Hello
I’m new in Rhino (registered) And testing VisualArq…
Some questions please if someone can help I would be pleased
I Can’t find any answer in training videos or Forums …
How do you move a wall ???
I mean, is there a way you can move a wall and keep liked walls to it ?
Like any stretch command
Let’s say U shapes walls
If you move the bottom of the U you get 3 split walls and need to extend the walls, or fillet them with a 0 radius…
Can we move the bottom part of the U shape and keep the walls connected ?
Must be.
Is there any PDF or online manual for each va command ?
I would rather refer to a manual than find my way in videos than annoy everyone in this forum
Is there a Beta version for Rhino WIP
I am new in Rhino, so I’d rather get uses to version 8 than 7…
Is there visual styles of windows a little bit more precise ?
eg. x number of slashes and/or rails in a sliding windows
More accurate doors (parametric frame door width height, type of handle, size type single double tripple glazing, kind of lock sets, vertical horizontal muntins, … etc…)
Can a door or window be inserted in rabbet in a wall ?
Can we draw splays in a wall opening
(excuse my “french” english) I mean a none rectangular opening ?
I’ve illustrated my questions with screen shots (from Sketchup so sorry… but still using it)
Many thanks
Hi Karim. I was playing around with your first question and found a reliable way:
If I use the “PointsOn” command and then use a crossing window, it works.
I found that the wall behavior was quite a bit different than other objects. I won’t get into it here but some of the other stuff I tried wasn’t working. I did some really cool stuff with vaWalls including having an air gap. I found that there was too many things I couldn’t do, so I (kind of) don’t use vaWalls… for now. I model my walls with Rhino. That solves a lot of your issues but it also means more manual work.
Documentation for both Rhino and VARQ is a little behind. Relying on YouTube sucks because you get a lot of old videos. The best resource for learning VARQ is their (free) online course:
I would argue that videos aren’t a replacement for proper documentation… the videos themselves are really good but I HATE having to sift through an hour long video just to find one thing. Maybe we can make a community project or something to fix that.
Do a quick forum search you’ll find it. I’m not using it because I don’t have time . Both Rhino 8 and Visual ARQ 3 look really good.
This post might be helpful in that regards. Nothing is quite as detailed as what you’re looking for however:
Google image searches are saving me on a lot of terminology. I think it’s similar between the languages but the fact that I’m not an architect
One thing to keep in mind is that you can model things very fast in Rhino. That’s really the advantage in my opinion. Even in Revit for example, the parametric families are very quick… until they aren’t… as soon as you need to manually model something, everything breaks down. Don’t be afraid to model things manually. Not everything has to be parametric.
And here’s something I whipped up this morning. I didn’t have a chance to post it until now however:
Basically, every object in Rhino is “Dynamic” or “Parametric” (forgive me for using that term here but it’s mis-used everywhere).
Once I create the first window, it (almost) has the same level of functionality as a Dynamic Block in AutoCAD… that is if I know how to select the control points, and am careful how I move them.
Creating a Grasshopper Component or a Visual ARQ Grasshopper style is very feasible. But it also takes a lot of time. If you have a task that you perform regularly, and that task is annoying, or takes a lot of time, you can automate it. But for rare tasks (that also fit well within Rhino’s strengths), it’s better to just manually model stuff.
It’s nice to have a “parametric” wall component, but when you run into a situation where it won’t do what you want (which, for me… is very frequent), the advantages disappear quickly. Even modelling a simple concrete building (my original reason for learning Rhino) I run into snags in Revit:
Snags include the fact that it takes forever to model (relatively) simple drain slopes in Revit, among other things. Slabs are also very basic in VARQ. So much so that I (almost) don’t use them. I might make a subfloor out of a “slab”. But that’s just playing around not real work.
So basically, I made a compromise. I only use certain parametric components. And model most the building manually (for now). It’s actually the annotations and documentation that slows me down the most. That’s actually what I’m focusing on right now.
For VARQ windows and doors I made the “frames” which would in theory cut the walls… then I can just manually model the windows and doors and insert them in afterwards. It sounds slow but it’s quicker unless you’re using the same window styles over and over.
Many Many thanks
Best workflow I’ve seen, Had to reduce speed to 0.25…
Got so many things out of it
Very close to my way of working
Booleans out of a set of poly mesh ! didn’t know this could be done
All your line commands ChangeLayer …
Your middle mouse Popup shortcut icons (eg. Wip version Plans sets automatically)
changing origin of Gizmo and dragging from point to point WHY can’t the snap from point to point be set and constraint to horizontal vertical … (eg. Autocad perpendicular to ?)
