT:

1. Open the Properties Palette in AutoCAD.
2. Use Quick Select or the QSELECT command to select objects by type (see Use Quick Select to select objects in your AutoCAD drawing).
3. In the Properties Palette, find the values for Start Z, End Z and Center Z (for certain shapes), change to any whole number other than 0 (Zero) for each. 
4. Do the same except change the value of each to 0 (Zero). (This fixes any values that are more than 8 decimal places and not visible in the Properties Palette). 
   Note: To use this method with certain objects such as blocks and groups, they must first be exploded.

For reference, please visit: https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/autocad/learn-explore/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/how-to-f...

[steven-g]

We are all just users of Autocad LT so all we can offer is advice. In this case, you will need to ask your clients to supply you with 'flattened' drawing files.

[mdhs9KGZN]

It is not solving the problem.

The effect of Flatten cmd is much different.

[pendean]

---

@mdhs9KGZN wrote:

It is not solving the problem.

The effect of Flatten cmd is much different.

---

FLATTEN command and all of its abilities that are only found in full AutoCAD, not in LT (or MAC versions of AutoCAD), no matter how much the new limited-LISP in LT2024-2025 is a blessing.

IF you have a dire business need for FLATTEN command's abilities, you'll need to give up on using the LT version of AutoCAD, then subscribe to full AutoCAD (which also gives you free access to RasterDesign and variants of AutoCAD like ARCHITECTURE, MEP, MECHANICAL, ELECTRICAL, MAP and PLANT (with P&ID abilities).

HTH

[ginny]

It didn't work, ACAD should allow Flatten in all versions. It renders the drawings useless if a consultant doesn't flatten their drawings prior ro the architects use. VERY BAD DETAIL.

[pendean]

---

@ginny wrote:

It didn't work, ACAD should allow Flatten in all versions....

---

You can ask Autodesk for a change to to the program at a different website, never an option in these forum (they just never look here), then wait 2-3-5-10 plus versions from now to see if it shows up. The more colleagues and AutoCAD users that you can convince to ask for this exact need as you do the more likely it will get noticed.

https://www.autodesk.com/support/technical/article/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/Feedback-to-Autode...

Best wishes.

[MichaelGibson5012]

Creat a new button or type ito the command line with this macro and it will flatten the drawing:

^C^C_UCS;;_move _all;;0,0,1e99;;_move _all;;0,0,-1e99;;_chprop;_all;;_thickness;0;;