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Create Sections and 2D Drawings from 3D Models

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AutoCAD 2008 User's Guide > Work with 3D Models > Create Sections and 2D Drawings from 3D Models > 

Create a Flattened View

Concept

Procedure

Quick Reference

With the FLATSHOT command, you can create a flattened view of all the 3D solids and regions in the current view.

The resulting view is a block that is a flattened representation of the 3D model and is projected onto the XY plane. The process is similar to taking a “snapshot” of the entire 3D model with a camera and then laying the photograph flat. After inserting the block, it can be modified because the flattened view is comprised of 2D geometry. This feature is particularly useful for creating technical illustrations.

You’re not limited to setting up a particular view before using FLATSHOT. You can set up the drawing in an orthographic or parallel view.

A flattened view is generated with the following parameters:

• All 3D objects in the model space viewport are captured. Place objects you don’t want captured on layers that are turned off or frozen.
• Flattened views are created as blocks that can be renamed and edited using BEDIT.
• The generated block is based on the display settings for Foreground and Obscured Lines in the Flatshot dialog box.
• Hidden lines are captured and displayed in the block using the display settings for Obscured Lines in the Flatshot dialog box.
• 3D objects that have been sectioned by section objects are captured in their entirety. FLATSHOT captures these objects as if they were not sectioned.