I am trying to create Javanese style bungalows. The basis a characteristic wooden framework, in my case 4 rows of 4 teakwood colums, each 4.25 m apart. They should be connected with 24 horizontal beams. The result are 9 'wooden squares' of 425cm x 425cm.
But although TFP has beams in its catalog, it did not allow me to enter them. Why this limitation? I read that for some elements (including beams) I need a different and more costly program.
So far I tried this alternative - but maybe someone has a different workaround:
1. In stead of creating 24 beams I created 8 teakwood walls, 20cm wide.
2. I changed their height to 20cm.
3. I changed their elevation to 220cm.
4. The result is a series of hovering walls''connecting all the pillars.
5. But the disadvantage is that the basis of the wall is empty/gone, so the floors I insert leave open spaces where the terrain or background will be shown.
To avoid these open floor spaces (but it is a lot of work to change it) I have been thinking of the following:
6. After the wooden walls have been created in their standard 244cm height, create rectangular openings 'between the pillars'.
7. Each opening should be 220cm high and be as wide as possible (425cm minus the thickness of the pillars): maybe just leaving 1cm of the wall on each side intact.
8. I have thought of deleting all the colums and just creating a series of walls that create 9 squares. If I then create wide and high wall openings, the remaining pieces are my desired columns and beams - correct?
9. If this would work, there is still one problem to be solved: the pillars should be 10cm higher than the top of the beams.
10. I can create 16 'pillars' of 20x20cm on top of the 'wall pillars' - or I make all walls 10cm higher and then create openings of 10cm at the top.
Before I start working on this, maybe a more experienced user has some thoughtful comments.
Thanks!
Any of the beams (Members is the correct term) in the TFOP Catalogue can be used or you can create your own if you want.
The way to use them is to draw a line using the Layout toolbar's Line tool. Once you have drawn it, select it, right click and choose Convert to Members. You will be presented with the Catalogue of Members to choose from (or add your own).
Once the Member (beam) is created, right click Duplicate a second or more and arrange them by elevating each as necessary (Use the Elevation view to see how you are going vertically). Insert your columns, and then just Duplicate the Columns and Members to make however many copies you need.
If they are all repeated a certain distance apart, then just create the one group of Members and Columns, select the group, right clcik and choose Array. Enter how many rows or columns of this group you require and how far apart they should be and all will be placed exactly as required all at once.
I have attached a few images from previous posts about slightly different needs, but they should give you the idea how to create Members and use the Array option.
Allan
thanks so much. Allan. It feels as if I have found a helpful private tutor, since at the moment I seem to be the only user with questions and you dedicate all your answers to me - so eleborate and clear!
This member feature and the array feature are completely new to me.
It will take some time to practise with them and to replace my 'workaround beams' by the proper ones!
Will keep you informed, and hope I can keep asking questions if they arise.
Take your time, and do tell me when I am overasking!
Thanks!
Don't be afraid to ask questions when you need to. There are always a lot when you first start. You may think you are the only one but you aren't - they come in waves - a rush at first then the questions taper off as they start to understand how it works.
Also, don't forget there is a Search facility on the forum. Many of the questions you may have, will likely have been asked before, so try putting the key word or words into the Search and you may find what you are looking for without having to ask. It can be hard sometimes trying to find the key words though as often there are different terms that are used by different ones. If you can't find it then ask. :)
Allan
It's in fact easy to create the new member grid! Already done. Thanks!
Now busy changing the properties of those wall that I had given a 'fake crown' to create the illusion of a wooden beam.
With the new members (now referring to the beams, not to newbies), is there a solution for a problem I couldnt handle before?
My Javanese roof is a sort of mansard style roof, pending on four sides.
For the walls I can use the auto-level tool, so they become higher/lower than the default as needed.
But how do I do that with the member grid?
In the centre all members are strictly horizontal, but towards the corner they should be a bit lower, following the descending roof.
How to do that and to avoid that they will penetrate through the roof?
Sorry but I am having difficulty picturing what you are trying to replicate.
Quote from: WimYogya on August 02, 2012, 04:46:24 AM
... In the centre all members are strictly horizontal, but towards the corner they should be a bit lower, following the descending roof.
On the latter point - do you mean that the beams slope down slightly at each side - in line with the roof but are horizontal across the middle section like open rafters?
If that is what you mean, you would have to use separate members for the sloping sections. If their slope is exactly the same as the roof, you can force them to follow this slope by selecting the new shorter side members, right click and choose Adjust to Plane and click on the edge of the roof you want to match to. The Member will snap to the roof slope. You can then right click Elevate if necessary to raise or lower them. Just do one and get it right then Array the rest.