You are not using Smartrack a lot, are you ?
What about AddGuide ! Very good function
Guides disappear if you are not drawing
BUT Missing
parallel top edge
copy
offset
select
copy
Guides !!!
Ok I’m still practising at the moment, spent so much time I got many aspirins …
Not able for the moment to show a workflow, still messing up with commands
Need to memorize
Yes I tried using ARQ
windows and doors are nasty
openings in walls too
slabs as you say not very easy to modify (add remove from curve…)
But wall projection to roofs are quite nice because dynamic (moving walls or roof) even though not used very often…
I’d rather learn GH (or/and scripting)
“Used” GH on the stair plugin I told you about amazing, and very efficient.
Much more than ARQ, usable in any cases.
Keith, What cad program were you using before ?
For sure Autocad then Revit, you are typing all commands (what about keyboard shorcuts slight_smile: )
Were you using sketchup ?
I’m asking because the construction process of a window differs (even though skp is mesh not polymesh)
My workflow is manly based on
groups into groups
offsets and extrusions
help lines instead of construction lines set to a hidden layer (I know they exist in Rhino but not much used)
The things I must improve in Rhino are
snapping ; I need to find something like SU snaps, perpendicular to plane, aligned on a direction…
Multiple copies (*number NOT arrays) and divisions (/number) much more practical than measuring as you were doing with glazing of windows…
Ok time to sleep…
Coming soon
Oh yes last thing, importing assets from SU is OK, just need to clean mesh, groups and materials are kept …
I did speed that up (as you’re probably aware). And 4x go figure. Except where I stretch the window into different windows: That’s 2x speed because that’s what I deemed the important part. I could easily make another video in real time. I can’t settle on my workflow for windows because I keep finding new ideas. I just thought of one after making that video actually - my windows normally have separated layers. In that video to make things simple I only used one layer for the frame and trim. If I model my windows like I normally do, I have multiple layers:
5 Layers total.
If I just turn the Exterior/Interior trim layer(s) off (and my windows are blocks), I don’t really need those manually drawn (pink) guides I guess.
The Gumball: Anything I use with the Gumball can be done without. But I highly recommend using the Gumball.
When I first started using Rhino I avoided the Gumball; I might have even had it turned off. Now I use it all the time, for everything. It combines TONS of functionality into one. For example: You don’t have to change your construction plane nearly as often. 95% of the stuff I use the Gumball for I’m significantly faster than not using the Gumball. For the other 5% it’s just stuff I can forget about because the Gumball is virtually as fast.
For me, I often need to set CPlanes manually anyways. For example, the hatch on the roof (yep, it’s a hatch) required me to set some of the CPlanes manually using the “3Point” option. No program will ever be able to guess which CPlane I actually want to draw on 100% of the time, so automatic CPlane will slow me down… on a building at least. Maybe not other types of models like a product design.
Never knew it existed until I read this lol! I tried it out and it is good actually! I might use it. There’s only so many things a human brain can remember. Just like a tool chest… it can only get so full, so you need to keep the tools you use most often close at hand. I might include AddGuide from now on though!!
I use SmartTrack a lot with linework, but not so much with other stuff. It really depends what I’m doing.
I should use more keyboard shortcuts. I usually create them in bunches. Rhino has a really good system for creating shortcuts. Better than even ACAD (and way better than Sketchup/Revit in my opinion). I have some nifty shortcuts and could definitely create some more. I guess I just don’t mind typing a lot.
I used AutoCAD for years but never got “good” at it… the job I was at didn’t really require me to improve much.
I burnt out and quit, and took over 4 months off from work to learn Revit. I got really good at it but noticed lots of it’s flaws as well.
My next job wasn’t even really a Revit job. It was AutoCAD. And mostly repetitious work. But they didn’t have any way to automate it; it was all done manually (and very slowly), so that’s what kicked off my long journey of poking around, trying to find better ways of doing things.
I reached a point where I had to (well didn’t have to but it was beneficial) start modelling concrete buildings. I first tried Rhino, but I didn’t like it. So I switched to Sketchup. I liked Sketchup but I guess I just didn’t like the UI. I realized I was a Rhino guy not a Sketchup guy. I was however very impressed with the work created in Sketchup. I remember seeing some stuff created by KCDA architecture (I think Skalp used some of their work as promotional material). I also bough Nick Sonders’ book (“Architecture for Sketchup” or something like that). His work looks incredible. Those early pioneers proved it could be done and since then quite a few people have made Sketchup work for them. Many of them in fact have a competitive advantage over those using Revit.
