Curb Tool with Path extrudes

[Curtis M]

I was inspired by the new curb tool feature video to create a wrapping stair. I've created a stair profile as 2D symbol and it looks great in 3D but in 2D it just shows the outer boundary of the stair/curb. I'd like to show the risers in plan view, but where do I go to set this? I was trying to figure out by looking at the Curb and Gutter in the VW Library, and that shows as you'd expect it to 2D, but I couldn't figure out.

 

A second question: is there a way to make the end points of a curb mitered or trimmed to an angle? I have these wrapping stairs ending into walls at an angle, but the curb tool creates a 90 degree end. 

[Tom W.]

Can you post some screenshots...?

 

33 minutes ago, Curtis M said:

A second question: is there a way to make the end points of a curb mitered or trimmed to an angle? I have these wrapping stairs ending into walls at an angle, but the curb tool creates a 90 degree end. 

 

Does this setting achieve what you want?:

[Curtis M]

Here's a photo of how it looks in plan view versus what it looks like in 3D. I'd like to end the curb into these walls at the ends too. 

I've tried changing that option before and tried again. I don't know what it does because I can't tell any changes. 

[Tom W.]

48 minutes ago, Curtis M said:

I've tried changing that option before and tried again. I don't know what it does because I can't tell any changes. 

 

The top Curb has perpendicular ends, the bottom one vertical ends:

 

 

So not applicable in your case. I don't think you'll be able to achieve what you want. Perhaps I'm wrong but I'm not sure how many use cases there'd be for mitred ends like that in a curb...?

 

As for the Top/Plan representation I think you probably need to construct the Curb out of multiple Extrude Components rather than one in order to see the individual treads.

[Curtis M]

@Tom W. That's helpful. It seems like the option would be vertical for most extrude conditions and perpendicular for pre-cast or pavers. 

 

RE: The Top/Plan representation, here is the Curb & Gutter from the VW library and it shows the curb part different from the gutter part even though the profile is one object: 

[Tom W.]

Hmm it does seem strange how it decides on how to represent itself in Top/Plan. I am noticing too it doesn't always do what you'd expect.

 

However constructing your Curb from separate Extrudes I managed to get this:

 

 

I agree though it doesn't feel right you'd have to do it like this. It reminds me of Auto-Hybrids where you have to mess with the smoothing angle to get it looking the way you want it. Except here there's no setting to mess with to change anything.

[ericjhberg]

On 10/11/2024 at 11:35 AM, Curtis M said:

@Tom W. That's helpful. It seems like the option would be vertical for most extrude conditions and perpendicular for pre-cast or pavers. 

 

RE: The Top/Plan representation, here is the Curb & Gutter from the VW library and it shows the curb part different from the gutter part even though the profile is one object: 

Actually, the "Curb" you think you seeing in this 2D version of the curb profile isn't actually the curb. It is the part of the base that is protruding past the horizontal back of curb fact. 

 

As I have been playing with curbs, there is NO WAY to represent a traditional curb and gutter in 2D using a single profile. Instead you have to create separate Components in the style to show the curb line separate from the gutter line.

 

IMO this tool is really cool, but has some glaring functionality misses and this is one of them. NO ONE draws a curb and gutter the way it is represented on the left and it is really difficult to get it to draw it traditionally without some extreme workarounds.

[Shortnort]

Thanks for the input.  I have tried for almost an hour to get my curb and gutter to show in 2D as a curb and gutter.  One would think that this issue would have arisen during BETA testing or at least mentioned in the Vectorworks Help pages.

 

So, I will now do 2 extrusions as you suggested.

 

Again, thanks so much!!!

[Shortnort]

It took a little experimentation, but I finally succeeded!!! 

 

Thanks so much!!!

[ericjhberg]

@Shortnort...I'm curious how you achieved your desired result given the tool's limitations. Do you mind sharing?

 

[Shortnort]

I will share when I get out of my current "Deadline bind".  Basically, I just created 2 extrusions - the raised curb atop the gutter or flat portion.  The difficulties came when trying to display the textures.  I don't remember what I had to do, but I will get back.