16 replies to this topic

[Rod Larmer]

I started a SP+ Support ticket to ask about elevation lines that are below grade. Specifically, I wanted to know if there is a tool or setting so that those lines that are below grade elevation are dotted. I was told there is no solution and that it would be forwarded to Development.

Right now I have to break each line individually, adjust, then edit. Does anyone have an easy solution that allows me to change these lines (typically these include foundations, footings, piers, etc.) to dashed instead of continuous?

[Sam Morgan]

why would you want to?  Everyone looking at the plans should be able to see the full foundation, what the wall heights are, footings, windows, etc.

[Rod Larmer]

Sam, that is the way I learned architectural drafting. In an elevation, anything below grade is still shown but it is shown as a dotted line, not continuous. Just my preference and how i see others do it 99% of the time.

[Sam Morgan]

Mine are shown exactly how softplan saves it as standard.  

[David Zawadzki]

Have you tried drawing a series of wide, lines that are white in the below grade area… space the lines about 1/4” apart, or to your liking.

See if that gives you the effect you are looking for.

Another idea, can you outline the below grade area and paint it with a siding texture or something along those lines and adjust the paint color to white?

[Matthew Dunson]

I also like to represent all 'Below Grade' lines as dotted likes to visually aid in representing "invisible" structural elements such as foundations and footings. Currently, the only solution I know is to do exactly like you stated, explode the lines and manually draw in dotted lines to replace the continuous solid lines at elevation transitions. Maybe SoftPlan can introduce a future tool to allow users to represent all items in an elevation under the defined grade as dotted rather than solid line.

[JOHN PATTERSON]

What I do is a block cut at the grade line, then edit the solid lines below grade to dashed lines.

[Steve and Carla Farnam]

What I do is a block cut at the grade line, then edit the solid lines below grade to dashed lines.

I do the same, works well,fast and easy.

[Keith Almond]

Ditto

[Rod Larmer]

I'm not sure I understand this. I tried EDIT > Block Cut but that erases all of the lines when I block them. Am I using the correct tool?

I also like to represent all 'Below Grade' lines as dotted likes to visually aid in representing "invisible" structural elements such as foundations and footings. Currently, the only solution I know is to do exactly like you stated, explode the lines and manually draw in dotted lines to replace the continuous solid lines at elevation transitions. Maybe SoftPlan can introduce a future tool to allow users to represent all items in an elevation under the defined grade as dotted rather than solid line.

[Steve and Carla Farnam]

Rod try Block Cut under the Erase drop down

[Steve and Carla Farnam]

Rod when Block Cutting only block a small slice between grade and below grade to separate the lines, edit the lower lines to dashed and adjust to grade so lines touch again to form closed box if using any paint for the newly formed areas

[Rod Larmer]

Perfect! that works very well. Thanks!

Rod when Block Cutting only block a small slice between grade and below grade to separate the lines, edit the lower lines to dashed and adjust to grade so lines touch again to form closed box if using any paint for the newly formed areas

[Keith Almond]

Edit one line on the first elevation, and then use REPEAT EDIT BOX on that and all the other elevations.

[Mark Petri]

I prefer live elevations, so I would use a paint and paint lines or some other option if needed, but most people understand the drawing without doing that. I don't model the actual grade often, but show a conceptual grade line. On occasion I will use an earth hatch or something else to differentiate between above grade and below. Just about everything we do is on a hill, so contractors are used to adjusting grades, foundation steps and walls to make sure things are field fit.

[Richard Taylor]

I started a SP+ Support ticket to ask about elevation lines that are below grade. Specifically, I wanted to know if there is a tool or setting so that those lines that are below grade elevation are dotted. I was told there is no solution and that it would be forwarded to Development.

Right now I have to break each line individually, adjust, then edit. Does anyone have an easy solution that allows me to change these lines (typically these include foundations, footings, piers, etc.) to dashed instead of continuous?

I created a layer for remodeling projects I call "demolition" where all the lines change to dashed. On static elevations I block cut a narrow band just below the grade line. Then I enclose everything below that and put it on the "demolition" layer. Granted, this is easier when the grade line is flat. To speed up the final editing and clean up of elevations, I put all of them on one drawing and edit them all at the same time. But it would be cool if that could be automated!

[Michael Roman]

I also use Live Elevations.  I do like Mark recommended and use paint.  I create a shade paint outline that encompasses everything below grade and paint inside with a 45 degree paint pattern.  I use a wider pen width and set the pen color to white.  This will then make everything below grade show up as dashed lines.  Also, since it is a shade paint, when you make changes to the floor plan the building below grade will update automatically, too.

It would be nice if this was all automated once you put a grade on the model.  Someday!!!