molding polyline vs 3D molding polyline

[peterbrown]

I am in the middle of learning to use molding tools.

Attached are two cad lines drawn and converted, one into a molding polyline, the other into a 3D molding polyline. Both used steel beam profiles as the molding. In this application, other than the fact that the molding poly line displays better in plan view, what are their functional differences?

[Larry Kumpost]

You can change the vertical angle of the 3D Molding Polyline in any 3D view. Try opening 3D views and then play with them a little.

Open the DBX for each and on the "Selected Line" tab you will see that:

For the molding polyline you have only x,y coordinates for the ends of the line then you have a height setting on the first (General) tab.

For the 3D molding polyline you have x,y & z coordinates for each end.

[peterbrown]

thank you, ill try playing with them

[peterbrown]

At first glance, It seems the molding polyline is more user friendly in 3d. The 3D molding polyline reacts in confusing ways in a 3d view. I think I will leave this subject alone until I have a good reason to explore it further. I am ashamed to say that my mental hard drive slows considerably when the x,y,z issues come up.

thanks anyway!!

[Tommy Blair]

I like to use the molding polyline whenever possible which is just about always.

[Larry Kumpost]

Peter:

The 3D molding line comes in handy for special trim at the gable ends of a building. You can initially place the 3D molding line in plan view, open a section/elevation view, a break point (just like you do for any CAD line) and move the break point to the ridge.

The non-3D molding line, or polyline, is easier to use if the molding is flat and all you need to do is adjust the height.

[peterbrown]

thanks, ive been following the post on molding polylines for a ridge cap and am starting to see the functionality.