AutoCAD – Controlling the Appearance of 3D Solids 1

by Martin Phelps

The “Isolines” system variable allows the user to specify the number of lines displayed on a 3D solid to indicate a curved surface.

“Isolines” are visible when 3D solids are displayed using the following visual display types, “2D Wireframe”, “Shaded with Edges”, “Wireframe” and “X-ray”, as shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1.

“2D Wireframe” and “Wireframe” look identical, the “Isolines are just about visible in the “Shaded with Edges” style but are more visible in the “X-ray” visual style.

The default value set for the “Isolines” system variable is 4, but can be set to any value between 0 and 2047. The higher the value the closer the “Isolines” will be packed. Figure 2 shows various setting for the “Isolines” system variable from left to right “1”, “8”, “16”, and “32”.

Figure 2.

If the value for the “Isolines” is changed the drawing must have a “Regen” to show the updated setting.

Note: -  The displayed “Isolines” will also appear on the plot when plotting the model using “2D Wireframe”, “Shaded with Edges”, “Wireframe” and “X-ray” visual styles .