Annotations with out model showing

[DoTheBIM]

Is it possible to show anotation on a view without showing the model elements? When I turn the model visibility off the annotations also turn off even though they are checked on in the visibility settings.

I would like to link a dxf and use the dimensions already placed in the rvt file instead of dimensioning in original program that created the dxf. I want to do this to produce more consistent documentation as well as it serves as a quick check to make sure the two models are coordinated. For now all I can see happening is I have to model and dimension in other program and link to rvt file to get on standard border and provide better plotting scenario.

[robert.manna]

I assume from your post that in particular dimension strings are dissapearing when you turn off the model the elements. Have you tried affecting the visibility of the model under the view properties dialog box? The model can be set to on, off or underlay, this may in fact prove more useful for cross coordination as opposed to just turning all model elements off with the visibility/graphics settings.

HTH
-R

[michael.deorsey]

I believe that you are correct that annotations can not be visible if the element they are annotating is not visible. The only example that I have seen contrary to this is if you select an annotation (say a column gird) and hid it in a particular view, the dimensions going to it will still be visible as the element is still in the view (you can mouse over it and grab it) it is just not visible. The difference between that and turning off a category in the VG is that then the objects are not in the view at all, you can not mouse over them, or select them etc.

[DoTheBIM]

Robert:
Nope. Didn't try that till now. thanks. In the end it does the exact same thing. (not displaying dimensions associated with objects not displayed). Except it also turns off my dxf. Essentially I want two views which I didn't convey. I want one with halftone model elements and normal tone dxf for checking various things, and another with the overlaying model elements turned off leaving only the dimensions that are lined up with the dxf, but not dependent on the dxf (this is for a nice clean drawing withought all the residual stuff not associated with my dxf.

While I fully understand why it is doing this (dimensions are related/dependent on the objects), I can't help but wonder if it isn't a bit misleading to the novice user that doesn't full grasp the relationships between objects. For example, when a user goes to turn off model elements, they are not expecting dependent dimensions to also turn off as they are still on under the anotation visibility tab.

For now I have found that I can do what I want with making all model elements in desired view set to white. Now if it only prints correctly in black line mode, I'll be all set. Well waddayaknow, it worked. Not the most elegant solution, but I'll take what I can get at this point. Guess I'll have enforce white backgrounds for all users.

michael:

Good point on the hide in view. I forgot about that one, but I'm really looking to set something up in a template form and not have to do it for every future project. After closing the project these settings are lost.