If the angle is different to the roof, you could use the Custom Member that you will find in Interior Accessories / Decorative. This can be set to any angle and size and be elevated to join the horizontal beams.
If I have gone off on a tangent (no pun intended!) you may have to explain further or post a photo of a similar structure if you have one. "A picture is worth a thousand words". ;)
Allan
You had NO difficulty to picture what I was trying to say, apparently: you got the exact point!
Still working on modification of the walls after I inserted 'real beams'.
Will later play with the tool to adjust the members at the edges to be adjusted to the roof slope.
Thanks again, such great help!
Making good progress. Step by step working with the 'adjust to plane' tool to let the beam/members follow the roof slopes.
A few questions/problems:
1. Some members consist of several segments. Even if I want to delete them and create one uninterrupted member, it breaks itself into segments at the same spot. Why? The result is that I have to adjust more individual member segments.
2. Some segments cannot be adjusted. Wherever I click inside the roof line, the result is always the same popup window, saying I selected an invalid object. Why?
3. What is the difference between the three 'cursors' that popup when you activate the 'adjust to plane' tool: a. a simple cross hair (I assume: no selectable object there?) - b. a cross hair in a circle - c. the same as b but now with a little x next to it.
Quote from: WimYogya on August 03, 2012, 02:33:52 AM
1. Some members consist of several segments. Even if I want to delete them and create one uninterrupted member, it breaks itself into segments at the same spot. Why? The result is that I have to adjust more individual member segments.
Not quite sure what you are doing here. Members are not one continuous object - they are always straight. In your situation the beams would have to be a three sections, a sloping one each side of the horizontal one and each would have the be postitioned separately. You only need to do this once, then just select all three pieces and Duplicate, draging the duplicate to the next postion. Then select both beams (6 pieces) and Dupicate them so that you now have 4 beams and so on (or you can usethe Array tool from the original 3 members)
Quote from: WimYogya on August 03, 2012, 02:33:52 AM
2. Some segments cannot be adjusted. Wherever I click inside the roof line, the result is always the same popup window, saying I selected an invalid object. Why?
You do not just click inside the roof line, you must click on the edge of the roof on the side that slopes.
Quote from: WimYogya on August 03, 2012, 02:33:52 AM
3. What is the difference between the three 'cursors' that popup when you activate the 'adjust to plane' tool: a. a simple cross hair (I assume: no selectable object there?) - b. a cross hair in a circle - c. the same as b but now with a little x next to it.
These symbols appear in various places in the program. The crosshair in this case is just showing where your cursor is. The other two are indicating that you are inline with another point on a 'SnapTrack' and the objects will exactly snap in line at the point. You will notice on the Staus Bar (bottom right)there is a SnapTrack and ObjSnap on the Status bar. When in line with another 'end' or wall you will get a dotted line between where you are and the other object - that is the Snap line and you will get a ...x attached to the cursor circle. Try drawing a wall to insersect with another wall. Zoom in close and watch how the cursor changes at different points as you drag the wall.
I have been trying to find the official explanations, but they are elluding me at the moment.
Allan
@1: It seems that a beam which is intersected by a wall breaks itself into two beam segments which have to be adjusted one by one. In the future I can avoid this hassle by setting up the beasic grid/beam structure first. But now I am in the middle of a project, putting a 'new feature' (for me new) in an old building. That is still better than starting all over from scratch.
@2: Which edge must I click? The upper or the lower slope edge? Or doesn't that matter?
@3: Had no time yet to explore snapTrack. Will re-read your remarks when I start using that feature.
Making good progress, however with the adjustments of the beams. Still a few odd beams hovering or out of place ;-)
1. Members will break at walls unless you turn that option off
2. You need to select the lower edge of the roof.
Allan
Seems all members are in place now.
New question, related to this one: Can I also adjust other members to the roof plane?
I have a 'plane adjusted member' now and under that beam I want to attach a light rail with 3 spots (imported from the great sketchup catalog!).
But that element is horizontal, and when I right click it I cannot find the option 'adjust to plane'
Quote from: WimYogya on August 04, 2012, 04:00:00 AM
Can I also adjust other members to the roof plane?
Yes and no. All
Members can be adjusted to plane but lights technically are not Members. A Member is a piece of timber or steel that can be stretched etc. Lights and other objects are referred to as Elements and cannot be Adjusted to Plane in the same manner as Members can.
However you can tilt most imported objects so you should be able to adjust your SKP light to the right angle. Lights must be import directly into the Lighting catalogue. Select the section it belongs to (Ceiling wall etc), right click, select Add Element. Then at the bottom of the Lighting dialog box click the Select button. This will import the object and you can set the light bulb etc.
Allan
Got the light rails adjusted. Thanks!
Making SO much progress thanks to you, Allen.
Really appreciate it!