Deform Tool

[LenS]

 

Hi. First post here but have been a Vectorworks since 2006. Having inconsistent results trying to "bend" a 3D object, in this case an extrusion derived from a polyline. The extrusion is essentially a flat wall panel with a free form contour. I get mixed results when I try to deform the flat panel into a curved one—sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. I've played with the number of points or vertices, and less is generally better, but doesn't always result in a successful bend. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

[Kevin McAllister]

I'm not sure if you're trying to duplicate an exact shape, but I would create a two extrusions - one of the wall panel from the front (which I believe is what you're showing above) and a second one from the plan view of the freeform contour. From there you can perform Intersect Solids to create the deformed panel.

 

Kevin

[LenS]

Thanks Kevin. Yes, doing it this way works, and not as temperamental as the Deform tool. The only issue is that the resulting contours do not emanate from the arc center, but are perpendicular to the wall panel. Still, I think this will work for what I'm doing... Len

[Kevin McAllister]

Hi Len,

 

If you'd like it to radiate there's an easy fix. Extract the front wall surface from the resulting intersection using the Extract Tool and then Shell the resulting NURBS surface using the Shell tool.

There are a couple of other approaches but they're a similar number of steps. The Intersect Solids approach give you very direct control over the shape and the contour.

 

Kevin

 

Edited February 10, 2017 by Kevin McAllister

[LenS]

Well, that did the trick! Thanks Kevin, you made my weekend...

[LenS]

Spoke too soon... You can see the first wall in pink (perpendicular) and the latest wall I made using Extract/Shell do not match. The latter method altered the arc radius!

[Kevin McAllister]

1 hour ago, LenS said:

Spoke too soon... You can see the first wall in pink (perpendicular) and the latest wall I made using Extract/Shell do not match. The latter method altered the arc radius!

 

Interesting. Is your shell to the correct side of the surface? That would change the radius. There's a checkbox in the OIP where you can switch between inside and outside.

Kevin

 

[LenS]

Kevin, yes, that was the problem. I was rushing and didn't check; seems to be working fine now. Thanks again. Len