Lecture Three:

Table of Contents



1.0 Introduction

Today’s class marks a threshold in learning to use CAD software. To this point, I’ve been providing instruction at the class-room level. After this class, instruction is going to be at the individual level.

I will give a lecture today that will provide you with a final set of skills that will help you generate your model. After today, I’ll deal with you on a case-by-case basis. If you need to generate an object and you don’t know how to do it, I’ll either provide you one-on-one instruction, or refer you to a section of the tutorial which will provide you with the instruction you need.

So, to get started, here are our two main tasks for today.

  • For the first half hour – you’ll continue making measurements of your distorted photo

  • For the final hour – I’ll provide a lecture that provides more skills that will assist you in completing your model

2.0 Start New File for Façade 1

For a Fuller Explanation See, Part C Page 89:

http://3dlearning.iit.nrc.ca/3DVirtualBuildings/PartCHTML/PartC.htm

Alright, let’s begin.

To start, I want you to do two things.
First, open your VectorWorks file containing your reference object. We will refer to it when we need to measure a specific wall.

Second, I want you to create a second, new, file in VectorWorks, by opening the "File" menu and selecting "New". This is the file we will use to construct the first wall of our structure, specifically the wall of your structure facing either Sparks Street or Elgin St. Save your file, and name it "Façade1".

2.1 Change View in VectorWorks

Before we begin drawing we will need to change the view and scale of our file. Since most of you are drawing the front of your structure, let’s shift the view of our file from the "Top View", the default 3D View in VectorWorks, to the front view:

  • To do that, go to the "3D Palette"

  • Click the "3D Selection Tool".




  • Click "Yes" if VectorWorks asks if you want to switch to the orthogonal projection.

  • Go to the "3D Selection Tool"

  • Select the "Front View" button , now available at the top of your screen






2.2 Change Scale of File

To change the scale of our file,  as we did with our first VectorWorks file:

  • Open the "Page" menu at the top of the screen. Select the "Scale" option.

  • Select the circle marked " 1" = 20' " as your scale.

  • Click "OK".
3.0 Draw Reference Rectangle

For a Fuller Explanation See, Part C Pages 89-90:

http://3dlearning.iit.nrc.ca/3DVirtualBuildings/PartCHTML/PartC.htm

Our first order of business will be to generate a reference rectangle, one that will help us properly situate the objects – such as windows and doorways – that we construct for our model.

To generate the rectangle, use the data you garnered from the map, from measuring the reference wall using the ruler, your calculations, and if need be, from the reference object, using the measuring tools provided by VectorWorks. At this stage of the process, you should have the length and height of the wall you want to draw, as shown here.



Bear in mind that for many of you, especially for those of you constructing buildings on Elgin St., the bottom section of your structure is sloped as is the case with the Hope building shown above.

For the height of your rectangle, use the largest figure. If the left edge of your wall is longer than the right, as is the case with the Hope Building here, use the figure on the left, in this case: 38’. However, if ground slope goes in the opposite direction, you’ll want to use the figure from the right side since it will be longer.

For those of you constructing models of 103 Sparks and143-151 Sparks St., ground slope is not an issue since there structures are located on Sparks St.

To generate the rectangle:
  • Go to the "2D Palette" and select  the "Rectangle Tool".



  • Draw a rectangle of any size.  A small one will do.

  • We'll modify its size using the "Obj Info" panel. Remember, it’s located on the right edge of your screen. If you can’t see it, open the "Palettes" menu at the top, and select "Object Info", the third option from the top.



  • Once the panel appears in your screen, type the length of your structure in the top "X" text entry field, type the height of your structure in the top "Y" text entry field. To position your rectangle, type 0" in the bottom "X" text entry field, and 0" in the bottom "Y" text entry field.

  • Note that the bottom left control point of the reference shape, next to the two bottom text entry fields, has been highlighted.



You should now see something akin to the screen shot shown on this slide:




4.0 Convert 2D Objects into 3D Polygons

For a Fuller Explanation See, Part C Pages 91-92:

http://3dlearning.iit.nrc.ca/3DVirtualBuildings/PartCHTML/PartC.htm

Before discussing the steps required to generate windows and other features of your structure, however, you will need to transform your rectangle into a 3D polygon.

