Eliminating Z-Coordinates Using DWFs

By now most of you are aware of three tools for eliminating z-coordinates from a drawing:

1. Eliminate Z-Coordinates Phase 1
2. Eliminate Z-Coordinates Phase 2

Both from our HcadTool->Tools pulldown menu and...

3. Flatten - the AutoCAD Express Tools command

If neither of these gives you the results you want then try the following, written by Josh here at the 'tec:

A method to remove z coordinates from an architects drawing is to create DWFs and Xref them into the drawing. The process to do so follows:

Note: These steps will walk you through keeping each layer unique and there for be able to treat them as separate layers in your drawing. If you wish to have all the architects layers merged to a single layer then skip to Option 2. 

Option 1

1. Open the architect's drawing and choose the layer you want as the current layer.
2. Turn off all layers (this should leave only the layer you selected on)
3. Select Print and choose the DWF writer as your plotter and DWF virtual pens as your pen style.
4. When prompted for a file name use a name that is easily recognizable, i.e. Arch_Walls or Mech_Ducts
5. Repeat the above processes until you have all the layers you will want for your sprinkler drawing.
6. Open a new drawing using a HydraCAD template.
7. Create a layer for each DWF you created using a name that is easily recognizable. You may want to name the layer same as the DWF.
8. Repeat until you have a layer for each DWF you created. This is needed so that you can turn individual DWFs off and on.
9. Through the Xref command load the DWFs into your drawing making sure that the layer you want them in is the current layer. Use a common insertion point and scale.
10. Before printing the job you will need to select the DWF and under properties change it to Monochrome – Yes. Not doing this will cause the plot to print in color. 

Option 2

1. Open the architect's drawing and turn off any layers you do not want
2. Select Print and choose the DWF writer as your plotter and DWF virtual pens as your pen style.
3. When prompted for a file name use a name that is easily recognizable, i.e. Arch or Mech
4. Open a new drawing using a HydraCAD template.
5. Create a layer for the DWF you created using a name that is easily recognizable. You may want to name the layer same as the DWF.
6. Through the Xref command load the DWFs into your drawing making sure that the layer you want them in is the current layer. Use a common insertion point and scale.
7. Before printing the job you will need to select the DWF and under properties change it to Monochrome – Yes. Not doing this will cause the plot to print in color.

Now all of the layers will be in your new drawing but without any Z coordinates. You can still use all of the typical Osnap commands: End, Midpoint, Perpendicular….