ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN - A CAD-3D 2.0 ACCESSORY DISK 1
by Darrel Anderson
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN is provided on an unprotected disk because the
author and Antic both believe that the buyer should be able to make
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expect you to respect the copyright and NOT give, sell or lend copies
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PLEASE NOTE THAT, ALTHOUGH UNPROTECTED, THIS DISK IS PRODUCED IN AN
EXPANDED 80 TRACK FORMAT (TWISTER). IT CAN BE COPIED WITH THE STANDARD
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DISK, THE DESTINATION DISK MUST BE FORMATED WITH TWISTER OR ANY OTHER
EXPANDED FORMAT PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES 400K. Or, you can simply drag the
folders and files onto the disk(s) individually if you don't have an
expanded format program or a double sided drive. See your ST manual if
you are not familiar with this process. If you are working with one
disk drive this can be a tedious procedure requiring manydisk swaps, it
would be far easier to format a disk in the expanded format.
The author spent many hours designing, writing and testing this
product. His income depends on it's sales. The unauthorized
reproduction of the ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN diskette and/or blueprints is
illegal. Please help us protect and enforce the author's rights in this
product so that we may continue to provide you with unprotected
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Please make sure you know how to use this product properly before doing
important work with it. Antic and the author disclaim responsibility
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financial or otherwise, incurred or alleged to have been incurred as a
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ANTIC is a trademark of Antic Publishing Inc.
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN Copyright 1987 Darrel Anderson
_______________________README CONTENTS_____________________
0. INTRODUCTION
1. CAD-3D 1.0/2.0 DIFFERENCES
2. ITEM DESCRIPTIONS
3. FILE NOTES
4. TIPS
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0. INTRODUCTION
This disk is designed to help you take full advantage of the combined
power of your ATARI ST and CAD-3D/CAD-3D 2.0. For basic information on
CAD-3D features and functions refer to your CAD-3D manual.
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ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN - A CAD-3D 2.0 ACCESSORY DISK 2
by Darrel Anderson
I suggest that you print this read-me file, it contains information
essential on the use of Architectural Design.
It was impossible to even begin to cover the nearly infinite variety
found in the many schools and eras of architectural design. I
considered a number of options for the composition of this disk. The
only thing I was really sure of was that I didn't want to saddle you
with a particular style.
I hope that I've given you something that you may play and experiment
with, and a bit of a head start on some complex CAD modeling . More
importantly however, I've tried to offer a good sampling of approaches
and techniques that will help you develop your own special style of CAD
Architecture.
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1. CAD-3D 1.0/2.0 DIFFERENCES
The Architectural Design disk takes advantage of all of the advanced
features of CAD-3D 2.0. This includes some features that are not
available in version 1.0, such as spin and extrude templates.
.3D/.3D2 CONVERSION PROGRAM
All of the object files on this disk are in the new CAD-3D 2.0 file
format. If you are using CAD-3D 1.0 you will need to convert these
files back to the older file format with the CONV3D.PRG program
included on your disk.
This program is very easy to use:
1. Place the program on a blank formatted disk along with the files
that you wish to convert. Make sure that there is plenty of space on
the disk. The original files are not deleted, and the .3D files that
are created are a little larger than the .3D2s. Your disk should be
less than half full when you start.
2. Double-Click on CONV3D.PRG
3. Double-Click on the filename of the .3D2 file you wish to convert.
A new file with the same filename, and a .3D extender, will be written
to your disk.
4. The program will alert you when the conversion is complete. You may
then choose to continue (click on MORE), or exit (click EXIT) back to
the desktop.
SPIN/EXTRUDE TEMPLATES
Each object folder on the Architectural Design disk contains several
.XTR and .SPN files. These are template files for the spin and extrude
tools in CAD-3D 2.0. CAD-3D 1.0 does not have the capability to load
or save these templates.
HIDDEN LINES
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ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN - A CAD-3D 2.0 ACCESSORY DISK 3
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Because of the high speed math routines used in CAD-3D, some hidden
line errors are inevitable when rendering complex objects such as those
included in ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN. CAD-3D 2.0 utilizes a special
z-buffering option to eliminate most hidden line errors. To get the
best results from ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN with greater ease and speed we
recommend CAD-3D 1.0 owners get the 2.0 upgrade.
___________________________________________________________
2. ITEM DESCRIPTIONS
Your Architectural Design Disk should contain seven component part
folders plus one model file and the .3D2/.3D file conversion program.
Component Folders:
ARCHES
COLUMNS
DOORS
FRAMES
ROOFS
STAIRS
WINDOWS
See your Architectural Design Blueprints for lists and illustrations of
the individual object files contained in each folder. The spin (.SPN)
and extrude (.XTR) templates are contained in the same folder as the
objects they were used to create.
