Each Thursday morning our community project has been engaging in Vectorworks sessions led by Jonathan Pickup. Vectorworks is an architectural modelling software that enables the creation of 2D and 3D plans/models of objects and buildings. In accordance with our project, we have currently created a site map of the Maraenui area we are designing towards, so that we may have a scale model to place 3D models of all our collective designs such as sports courts, seating areas and more.
The purpose of using Vectorworks for this project is to create a realistic, cohesive three-dimensional design that will demonstrate our concept to the clients in an effective manner. Presenting the site model plan with built facilities will communicate our ideas with clarity.
Along the way, I have been taking some notes to remember specific tools and techniques, which is what I’ve written out below:
In the first couple of weeks, we engaged in a few warm up activities around site and object measurements. Firstly, we measured the B Pod classroom and then we measured a picnic bench outside. This was done to remind us of how to gather all the correct sizes which we can then take into Vectorworks to create realistic creations.
Using measurement tools on the Napier City Council site, we measured the area of our site, then took a screen shot. We imported the image into V.W and using modify- scale objects, click on the image to measure from one point to another to scale the image correctly.
Jonothan has shown us how to think about the utilisation of spaces through an exercise where we had to draw out a basic layout of places in accordance to their relationship with each other. Below is a screenshot of me practising making a measured area for each facility and then using the key to the left to create a layout plan.
Vectorworks 28/09/17:
We have now moved onto learning how to create a viewport and to create a camera match object. These allow us to create a way to view our 3D models in a real-time perspective.
Save views method: Under visualisation tool, go to walkthrough tool to make an animation that runs through when complete. Model – create animation. Select move along the path – click animation options.
Animation works method: Use AW camera path tool to create a pathway that will attach camera to it. To end the path, click on the red endpoint button in the middle of it. Use the camera to attach to path, and attach to endpoint on building object etc. You can name your paths and cameras. Use model – create animation works to save.
Walkthrough pathway – set up a path, put the cameras along the path and then save in animation works with the path option, not camera.
Here are some videos of a couple of test runs I made using these methods.
From this lesson onward, we are designing our own work and models in Vectorworks, to add to our 3D site map model.
Sophie Stichbury 