Isometric Drawing

Isometric drawing is a technique used to represent 3D relationships in a 2D design. There are special tools to quickly and accurately place isometric representations of blocks and circles, and you can configure the screen pointer to make the job even easier. However, such drawings are not 3D models; they are strictly illustrative.

To set the Isometric (drawing) Plane

1. From the Settings menu's Locks submenu , choose Full.
   The Locks dialog box opens.


2. From the Isometric Plane option menu, choose Top, Left, Right, or All.



You can also set the Isometric Plane in the Tool Settings window for the Place Isometric Block and Place Isometric Circle tools.

To force each data point to lie on the Isometric Plane

1. In the Settings menu's Locks submenu , turn on Isometric (Lock).
   When a linear element is placed, it “snaps” to the Isometric Plane.

   Line string placed with Isometric Lock on and Isometric Plane set to Top. Note how the lines are constrained.

To configure the pointer for isometric drawing

1. From the Workspace menu, choose Preferences.
   The Preferences dialog box opens.


2. In the Preferences dialog box's Category list box, select Input.


3. From the Pointer Type option menu, choose Isometric.
   The pointer's cross hairs will indicate graphically the Isometric Plane in which elements are placed.


4. (Optional) From the Pointer Size option menu, choose Full View.
   The pointer's cross hairs will extend to the edges of the screen, facilitating alignment of new elements with elements in the same isometric plane.


5. Click OK.