how to make a circular lawn?

[ACM]

I'm just starting with FP3DH&LPro, which I hope to use to produce 2D garden designs.
Sadly, I've fallen at the first hurdle - can someone please tell me how to produce a circular lawn?
I'm sure this must be really easy, but although I can draw the circle (although I don't seem to be able to specify the radius, only drag it to approx size), I can't work out how to fill it with "grass" in 2D view.
Many thanks

[Allan Chesney]

Hi ACM,

You are looking for the Landscape "Fill" tool (button look like a pond). This can be any shape, remains editable and can be set to whatever texture you require. Do't try to join the final edge, right click Finish and it will join the last side exactly. When you draw it is all straight edges but you can then click on it and right click Curve, to curve any edge.  For a circle, just draw a square (it will give you the dimension on screen as you drag each edge), then just right click the four sides and Curve them to make the circle.

You can use the Layout toolbar "Circle" tool to make the lawn edging. Click where you want the centre of the circle, type in the radius distance in the Command bar (at the bottom of the screen) if you want the size exact, and hit Enter. A circle of the radious you entered will appear based on your centre click. Now right click, select Convert To ... Edging and choose the Edging you want.

Hope that helps

Allan

[ACM]

Hi Allan

Many thanks for your help.

I bought this program because I've seen some stunning results from it, so I am pretty confident that it is possible to do most things. But it sure makes hard work of things!

I've never before come across a CAD program where the only way to create a simple 2D filled circle is to draw a square, then curve each of the four sides individually, then fill the resulting polygon! And is this really going to produce a perfect circle of specific radius if there is no way of constraining each of the four curves to be identical?

I really am very grateful for your suggestion, but I am surprised that this program seems to make such hard work of simple stuff - especially when the Layout/Circle tool can be used to convert the perimeter to edging.

What if want to make a stack of circular steps leading up to a circular summerhouse/observatory? Usually, I would just stack a series of cylinders -  a few clicks. But in this program, should I use the Landscape/Fill tool, or the Layout/Circle/Convert to Edging approach? If the latter, how do I fill the areas between the concentric edges?

kind regards
ACM

[Doug.S]

"What if want to make a stack of circular steps leading up to a circular summerhouse/observatory? Usually, I would just stack a series of cylinders -  a few clicks."

You can do so.  Look thru or search the catalog for anything that is what you want or similar...such as a cylindrical footing....set to the size you want...move as needed...elevate to right place etc.

There are a set of nominal shapes...cube etc.  Search this forum for a key word to help you find help/tips.

You can easily import shapes not found within TFP...like from free SketchUp or .3ds or .obj objects from www.

You really might prefer 3D objects...unless like the grass or dirt or floors/carpet etc. which is flat...then 2D works OK

[ACM]

Good morning Doug.S,

I'm sure you are correct - I think I'm just approaching the project the wrong way, carrying baggage from other programs.

From reading the posts, I now realize that FP's strengths are in manipulating and visualizing objects, not drawing them - that seems to be done using Envisioneer? So I guess that, as you kindly suggest, I'll be more comfortable importing any shapes that I can't find in the catalog, rather than trying to draw them in FP.

I'll explore the catalog and practice importing before resuming this project.

Many thanks, Doug.S and Allan, for putting me on the right track - I sure hope you are both around next time I get lost!

kind regards
ACM

[Allan Chesney]

Hi ACM,

TFP is not CAD program in the true sence of the word - it is not Computer Addisted Drawing as drawing is 2D - TFP is 3D computer modelling.  To use TFP correctly you must think in 3D, as that is what it is all about really - visualisation not drawing 2D plans.  Envisioneer is identical to TFP in this regard, the only difference being that it can be used to easily prepare and print 2D plans from the 3D model. TFP will do the same but not as simply.

Check out this post: http://forums.turbofloorplan.com/index.php/topic,315.0.html as most of these objects you need are already inTFP or you can make them (in 3D) and view in 2D. If you want an automatic circle of whatever size you want, use the Cylinder in this post and set the texture to lawn.  Most garden areas are not circular, so the Fill tool is for drawing random shapes of garden, lakes or whatever and making it follow the 3D contours of the terrain. The Fill will only work on the Terrain - you cannot use it for making steps etc. As Doug said, as series of cylinders will make circular steps - you could even use the Columns tool to do that as in the image below - took about 30 seconds - they snap to being concentric.

Other ideas of things you can make (in 3D!): http://forums.turbofloorplan.com/index.php/topic,1130.0.html and http://forums.turbofloorplan.com/index.php/topic,1416.0.html

Hope thart helps

Allan

[ACM]

Hi Allan,

Yes, I manage to do the circular steps shortly after receiving Doug.S' suggestion. And I used a column for the circular lawn - setting height to just 1 mm. It seemed to be limited to 5000 mm, though, which is generous for a column (!) but a wee bit small for the lawn. But at least I'm now getting the hang of it, with your kind assistance. Many thanks!
ACM