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HI Guy, I considered saved views- classes but it seems like way too cumbersome. Perhaps exporting a few rendered scenes and tweening them in Adobe Flash might also be a solution. For this exercise I deconstructed the Extras>Goodies>Crank file, broke apart the groups and replaced the 2d geometry with my own constructions. More in an exercise of the possible than for beauty's sake. But it works!!!! With that done, the next trick is to learn VS to the point where I can define the movements of my objects. And figure how to have OGL render for each frame. hth (nts. feature request .mov support for upload files)

If you simplify the outline polygon - with as few short lines & as many collinear lines as possible you can then AEC>Create Roof - with a minimal Eave Overhang (1") and produce the following result. Then increase the EO to suit (hopefully without breaking the roof) Modify>Ungroup to be left with a collection of Roof Faces which you can then modify to fit your design.

No - It's not appearing for me - I turn on the thumbnail view and see the images preview there - it seems to be using a old version of Finder - could this be?

perfect !

Enabled Connected Walls mode allows you to move joined walls in Top Plan without losing the join. For me, when switched off, you can move the walls independently. It also works in a 3d view but it's important to select the wall with the 3d selection tool (Shift X) otherwise they just move about the screen plane.

Do you mean within the Resource Browser or in a Finder window? It does work in the Finder - showing VW file previews and also in Quickview. It would be very cool within the RB but I guess that's for NNA to 'emulate' an Apple technology or somehow call on the Finder to become the RB.

Except floors cannot have varying thicknesses? It seems that producing a max. width stairs composed of 2 flights : straight & circular. Ungrouping and editing along the lines brudgers recommends would produce the result easily.

Ok - so it's rough and unsteady, but here it is: (did someone mention 3d constraints?) Simple 3d Animation http://gallery.me.com/smiletotheworld#100158

Ok - here's a simple example - It does look very possible to achieve this. Open GL doesn't work with this example but perhaps if it's include within the script the party can begin. (nope - the board doesn't support .mov files)

the steps on the upper curve need to radiate from its center

I looks like the files in the Extras>Goodies folder may provide a better starting point. I'm looking at Box and Crank

I'd draw in 2d plan, keeping the tread going constant along the centerline. extrude each tread by it's thickness Set bottom z height to suit or better yet set the first and top step z-height then in front view Model>Align Distribute.

You don't have a sketch style on by any chance?

Wow thanks Bruce, I didn't realise my Intuos mouse had 5 buttons I've been working with 3 for months! - Found them & now it's time to play.

f ?

Right click - Activate Class before extruding. A step more than you want but faster than changing class after the extrude.

Yes Peter, that will certainly work, it would be doable but very tedious. I'm thinking of trying to break into the Geneva Mechanism PIO and using that as a template to move my parts in 3d. It seems plausible, what do you think?

Hi all. Does anyone have experience using VW to produce simple 3d mechanical animations. I know the Goodies folder includes the Geneva mechanism & am looking for something along this vein but in 3d. Thanks

? No

I would re-order your questions. Fourth Second Third Fifth First BTW - welcome to Vectorworks - once you get going you're going to have a lot of fun with it.

Depends if you're using external monitors though. I have on to my right so the dock needs to live on the left (or bottom).

Yes islandmon thanks for replying, I forgot to mention the pdfs which I rotated & saved in Acrobat all come in fine and remain so, this was one which I hadn't & it was fine for a while until it transformed itself. If you don't have a problem with it on a PC I expect it is a Mac issue.

Has anyone noticed this: Import a PDF. Rotate it to correct its orientation to landscape. Later in the session the contents rotate back and 'scale to fit' the landscape frame.

I use an external numerical keypad - works well.

If you duplicate your DTM. Modify>Convert>Convert to mesh you can the happily AEC>Fit Walls to Roof. (why is it still roof?)