The reason is that occasionally you will want to view your wall from a different perspective than the "Front View" of VectorWorks. The problem is that VectorWorks will not change the perspective of the two dimensional object you have just drawn. This rectangle will look the same, regardless of whether you view it from the "Top View", "Front View", "Right View" or "Rear View". Any 3D objects you see will shift, depending on the perspective you view them, but not 2D objects.

To prevent the confusion that would ensue from such a circumstance, you’ll need to change the format of your 2D rectangle, either by extruding it into a 3D object, or changing it to a 3D polygon.

In this instance, we’ll convert the 2D object into a 3D polygon, since it will require less memory. If we extrude our rectangle, we will create an object with 6 faces, or polygons. If we transform it into a 3D polygon, we’ll generate an object with one polygon. The fewer polygons you generate, the lower your file size. Keep this function in mind when you construct the walls of your own model.  The less memory you use while generating your model, the easier it will be to use your creation for purposes such as generating animations.

To create the 3D polygon:

  • Click the rectangle with your selection arrow  to highlight it.

  • Open the "Model" menu at the top of your screen.

  • Select "Convert to 3D Polys" in your Menu.


Once you’ve converted the rectangle to 3D poly format, you should now be able to view it from different perspectives. This slide shows how it should appear when viewed from the "Right Isometric View" of VectorWorks.




5.0 Generate Complex Objects

With a reference object in place, we’re now in a position to begin learning how to generate the series of complex shapes that will comprise your model.

There are two skills that we need to consider right off the bat:

  • The first is how to make reasonable inferences when it is difficult or impossible to measure the object you are modeling.

  • Strategies useful for generating complex shapes


5.1 Making a Reasonable Inference: The case of pilasters on the Hope Building

For a Fuller Explanation See, Part C Pages 94-95:

http://3dlearning.iit.nrc.ca/3DVirtualBuildings/PartCHTML/PartC.htm

Consider the objects highlighted in this slide. These objects are called pilasters, and during the course of constructing the Hope building the following dimensions were derived for Pilasters A through E.



We were able to determine the height and width of Pilasters A through E by measuring each pilaster in the photograph of the Hope building.

But how did we know to extrude each column 6"?

The fact is we didn't:
  • If we had had another photograph of the Hope building, or a blueprint, we would have been able to make a precise measurement.

  • Since neither source was available, we had to make a guess informed by the evidence we had.

  • You will have to make similar guesses when constructing your own model.
A good way to approach a problem such as this -- namely determining the depth of your object -- is to think in terms of proportions:

If you know the length of one object, what portion of its length does a neighbouring object cover, the one for which you want to derive a figure?

Applying that approach here:

  • We knew that pilasters A and B are nearly two feet wide.

  • The images in our photograph suggest that the depth of each pilaster was less than its width.

  • They also suggest the depth's distance was approximately 1/5 to 1/4 the column's width, or 6".

  • Based on these observations we decided to use that as our figure.

5.2 Generating a Complex Shape

For a Fuller Explanation See, Part C Pages 95-115, 154-160, 172-183:

http://3dlearning.iit.nrc.ca/3DVirtualBuildings/PartCHTML/PartC.htm

Now let’s turn to the task of generating a complex shape. There are a variety of tools available to assist you in generating your model. And they are all useful. But when constructing a model, perhaps the most important thing you can learn is this: that every complicated shape can be reduce to a set of simple lines, measurements, and shapes. To create a complicated object, your task is simply to reverse the process, to assemble an array of lines, measurements and shapes that will assist you in generating any given object. Let’s see how, by examining the process of constructing three objects related to the Hope Building.

5.2.1 Pilasters

To start, after we generated the reference rectangle to help us create Façade 1 of the Hope building, the first objects we constructed were the pilasters shown here:



There was nothing complicated about the process.

We used the "Rectangle Tool" and the "Obj Info" panel to generate the pilasters and then situate them. Things started to get more complicated when we turned to the two objects indicated in this slide:



The two objects are the base, and the sill course, shown in greater detail here.

