In this session, we covered matching the 3D look of slab objects with their 2D look, editing Extrude Along Path objects, modifying the lighting and rendering settings, and using some of the 3D Power Pack tools and Subdivision Modeling tools.

Topics covered:

• 00:59    We started the session by looking at how to get the look that you want with slab objects. With a rectangle in the top/plan view, we used the Create Floor command to turn it into a floor object. Switching back and forth between the 2D and 3D views, it looked pretty nice—but it was too white! We added a hatch to the surface—the challenge was that it only appeared in the 2D view. The look of the 3D object didn’t match the look of the 2D object. We experimented with adding a texture to the 3D object and, by experimenting with the Scale setting in the Object Info palette, finally got a 3D ceiling tile texture to resemble the ceramic tile hatch that appeared in the 2D view. We could have also used the Attribute Mapping Tool. We wanted to experiment some more with this, so we used the Create Object From Shape command to make a slab object. We again added the hatch—it did not appear on the 3D object. We added the ceiling tile texture again—but there wasn’t the option to scale it in the Object Info palette! We ended up scaling the actual texture through the Edit Texture dialog box. We spent some time going through the Image, Size, and Bump settings. These concepts can be applied to hardscapes as well.
• 12:02    Next, we wanted to look at editing objects that are made using the Extrude Along Path command. We started by creating a 2D arch. I’ve added the Compose and Select Connected Objects commands to the right click on my mouse, making it much easier when I’m modeling. Using the Extrude Along Path command, we turned the arch into a 3D object. We experimented with editing the object by making changes to it in the Edit Profile window. We created a different Extrude Along Path object that used an arc as its path and experimented with modifying the object in the Edit Path window.
• 25:49    The lighting options in Vectorworks 2018 are the same as in 2017. We added a heliodon, changed the shadowing, and added a decorative metal texture to our 3D arch. It looked pretty good! Next, we wanted to play around with various 3D Power Pack tools. We started with the Create Drape Surface command—it’s like throwing a blanket over your model! Another cool 3D Power Pack tool is the Unfold Surfaces command. Constructing a cylinder, we used the Unfold Surfaces command to lay it out flat. We discussed some of the differences between the 3D Power Pack tools and the Subdivision modeling tools, including some of the new features in VW 2018.
• 39:40    We finished the session by using Multiple View Panes as we modeled in 3D. With at least two view panes opened up, we could select all of the edges of our arch as we rounded off its edges. Working with Multiple View Panes meant that we could reach all of the surfaces without having to rotate the arch! This greatly increased our speed—and lowered our frustration level.

3D Modeling October 2017 am
[ms-protect-content id=”34491,34492,34493, 34494, 34495, 34496, 344927″]