How To Model?!...

[josueq4]

So Ive been searching near and far, looking in and around all these forums, and throughout the web for a step by step, on how to build a 3D model.

Can anyone point me in the right direction? Give me some pointers? I'm fairly good with Revit, but don't have a clue how to even start building a model in VW 2010.

Maybe a few of the basic steps would be good. Just get me to start modeling a simple box building with a floor and a roof, that's all I need to get started and figure the rest out.

Please help!

Sorry to be oozing newbieness all over these boards...

[propstuff]

Some of this is out of date and many people will have other ways of doing things, but here's a start

INTRODUCTION

The usual way to set up an Architectural file is to place different elements (eg 1st floor, 2nd floor etc) of the building on different layers so that element?s visibility can be turned on and off as needed. With Vectorworks, there is the added advantage that the building elements can be assigned to their correct heights via the Layer set up.

For this Model we will assume that the floor level is 800 above the ground level and we will refer to the top of the floor framing as 0.00 height)

This is not the only way a file could be set up: Most Architectural users develop their own systems and standards to suit their own Practice.

TASK 1: PREPARE A FILE FOR A HOUSE MODEL.

PURPOSE:To practice using layer heights.

1/ Open a new file. Set the Layer Visibility Options to ?Show/Snap Others?. In the first Design Layer, set the layer scale to 1:100. Set the Units to mm and the precision for General Display and Primary Dimensions to ?1? (not the default ?0.1?) Call the layer ?GROUND?. Set it?s Z height to

-1200 and its ?Z to 400. This will represent the thickness of the ground that the building is sitting on, and can be made any suitable thickness as desired.

2/ Make a new layer called FOOTINGS. Set it?s Z height to -800 and its ?Z to 800.

3/ Make a new layer called WALLS. Set it?s Z height to 0 and its ?Z to 2700.

☺ As you make new layers with a Z height set, Vectorworks will automatically make the next layer start at the Z height of the previous Layer in the Layers Pallette, and make the ?Z the same as the last one.

You can keep doing this for as many storeys as you need.

Sometimes this is convenient, and sometimes it?s not. Make sure your Layer heights are the way you want them to be for the particular project you are working on..

4/ Make a new layer called ROOF. Set it?s Z height to 0 and it?s ?Z to 0.

The Roof layer has it?s Z height set to 0 because the height of the roof is set separately in the Create Roof dialogue

When working in a Design Layer; any walls, symbols, extrudes etc that you place are put in at a height of ?0.00? (IE on the ?ground Plane?) for that layer.

☺ Also; after you have set the Layer Z height, any walls you draw in a particular layer will automatically be made at that layer Z height.

When this is done, the individual design layers can be used to contain the separate Levels of the overall structure. Different levels can be turned off for clarity when working on the job.

Because the layers in Vectorworks are ?independent? of each other, If you change your 3D view of a layer, or render it, the other layers will stay where their own view was set. Often you will want to refer to other plan layers when working.

In order to make them all line up to match the active Layer you can choose View> Align Layer Views. (NOTE this option may not be in the Workspace you are using. If it isn?t, and you want it; it can be added with the Workspace Editor)

☹ Because all the individual Layers have been working from ?0.00? Z height, all the layers will overlap if viewed in one of the Side views.

Now what is needed is a way to see the whole model and render it.

TASK 1 Part 2a : USE ?STACK LAYERS? TO VIEW THE MODEL.

PURPOSE: To Connect up and view all the parts of the Model.

If you have used the Layer Z heights when setting up the file, you can easily view the entire model using the ?Stack Layers? button.

1/ Go to View>Stack Layers or use the Stack Layers button in the Menu bar.

☺ You will now have the whole model ?hooked together? with the different Layers assembled at their correct heights and all in the same orientation. The Model can be rendered, spun around etc.

Which ever layer is active will be sitting on the Ground Plane and the others will be above and below it in the appropriate places.

☹ The Stack Layers function is primarily for displaying the model. You can only work in the Active layer, and some of the functions are not enabled when stack layers is turned on.

☺ If you set any of the layers to ?Grey? visibility(eg the roof), it will render as mostly transparent, and you will be able to see the other parts of the model through it.

TASK 2: PREPARE A HOUSE MODEL.

PURPOSE: To practice using multiple layers to create an Architectural Model.

Your file has been set up and now you will be making a house model in it.

1/ Start with the ?Ground? layer and make a circular extrusion about 150m dia and 400 thick (the Z height of the layer you set up)

Colour it green.

2/ Change to the ?Footings? Layer and select a wall style you want for the house. Draw the exterior walls for the footprint of the house (about 10m X 15m) These will automatically come out at 800 high if the file was set up and ?Link Wall height to Layer Z? is selected in the OIP.