Base:



Sill Course:




Deriving a set of measurements and approximations for each object was a comparatively simple proposition. Generating them, however, involved a little more preparation.

With respect to the base, it meant doing two things:

  • Changing perspectives

  • Generating Reference Lines

Generating the pilasters, we used a view that faced the wall we were constructing.

It was the easiest thing to do, given that all we had to do was generate and extrude the rectangle and then move it with the "Object Info" panel.




5.2.2 Base

To generate the base, however, we will need to change views. Currently we are looking at the reference wall and pilasters from the "Right View." We will need to use the "3D Selection Tool" and select the "Front View" tool.

Once you shift to the "Front View", this is what you should see:



The reason the change in view is necessary is because the only way we can generate this object is from the side. The following diagrams shows the set of steps required to generate an object like the Base for the Hope Building. The six steps are:



Measurement and Estimation





Generation of Reference Lines











Generation of 2D Object




Extrusion of 2D Object to 3D object, and Shift to "Right View"











Move Base to Right, and Extend It along Reference Wall using Control Points


The corner indicated here is the place we want to position it.




Once the shape is generated, the task will then be to switch to a view facing your wall, and stretch the base using the control points, as shown in the following slides.









5.2.3 Sill Course

As you will see from the graphics that follow, the process for generating the sill course will be much the same as the one we followed for our base.

Note that in generating this object, we will again work from the "Front View".

To construct our second object, shown in the slide below, we will again use reference lines.




We will also use a new tool: the "Polyline Tool", located on the "2D Palette", shown here. It will enable us to generate the Sill Course's curved surface. Note the array of buttons that emerge on the top left corner of your screen.


We’ll start the process by again shifting to the "Front View" of Vectorworks.



The seven steps for constructing the sill course are:


Measurement and Estimation

Please note that the measurements along the X axis for the depth of the sill course -- like the base -- are estimates:



Generation of Reference Lines


Horizontal and Vertical reference Lines are again used to indicate where the height and depth of the object changes.







Once all horizontal and vertical lines were put in place, this is what we saw in our screen.




Generation of Curved Reference Line using Polyline Tool


While the reference lines facilitate generation of the most of the sill course, we still do not have a line to assist us in generating the curved section of this object.

For that, we will make use of the "Polyline Tool" . When this tool is selected, it generates a toolbar in the upper left hand side of your screen, in a fashion similar to the "3D Selection Tool".

Once the "Polyline Tool" is selected, you should see the following toolbar. The option we want for this exercise is the "Polyline by Arc Tool" .

This option, and the other options associated with the "Polyline Tool" are useful when generating a complex shape that has a single curved edge to it. For complex shapes that have more than one curve we’ll use a different procedure, to be shown in our third example.

To construct the single curved reference line for the sill course, we activated the "Polyline by Arc Tool" . We then pressed the left button of our mouse, and moved the cursor between the two points indicated in the graphic below:



Once we reached the endpoint, we clicked the mouse one time, and then moved it to the point indicated in the next graphic.




We clicked the mouse again, and VectorWorks generated the curved reference line shown in the graphic.



Generation of 2D Objects


With the reference lines in place, we were in a position to generate the sill course.

To generate the sill course, we used two tools. The first is one we know well, the "Single Line Polygon" Tool.

The second tool is the "Snap to Object Tool" , which is located on the "Constraints Palette" shown below.



The "Snap to Object" tool  assists users in making an accurate reproduction of the curved reference line:

As we generated the sill course, it attached the line being generated by the "Single Line Polygon Tool" to points along the curved reference line.

When users trace along curved lines with the drawing cursor, as is the case in the graphic below, VectorWorks periodically generates the word "Object" in the user’s screen. When you use this tool, each time you see the word "Object" click your mouse. Using the two tools, we traced along the path indicated below.



Extrusion of 2D Object to 3D object, and Shift to "Right View"




Stretch Sill Course to Right, and Extend It along Reference Wall using Control Points




5.2.4 Sill Course

The final complex object we’ll examine is the Hope Building’s Lower Cornice, shown below:





As the photo above indicates, this is a shape that has multiple curves, not one, and accordingly it's best to use a different approach than the one shown for the sill course.



