3D Polys to 2D Polys

[zoomer]

Is there a way to convert 3D Polys directly to 2D Polys ?

The 3D Polys make drawing rectangles in 3D much easier because

of the 3D snapping.

But they don't work for me to Add or Clip surfaces etc.

[PVA - Admin]

Yes, sort of.

Since 3D polys can exist outside of one plane, but 2D polys can't, they will just "flatten" when converted if they weren't already flat.

To convert them, select the 3D polys, use Modify > Convert > Convert to Polygons (or Convert Copy to Polygons)

This will give you a group. Ungroup it, then use Modify > Compose to combine any non-connected polylines/lines into polygons.

[zoomer]

Thanks Jim.

I tried but I think a 2D Polygon is not really what I wanted

as it can't stay at its position in 3D

Leave them in 3D for now.

As I see I can draw 2D rectangles in a Front/Back/Side View

vertically - only when there is a object behind to give the

direction by the blue working plane.

For every thing else, 2D means XY plane, right ?

[PVA - Admin]

Sort of, this explains the difference: http://kbase.vectorworks.net/questions/1086/Working+with+Screen+and+Layer+Planes

[zoomer]

Thanks for the Video.

As I see I can draw 2D rectangles in a Front/Back/Side View

vertically - only when there is a object behind to give the

direction by the blue working plane.

For every thing else, 2D means XY plane, right ?

I see now,

everything works as expected in Orthogonal Views

with automatic workplane.

No option to rotate in working plane in Isometrics when no help geometry.

(2D orientation = ground plane)

But unfortunately I loose the automatic orientation mode in

Orthogonal Views when standard "3D View" mode is set to Perspektive !

Edited October 2, 2014 by zoomer

[zoomer]

And in the other direction ?

If I have 3D Polygons that form a Volume.

What is the best way to get a solid ?

(I was used a "solid from faces" command)

In VW I can select the 3D Polys and "Add Solids".

Is this the way to go ?

[PVA - Admin]

Either Add Solids or if they're NURBS/Converted to NURBS I believe you can use Stitch and Trim Surfaces in some instances, but it depends on the orientation of the faces.

[zoomer]

OK, thanks !

And the only options to assign different materials to different

faces of a solid is to convert to 3D Polys in a group (?)

Will look into Nurbs too as I alwaays thought more to Free Form Surfaces

as f.e. Rectangles.

[PVA - Admin]

Correct, currently you can not map to individual faces of raw geometry, only certain plugin objects allow different mapping per-face.

[zoomer]

OK, I think I got it