Saturday

----------------Exporting / Printing

One way of getting your drawing  /model from vectorworks is to print straight from the program. Alternatively we can export out the information as still images. these can then be printed.


Exporting to Scale:

  • The best way to export to scale is as a PDF Document, go to File> Export> Export PDF
This will again export what is inside the page boundary only (the default resolution of 300dpi is used). PDF documents export line drawings at a better quality than other export file types and produce more accurate line thicknesses.
  • Another way to export your model to scale go to; File> Export> Export Image File.
Now we can select 'Each Page as seperate Image'. This means that only what is inside the page boundary will be exported and that it will be exported at the pre-set page size automatically

We still have to set the resolution and file type (for line drawings 240dpi should be sufficient).


Exporting in Perspective:

To export one of your saved views (or any other perspective view) go to;

File> Export>; Export Image File

Here we can ask the computer to render and export 'Current view', this will export only what is contained with-in the viewing space. You should therefore compose the dimension of the export first and frame it on the screen using the zoom tools. Also note that it will export in whichever render mode you have on the screen.

Resolution:
Depending on the time available and the use of the render we can export out at any given resolution. For good quality renders I suggest at least 200dpi. for line work at least 150dpi.

The best thing to do is to test the quality for each model. the more lights and textures that you have the longer the render is going to take. it is not unusual for some renders to take as long as 1 hour!

Print Size:
Here we can set the export print size. As the ratio is already set in the saved view we only need to input a value for either width or height not both (e.g 420mm width for an A3 landscape export).

File type:
Select from a wide range of file types. I suggest jpeg or tiff for now.

When you have set all of the required fields, click save and give the render a name and select where to save to.

9. Presentation 2 (Section)

Sections:

To create a section through your model, set it to plan view (0) and go to View >Create Section Viewport. Now draw a line along the section required and place a third click to decide which side of the line to show. The section will now be placed into a Sheet Layer of your choice.

This Viewport Section can be rendered and will update as you continue modelling.


8. Presentation 1 (Plan)

Viewports and Sheet Layers

http://dmae03.blogspot.com/2009/03/8-viewports-and-sheet-layers.html

Case study Plans

http://dmae-lcc.blogspot.com/2009/11/session-10-case-study-1plans.html

-------------Student Example Visuals









6. Duplicates and Symbols

Creating Duplicates and Symbols

http://dmae-lcc.blogspot.com/2009/11/session-9-duplicates-and-symbols.html


Duplicate Along Path Tool:

We can also duplicate objects and symbols along pre drawn paths (any 2D object) by using the Duplicate Along Path tool.

In the Preferences Box we can decide to place the object at set intervals along the path or decide on the number of duplicates to be placed. Select Tangent to Path to place the duplicates consistently at right angles to the path.

When modelling architectural schemes it is often useful to use the same path for more than one task. For example if we use a path to model a curved sofa we can use it again to place a set of tables in front of it. For this to work however we must first off-set the original path to the required distance so that the tables will position themselves parallel to the sofa path.

It is always useful to keep copies of paths that you use as you may need them later on. We can also duplicate Light sources along paths (we will look at this next term!).

5. Model Menu Commands

Multiple Extrudes

http://dmae-lcc.blogspot.com/2010/04/multiple-extrudes.html

Sweep Tool

http://dmae03.blogspot.com/2009/03/session-7-modelling-with-sweeps_2535.html

Add / Subtract Solids

http://dmae-lcc.blogspot.com/2009/10/session-6-solid-modelling_13.html


Extrude Along Path Tool

http://dmae-lcc.blogspot.com/2010/04/extrude-along-path-tool.html

------------------------------Exercises

Visualisation 2 (Rendering)


Applying Renderworks Texture Resources

http://dmae-lcc.blogspot.com/2009/11/session-15-applying-renderworks.html

Documenting Development using Render Bitmap Tool

http://dmae-lcc.blogspot.com/2009/10/session-6-solid-modelling_14.html

Lighting Basics Notes

4. 3D MODELLING BASIC

Creating Basic Extrusions

http://dmae-lcc.blogspot.com/2009/10/session-5-3d-2-basic-modelling.html

Moving Objects in 3D

http://dmae-lcc.blogspot.com/2009/10/session-boolean-operations.html

------------------------------Exercises


This time we will construct the building using the wall tool instead of extruded 2D primitives!
Again make a new Layer (Walls).
With the 3D Model Layer showing with Snapping Enabled start to draw the straight wall sections (first set the wall thickness to 200mm)
Next draw the curved section of the wall using the Wall by Radius Mode. We can use the center point of the circle in a layer below as a start point.
Set the z Heights for the walls.
You may need to join any walls that are Un-joined.

