rotating an object in 3d?

[Anonymous]

(new AC user)

I am trying to model a custom top-of-column connection plate. (see attached image) I'd like to show it in 3D (it would be boring and not a good use of BIM to just draw it orthographically) and I can't figure out the best way to do it. In SketchUp, i'd draw it in plan and rotate it up to vertical. In AC, i can't seem to find a tool to rotate it 3D. I am concerned, because all the threads on this in the forums end with an employee from Encina saying, "buy OBJECTIVE".

Please tell me that this expensive BIM software I just bought CAN rotate things in the elevation view. If not, any creative ways to model this T plate, or suggestions? Also, what tool is best for modeling solid 3D objects in AC? The Slab tool, combined with SEOs?

thanks.

[Anonymous]

You can draw the part as a slab and save as a library part. The way you save it determines its default rotation. The details are in the GDL Reference guide (in the Help Menu).

Another approach is to make a complex profile (beam or wall) and just make a very short instance (ie the thickness of the plate).

[Anonymous]

OK, that sounds like a good idea. It's about time I learned how to make library parts, anyway. Is it possible to make a library part without starting a blank project just to make the part? I tried using the directions in the AC14 Reference Guide. I selected just the parts in question within my existing project file (the T-plate and some bolt heads I added) , but it saves my entire building model as the library part.

Oh, and thank you for your regular posts. Your replies have been very helpful, both to my questions specifically as well as all the other threads I've been learning from.

[vfrontiers]

jfanjoy wrote:
OK, that sounds like a good idea. It's about time I learned how to make library parts, anyway. Is it possible to make a library part without starting a blank project just to make the part? I tried using the directions in the AC14 Reference Guide. I selected just the parts in question within my existing project file (the T-plate and some bolt heads I added) , but it saves my entire building model as the library part.

Oh, and thank you for your regular posts. Your replies have been very helpful, both to my questions specifically as well as all the other threads I've been learning from.

After creating your SLAB in the shape of your connector... View it BY ITSELF in the 3d Window... For your particular part, you would want to view an ELEVATION from 90... so what you see in the 3d window is the TOP of your resulting "t" connector.

Then, in the FILE menu, choose LIBRARIES and OBJECTS / SAVE 3d Model AS...

This will make it a library part...

[Anonymous]

Thanks, vfrontiers! That worked nicely. I am off to library-making bliss. I didn't realize that you could bring up independent 3D windows of object(s) and things in the marquee, either. (success image attached!)

Is there a way to define where you want the origin of an object, or the x/ y/ z axis to be located so you have better control of where it inserts into the main model?

[vfrontiers]

jfanjoy wrote:
Is there a way to define where you want the origin of an object, or the x/ y/ z axis to be located so you have better control of where it inserts into the main model?

ArchiCAD will always try to make the lower left hand corner 0,0,0....

But, some good "guidelines" to follow...

Always, Always, Always put a significant point at 0,0,0 in your plan (corner of a slab, top center..) The less transformation it has to do the better...

In the 3d SCRIPT after the object is saved, you can REMARK out the ADDx, ADDy etc... to get THAT point back to 0,0,0... (Remember to REPLACE the 2d symbol with the correct location...)

Also, each SLAB will have a MATERIAL CALL embedded... You can make this parametric if you know what slab is what piece of your object... So USE THE ID of the slab to identify.... PLATE, BOLT HEAD, etc...

There are many more hints in the documentation and on various websites... Too much for a post here..

[vfrontiers]

Here are some recent objects made using this concept...

Just in case someone was to ask... yes, they're on Objects Online.. But this is not the forum for shameless plugs!

Note the technique described below about starting at 0,0,0 means that I can add some code to get the iPad to rotate around the bottom center... So it can stand up, lay on the table or up against a stack of books..