Solids from Features
Using attributes assigned to line features, the 3D viewer is able to construct 3D objects to model pipework or ducting. Image maps can also be assigned to the objects to better help describe their purpose.
The R attribute which describes how to construct the 3D object MUST be attached to the FIRST point on the feature.
The format of the attribute is as follows.
R=RADIUS,NUMBER OF OBJECTS & ORIENTATION & MODE
So...
R=0.5 would create a 0.5m radius pipe about the feature with the attribute.
R=0.5,3 would create three 0.5m radius pipes centred horizontally about the feature with the attribute.
R=0.5,3V would create three 0.5m radius pipes centred vertically about the feature with the attribute.
R=0.5,3V,S would create three square ducts that could fit a 0.5m radius pipe inside them, centred vertically about the feature with the attribute.
R=0.5,3,S would create three square ducts that could fit a 0.5m radius pipe inside them, centred horizontally about the feature with the attribute.
Also...
T = Will align the top of the cylinder to string
B = Will align the bottom of cylinder to string
L = Will align left of cylinder to string
R = Will align right of cylinder to string
So...
R=0.5,3VT would create three 0.5m radius pipes, the first of which has its Top touching and centred vertically about the feature with the attribute.
Note a D= (Diameter) can be sued instead of an R for Radius if the User Diameter option is enabled under the 3D Shapes tab.
Solids from Shapes
Any Circular or Rectangular shape with an I= attribute on its first point can be turned into a 3D Solid in the model view. The I= should be set to the depth of the shape, this is assumed to be a positive depth from the level of the first point of the shape. It is also possible to offset the drawing of the shape by placing a comma after the depth, and then the depth at which to start drawing.
For instance...
looks like this in 3d...
3D Shape Tab Controls.
In order to see all 3D objects, Strings, 3D Shapes and String Shapes must be enabled.
If there are any Objects available to render, then the String Shapes tab will be available. From here you can control the rendering mode used to display the objects, plus also adjust their opacity if needed.
The Export Pipework button allows the solids to be exported to either OBJ or 3DS files. Change the type of the file in the Save dialog in order to switch between the two file types. Note that any textures required for the shapes will also be copied to the same location as the outputted file. Note free packages such as MeshLab, are able to take these files and convert them into other solid model formats.
The Enable Textures button will assign an image map to the shapes using the CODE NAME as the name of the texture to apply to the shape. So a CATV code will need an image called CATV saved into the textures folder before it can be applied to the CATV object. A button has been provided to make it easy to access this folder. Custom images are sometimes easier to create using word art in packages like MS WORD, then use the standard Windows SNIPPING tool to capture the word art and turn it into an image that can be saved to the Textures folder as a PNG or JPG file.
The image can also be specified via an IMG attribute either as a default value in the codetable for a particular code. Or, via an IMG attribute set on a point to change the image at a place along the feature. For example IMG=ABC would look for an image called ABC.PNG or JPG. Note that if the IMG attribute is setup as an attribute on the code. The the value of it can be set to be a choice list. That enables the image to be changed dynamically when digisitng in n4ce. Or if the codelist is then exported onto a data logger. The image can be specified during the survey.
The Tiling value controls how may time the image maps are swapped around the shapes. 4 is the ideal number as that maps correctly onto all four faces of a square duct. Future releases will allow this and other settings to be configured on a per feature bases with the addition of some more attribute values.
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