Monday, September 5, 2011

Window Stools and Aprons !

Ever wonder how to get window stools and aprons to show in 3D renderings ?
Use the Draw > Countertop Tool !

Drawing Mode

In plan view draw a wall and place a window if you have not done so already.

Stool or Stool Cap - Draw > Cabinet > Plan View > Countertop  or
click on the cabinet icon and select draw countertop.

Drawing Mode

Draw your apron (countertop) to the depth (bottom to top in plan view) as to what you want it to look like
EX: You want to show a 3" deep (not thick) stool cap.
Edit the Apron (countertop) set the thickness (height) to say 3/4"
Edit the window and note the bottom offset (height above floor)
Use that number, deduct (subtract) the stool cap thickness (3/4") in our case from the window bottom offset number.
Ex: bottom of window is 36" above the floor.  36 - 3/4" = 35-1/4"
Set stool to 35-1/4"
Go to Common tab of stool, and enter that number
Right click on left edge of stool cap.
Click on Edit Edge
Near the bottom of the popup window you will see Nosing with Profile Library and Profile Name
Click on Profile Library and select a profile for the edge of your stool cap.
Click OK
Repeat for front and right edges
Build your Model (Assemble Floors)
3Dimension choose render mode
I use textured
Give stool cap color / texture
Enjoy the view

Note:
Same principal applies for aprons.
Change thickness of apron to width of stock.
Ex: if you are using 3-1/2" casing set thickness to 3-1/2"
Remember to offset the apron so it lines up vertically correct

taoist

Sunday, September 4, 2011

Canted Walls Tip ! Use profile in wall definition.

Think light house where the walls tilt inward to form a cone shape if you will.

In the wall definition table at the far right is the Profile column.
This is where you select the profile (you may need to create a profile) to have walls other than vertical.

For outside taper walls (from ground to top of wall) have profile base at bottom and slope (angle) at the right side.
Think of a right triangle with the 90 degree angle at the lower left and the vertical line on the left running up (vertical).

To get profile to show for the entire height of the wall, you must make the profile height 1.5 times the height of the wall.

Ex: You have a 2x4 wall 8' tall.  You want to show a canted / sloped wall with a 12" base tapered to 0 at the top.
Create your profile with a 12' tall vertical line a 12" long horizontal line at 90 degrees to the base (bottom) of the 12' vertical line and then a line for the right side of the 12" base line connecting to the top of the 12' vertical line.
Think of a gable end split into 2 vertical right triangles. The split line represents the vertical edge of both the left and right triangles.  You want your profile to be the right side triangle.

Have fun,

taoist