Open GL Edge Line Weight Options

[EAlexander 261]

I don't know if VW can handle this, but I would love to have sub 1 pixel line weights for OpenGL edges. Similar to how Illustrator lets you us .5 or .25 for line weight.

I realize that when using open GL in a viewport, the DPI of the sheet will affect how thick or thin the edges are, but I am talking about when I am working on design layers and tumbling around the model. Detailed pieces or truss gets too chunky. We do a lot of screen grabs of open GL while we are developing a concept.

Just wishful thinking

[PVA - Jim 2,390]

A screen can not show a line that is smaller than a pixel, would this just make the line appear lighter in color if the line thickness was set to < 1 ?

[EAlexander 261]

I totally get it - just hoping there was a way to make something like this (attached) a bit more elegant or easier to read.

[CipesDesign 149]

Two suggestions: 1) you might try playing with Scale. The larger the scale, the smaller one pixel might be in relation; 2) Have you tried using a dual rendering mode? For example, use Final Quality RW for Background with Hidden Line for Foreground.

[EAlexander 261]

Thanks Peter - It's fine in Viewports. I'm looking for an easier way to see things when I'm just flying around in 3D on a design layer as I'm building. We work so fast, that a lot of the times we are doing screen grabs of open GL for discussion.

[PVA - Jim 2,390]

Another possible workaround in the short term:

File > Export > Export Image (choosing Current View) will give you DPI control over even openGL. Set that to 300 and you will be able to get high quality image exports with fine edges even from OpenGL without having to use viewports.

Still more steps than a simple screenshot, but might save some time for now.

Screenshot:

Exported:

Edited May 19, 2016 by JimW

[EAlexander 261]

Now that is an interesting idea - thanks Jim!

[zoomer 1,082]

I see this works well (OpenGL only).

Even for Camera Views (Cropped Perspective Mode On only)

But I wonder how, when I have an 1,5 Aspect Ratio for the Camera,

it will force me to have 3600x2402 Pixel Resolution instead of 3600x2400.

Is this an imperial conversion thing ?

As similar always happens to my paper sizes and viewport outputs.

OK, and at the end I have a completely different Pixel resolution as ordered for

these Camera crops. (2835 x 1891 Pixel)

Edited May 19, 2016 by zoomer

[PVA - Jim 2,390]

With image export, currently it is determining the aspect ratio and pixel width/height based on the shape of your drawing window and combining that with the resolution/DPI setting. Unfortunately at the moment there is no easy way of ensuring pixel dimensions easily even though the Camera object seems like it explicitly sets this value.

This is half bug half enhancement request and something I harp on pretty regularly, having to do image export from Vectorworks on a regular basis for marketing and training materials, etc. Drives me crazy.

[zoomer 1,082]

Yes, when using a view without Viewport Crop, you are fixed to your Drawing Window

Aspect Ratio. Rearranging docked Palettes may help

That is the case also for Camera views without Viewport Crop.

But that way you can't render your Camera anyway at all (since 2016)

as the new Camera Window with the Frame Corners is just a small section in the

middle of the Drawing Window, with large borders of distorted environment

outside of the camera, can't be zoomed in.

As soon as the Crop is activated, the Crop can be (nearly) maximized.

Even when in default small size like new Cameras, it works well for Image Save.

(Ok, beside these 2 extra Pixels)

[PVA - Jim 2,390]

To solve it for now I went with a simple script in photoshop to automatically align to center and then crop all the images I prep. Not ideal, but does the trick when you need thumbnails for 30+ new feature videos, hehe

[zoomer 1,082]

If screen resolution is sufficient I would recommend "Screenshot Plus" for OSX.

It lets you set different workflow/project settings :

Chose file format.

Chose default Name + Time/Resolution/File Size.

Chose Path to save.

Full Screen/Window/Timer/Marque.

Shows Pixel Size for Marquee.

And automatically opens Screenshot in OSX Preview if want.