Kevin McAllister
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Posts posted by Kevin McAllister
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The SP for VW2009 was released today -
http://techboard.nemetschek.net/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=133451#Post133451
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Hi Jack,
Its not entirely clear from the photos the details of the rake, but assuming it rakes in one direction I suggest the following method-
- draw the platform in plan view as a surface, including the curved corner. (If you're unsure how to do this, I would suggest drawing an arc and a polygon and then using the Add Surface command in the Modify Menu).
- while in plan or plan/top view extrude the surface using the highest point on the rake as the delta Z value.
- switch to a side view. Draw any guidelines over the extrude that may be helpful in laying out the rake angle. Using the Split Tool (it looks like a #11 X-acto Knife) draw a line along the angle of the rake. If you select the extrude first and hold down the option key, the Split Tool will only cut through your object. If you don't, it will cut through any 3D object along the line you make with it.
- delete the un-needed piece.
Cheers,
Kevin
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Michael,
Nicely laid out demo! Some great detail about some of the more complex tools and how to use them.
As someone who owns a copy of Jonathan's book, I can say there is some good material in it. Certainly a great start for beginner/intermediate modelling and for a more traditional architectural approach.
Unfortunately we are still missing a resource that really talks about the various 3D objects and their advantages and disadvantages (ie. nurbs vs. solids vs. 3D polys etc.). After a year of some serious 3D use, its become clear to me that the key to a successful 3D workflow in Vectorworks is thinking through the process of building the 3D object first. This often means some trial and error objects as one experiments to get the order and process right. It also means a more methodical, less organic design process. (The process may be much simpler for architecture, but everything I have been modelling is non-modular.) I have begun to understand a desire for a non-linear modelling process (ie. Spaceclaim) that others have talked about in these forums.
Kevin
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I would agree. I much prefer the old browser based system over Adobe Air.
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I very much dislike the fact that it resets itself every time you click in or out of the help window. Its very difficult to implement the help suggestion and then check back to help for the next step.....
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I would definitely be interested in an add on like that.
I'm going to have to find time to play with a demo version of InteriorCAD to see what other interface tweaks it incorporates. Their literature concentrates on the cabinet aspect which looks very powerful, but is definitely aimed at a specialty market. I couldn't find any information on the more general improvements it brings to the table.
Thanks to all who responded.
Kevin
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I watched a demo for Interior CAD (which is built on Vectorworks) and there was a navigation palette in the bottom corner of the screen. I have included an image here. Does anyone know if this is a feature of Interior CAD exclusively or if its someone else's add on?
Thanks,
Kevin
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As someone who is a set & lighting designer, though for theatre, here's my two cents worth -
- its true that Spotlight is somewhat lighting heavy. Its also more theatre/event oriented. Myself, I recently upgraded to Designer to broaden my tool set.
- one of the most important features of the Industry series over Fundamentals is the ability to import/export PDFs.
- the batch print / batch export PDF features were what drew me to upgrade to Spotlight years ago. The expanded title block features are also a must for bigger projects.
I think you'll find that the set designers' job varies from project to project and that Vectorworks will be used in various ways. Sometimes it a 2D drafting tool, sometimes a 3D visualization tool, sometimes a layout tool and often as a thinking tool. The ease of incorporating visual reference (ie. jpg, pdfs, tiffs, etc.) makes it way more user friendly than Autocad.
For film, I can imagine something like Camera Match would be indispensable, especially if you are doing location work.
I must admit I've been using it for so long (since Minicad 5) that I can't imagine doing a project without it.
Kevin
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The Click Object to Offset button in the mode bar is gone in VW2010. Hold down the Command Key to select an object (not sure what the equivalent is on a PC). This also holds true for the mirror, rotate and move by point tools as well.
KM
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Text Along a Path could get you close to a useable result (see attached image, you need to adjust the Rotate About Path angle in the OIP to make the text stand upright). The problem in this specific case is the size of the text vs. the degree of curve in the surface. Text Along a Path generates letters that are still flat planes, so letters the size needed would not follow the tight path.
KM
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Depending on the content of the PDF, you can often ungroup it, delete the bitmap portion and be left with editable lines.
KM
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Ultimately there is no way to "bend" the letters in Vectorworks. Jonathan does list a few of the work arounds, but each has its drawback. To achieve this accurately I have done it in Rhino and imported it into a Vectorworks drawing.