As before, use the following sequence of steps to generate a shape like the Lower Cornice:



Measurement and Estimation

A good way to begin the process of reproducing an object such as this is to envision it as a series of waves.  When measuring the shape you want to determine the coordinates for the top and bottom of each succeeding wave.

  • The graphic below shows the measurements we derived for the lower cornice

  • Note that the boxes in the lower right hand corner have two figures in them.

  • The first indicates the location of the reference point along the x axis.

  • The second figure points to the height of the reference point along the y axis.

  • Again, note that the figures we present denoting the depth of the cornice are approximations, not actual measurements




To begin, as before the first step to draw horizontal and vertical reference lines to represent the outer boundaries for the shape.


Generation of Reference Lines




The second step is to draw the reference lines shown in the graphic below. Each set corresponds to the measurements shown above, namely the points that correspond with the top and bottom of each "wave" in the cornice.




Generation of Curved Reference Line using Single Polyline Tool


To generate the curved surface, use the "Single-Line Polygon Tool" .

While it may seem odd to use it instead of the "Polyline Tool" to draw a curved surface, a good curve can be created using this tool.

The key is to draw a series of short straight lines.  When the direction of the curve needs to be altered, click the mouse to end one line, and begin another. The graphic below provides a rough idea of what we mean, although you will need to draw smaller lines to draw a smooth surface.



The graphic below indicates the path that needs to be followed with the "Single Line Polygon Tool" to generate a curved reference line.





Once the curved reference line is drawn, the user’s screen should appear as below.




Generation of 2D Objects

With all reference lines in place, the user is finally in a position to generate the lower cornice, once again using The "Single Line Polygon" Tool and the "Snap to Objects" Tool.

Using both tools, trace the path indicated below to generate the lower cornice. Remember that as the curved line is traversed VectorWorks generates the word "Object" in the user’s screen.  Each time you see "Object" click your mouse when tracing along a curved reference line.




Extrusion of 2D Object to 3D Object, and Shift to "Right View"


Once the object is completely drawn, double click to complete the object, then extrude it.





Stretch Sill Course to Right, and Extend It along Reference Wall using Control Points


The graphic below show the completed lower cornice, our final complex shape.





6.0 VectorWorks Tools

Aside from covering techniques for the generation of complex shapes, there are a few more tools that you should learn before constructing your model.

6.1 The Move Tool

As you’ve learned in previous lectures, VectorWorks provides a number of ways for users to move objects.

You can use the Selection Arrow to manually move objects.

You can also use the "Object Info" panel.

A third tool is the "Move Tool", which you can access by opening the "Tool" menu and selecting the first option, "Move".

A second menu will emerge.

The first option enables you to move objects in two dimensions – along the x and y axes – and the second facilitating movement along three dimensions – along the x, y and z axes.

You can also access the "Move" tool by entering Ctrl + M on your keyboard to access to 2D "Move" tool, and Ctrl + Alt + M to access the 3D "Move" tool.

To use the tool, first select the object you want to move with the Selection Arrow.

Open the "Move" tool. For the 2D tool you should see a "Move Selection" panel such as the one displayed here.



Enter the distance you want to move your object into the text entry fields, and then press "OK". To move the object to the left or right, use the "X" text entry field.

To move the object to the right, use a positive figure, be it inches or feet.

To move the object to the left, using a negative number, be it in inches or feet.

To move an object up or down, use the "Y" text entry field. To move the object up, use a positive distance, in inches or feet. To move the object down, use a negative number, in inches or feet.


6.2 The Rotate Tool

There will be circumstances in which it is useful to rotate your object, to facilitate construction of your model. This can be done either automatically by VectorWorks, or manually by yourself.

There will be circumstances where it is more convenient to have VectorWorks manipulate your object, say when you want to rotate it 90 degrees, in a way akin to the graphic shown here.





To rotate the object in the manner shown, open the "Tools" menu, and select the "Rotate" option.

