2D or 3D Viewing
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2D / 3D Viewing
While modeling, the walls, openings, roofs and placed objects can be viewed in 2D or 3D modes. Use these commands to switch between the two modes.
\2d
\3d
Viewing, Creating and Placing in 2D or 3D
The display of walls, openings, roofs and placed library objects can be switched between 2D and 3D. Walls, openings and roofs have their 2D and 3D presentations inherent within the entity. Placed objects that have been chosen from libraries in the new 2D/3D library structure will also switch their display between 2D and 3D provided that corresponding 2D and 3D objects exist in the library.
When you create walls, openings and roofs or place new library objects they are immediately displayed in the current mode.
When you place a library object, the 2D or 3D library will open according to the current 2D/3D mode.
About 2D and 3D libraries
The library structure of ARC+ has been reorganized to enable the switching between 2D and 3D representations of library objects.
Names of libraries that enable switching between 2D and 3D displays are prefixed by the code 2D&3D (e.g. 2D&3D kitchen) but these libraries contain no objects. Below each library there are two directories entitled 2D and 3D. The 2D and 3D objects are stored in the appropriate sub-directory under identical names.
When selecting an object from or saving an object in a library, the appropriate 2D or 3D library opens automatically, according to the current 2D or 3D mode. Entities that are not to be switched, that is, to remain 2D or 3D regardless of the mode, are stored in directories without the special prefix and without 2D/3D sub directories.
IMPORTANT If you place a library object for which no corresponding 2D or 3D entity exists in the library, when you switch modes the entity will disappear. It will reappear when you toggle back to the original mode.
If a file containing a placed library object for which no corresponding 2D or 3D object exists in the library, is saved and reopened in the opposite mode, the system will issue a report of missing placed object.
Saving Library Objects for Use in 2D and 3D Displays
Use the regular ARC+ commands to create your library objects (See. Creating an Object and Adding Objects to Libraries Placed Objects and Libraries). Before using the Library Manager (\libedit) command to store your model, make sure you are in the appropriate mode \2D or \3D. Saving the model while in 2D mode will automatically save it in the 2D sub-directory of the library. Similarly, saving the model while in 3D mode will automatically save it in the 3D sub-directory. The two versions of the model must be saved under identical names.
You can create new library directories anywhere below the main root directory. Their names must be prefixed by 2D&3D and each library must have two sub-directories: 2D and 3D. No objects should be stored in the root directory (2D&3D library name), only within the 2D and 3D directories.
Placed objects that should remain unchanged as 2D or 3D, regardless of the current mode, must be stored in regular library directories without the prefix and without 2D/3D subdirectories.
About ARCALIB
Although you can create and store library objects anywhere on your hard disk, it is strongly recommended to save them under the ARCALIB directory.
If you move an ARC+ file containing placed objects to another location or disk in your computer or to another computer, placed objects from below the ARCALIB directory will be kept in the model. If the model includes placed objects from outside the ARCALIB directory, when you move your file to a new location the path to the placed objects will be lost and they will no longer appear in the model. The system will then inform you that you have missing placed objects.