Landmark_SIG_053 Special Interest Group July (pm) 2014

In this session we looked at building a garden swing set by using several 3D tools and commands, especially the Extrude Along a Path command. This session focused on the workflow so that users would understand how to start with a photograph, get the information they need, then how to use the tools and in what order, so that the image of the model (shown here) could be shown to the client.

Swing Set

• Drawing the shape of one leg (the Path) by using the Polygon Tool, the Mirror Tool and then the Reshape Tool (to fillet corners) in Fillet (Circular Arc) Point Mode
• Drawing a circle (the Profile)
• Then applying the Extrude Along Path command
• Duplicating the first path and then modifying it:
• Rotate command  [CTRL + L (Windows) rotates an object 90 degrees L]
• Edit Path (double-click on extrude along path) or draw a new path (Polygon Tool)
•  -> HINT: when editing shapes one can draw a marquee around certain vertices to reshape those vertices only
• Converting the Polyline to NURBS
• Using the Mirror Tool to get a second frame leg
• Adding all parts together (Add Solids)
• Using the Split Tool to flatten to bottoms of the frame
• -> HINT: when doing complex modelling (e.g. chain) always look for a texture solution first, i.e. can I build a simple form and then apply a texture that gives the impression (of being a chain)
• To create the seats and chains:
• Drawing an arc
• Off-setting a copy of the arc
• Clip Surface command
• Closing the Polyline
• Extrude command
• Creating a U-bolt (draw an arc & circle then use Extrude along Path command) and mirroring it
•  -> HINT: Turning on the Snap to line between Smart Points allows to easily find the midpoint between any two objects, e.g. very handy if using the Mirror Tool
• Mirroring the seat and the chains
• Converting to Auto-Hybrid
• Drawing a safety zone around the swing set (using the Make Guide command). These guides are placed in their own class and hence can easily be turned on and off as required.
• Creating a symbol that includes the Auto-Hybrid and the safety zone
• -> HINT: if a class is assigned during this process, then Vectorworks will automatically place the symbol in the right class when placed
• -> HINT: this class assignment can also been done retrospectively to any existing symbol (Edit Symbol, Symbol Options)
• Editing the symbol / auto-hybrid, e.g. giving it textures
• Creating a universal shiny texture that can easily be changed with the attribute colour of the object
• Placing a light (Heliodon Tool)
• Setting up a camera view
• Placing a sky as background

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