By Dennis Collin
I was recently asked a question relating to view range. The view range function defines a series of offsets which determine whether and how an element displays within a view.
The horizontal planes are Top, Cut Plane and Bottom. The top and bottom clip planes represent the maximum and minimum portion of the primary view range. Elements that fall inside these offsets will display on screen if enabled for visibility and will be represented with a projection line. Whilst users can change these properties, the changes will impact upon the whole view. However, there is often a need to have a different view range to show features like elevator pits, high level roof lights and windows and high- or low-level building services.
To apply such an override users can employ the Plan Region tool. This allows users to look more deeply into the relevant area and maintain display fidelity elsewhere in the drawing. The view range controls are the same as the main view range properties except the offsets are just valid for the sketched area.
As a rule Plan region elements do not print, it is generally good practice to keep them displayed to remind users that there is something particular about that area of a model. However, if the visibility needs to be altered then the plan region category appear under annotation categories within Visibility Graphics Overrides.