Masking Symbolic Lines?

[jtl]

Can symbolic elements (lines) within a family object be masked by another family object?

For example, a complex 3D chair which is represented in plan by simple symbolic lines would like to appear under a table. Is this possible? It appears not.

I have already created a masking region on the table (and the chair) and tried several work plane locations. Am I missing something?

Thanks,

[dhurtubise]

Not sure if that would work but did you try a masking region on the table top ?

[jtl]

Yes. It appears that a masking region will not hide a symbolic line. the only way i was able to have it do what I wanted was to create a new level just below the table level and host the chair to it. not ideal obviously...

[Dimitri Harvalias]

Can you split your symbolic lines into over and under the table segments and then use visibility parameters to control them?

[jtl]

I guess I was having a fundamental problem with how symbolic lines behaved.

On some 3D furniture I had downloaded from manufacturers websites I had traced the 3D geometry in plan so I had a simple plan representation. However, after all of my investigating it does not appear that a symbolic line will hide.

Therefore I've come to the conclusion that you should use model lines to draw the simple plan representation and use the visibility toggle to hide the line work in other views. I've spent time on these objects that I will have to redraw with model lines (which is what prompted my question)

To answer your question - if the chair moved slightly in or out the "above" and "below" portions would not align with the table.

[dhurtubise]

So you are aware tht model lines will show in all views. I would honestly go with Dimitri's solution. You can add an instance parameter to allow you to "stretch: the width of the chair.
But symbolic lines do get hide.

[lhanyok]

In your table family, create a reference plane for the top of the table. Set that ref plane to be the work plane for the masking region, and make sure you've checked "Draw in Foreground". It will cover symbolic lines in the chair family, assuming their work plane is below that of the masking region in the table. Check out the file I attached for an example.

[jtl]

Now I'm back to being confused. There must be something wrong with how I set these chair objects up or I am totally missing a setting.

I have attached a file with your table & chair and my table & chairs. notice how your chair hides under both tables but my chairs won't hide.

(I have a bad feeling this is going to be REALLY obvious...)

Thanks!

[lhanyok]

Since your table was 3D, there was no need for masking regions. I just made the table top extrusion visible in plan view and deleted the masking regions.

With the chairs, I just selected the symbolic lines, went to Element Properties and unchecked the box next to "Draw in Foreground." Because the chair backs were higher than the table, the symbolic lines were showing over the table.

(My desk has a masking region because its just a 2D plan representation for now. That's why I had to mess around with creating a top reference plane and adjusting the workplane for the masking region.)

I've attached the changes.

[jtl]

Problem solved!

In all of our combinations we had never unchecked "draw in foreground" for the lines.

Thanks.

[mcblum]

This can be a little tricky. If your family has 3D geometry in it, then you need to tinker with the "Draw in Foreground" checkbox found in the properties of the symbolic lines. I have also found it useful to put the masking region on a reference plane (as many have suggested) that relates to the surface you are trying to hide, plus you can control parametrically.

Is does work, you just need to play with settings a little bit.

Good luck.

[lhanyok]

You're welcome. Look up "draw in foreground" in the Revit Help File. It has a better explanation and some diagrams about masking regions at different heights.