MultipleWays

Upgrade anxiety is real. I didn't end up using VW21 because of file conversion issues which would have taken hours to fix. It's basically subscription based at this point. Could updates be inched along via SP as opposed to larger changes yearly?

@zoomer I think my findings were a fluke in the thread you mentioned above. Sending the export to the same folder as the VWX definitely did not solve the issue on a consistent basis. After failed attempts with larger files, I had a similar experience as you did with a smaller file not completing a successful export either. It required a full system restart to get back to functional exports. For larger files, I usually end up simplifying as much as possible. Unfortunately this is mostly done manually. And if it still doesn't work, I'll do the export in multiple stages using the "Selected Objects" options.

With more complex geometry or many duplicates, this tool has become almost inoperable in 2022. In v2020, it was fast with very little lag time. I noticed some change in v2021. Using this tool now in v2022, is terrible. What happened? I appreciate the visual guide to show the intended result, but if it comes at the expense of usability I would ditch it. As far as I can tell, it seems to be taking a lot of time to build the graphics. Can you implement an option to turn off the visual reference?

Is there a way to batch select by line length? I tried the select similar tool but line length isn't an option. Same result in the data visualization options. When working with product DWGs, they are often cumbersome due to the detail needed for manufacturing or from exporting. If I could batch select lines under 2mm and delete them, it would cut a lot of the bloat.

VW2021 Naming Scheme in Publishing > File Export Options doesn't seem to be working. No matter which option I select, it will only publish with a file name as Sheet#SheetTitle

@Kevin McAllister A widget would be very helpful. I'm not sure how to move this to the wishlist, but I would vote for that.

More to the point, this is a workaround I've used in the past: Create a sacrificial basic 3D cube and position it as needed. Then you can use the flat surfaces of the cube to rotate on any of the axis' more easily.

Another possibility: Create a cone, Create draped surface over the cone, then perform solid subtractions to the surface for the door, hole at the top, shaping the bottom.

@jeff prince Excellent design! I can see the skate ramp influence 🛹

@jeff prince A few times a year, designers will come with rough sketches which aren't always based in reality. On the engineering side, I need to find a way to move the sketches into real world builds. Breaking a complex curve down into some rough 2D shapes generally produces what we need to start working on a solution. Rhino looks like a great option. I did a little digging in C4D with no luck, but I'm not that versed with all the capabilities either. Thanks! @Art V

@jeff prince Very helpful - the video clearly explains the issue. Thanks I don't have Rhino. I'm guessing VW doesn't have it, but do you know if Cinema4D has a "squish" like command as seen at 25:00?

@jeff prince Not sure what you mean. It's a NURBS surface. If the surface (selected in the screenshot) was only curved on a single plane, 3D Power Pack > Unfold Surface would accomplish the task. As the surface is curved on two planes, that command won't work.

Anyone know how to flatten a complex curve into 2D shapes that preserve dims/area? Example below. Using the extract tool, I can pull a face from the 3D which results in a NURBS surface. In 3D Power Pack, Unfold Surfaces only wants to work on a surface with a curve in one dimension. Any tips on how to unfold a twisted surface?

That did it thanks. Didn't notice that button on the right - push pull combine.

Is there a way to turn off the automatic solid addition/subtraction feature new to 2021?