Michael’s Corner

Michael's Corner is a monthly publication written by Michael E. Beall, Autodesk Authorized Author and peripatetic AutoCAD trainer. Michael travels all over the USA, bringing his fantastic experience and great understanding of AutoCAD to his clients. Michael's Corner brings together many of the tips, tricks and methods developed during these training sessions for the benefit of all users.

Michael's Corner provides something for every AutoCAD user. Every month, a number of articles cover a wide range of topics, suitable for users at all levels, including "The Basics" for those just starting out. Essentially, the aim of Michael's Corner is to help all AutoCAD users work smarter and faster.

This month…

From the Vault

Originally published February 2009

The ‘X-Ray’ Visual Style

Maybe this year I'll get my 3D course finished for my customers, but until then I've enjoyed a 3D Tutorial published by a friend of mine, Paul Wysse, P.E. (www.swissco1.com). Among a vast assortment of other wonderful 3D information was a reference to the Visual Styles palette containing an option for X-Ray Visual Style.

The following is a brief overview of the Visual Style itself… and will probably only serve to make you dangerous.

Precautionary Notes

Before you begin, I would recommend that you consider the following:

1. Changes made in the Tool Properties dialog box for a button on the palette cannot be undone. Keep reading.
2. To Export an entire palette, see Basics for May 2007.
3. To Copy a button on a palette, right-click the button on the palette (such as that X-Ray Visual Style button; do it before you forget), then click Copy. Now go to your own personal palette (or on that Visual Styles palette if you prefer), then right-click in an open area and click Paste.

Insights to the X-Ray Visual Style

1. This feature applies to any 3D object whether it is comprised of 3D Faces or is a 3D Solid. This will be of particular interest to those of you using CAP Designer (from 20-20 Technologies, Inc.) which, depending upon the vendor, provides 3D product in both categories.
2. Right-click on the X-Ray Visual Style button on the palette. To permanently include this visual style in the current drawing, click Add to Current Drawing. Now you can use the Visual Style Manager (ViewVisual StylesVisual Style Manager) to apply this style anytime.

For those of you using the Ribbon, the Visual Styles pane is in the 3D Modeling Workspace, on the Visualize tab.

3. Right-click the visual style button, then click Properties to open the Tool Properties dialog box. The original settings are seen in this illustration.

The following are some changes you may want to consider. After making the change, click OK to close Tool Properties, then click the X-Ray Visual Style button to implement the changes. If you see something you like, copy the button and rename it so you don't get confused later. Been there; did that.

Face Settings

Face Style: Gooch. Visible lines are more dominant; hidden lines recede.

Opacity: Higher number, less "see-thru". The preview image in the upper left corner of the Tool Properties dialog box will give you an idea.

Materials and Color

Face Color Mode: Desaturate. Combined with Gooch, a nice X-Ray effect. If using Tint, take a look at setting the Tint Color to ByEntity.

Edge Settings

Edge Mode: Isolines +
Number of Line: 4 +
Color: ByEntity +
Always On Top: No

Edge Modifiers

Overhang Edges button
Overhang = 6, Jitter = Off [left block]

Jitter Edges button
Overhang = -6, Jitter = Low [right block]

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