Model File:
ERSHERSQ.3D2
BLUEPRINTS
The Blueprints included in this package serve as a catalog, making it
easier to locate desired objects. Also included are several images of
complex Artectural models.
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3. FILE NOTES
Each Architectural Design disk folder contains a group of related
object files. Spin and extrude templates that were used in the
creation of these objects are contained in the same folder.
Most of the Archiectural Design disk .3D2 files contain a single
object. This makes it easier to MERGE new elements into CAD-3D while in
the process of creating multi-object models.
There are a few exceptions. Some .3D2 files contain object sets that
work together in various ways. In a couple of cases I grouped two or
three very similar simple objects in a single .3D2 just to save a
little disk space (each individual file on a disk takes up about 1k
more than its actual byte size -- it seemed wasteful when dealing with
very simple objects that are less than 1k when saved).
Following is a quick run-through, highlighting some special files.
ARCHES\CIRARCH3.3D2
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ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN - A CAD-3D 2.0 ACCESSORY DISK 4
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-Contains a three piece Arch consisting of a domed circular arch and
two columns with matching cross-sections. They may be combined using a
non-intersecting join. (See TIPS section below)
COLUMNS\COLUMN5.3D2
--Contains a three piece column design with a square cap and base. The
square pieces were formed using a 4 segment spin. The spin templates
are included on your disk. Notice how the pieces interlock. This
allows for a non-intersecting join that leaves no visible gap.
DOORS\ARCDOOR*.3D2
-All of the ARCDOOR files contain a combination of a door frame plus
one or two custom fitted doors. These door frames will, of course,
work equally well as window frames.
DOORS\ARCDOOR4.3D2
-Contains two extra objects "thresh" (threshold) and "windosil". When
scaled properly these two objects will work with any ARCDOOR frame.
Intersecting joins are possible here, although they will fail on
occasion.
FRAMES\F_WALLS.3D2
-This is a very useful file that contains two distinct groups of
objects. The first is a group of extruded objects that simulate
wood-frame construction wall modules. Take a look at the BUNGELOW
model on your blue prints to get an idea of how they are used. Even if
you have no interest in "framing" your CAD model, these objects are
effective for use as interior wall elements.
The other two objects (floor_2 and scale)in this file are design tools
that take advantage of the Scaling/Measuring features in CAD-3D 2.0.
See the TIPS section below for a detailed description of their use.
ROOFS\TOWER1.3D2
-this object was created with a subtractive join using two simple
partial
spin wedges. The spin templates for the tower and the wedges
(TOWINDOW.SPN) are included on the disk.
STAIRS\SPISTAIR.3D2
-This object was created with the aid of Tom Hudsons CADCTRL.PRG.
Along with being an incredible animation scripting language for use
with CAD-3D 2.0, it also allows the more adventurous user to create
their own custom CAD objects. The banister and stair tread support were
created with a little routine of Toms' that creates coil objects.
WINDOWS\RNDWIND2.3D2
-This file contains a second window sill object (see ARCDOOR4) above.
It is also an example of the partial spin capability of CAD-3D 2.0.
___________________________________________________________
4. TIPS
JOINING
I've gone into the various joining problems -- and strategies for
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avoiding them -- in some detail in other documents. Most notably the
CAD-3D 2.0 manual and the Future Design disk documentation. I won't go
into detail here.
However, it is important to note that the joining of parallel faces is
one of the more difficult operations for CAD-3D. Most architectural
design involves many objects with such interfaces. The best bet is
using non-intersecting joins. The scaling procedures described below
can help you to create tight-fitting and interlocking objects that
minimize the gaps that can result from this approach to modeling.
Another thing to keep in mind is that it is often unnecessary to join
objects. Ease of object handling and staying within the total object
limits of CAD, require some joining when building complex objects. If
you can't join two objects and you prefer their appearance when they
overlap, just leave them unjoined. CAD-3D 2.0s Z-buffering will gladly
sort out the relationship of the faces for you.
SCALING
The scaling and measuring tools in CAD-3D 2.0 are very valuable in
architectural modeling. Use the measure and scale tools to determine
and adjust objects for tight custom fitting and consistency.
Here are a few tips to help you get the most from these tools.
The cube that is generated by CAD-3Ds Primitives Icon is an excellent
reference point. Create one by clicking on that icon (the one with the
triangle,circle,and square), then selecting CUBE from the dialog box.
After you've selected a name, click on the Establish Scale Icon (the
one with the ruler and an "="). Use the Next Object button to find
your cube. Set its WIDTH to 1 foot 3 inches. This may seem like an
odd choice of size but bear with me.
Now click on the extrude icon (looks like a wedge). The template for
the cube that you created has been loaded there. Activate Measure,
Grid, and Snap by clicking on each in the Options drop down menu this
will go faster if you select Grid last). Notice that the cube is 15
grid units high and 15 wide, that's why we chose 1 foot 3 inches as our
master scale index.
