Auto Outliner

This function of Studio allows to create double-layered outlines for single object or multiple objects (fig. 1.). Objects may overlap or intersect one another and program creates outlines only for the visible parts. It is useful for creation of outlines like shown on the right picture (fig. 2.).

 


Fig. 1. Overlapping objects to be outlined.


Fig. 2. Double layered outline.

Select objects you want to outline and click the button, or use main menu > Transform > Auto Outliner command. This will create a number of small outline elements like shown on below picture (fig. 3.). All outline elements have color of the first object (orange, in this case). Select new color from palette and draw it to selection to change color of the outline elements (fig. 4.).

 

Fig. 3. Number of outline elements created by auto outliner.

Fig. 4. Outline elements with new color.

Use button or main menu > Transform > Arrangle Outline Parts command to order and combine elements into continuous double layered outline (fig. 5). Note that this function will connect all elements into single object by inserting connections where it is necessarry (fig. 6.). If you want free standing objects like outlines of holes to be left unconnected, use main menu > Transform > Arrangle Outline Parts (no Connections) command instead.

Fig. 5. Complete outline created with 'Arrange Outline Parts' command.

Fig. 6. Outline of hole connected to the main outline.

Fig. 7. Hidden parts are ignored.

On places where one object lays on top of the other, automatic outlines are created only for those parts that are on top of the others. Program automatically ignores hidden parts (fig. 7. , marked by red arrows)