Hi,
Could use some help please.
I have a dwg. that I modeled in space, then I created a layout with viewports. I dimensioned the objects in paper space (using object Snaps on the solids) and scaled them to the objects with dim settings. I would like to use a visualization with 3D Hidden, but when I switch to 3D, the dimensions disappear. The dimensions will only appear when I am using a 2D visualization with all lines showing. It makes the drawing confusing / incorrect to see lines that should be hidden. I have tried to "Flatten" the dimensions using the Flatten command, but that doesn't work. I think it is because I used SNAPS to create the dims. 
 
How can I use 3D visualization in Viewports AND see the dimensions?
 
Also, I would like to be able to have the hidden lines drawn as Hidden lines in Viewports AND the model IF I choose to.
Do I need to create my own Visualization style to accomplish this?
 
Hopefully, someone can steer me to some answers.
 
I am using AutoCad 2008 and have the Acad Bible and also tried using Help feature.
 
Thanks for any help

Hello, I'm also using an 2008 release and do 3D design.
When it comes to put dimensions to a 3D objet it's alway some "fun" because I have to set a new ucs for each dimension and I do it from the "object space" not from the paper space.
May be the dimensions that you put in your drawing are not in front of your objects and so they are hidden.
When you set the properties of your viewports you have to set to "active" , "hidden" the "fmult" to have it hidden when you print the paper space ( no possibilities to print "hidden" from the "object space".
You have to set to "nonactive" the "HIDETEXT" set if you whant to see and print the texts.
Ask for other helps because 3D design is complicated and it needs a lot of time to discover all the fonctions.

Hello N� 2 - Hidden lines
About hidden lines with 3D objects I don't know but :
If you "flatten" your objects ( with a certain "ucs" and viewpoint ) with the "FLATSHOT" command you can generate flatten objects with or without hidden lines.
As they are generated all in the same layer, use the "QSELECT" command to separate ( change the color, layer, line type ) the "viewed lines" and "hidden lines".
After that you have separated the "viewed lines" and "hidden lines", do an "OVERKILL" separatedly with your "hidden lines" and with your "viewed lines" to erase lines in double and lighten your file.

Thank you phillipe JOSEPH,
I will experiment with the commands that you mentioned. The only issue I see is; after using Flatshot, if you make a change to your model then you would have to repeat a lot of work. Thanks for the help, I will post in a few days after trying.

Hi,

for dimensioning the 3D objects in Layout, use solview and solprof commands.very simple,Thanks & Regards,VeeraRaghavan.N 

SolView should really be used in conjunction with SolDraw.SolProf will create a 2D block.Another option would be to use the SectionPlane command.

Hey guys,

Thanks for
the help.

For my
project, the key command was �LAYVPI�, which let me isolate the viewports from
each other. It let me manipulate the layer structure for each viewport
individually.

Then I used
the �SOLPROF� command to project a profile of the solid onto paper space. Then
I Froze/turned off the layer containing the solid, leaving only the projected
lines and Dimensions in the view.

The only
thing I do not like about the process is (I think) if you make a change to the
Model, then you would have to recreate the projected lines. It�s kind of a
tedious / time consuming approach, but found it lets me use multiple visual
styles and viewports, while not showing hidden lines in some views and
realistic visual style in other views on the same paper space.

Thanks again
for help / suggestions