About Creating 2D Geometry

To create 2D family geometry, you use the Model Line and Symbolic Line tools available in the Family Editor.

The Model Line tool on the Create tabModel panel lets you sketch two-dimensional geometry for when you do not need to show solid geometry. For example, you could sketch door panels and hardware as 2D rather than sketch solid extrusions. Model lines are always visible in 3D views. You can control their visibility in plan and elevation views by selecting the lines and clicking Modify | Lines tabVisibility panel (Visibility Settings).

The Symbolic Line tool on the Annotate tabDetail panel lets you sketch lines that are meant for symbolic purposes only. Symbolic lines are not part of the actual geometry of the family. Symbolic lines are visible parallel to the view in which you sketch them.

Example: You might sketch symbolic lines in an elevation view to represent a door swing.

You can control symbolic line visibility on cut instances. Select the symbolic line and click Modify | Lines tabVisibility panel (Visibility Settings). Select Show only if instance is cut.

In the displayed dialog, you can also control the visibility of lines based on the detail level of the view. For example, if you select Coarse, that means that when you load the family into a project and place it in a view at the Coarse detail level, the symbolic lines are visible.