3D Modeling Special Interest Group – June 2019

In this session, we demonstrated using the Extrude Along Path command in 3D, changing the insertion point and level of detail of a 3D symbol, and importing and modifying 3D objects from online.

Topics Covered:

• 00:22    We started by covering how to create molding around a door and window by using the Extrude Along Path command. After drawing the shapes for our path and profile, we experimented with how modifying the profile (using the Mirror tool to flip it or adjusting the profile’s insertion point) or reversing the path’s direction affected our outcome. We switched to an orthogonal view. In fitting the molding around the doorway, we had to carefully stay on the Working Plane and constrain our path along the z direction. However, you don’t need to be in Top/Plan view to use the Extrude Along Path command. We made the same molding, but this time in 3D. We still needed to flip the profile—no matter how many times you’ve messed with profiles and finally “figured it out” … you still end up mirroring it, right?—but it seemed like we had to mess around less in 3D than in 2D with adjusting the molding’s height and width. We showed how to create a balustrade using the Extrude Along Path command. Using this method, it’s easy to add editable breaks to the balustrade for stairs and openings.
• 19:30    Next, we worked with 3D symbols. The challenge was getting the insertion point where we wanted it. It seemed like we had a symbol where the insertion point had changed from Vectorworks 18 to Vectorworks 19, so we opened up the 3D component to check things out. It appeared that the insertion point was still in the center, like when it was created—but maybe when the Symbol Insertion tool was used to place the symbol in a project, the align left, center, or right modes were used, instead of the Align Actual Insertion Point Mode.
• In Vectorworks 19, you have the ability to choose the level of detail that a symbol has when you cut a section through it. We compared and contrasted the various levels. It’s designed so that on a 1:100 drawing the symbol will just be a box, but on a 1:20 drawing the symbol will show the drawer front and other detailing. There are plenty of options, so it’s probably only messing with if you use a particular symbol regularly.
• 44:00    We finished the session by building a bar stool. You can import or drag and drop Revit and SketchUp objects into Vectorworks, but sometimes, objects online are too complex. However, it’s easy to construct your own—or you can start with someone else’s model and make it your own by using the 3D modeling methods that we’ve learned!

3D Modeling June 2019

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