how can I "flatten" linework in a drawing

[kadar_drafting]

it seems More often than not, when i get a drawing from a consultant (site plan, etc.) and i attempt to trim lines nothing happens. when I switch to an iso view there is DRASTIC elevation differences in the Z coord. Is there a command that will force everything to a "0" Z coord?


Never mind. found a post addressing my issue

[BrenBren]

it seems More often than not, when i get a drawing from a consultant (site plan, etc.) and i attempt to trim lines nothing happens. when I switch to an iso view there is DRASTIC elevation differences in the Z coord. Is there a command that will force everything to a "0" Z coord?

You can try the FLATSHOT command that started shipping with AutoCAD 07; there is also a FLATTEN.LSP that someone might be able to provide you with that can help...

[david_peterson]

Are they using one of the Verticals to create the drawings (ACA/AMEP)? ACA has the "flatten" command bulit in. If it's all the same type of object you could use the old crtl+A to select all, go to the props box, select the object type and force the z coord to 0. Or you can get the .lisp function.

[SRBalliet]

Express Tools-->Modify-->Flatten Objects

[CGM]

... there is also a FLATTEN.LSP that someone might be able to provide you with that can help...

Try over here for a LISP routine to Flatten you 'z' co-ords.

[pmedina]

FYI: In release 2006, you can just type "flatten". It is an AutoCAD supplied command now. I assume it exists in higher versions.

[CADDmanVA]

I'm not a big fan of the FLATTEN routine. I've had it do some pretty strange things to my drawings before. What I do, is select everything then use the change properties window to "zero" out the Z of everything. Once it's flat, the OVERKILL routine cleans it up nicely.

[thecadmaster]

I'm not a big fan of the FLATTEN routine. I've had it do some pretty strange things to my drawings before.

Like what?

What I do, is select everything then use the change properties window to "zero" out the Z of everything. Once it's flat, the OVERKILL routine cleans it up nicely.

What do you do about 3D polylines and splines? "Properties" won't help with them.

[CADDmanVA]

CADMASTER:

First off, killer license plate! Love it.

FLATTEN has made some object just plane disappear on me way too many times. It seems to work fine with roads, walks and such, but toss a DTM model at it and it goes stupid. Other times it will work fine, just too unpredictable for my tastes.

For 3D elements, I'll usually ignore them (like OSNAPZ = 1), or, if they really need flattened, a little explosion and OVERKILL never hurts. One of the rare times I'll advocate exploding anything. As far as splines go, I really try to pretend they don't exist.

[jaberwok]

Okay. This keeps on coming up so - a question -

WHY do so many people want to flatten 3d information?