Graphic Display Options

Use settings in the Graphic Display Options dialog to enhance the visual impact of the model view.

Graphic Display Options Description
Model Display  
Style Select from predefined visual settings, such as Wireframe or Realistic to set the visual style of the view.
Show Edges For some visual styles, select this check box to display lines on edges in the view. Clear the check box to omit these edges.
Smooth lines with anti-aliasing Select this check box to improve the quality of lines in the view, making edges display more smoothly.

If this option is disabled, see Smooth Lines with Anti-Aliasing for instructions.

To experience the best performance when using this option, enable hardware acceleration on the Hardware tab of the Options dialog.

Transparency Move the slider to set the degree of transparency to the entire view.
Silhouettes Select from a number of line styles that create a silhouette.
Shadows  
  Select the Cast Shadows or Show Ambient Shadows checkbox to manage shadows in the view.
Sketchy Lines  
Enable Sketchy Lines Select the check box to turn on sketchy lines for the current view.
Tip: To improve the appearance of sketchy lines in the view, turn on Smooth lines with anti-aliasing.
Jitter Move the slider or enter a number between 0 and 10 to indicate the degree of variability in the sketched lines.

A value of 0 results in straight lines without the hand-sketched graphic style. A value of 10 results in multiple sketch lines with a higher degree of wave to each model line.

Extension Move the slider or enter a number between 0 and 10 to indicate how far a model line's endpoints extend beyond intersections.

A value of 0 results in lines that meet at intersections. A value of 10 results in lines that extend well beyond intersections.

Depth Cueing
Show Depth Select the check box to turn on depth cueing for the current view.
Note: For the most effective results, ensure that Far Clipping is specified for the view.
Fade Start/End Location Move the double slider start and end controls to specify the boundaries of the gradient effect.

Objects blend into the background color (fade) with increasing distance from the viewer. The Near and Far values represent a percentage away from the front and back view clip planes.

Fade Limit Move the Fade Limit slider to specify the intensity of elements at the Far location.
Lighting  
Sun Setting Select from predefined sun settings for dates and times of interest, such as Summer Solstice or Fall Equinox.
Sun Move the slider or enter a value between 0 and 100 to change the brightness of the direct light.
Ambient Light Move the slider or enter a value between 0 and 100 to change the brightness of diffused light.

Select this option to simulate the blocking of diffused (ambient) light. Available with shaded visual styles, elevations, sheets, and sections. Not available in the Family Editor, or in detail views.

Shadows Move the slider or enter a value between 0 and 100 to change the darkness of the shadows. Cast Shadows must be selected to enable this setting.
Background These settings are available for the following types of views: elevation, section, isometric, and perspective.
Background Select none, sky, gradient, or image. Gradient enables the sky, horizon, and ground color.
Sky Color Select to change the RGB color for the sky.
Horizon Color Select to change the RGB color for the horizon.
Ground Color Select to change the RGB color for the ground.
Save as View Template Use this option to save the specific Graphic Display Options settings for further use.