quigley
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Posts posted by quigley
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No its not possible this way in VW, but it is in Ashlar-Vellum Cobalt! Seriously though, using VWs tools (and of course assuming you are actually going to mould this part) you can achieve a functional part as follows:
1. Create your convex surface as a solid (by extruding a semi circle).
2. Create an offset surface outwards by the dept of the "emboss".
3. Create the emboss (lets assume its a logo) by extruding the logo to create a solid that runs vertically into the shape, so you get something that looks like it sticks out the barrel.
4. Boolean UNITE the embossed logo and the barrel extrude.
5. Trim the resultant solid with the offset surface and you should end up with an "embossed" part.
PS If it is going to be moudled don't forget to add draft to the logo extude initially
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Any chance you could post an example?
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You could try offsetting the reveal faces as well maybe? Bit more work though!
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The system I use is Glance (www.glance.net). Only works from Windows though, but can be viewed on any platform. I've used it for several years now and it just works. I've used plenty other systems such as WebEx, PlaceWare, Convoq ASAP, Go to My PC and so on and all have pros and cons. What I like about Glance is that it is quick, and just does screen sharing so the interface is, well, non existant.
On the Mac side there are some systems around (as EJ says), but this is one area where Windows is way ahead in terms of choice. WebEx does do a Mac version but it is expensive. Why Apple haven't built this into OSX is beyond me!
For a good source of information go to:
Most systems are available on a free fully functioning trial. So best advice is try them out and see what works best for you.
On a side note, many MCAD vendors now ship this kind of thing as part of the application - Alibre, CATIA, ImpactXoft, Pro/E and so on. I'm not aware of anything like this on the AEC side yet. Maybe this would be a good ploy for VectorWorks?
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Offset surface is in the 3D tools as the last option in the Extract Tool (second from bottom). To use just select the tool, select the wall, enter the offset and you extract a surface from the wall.
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For multiple dimension styles in one drawing set up multiple dimension classes with different attributes.
Also to have different dimension "standards" create a series of your own then just select the dimension and apply to them via Edit Objects. This is very handy for changing the gap from the entity to the witness for example.
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If its a rendering you are after just create an offset surface from the desired wall face and then trim it to the desired height. Then apply the material and render. The offset surface tool will automatically pick up windows/doors etc so no need to do any awkward trimming etc.
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As far as I can see the referenced layer is always positioned relative to the origin point in the "new" drawing. So if you have to move the origin (for whatever reason) create 2D locus point at the original origin point so you can revert back later when you need to realign the files.
Another option is to create a 2D locus in the referenced file at 0,0 and reference that geometry in your new file. This way you can easily move the origin in the new file to match that in the referenced one.
If you then have to permanently more the origin, you can unlock the referenced layer and copy the geometry to a new layer so you can have the contents of the referenced layer at that time (but of course it will no longer be referenced!).
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If its a case of selecting just the non rotatable stuff do a custom selection and maybe move it all to a layer and hide that layer before applying the rotation. Dimensions (text) can be made to be horizontal/vertical, so again select all the dimensions (that may be linked to the grid) after rotation and make horizontal or vertical.
This could be a case where notes are best added over viewports? In which case hide all the notes on the drawing and copy onto a sheet layer over a viewport - then rotate the viewport 1 degree.
Does this help?
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I suppose it depends on what you are modelling and to some extent your background/experience of 3D in other systems. Like islandmon I prefer to model from z=0 and build external and internal walls at the required height. The problem with the z height method in VectorWorks is that for larger projects with, say Atrium features it becomes tedious. The z=0 method also transfers well to other systems (in terms of moving from one to the other). For example FormZ.
What you can also do for multi storeys is to section the structure horizontally to get the floor plan and apply the cut to a new layer (eg 3rd floor plan) then turn off all the 3D structures and use the section a the basis for 2D detailing.
This way you are using 3D for getting the bulk done and 2D only for the detailing work without the overhead of trying to model every single part.
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Thanks EJ.
I use the Ozcad Worksheet on drawing add on and this lets you scale the worksheet as a whole and a lot more besides, but, I just can't seem to edit the height of each row.
It would make much more sense (and now that Autocad have a table feature) to be able to directly edit the sheets on the drawing like a graphic element table as you would get in the likes of Indesign or Quark Xpress.
And why can't we set the height of the rows as we can the column width? Odd.
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Wayne,
Check out www.stem3d.com
They sell a range of books for FormZ but the rendering also applies to VectorWorks. They also sell textures and models for vectorworks as well.
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I've used worksheets for a while including the excellent Ozcad Worksheet on Drawing add on, but still run into issues with sizing.
Is there any way to control the size of the worksheet by entering in width and height data. The problem is when you display multiple worksheets on the drawing that may have different numbers of columns. It is very hard to adjust the widths so they all line up. Any tips?
Also, we can easily set the column width, but how do we set the row height? It seems to be automatically set depending on the text format used.
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This is my biggest bug bear with 3D in VectorWorks. The only workaround I can suggest is to ensure your layer visibility is set to Show/Snap other layers, make all the layers visibile you need then use the Align Layer Views command in the view menu to align all the layers to the same view. This way you can work in 3D like you describe.
I assign a shortcut to the command (File - Workspaces) and work in either OpenGL or Wireframe only!
This way you can model each floor on its own layer, then model, the facade as one unit over the whole elevation - for example. Provided you keep just 3D objects on these layers there should be no problem.
