14 replies to this topic

[Tom Rogers]

I am trying to do an open rafter truss.  Basically it would be a normal roof just without the shingles and sheathing.  However in my 3D when I try to click off one the whole roof (areas that I want roofed) disappear.   I also thought I could add Queen trusses separately and adjust the size to give the look of the rough cedar that I desire; however if I don't add a roof I cant get trusses to show.  

 

So I am wondering what other people are doing in a similar situation?  While I am planning on using Softlist on this project it would be helpful if not too out of the box, but I probably can work around it. 

 

 

[Yvon Gonthier]

Don't know if this would solve completely but you would have to draw your roof in separate sections so that you have one type of shingle for the sections that you want to turn it off and another type for the section you want to keep on. The only thing is that you can't (or that I know)select two different types of roof sheathings so that would have to be on or off.

[Tom Rogers]

Thanks Yvon.  That I did do and I was able to turn it off,  And on the roof I can turn off the fascia and soffit.  It is that last piece of sheathing that I cant get rid of. 

[Mike Lloyd]

Something like this work?

Attached Thumbnails

• 
• 

[Tom Rogers]

Yes.  Did you do it by building it with beams?

[Mike Lloyd]

You can do it with beams but I did this by creating a 3D symbol

[Tom Rogers]

Yes, I am not as versed in creating 3D symbols

[randolph cohn]

if you don't know the process of making a 3d model ot it as mike did.

 

you could also try making the curved part with a
 

beam / check slope / check / vertical curve put a deflection on it

 

make the sloped beam with a beam and check "slope" and edit as needed

 

and the horizontal beam - needs no explanation

but

you can put a PROFILE on the ends of the beams by using a stock / beam end

or creating your own custom "beam end" PROFILE.

 

you can either place each part as needed or

use that to create a 3d model for use on other projects

[Tom Rogers]

That is how I did it Randy; using beams and slope.  I'm old school and think like I would build it.  Need to hire my kid to create 3D pieces

[Keith Almond]

If I can get my home computer to show the 3D previews - Don't know why they aren't working - I'll try and put together a little tutorial for you Tom. Once you get the hang of it, they are quite easy and reasonably quick to produce - Trusses are quite simple since they only have a simple thickness. That way you can model anything you want.

[Keith Almond]

Okay, I'm back off vacation (yes, I know you thought I'd kept my mouth shut for a while!) ... Let's see if I can get this done whilst I eat my lunch ...

 

1. Draw out the required shape on a NEW plan with lines (and arcs if required).

2. Trace over the individual shapes with 3D polygons (edge edit to create any required arc's) - I've also separated the shapes just so you can see they are full polygons - and edit them ALL to the required depth (and offsets if you have multiple depths).

3. Remove anything you have from the model, and just add the Feature Truss drawing (or whatever it is) to the model.

4. In the 3D model go to FILE > EXPORT > DWG and save the 3D model as a drawing file. (I normally save in a directory called KEITH within C:\SOFTPLAN\3D\3D SYMBOLS as I think it keeps them together better, but that's personal preference).

5. Go to FILE > SYSTEM OPTIONS > SYSTEM LIBRARY and whatever Library you want to save in, and click the "WIZARD" button.

6. Choose the library you want to save your 3D model in (again I always put my models in the "3D" library), and give it a name.

7. Is the plan view symbol on Screen? Typically it's not so click NO.

8. You'll then be asked to import your symbol - if you saved it in a none Softplan folder use IMPORT, otherwise just click on the folder and symbol boxes. At this point you should see a really nice representation of your 3D which you can grab and spin round. If you DO everything should work fine ... if you don't then you have done something wrong earlier, and may need to start again ... SORRY!

9. You'll then be asked to orient the symbol - Since you saved it in PLAN, the views are invariably NOT correct, so click no ...

... and re-orient to suit.

10. Once the orientation is correct, you can then select a finish ... (IMPORTANT: if you want the item to have multiple finishes, then all the SOLID polygons must be in multiple GROUPS when you create them).

11. All the dimensions should be correct, but if not, they can be adjusted now.

12. Correct the offset as required - This can be left as 0 if you wish and the offset adjusted on plan to suit.

13. Click "GENERATE" to create a 2D plan symbol.

14. Click "FINISH"

15. Position the created 2D symbol on plan - copy as necessary.

16. Recreate the model by removing the Feature Truss drawing and adding back the relevant plans, and view the new creations .....

 

As usual, I may have missed something, if you have any questions, let me know.

[Yvon Gonthier]

Welcome back Keith

[randolph cohn]

check HELP in softplan and type in

 

FORM SOLID POLYGON

and go to

forming a solid polygon from lines

 

 

also do a SEARCH in splash on the topic

"forming solid polygons"

or

"creating custom trusses"

 

if you can get to the old forum.

we have tons of great threads on

this subject.

[Wouter van Tiel]

Thanks for the info, this will help. I do wonder though why every new user has to go through figuring this out. It would be so helpful if some basic trusses were included with the program.

[Keith Almond]

Softplan gives us a lot of tools to be able to create whatever we need. Only if you need an object that curves in two planes are you really stuck.

 

I've posted this before, but a few new members may not have seen it ... this Canopy Roof symbol was created wholly in Softplan with the standard tools.