Djordje wrote:
Well ... most of the columns I have seen in my life are aither rectangular or round.
What about classical orders? Egyptian? Minoan?
There are more than a few (structural) columns in the world that are not cylindrical or rectangular prisms. Before the twentieth century this was the rule rather than the exception. It is curious to me that every one seems to assume that columns have strictly vertical surfaces.
I consider the column tool to be fundamentally flawed* and have found it to be largely useless. In my experience it has been the rare exception rather than the rule to have a column which is rectangular or circular with strictly vertical surfaces and which is no taller than the wall(s) with which it engages. Now that the composite structures include pen and line type settings that are actually useful I expect that I will probably never again use the column tool in its present state.
While I am inclined to agree that "freeform" (strictly vertical) columns will probably always be best modeled using the poly-wall and/or composites, there are plenty of examples of regular shaped columns in modern practice where the column tool also fails. Steel columns, while strictly vertical are more often than not "H" section and cast-in-place concrete is often flared at the top. Beyond columns, there is presently no tool that properly represents diagonal structural elements such as butresses, bracing and sheer legs. All of these I have had to make as library parts.
And now for my wish (which I will presently add to the list):
The column tool should allow the element to be defined by a custom GDL script. Wall intersections in plan will be accomplished by proper scripting with global parameters and special functions - some of which are automatic (similar to doors and windows). Wall intersections in the model will be automatic using solid element operations (this will also apply to the current circular and rectangular columns) by detecting and responding to the intersecting wall. A setting in the column parameters will determine whether the wall is subtracted from the column or the column from the wall (I can see important uses for each).
Here's to hoping for a column tool we can all use in most circumstances.
Cheers to all,
Matthew
*Part of this is for historical reasons which I have discussed before. When introduced in AC5 the wall tool was already existing (obviously) so it was decided to remove the wall volume from the column (in 3D) rather than the other way around and since there were no solid element operations (also obvious) the column was cut through its entire height. My first attempt at using the new tool resulted in large (2', 0.6m), tall (22', 7m) concrete columns with slots cut to the structural deck above wherever the low partition walls ran through them.
far easier to work. And lots of things to be evolved)