Visualisation 1 (Navigation)

Basic 3D Navigation

http://dmae03.blogspot.com/2009/02/standard-views.html

3. HYBRID OBJECTS

Floors and Ceilings

http://dmae03.blogspot.com/2009/02/floors-and-ceilings_15.html


Drawing and Editing Walls

http://dmae03.blogspot.com/2009/02/drawing-and-editing-walls_15.html

------------------------------Exercises

Exercise 01: 2D Floorplan

Open up the Exercise Worksheet below. Once opened, Right-Click to save the page to your H:Drive.



.....some useful last minute additions!

Send Command

To change the stacking order of 2D shapes we use the Modify>Send Command’. They can be sent back and forwards one step at a time or to the top/bottom.

Move CommandTo move 2D shapes and 3D objects we can use the Modify>Move Command. We input an amount for movement in either or both X/Y co-ordinates.
 


Exercise 02: 2D Seat Section

The second exercise we will be doing aims to refine your 2D Drawing even further. Using the 2D Re-shape tool we will produce a very accurate trace of a scanned-in technical drawing. 

Using Trace Layers:

You can import plans, elevations, sections etc into Vectorworks and use them as guides to trace or model from.

To import go to File >Import >Import Image File, and select the file that you require. Remember to select an appropriate scale to work in before importing (e.g. if the section is scanned in at 1:10, set the scale in Vectorworks to 1:10 also).

Sometimes the source material will not be to scale or you may not know the scale. in this instance once imported the ‘Bitmap’ must be scaled. We do this by working from a stated dimension on the plan. Draw a line and enter the length in the Object Info Palette. Now select the bitmap and whilst holding down the shift key (to maintain proportion) drag out/in to desired size. Repeat this process until the line matches the dimension).

It is best to leave this plan in its own layer. Go to Tools>Organization >Design Layers, and create a new layer to model in (Trace). The old layer can be renamed Plan Layer.





Download the section above to use in the exercise




Re-Shaping Polygon Notes:

Read through these notes to help you with the exercise, they can also be downloaded from Blackboard (Term 1 : Beginners Notes).







Part 2: 3D Modelling

http://dmae03.blogspot.com/2009/01/examples.html

Working with Layers and Classes

Working with Layers 1: Setting up a New Layer

http://dmae03.blogspot.com/2009/02/drawing-and-editing-walls.html

Working with Layers 2: Layer Visability Settings

http://dmae03.blogspot.com/2009/02/working-with-layers-2.html

2.. 2D DRAWING

2D Drawing Primitives

http://dmae03.blogspot.com/2009/01/session-2_26.html

Command and Data Entry

http://dmae03.blogspot.com/2009/01/selecting-objects.html

Selecting objects

http://dmae03.blogspot.com/2009/01/command-and-data-entry.html

Transformation Operations

http://dmae03.blogspot.com/2009/01/transformation-operations.html


Add Surface / Clip Surface Commands

http://dmae-lcc.blogspot.com/2009/10/session-6-solid-modelling.html


2D Attributes

http://dmae03.blogspot.com/2009/01/2d-attributes.html

------------------------------

1 Getting Started

Vectorworks Screen Interface

http://dmae03.blogspot.com/2009/01/vectorworks-screen-interface.html

Setting up a New Document (Document Settings)

http://dmae03.blogspot.com/2009/01/setting-up-new-document.html

Moving Around a Drawing

http://dmae03.blogspot.com/2009/01/moving-around-drawing.html


Saving Templates

If you want to use VectorWorks efficiently, setting up a template to work from is important. You can use a template file to start a project and maintain your standard settings.

If you set up a file with your standard settings (Scale, Units, Paper size and Grid settings) this means that you can save time by using opening it and using it again and again.

A template file is like a pad of stationery; it's a file you can use to get a job started quickly. The template file can include your standard layers and classes; it can include common symbols (such as doors, windows, bathroom fittings), title blocks (even with the drawing names filled in); and it can also include settings for parametric objects (like window and door objects).

In VectorWorks, you can make up template files for different types of projects so that, when you start a new project, you can choose the file you want from a list of templates.

To save a Template File go to File > Save as Template

Save the Template in your H Drive and give it a name that you will remember (A3 1 50).

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SCHEME OF WORK