topic Re: Profiles with variable section in Modeling

Profiles with variable section

Anonymous — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 14:58:07 GMT

Hi

I need to produce profiled elements (objects or any other tool), that have adifferent sections on each top. These are segments of a bridge.

I looked at Cad Garage and Encina tools, and it looks like they are not able to do this.

Had a go in Sketchup, only to find out that AC13 does not support .skp import.

Without buying Sketchup pro (to export in DWG), or going back to AC12, is there a way to do this?

Thank you.

Re: Profiles with variable section

Anonymous — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 15:33:43 GMT

Ok, I managed to do that via .kmz files.

Now I have another problem:

The model imported as an object into archicad is hollow, as it was modeled in Sketchup.

Is there an easy way to make it solid, without getting too involved in GDL?

Re: Profiles with variable section

Erika Epstein — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 17:27:50 GMT

Open the library part and change the status code.
It might be simpler to create a fill in the shape of the section, drag this into the 2D window and from their copy it into the 3D window changing the poly_ to a prism of some type.

DNC goes through this in his cookbook pg. 1.46.

Alternatively you can capture the section as a custom profile and then apply it beam, wall or column tool as appropriate.

HTH

Re: Profiles with variable section

Anonymous — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 18:09:32 GMT

Erika wrote:
Open the library part and change the status code.
It might be simpler to create a fill in the shape of the section, drag this into the 2D window and from their copy it into the 3D window changing the poly_ to a prism of some type.

DNC goes through this in his cookbook pg. 1.46.

Alternatively you can capture the section as a custom profile and then apply it beam, wall or column tool as appropriate.

HTH

If it is simple scaling it's fairly easy to script with the SWEEP function. (This could also be done with a PYRAMID and a CUTPLANE.) For a changing profile a series of RULED elements would do the trick.

Re: Profiles with variable section

Anonymous — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 19:29:03 GMT

Another possibility. Make a roof with zero pitch and as thick
as the length of the object you want. Make the roof outside
edges in shape of the cross section you want. Slope the
outside edges of the roof to the taper angle you want.
Make a hole in the roof with the shape of the void and
slope the edges of the void at the same angle as the
outside edges of the roof. Save the roof as a GDL object.
The only GDL needed is to type in a ROTx 90 command at
the beginning of the 3D script and PROJECT2 3,270,2
in the 2D script of the object.
Peter Devlin

Re: Profiles with variable section

Anonymous — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 20:27:53 GMT

Erika
The profile is variable, which means each top is different. Thus I can not use a simple extrude.

Matthew
Yeah... After a brain transplant, maybe.

Peter
Same problem. The ends are different.

I managed to do this with a complex profile for the upper slab (which is constant), slanted walls and a mesh on the bottom (cut by another mesh with SEO). Then I SEO everything, and finally save it a an object.

A lot of work for such a (apparently) simple object, and I do not like to abuse on the SEO gimmick.

Still, thank you for trying to help, you guys are great

Re: Profiles with variable section

Erika Epstein — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 20:31:30 GMT

Thank you Matthew & Peter; I am going to challenge myself to try your methods.

Re: Profiles with variable section

Erika Epstein — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 20:47:22 GMT

Miguel,
My instinct then is to break it up into pieces, isolating the 'end' that changes. I am not clear which section you consider the 'end'.
There is the top,
the bottom which appears to slope separately from the top?
and then the 2 struts in between. Are they continuous? they could be made with slanted walls, [or roofs, but walls for me would be easier than steeply sloped roofs]
Correct?

If the top and bottom sections are custom profiles applied to beams, they can slope and will automatically cut the struts.

What is this again?

OOPS, missed your post. IF you do the bottom with a beam then it will cut trim off the slanted walls.

Re: Profiles with variable section

Anonymous — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 21:05:47 GMT

A concrete bridge, done in 4.5m long sections.

The top platform is has a constant profile, so that is easy,
The walls are also easy.
The bottom platform changes profile (it gets smaller as we go along), and is also inclined, so this is the tricky part.

