zoomer Posted November 25, 2014 Share Posted November 25, 2014 I noted some problems that make me really slower than I was used to in my previous CAD or 3D software. I worked intensively for 3 weeks now and found and tried a lot of workarounds too. It's no rocket science, just the basics of working in 3D. Just moving cubes and slabs, booleans and pulling faces. No architectural Objects or Tools, just imported Meshes from ADT, converted to Solids while working on these. As often I got an existing 3D model DWG export (ADT here) to work on : - optimize the geometry for visualization purposes by cleaning, sorting and repairing geometry - work in some coming updates and changes - keep a good CAD model for possible other use - export in 3D software for Renderings - create 3D PDFs And here comes a list of points that annoyed me while working. These are not in order but numbered if there are any questions. I tried to keep it as short as possible but can go into detail for any of the points : 1. I can select some Vertices of one single Mesh and edit an absolute value to the average X,Y or Z values. I need an option to set/move all of the Vertices to an absolute value at once. 2. Setting numerical values in OIP works only for one object at one time. If my selection marquee covers more than f.e.one Mesh, I loose the XYZ input fields saying I have more than one Mesh selected. I need the possibility to edit more than one object at once. When some values differ between the object, the input field remains blank or shows a hint "different values". 3. I need an option to directly convert a valid Mesh into a Generic Solid. If it was an invalid Mesh I want to know why by a hint. F.e. Faces not closed, Overlapping Faces; Double Faces, etc. with a highlight where the problem is. 4. Push/Pull needs an option to select an element first and restrict the Face selection to that object. 5. Push/Pull needs an option to set a numerical input lock to always move Faces at at a given distance without further input. Direction of movement given by cursor not positive or negative values. 6. Push/Pull needs an option to either select and move Faces, Edges or Corners. 7. Activation Tool needs an option to "Deselect Only". Mandatory when working with Meshes Faces in Wireframe Mode. 8. If you want to f.e. Tape Measure the thickness of a 30 cm slab in side view, you likely get value of 27,98573 … because it measures in different depths. Same for dragging. (At least it uses the correct distance as it should in orthogonal views) Activation Drag Tool and Tape Measure need to show the correct value when measuring or dragging in a orthogonal view (Z-lock). 9. Boolean options need a mode to directly create a Generic Solid without history. (In 99,5% of all cases, parametric is not needed, will be done by Push/Pull Tool). 10. Add Solids of non touching 3D Objects needs to give single Generic Solids Objects that don't overlap and additions where objects overlap, not a Group. Same for Convert options like concert to Generic Solid. F.e. Selection of 20 Mesh columns, Convert to GS needs to give 20 GS columns at once not a grouped object that its included objects can't be moved separately. 11. Round Generic Solids Objects like Spheres, Cylinders, or more complicates ones, need to an option to Push/Pull the rounded surfaces. F.e. Column r=20 cm, face pulled out 10cm => r=30 cm 12. Subtract Solids needs the ability to first select more than one Object which will be cut, then select more than one Object which will be cutting. Cycling through each Part is not very nice if you selected a bunch of objects in a random manner by f.e. ALT+Selection. 13. Isometric views need an option to set at the rotation of f.e. 30° because it is a pain to read the geometry of rectangular architecture. Half of the geometry snapping points and diagonals are hidden and selecting parts is difficult in 45° isometrics. 14. Undo needs to mean Undo - even if I'm currently in f.e. Push Pull Tool. 15. Escape needs to mean Escape and exit a command - by pushing Escape Once 16. Move By Points or Drag Move needs to recognize my given direction by cursor direction with RETURN one time. 17. Generic Solids can be edited in overall dimensions, that's fine. It needs the Grid like for 2D objects as a 3D grid to set the center for scaling. Or 3 1D graphs for each X,Y and Z. 18. I can select Vertices of many Meshes to move. I can't do that with solids. It needs a "Fence" Tool to select corners of any Objects on any active class to do a move those Edges at once (Stretch Fence). Also like I asked for Meshes, it is important to Scale Edges to Zero, so that all Edges can be aligned to one Axis. 19. Undo View Changes set to Never, need to consistent never Undo a View change but Manipulations only. 20. Num Block 0-9 View Change needs to work while in any tool without the need to abort, when Numerical Input is set to By Tab Only. 21. 3D Polygons need to allow the same Manipulation options as 2D Elements like ad or subtract other 3D Faces. 22. 2D Elements like Rectangles etc. need to start at the snapping Points Z height when created in an 3D Isometric or Perspective view. 23. Meshes need to behave like Solids in Sections like by the Clip Cube, with the beautiful Red Cutting Faces. 