Timber Truss

[tegid]

I am attempting to add details of a timber truss (very non standard).  I can add vertical members using column and with some adaption I can transform a column into a beam.  The problem comes in creating raking members, sloping in a vertical plane.  Any ideas how this can be done?

Teg

[Allan Chesney]

Hi Teg,

There are a number of ways to do this:

1)  Use the Custom Member in Interior Accessories / Decorative.  This has an option to change the X axis (See Image)  There are other decorative trusses in this same group but I assume these are not suitable for that you want.

2)  Use the Layout Line Tool to draw a line to represent the beam, right click it and select 'Convert to' / 'Members'.  You can then choose the beam size etc that you want. Set the length and you can then change the angle to exactly match your roof by right clicking the beam and select 'Adjust to Plane'. The beam will stap to the same angle as the roof plane that you indicate.

3)  Use the Layout Line Tool to draw the whole truss, right click it and select 'Convert to' / 'Members'. You can now export it as a 3DS and import it again to your catalogue for future use. You can make it vertical after import. (see the second image)

Hope that helps.

Allan

[Doug.S]

If you want absolute control of how the materials get applied to a truss (so wood grain runs correctly along a board) and have side and end grain, where adjoining sides show correctly for a sawn board from a tree.

suggest export object as .3ds,  import to another 3D program where you can create domains for each timber face, then export, re-import to TFP and assign materials to each object side (domain) as desired.

While in your 3D program, you could also create "hewn" edges to make a large timber shape more realistic instead of geometrically accurate 90 degree sharp edges...at least they should be chamfered or rounded.....unless always viewed from a distance that the edges are not noticed.

Or alternatively you can create a truss completely in a 3D program (for example Sketchup; and color each side to get separate domains) and import to TFP. This requires some size and angle planning but gives you complete control over the design.

Another alternate may be finding a truss design manufacturer that has 3D models available for import to TFP....I don't know of any only because I have not had a need to look.

[Allan Chesney]

Hi Teg,

Doug has raised some good additional points, depending how close you need to be for rendering and hence how precise you need to be. It has also brought to mind some other ways to create a truss.

If you do not have another 3D program you can still do a number of the things Doug mentioned, (like grain direction and chamferring edges) in TFP but you can't do both together - that I can think of yet anyway.  If you need both at the same time you may need to use outside programs for this manipulation. However the following can be done:

Controlling the timber grain on each surface:  
If you use method one I mentioned above (using the Custom Member) to build the truss, you will find it has six surfaces to each piece (4 sides and 2 ends). Put it together but before you export it, make each surface a different colour - you will then be able to identify each surface, (and rename if you want during import), so that, once you have it in TFP you can change the direction of the wood grain on each surface. To be able to change the surface names you must import using the File / Import Wizard.  Make sure you choose the section (eg Interior Accessories) and then, after import, use File /Catalogues/ Save Element to Catalogue, to actually put the truss into that section of your catalogue (or you will have great difficulty finding it again!!). If you use the Impport Wizard it will retain the predefined colours. Importing directly to the catalogue doesn't, although it does still allow each surface to be changed but it is hard to know which is which.

If you want chamferred edges on the members:
Use method 2 or 3. When you select the Member Profile choose the 'Log1' profile and you can chamfer to corners to any size you want. (see images). If you choose Custom you can create any shaped piece of timber or metal etc that you want.

Unlike the Custom Member in Interior Accessories, these Members can be stretched just like a wall to any length you want but you only have one surface, so while you can control the direction of the timber grain, there will be some surfaces where it goes the wrong way.  To get a chamfer and control the grain separately on each surface, you may need to go to another 3D program as Doug suggested. Probably trusses would not be seen very close up so this may not be necessary.

Further ways to make a truss (carrying on the numbering from the previous post):  

4)  Use the Layout tool to draw it out and instead of 'Convertto  - Members' choose 'Convert - to Walls'.  When you choose the wall, turn off all the Trims on each wall side and set the wall height and width to the timber size.  Make sure the Drop Face (V12 and V15) is turned off too. This will give you four surfaces for each 'piece of timber', so you will be able to set the grain direction after import - but again you cannot chamfer the edges.

5)  Use the Floor tool (by Picking Points).  Draw the shape of the outer edges of your truss, right click and use 'Cut Opening' to cut out the gaps between the timbers. This could be useful if you were creating a very decorative truss, that had curved corners or other decorations for example (last image). This method will also give you four surfaces to set grain direction but not as much control, as it will be only 4 total surfaces (front, back, inside cutouts and outside), but may work depending on what you are doing. Again you cannot chamfer the edges.

Maybe this helps (or maybe it adds to the confusion!!)

As you can see there are many ways to do things!!

Allan

[vick]

Hi Allan,

Once you've cut a decorative truss design from the floor, how do you get it to go from horizontal to vertical?

Thanks!

[Allan Chesney]

Hi Vick,

You must export it as a 3DS file (turn off the Terrain and go to File / Export).

Now go to Interior Accessories / Decorative, right click, choose Add Element.

In the dialog box tick "Import Geometry from File". You can now browse to your newly exported 3DS file and import it. During import (and after import) you can size it appropriately, add texture if necessary and rotate it in any direction.

If you have already made the truss in the same file where you are wanting to use it, you will have to save a copy of the file with a new name (eg Truss) and deleted everything except your truss. The file you export in the first step above must be from a file with nothing else in it except the Truss. Turning the Terrain off is also essential, otherwise it will be exported with the truss.

Hope that helps

Allan

[vick]

Thanks, Allan! It worked -- the post and beam timbers look terrific!  First try, even.