That is why I did it with meshes.

The problem with this approach is that I need quantities. Cubic meters is easy, but surfaces for form work is a bummer.

Re: Profiles with variable section

Ralph Wessel — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 22:50:29 GMT

Krippahl wrote:
I looked at Cad Garage and Encina tools, and it looks like they are not able to do this.

You can do this with OBJECTiVE from Encina. Referring to the attached image:

1. Draw 2 cross-sections through the bridge sections. The first is the constant part, extended to the deepest extent. The second is a section through the sloping part, looking along the incline. Use OBJECTiVE > Component > New Profile to create two new section profiles.

2. A 3D view of the two profiles in their initial state.

3. Viewing the profiles in a side elevation, rotate the base profile with OBJECTiVE > Tools > Rotate to the correct incline.

4. Use OBJECTiVE > Tools > Split to cut off the unwanted portions.

5. Viewing the profiles in an end elevation, use OBJECTiVE > Tools > Split to cut the base profile to sides of the top profile.

6. The finished profile.

7 & 8. You could optionally use OBJECTiVE > Tools > Split to divide the profiles into different segments for detailing (shown in 3D).

Re: Profiles with variable section

Anonymous — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 23:48:14 GMT

I'm new here but I can't think how many times I have seen an answer by Ralph that begins "You can do this with OBJECTiVE ..." - and almost certainly an elegant solution.
to add to the chorus ... clearly graphisoft needs objective!

Re: Profiles with variable section

owen — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 00:47:52 GMT

It obviously hasn't been said enough times ...

GRAPHISOFT PLEASE LICENSE OBJECTIVE!

Re: Profiles with variable section

Anonymous — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 01:22:53 GMT

I vote Essential.

Re: Profiles with variable section

owen — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 01:35:30 GMT

failing that please implement these two wishes:

2.5D (2D Elements in 3D)

New Profiler Tool

I think Objective can do most of this, but the 2.5D elements would i think open up some new possibilities for ArchiCAD modelling tools. Its nothing that hasn't been present in nearly every other non-Architectural specific modelling program for over a decade, so why not here? There are so many everyday building elements this would be useful for ... not to mention the fact it would be yet another reason you do not need to touch GDL.

Re: Profiles with variable section

Brett Brown — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 02:27:28 GMT

owen wrote:

GRAPHISOFT PLEASE LICENSE OBJECTIVE!

This I wouldn't agree with mainly because of support. Ralph's support both here and personably is exceptional. Other add-on makers (Cigraph mainly) and Graphisoft have a lot to learn about interaction with there users.

Re: Profiles with variable section

owen — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 02:40:43 GMT

Brett wrote:
owen wrote:

GRAPHISOFT PLEASE LICENSE OBJECTIVE!

This I wouldn't agree with mainly because of support. Ralph's support both here and personably is exceptional. Other add-on makers (Cigraph mainly) and Graphisoft have a lot to learn about interaction with there users.

Very good point ... if only Graphisoft engaged with their users in the way Ralph does!

Re: Profiles with variable section

Rod Jurich — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 06:13:43 GMT

Brett wrote:
/.... Ralph's support both here and personally is exceptional./......

Yes, let's keep it this way.

Re: Profiles with variable section

Thomas Holm — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 08:16:52 GMT

Krippahl,

- as always, Ralph Wessel is the master!

- just a sidenote to the Sketchup issue: Sketchup Pro wouldn't help, because since Sketchup is a surface polygon modeler, its exported 3D DWGs would still be hollow.

- I'd - please - like to know the exact procedure for making .kmz files in Sketchup and getting them into Archicad?

Re: Profiles with variable section

Laszlo Nagy — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 13:43:36 GMT

Install the Google Earth Add-On.
Then you will be able to open KMZ and SKP files with the File\Open command.

Re: Profiles with variable section

Thomas Holm — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 08:02:21 GMT

laszlonagy wrote:
Install the Google Earth Add-On.
Then you will be able to open KMZ and SKP files with the File\Open command.

Windows only