24. Clip Cube needs an extra editing mode to not accidentally manipulate Clip Cube while working. And it needs an option to hide it while still clipping. 25. Clip Cube needs to keep its Size and Position when deactivated. 26. Classes/Layers need an Option to Lock them. There are many cases in complex geometry where you can't need objects on classes grayed but the need to save them from accidental Manipulation + Selection issues, while the need to edit other objects on more than one Class at once. 26. Drag Tool needs to always keep a Selection, even if VW thinks there would be some other Object nearer to the cursor. 27. A single push of the X-Button should always directly exit any other command and activate the Selection/Activation Tool 28. Cursor over an object needs to Pop Up (Cursor Hint) Type, Class and Layer. 29. Loft Objects don't export well to Render Application, Face Orientation. One of the original Faces copied has to be flipped. Beside, I hope general Orientation is independent form clock or counter clock wise creation. 30. Boolean Operations often fail because of tiny imperfections of imported geometry. Like Faces not touching for some Nanometers, being not drawn 100% rectangular etc. This also gives additional edges that can't be always repaired by pulling out, or need many attempts from different directions. Last option is to re-convert to mesh and examine all faces. Even then faces will be so corrupt that it has to be redrawn. Boolean Operations, Push Pull need a Tolerance Setting to force consistent Geometry. 31. Fly Over by CTRL+MMB is the most important Navigation Tool. Panning is not so important and well done by Cursor Position and Scroll Wheel. Nevertheless Panning got 3 additional ways to use by VW : Pan Tool, SPACE+LMB and CTRL+LMB MMB is an absolute no-button. It is mainly for scrolling which it does best, and maybe, for rare unimportant clicking where it doesn't matter if zoomed accidentally by a scroll before, while or after clicking. So the Fly Over Tool needs a key combination with the LMB ! At least exchanging Pan vs Fly Over. 32. A Clean Tool is needed that will Highlight and Select Double Elements, f.e. more than one same mesh on same class. Overlapping and Gap test very welcome. 1 Quote Link to comment
1 Vectorworks, Inc Employee PVA - Admin Posted December 3, 2014 Vectorworks, Inc Employee Share Posted December 3, 2014 Keep at it, I'm keeping an eye on this thread. Will make requests as I can. 1 Quote Link to comment
1 Vectorworks, Inc Employee PVA - Admin Posted February 10, 2015 Vectorworks, Inc Employee Share Posted February 10, 2015 Agreed. In most 3D-centric applications, those are the first and most prominent tools. Vectorworks' 3D has developed sort of oddly, since we started out with 2D and nothing else, then added 3D afterwards, as opposed to the software we are compared to, which was 3D (often not 2D at all) from the beginning, so there are odd leftover conventions that we need to clean up. 1 Quote Link to comment
0 zoomer Posted November 25, 2014 Author Share Posted November 25, 2014 33. Push Pull Tool needs a Tolerance setting to be able to select narrow Side Faces without the need to zoom in. F.e. for objects like Glass Plates 34. Move by Points Tool needs the ability to be used again by only One NEXT Click for any following Copy. Additional Click for new Origin from where to Copy only as an option. Quote Link to comment
0 zoomer Posted November 25, 2014 Author Share Posted November 25, 2014 35. Intersect Solids needs an Option to retain one or both Objects. With the other Boolean Options there is no way to shape an simple Objects into a part of the larger Object without making copies before. (Needed too cut the result out afterwards) Quote Link to comment
0 zoomer Posted December 3, 2014 Author Share Posted December 3, 2014 36. I found traces of full screen cross hair cursor when exporting (rendering) : Image File, current view. 37. Antialiasing seems to not work in OpenGL 3D Iso when Projection set to Perspective. And I think it works not sufficient in Orthogonal Iso Views too. Quote Link to comment
0 zoomer Posted December 18, 2014 Author Share Posted December 18, 2014 Sorry, didn't receive a notification of your answer. I'll try. Should have a software to sort issues in order and priority to not loose overview by myself. Quote Link to comment
0 zoomer Posted December 18, 2014 Author Share Posted December 18, 2014 (edited) 38. Move By Points. I think this was wished before. Should be separated in Move by Points + Copy by Points. In the worst case this will save one click each time, because it is always set to the wrong mode when you want to use it. 39. Move By Points. When in Move Mode, it shouldn't matter what Number under Copies was set. I don't get the meaning behind Moving an Object and getting 18 Copies at the same time. 40. Extruded Rectangle. Should work as standard. It does not work, with its limit to diagonal (rectangle) Mode. 1. X 2. Y 3. Z Or better, 1. Startpoint 2. choose 1st Axis by cursor direction, key in value 3. choose 2nd Axis by cursor direction, key in value 2. key in value for 3rd Axis Edited December 18, 2014 by zoomer Quote Link to comment
