People will sometimes draw details in their live model views using Model Lines not realising the impact it is having on the visibility in 3D view or section/elevation. When they realise their mistakes, it is often too late to redraw the details using drafting lines as too much has been done.
Instead you can use this technique to ‘convert’ Model Lines into Drafting Lines and vica versa without the need to redraw anything!
There are three methods discussed in this blog
- Model Lines to Detail Lines in a Project
- Detail Lines to Model Lines in a Project
- Model Lines in a Project to Detail Lines in a Family
Here is a typical example: The rainwater pipe and other linework on the corner of this building has been drawn using Model Lines.
In this instance we will assume this is incorrect and the user should have drawn the element using Drafting Lines so it only appears in a plan/detail view.
Converting Model Lines to Detail Lines in a Project
Select Model Lines and Cut to Clipboard (CTRL+X)
Start a new Filled Region and choose Paste Aligned > Current View from the Modify Tab - the lines will appear in the same place.
Select the lines again and this time, on the Create Filled Region Boundary Tab; choose cut to clipboard again.
Now deliberately cancel making the Filled Region
To work the transition the other way (from Drafting to Model lines) you must use this technique
Convert Detail Lines to Model Lines
Select the Detail Lines and Cut to Clipboard (CTRL+X)
Start a new Floor family and paste the lines in using Paste Aligned > Current View
Select the lines and cut to clipboard again
Cancel making the floor
Paste into the view using Paste Aligned > Current View; the Detail Lines are now Model Lines.
Convert Model Lines (Project) to Detail Lines (Family)
This crude window detail has been drawn directly inside a project with Model Lines. This is not intelligent and needs to be turned into a reusable 2D component with parameters.
Try copying and pasting the lines into a 2D family and you will see this error message.
It is not possible to copy between a Project and the Family editor unless you use the following technique:
It is not possible to copy between a Project and the Family editor unless you use the following technique:
Select the Model Lines and Cut to Clipboard (CTRL+X)
Create a new 2D Detail Component Family and start a new Filled Region.
Paste the lines into the filled region.
Select the lines and cut to clipboard again
Cancel making the region
Paste into the view using Paste Aligned > Current View; the Model Lines are now Detail Lines.
You can now save the Family as a 2D component.
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