My opinion spark a debate: I think that Rhino has potential to be even better than Sketchup. There’s a few reasons for this. One of the main reasons is that Layout (for me at least) seems so detached from Sketchup itself. I hated using the scrapbook. And creating layouts was slow. I got really cool looking results. I just feel like Rhino could be better.
Do you mean in the real world or just modelling them? I model my windows in a way that makes them “look good” in plan and section cuts… so that the linework doesn’t blend together and look not great. But the frame, the overall shape… isn’t a real window. The rough openings… for now… I’m making them 2 inches. That’s a lot but makes the window clearly defined on plan. My idea is that since windows are dimensioned from the center, they would be built correctly. A higher “LOD” would sacrifice drawing clarity… but that’s just my subjective opinion.
Yes for sure i hope you cant work as fast, otherwise i’ll just stop for ever using a computer !
Keiths ? should I call you ?
You can call me Icekarim or Ice cream or Karim as you like
Asking just to say how much I’m happy and grateful.
You are really helping and encouraging me to carry one.
AND you are answering all my questions, one by one…
Thanks for your time
Yes I agree even if I sometimes don’t know how to manage.
How to scale (graphically pointing start end, then specifying end…)
How to strech…
How to do multiple copies (I know last typed value is retained)
etc…
Actually WIP version I’m using is doing really fine !
5% of the time it is not…
Still I would like a keyboard key to constraint to one of the x y or z directions or a chosen vector with no help of the Gummball
Ctrl key constrains to Z in some cases, are there any other (hidden) keys ?
Dont try, so much missing will be no help
This is a ONE must have function
30 years ago I was working on one of the first good 3d architecture software called ARC+
It had this function with Alt+x Alt+y Alt+z and command lines like “\hpp” (help point point) and so one
You could draw directly in 3D, 30 years ago !
This is a ONE function that SU copied …
I wish WIP could
add to helplines : “parallel to” “offset” select, rotate, duplicate
find inference when a help line crosses a surface (intersection point)
If not I’ll have to manage without their “help”
I agree again
in 2D can use
in 3D a big mess
…
You are hilarious, who has ever been good at it ?
Except for drawing accurate lines and circles.
As soon as you switch view to 3D you get sick
I used to write LISP to make my way out…
pfff… why not if you are dealing with always the same buildings with the same contactors and willing to pay …
Checking …
He is the one with a single video that taught me how to use Layout…
When ever you want, get me the best Rvit user, and I’ll be pleased to show him he cant go as fast as a good SU user…
OKKK old old old
But I still like the basic functions that have always been there at start.
The most impressive is the ability to work in a single 3d View !
The snaps are more then snaps : SU snaps on surfaces !
There is NO _osnap settings
Combined to help lines, this is why it is fast to design on SU
You mean FAAAAAR FAR ahead from any…
I just watchjed a single project of zaha hadid using Rhino,
I would have never thought Rhino was so efficient !
No, your windows are really fine !
I meant the construction process in SU
SU process is a succession of offsets push pulls in and out groups and components
Very very fast
I have worked hard yesterday on WIP
If you havent seen Kyle Houchens’s vid please whach and tell me what you think
I love
Done it as he did and had no problem at all
I already have my shortcuts for “inset” “pushpull” “project” “mergeallcoplanarfaces” “splitface”…
Still I wonder why Rhino
uses “inset” command instead of “offset” in a faces and n-gon
is not able to draw directly into a polysurfaces to be pushpulled, instead of using polylines or curves drawn on TOP of a polysurface face to use pushpull, having to erase the curves after (SelCrv delete) ?
Last
I’ve imported 25 types of doors and windows from Flextools SU plugin to Rhino
polysurfaces (not meshes)
Here is the link http://a.k.t.free.fr/cao/rhino_index.html
Is this “usable” for you ?
What kind of changes should I do, to this “starting” library for it to be used by anyone on Rhino ?
Any of those windows can be resized glazed, have mullions and so on in SU
1st row are unchanged SU Flextools Dynamic elements
Last row are the ones where I’ve removed hidden unwanted elements
Some still remain (must remove) and some glazings appear not glazed (must verify why)
Scaling is pretty easy… Maybe I’ll make a video on everything you can do with the scale.
Stretching… depends… non-uniform scaling can sometimes be the same as stretching. Rhino does also have a stretch command which I’ve barely used. Wherever you move the Gumball, that’s where the stretch’s basepoint will be.
At this time I don’t know how to do this automatically. I would just use other Rhino commands. If it’s just a few objects (let’s say less than 8) I just copy manually. It’s quick enough.