0 Markvl Posted December 31, 2014 Share Posted December 31, 2014 Nice list zoomer. I think I give a +1 to most of that. I find in general that I'd like to be able to grab nodes from 3D objects and move them where ever I like to be easier. 1 All nodes in a mesh should be visible once the reshape tool is chosen rather than having to cycle thru the object to highlight the node I want to change. 2 With all those nodes visible I should be able to pick which ever one I want by pick and drag or selection marquee and input xyz. 3 When moving a node it should naturally be attached to the node of an adjacent 3d polygon so that both polygons are reshaped at the same time. 4 The same common nodes should also be able to be separated and rejoined when needed. 3D Studio has a "weld" "unweld" function. I love that VW is in so many ways a complete package but it's 3D modeling tools need more options. zoomer has made a good list of them. Happy New Year everybody! 1 Quote Link to comment
0 Vectorworks, Inc Employee PVA - Admin Posted January 2, 2015 Vectorworks, Inc Employee Share Posted January 2, 2015 Agreed, the raw 3D tools could use some more work. It used to be all I could do to drag users into using hybrid PIOs so they could work in more than just 2D, now 3D is becoming the standard rapidly. 1 Quote Link to comment
0 grant_PD Posted January 5, 2015 Share Posted January 5, 2015 Agreed. 3d objects need a lot more functionality. So often one gets to the point in VW where the object is no longer editable due to its complexity/history. It is interesting to me that VW seems to operate or at least display a lot less polygons/points/segments than other 3d modelling programs. Are they present in the VW geometry and being hidden? Or does VW compute solids in a different way? If they are present and being hidden, it would be nice to hide/unhide them with the proper tools to edit them. 1 Quote Link to comment
0 Vectorworks, Inc Employee PVA - Admin Posted January 5, 2015 Vectorworks, Inc Employee Share Posted January 5, 2015 Fairly certain this was kept low in the past because of our memory and graphics engine limitations. Also, Vectorworks uses a lot more objects defined by math like a sphere, rather than individual faces like an organic mesh to keep resources free. (Thats a severe over-generalization of what is occurring but I'm keeping it simple this morning.) Not sure what the plan is now that many of those previous limitations are gone, but I have seen far more complex raw 3D objects in testing and wouldn't be surprised if this spread to other objects. Quote Link to comment
0 zoomer Posted February 10, 2015 Author Share Posted February 10, 2015 41. Cameras : Switching between Cameras (Double Click on Viz Palette) should never change Layer (Class ?) Visibility 42. Render Mode : Changing active Layer should never change (to a arbitrary) Render Mode. 43. Render Mode : Time consuming RW Render Modes need a „Start Render“ button for View Window, not auto update. that you are able to change f.e. more than one Layer Visibility without pushing the (often ignored) ESC key. 44. Render Mode : Activating RW Render Style from Wireframe should not switch to time consuming Open GL view in between. 45. View Port : Reloading a Reference file should never change position coordinates of Viewports from time to time, even when not locked (for user changes !) (File : custom user origin; Reference user = file origin) 46. View Port : Duplicated View Ports should show the included geometry or visibility - without Reloading of the „up to date“ Reference file again. 47. Class Options : Editing Material assignments in Class settings should never crash VW, even if some materials where imported from another file. (I think there came in a bunch of crash logs to NNA meanwhile) 48. Camera View Window : Should not be a (restricted) View Port but all Elements shown should always be selectable and manipulatable. 49. Viz Palette : Viz Palette should keep my column size changes that I can read and recognize my Camera Names even I use more than 5 characters. 50. VW Files : There needs to be a clean up tool that is able to find all broken things, like broken View Ports or Double/Overlapping Elements on same class/Layer 51. DWG import : The Warning (This can’t be undo) should be deactivate-able 52. DWG import : Import SHOULD be undoable ! (I can do this (manually) anyway, just a few tedious steps…) 53. Import : There should be an option to overwrite or use Symbols with same name included in the current file. 54. Symbols : There should be an option to scale a selection whole Symbols Geometry from their Symbol Origin. Better with an option to link Scaling together with the Scale of Symbol instances. 55. Scale Tool : Scale Tool needed. Like Modify > Scale Objects - but with an option to set an Origin to scale about. Quote Link to comment