VectorWorks will present you with a selection of ways that you can rotate your object. To move it in the fashion indicated above, you would select "Rotate Right 90 Degrees". You can also move it 90 degrees in the opposite direction using the "Rotate Left 90 Degrees."

You can also flip the object, either horizontally, or vertically depending on your needs.

6.3 The 2D Rotate Tool

There are circumstances, however, when you will want to rotate your object less than 90 or 180 degrees.

In such circumstances, it would be better to use the "2D Rotate" Tool, located on the "2D Palette" of VectorWorks. The "2D Palette" and the location of the "2D Rotate Tool" are shown here.





To use the "2D Rotate Tool", select the object you want to rotate.




Next, activate the "2D Rotate" Tool. Your selection arrow will change to a drawing cursor: +.

Place the drawing cursor on the edge of the object that you want to rotate.



Click your mouse, and trace a path that is aligned with the edge of your object. You should see a dotted line that indicates the path you are tracing.




Once you’ve traced a line long enough to enable easy rotation of the object you want to move, click your mouse again, and rotate it in the direction desired.



Once you’ve reached the desired point of rotation, click your mouse again. VectorWorks will complete the rotation and you will be in a position to turn to your next task.

6.4 The 2D Mirror Tool

A closely related tool to the "Rotate" Tool is the "2D Mirror" Tool. The "Mirror" Tool is also located on the "2D Palette".



It enables you to do two things:

  • Transform an object into its mirror image.

  • Add a mirror copy of a selected object.



In most circumstances, you will use this tool to generate a mirror copy. To do so, first note the selection bar at the top left of your screen.




There are two options available to you, the "Mirror" Tool, located on the left, which transforms your object into its mirror image.




However, most of the time you will want the tool on the right, "The Mirror and Duplicate" Tool.




Selection of this tool enables you to generate a mirror copy of your object, while retaining the original.

The axis you draw defines where you want the mirror image to be placed.  You can see how this function is supposed to operate by studying the button associated with the "Mirror Tool". 

The dotted line is the axis you draw.  Once it is drawn VectorWorks will create a second mirror image that is located the same distance from the axis line as is your original object. See the figure below.




6.5 The Offset Tool

The final tool will examine today is the "Offset" Tool. It is located on the "2D Palette", with the array of buttons associated with the "2D Reshape Tool" indicated in the left representation of the "2D Palette" shown below. Press the "2D Reshape Tool" until a menu emerges, as shown on the representation of the "2D Palette" on the right. Select the "Offset" tool as indicated here.




Note that the "Offset" tool only works for two-dimensional objects.

In some circumstances, when generating an object, you will need to use information from a different object – its shape – as a frame of reference. There’s nothing new in this realization.

What is new is that there are circumstances when it’s useful to have a tool that enables you to duplicate shape information from a reference shape, and in turn reproduce it to a larger or smaller scale. That is the purpose of the "Offset" tool.

When constructing the Hope building, we used the "Offset" Tool to generate the Transom Panels shown here.





Note the features of the Transom Panel. The photograph and diagram indicate the first section of the Transom panel – the back panel -- is 2’ 1.29" high.

There is a second rectangular section that extrudes 1" from the surface of the first section, and is hollow on the inside.  It has a width of 4 1/2".

To begin, we switched to a view that faces Façade 1 of the Hope building. We next generated a rectangle using the "Rectangle" tool, and used the "Obj Info" panel to size and position our object.



At this point, we postponed extruding the shape, since we needed to use the "Offset Tool".

Before activating the "Offset Tool", we drew a 4.5" vertical line, and positioned it so that the top of the line touched the top of the transom panel, as indicated here.  This line served as a reference line when we used the "Offset Tool".



Highlight the first section of the transom panel – the rectangle -- with the selection arrow.

Activate the "Offset Tool".

A new array of buttons will appear at the top of your screen.




We selected the middle button:  the "Offset to a point" mode.




To use the "Offset Tool", we placed the drawing cursor on top of the transom panel. 

The word "Object" appeared in our screen.

Using our mouse, we dragged the drawing cursor downwards. As you move the drawing cursor, you should see a new offset line, as shown here.




We moved the drawing cursor until the offset line reached the end of the reference line. Once we reached the indicated point, we released our mouse and saw the second triangle indicated here.




