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2D drawings from 3D CAD models?

I have a piece of equipment constructed out of many parts drafted in autocad 08. Is there any way that I could make 2D plans for each part based on their 3D models? The foundry can't work off of 3D models, they need 2D blueprints. Thanks for your answer louis, but viewports only give you different perspectives of the 3D model. I want to actually convert them to 2D drafts.

Public Comments

1. Yes. I do it all day long at work. (when not wasting time on Y!A) Do you know how to use viewports? I build the 3D model to scale, so it is exact, in model tab. Then go to a tab and create viewports for top (plan), front (elevation) and any other views/details/sections that are necessary to view the whole part. Sometimes, in paperspace, it is necessary to draw the hidden lines because they don't show in the final print. If you don't know viewports this might be difficult at first. Edit__I came back to look at this question. You have the 3D model already, right? This is what I do. Go make a viewport, and make that a Top View. Set printing options to Hidden. When printed out, that will be a 2D view of the top of the piece. Is that what you are asking? (Example, you have a cylinder. Top view should be an O shape - that is 2D view since it isn't showing the depth. You'll need to make a Front view too, to show how tall the cylinder is. Will look like a [] on Front view.) * That command is FLATSHOT and it does the same thing I'm talking about in a viewport, but makes a block out of it in model space, instead of a view in viewport. I just prefer a viewport - but to each their own.
2. Someone here in AutoCAD 2008 uses a command called 'Flashshot', or something like that. I never used it so I dont know any more than that if that is the best way or a simple way.