Hi OBD Experts,
I am trying to find the best tool in OBD to model complex objects. In the example below, If I want to model a wall which follows two-line strings to define the "top of the wall" and "bottom of the wall" which OBD tool/modelling method will give me the final 3D object. I can model this using surface modelling, mash modelling or smart-solid modelling tools, however, I am trying to find a way where I can use OBD Architectural or Structural modeling tools to model this object so I get DG property (example, length of the wall, the thickness of the wall, cross section name etc.)
Regards,
Jaimin Patel
Hi Jaimin,
Thanks for letting us know about this.
Suppose you are trying to model a wall then in the Building Design workflow under Architectural ribbon you can see "Wall". Click on the wall and then choose any wall from the list as per your requirement, define its height, width, etc. (all the necessary parameters) and then place the wall in your design model. After placing the wall please select it and open the Building Element Info dialog box and you can see the DG property of the wall along with its part and family defined. Please refer to the below screengrabs for better visibility.
Please follow the same process if you are modelling with Structural discipline like- beam, column, plate, etc. These tools can be found under Structural ribbon.
HTH!
Regards,Sayan Acharyya
Hi Sayan Acharyya,
Thanks for getting back. As you mentioned, place wall tool will help model a standard wall with height and thickness, however, my question refers to complex geometry where the bottom of the wall and top of the wall is not a fixed extrusion, it follows a complex line-strings as shown in the picture.
Can you suggest the best workflow to model this kind of wall using OBD Tools, not Microstation standard modelling tools?
Hello Jaimin,
I don't know if you have ever tried the "Modify Wall" tool?
I use it regularly, though only for "straight" shapes, not curved. I briefly looked trough the options and I can't find any that would allow the use of a line-string. So for this specific type of shape I'm afraid it will help you nothing. But it's the closest thing I know off in OBD.
If the functionality is more or less what you like and all you want is to extend it's use to more complex (curved) shapes/lines then I suggest to add that on the OpenBuildings Designer Ideas Portal (aha.io).
In the meantime you can always add DG properties to any arbitrary object with this tool:
It will not give you the normal "wall" related quantities like width, length, height, net/gross volume and area. But you can add any attributes, part, ... as it would be for an OBD Triforma wall. I think the Net Volume will always be given also for a SmartSolid.
Interesting form. Two parallell planar sides, but top and bottom irregular?
So you want to start with a Wall and then nock off top and bottom?
Seems CONNECT FORM TOP/BOTTOM wont work for that kind of geometry.
So you have to use CUT SOLIDS BY CURVES, or if it is meshes, use BOOLEAN tools.
Test QUANTIFY on it by I suspect you haveto use Element Properties or Explorer to get (overall?) lenght and height.
regards /Thomas Voghera
Jaimin,
Please see video where I tried to create similar wall object from line string.
Once top and bottom of the walls are defined , converted to surfaces by command 'surface by extrusion' .
In Place wall command we should define Top Option = Connect Shapes.
Get center between 2 line strings as placement start point.
In dynamic you can see Wall is following the top surface and get exact that shape.
Now use Modify wall tool and use method 'To form Or shape'.
Extend the form till the lower surface and you will get exact 3D object which retain all DG properties of wall.
HTH,
Sandeep
Answer Verified By: Jaimin Patel