Add a Masking Region to a Model Family

When creating a model family, you may want the background of the element to mask the model and other detail components when it is loaded into a project.

  1. In the Family Editor, click Annotate tabDetail panel (Masking Region).
  2. Click Modify | Create Filled Region Boundary tabLine Style panel, and select the boundary line style from the Line Styles drop-down list.
  3. On the Properties palette, specify properties for the masking region:
    • Draw in Foreground. Specify where you want the masking region drawn. When this parameter is selected, the masking region is drawn at the detail plane of the view (the plane that is closest to you as you look at the view). When this option is not selected, the masking region is drawn on the work plane on which it was sketched.
    • Visible. Specify whether the masking region is visible when the family is loaded into a project and placed in the drawing area.
    • Visibility/Graphics Overrides. Specify the detail levels at which the masking region is visible (coarse, medium, or fine).
  4. Sketch the masking region (or regions). Masking region sketches must be closed loops.
    Note: If your model family only contains 2D elements (for example, a 2D toilet fixture) and you want to apply a masking region to the 2D element, you must include an invisible line to represent the Z dimension, which is where the masking region is drawn. The invisible line must be drawn above the level and must be a minimal length (such as 1/8”) so that the masking region does not obscure any other elements in the view.
  5. When finished, click Finish Edit Mode.