0 Benson Shaw Posted February 10, 2015 Share Posted February 10, 2015 Zoomer, good thinking on most of this. However, I disagree re your #38 & #39 regarding Move by Points. I think MbP is working very well as it is with no need for splitting off a Copy by Points tool. I use the copies feature all the time. Operator needs to be mindful of the copy value setting, but that applies to lots of functions in vwx and other software. Anyway, keep up the good analysis. -B 1 Quote Link to comment
0 zoomer Posted February 10, 2015 Author Share Posted February 10, 2015 Hmmh, I want to either Move something or Copy something one or more times. That's what I thought will be controlled by the Object retention Mode switch. But moving needs number of copies set to either 0 or 1, otherwise (>1) you will Move Object + X*Copies of Object. Who ever wanted to move a column and get x copies of it at the same distance at the same time. As it is, f.e. if you want copy f.e. Plants 20x for a few times, in between you want to move f.e. a bench that is in the way of a tree copy, so that you don't forget it later, You have to click the Retention Option AND overwrite the number of copies to be able to move. When moving done and you will go on Copying you have switch Mode AND to set your desired number of copies Again. If we had 2 separate Tools, one Single Click, when opening the tool icon, would decide if you want to Move OR Copy. The copy tool could keep its number setting that way too. It could that, if Object Retention Mode would mean a simple "Copy Mode" too, of course. Or by a flying Pop Up following beside the cursor or, or, ... And of course Moving or Copying should stay active as long as I don't abort or choose another tool. F.e. you want to edit your design graphically/free hand. F.e. distribute some Trees in the garden, should work : > Select tree > activate copy tool > cursor jumps to tree origin, or you choose origin manually by click to an object snap point or any point if nothing was selected before > click first copy's postion > click second cop's position > click third ... ... Until you abort Same for Moving. move a Tree that doesn't look very good in position to new position, click, ah, worse, so better this position, click, ah, better, but here, click, there, no, better here, click, over there, click, Yes ! How do you do that as it is now ... Select tree, check Retention, check number set to <=1, click from point, click to point, next move click from point, click to point, .... Only Alternative is Select/Drag Tool. Click and drag, release LMB, click and drag again, release LMB, ... But, never, ever, made a mistake and miss the object, you will be punished some days later when you realize that you accidentally moved f.e. a View Port or a floor object, that can't be undone. Quote Link to comment
0 zoomer Posted February 10, 2015 Author Share Posted February 10, 2015 Move/Copy, Scale and Rotation are the important, basic Manipulation tools in any 3D Application. Best these are combined in one single Tool, that you can do all 3 types of manipulation in one go with full control in each of the 3 Dimensions in space. Often there, these tools are available separate as an Option. There are options for the Origin/Center, Axis locks, Workplane orientation, soft selections/falloffs, together with snapping options. Quote Link to comment
0 zoomer Posted February 10, 2015 Author Share Posted February 10, 2015 Benson, I don't think it has to be split into 2 Tools in any case. I think it just has some advantages about the number of clicks to switch between copy and move. The biggest problem is just the dependence of switch to toggle between copy/move and the number of copies, plus the one-at-a-time restriction. The UIOP Options could be located anywhere, (near cursor (?) for those like me who prefer to click with the mouse). My toolbar is at the bottom anyway which means less distance for me most of the time. Quote Link to comment
0 zoomer Posted February 11, 2015 Author Share Posted February 11, 2015 56. Selection : ALT+Select should work for Symbols too, like it does for anything else. 57. Move by Points : T-key (Axis Lock) should lock reliable even when zooming through half of the building to find the desired snapping point. 58. Drag/Selection : When selecting an Element before dragging, the selection should never jump to the neighbored Element, when starting drag but be locked to that element (as long as the cursor stays in reach of that element ? or always ?) 59. Selection : I miss the selection by a Line. Similar to Select + ALT but without a rectangle marquee. Just a Line that can be drawn in any angle, especially when in Isometric View. 60. (Active) Layer Plane : Would be nice to able to modify the height of the active Layer Plane in Plane View according to the Story levels set in Stories dialog. Quote Link to comment