Use AEC> Create Polys from Walls, then AEC>Floor commands to make the floor. You want it to come out flush with the top of the 800 high footings (and at the bottom of the Walls), so you can set the Bottom Z of 700 and a Thickness of 100

3/ Change to the ?Walls? Layer and trace the outside of the footings layer to produce the outside Walls. You can also just duplicate the walls from the footings layer and move them to the Walls layer. if the Z heights are set up correctly they will automatically pick up the correct height for taht layer.

4/ Select the Outside walls and choose AEC> Create Roof. There are many settings there to experiment with. Ensure that the Bearing Height is set to the height of the walls, and the Layer is set to the Roof Layer you created.

☺ You will now have the whole model ?hooked together? if the Stack layers is turned on. The Model can be rendered, spun around etc.

5/ Once you have the building shell complete; fill in the interior walls, doors windows etc.

Edited March 31, 2010 by propstuff

[mike m oz]

FREE TUTORIAL RESOURCES ON THE NNA WEBSITE

Getting Started with Vectorworks Architect 2010

This step by step instructional tutorial takes you through a complete project from start to finish. This is a relatively short tutorial at less than 100 pages, but lets you try out many of the great features in Vectorworks in the context of a project while teaching you best practices along the way.

http://www.nemetschek.net/training/free_resource.php

Residential Product Tour

This overview demonstrates how to create plans, perspectives, and elevation views using the features of ARCHITECT.

http://www.nemetschek.net/library/index.php?movie=tour

Commercial Product Tour

This overview demonstrates how to create floor plans and a 3D model of a small commercial building using the powerful but easy-to-use capabilities of ARCHITECT.

http://www.nemetschek.net/library/index.php?movie=tour

SAMPLE PROJECTS ON THE NNA WEBSITE

There are three sample projects on the NNA website that you can download and unpick:

http://www.nemetschek.net/bim/projects.php

PAY FOR TUTORIAL RESOURCES ON THE NNA WEBSITE

Vectorworks Architect Tutorial Manual, 2nd Edition $75

The Vectorworks Architect Tutorial Manual, by Jonathan Pickup, is a thorough ?project-based? training workbook. The manual walks you through a domestic project. The clients live in a 1970?s three-bedroom, timber-frame house on a concrete block basement with a garage. The house faces north on a gently sloping 1/4-acre section. The kitchen, dining, and living areas have not been updated since the house was built, and they are not big enough for this family. The clients have asked for a renovation and extension to allow for more open living areas. They want the house modernized and enlarged, with a new entry, a new living area to the north, a new bedroom, dressing room, and adjoining bathroom. The manual will take you through the process of documenting the existing site and building, preparing and presenting proposed renovations, and finally, creating the working drawings.

http://www.nemetschek.net/training/guides.php

Vectorworks Architect Learning Series DVD $100

Created for architects and design professionals, the Architect Learning Series provides easy and fast instructions on becoming a pro with Vectorworks Architect. This Series combines the dynamic training for Vectorworks with a targeted focus on Architect. Whether you design high-rise buildings or single-family homes, the Architect Learning Series helps you rise to the next level in your field.

http://www.nemetschek.net/training/trainingcd.php

[VincentCuclair]

A couple of pointers......

- VW classes are known as layers in most other CAD apps ie. put different objects in different classes for more control.

- Use VW layers as stories, they can be given their own Z height (height over ground plane) and Delta-Z (Story thickness) to which wall heights can be automatically set.

- VW has a clear division between 2D and 3D (though it has started to become less) ie. if you draw 2D objects and view the drawing in 3D the 2D objects remain flat on the screen! (this can be confusing when coming from other apps)

- When viewing a Layer(story) in 3D it can be confusing because the other layers(stories) retain their own personal view setting, to see the whole 'model as one' use the Unified View botton, this places all layers(stories) at the correct height with the same view settings.

Good luck!

Edited March 31, 2010 by Vincent C

[Jonathan Pickup]

check out youtube movies

http://www.youtube.com/archoncad

or my manuals:

http://www.archoncad.co.nz/training/vector-workout.php#concept2010

[josueq4]

Thank you so much! HUGE help! I have a pretty respectable model going already!

[Tom G.]

You can also view my free 3D tutorials on Viddler.com under VectorWorks for Left Handers

http://www.google.com/search?q=viddler+vectorworks+for+left+handers&hl=en&safe=off&client=safari&sa=X&rls=en&source=univ&tbs=vid:1&tbo=u&ei=FcbYS_LRNI2msgPUoNSdBg&oi=video_result_group&ct=title&resnum=1&ved=0CBEQqwQwAA

Watch 3D tutorials 1 through 3.