Rosebud Studios Posted June 8, 2007 Share Posted June 8, 2007 I have a need to produce a 3D plumbing drawing with many layers of systems involved. I've explored the existing tools in Architect and Designer, but have not been able to create 3D tubular objects. I used the various methods of making piping runs with polygons, polylines and electrical conduit with only 2D results. Is there a way that anyone knows to get 3D tubular objects from the existing tools or do I need a 3rd party plug-in ? Is anyone familiar with "3D Tubular" plug-in? Will it do what I need? Quote Link to comment
islandmon Posted June 8, 2007 Share Posted June 8, 2007 Usng the "cheater method" ... just create 3d Equipment symbols with stub-outs then >VP>isometric >annotations> connect via lines at 30?& 45? angles. see example: Quote Link to comment
Rosebud Studios Posted June 8, 2007 Author Share Posted June 8, 2007 Thanks, but my need is to be able to change the views to enable seeing it from the top and sides as well as isometric. I have very complicated layout of 6 plus systems that need to be under slab without interfering with each other. These drawings will be helpful for all the trades involved. More complex than a freeway interchange. Quote Link to comment
Vectorworks, Inc Employee Robert Anderson Posted June 8, 2007 Vectorworks, Inc Employee Share Posted June 8, 2007 Use Extrudes along Path for this. Layout your runs as 3D polygons, convert to NURBS, then Extrude Along Path. Quote Link to comment
Gytis Posted June 9, 2007 Share Posted June 9, 2007 A side question related to Robert's response: Extrude Along Path command appears to automatically convert a selected Path object to NURBS. Is there a difference/benefit of converting to NURBS in a prior step? Quote Link to comment
Vectorworks, Inc Employee Robert Anderson Posted June 9, 2007 Vectorworks, Inc Employee Share Posted June 9, 2007 Not really. Quote Link to comment
islandmon Posted June 9, 2007 Share Posted June 9, 2007 Extrude Along Path is powerful and offers the only realistic but limited solution. A dedicated Piping EAP Tool would be a godsend especially if it provides for PIO selectable #includes> sweeps , bends, Y, T , C/O intersects. 1 Quote Link to comment
digitalcarbon Posted June 12, 2007 Share Posted June 12, 2007 i agree w/ islandmond. we need something like the wall tool but it does pipe. 1 Quote Link to comment
Rosebud Studios Posted June 12, 2007 Author Share Posted June 12, 2007 I agree also. Thanks to all, I've gone to this method, but it seems like it would not be hard to create a tool for this function. A tool would be alot faster. Maybe the next update? Quote Link to comment
digitalcarbon Posted June 12, 2007 Share Posted June 12, 2007 also one would need a flex duct feature. Quote Link to comment
Vectorworks, Inc Employee Robert Anderson Posted June 12, 2007 Vectorworks, Inc Employee Share Posted June 12, 2007 I'm not sure where "flex duct" and "plumbing" intersect, mechanix, but VWA does have a flex duct feature in its HVAC tools. Quote Link to comment
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