Joe-SA
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Posts posted by Joe-SA
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I make my own roof components with stacked roof objects. After general schematic is done using Roof Objects I then start duplicating and modifying to make each component. I start with a 1/2" sheathing with full extension to the drip lines. I then duplicate in place and make the framing component that stops at the wall bearing. For the soffit you can duplicate your entire roof, set it to the thickness you need for the soffit, and then from your plan view cut out of the middle the area of the house leaving only the soffit around the perimeter. This still gets modified and manipulated like a Roof Object because it is one. You can even duplicate this soffit object and use one for the soffit framing/truss extension area and then another 1/2" thick component beneath that for the finish material. We often need to pull back a few inches on the depth of the soffit framing from the depth of the sheathing because we wrap crown mouldings and fascia boards around the eaves with Extrude Along Path objects. With each component in a different class its easy to assign your textures. Now all of your roof components show up in your detail cuts. You only need to do 2d overlays if you don't like how the hatch shows up. It is a hassle when you need to cut holes or modify shapes as now you have to repeat the edit through multiple Roof Objects. When Roof Components were first introduced I was hoping to achieve this same functionality all inside one Roof Object but so far that hasn't been the case. We're still in VW2016 for the moment and do not use the Roof Components at all. I haven't heard if 2017 has made improvements to Roof Components. We'll be switching over soon.
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So we've been using an Archie font for over 10 years. New to VW2016 we are getting symbols instead of the foot ( ' ) and inch ( " ) characters.
BUT - Only when typing them into the CallOut tool and only when using our Archie font.
This is not happening in Text Objects and it is not happening with any other font that I have found through my quick sampling of a few more common fonts. We can cut and paste from the Text Object into the Call Out and get what we need. We can't, however, create the CallOut correctly in a different font and then change it over to Archie. The symbols always return for those two characters.
How has VW2016 changed from VW2015 with regard to this particular font?
Joe
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I've been downloading sketchup models from the 3D warehouse for various entourage items like cars, grills, foosball tables, etc. It works great for the 3d views but you end up with a 3D only symbol that doesn't work for your floor plans.
Convert Copy to Lines with Hidden Line on still leaves you with all the facet lines of the object and not a clean 2d image.
This morning I hit on a technique to solve this.
I created a viewport on a sheet layer of the object and set the rendering mode to Hidden Line. I then opened the Background Settings and cranked up the Smoothing Angle to something like 25 or 30 degrees. All the facets disappeared. Now run your Convert Copy to Lines and you have a clean 2d version of your symbol. Add a mask and place it in the 2d Component of the symbol and you have a hybrid version of the object.
One side note - many downloaded models have numerous symbols buried inside them. Do all of this in a separate file so these symbols don't fill up your Resource Browser. Last step enter the 3d component and convert all the imbedded symbols to groups. No need to carry all the associated symbols from project to project.
Joe
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In working with the new Roof Styles I hit on a Standing Seam model technique I should have realized a long time ago.
Any Roof Object or now component of a Roof Style can be run through the Roof Framer where Framing Member PIO's of the size and spacing you choose fill the cavity.
If your roof is already built you can duplicate it in place, alter the thickness to 1 1/2" and move it up so it stacks on your roof. Then select the Standing Seam Roof objects and run the Roof Framer. Toggle on Rafters to be created and create a custom size that is 1/8" x 1 1/2" and then set your desired spacing.
All the roof objects are filled with seams. You may have to tweek the orientation and do some stretching and aligning but thats minor.
Modify the thickness of the original roof objects down to 1/8" thick and you have your surface layer of metal for your renderings. Your seams will now show properly in your black and white hidden line elevations.
Joe
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Furthermore, Changing the overhang dimension at the eave modifies the component offset distance at the gable edge. But only for the common plane and not for the whole roof. I would think changing an eave depth would have no effect on the rake depth. Note the odd step at the ridge in the attached image.
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Roof Styles can have each component set to align to the Roof Edge, Roof Axis Line or any part of a 'Bound' Wall's components. It can also be manually offset from the Roof Edge or the Roof Axis Line.
