RCS Point Cloud - Send to Back

[Anonymous]

Has anyone successfully plotted a drawing with an rcs point cloud and had point cloud in the background?

I would like to plot a contour plan with the contours on top of the point cloud, but 'send to back' does not seem to work.

Cheers

[redtransitconsultants]

I have not attempted this, but why not build the surface in a point cloud file, data shortcut the surface out into another drawing. Then you don't have to worry about draw order.

[Anonymous]

Hi Steve

Thanks for the suggestion but no luck. I exported the surface as XML and imported into a new drawing.

I then XRefed the point cloud drawing into the surface drawing and sent the point cloud to the back and surface to the front, but still the same result – the point cloud obscures the contours.

I tried the reverse, XRefing the surface drawing into the point cloud drawing and sent the point cloud to the back and surface to the front, but still the same result.

Even in model space it’s always the same the point cloud is always on top and obscures any line work behind it.

I would really like a solution to this one as often the point cloud is the best ‘aerial image’ available for the sites I survey and I would like to use it as a background to the delivered drawings.

Cheers

Caleb

[redtransitconsultants]

Ah, you're wanting the point cloud to display for printing. I guess that may be a defect in the software.

[Anonymous · Accepted solution]

I think I've got it now 'Draw Order' only relates to items that have the same elevation, so if the elevation of the point cloud is higher than something else it will alway print on top.

A collegue suggested XRefing the surface in and then moving the Xref above. This worked to make it visually above the point cloud. I could then data shortcut the surface in and have it 'No Display' for any actual interactions.

This is an acceptable work around for me. I can see that for AutoCAD to display a higher elevation object below a lower one would only work in Top view, in any 3D view it would not work.

Cheers

Caleb