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Create Site Model fails


JHEarcht

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VW 2013 in Windows 10

 

I'm trying to create a simple site model for the first time. The existing building is already done and looks OK in rendered view, but it needs some ground plane pavement to serve as a base. No need to be realistic; this is just for preliminaries.

 

I drew 2D polys to approximate the contours (no hard data). I converted them into 3D polys, and gave them an elevation in one foot steps. I add site modifiers for Pads and Grade Limits. I added a few 3D loci for half-foot points. I then group all on the site grading layer. The I click Validate 3D data, which says I have overlapped contours. But I don't see any overlaps, except where some contours hit a curved wall (not shown) one foot above another.

      

So I go on to Terrain / Create Site Model, and then set View/Standard/Right Isometric. The first image is what I see after that command, and the second is a Top/Plan view of the contours.

 

I'd appreciate any ideas on what I've done wrong, and how to fix it.

 

 

VW site contours in right isometric view.JPG

Site contours in Top Plan view.JPG

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Apparently I misunderstood the function of Grade Limit. What I intended was a Site Model Crop.

 

The contours look correct in 3D view until I create a Site Model. Then in 3D model view contours seem to extend from 0 to hundreds of feet in the air. I don't know what "RL" refers to, but there's only one vertical height setting in the Object Info.

 

Anyway, I deleted the Grade Limit, but in 3D view the contours still stretch up into the sky. Whenever I create the 3D site model, it defaults to a Maximum Elevation of 373'6.72". Where that number came from is a mystery. But I change it to 18', since there is only about that range from top to bottom contours. Even so, the contours seem to be stretched up to that 373' elevation.

 

When I select all site items, Validate 3D Data says there are "invalid objects for source data". As far as I can tell, only 3D loci, 3D poly contours, and Pads are in the selection.

 

Still can't get a Site Model with 3D mesh. I'm thinking the Pads may  be at fault. When I use 3D Contours setting, the contours look OK. but a rough outline of the pads is duplicated a dozen times stacked vertically. Where did that come from?

 

VW 2013_3D contour setting in Create Site Model.JPG

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I have deleted all site modifiers, which were causing some of the conflicts. But I can't make the vertical stretch go away. The rendered site model looks OK, but the polyline contours still display exactly 373'6.72" below. Shouldn't the original contours disappear under the surface mesh?

 

I change that default Maximum Elevation number (373'6.72" ) in the settings, but it still creates duplicate sites that same distance apart vertically. Where does that default number come from?

 

PS__The building model in 3D view appears 373'6.72" below the site contours in a three layer stack        .

VW site model above site contours.JPG

VW site model three layer stack.JPG

Edited by JHEarcht
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The Site Plan layer contains only 3D polylines and loci. I deleted all Site Modifiers. Each object has a Z elevation in one foot increments from the base elevation of Zero on the upper building pad. Before clicking Create Site Model, I select all objects on the site plan layer. Is that wrong? I haven't found clear step-by-step instructions for creating the Site Model, so I'm just winging it.

 

In the last image file, I turned on the building floor & roof layers in addition to the Site Plan layer. Elevations range from minus 10 feet to plus 18 feet. But the vertical separation of the three elements is 373'6.72". I don't know where that number comes from.

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Vectorworks 2013 on Windows 10

 

Here's a sample of the site contours after creation of a Site Model. I haven't changed the max/min elevations. As you can see, the max elev is 373'.72". Which is also the vertical distance between the original Source Date contours and the new site model.

 

All I need is a crude base to set the building model on. I was also hoping to show a few trees, but I couldn't find any free props of Crape Myrtles.

Site Plan sample.vwx

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13 hours ago, JHEarcht said:

Vectorworks 2013 on Windows 10

 

Here's a sample of the site contours after creation of a Site Model. I haven't changed the max/min elevations. As you can see, the max elev is 373'.72". Which is also the vertical distance between the original Source Date contours and the new site model.

 

All I need is a crude base to set the building model on. I was also hoping to show a few trees, but I couldn't find any free props of Crape Myrtles.

Site Plan sample.vwx

 

If I double-click on the site model and choose 'recreate from source data' this allows me to look at the 3d polygons and loci you have used. These all have Z values of 360' or 370' or so. So that's why the height. I moved them all downwards by 350' and then it looks more sensible.

 

Also, you have a set of 3d polygons/loci that are not part of the site model - they are sitting on the same layer but they are not within the model. These can be deleted unless you want to keep them for some reason.

 

On second look, these polylines outside of the site model seem to have the correct Z values. So, if you delete your site model, and then create a new one from those polylines/loci, then it should generate properly. It did for me, anyway. (I am using VW2018 though)

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If only it were that simple. When I select 'recreate from source data', all of the 3D polygons have the correct elevations. I don't know where you found Z values of 370' for contours. I only see that 373'.72" number in the Max Elev box of the Site Model Settings. So the question remains, where did that elevation number come from? I certainly didn't set it. And changing it in the Max Elevation box doesn't fix anything. For some unknown reason, the mesh surface is set at 373' above the contours.

 

When I choose any option other than 3D Mesh Solid for the model, that 373' vertical offset disappears. But then I have no surface for the contours, which is the point of the whole exercise. What would make the mesh jump 373' straight up?

 

I'm guessing that the "polylines outside of the site model" that you refer to are the original source data contours that display at the proper elevation. It's the 3D mesh solid that has the wrong elevations. But I don't know how or why they got that way. BTW, the Site Model mesh also seems to have added some intermediate invisible loci that warp the rendered surface from the intended slopes. They don't look like the contours.

 

 

PS__ When I click Validate 3D data, the report finds "overlapping 3D polygons". But there are no overlapping polygons, unless it means those that are in the same position, but on a different elevation, where the contours stack vertically on a wall or curb (see attachment). I don't know how to fix that "problem" except to delete the portion of the contours that wrap around a vertical wall. Is this another glitch in VW2013?

 

PPS__I've been retired for eight years. But when I was working, I used VW 2008 for 2D drawings, and SketchUp for quick 3D views (that I seldom got paid extra for). Although 2D was easy and intuitive, I found VW 3D quirky & counter-intuitive, and it repeatedly crashed my computer. This current model is just for funsies. But it would be more fun, if I could get beyond this site model obstacle. I may have to create the site model in my ancient copy of SketchUp 2005, and import it into VW.

Overlapping contours..JPG

Edited by JHEarcht
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Thanks to all for the help. But I still can't get the 3D site to do what I want to do. For example, the interpolated contours between my own contours cross over and make strange bumps in Create Site Model. So I punted, and made a crude base from simple flat polygons. I did find the cause of the 373'.72" vertical gap between site and building though. When I added a new layer to experiment with contours, I didn't notice that the elevation defaulted to that strange number. All other layers were based on a zero ground plane. Maybe I'll try again another time.

 

PS__I discovered that image props of trees don't fact the viewer as they do in SketchUp. Se la vie, se la view.

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The site model tool in general doesn't seem to like contours that are directly stacked above each other. One of its weaknesses in my opinion. You have to get around it by offsetting them ever so slightly which gives you a nearly-vertical edge.

 

I think there's a setting in the OIP for image props that lets you choose whether they turn to face you or not.

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