Moving the vertical reference line down until its top touched the top of the new rectangle, as shown here . . .




. . .we repeated the steps just shown with the "Offset Tool"  to generate a third rectangle.




Note when performing a similar operation that if at any point one of your reference rectangles or objects seems to disappear, leaving only the object's control points, it means that VectorWorks has positioned the smaller object behind the larger one.

To bring it forward open the "Tool" menu and select "Send".  In the new menu that emerges select "Send to Front".

With the reference rectangles in place, we began extruding some of our objects. Note that extruding reference or actual objects obviates the need to use the "Send" tool. When objects are in 3D, you can see them all simultaneously. We extruded the indicated rectangle 1".




We then generated a second line to facilitate creation of the second section of the transom panel, shown here.




We then generated the object indicated here using the "Single Line Polygon" Tool, and extruded it 1".




We then generated the object indicated here, and extruded it 1".




Highlighting both halves using the "Shift" key and the selection arrow, we opened the "Organize" menu and joined the two pieces together using the "Group" command.

  • The "Group" command enables you to join two or more separate items and move them together as if they were a single unit.

  • If you want to separate or "Ungroup" your components, use the "Ungroup" command in the same menu.
With all the major objects generated, there is one final task to perform. Using the 3D palette we shifted views so that we could examine our Transom Panel from the side. This is what we saw.




To properly position the second section of the Transom Panel, shown below, use the "Move" command.




Note that the rectangular inset is presently embedded inside the surface of the plaque.  It should extrude 1" from the transom panel's surface.

We ensured that the second section was highlighted. We then opened the "Tool" menu and selected "Move". In the second menu that emerged, we selected "Move" again.

In the "Move Selection Panel", we entered 1" into the X text entry field.

This is what we saw in our screen once the second part of the Transom Panel was properly positioned.




7.0 Examine Model from Multiple Perspectives

This case study showing the "Offset" Tool and the construction of a Transom Panel provides a good example of the need to think in three dimensions while constructing a model in VectorWorks.

From one perspective of VectorWorks, such as the "Right View", the various objects of your model may seem properly positioned.

But you should always confirm this by examining your structure from a different view.

In the case of our Transom Panel, this meant examining it from "Front View" of VectorWorks as well.

  8.0 Wall Construction

The final task that we’ll concern ourselves with tonight is the generation of a wall. Right now, you have or will have a reference rectangle designed to assist you in positioning the objects associated with your model.

But it can’t serve as a wall for a very simple reason. Once you finish generating your model with your CAD software, you will need to render it, to use a different software package to affix colour, and texture files such as brick, in order to give your building a solid appearance.

If you were to keep your reference rectangle in place, it would look like a solid sheet, one that would obscure important objects like windows and doors.

Therefore, we’ll need to construct a wall that makes allowance for windows and doors, and this is the way you go about doing it.

The first step is to determine the objects that you will need to make allowance for – such as windows and doorways – when constructing your wall.

The second step is to make reference to the measurements you made of your structure, noting the size and position of each window and other important object. With regard to the Hope building, we made note of the information indicated in the two photographs below. Note that they indicate the size of the windows for the second storey of the structure, the position of the left edge of each window, and the height of the bottom ledge of each window.






With this information in hand, constructing a wall was easy:
  • We used the same strategy as we used to generate the lower cornice: using simple shapes as the basis for generating a more complex shape.

  • Using this information, we generated a series of rectangles, which in turn were used as reference shapes. Using the "Rectangle" Tool and the "Object Info" Tools, we sized and positioned five rectangles in the positions indicated in this graphic.
We also drew a reference line above the rectangles to enable completion of the second-story wall.




With our objects in place, we drew the wall following the path indicated, using the "Single Line Polygon" Tool.




Once we finished generating the shape, we deleted the reference rectangles and line. We highlighted the shape once more, and then opened the "Model" menu. Selecting the "Convert to 3D Polys" Tool, we changed the 2D object into a 3D polygon. With the conversion complete, the second story section of the wall was complete, and we moved onto our next task.




This ends our final tutorial.