Arched Dormers

[machuofm]

Does anybody know how to create an arched dormer? I've just started to work in 3D and have picked up most of it but my company uses a lot of arched dormers in our design and I don't have it as an option.

[Travis]

Arched dormers are not a plug-in option, as you've learned.

You'll need to do the following:

1) Draw small walls to represent the three dormer sides. You can edit the walls with the 3D Edit tool to angle the side walls into the roof line accurately.

2) Group the three walls & enter the group. Here you can draw the arched roof shape and extrude it. Add any detail (cornice molding, fascia, soffit, etc.) that is necessary, but don't go too overboard. Again, use the 3D Edit tool to adjust the "back" of the dormer roof to meet the main roof line correctly. You might also use Subtract Solids, if necessary. (There are lots of 3D methods that could be used here as you grow more proficient.)

3) Go to Top/Plan view. You'll need to trace a polygon to be used to cut out the main roof. Remember to use the wall line at the front and the dormer roof at the top/back. Cut the polygon.

4) Exit the dormer group. Double-click the main roof, taking you to the underlying 2D geometry. Paste-in-place the dormer-shaped poly and clip. Delete the pasted poly. Exit the roof.

You'll likely need to experiment a few times to get the roof opening right.

Good luck,

[islandmon]

4)One point to remember is to calculate the length of the 3D roof face 2D diagonal based on the 1/cos of angle of slope,

4:12 = 18.26? = cos18.26=0.9496=1/cos18.26=1.053.