Simpler than STORIES - Provide Layer Height Linking

[Taproot]

I had a chance to give STORIES a go last week and after several hours of frustration and extensive readings of this board where others expressed their on-going frustration, I found myself looking for a simpler solution.

 

It is far easier to think in relationships than absolutes.  I sure wish Vectorworks could help us design this way.

 

My request is to allow users to set a layer elevation as an offset from another layer.

That is - allow us to reference layer elevations from one another.

 

This looks like a relatively easy integration into the current design layer setup.

 

 

1. Substitute (or add as a separate option) "Layer Level" for "Story Level"
2. Allow the user to set an offset value from the referenced layer.
3. Allow the user to set the offset from either the layer elevation or the layer elevations wall height.  The wall height is a means of defining the layers thickness.  A layer's thickness can be positive or negative relative to it's elevation height.

 

 

In the following example I'm using the components of a floor system to illustrate how this would work rather than separate floors, roof, etc.

 

• The Subfloor layer is referenced as the Datum Elevation. The subfloor has a "wall height" (thickness) of -3/4"
• The Finish Floor (FF) is set to the Datum Elevation.  It has a thickness of 3/4"
• The Framing layer is linked to the Subfloor layer wall height  (which is 3/4" below the datum) and has a thickness of -11 7/8".
• The Mudsill layer is linked to the Framing layer and has a thickness of -1 1/2"
• The Foundation layer is linked to the Mudsill layer and has a thickness of -24"
• The Footing...

 

 

 

With this method, one doesn't have to remember that the Top of the Footing is actually -3'-2 1/8", the software is doing the math for you.

I would imagine that the Edit Layer dialogue would display the absolute height (in gray) while showing the layer that it is referenced to.  The user could then choose to unlink a layer at any time and set a manual elevation for it.

 

The ease of use would be amazing.  If my floor joists needed to change to say 14", I could just change the layer wall height for the Framing layer and everything linked to it (below that layer) would automatically adjust. 

 

It could actually make sections fun again.

 

 

 

Edited April 10, 2020 by Taproot

[Taproot]

It seems like there is only a little bit of interest in this topic.  Maybe I was to wordy...

 

That said,  I think it would revolutionize the user experience so I decided to take up the challenge and see how it could be done with the tools currently available to us. 

 

My first try was to put an elevation marker on each layer that was linked to display the Z-height of the layer on which it was located.  When displayed in 2d in a viewport, it provides a storypole which would update as the layer heights changed.  It would have worked great, if I could have display the elevation markers in elevation view but the objects are designed for plan view and they just show up as a line in 3D views. 

 

 

My next idea was to build a worksheet that would automatically calculate the elevations based upon the offsets (thickness of each layer).  I'm pretty satisfied with this solution.  As a worksheet, I can have it open while I'm drawing, so I can easily draw and measure and recalculate on the fly.

 

It does require manually setting the design layer elevations to match the worksheet, but at least it's accurate, and easy to analyze everything quickly in one place. 

QUESTION:  Is there a way to display the Layer Name, Layer Wall Height, and Layer Elevation in a worksheet such that you can modify them from within the worksheet?

If so, that would transform this from a calculator into a powerful tool!

 

I've posted a file with the worksheet in it below (Saved back to v.2018 just in case you don't have the most current version.

 

If it helps anyone - awesome!

If you see a way it can be improved, let me know.

 

Here's a screen shot.

• Items in Red are to be filled out as the project progresses.
• This is setup for a ≤3 story project.
• All of the elevations are derived from formulas determined by the thickness of the materials entered.
• The calculator has the Datum set to ZERO by default, but it can be manually changed to a specific site elevation i.e 153'-6"

 

 

Layer Elevation Calculator.vwx

 

[Pat Stanford]

1 hour ago, Taproot said:

QUESTION:  Is there a way to display the Layer Name, Layer Wall Height, and Layer Elevation in a worksheet such that you can modify them from within the worksheet?

I don't think there is an easy (any) way to have an editable version of the Layer Name in a worksheet. I would have to try and see about Height and Elevation but I don't think so.

 

It may be possible to create a script that would display a dialog box with scrolling that might work, but I hate doing custom dialog boxes.

[Taproot]

10 hours ago, Pat Stanford said:

don't think there is an easy (any) way to have an editable version of the Layer Name in a worksheet. I would have to try and see about Height and Elevation but I don't think so.

 

Pat -

Changing the layer name wouldn't be needed - just the height and elevation. 

That said, you're the expert on this topic, so if a worksheet solution doesn't come to mind easily then it's probably a real long-shot.

[shorter]

It is pretty easy to add a layer to a storey via the layer dialog, as opposed to the storey dialog, and therefore 'link' layers.  Most of our projects start in 2D and migrate to 3D later, so rather than defining a storey strategy from the start, it evolves.

 

A button though to 'link to layer above' would be useful as would defining layer elevation etc via a worksheet.  We have toyed with (and criticised for) generating our layers and associate heights in excel and then embedding those in a script but it's cumbersome and not something for the every day user.

[Taproot]

 

7 hours ago, shorter said:

It is pretty easy to add a layer to a storey via the layer dialog, as opposed to the storey dialog, and therefore 'link' layers.

 

I'll give that a try.  Thanks for the tip.

[shorter]

I also recommend having a storey and storey level naming strategy.

Edited April 21, 2020 by shorter