On the gable edge of a Roof Object when I modify the overhang depth all the components move with the Roof Edge. Even the components whose position should not be associated with the Roof Edge but associated to the Roof Axis Line or a bound wall component.
This does not appear to be the case at the eaves.
Joe
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We are experiencing this same issue periodically on a few of our projects. After days or weeks of work suddenly the regeneration of the Sheet Border object causes it to disappear. We can't do anything with it. We bring in new Title Block Sheet Border Objects from our Template or from other jobs and we can't get it back. We have resolved this by doing a restart but it doesn't always work. We have also returned to a backup file that was saved before this glitch happened. (Our in-house backup system time stamps each backup and allows us to go back to the many different points of development)
All this just started happening about 2 months ago and only on 2 of our 6 stations. Only 4 of these stations regularly manipulate title blocks, however. I think this has occurred on a total of 4 projects.
All stations are running VW2015 SP4.
All stations are 27" iMacs with 16GB or RAM and upgraded graphic cards.
Problems began on OS X 10.8.5. We then upgraded to Yosemite 10.10.5 in anticipation of VW2016. Transition was not a migration but a fresh OS install and then restoration of User Data. Yet, the problem has persisted.
It is rare but its been hitting one of our files seemingly every couple of weeks for a couple of months. I'm close to moving everyone to VW2016 so haven't looked for too hard for a fix assuming it would go away after the VW upgrade.
Joe
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How about when choosing Sink Front on the Base Cabinet we get the option to create the Sink Opening instead of needing to turn off the Base Cabinet counter part and replace it with the Counter PIO which does have a Sink Opening?
To the best of my knowledge these PIO's haven't changed in 10 or 15 years.
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Thank you for the input. That's the starting point I needed. I've been waiting for a Service Select full tutorial video at a minimum. Full libraries would be better.
I thought it odd that with both the Surface Hatch added feature and with Displacement Mapping a very limited number of Resources were provided along with them.
Joe
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So what are the current best resources for getting a handle on creating displacement mapping in textures? I'm not seeing much on the service select website for tutorials or instructional videos and not much on the VW youtube page. I'd like to get some textures of standard residential siding, board and batten, stone and brick, standing seam roofing, etc.
Does nemetschek yet provide any libraries of architectural textures that include displacement mapping so I don't have to make them one at a time?
I obtained from StoneCAD their Vectorworks Library of textures combined with surface hatches. These were provided to them by nemetschek but they were very disappointing. The hatch pattern, although being the same type of stone as the texture, did not align in any way with the texture. Different patterns with different repeating intervals....and no displacement mapping. Many other off topic complaints about these textures I'll keep to myself. A fully flushed out stone library provided by nemetschek would be nice.
I've downloaded some of the maxwell rendering texture files. I haven't attempted to load these into VW yet. I thought I heard about a youtube tutorial on this but couldn't put my hands on it.
Any help in obtaining or getting started in making better quality textures with displacement mapping would be great.
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Strange. The description in the VW Help files specifically mentions 'Library Files'.
You can choose to automatically migrate your user data, consisting of workspaces, template files, library files, Resource Browser favorite files, and preferences, to the new version, while still taking advantage of all of the features and benefits offered by the new version.What are 'library files' if not all the many VW Resource Files in my library?
Thanks for the link.
Joe
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Our common library of custom parts resided on our server for years. The 'Library' folder inside the Vectorworks Application folder would be an alias to this common location. A number of years ago we moved it to Dropbox and after working out a few bugs it has worked well. The folders inside of the 'Library' folder in Vectorworks Applications alias to our DropBox folders. Constant access to our library for everybody even if off site and off line. Once back on-line, Dropbox syncs and they are up to the minute on updates and changes to our Resource Library. We have never purposefully put Resource Library files in our USER folders or created common WorkGroups for this data. There hasn't been a need.
One of the complaints I've had when updating VW versions is the tedious task of updating hundreds of library files from the old version to the new version during an update.
My hope was that the Migration Manager could be used to automate this process. My VBVisuals Plants files are 60+ files alone. My entire library is massive. When I point the Migration Manager at my folders that contain this data it tells me the folder doesn't contain any specified files that can be migrated.