This would be a great wish list item.
KM
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You could use Guides (submenu under the Modify menu). Guides can be turned on or off universally. Turn them off and they don't print.
KM
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- Section Viewports with a non vertical section plane
Thomas,
You can already create section viewports with a variety of section planes. While on a sheet layer, select a viewport and choose Create Section Viewport from the View menu. Depending on the view of the original viewport and the direction of the section line you can get almost any section you need.
Realizing you can create section viewports from other viewports was a great discovery for me. Hopefully it helps you too.
KM
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If you have one file that everything is referenced into, you could try saving it as a new version and then deleting the references. When you delete references, Vectorworks gives you the option to keep the referenced information in the file. This should give you a single file containing your entire project if I'm not mistaken. This file could then be exported to Sketchup.
KM
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I find 2010 very stable as well. And there are some new features that are quite useful.
Unfortunately in most cases bugs are found through unique situations of an individual task or setup. I can imagine its almost impossible to test for all of them. I have had good support from Nemetzchek whenever I have had a problem.
A colleague of mine is working in Autocad on a file imported from Solidworks. He told me the file brought his machine down 29 times in one day..... conversely I have only had VW 2010 crash one or twice since installing it in late September. I doubt this is the norm for Autocad, but it does illustrate that all problems are relative to the situation, and that other platforms have similar challenges.
KM
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I used to use Bruce's method all the time, as it was part of my 2D workflow so it carried over when I began using 3D more heavily. You do need to be aware it can cause artifact lines if you are clipping a hole in the centre of a surface and rendering using Open GL. I have attached an example.
Of interest, this is the first time I have done a side by side example in VW2010. I was surprised how differently the rendered line quality is from one method of 3D construction to another...... especially given the solid shapes are essentially the same.
Kevin
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I second this wish. Even better if the progress bar also appeared below the dock icon for Vectorworks on a Mac. I often switch to other task while VW is rendering and an indication of progress would be great. Not sure if there is a PC equivalent to that....
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I am wondering if I am missing something about the grid tool (Grid-Rectangular). Is there a way to create a grid with an odd number of squares, without having the odd square split as extra space at either end of the grid? It appears as though the grid is generated from its centre, so this will always be true unless there is a setting I am missing.
I am originating my grid from the bottom left corner of an object.
Thanks,
Kevin
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Ok, so I think this would be a very powerful feature to add to Vectorworks. Here's the scenario-
Often there is a need to detail individual components of a model. If you build your model using symbols for individual components, there is no easy way at the moment to do a specific detail of each symbol component unless you separate them via layers or classes, so you can show only one instance.
The wish - to be able to choose a symbol instead of a layer using the Layers button for a Viewport in the OIP. This would be much like the control given when you edit a symbol (ie. the Layer drop down shows the symbol as the layer). Then you could easily detail the symbol from any view.
KM
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Probably the easiest and most accurate way is to use Move 3D (By menu command Modify>Move>Move 3D or by keyboard Command+Option+m on a Mac). The dialog will allow you to enter a delta Z distance, either positive or negative.
Alternately you could drag the object while in a front/back/side view.
KM
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"Y" on the keyboard toggles the hints on and off. I find I sometimes hit it accidently when using "T" to force a red snapping acquisition box to appear.
KM
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Michael,
Make sure you discover the Working Plane menu items (Modify>Working Plane or in the right click contextual menu). You are now able to assign keyboard shortcuts to many of the functions, most notably Look at Working Plane. Its almost possible to work without the Working Planes Palette with the addition of the menu commands and the drop down Mike is referring to.
I agree with your observations about the palette (as with some of the other orphan palettes, why don't the match in size, dock to each other etc.) but I suspect that the NNA solution is to make it obsolete.
Kevin
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Double click on the Object Snap icon in the top right hand corner of the Snaps Palette. Choose Smart Points. Make sure that Horizontal/Vertical Extensions and Extension Lines are checked.
KM
A bit of a Vectorworks Newbie Needing Advice
in General Discussion
Posted
Jack,
Look in the Mode Bar at the top of the screen while the Split Tool is selected. Make sure the second icon (Split By Line) is selected. I suspect the first, Split By Point, is currently active.
You could also use Trim By Line, which is the last option. It will trim away the un-needed portion of the trimmed shape.
Sorry that I missed this in my original instructions.
Kevin