I have modelled some parts after a building and I am trying to “reuse” them and cut them into smaller pieces. Currently I am using split or trim to cut the parts. But coming from CAD softwares like Creo and Inventor I find using Rhino is really panifully and “clumsy”. There are so many steps to achive desired form, even though it is very simple.
Is there a better method than using split or trim, or boolean difference in my case?
Hi hobnob -
I’m afraid that picture doesn’t tell me what you are trying to do but, from the description, it sounds like simply placing a box around some geometry and using that to trim anything that sticks out - which should/could be a single click - should do the trick.
-wim
I understand, I can just add, that the parts on the left side of the image are the parts that I am cutting into smaller pieces to create the house on the right side of the image.
Yes, so for example, as you suggested, I have to create a box which is quite simple…Then I have to move it, and sometimes its not very easy to move it to the correct exact position, and I also have to make sure the c-plan is turned correctly if I want to move the box in a certain way ie moving it vertical.
Then after I have used split, trim, or boolean diff sometimes it fails and I do not know why. Is it the direction of the c-plane? And when I manage to split I have to ungroup all the “parts” of the modell to remove the parts that are split. And then the model is just an open “box” that I have to patch again, and cap doesnt simply work all the time. So I have to manually create new surface and the join and use command mergeallcoplanarfaces to make it look good again.
And lets say I want to cut an object in a 45 angle from a certain surface. I find it hard to do that in the perspective window, I have to go on of the other windows, lets say the front window to better control the rotation, but I cant just simply put a constraint on the object I want to rotate from a surface to control the rotation. Currently I am just guessing the rotation angle. Sometimes I try to type 45 degrees but Rhino does not know at which direction and from what surface it has to relate to.
I understand that it might be hard for you to understand what I am trying to do with just my text description above, and also that I might not be as skilled in this program which is why it is so difficult for me, so that is also why I am asking here in this forum if I am missing out on something else that might simplify this process.
hobnob,
I think you will find Rhino is actually very fun to draw in compared to the softwares mentioned for this workflow.
Try turning on the Gumball with Snappy Dragging enabled, also enable set your SmartTrack to the desired angles (22.5 typically)
I bet I find it more fun when I know how things works in Rhino better.
Although I have been using the software from time to time several years now, and I think its always the same workflow when doing this kind of job.
About your advice;
How do I turn on the Gumball with snappy dragging? What is snappy dragging?
And what does SmartTrack doing and why the example 22.5?
Right click to access the gumball settings.
In the modeling aids Document settings you can set the SmartTrack to also Smart Ortho, with the ortho settings set to 22.5 you can get 45 degrees angles from various starting points, 11.25 will refine this even further. These settings might not be needed for your workflow, but i always find found them useful.
Gumball is super powerful and might be all you need to get things working smoother Gumball | Rhino 3-D modeling
I think any software that you don’t really know how to use well would be “painful and clumsy”. This is not a reflection on Rhino at all. I experience the same thing when I have to work with other CAD/CAM products. Stick with it and it will get easier.
Dan
Yes of course! Everything is relative and you can only compare with your past experience in other CAD programs.
Appearantly I already had the gumball turned on, and have been using it always, and yes its easy to rotate and move objects, but still its hard to just place an object fast on a certain position. I turned on the snappy dragging but I am not sure if I can feel any difference compared to before..
Another thing, I have to turn the c-plan all the time when I am using the mirror function, otherwise it doesnt know which direction it has to mirror the part.
But how do I know how to turn the c-plane in the correct direction by just seeing these icons? I am just guessing all the time and just trying different direction until I see the c-plane is in a position that I need it to be.
How do you guys work with this smoothly?
Thanks anyway!
Switch to a view that makes sense and mirror.
Or use auto-cplane:
Hi Hobnob, Are you also wanting to Orient objects either by 2 points or 3 points ?
You can set a Cplane and save it as ( give it a name) in the Named Cplanes. Would that be helpful?—Mark