0 zoomer Posted February 22, 2015 Author Share Posted February 22, 2015 61. User Origin : If you have 2 VW files, both have the same custom user origin, when you import a Layer from one file to the other, the geometry should come in at correct position. 62. 3D Resolution : 3D Resolution should be a Dokument setting, not an application wide setting. (Not just for OpenGL) 63. 3D Resolution, Export : 3D Resolution should be included as an Export Setting. 64. 3D Resolution, Export C4D : 3D Resolution should never be ignored for an Export c4d or Sent to Cinema4D. (Always set to super high makes the Cinema connection useless) 65. Export : You should be able to select Layers/Classes when exporting, just like you can do with sheets. (Not just export Layers currently visible in View Window) 66. Export : When you select „Design Layers only“ for a DXF Export, there should never be exported any Sheet Layers as DWG !? 67. Publish : You should be able to add Cameras to the publishable objects. 69. Crop : Crop should be a setting for the Camera - default : ON 70. Crop : As the unpopular „cropped perspective“ setting works strictly global, it then should do so always, even for Camera Views set to orthogonal (= kind of Isometric View) Quote Link to comment
0 zoomer Posted February 24, 2015 Author Share Posted February 24, 2015 (edited) 61. User Origin : If you have 2 VW files, both have the same custom user origin, when you import a Layer from one file to the other, the geometry should come in at correct position. ???? Not sure about this. It seems that my file lost its Custom User Origin !? So I vote for files never loosing their custom user origin .... Edited February 24, 2015 by zoomer Quote Link to comment
0 zoomer Posted February 28, 2015 Author Share Posted February 28, 2015 71. Split Tool (L) : The Knife should never change the Layer of cut Objects to the active Layer if you cut across Layers. (At least it did so with adjusting the objects world height, so to repair, need to reset correct Layer only. As opposed to the Push Pull that kept world height but changed layer/story which was even worse) 72. Cinema Export/Save As : VW should export Cameras correctly to Cinema4D. I was always used that all Cameras (perspective of course) came in set to orthogonal view in Cinema. This could be corrected very easily. Now in VW 2015 I see that all cameras came in at the same arbitrary position (!?) - so are useless. I see no difference between importing to C4D R13 or R16. Also I exported the 2015 file to VW 2014 and exported from there and it failed too. Quote Link to comment
0 DrafterPete Posted May 26, 2015 Share Posted May 26, 2015 This thread keeps coming up in when I google for solutions to various problems, I'm so glad it's not just me! 1 Quote Link to comment
0 Vectorworks, Inc Employee PVA - Admin Posted May 26, 2015 Vectorworks, Inc Employee Share Posted May 26, 2015 It's a goldmine for feature requests, I come back to it every few posts and slice the newest stuff up into individual wishlist items. 1 Quote Link to comment
0 zoomer Posted October 1, 2015 Author Share Posted October 1, 2015 22. 2D Elements like Rectangles etc. need to start at the snapping Points Z height when created in an 3D Isometric or Perspective view. Solved, Can be done by Autoplane (Wish to not be dependent on Geometry to set Plane Orientation though) 25. Clip Cube needs to keep its Size and Position when deactivated. (And reopened) Solved, It is STRG+Icon Click that will bring you the latest Clip Volume (Not sure what should be the Default, as I most times want the last Volume again after I temporarily deactivated the Clip Cube - as long as I have nothing else selected to create a new one) 32. A Clean Tool is needed that will Highlight and Select Double Elements, f.e. more than one same mesh on same class. Overlapping and Gap test very welcome. Partly solved, There is a Purge Tool improvement that deletes Coincident Geometry but no Preview. It didn't find my doubled and tripled Extrudes on same Layer/Class though 37. Antialiasing seems to not work in OpenGL 3D Iso when Projection set to Perspective. And I think it works not sufficient in Orthogonal Iso Views too. Solved, much better now. Just the new OpenGL Line thickness with min 1 Pixel looks more like 3 Pixels. 56. Selection : ALT+Select should work for Symbols too, like it does for anything else. Solved, looks like it would work now (VW 2016) 61. User Origin : If you have 2 VW files, both have the same custom user origin, when you import a Layer from one file to the other, the geometry should come in at correct position. Wrong Usage, I think it works as it should. Could be that one File had lost or never had the correct User Origin. 64. 3D Resolution, Export C4D : 3D Resolution should never be ignored for an Export c4d or Sent to Cinema4D. (Always set to super high makes the Cinema connection useless) Partly Solved, 3D Resolution CAN be controlled by Rendering the View before Export/Send To, with an appropriate set RW Render Style. Since VW 2016 even OpenGL is accepted. Of course there had to be a setting for 3D RES in (all) Export Dialogs, without the need to change/render a View before. 69. Crop : Crop should be a setting for the Camera - default : ON No, should not, Crop Views are terrible. Cam Views have Crosses now instead. Just that I think it needs to be a "complete" Frame (1 Pixel, Color customizable), and that this Camera Frame should be fitted maximized in View Window Borders. Remaining Spaces, because of Differences in Aspect Ratio between View/Camera, could be grayed or darkened. Quote Link to comment