Next try clicking on a new point (to Snap the cursor onto the grid) and
then pulling the cursor away in a perfectly vertical or horizontal
direction. Notice that the measurement is increased by exactly one
inch with each Snap to a new grid position.
With a cube scaled this way it is very easy to keep track of the
relative size of objects, and design then to fit when using the Spin or
Extrude tools.
If the universe isn't big enough with a 1'3" master cube, there are two
ways to change that.
you can go back to the Establish Scale Icon and reset the scale to a
multiple of 1' 3" (i.e. 2' 6", 5' 2" etc.) maintaining those nice even
numbers in the Snap modes. Or, you can simply scale the master cube
down to 50% using the Object Group Size Icon. As long as you scale
down only the master cube, all other objects --and the universe itself
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-- will become twice as large. Again the use of 50% or 200% scaling
will maintain the even numbers in the other tools.
SCALING AND DESIGNING WITH THE FLOORPLAN OBJECTS.
As mentioned above the F_WALLS.3D2 file contains a special grid object
(floor_2) that can be used to create "floor plans" of your model. In
addition there is a cube called "scale" in the same object file. (It is
a standard Primitive cube that has been scaled to 25% of its' original
size.) If use it as the master scale object and set its' size to 1'
3", floor_2 will be 36' by 36' with a 4' grid.
(NOTE: I've noticed that sometimes -- probably due to number rounding
or floating point weirdness -- setting the size of the cube to 1' 3"
doesn't precisely scale the grid (36' 1.441" instead of 36' 0"). I can
usually fix it by trying a different reference (i.e HEIGHT instead of
WIDTH) when setting the scale. If that doesn't work you can simply use
floor-2 as your master object, setting its LENGTH or WIDTH to 18',36,or
72'.)
Floor_2 works like a piece of graph paper to help you arrange and align
the elements of your CAD model. Just drag it to the bottom of the CAD
universe then work in the top window to create your floor plan. It is
important that floor_2 be the first object on your object list in CAD.
The object priority in CAD is set up so that the last object merged,
created, or cloned, is the first one grabbed when you are working in
any of the non-camera windows. This is true regardless of which is in
front or on top of which in the CAD universe.
This usually works fine. Just load floor_2 first, then proceed with the
creation of your model, merging and creating objects as needed. The
only problem is joining. New joined objects are moved to the top of
the object list and are therefore at the bottom of the priority list as
far as object dragging is concerned. To get around this, use the
Shift/Drag technique to clone the joined object. The clone will appear
at the bottom of your object list. Delete the original and you're back
in business.
MORE TO COME
One of the most exciting developments in the CYBER-STUDIO product line
is the CAD-CONTROL Language. It's main function is as a very powerful
animation scripting language, but as a bonus, Tom Hudson has included
key commands that allow the user to create CAD objects. When it is
finished, it will contain every thing needed to support a variety of
object creation approaches. I used a pre-release version of the
language to create a number of the objects on this disk. I wrote the
routines that extruded the Gothic and Parabolic Arches as well as the
Arched Door/Windowframes.
I see the potential for creating previously inaccessible shapes, and
creating complex forms in one operation thereby avoiding difficult join
situations. Look for samples of CAD-CONTROL object creation routines
in Antics CYBER CONNECTION on CompuServe.
Since I didn't have room on disk for the complex models shown in the
blueprints, I'll also be making those available through CYBER
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CONNECTION.
If you are not On-Line, check with your local users group for
assistance in getting these files.
Hope you enjoy the Disk,
-Darrel Anderson 8/5/87
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ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN - A CAD-3D 2.0 ACCESSORY DISK 8
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APPENDIX A:
SOFTWARE ETHICS
The retail purchaser of this computer program does not have the right
to exercise any of the exclusive rights of copyright reserved by the
author of this program, which include:
(1) the right to reproduce or otherwise make copies of this program,
other than an archival copy (as described below);
(2) the right to distribute copies of the program;
(3) the right to prepare derivative works based on the program.
(Section 106, U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, as amended, Public Law
94-553, Oct. 19, 1976).
In accordance with Section 117 of the Copyright Act, the purchaser has
a limited right to make a copy of this program only in the following
two situations:
(1) the new copy is created as an essential step in utilization of the
program; or
(2) the new copy is for archival purposes.
All archival copies must be destroyed in the event that the original
purchaser ceases to own the original copy of the program. Section 117,
U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, as amended by Public Law 96-517, dated Dec.
12, 1980.
The propriety of respecting the copyright owner's rights in his
creation (after all, that's how he earns his living) is reflected in
the range of penalties that the law affords to the copyright owner,
which include: injunctive relief (Section 502); forefeiture of all
infringing and contributorily infringing items (Section 503); monetary
damages (Section 504); and criminal sanctions, including imprisonment
(Section 506).
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