Render with topography grade lines

[kpferrante851725]

Greetings,

I have a topographically challenging site generated from a cad file, I have created sub regions for roads, etc. Also, I have about 10+ individual model files linked in as well. I would like to be able to render and have the topography grade lines visible in 3D along with the site/topo. material. Does anyone have any recommendations for getting a final rendering with the grade lines visible?

First idea : Create a rendering view and the same view with just the topography grade lines and overlay identical views in one of Adobe's well known programs.

Second idea: Take the cad topo. into a generic model, explode, designate a model line type then overlay on to the topography or directly translate the cad lines onto the topography.

Any recommendations?

[Dimitri Harvalias]

I think your first idea is your best bet. For the grade line image turn everything off except the topo and set your view to hidden line. Be sure to post your results for everyone to see. :beer:

[kpferrante851725]

Thanks for your input Dimitri! The first process we discussed ended up being the route we went with and found much success. We were able to toggle the weight of the specific objects, in what was a seamless process in image editing and layer manipulation. We separated building linework and topography linework.

However, I wish there was a separate object style for sub-regions, as the linework is all associated with the topography type and no way to distinguish a grade line from a sub region. Thankfully, we didn't have to dump them into 3DSMax either, and kept it simple and crisp. The only problem we ran into was the image export glitch for Revit, as everything came out at 96dpi. We ended up making the Hidden Line image exports 4Xs the size of the rendered image and scaled them appropriately in image editing software. Unfortunately, the project is sensitive in nature and we are prohibited from releasing any images into public domain.

Either way, the renderings turned out sharp and the boss man was happy.

-kp