0 zoomer Posted February 13, 2016 Author Share Posted February 13, 2016 70. Moving Geometry (in VW 2016) : It is very likely that, when you select the whole Geometry of one crowded Layer by CMD+A, to move everything in Z by the "Move by Points" Tool by a certain distance, when that Layer also contains Meshes, that some of these Meshes will not move at all, or move in an other arbitrary distance, other than all other "normal" Elements. (As there is no other way to assign elements to an other Layer with different Z Height while keeping elements World Z Height) 71. Snapping (in VW 2016) : When editing 2D content of Extrudes in sub object Mode with the Reshape Tool, in most cases, Snapping to the grayed but visible other 3D Objects outside of the Extrude, is ignored/impossible. I got used that object midpoints or centers don't work from within an Extrude and that intersection snap between 2D/3D objects does not work well generally, but sometimes VW doesn't even find corners and refuses to set smart points completely. Quote Link to comment
0 zoomer Posted September 16, 2016 Author Share Posted September 16, 2016 On 25. November 2014 at 1:29 PM, zoomer said: 1. I can select some Vertices of one single Mesh and edit an absolute value to the average X,Y or Z values. I need an option to set/move all of the Vertices to an absolute value at once. 2. Setting numerical values in OIP works only for one object at one time. If my selection marquee covers more than f.e.one Mesh, I loose the XYZ input fields saying I have more than one Mesh selected. I need the possibility to edit more than one object at once. When some values differ between the object, the input field remains blank or shows a hint "different values". 3. I need an option to directly convert a valid Mesh into a Generic Solid. If it was an invalid Mesh I want to know why by a hint. F.e. Faces not closed, Overlapping Faces; Double Faces, etc. with a highlight where the problem is. 4. Push/Pull needs an option to select an element first and restrict the Face selection to that object. 5. Push/Pull needs an option to set a numerical input lock to always move Faces at at a given distance without further input. Direction of movement given by cursor not positive or negative values. 6. Push/Pull needs an option to either select and move Faces, Edges or Corners. 7. Activation Tool needs an option to "Deselect Only". Mandatory when working with Meshes Faces in Wireframe Mode. 8. If you want to f.e. Tape Measure the thickness of a 30 cm slab in side view, you likely get value of 27,98573 meters … because it measures in different depths. Same for dragging. (At least it uses the correct distance as it should in orthogonal views) Activation Drag Tool and Tape Measure need to show the correct value when measuring or dragging in a orthogonal view (Z-lock). 9. Boolean options need a mode to directly create a Generic Solid without history. (In 99,5% of all cases, parametric is not needed, will be done by Push/Pull Tool). 10. Add Solids of non touching 3D Objects needs to give single Generic Solids Objects that don't overlap and additions where objects overlap, not a Group. Same for Convert options like concert to Generic Solid. F.e. Selection of 20 Mesh columns, Convert to GS needs to give 20 GS columns at once not a grouped object that its included objects can't be moved separately. 11. Round Generic Solids Objects like Spheres, Cylinders, or more complicates ones, need to an option to Push/Pull the rounded surfaces. F.e. Column r=20 cm, face pulled out 10cm => r=30 cm 12. Subtract Solids needs the ability to first select more than one Object which will be cut, then select more than one Object which will be cutting. Cycling through each Part is not very nice if you selected a bunch of objects in a random manner by f.e. ALT+Selection. 13. Isometric views need an option to set at the rotation of f.e. 30° because it is a pain to read the geometry of rectangular architecture. Half of the geometry snapping points and diagonals are hidden and selecting parts is difficult in 45° isometrics. 14. Undo needs to mean Undo - even if I'm currently in f.e. Push Pull Tool. 15. Escape needs to mean Escape and exit a command - by pushing Escape Once 16. Move By Points or Drag Move needs to recognize my given direction by cursor direction with RETURN one time. 17. Generic Solids can be edited in overall dimensions, that's fine. It needs the Grid to set the origin to make changes from, like for 2D objects as a 3D grid to set the center for scaling. Or 3 1D graphs for each X,Y and Z. 18. I can select Vertices of many Meshes to move. I can't do that with solids. It needs a "Fence" Tool to select corners of any Objects on any active class to do a move those Edges at once (Stretch Fence). Also like I asked for Meshes, it is important to Scale Edges to Zero, so that all Edges can be aligned to one Axis. 19. Undo View Changes set to Never, need to consistent never Undo a View change but Manipulations only. 20. Num Block 0-9 View Change needs to work while in any tool without the need to abort, when Numerical Input is set to By Tab Only. 21. 3D Polygons need to allow the same Manipulation options as 2D Elements like ad or subtract other 3D Faces. 22. 