How exactly do I go about using this new tool to accomplish my desired task?
Joe
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Let me add a couple of other items before moving on.
12. Let us add a radius to the inside edge of any Winder element....keeping the outer edge square.
13. Let us toggle on a solid bottom cap below the stringers for the entire stair.
Joe
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Just to add my experience to this topic. We regularly perform Solid Subtractions on EAP's. These objects are not regenerated when restoring a backup. We get an error that certain 3D geometry could not be regenerated. We are left with a rectangular bounding box in plan showing the extents of the failed object. We must then enter the Subtract Solid and regenerate the EAP and exit in order to get the original object back. This has been the case for as long as I can remember creating these objects. The past 3 or 4 versions at least.
Joe
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Thanks Jim. I'm not very hopeful that the UI of the new Stair Tool can be built upon to solve its issues. I would be more confident with a ground up re-build being able to address all of my concerns and to bring the best parts of both stair tools together in one place. I don't want to have to take 1 step back in order to take 2 steps forward.
11. Any work here should also be considered in tandem with the Railing Tool so it can be used seamlessly with balcony railings that attach to Stair Objects. Specifically, items #2 and #3 above.
Joe
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With every release I take a long look at the Stair Tool and like many of you I end up using the old 'Custom Stair' tool that we now need to pull out of a legacy list in order to use because it is still superior to the new 'Stair' tool that has been around and updated repeatedly for many versions now. Has it been 5 or 6? I've lost count.
I still find it very difficult to get the configurations I need with the new stair tool where the old interface is very intuitive. I'm also finding that the round elements of the new stair tool render with facets in hidden line while the Custom Stair tool does not.
I suggest trashing the new Stair tool entirely and returning to the Custom Stair Tool and adding the following wishlist items.
1. Each stair run should have a +/- offset from center. In this way we can create two straight runs of different widths that can step around a wall when a stair goes from an open tread to a closed tread on one side. A very common stair configuration. Currently the centerlines must match for consecutive straight stair runs. This also helps on stairs where stair runs are different widths.
2. Give us the ability to select a symbol of a railing profile and have the rail be extruded from this shape. We are allowed to do this with the Stringer Profile why not the railing? The third party Vectordecks has done this for years.
3. Give us the ability to select a symbol of a 3d baluster and have it inserted in place of a basic round or square baluster. Vectordecks does this as well.
4. Add a toggle between square or bullnose nosings with the option to wrap the bullnose to the left and/or right tread ends. Give us the ability to control this in one spot for the whole stair or to control it by stair run. (Wrap bullnose tread left, Wrap bullnose tread right)
5. Tread side extensions should be toggled from the set tread width to align with the stringer offset per individual stair run. (Align Left Tread with Stringer, Align Right Tread with Stringer)
6. Maintain our ability to control the visibility of the handrail and balusters from both the left and the right either in one spot for the whole stair or by individual stair run as it is now.
7. Like the new Stair Tool, align risers to the outside face of stringer instead of the tread width or give us the ability to choose.
8. Like the new Stair Tool, give us the ability to show the entire top tread, just the riser and nosing, or neither.
9. Like the new Stair Tool, give us the ability input the floor depth to set if the stringers extend below the floor or stop at the floor.
10. Differentiate between a structural stringer component and a finished trim stringer component.
Joe
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I'm going to ask my original question again. Has anybody combined the 2d hatches and 3d textures of StoneCAD into into single texture internal resources suitable for color and black and white 3d presentations?
Following my posts above I continued to contact StoneCAD. In March I was told they were working on them but then gave up asking. I see nothing new on their website. I just sent StoneCAD support a message to check on progress. I'm not hopeful.
It would be great to see this show up as a downloadable library of all 134 StoneCAD textures at Vectorworks.net or on the ServiceSelect website.
I created a couple on my own but found the process tedious and time consuming if the goal is to have the textures and the hatches align perfectly....which they should.
Joe
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I've been away from the forum a while...just saw this post while doing some catching up.
