FloorPlan User Forum

General Category - V.16 and Earlier => V12 - V16 General Discussion => Topic started by: robertd202 on January 04, 2012, 12:09:50 PM

Title: Elevation of Pad
Post by: robertd202 on January 04, 2012, 12:09:50 PM
My property sits on the edge of a lake and I am trying to create the water but having difficulty.  I tried a fill, but that hugs the terrain and I can't find a way to make that part of the terrain totally flat.  I tried a Pad that looks like water, but can't seem to use the elevate feature on a pad.  Any suggestions?
Title: Re: Elevation of Pad
Post by: Jack Zimmer on January 04, 2012, 04:51:11 PM
Hi Robert.

You can create a New Location that is the height of the water and uncheck 'hug terrian' in a Pads' properties.

Or just use the floor tool and elevate as needed.

Jack
Title: Re: Elevation of Pad
Post by: robertd202 on January 10, 2012, 01:11:24 PM
Thanks.
Title: Re: Elevation of Pad
Post by: Rod on January 10, 2012, 06:04:30 PM
Hi Robert,

I often use pads for water effects. One tip is to give your pad a negative thickness e.g. -0.5

This will neatly "lower" the pad into the terrain. Incidentally it's also a handy technique for creating trenches.

Rod
Title: Re: Elevation of Pad
Post by: Allan Chesney on January 11, 2012, 12:39:32 PM
Hi Robert and Rod,

I was experimenting with a lake recently and used the Box from Shapes for the water (See http://forums.turbofloorplan.com/index.php/topic,315.0.html (http://forums.turbofloorplan.com/index.php/topic,315.0.html) if you don't know where Shapes are). I used it in preference to a Floor as it is only one surface, although the Floor tool is good too as it can be any shape. (see image)

The Slab is useful for the purpose also, with negative thickness.  The only problem with it is that it cuts the Terrain with vertical sides which can show when rendering. The Slab works wonderfully for a swimming pool. Just set a negative thinkness and set the Appearance to tiles. The swimming pool image below uses a negative slab and the Box for the water.

Allan
Title: Re: Elevation of Pad
Post by: Rod on January 14, 2012, 05:33:25 AM
Thanks Allan - your pictures look great.

Which is your preferred material texture for the water? I am guessing one of the glass/mirror ones.
--
Rod
Title: Re: Elevation of Pad
Post by: Allan Chesney on January 14, 2012, 09:08:43 AM
Hi Rod,

On the element's Properties, on the Appearnce tab, if you choose Landscape Materials you will find a number of Water images. All I do is change the Transparency and Specular (shine) value to get the effect I want.

I have also used a version of one of these water images with totally transparent sections (made by changing part of the image to invisible by using Magenta colour). The effect of this is to create shadows on the bottom. I have been going to post these pool images in the Gallery for a while now, so I will do it shortly so you can see the effect.

Allan
Title: Re: Elevation of Pad
Post by: gelagirl on March 28, 2012, 04:02:43 AM
Allan you talk about the MAGENTA.... How do one do that stuff? Still trying to figure that stuff out, but strugling litch...hehe. :)e an old wic
Title: Re: Elevation of Pad
Post by: Allan Chesney on March 28, 2012, 11:15:15 AM
Instead of answering your question here I have created another post to cover it under 'Ticks and Tricks' - http://forums.turbofloorplan.com/index.php/topic,2175.0.html (http://forums.turbofloorplan.com/index.php/topic,2175.0.html) . The question comes up from time to time, so this will make it easier for others to find later. If I answered it here it would be lost since the subject is about 'elevating pads'.
I hope you can follow it all - if you have any questions just ask (under the other post of course).

Allan

Title: Re: Elevation of Pad
Post by: gelagirl on March 28, 2012, 11:26:24 AM
Aahhh... thank you Allan.. Putting it on my "project playlist" ... Have a few things there already... Hehe. :)