2D Elements like Rectangles etc. need to start at the snapping Points Z height when created in an 3D Isometric or Perspective view. User Problem ! = Automatic Plane 23. Meshes need to behave like Solids in Sections like by the Clip Cube, with the beautiful Red Cutting Faces. 24. Clip Cube needs an extra editing mode to not accidentally manipulate Clip Cube while working. And it needs an option to hide it while still clipping. 25. Clip Cube needs to keep its Size and Position when deactivated. 26. Classes/Layers need an Option to Lock them. There are many cases in complex geometry where you can't need objects on classes grayed but the need to save them from accidental Manipulation + Selection issues, while the need to edit other objects on more than one Class at once. 26. Drag Tool needs to always keep a Selection, even if VW thinks there would be some other Object nearer to the cursor. SOLVED 2017 !!!!!!! 27. A single push of the X-Button should always directly exit any other command and activate the Selection/Activation Tool 28. Cursor over an object needs to Pop Up (Cursor Hint) Type, Class and Layer. 29. Loft Objects don't export well to Render Application, Face Orientation. One of the original Faces copied has to be flipped. Beside, I hope general Orientation is independent form clock or counter clock wise creation. 30. Boolean Operations often fail because of tiny imperfections of imported geometry. Like Faces not touching for some Nanometers, being not drawn 100% rectangular etc. This also gives additional edges that can't be always repaired by pulling out, or need many attempts from different directions. Last option is to re-convert to mesh and examine all faces. Even then faces will be so corrupt that it has to be redrawn. Boolean Operations, Push Pull need a Tolerance Setting to force consistent Geometry. 31. Fly Over by CTRL+MMB is the most important Navigation Tool. Panning is not so important and well done by Cursor Position and Scroll Wheel. Nevertheless Panning got 3 additional ways to use by VW : Pan Tool, SPACE+LMB and CTRL+LMB MMB is an absolute no-button. It is mainly for scrolling which it does best, and maybe, for rare unimportant clicking where it doesn't matter if zoomed accidentally by a scroll before, while or after clicking. So the Fly Over Tool needs a key combination with the LMB ! At least exchanging Pan vs Fly Over. 32. A Clean Tool is needed that will Highlight and Select Double Elements, f.e. SOLVED 2016 !!!!!!! more than one same mesh on same class. Overlapping and Gap test very welcome. Nearly all still valid wishes .... Quote Link to comment
Question
zoomer
I noted some problems that make me really slower than I was used to
in my previous CAD or 3D software.
I worked intensively for 3 weeks now and found and tried a lot of
workarounds too.
It's no rocket science, just the basics of working in 3D.
Just moving cubes and slabs, booleans and pulling faces.
No architectural Objects or Tools,
just imported Meshes from ADT, converted to Solids while working on these.
As often I got an existing 3D model DWG export (ADT here)
to work on :
- optimize the geometry for visualization purposes by cleaning, sorting
and repairing geometry
- work in some coming updates and changes
- keep a good CAD model for possible other use
- export in 3D software for Renderings
- create 3D PDFs
And here comes a list of points that annoyed me while working.
These are not in order but numbered if there are any questions.
I tried to keep it as short as possible but can go into detail for
any of the points :
1.
I can select some Vertices of one single Mesh and edit an absolute value to the
average X,Y or Z values.
I need an option to set/move all of the Vertices to an absolute value at once.
2.
Setting numerical values in OIP works only for one object at one time.
If my selection marquee covers more than f.e.one Mesh, I loose the XYZ input fields
saying I have more than one Mesh selected.
I need the possibility to edit more than one object at once.
When some values differ between the object, the input field remains blank or shows
a hint "different values".
3.
I need an option to directly convert a valid Mesh into a Generic Solid.
If it was an invalid Mesh I want to know why by a hint.
F.e. Faces not closed, Overlapping Faces; Double Faces, etc. with
a highlight where the problem is.
4.
Push/Pull needs an option to select an element first and restrict the Face selection
to that object.
5.
Push/Pull needs an option to set a numerical input lock to always move Faces at
at a given distance without further input. Direction of movement given by cursor
not positive or negative values.
6.
Push/Pull needs an option to either select and move Faces, Edges or Corners.
7.
Activation Tool needs an option to "Deselect Only".
Mandatory when working with Meshes Faces in Wireframe Mode.
8.
If you want to f.e. Tape Measure the thickness of a 30 cm slab in side view, you likely get
value of 27,98573 … because it measures in different depths. Same for dragging.
(At least it uses the correct distance as it should in orthogonal views)
Activation Drag Tool and Tape Measure need to show the correct value when measuring
or dragging in a orthogonal view (Z-lock).
