Curtain Wall Improvements

[cberg]

For the curtainwall tool to be useful, the following improvements are needed.

1. We meed to be able to align mullions in plan to 2d reference lines. Editing of the curtainwall mullions can only happen in 3d. Mullion objects do not snap to anything. There are no point to point move/copy options for manipulation.

2. We also need to be able to move and copy mullions by a set distance. Right now it is very difficult to move or copy the mullions by a given dimension. You can do it through a very awkward combination of tabs and keys, but success is limited.

3. We need to be able to manually enter the elevation of a horizontal mullion.

3. The curtainwall object needs to be able to be inserted into a wall. Storefront and punched ribbon windows typically do not span floor to floor as curtainwall does.

4. Maybe create a storefront/ribbon window object, which is a revamped version of the legacy window wall tool, that treats the object more like a window, but builds in the functionality of the curtain wall.

5. We need some corner mullion options. If nothing else, why couldn't the glass join as a component.

Maybe someone needs to partner with a curtainwall vendor, such as Kawneer, or Vistawall to better understand how these systems work.

Thx,

[cberg]

I'd like to bump this for consideration for wishlist.  I have spent hours upon hours with the CW tool.  Some of my initial items I've worked out workarounds. The following still drive me crazy.

 

1. Moving/Snapping/Aligning Mullions need more control

2. Inserting Curtainwall into Walls. aka Storefront Tool. 

3.  Corner Mullions that actually look and work like corner mullions. 

 

 

 

[Benson Shaw]

3. The curtainwall object needs to be able to be inserted into a wall. Storefront and punched ribbon windows typically do not span floor to floor as curtainwall does.

4. Maybe create a storefront/ribbon window object, which is a revamped version of the legacy window wall tool, that treats the object more like a window, but builds in the functionality of the curtain wall.

+1

I occasionally need to model existing contexts with a curtain wall bearing on a knee high standard wall, then maybe another standard wall spandrel stacked above. Or those entry areas made of a short section of several glass panels and several glass doors inserted into a standard wall. The curtain wall tool can do all that with some fussing in the OIP settings, but the ability to cut into standard walls would help.

More corner configs, too.

-B

[cberg]

Frustrated after muddling for hours through half-baked implementation of VW's 2015 BIM elements.

In commercial construction there is something called a ribbon window. Easy to do in Sketchup. But so hard to do in VW. :-)

Wes suggested turning the curtainwall into a symbol and then inserting it into a wall. This sort of works in the punched areas where brick is the dominant material. However it is hard to adjust the how the plane of the curtainwall relates to the outside wall face. The mullions need to go 3"(77mm) from the outside wall face. However the symbol insertion options only allow you to center or align left or right in the wall. The window wall tool has an offset function that allows greater control.

I can create a wall recess, which works in 3d and allows you greater control as to where in the wall the CW exists, but the 2d elements don't show up well. It would be great to show a sill condition, for example.

I have yet to figure out how to successfully turn the corner on a ribbon window that has been inserted into a wall. Any suggestions for how to turn the corner with curtainwall ribbon window that has been inserted into a wall?

I can't be the only architect who is dealing with this sort of thing?!?

Edited April 13, 2016 by cberg

[cberg]

Maybe I figured something out. You have to first insert a faux corner window... that is just a cased opening. You can draw a sill in the 2d window settings.

Then you can place (but not insert the curtainwall)

Kind of a cludge but I guess it works.

[zoomer]

We have the same problem, we call it "Fensterbänder" in Germany, which means

exactly the same as ribbon window.

So I think it's not a problem of "Curtain WALLS", its a problem or missing feature

in "Windows".

And I am a little afraid of placing Walls into Walls, even hidden in a Symbol.

How will that look in IFC code for BIM

I think it is quite ok in your example (nice btw) to use CW's.

But I think I would use separate Layers for your Masonry Walls and CW's.

That way you could renounce the use of Symbols.

Has other drawbacks though.

[zoomer]

Or is it about the large Framed Windows Only (?)

I did similar in smaller, in additions, by standard 3D Geometry in nested Symbols.