Ed Wachter Posted August 23, 2018 Share Posted August 23, 2018 I'd like to model the shape and various slopes of a circular driveway and parking area with a curb/retaining wall around most of the edges. I'd like to use this to verify slope and drainage, cutting sections as needed to check. I'm wondering how to approach this and which tools to use: Maybe add site modifiers and a texture bed to the site model? Or, add some object on top of the site, such as a loft surface, shelled to provide some thickness? Maybe the curb becomes an extrude a long path, or wall? I'm hoping the method will allow easy editing afterward. Any thoughts on how you would approach this will be greatly appreciated. The attached PDF shows the 2D shape fo the area in question (with the concrete hatch). Thanks, Ed Quote Link to comment
Benson Shaw Posted August 24, 2018 Share Posted August 24, 2018 (edited) @EJW - Your pdf did not attach. But there are a couple common techniques One way is to create a Roadway, perhaps the NURBS Roadway version would be a good choice here. Roadway tools are in the Site Planning Toolset. I think it defaults to Roadway T in the tool palette which shows a little triangle at right side of text to indicate that there are more versions. Click/Hold the Roadway T (or whichever version is showing) tool bar icon to expand the menu. Drag over the one you want and release the Hold. Roadways are complex smart objects which combine site modifiers such as pads and grade limits, plus a bunch of parametric controls and options. These roadway elements combine to modify the Site Model surface, display a road which is made of a chain of segments. It works with other features of the site model, such as cut/fill, contour adjustments, etc, etc. It can be edited, and sections should be good, but there is lots to learn to make it work seamlessly. Another way is to place a pad, or series of pads showing the plan projected shape of the road, curb, retaining walls. The pads can all be at same z level or can have stepped z or slopes - however is convenient. Then model the road, curbs, walls, etc with solids modeling tools. This makes easier edits, but misses the cut/fill and some other advantages of the integrated Site Model/Roadway tool approach. HTH -B Edited August 24, 2018 by Benson Shaw just because 1 Quote Link to comment
Ed Wachter Posted August 24, 2018 Author Share Posted August 24, 2018 Thanks Benson. I've now attached that PDF site plan, just in case it might suggest other approaches. I've been baffled by the Roadway tools in the past and I probably don't need them often enough to struggle through the learning curve. So the pads and solid model tools are sounding more appealing. I'll give it a try. Ed Quote Link to comment
rowbear97 Posted August 30, 2018 Share Posted August 30, 2018 @EJW I have worked extensively with site modeling and I would suggest that you use hardscapes. Not only do you then get data rich information modeling with the hardscape but you can also use it as a site modifier. In this way you don't have to have duplicate objects thereby reducing the potential for errors and omissions. Also you want to look at long curves carefully. When using a site modifier or hardscape they calculate in a straight line and if the arc is sharp or long enough you will not always get the result you are looking for. To resolve this I have found that breaking these situations into smaller arcs or segments. Hope this helps in your efforts. 2 Quote Link to comment
Ed Wachter Posted August 31, 2018 Author Share Posted August 31, 2018 Oh! I didn't know about hardscapes. And I don't see that tool available to me in Architect. Do I need Landmark to get that tool? Sounds like the perfect tool for the task. Ed Quote Link to comment
rDesign Posted September 1, 2018 Share Posted September 1, 2018 (edited) 1 hour ago, EJW said: And I don't see that tool available to me in Architect. Do I need Landmark to get that tool? Yes - you need Landmark to access the 'Hardscape' object tool, it is not included with Architect. Edited September 1, 2018 by rDesign Quote Link to comment
Vectorworks, Inc Employee Tamsin Slatter Posted September 3, 2018 Vectorworks, Inc Employee Share Posted September 3, 2018 I would look at Roadway Poly (has all the advantages of Roadway NURBS, but can draw true arcs), and Roadway Custom Curb. You will have these available to you in Architect. 4 Quote Link to comment
rowbear97 Posted September 6, 2018 Share Posted September 6, 2018 On 8/31/2018 at 7:17 PM, EJW said: Oh! I didn't know about hardscapes. And I don't see that tool available to me in Architect. Do I need Landmark to get that tool? Sounds like the perfect tool for the task. Ed @EJW Sorry I should have asked or clarified this. It might be worth upgrading to designer. Quote Link to comment
skeyshubber Posted January 25, 2020 Share Posted January 25, 2020 @Tamsin Slatter Thanks for suggesting that tool! I was struggling with driveways and roadways and that tool does it all! 1 Quote Link to comment
Vectorworks, Inc Employee Tamsin Slatter Posted January 26, 2020 Vectorworks, Inc Employee Share Posted January 26, 2020 If you have Vectorworks 2020, I would explore the Hardscape tool again and look at the new Aligned Slab option for the 3D element. Very flexible! Also, Hardscape 2020 is available in Vectorworks Architect too. 3 Quote Link to comment
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