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Working on Multiple Levels of Geometry
Form-z very explicitly asks you to specify the
specific portion of geometry you want an operation to affect.
This is referred to as the topological level. Some examples
of topological level are: point, segment, outline, face, object,
group and hole.
Topological Levels
In the example below I've used the move tool
to affect different levels of geometry in much the way one
could stretch points in a 2d CAD program. (see
005) The beauty of this approach in 3d is that it's
easy to get at the exact geometry you want to affect and make
changes to your model readily.
Moving Topology
In the example below the spacing on the windows
and the reveals was repeatedly changed during the design process.
I would isolate the mullions, glass reveals and fins and easily
change the dimensions of the openings. This allowed us to
really explore different scenarios without adding tremendous
additional modeling time to the project. (see
006)
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006
(architecture: BKSK Architects,
NYC)
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Derivative Objects
The real power of topological levels comes when
you combine this with form-z's derivative objects. This is
a tricky concept for newcomers to the program to understand
but it's really key to unlocking the power of this program.
In the example below I've picked the face of
the ramp and used it to derive a cube sitting up on the ramp.
Note in the tool options palette I had the choice to have
it be perpendicular to the surface or perpendicular to the
reference plane (which would have given me a skewed parallelogram
from the front view. (see 007)
Creating Objects Based On Existing Topology
(1)
Derivative objects don't have to be just simple
cubes. This example shows the steps to creating a window in
a wall. I've created a volume (the wall) with a hole cut into
it. (see 008) Next step is to
switch my topological level to "outline" and derive
a "3d enclosure" set to 2" width. This gives
me the window frame. In step 2 I've picked the outline inside
the window frame and have derived a 3d solid to make the glass.
Finally I've again picked the outline of the opening with
the 3d enclosure derivative tool and set the thickness to
3 1/2" to create the window trim on the wall.
Creating Objects Based On Existing Topology
(2)
Boolean operations in 3d programs give you a
powerful way to add, subtract and find the intersection of
solids to use simple objects to create much more sophisticated
shapes. By using these tools you turn your modeling program
into a virtual machine shop allowing you to bore, mill, weld
or rabbet parts as needed. Most 3d programs have some implementation
of Booleans; the difference with form-z's tools is that they
just flat out work.
Boolean Steps to Create Fireplace
In this example I've created a curved front
solid and another solid the size of the firebox. In the second
step the firebox is differenced from the chimney breast to
create the opening. (see 009)
We then intersect the resulting object with a 3" high
cube to create the mantle. In the third step I made some simple
sweeps with capped ends and then differenced them from the
original object. The wireframe detail shows how clean the
geometry actually is and it's important to note that the entire
object or any of it's components will still respond to operations
performed on any topological level I pick.
Closing Comments
form-z is a big rich program that offers lots
of power to the user who masters it. The flip side of all
this power is that it can seem intimidating to a novice to
figure out where to start. By mastering the steps that I've
outlined in this overview I've hopefully given a new user
the beginnings of a roadmap to follow to discover the advantages
of form-z's modeling environment and the steps one takes to
learn to use it to your advantage. --- RICK
BERNSTEIN, Senior Associate Editor.
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