Visibility Options for Load Path Illustration

[redinhawaii]

I need to illustrate load paths for my architectural drawings, and I can show them in a wireframe model, but it does not really do the job adequately.
If I could control line weights of individual components within a model it would be most helpful I feel.
(maybe this is already possible and that option has escaped me)

My needs initially are in plan view, section views and details. Perspectives and renderings can come later.

I realize that one option would be to "over draw" the elements in LO, but that is "yet another thing to do" kind of work.
Any perspectives, experienced insights, work arounds would be most appreciated.
aloha
red

see attached pdf

---

LoadPath.pdf

[bmike]

You might want to create some dummy groups / components that can be turned on and off. Copy the items you want to highlight, move these to the side, create a group or component. Change the materials, properties, etc. Delete what you do not want, then move them back into place. Use the Outliner or layers to control visibility. These could be a specific color (transparent red) or some other style that highlight how the load moves down into the model.

And you could also then bring these into Layout, set up a view with your model, then set up another scene with just the dummy components on - but at the same scale, (and other identical settings). Explode this view - Layout will turn it into 2D graphics. You can then position these over the original view to highlight how you want your drawing to appear.

And look for TIGs section cut face tool - it automates the process of filling in section cuts - so you can edit these a bit quicker - perhaps adding color to how the load moves through the structure.

[redinhawaii]

Okay,
and all of this seems like a lot more work than have an option for "visibility by group" or something like that.
I do have a "structural model" that I deleted or stripped unnecessary files from, but all of that requires "parallel updates" which is tedious and mind twisting as to which version goes where etc, once the model is finished and only minor revisions it seems to work okay,
I also do alot of working on a copy of a model, usually stripped down version, and get a component or group as I want it and then do a "paste in place". That keeps my "original" file which is burdened with components etc, from being altered or effected by my editing processes.

thanks for your insights and creative ideas.
I will look at giving them a try.
aloha
red