You might be interested in this thread.
https://techboard.vectorworks.net/ubbthr...7398#Post187398
I highly recommend downloading the two scripts that are noted. VW 2015 hadn't yet addressed the need for these two types of interface with the Issue Manager: 1) wiping out all Issue Data in the current file 2) Editing the Date or Name of a previously issued sheet set as a group of sheets instead of sheet by sheet.
Joe
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If anyone is concerned about the accuracy of the Linear Material Tool...it appears to be fixed with SP2 although I don't think I saw it noted in the release notes.
In SP1, the thickness reported in the OIP did not match the graphic thickness drawn.
Joe
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I found everything in one file can create very large unwieldy files especially when developing full 3d presentations with interior furnishings, exterior landscaping, lighting, etc. even for a single residence. Dividing a file also allows different people to work on different parts simultaneously. We only do the everything in one file approach if it is intended to have only one draftsman for the entire duration. Even so, I typically break out the site model and structural on every job.
I develop the Site Model and all associated entourage in a separate file built at its proper grade elevation. The building is developed in a separate file around a base elevation of zero. The building is then referenced into the Site file and the vertical difference is adjusted accordingly along with any needed rotations, etc.
My file divisions, however, may separate detached garage or other outbuildings from the main house but never divides up the main house itself. This would be too cumbersome if you, for example, wanted to shift one wall from footing to roof over 2'. Instead, we break out mostly by sheet or discipline for 2d sheet development. Elevations, Building Sections, Structural Plans, Details, Power and Lighting, etc. Each referencing what they need from the main house file. Architectural Floor Plans and Schedules typically stay in the main house file.
I have also created a file strictly for the creating and saving of rendered 3d viewports with no native objects at all.
Joe
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Isn't there a 'Flatten Viewport' toggle in the OIP which changes the 3d DLVP to something that resembles a 2D Section SLVP?
I haven't looked at this with SP2 but last I checked these were close to what you get with SLVP's but lacked some of the graphic controls.
Joe
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We used to just replace the 'Library' folder name with an alias to our common Network Drive. Everybody accessed the same set of tools including the Default Content from inside various tools.
Any additions to the common library like new wall types, etc would be immediately reflected on all stations on the network.
We also tend to keep most everything in the Project Folder and make limited use of the User Folder.
However, we now have moved our entire Resource Library to DropBox and use a 'Library' folder whose content links to our DropBox folder that exists on each station but sync's through the cloud. Now, we have a similar function with immediate access to new resources just like we had before but any station that is on line anywhere including off site still gets immediate updates. Plus, if you lose web access your entire resource content is local on your computer.
I have to be careful about de-coupling from DropBox before running Service Pack updates and I have to pay attention to the nature of the update to make sure that changes made to the Resources by the Service Pack get copied to our DropBox folder.
Also, if you attempt this, see old posts of mine regarding the set up. Your 'Favorites Folder' can not be synced to DropBox. It needs to be independent for each station or VW will not function properly.
But if you have people who frequently need to work off-site then a cloud based CAD Resource solution is a must.
Joe
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Once applied are you able to manipulate the origin of that hatch? I posted this question a while ago but did not get any reply.
https://techboard.vectorworks.net/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=206491#Post206491
Joe
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This situation from 2 years ago persists today.
When auto-bound slabs convert to manual not only is there no indication it happened but the physical geometry of the slab changes as if you drew it manually to the inside face of the walls.
When a wall edit forces a conversion from auto-bound to manual not only should it give you an alert but it should prompt you to choose where you would like the slab perimeter to be drawn at. Say the inner or outer wall or inner or outer wall core. I think this would satisfy a whole lot of different slab and wall types.
As it stands I feel I have no choice but to continue to use manual slabs exclusively.
Joe
Board & Batten: Model vs Texture?
in Architecture
Posted
Check out Displacement Mapping for textures with Renderworks. You could create a texture that in theory could create the batts and even generate shadows. That said, the only way to have precise control over the batt locations is to model them directly. We have arrayed full height batts down an entire elevation and subtracted out the voids with extrudes making a Subtract Solid object. Easy to edit the original extrudes for revisions at a later date.