Subdivision Volume

[lenny]

Hello

 

I'm curious if its possible to find the volume of a subdivision? 

 

Will I have to convert it to another object?

 

Thanks

Len

[zoomer]

You convert them finally to a Generic Solid.

And I think VW should be able calculate the Volume of any Solid.

(and show it in OIP ?)

[lenny]

I received a mesh shape from a client and i've not figured out how to make it more of an enclosed shape. Do I have to do this in order to make volume a reality? 

 

I've read some on offsetting 3d objects, there isn't anything concrete on if its possible with a mesh or subdivision. 

 

I need to take one mesh. Scale it down 4-6" then attach the edges to make a sort of wall. This shape is very complex. Is this possible? and is this the only way i'll get the real "wall" like volume I'm looking for? 

 

Please refer me somewhere else if necessary 🙂

 

Len

[Kevin McAllister]

9 minutes ago, lenny said:

I received a mesh shape from a client and i've not figured out how to make it more of an enclosed shape. Do I have to do this in order to make volume a reality? 

 

I've read some on offsetting 3d objects, there isn't anything concrete on if its possible with a mesh or subdivision. 

 

I need to take one mesh. Scale it down 4-6" then attach the edges to make a sort of wall. This shape is very complex. Is this possible? and is this the only way i'll get the real "wall" like volume I'm looking for? 

 

Please refer me somewhere else if necessary 🙂

 

Len

 

The easiest way would be to do it in a mesh editor rather than VW. VW doesn't have very good tools for working with meshes.

 

Kevin

 

[zoomer]

I thought it is about VW Subdivision Objects.

 

Maybe you can that mesh as a custom base for Subdivision (?)

 

 

Until last year it was necessary to use the push pull tool to convert a mesh to a solid.

But it had to be proper, watertight mesh without double or overlapping faces and such things,

to succeed. Just pushing one face out and back in.

 

I think since VW2018 you can just select a mesh and run the "Convert to Generic Solid" command.

 

 

 

 

[lenny]

Then riddle me this. In order to recreate this shape from scratch...Would other programs like revit being using math and or marionette type things to shape it properly. 

 

I'm finding using the subdivision tool for modelling to be a bit hard given that i have to always know the angle of the direction i'm moving a point and where exactly i'm placing new points. All in 3d space, except I cant just click on a point and drag it where I want. 

 

If i know a mathematician and a python coder...could I essentially make any shape I want and would this be the best route to go? or do you find objects imported from other programs that seem to be perfectly shaped to be easy enough to work with? I don't just want easy enough. I need Volume, Structure, IFC, BIM...everything needs to be attached to these items. 

 

Whats the best route to go? Its a new architecture firm and they're willing to move in the direction most suitable for 3d modelling and unique shapes etc. 

 

Thanks

Len

[zoomer]

I think it would be good to show a screenshot of the mesh,

as my imagination of it may go completly off direction.

[lenny]

There is a nurb shape on the left. With many layers of nurbs most likely based off of the 2d nurbs on the "Ground"

 

Then on the right is the mesh. 

 

I need to make this shape into an exterior wall structure. I've converted the shape into a group so that I can scale a copy up and down to give the illusion of a foam layer and a concrete layer. However, this doesn't seem to work when I repeat the process. 

 

I'd love to be able to make this shape an enclosed solid based on the thickness needed. Interior 6" spray foam, then 4" concrete. Then I need to get the volume of those formations in order to calculate the amount of concrete and foam as best I can. 

If not. I'd love to just give the illusion in section of these "Layers". 

 

What is the best way to easily manipulate a shape like this without having to control each minor piece? Am I converting to the wrong shape? 

 

Can i take those flat nurbs and sweep them around the oval 2d nurb to get the shape? 

 

This is actually a rhino shape. 

 

Thanks for any insight. 

 

Len

 

[Kevin McAllister]

54 minutes ago, lenny said:

There is a nurb shape on the left. With many layers of nurbs most likely based off of the 2d nurbs on the "Ground"

 

Why don't you work with the NURBS surfaces? VW is much better equipped to work with them. If they have clean joins you could created a bottom cap and use Stitch and Trim (Model>3D Power Pack>Stitch and Trim Surfaces) to create a generic solid. From there you could use the Shell tool to generate your thickness forms.

 

Kevin

 

[lenny]

Thank you so much for your help. 

 

It seems as though the shape i'm looking for isn't the one that the nurbs creates. It has more of a hard top and I need the shape beside it the "Pillow" like one. With nice smooth edges. The mesh. 

 

I think there is something I clearly haven't learned when modelling. I've done a lot of modelling with straight line shapes and the odd curved shape. But nothing this complex. I am able to use this shape that I have. But i'd like to make it more useful in the future when we start getting into 3d modelling complex shapes. 

 

Oh man. Learning curve. 

[zoomer]

Ah, looks really different to what I expected.

I don't have much more than Kevins ideas with nurbs tools.

I also struggle with these and have to rewatch all Nurbs videos each time.

But I think that should be possible to get the pillow roof top.

(Loft Surface Tool in Bi-Rail Mode or such ?)

 

At least all time on forums when users agreed that a form is impossible to

create, one of the Nurbs specialists showed that opposite.

Especially the german VW staff on youtube channel used Nurbs a lot in the

past and has some nice videos.

 

As the overall form is smooth but not overly complicated,

I maybe would recreate it with the SubD tool.

[Kevin McAllister]

This thread highlights one of the shortcomings of the SubD Tool, the inability to easily control the dimensions of an object. Setting the dimensions of the cage are possible but not the object itself. Its sort of like the difference between using a bezier control point and a cubic spline point. It would be much better if there was a mode to move the object edges and have the cage adjust to match.

 

Kevin

[zoomer]

Isn’t that the same for manipulating nurbs ?

 

Or in a Mesh App.

You can control the cage by editing the original.

But the SubD will have its own life at the end though.

[Kevin McAllister]

36 minutes ago, zoomer said:

Isn’t that the same for manipulating nurbs ?

 

Not for NURBS curves. It is for NURBS surfaces but personally I wouldn't try reshaping those in VW. I would re-loft the surface instead.

 

KM

 

[zoomer]

Ah, forgot about the "2D" parts.

There always is a "through curves" mode

Was only thinking of surfaces.