Subject: Creating hidden-line images

Creating a hidden-line image of your drawing removes all the lines that are hidden behind other surfaces when seen from your vantage point. When you remove hidden lines or shade a model, the program treats the entities differently, depending on how you created them. Wireframe models always appear transparent, because they have no surfaces. Surface models appear filled, with surfaces applied to all visible sides.

You can also control the hidden-line view on an entity-by-entity basis by showing and hiding edges of selected 3D faces, meshes, and polyface meshes.

To create a hidden-line image

•   Type hide and then press Enter.  

Use a visual style.
Choosing View > Visual Styles > Hidden is similar to using the Hide command. For more details, see Displaying a drawing with a visual style.

To hide edges of 3D faces, meshes, and polyface meshes

   1   Do one of the following to choose Hide Edges ():

•   On the ribbon, choose Draw 3D > Hide Edges (in Draw 3D Meshes).

•   On the menu, choose Draw > 3D Meshes > Hide Edges.

•   Type hideedges and then press Enter.

   2   Select the entities with edges that you want to hide, then press Enter when done.

Individual edges can be hidden for 3D faces.
The Hide Edges command hides all edges of selected entities, but if you are working with 3D faces, you can also use the Edge command to hide individual edges.

To show edges of 3D faces, meshes, and polyface meshes

   1   Do one of the following to choose Show Edges ():

•   On the ribbon, choose Draw 3D > Show Edges (in Draw 3D Meshes).

•   On the menu, choose Draw > 3D Meshes > Show Edges.

•   Type showedges and then press Enter.

   2   Select the entities with edges that you want to show, then press Enter when done.

Individual edges can be displayed for 3D faces.
The Show Edges command shows all edges of selected entities, but if you are working with 3D faces, you can also use the Edge command to show individual edges.