Cut piles with surface

Hi Robert,

Two steps:

1. create lines from each pile top centre down to the surface below to act as paths for the pile center lines.
2. Select all of the lines then the Place Column tool with the Place by: method set to 'Select Path', accept, one click to apply piles to all of the selected paths:

The lines are retained, not absorbed by the pile object so the paths can be modified and reused. The paths can also be in a reference file. There is no association between the line and the pile.

The quickest way to create lines of the correct length is to use the usual MicroStation array tools to the create lines of equal long length then trim them with the surface.

The path lines can also be inclined, the pile will follow them although the pile faces will be normal to the path so may need trimming/extending at the top for a clean junction with pile cap undersides.

Hi, When I cut the lines it will not cut to intersection point of the surface but to the lines at the edge depending on the view I have. 

Uh oh... looks like the Trim command doesn't play well with Meshes. If so, you may need to drop the Meshes to Shapes (or convert to Surface).

Hi, 

Tried that too. Didn´t work. There should be a tool to trim structural elements to the intersection of a shape/mesh/surface.

Regards

Levi

Hi Levi,

Yes, the trim command is showing as not valid for mesh elements.

It did work with a surface.

Would you like to send us a file containing the mesh shown above to experiment with? It should be possible to change/copy it to a surface that will work with the trim tool.

Please file a service request mentioning this thread asking for us to add the trim functions that you would like to see in OpenBuildings, we can then generate a linked enhancement request that will be assessed by the development team.

Hi, 

I´m not sure I understand but I used "convert mesh to surface" and then tried "trim multiple". It still trims it to the edge of the surface not where the surface cuts the line.

This was done in ss6 version AECOsim Building Designer V8i. And it's the same in OpenBuildings. We want it to cut in the intersection point (red marker).

I added the file so you can take a look at it. 

Regards 

Levi

Cut line to surface.dgn

Hi,

Could be that the surface that I tested with was too regular, I was able to convert your mesh to a b-spline surface but found some of the trimmed lines still projected.

I have an alternative method using the Move To Contact tool that works with the mesh contained in the file that you sent to me.

I've created an array of lines above your mesh:

Start the Move to Contact tool (F4 to search the ribbon for this tool), following the prompts, drag your mouse across the lines:

They will show as selected:

Define the direction to move, click on one of the lines and drag the mouse down:

Once moved the top of the lines can be trimmed to the appropriate top of pile height(s) then they can become paths as previously described:

Here with the solar direction adjusted (ensure Default Lighting is off in the view to use the solar settings) the shadows show each pile in contact:

Rotating the model (and turning Default Lighting back on so the underside of the mesh is not in total shadow) the edges of some of the piles can be seen, the base of the piles is flat, they do not conform to the mesh.

Hi,

Could be that the surface that I tested with was too regular, I was able to convert your mesh to a b-spline surface but found some of the trimmed lines still projected.

I have an alternative method using the Move To Contact tool that works with the mesh contained in the file that you sent to me.

I've created an array of lines above your mesh:

Start the Move to Contact tool (F4 to search the ribbon for this tool), following the prompts, drag your mouse across the lines:

They will show as selected:

Define the direction to move, click on one of the lines and drag the mouse down:

Once moved the top of the lines can be trimmed to the appropriate top of pile height(s) then they can become paths as previously described:

Here with the solar direction adjusted (ensure Default Lighting is off in the view to use the solar settings) the shadows show each pile in contact:

Rotating the model (and turning Default Lighting back on so the underside of the mesh is not in total shadow) the edges of some of the piles can be seen, the base of the piles is flat, they do not conform to the mesh.

Shadow display won't pick up the Piles that are punching through the Mesh.

Better to view from below?

Hi, 

The "move to contact" tool doesn´t work in 3D (designseed) in Openbuildings. It works in 2D (drawingseed).However it works in ss6 so we will have to use that. 

View from below:

The process that I went through above was in CONNECT Edition, all in 3D in the sample file that you gave us (I never thought to use move to contact in 2D to be honest!).

Hi. As you might have understood me and Levi are colleagues. We've tried to use the move to contact with mixed results. In Openbuildings the tool only works for us when we are in an almost top view orientation. If we stand in a front or side view the tool don't work. The lines won't move down towards the surface. Is that the case for you too Marc?