New Free Form Modelling Methodology in Vectorworks.

[VIRTUALENVIRONS]

I have been experimenting with a new method of modelling in Vectorworks.  It is not unlike Subdivision, but is NURBS based so all the Vectorworks tools will work on it like a normal 3D model.  

Like Subdivision it is useful, but only another tool.

 

I have successfully used this process to build a complex model for an Australian firm that had farmed the job out about the globe with no success.  I had to work out the construction tools which leaves me to believe it is still somewhat unknown to Vectorworks.

 

In the model below, NURBS curves were only used in the handle and spigot.  The rest of the body is one NURBS surface made without NURBS curves.

 

 

[grant_PD]

can you share your process?  

[VIRTUALENVIRONS]

3 minutes ago, grant_PD said:

can you share your process?  

I can, but it is still very new to me.  I have family here for the weekend, leaving Monday.  I will look at a tutorial video.  The process is very simple,  but somewhat clumsy as the tools to manipulate are basic.

 

 

 

regards....Paul

[Jeff Prince]

1 hour ago, VIRTUALENVIRONS said:

I have successfully used this process to build a complex model for an Australian firm that had farmed the job out about the globe with no success.

They must not have tried very hard or weren’t paying much 🙂  I’m not seeing anything challenging that VWX of any of the other modeling softwares would have a problem with.

[VIRTUALENVIRONS]

Glad you asked😀.  In the Video below, the tent model was made in VW's.  The "Drink Mixer" and the "Horned Animal" were involved, but I can't say as to how good the users were.  At first it may appear tricky, but not difficult.  It was, it had to be physically accurate and not a representation.

 

Now for what is outside and inside the tent is another matter.

 

 

[VIRTUALENVIRONS]

This was the tent in question.  104 x 65 meters.  Not a standard tent in that they do not fall naturally.  The sides had to fall square which appeared to be the problem.

The company who hired me needed to have an exact model as they were puting on a concert inside.  They needed to build everything inside first, lighting, stage cameras, setting, etc.

 

Although this firm uses Vectorworks extensively, they did not see the tent being made in Vectorworks.  They farmed this out to other designers who used the Blenders and Rhino's of the world, but were not satisfied with results they were getting.  

 

They actually asked me if I knew anyone who could make this model?   I made it for them largely out of interest.

 

 

 

 

[VIRTUALENVIRONS]

@grant_PD  I had some time this morning.

 

First of all this is not complex modelling.  It is so easy, but it seems to have slipped under the VW radar, but it is only a tool for freeform modelling that fills a niche.  It can also be an alternative to Subdivision.

 

I could make this vase using NURBS curves, but not is 2 minutes and 45 seconds only using a circle.  This form of modelling is fun more than complex. 

 

 

 

[BartHays]

Good stuff,

 

This is pretty much how I have always manipulated Surfaces in VW or any other tool that could edit NURBS surfaces.

I would bet this is very much known to VW. 

But, it is worth sharing.

[bcd]

Yes, good to see in practice here but the title is misleading.

[VIRTUALENVIRONS]

6 minutes ago, bcd said:

Yes, good to see in practice here but the title is misleading

I suppose it was for the vase, but it was only to show the methodology for those just getting into 3D.  Just weekend stuff, pretty quiet in the summer.

 

The tent was made using these tools in conjunction with a lot of other tools, but none were NURBS curves.   The tent involved, sweeps, add solids, fillet tool, drape surface, subtract solids, and extract surface just to get to where I could begin to manipulate it as I did with the vase.