Its still clunky though and less than ideal.
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Perhaps you could upload a screenshot of the screen content and a pdf of the print?
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This is sort of genuine:
http://www.alibre.com/xpress/software/alibre-design-xpress.asp
The product is Alibre Design Xpress. I have used Alibre Design (full) and it is a great value product. This version is a cut down one with some modelling features missing (like shelling). You also have to use it online as it displays Google ads. This in itself could be a problems but you can get rid of these by paying $49 and have a standalone version.
So in reality you get a $49 app. Even at that price it is probably worth trying.....and no I don't sell it!
[ 07-21-2005, 06:40 AM: Message edited by: KQ ]
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Hi Paolo,
In short, no. Its not like model to sheet in Ashlar-Vellum Cobalt where you can "flatten" the view. The Viewport is like a "window" through which you look at the drawing. To get what you describe try exporting as a dwg then re-importing.
Alternatively, if you mean can you edit dimensions etc in the viewport then yes. Double click the viewport and select Annotations from the radio dialogue. Then you can add dimensions and text etc as needed.
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If your workload is heavy and you are used to a PC, stick to that platform. We use both here, G4s, G5s, Dell Precision desktops and laptop. For 3D CAD I much prefer the PCs - they are much faster in every app for 3D. For 2D its the same.
Switching platforms and versions at the same time would not be a good move in my opinion. Besides, I thought VectorWorks was platform specific when it came to licensing? So if you have a Windows version you can't just install it on a Mac. Am I wrong?
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Hi Poalo,
Welcome to the world of 3D in VectorWorks....not quite like Cobalt is it :-) (for others I know Paolo from the Ashlar forum)...
Kevin
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I think there is something in your setup that is causing this. VectorWorks (in my experience) is as stable as most aps on Mac and PC alike. You should not be seeing the problems you are having.
The fact that it is on a Tablet PC leads me to assume it may be a graphics card issue. If possible send the crashing file to tech support. Alternatively contact the company that sold you the seat and ask them to look into it.
The basic issue though is that no software maker can guarantee every single configuration of PC or even Mac hardware/software. In the grey area that exists over compatibility your best chance of reliability is to buy hardware and software from the same vendor and have a tech support contract with them as well.
For example a lot of the higher end MCAD vendors will support only those combinations of hardware and software that they have tested and approved.
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Kurt,
It very much depends on the process you are using. For outputing layer based rapid prototyping systems (stereolithography, Fused deposition modelling, Laser sintering, and loads of others!) the file format every bureau prefers is STL.
STL is a triangular based polygonal mesh format. What I suspect you are seeing is a resolution issue. When you export STL you get a slider for more or less polygons - slide it along to the right a bit and also try choosing Binary.
This generally works OK.
In any case (and this is a strong recommendation!) get hold of a common STL viewer and check the output in that. Sometimes you need to adjust the settings to get the triangulation right.
I recommend Materialise Next Day software. This is free and lets you open STL files and check their quality before sending off to the bureau. This software is based on the common Magics RP software used by a lot of bureaus. So if its OK in this it should be OK for any bureau.
Download from www.materialise.com and follow links to Next Day.
This site has loads of information on RP as well.
In the tests I have run using VW 11.5 for walls with windows and doors all the elements do export, but often there are numerous errors (bad triangles and contours) in the STL file. The resolution is fine though. Most of these errors are minor and easily fixed by Bureaus using their software (Magics does this really well).
Where the geometry is more product like and solids the STLS are generally OK.
What I suggest doing for architectural modelling is to not use plug in objects for doors and windows, but to pierce the walls the "old way". In fact don't use walls either when you are closing it off as there seems to be a common face error in most files where the start and end point meet to close off the wall plan.
What I tell all my trainees is decide at the start what the outcome needs to be. If it is drawings and visuals then any tool will do. If it is 3D output or CAM then choose carefully and build more methodically.
As for exporting to 3D CAM systems, ACIS (.sat) is the most robust as this is the modelling kernel the software is built on.
For 2D CAM profiling (laser cutting, routing etc), dxf or dwg work fine.
There is no perfect system out there. Even the mega bucks systems like CATIA and UG have problems moving from design to production (CAM) on some parts. Understand the production process and you will be in a far better position to deal with the problems as they happen.
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True but can you control security in these like you can in Acrobat? I've only tried a few of these and none offered security controls of any kind. Acrobat (esp 7) offers excellent control over file security and what you can and can't do with it.
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Assuming the pdf was vector based you could try opening it in Illustrator and exporting as a dxf or dwg.
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Personally I think its great (and I've just bought a new G5!). What excites me is that I should be able to buy a Mac and run OSX and Windows on the same box. Right now I have to run 2 platforms and duplicate software (as few developers offer dual platform software on the same license - well done Auto-des-sys and Ashlar - who do). Some 3D software we use only runs on Windows yet we have a big investment in Mac systems as well - hence 2 platforms! Like I said, I'll be first in line for the G6 with 2 hard drives, one with OSX.5 the other with Longhorn.
Mac/Vectorworks compatibility with large PC centric client
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Is there a technical resource at RIBA where this information is available? Alternatively a better bet may to to contact a larger surveyors company. Check out the online pages at Architect Journal - they have a pile of information and contacts. You can get a trial subscription for free...
http://www.ajplus.co.uk/