Interesting! ARC+'s visuals look very similar to Sketchup’s. It looks like it’s still around? There’s the odd video on YouTube.
The “inset” feature would come in very handy. I only skimmed the video. If I the “pull” effectively does a boolean for me without creating a non-manifold polysurface… then I will be able to use it. Being able to offset would save me a step.
The issue of having to memorize more command names comes up. That’s one of the biggest reasons I want to try and use only one or two (or three) programs. People using Revit, Rhino, AutoCAD, plus other stuff for rendering are out of their minds in my opinion.
It might be. The surfaces have to be “healthy”: Nice and solid with no funny stuff. Sketchup handles funny stuff relatively well so you don’t have to worry about it as much (usually, there is a breaking point). In Rhino, things go South pretty quickly.
Some of the objects have lots of individual surfaces:
This means they might not look good in section cuts.
Many objects also have Sketchups style of surfacing:
Sketchup is designed for this, Rhino isn’t so much.
I was also having a hard time figuring out where some of the property overrides are coming from. But it turns out they are materials: The 2D lines are set to a “white” material.
My intuition would tell me to redraw these as needed. If it’s just these it wouldn’t be that much work.
We are developing VisualARQ 3, which will be available for Rhino 8. We haven’t released a WIP version yet, but I can add you to the list of people who wants to try it.
Anyway, what do you mean here by slashes and rails? You can edit or create window styles in VisualARQ:
From all the thins you requested in this point, I think the only one which is not currently available is the “type of handle”, which will be available in VisualARQ 3. I think we are also missing the “kind of lock sets”; please, could you send me some more information about this feature you would like to have?
Yessss, please do
Instead of wasting my time drawing doors and windows…
I’m new to Rhino, and rather learn how to use WIP, the inset & pushpull commands are mandatory for me
Let me know when and how
I’ll try GH styles asa available and asa I can
OK !
Easy indeed
Created my own door style out of my 3d and 2d door in a few seconds
Custom Blocks Door Styles
Instead of just choosing a single 3d bloc, is there a way to specify the “Different parts and components of the door object:” selecting each one of them ?
Door Profile
Door Frame
Door Stop
Door Leaf
Glass
Glass Muntins
This would be great
About Rabbets in a wall, I got a partial answer from Keithscadservices but out of VarQ
He uses a hidden layer in his block, defining the Door profile but also the way the wall must be cut of (boolean subtraction)
I mostly work on old houses.
Walls are 50 to 60cm width
Door is placed somewhere close to the centre (offset changes)
And rabbets are inside the walls, the frame protrude from the table of the opening for about 2cm each side.
Even though, on top of the doors I have wooden lintels that I need to represent.
Wooden lintel is not represented in this example, but
it is larger than the interior width
it is some time a double wood lintel
very often it is only in the interior up to the wood frame (exterior lintel is made out of stone or bricks)
AND it is often higher than the exterior lintel …
If that had to be in a style we would need some other modifiable components of the door object :
interior shape & height (volume)
exterior shape & height (volume)
interior lintel shape (volume) and offset (default to frame offset)
exterior lintel shape (volume) and offset (default to frame offset)
…
Don’t know what you are up to in WIP version, I’d like to see
For sure, this can be done with GH Door styles.
But for the moment I’m not yet even at 0 level
That is COOL
Just need to add a specific bloc for Window Styles Custom Blocks locksets !
All those are must have for my projects
Most of them are this way, and in the “new” houses I design I often ask for weird windows
Can see here on this video And on this layout
That’s not nonsense, I’ve done nothing more than copying a very old Greek style used in Hydra Island
It is so clever, I have done this for interior walls to be able to reuse removed old doors into smaller openings in walls lulu_doors_01.pdf (723.9 KB)
Changed into lulu_doors_03.pdf (536.6 KB)
Because the carpenter (greek) was too lazy to reduce the old frame width (or did not understand) and did this…
Dear Alfonso, I know you can’t answer everybody, nor include everyone’s request in WIP version, but as soon as a software becomes a design limitation … it is not used
Waiting to see your WIP improvements
Many thanks and best regards
PS : are you planning any kind of special pricing for this release, kind of a bundle for those who will upgrade their Rhino 7 and would like to add VARQ ?
OK my three 1st GH lessons are cool, very
But are there any varq .gh files available for download ?
Starting from scratch is going to take a long time for me, time and efforts, not even mentioning the mistakes I’ll do
. Both Rhino 8 and Visual ARQ 3 look really good.
Yes for sure i hope you cant work as fast, otherwise i’ll just stop for ever using a computer !
