Creating a 2 x 2 x 3/8" thk. slate veneer on exterior walls

[Anonymous]

Does anyone know a better way to model a veneer finish on walls than what I have been doing? I have only had to do this on one other job which was just a bathroom addition, but what I did turned out great. I modeled a tile with the slab tool so that it's face was exactly 1.5" from the studs and then I multiplied copies both vertical and horizontal to do my walls and into
the soap niche etc. Then to do the grout joint I did a zero thickness slab of grout color just behind the face of the tile. It all really looked great in 3d because I was even able to show the 1/4 round tiles at the wall edges. It was a lot of work though.

This time I need to show 2 x 2 x 3/8" slate tiles in many locations around a
7,000 sq. ft. house that I'm doing.
Whatever I do to accomplish this will need to be exactly like it is built.
The good thing about how I was doing it is that I can have the tiles on another story and my floor plan stays clean. The bad part is that it's a difficult modeling job.

[Anonymous]

For the level of detail you seek there are no really easy options.

You could take a look at Architile from Cigraph. I haven't had the need to try it but the other add ons of theirs have worked well for me.

Another approach would be to use profiled walls. These can only provide the horizontal grout joints though so you would have to use SEOs or profiled columns (at he right intersection priority) for the verticals, and this is only practical if the pattern is stacked square or rectangular tiles (no offset or stagger). SEOs and wall/column intersections can also cause performance issues if you are not careful.

If you do try the column approach be sure to set the tile layers to a different intersection priority from the rest of the building.

[Anonymous]

Thanks Matthew!
I'm doing the individule tile and multiply horz. and vert thing in just a few
locations. Where the tile is over a window or other opening SEO ops work great, but WOW, wouldn't want to do the whole house.
I'm doing this all on a diff. story.

Thanks for the info.

I will see if I can figure out how to attach a jpg when I can find some time.

It's alot of work but it looks great!

Best,

Matthew wrote:
For the level of detail you seek there are no really easy options.

You could take a look at Architile from Cigraph. I haven't had the need to try it but the other add ons of theirs have worked well for me.

Another approach would be to use profiled walls. These can only provide the horizontal grout joints though so you would have to use SEOs or profiled columns (at he right intersection priority) for the verticals, and this is only practical if the pattern is stacked square or rectangular tiles (no offset or stagger). SEOs and wall/column intersections can also cause performance issues if you are not careful.

If you do try the column approach be sure to set the tile layers to a different intersection priority from the rest of the building.

[Anonymous]

Famous last words... I am modeling all the tile veneer, UGH.
Can't stop now because it will be worth it in the end.
I am using a 1/16" grout space between the tiles which might have been a
mistake because when I checked how it looks in elevation I'm loosing the verticals, UGH!!! anyway to adjust some setting somewhere to get them to read? It's too late to start over!!

Much thanks for any help with this!!

Jonathan wrote:
Thanks Matthew!
I'm doing the individule tile and multiply horz. and vert thing in just a few
locations. Where the tile is over a window or other opening SEO ops work great, but WOW, wouldn't want to do the whole house.
I'm doing this all on a diff. story.

Thanks for the info.

I will see if I can figure out how to attach a jpg when I can find some time.

It's alot of work but it looks great!

Best,

Matthew wrote:
For the level of detail you seek there are no really easy options.

You could take a look at Architile from Cigraph. I haven't had the need to try it but the other add ons of theirs have worked well for me.

Another approach would be to use profiled walls. These can only provide the horizontal grout joints though so you would have to use SEOs or profiled columns (at he right intersection priority) for the verticals, and this is only practical if the pattern is stacked square or rectangular tiles (no offset or stagger). SEOs and wall/column intersections can also cause performance issues if you are not careful.

If you do try the column approach be sure to set the tile layers to a different intersection priority from the rest of the building.

[David Maudlin]

Jonathan wrote:
I am using a 1/16" grout space between the tiles which might have been a mistake because when I checked how it looks in elevation I'm loosing the verticals, UGH!!! anyway to adjust some setting somewhere to get them to read?

Check to see if they are there when you zoom in (although I would guess that a 1/16" space will get lost when printed at most conventional scales). Depending on the zoom factor, ArchiCAD can drop lines draw on screen (but are still there).

David

[Richard Morrison]

Here's an idea. Draw the grout joints you wish using lines in an elevation view. Then convert to a "truss" using the Trussmaker feature. You could either SEO the grout out of the wall (which has an added composite layer for tile), or just let the grout run "proud" of the tile. In a 3D view, I really doubt whether you could tell if the grout was indented or protruding.

You might also get some ideas here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VI6XUf8ubI

[vistasp]

Jonathan, have a look at this object and see if it helps you. It can be used for horizontal or vertical surfaces. Openings will be a problem, however (although the eventual intention is to be able to cut multiple openings in the tiles... when I find the time and inclination).

http://www.archicadstuff.blogspot.in/2011/09/random-tile-object-update.html

[Eduardo Rolon]

Or try this one

http://www.eptar.hu/cadsupport.php?id=product_block&pID=1&Lang=ENG