9.
Boolean options need a mode to directly create a Generic Solid without history.
(In 99,5% of all cases, parametric is not needed, will be done by Push/Pull Tool).
10.
Add Solids of non touching 3D Objects needs to give single Generic Solids Objects
that don't overlap and additions where objects overlap, not a Group.
Same for Convert options like concert to Generic Solid.
F.e. Selection of 20 Mesh columns, Convert to GS needs to give 20 GS columns at once
not a grouped object that its included objects can't be moved separately.
11.
Round Generic Solids Objects like Spheres, Cylinders, or more complicates ones,
need to an option to Push/Pull the rounded surfaces.
F.e. Column r=20 cm, face pulled out 10cm => r=30 cm
12.
Subtract Solids needs the ability to first select more than one Object which will be cut,
then select more than one Object which will be cutting.
Cycling through each Part is not very nice if you selected a bunch of objects in a random
manner by f.e. ALT+Selection.
13.
Isometric views need an option to set at the rotation of f.e. 30° because it is a pain to
read the geometry of rectangular architecture. Half of the geometry snapping points
and diagonals are hidden and selecting parts is difficult in 45° isometrics.
14.
Undo needs to mean Undo - even if I'm currently in f.e. Push Pull Tool.
15.
Escape needs to mean Escape and exit a command - by pushing Escape Once
16.
Move By Points or Drag Move needs to recognize my given direction by cursor
direction with RETURN one time.
17.
Generic Solids can be edited in overall dimensions, that's fine.
It needs the Grid like for 2D objects as a 3D grid to set the center for scaling.
Or 3 1D graphs for each X,Y and Z.
18.
I can select Vertices of many Meshes to move. I can't do that with solids.
It needs a "Fence" Tool to select corners of any Objects on any active class to do
a move those Edges at once (Stretch Fence).
Also like I asked for Meshes, it is important to Scale Edges to Zero, so that all
Edges can be aligned to one Axis.
19.
Undo View Changes set to Never, need to consistent never Undo a View change but
Manipulations only.
20.
Num Block 0-9 View Change needs to work while in any tool without the need to abort,
when Numerical Input is set to By Tab Only.
21.
3D Polygons need to allow the same Manipulation options as 2D Elements like
ad or subtract other 3D Faces.
22.
2D Elements like Rectangles etc. need to start at the snapping Points Z height when
created in an 3D Isometric or Perspective view.
23.
Meshes need to behave like Solids in Sections like by the Clip Cube,
with the beautiful Red Cutting Faces.
24.
Clip Cube needs an extra editing mode to not accidentally manipulate Clip Cube
while working. And it needs an option to hide it while still clipping.
25.
Clip Cube needs to keep its Size and Position when deactivated.
26.
Classes/Layers need an Option to Lock them.
There are many cases in complex geometry where you can't need objects on classes
grayed but the need to save them from accidental Manipulation + Selection issues,
while the need to edit other objects on more than one Class at once.
26.
Drag Tool needs to always keep a Selection,
even if VW thinks there would be some other Object nearer to the cursor.
27.
A single push of the X-Button should always directly exit any other command and activate
the Selection/Activation Tool
28.
Cursor over an object needs to Pop Up (Cursor Hint) Type, Class and Layer.
29.
Loft Objects don't export well to Render Application, Face Orientation.
One of the original Faces copied has to be flipped.
Beside, I hope general Orientation is independent form clock or counter clock
wise creation.
30.
Boolean Operations often fail because of tiny imperfections of imported geometry.
Like Faces not touching for some Nanometers, being not drawn 100% rectangular etc.
This also gives additional edges that can't be always repaired by pulling out, or need
many attempts from different directions. Last option is to re-convert to mesh and
examine all faces. Even then faces will be so corrupt that it has to be
redrawn.
Boolean Operations, Push Pull need a Tolerance Setting to force consistent Geometry.
31.
Fly Over by CTRL+MMB is the most important Navigation Tool.
Panning is not so important and well done by Cursor Position and Scroll Wheel.
Nevertheless Panning got 3 additional ways to use by VW :
Pan Tool, SPACE+LMB and CTRL+LMB
MMB is an absolute no-button.
It is mainly for scrolling which it does best, and maybe, for rare unimportant clicking
where it doesn't matter if zoomed accidentally by a scroll before, while or after
clicking.
So the Fly Over Tool needs a key combination with the LMB !
At least exchanging Pan vs Fly Over.
32.
A Clean Tool is needed that will Highlight and Select Double Elements, f.e.
more than one same mesh on same class.
Overlapping and Gap test very welcome.
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