rjtiedeman

Just start with the basics. Draw something that you are working on or with that you understand (your pencil, cup, desk, whatever). Try the getting started guides under help menu. Also Vectorworks has youtube videos that might be helpful. Have fun, build it into your daily routine. If you are doing it for work be prepared to put in extra work on your own time. Many years ago I took jobs that I ended up working at loss but the final results were worth the effort. Learn to think CAD.

Fixed After several restarts the rendering is working with VW 2021 -- Just real slow.

I just downloaded VW 2021 SP1 today and it worked fine until I tried to render a view port. VW crashed 2 times while rendering. I back saved to 2020 and rendered the project with out issues. I will wait until SP2 and hope for the best.

I am an industrial designer working with packaging and product development firm. I have been buying 3D prints for 10-15 years for packaging prototypes and product design models. The software and models have come a long way since the first ones we had made. We occasionally order 10-20 parts at the same time. One machine would not be enough for a busy project. We opted for buying the models as needed from a service. I have used about 4 or 5 different vendors (ALL GOOD) just different. I have been using https://www.protolabs.com for the last 2-3 years with out issues. They have a lot of info on their web site about materials and types of 3d printing they provide. Issues: A. Size matters: The models we have built would all fit into a table top unit. Running a model of a building or house at 1/8 scale would require a very large and expensive unit. A-2. You will need to shell large masses. They need - should - be hollow. the material is expensive making an enormous solid shapes would be unnecessary, time consuming and the final object may shrink during curing. A lot of non design model planning goes into the process so that we save time and budget. B. Resolution - Smoothness: We use Stereolithography (SLA) for all the models we have made. The Accuracy and finish are great. You can buy a table top SLA printer for about 8 - $10K. The chemicals are light sensitive, humidity sensitive, expensive, nasty and have a shelf life so buy as you need them. C. Investment : we need models 2 or 3 times a year. When we do we need them fast and perfect. So it never made sense to invest in training, printer and supplies. Hope this helps. If we had a project that required a 3D printer today I could see investing in a unit. 10 years ago the same unit would have been 50 to 100K and obsolete today. Web references: https://www.protolabs.com https://all3dp.com http://3dprintingindustry.com

Just for fun. One more try with an extrude along a path subtracted from bottle shape. you can vary both shapes as you would like to get the shapes you like. Bob

This is a very rough bottle test made with solid subtractions and assembled and shelled. Unfortunately the Chamfer tool only does 45 degrees and is not variable. I think something could be done with a lot of tests. May be an angled shape extruded along a path would work better than the the Chamfer tool. Doing it this way you can edit the shape to change the position and size of there cut. Using the Subdivision tool is a possible way also but you can't go back and edit shapes you don't like. Would be good to publish some parameters for the bottle size.

The answer I got from 3Dconnection on this issue was as follows “the navigation with the SpaceMouse in Vectorworks had been implemented by Vectorworks into their product. Please contact their support team and explain that this is a feature you would like to see with their product.” So Vectorworks please advise. Bob

My 3Dconnection 3D SpaceMouse wireless only rotates by center of ALL the objects in a document. It does not rotate by the center of the selected object. Pretty much a useless tool. The Vectorworks flyover tool works fine with a normal mouse. The 3D Spacemouse works fine with it's Demo trainer. It's just a Vectorworks issue. Any idea how to get VW and 3D SpaceMouse to work together? It was a great tool when it worked. Machine specs: Imac Pro 10C-Radeon Pro Vega 64-64 GB ram. Mac OS 10.15.5, Driver 3DxWareMac v10.6.5 and Vectorworks 2020-SP3.1

Yesterday I updated my iMac Pro work station to OS 10.15.5. After about 30 minutes VW 2020 crashed and a security request came up requesting that I allow Vectorworks to monitor input from the keyboard even when using other apps. I did. So far today no crashes. But is this OK or expected. So far the only issue I am having is the 3Dconnection mouse will only rotate all the objects in space not the selected object. I am forced to use the flyover tool instead. Note: I am using VW Fundamentals so I don't use all the features that are built into higher versions so test at your own risk. I will add

yes. there are post about subdivisions going back to VW 2012. .

It has been around for some time but I am just now starting to learn how to use the SubD tools. Most projects I have been involved with are constructed of flat sheet materials and framing. Suggesting formed fiberglass structures would require a serious budjet or $$$$$. As for package structures the subdivision tools are proving to be difficult to control. Controlling the size and surface of packages is not arbitrary modeling.

How about using the subdivision tool for the 3d lozenge shape.

Yes I used the DR web site for reference. They have good front and side views. Plus Overall H X W X D to build a containment frame. The Subdivision tool is a bit like having a seance or casting a magic spell. It’s going to take some practice to get it right. We need a challenge. Works fine for Dinos. 1. It would helpful to label the SUB points so they could moved together. 2. Tool that was in between normal and sub. If that makes any sense.

Since I have time to try different solutions I attempted to recreate the subdivision of the chair and stopped. I decided to try using sweeps and subtractions instead. Attached is a comparison. I am finding it is a lot easier to control shapes with the standard 3D tools. I can NOT get the fillet by variable radius to work properly. The instructions are not working for me. RT

I was able to fix the upper rim by splitting the top edge and pulling the points down (Z) 1". It gets really complicated moving the front lip since the points all get really close together. May be there is a way to link points in succession but it really becomes a labor of love to adjust the mesh. The other way would be to convert to curbs and use the fillet edge tool. What day is it? Bob