Printing 3D images

[makemake]

Well Hello Forum, I have just purchased TFP Ver14 and after 1 days use find I am able to create fairly accurate and visually impressive 3D drawings.

As a cad user of several years, using microstation, autodcad and EMS I am blown away at the ease and speed of this program! and the price!!! how do they do it??

So now as I progress through this incredibly quick learning curve, I am finding a few issues and wonder if anyone can help me...

1.When printing any 3D images in wireframe or render I get two parallel lines printed across the image. These lines seem to be unconnected to the actual drawing content as they remain in the same position no matter the image. Otherwise the image looks great!

2.How can I change the 'Linear dimension' function to measure from the inside of walls....It currently measure all walls from a central internal point?

Thanks Christopher

[Allan Chesney]

Hi Christopher,

Welcome to the TurboFLOORPLAN and the forum!

As you have found it is very quick to use.  Being familiar with CAD would have helped you to pick it up quickly but the speed with which you can do detailed drawings and incredibly realisting 3D images is mindboggling and as you say how do they do it for the price.  Underpriced in my opinion (I hope they see that comment and do something about it though!).

I do not understand the two lines you mention in printing. I certainly have not see anyting like that. A few questions to narrow it down:
What type of image are you trying to print? (I presume you are just doing a File/Print).
What happens when you File/Export/2D Image or use the Render 3D Real View?
Does the line appear on the exported image and do the lines appear when you Render 3D Real View? (View Menu). 
Do the lines show on the screen or on the Print Preview? 
Is it possible it is a problem with the printer? 

If you have eliminated the printer, can you scan the print and post the image? - it may give a clue where they are coming from.

Linear Dimensions will take the measure from where you click to start and finish, but will lock on to the centre if you get too close. Be careful to start/finish the dimension on the edge of the wall and avoid the centre or zoom in close after you have inserted the dimension and move it from the centre to the edge. Select the dimension line and you will see two blue triangles at each end of the line - one moves the dimension end verically and the other horizontally. You can zoom in ultra close to get it precisely on the edge.

Auto Interior Dimensions can be changed to use the edges of the walls. Settings/ Dimensions / Interior tab allows you to change the measurement points but will only affect the Auto Interior Dimension. Tick the two edge boxes and untick the centre and it will automatically insert dimensions between any walls you intersect with the cursor. It will insert a measurement for the thickness of the wall also but you can delete those if you want. 

Hope some of that helps.

Allan

[makemake]

Hi Allan, Thanks so much for your expansive reply!

Well the export 2D option fixed the problem...I guess it must have been caused by the printer somehow..... Just to clarify,  these problem lines didn't show on the screen or on the Print Preview.

Your dimensioning information has been most helpful.

One other thing....can TFP support twin monitors...Ive tried it out with some success but crashes are pretty common....I may have reached a software limitation?


Regards Christopher

[Allan Chesney]

Hi Christopher,

Glad the printing issue is solved with the 2D image.  Have you tried the Render 3D Real View yet? The results from that will really 'blow you away' to use your earlier expression.  I assume you will have see some of the examples in the Gallery section of the Forum.

Dual monitors should not be any problem - I use it that way nearly all the time and I know Doug and others do too. Does it happen even on a new 'blank' model (4 walls and a roof)? Try that, just to eliminate the possibility of a corruption in the actual model itself.  Run File/Repair Project - it may remove a corrupt wall or something.

I would suggest that you also make sure you have the latest video drivers on your PC. If these do not help, try turning off Hardware Acceleration. This is an issue on some PCs occasionally. It will make moving around (walkthroughs etc) jerky but may solve the problem.  (Settings/Program Settings/Graphics).

I usually suggest to new users to read through all the Program Settings panels (if you have not already done so)so you know what defaults can be changed to suit your way of working. From your CAD experience you will be familiar with many of them. One useful one often missed, is Settings/ Program Settings/ Drawing Aids - Nudge. With that setting you can nudge things around, in 1mm increments if you want, using the keyboard arrow keys. Ideal for moving things INTO each other to make other things out of them as you can posision them precisely that way.  Also it is useful to study Settings/ Building Locations, as this is a crucial area to understand too as it contols all the vertical aspects of the 3D model.

Have fun and ask if you get stuck.

Allan