Sketchup model converted into solids using VectorWorks 2009

Starling75 · 23 Sept 2009, 08:32

Create your complex geometry in SU within few minutes..
Import it into VW as a plain geometry = VW 3D polygons
Select whole object (or all objects) and convert it into a mesh (Ctrl+Alt+R)
Keep it selected and convert the mesh into NURBS (Ctrl+Alt+N)
... you will get group of NURBS surfaces ..
Ungroup (Ctrl+U)
Keep it selected and convert it into solid using stitch and trim surfaces (Ctrl+Alt+H)
Now you have bunch of solids you can work with (boolean operations, sections, protrude etc)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uig2i-QypmY
(turn on HD and full screen)

Enjoy

Gaieus · 23 Sept 2009, 08:39

This is pretty cool (although I don't use VW myself).
Mind if I moved it to the tutorials forum instead? This would "sink" too quickly here.

Starling75 · 23 Sept 2009, 08:45

@gaieus said:

This is pretty cool (although I don't use VW myself).
Mind if I moved it to the tutorials forum instead? This would "sink" too quickly here.

Yeah, of course. Move it where you think it would be more usefull.

Gaieus · 23 Sept 2009, 08:54

OK, done - and thanks!

Edson · 23 Sept 2009, 13:32

bohdan,
did you use the plugin created by nemetschek to import the sketchup file? why did you export it as v6 before importing it?

Starling75 · 23 Sept 2009, 13:44

@edson said:

bohdan,
did you use the plugin created by nemetschek to import the sketchup file? why did you export it as v6 before importing it?

VW 2009 has built-in importer but it can import only SU6 format. VW 2010 supports SU7 ...

Starling75 · 28 Sept 2009, 20:51

Here is fastest method for less complex models.

Import SU model as a plain geometry, select whole object - all 3D polygons and press Ctrl+Alt+A (solid addition).

Edson · 29 Sept 2009, 11:08

bohdan,
being a user of both sketchup and VW (i have been using it since 1995!) in my daily work i ask you: why do you need to import a sketchup model into VW? i find VW's 3D very awkward and would never prefer working on it.

honoluludesktop · 29 Sept 2009, 11:21

Edson, In your experience, is the difficulty with VW inherent to solid modelers, or VW's interface? I tried a solid model in the 90's, and found it unsuitable for the kind of Architectural models I did, but have not tried to work with one since. Currently I prefer to begin design with a vector Cad program, then to port surfaces to SU for visualization, and rendering. Occasionally, I will port revised parts of the SU model back to amend the Vector Cad drawing in preparation for construction docs.

Edson · 29 Sept 2009, 11:32

@honoluludesktop said:

Edson, In your experience, is the difficulty with VW inherent to solid modelers, or VW's interface? I tried a solid model in the 90's, and found it unsuitable for the kind of Architectural models I did, but have not tried to work with one since. Currently I prefer to begin design with a vector Cad program, then to port surfaces to SU for visualization, and rendering. Occasionally, I will port revised parts of the SU model back to amend the Vector Cad drawing in preparation for construction docs.

i am not sure about why it is so, but i never liked it, even when i used VW for everything, 2D and 3D. the fact that you have to model in a colorless environment annoys me, plus the fact that you have to wait for it to render. discovering sketchup brought back the pleasure i felt when i designed using pencil and lead.

my workflow usually involves going back and forth between VW and sketchup. i usually create reference plans and sections in VW which i import into sketchup to develop the idea in 3D. i actually build the form in 3D but the 2D plans from VW are very helpfull.

Starling75 · 29 Sept 2009, 20:15

@edson said:

bohdan,
being a user of both sketchup and VW (i have been using it since 1995!) in my daily work i ask you: why do you need to import a sketchup model into VW? i find VW's 3D very awkward and would never prefer working on it.

Some pieces of equipment, complex shapes etc can be very quickly and efficiently modeled in SU (I didnt find VW modelig capabilities that bad, but SU is definitely faster..) . After importing into VW I can use them as semiproducts for creating plugin hybrid objects.

There is another way how to profite from interoperability of these 2 programs too. It is possible import well organized SU model into VW and create reports, elevations, section viewports, floor plans with hatches and dimensions directly from the model .... (great for conceptual study) ... and later I can utilize formed "dumb" SU model as scaffolding during creation of final BIM model in VW.

Modeling in SU is pretty fast and you are right - it is pleasure, but there are no solids, no NURBS, no BIM (I know about these wall and door scripts .. but there is still long way to go..)

One word - synergy

Edson · 29 Sept 2009, 21:51

bohdan,

thanks for the explanation. i will definitely look into more integration between SU and VW.

Starling75 · 30 Sept 2009, 10:12

@edson said:

bohdan,

thanks for the explanation. i will definitely look into more integration between SU and VW.

Your welcome
Btw .. modeling in solid based modeler does not have to be such a pain ...
http://www2.spaceclaim.com/stream/video.aspx?v=SpaceClaim_Overview.flv

Starling75 · 30 Sept 2009, 18:56

@unknownuser said:

Looks good but I sputtered at "we'll send you a quote".

(www.novedge.com)

Starling75 · 5 Oct 2009, 17:13

@unknownuser said:

Quite a step forward from my present solid modeler. My models are used in a design application for builders. The application engine uses a pretty obscure solid model engine. It is a great piece of code but a very poor modeling environment. So I use SU and convert to solid. I export the solid as a .stl file. My native solid modeler recognizes and validates .stl. If it cannot be validated it will return an error listing the incorrect primitives. So you can imagine the workflow when the models are complex. I have to make many iterations of the conversion process...back and forth sometimes for an hour or more, on a small component, patching holes or removing redundant geometry you could not otherwise see in SU.

I would be happy to just bring it in solid but I have no real solid skills. It would take some learning. In the new year I plan to look a little closer at solid modelers. I'll start with your suggestion. We start to slow in January so it is the best time for this kind of play. Thanks for you suggestion.

Do you know this?
http://www.bonzai3d.com
http://moi3d.com

aliakbar · 4 Feb 2013, 23:35

@starling75 said:

Here is fastest method for less complex models.

Import SU model as a plain geometry, select whole object - all 3D polygons and press Ctrl+Alt+A (solid addition).

Wow, thanks. You just saved me so much time. I never knew this. Previously whenever my solid objects turn into nonsolids for reasons I don't know, I would rebuild it again from zero.