Generating part size cultist for wood shop

[Chris Brough]

I really like being able to reference =Width, =Length & =Height of an object within the Worksheets functions, however it seems the function list is half done. I only find the three dimension types i've mentioned above, and others like "Depth" which solid subtractions, additions, etc. use.

You can see in my attached screen cap that those items which are "zero length" use the Depth dimension name so the =length function returns 0, but depth is not a choice as a function.

Is there a way to accomplish this easily via functions or would i be getting into Vectorscript / Python?

Thanks in advance for any help!

Edited April 7, 2015 by Chris @ Cider Press Woodworks

[michaelk]

If you know 2 dimensions, i.e. height and width, then use volume to extract the 3rd dimension

=volume/(height*width)

hth

mk

[Chris Brough]

Hi Michael,

I definitely like the idea. My first thought is that this would only work for objects with 6 faces with all 90 degree corners.

Also, I'm assuming volume accounts for subtracted space from the "box" object. i.e. if i have a large hole cut from the center of the object, that hole makes the volume smaller than just the overall LxWxH or LxDxH.

Thoughts?

[michaelk]

You're correct.

Even a miter on one end throws it off.

[acepernich]

That shouldn't bother a part size cultist.

[Chris Brough]

That shouldn't bother a part size cultist.

I'm not sure what you mean. If the volume of a 3/4" x 2" x 30" part has a miter on the end, the volume is less than THxWxL. So =volume/(height*width) will not return the correct depth (or needed dimension).

[acepernich]

That shouldn't bother a part size cultist.

I'm not sure what you mean. If the volume of a 3/4" x 2" x 30" part has a miter on the end, the volume is less than THxWxL. So =volume/(height*width) will not return the correct depth (or needed dimension).

That shouldn't bother a part size CULTIST. (never mind)

[Chris Brough]

ah gotcha! thanks for the input :crazy:

[jgmrussell]

Good morning,

I use interiorcad in my woodworking business. if you are not aware of it, please check it out as it is a very powerful addition to vectorworks in providing cut lists, part sizes etc. for cabinetry, millwork, furniture etc.

Check out link, it has a free demo.

http://en.extragroup.de/

[Chris Brough]

I have used the evaluation copy of Interiorcad and am close to purchasing the software.

It would still be nice to have the option to make my own worksheets without third party software.

[James Russell]

Michael (and Chris),

Didn't we talk a while ago about using the bounding box parameters to calculate these three values; Length, Width and Height?

There will always be obvious flaws with any of these systems; Rotational values, mitres, non-rectangular shapes, slope variations, notchouts.

I'd be very interested one day to see the script that runs for the Wall Framer tool in the Architect package, I think that would tell us some interesting things.

Back to the aforementioned bounding box, I'll have a play on the train tomorrow and see where I got to on that project.

J

[Chris Brough]

Awesome, thanks James! I can say MOST of my furniture/cabinet parts would show correctly in a cultist using the bounding box method. Does that involve VS or PY?

[Chris Brough]

Any one have a method to grab a bounding box of any object or group? I'd love to at least get a group bounding box size so i can automate a cabinet list with overall sizes, etc.