Getting used to VW

[JoeF]

Here is a quick screen shot I made while trying out the roof tool. I drew a rectangle and created a roof then used the flyover tool with Open GL turned on to see what I had created. Smack in the middle of the 3d view is a 2d rectangle. Why in the world do you see 2d stuff in a 3d view. What possible purpose can this serve? I just don't get it.

http://static.flickr.com/121/257612019_0c55380db5_o.jpg

[CipesDesign]

Joe, the rectangle is the original shape from which the roof was created. I have always wondered why the create roof command leaves the object. I usually just delete it, but it would nice if there was an option to delete the original...

[panthony]

Joe,

You need to select the stack layers option under the view menu in order to hide 2D elements used to create the roof object. Also you can delete the 2D geometry used to create roof objects as it is no longer needed to support the roof data. This same thing happens in the plan as any 2D lines you draw in your model will stay viewable in 3D until you stack layers.

Pete A

[JoeF]

Thanks for the replies.

Gonna take some getting used to.

Is there any way to have the program automatically use Open GL when in a 3d view so you do not have to set it each time? Wireframe is rarely the option I want as a default.

[panthony]

Joe,

Because Open GL uses quite a bit of processer rescources it would be difficult to work with all the time and would be quite slow as the model increased in size and complexity. The reason to work in wireframe is really simple....you can manipulate the model to get the view you want as well as modify and add objects while in the 3D environment then with quick keys (CTRL/SHIFT/G) render the model. By keying in (CTRL/5) you can go right back to the 2D plan view and continue working. I bounce around this way constantly as I develop my model.

The following picture shows a structure built using walls, windows, doors and roof objects...but all the extra items were added in a combination of 2D and 3D environment.

[eclair]

I feel your pain, my friend...VW is difficult to grasp if you are used to any other programs. SketchUp, for instance, leaves VW in the dust for 3D modeling/viewing. The NNA ads all claim "easiest to use, powerful, intuitive 3D, etc...", but what a pain in the a$$ to learn, once you are familiar with something else! Keep working with it, in time you'll get the hang of the program. No, it isn't intuitive, but you will figure it out eventually! Best of luck!

Edited October 2, 2006 by eclair

[MKingsley]

Is there any way to have the program automatically use Open GL when in a 3d view so you do not have to set it each time?

Use Saved Views.

[JoeF]

It is 2006. Most CAD programs are capable of realtime manipulation of shaded models. Here is a sample of what I am used to producing.

http://static.flickr.com/85/258251553_d527ac5596_o.jpg

If it were not a perspective view I could spin this in real time no problem. Of course the program I use to create this image is more expensive than VW. That's the reason I am learning VW.

[propstuff]

If it were not a perspective view I could spin this in real time no problem.

In VW you can spin this real time in OpenGL while it is in perspective.

There is nothing to stop you building 3D in Open GL.

What you have to remember is that VW is a Hybrid environment that has a 2D and a 3D "space"

If you go to Top/Plan view (as against Top view) you will always go into the 2D-flat-on-the-screen environment which is always in wireframe. If you stay in 3D space you will remain in Open Gl if thats where you left it.

HTH

[islandmon]

JoeF provides an example of his professional work ...

If it were not a perspective view I could spin this in real time no problem. Of course the program I use to create this image is more expensive than VW. That's the reason I am learning VW.

Excellent ... and... easily reproducible with VW !

[JoeF]

My sample is not a rendered view. It is hidden line. I should have mentioned that. If I can produce this in VW I'll be happy. So far I have been unable to define wall patterns in a hidden line view. Can you have textures in Open GL? My mission is to avoid having to maually add textures to my model in elevation. We just finished a project that was done in AutoCAD and much time was spent manually applying complex hatching to elevations. We have been looking to avoid this manual labour by switching to Vectoworks. The promise of a 3d model that changes in elevation when you change the plans is very attractive.

[panthony]

Joe,

Here is the same image but rendered in simple OpenGL then and converted to gray scale (adobe) for output.

Pete A

[JoeF]

Thanks Pete! This looks great. I'm getting very optimistic I'll be able accomplish what we want. Nice house BTW.

[Travis]

Joe,

You can easily convert hatches into textures. Please see my post at

http://techboard.nemetschek.net/ubbthrea...=true#Post65490

There is a great deal of speed to be gained by having your standard hatches in a texture library and then apply them from the Viewport control panel.

Good luck,