Results not satisfactory when using the Express Tools Flatten command

[smooth shoes]

I have a drawing with contour lines in it that are at the wrong elevations. For ease of use, I wanted to have them all on elevation 0. I had my floor plan on the contours when i invoked the command. When I selected all the objects, it asked me to "Remove hidden lines?". I said yes. When I hit enter, it completely screwed up my floor plan.

I have since gotten around this setback. I was just wondering if anybody knew why it did this.

[mmccarter]

The flatten command is far from perfect in my opinion.

If I do ever use flatten I will always use the "no" option as I also have found funny results like you with the floor plan.

I frequently have to convert 3d topographical vector drawings to flat all at zero z value 2d drawings.


There was a thread a while back that posted the old school pre flatten command solution as listed below. I use this method and have yet to find a problem with it.

The "flatten" command which is an Express tool designed to convert 3d objects (objects not at 0 Z value) that can often produce undesireable results and does not always successfully produce the results required.

A quick and easy menthod to manually convert 3d to 2d data is as follows

Select the MOVE command, select ALL objects, enter 0,0,0 as base point, enter 0,0,1e99 as the point to move to.

Select the MOVE command, select ALL objects, enter 0,0,0 as base point, enter 0,0,-1e99 as the point to move to.

NOTE the minus sign after preceeding the second e99.

If you wish to add this to a toolbar icon the following macro is the command to enter.

C^C_move;_all;;0,0,0;0,0,1e99;_move;_p;;0,0,0;0,0,-1e99;

[Maverick91]

You could also change the z-coords of multiple objects from the Properties dialog box.

[madcadder]

Just for grins... Have you tried this third-party version.

He's here on Augi and this was a "must have" before ET added theirs.

[mmccarter]

Just tried that on an 8 meg dwg which is ONLY 3d polylines.


The results were erm, intersting

[madcadder]

Just tried that on an 8 meg dwg which is ONLY 3d polylines.


The results were erm, intersting

Not getting a erm, positive feeling.

Hummm.

[andy.manninen]

The flatten command is also a great tool to convert splines to Plines... make sure to save before doing this because as you have read above there can be unpredictable results. I have always had good luck when using the command but maybe my number is up for the next time i do use it......


:Cheers:

[johan d]

Try to put this line in a button

C^C_move;_all;;0,0,0;0,0,1e99;_move;_p;;0,0,0;0,0,-1e99;

[arshiel88]

I just don't totally recommend the Remove Hidden Line option for it will ruin your autoCAD drawing's accuracy. The only need for this option is when you are flattening 3D objects. Since Flatten uses WMF in its hiding line process, for sure it will not be the exact measurement as the original. Plotting to DXB file and importing (DXBIN command) is better as far as accuracy is concerned. AutoCAD's 2007's Flatshot is the most accurate but recognizes only 3d solids.

[Allen Quedawg392]

Thank you very much!!! the routine works great. The Flatten Command doe no create additional blocks. Which can create very large file.