I am making linework graphics (SKP to DWG to Illustrator) to and running into the classic sketch up problem that all the lineweights are a uniform thickness, so details off in the background blob into a black mess. When I make all the strokes thinner in illustrator it of course helps some, but I need it to show depth so the objects in focus stand out. It is a landscape architecture site model so seeing the context is important (i.e. it’s not a building in isolation). Also, objects with details closer together plot very messy as well and blur together.
Is there any extension or out-of-the-box SU extension that makes this less of a pain? Can anything interpret these objects based on how close the lines are and produce a variable gradient of lineweights, or make all of these objects much easier to select (instead of exporting each line as thousands of little tiny line segments that make you want to rip your hair out).
You can control line thickness of section cuts in the style tray. You can also adjust profile edges. So there are some things that can be done for more dynamic SU work.
I would place one section cut per needed lineweight so that it cuts away everything behind it, export one DWG or PDF per needed lineweight and position the exports (or scenes in LayOut) on top of each other in Illustrator and assign the lineweights there.
Here I have used the combined viewport approach in LayOut: Vector views. Line weights exaggerated.
In a perspective view the thinning would happen is steps.
