Topic: Plotting Monochrome 3D Drawings

[Avanti]

What's the best way to plot monochrome 3D drawings?  Seems like it ought to be easy, but I'm stumped!

[Guest]

File -- Plot?

I don't understand.  Can you be a bit more descriptive with regards to the problem?  Maybe a screen shot?

[mjfarrell]

Select all of your 3d objects, Rt-click and enter the object Viewer.
Set your desired perspective.
Rt-Click and select Save Image Shaded Iso.png


Or  Make a viewport on a layout tab

Set the 3d view perspective you want
at command type SHADE

And now plot that layout Shade Plot.png

[Avanti]

Sorr I didn't explain it better.

I have a drawing completed with the Visual Style set to 3D Hidden.  I can print paper space in black and white but my model prints in greyscale when I select Monochrome.  What I want is just a black and white line drawing with my lineweights just as they're assigned on the layers.  Making the drawing was a snap compared to printing it!

Thanks,
Betty

[mjfarrell]

Create yourself a new CTB and set all colors to black.
Or a new STB and set all styles to use black

[Avanti]

Thanks Michael,

I tried both but it doesn't seem to be working.  It's probably something simple but I just can't find it.

[mjfarrell]

Right Click on the Layout Tab, select PLOT

in the upper right hand quadrant of the plot dialog you will see a(n) Pencil with a line glyph (Edit/create CTB/STB)

Change the color 1 color to Black, then Rt-Click and apply to all colors. they should all now be black.


Then do a Save As... and save your new plot style.

or use the command stylesmanager to create your new pen table.

OR

use my user profile email address and send me your file...I will Etransmit it back to you including the CTB/STB that I create for you.

[Avanti]

Thanks Michael,

I really appreciate your help, but I've already tried that.  I have a monochrome printer so It works fine in 2D but has no visible effect in 3D.  I've done a lot of 3D in AutoCad but it's been a few years.  It used to be so easy!

I know I can change all the layers to the same color before I print, but that's a short term fix for a long term problem.  Surely there's an easier way.

[mjfarrell]

Please post a sample of your file so that I may experiment with your data.  I love a good puzzler.

To be sure we are talking about the same thing.

When you say 3d, are you attempting to plot a(n) hidden or shaded isometric view?
Or are you attempting to plot a 'rendered' view of the 3d model, in black and white?

[Avanti]

Well, it just gets better and better!  My printer died this morning.  I just love computers!!! :realmad:

Anyway, I'd love it if you'd give it a try.  It's sure got me baffled.

Thanks,
Betty

[mjfarrell]

Avanti.. do you have an answer to the previous questions?


Is this a shaded (hidden view) of your drawing you are after

Or is this a rendered view you are after?

[Guest]

The viewports are set to plot as 3D HIDDEN.  When I change them to just plain ol' HIDDEN, the linework is B&W, but for some reason (not sure why) when it's set to 3D HIDDEN the linework plots in color.

[mjfarrell]

If you change your solids to be BYBLOCK they will plot mono for you

[mjfarrell]

Avanti, to assist with this; in the future define your pagesetups, or a copy thereof to DISPLY PLOTSTYLES and then you can 'see' what the changes to the STB, Layer, Object, or other has on the plotted output without need to Plot, or Preview.

A vast time (frustration) saver. IMO

[Avanti]

You're the best!  I knew you guys would have the answer.  I was making myself crazy trying to figure it out.

Thanks,
Betty

[mjfarrell]

No Thank You!

For letting me see the problem up close.
This allowed me to learn a little something in the process of helping you.