Editing Walls

Wall Properties

Edit the properties of selected straight or round walls and their components, as well as curtain walls (Vectorworks Architect or Landmark required), from the Object Info palette. To change the wall attributes, use the Attributes palette. Certain parameters are available for standard walls or for curtain walls only. Settings on the Render tab (Renderworks required) are not available for curtain walls, since the textures of frames and panels are specified separately. Use the Edit Curtain Wall tool to adjust the frames and panels of curtain walls.

Click to show/hide the parameters.

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Reshaping Walls

Removing Wall Breaks

Joining Walls

Inserting and Editing Symbols Within a Wall

Editing Curtain Walls

Creating Walls

Creating Curtain Walls

Reshaping Walls

Use the Reshape tool in a 3D view to edit the wall height, change the elevation of wall peaks, add vertices to create peaks in a wall, and delete vertices that have been added. Use the Selection tool to change the wall length. Symbols remain where placed when a wall is reshaped.

In the following situations, the Reshape tool displays 2D Reshape modes; the vertices at either end of the wall can be moved, to change the wall length and/or location. See “2D Reshape Modes” on page 1096.

  In Top/Plan view

  When multiple walls are selected

  When a wall and other objects are selected

  When a marquee has been drawn

In any 3D view, when only a single wall is selected, the Reshape tool has three modes available.

3DReshapeWalls_modes.png 

Mode

Description

Reshape 3D Walls

Adjusts the position of a selected wall vertex

Add 3D Wall Peaks

Adds a vertex to a wall for reshaping purposes

Delete 3D Wall Peaks

Deletes a wall vertex

Walls can also be trimmed using the Trim tool; see “Trim Tool” on page 1112.

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Changing Wall Length

Changing Wall Height

Changing Wall Peak Height

Adding a Vertex to Walls

Deleting a Wall Vertex

Reshaping Objects

Changing Round Wall Radius

Removing Wall Breaks

Joining Walls

Joining Walls with the Fillet Tool

Inserting and Editing Symbols Within a Wall

Creating Walls

Changing Wall Length

Selection_tool.png 

To change a wall’s length:

1   Select the wall to reshape with the Selection tool.

Single Object Interactive Scaling mode must be enabled.

2   Position the cursor over an end selection handle, and click.

In a 3D view, the handles are at the base of the wall.

3   Move the cursor to lengthen or shorten the wall.

4   Click when the wall is at the desired length.

Walls_edit00002.jpg 

Wall length can also be changed with the Reshape tool in Top/Plan view. In a 3D view, draw a marquee with the Reshape tool to enclose the wall vertex in a marquee that is co-planar with the bottom wall elevation. Select the wall with the Reshape tool. The available modes switch to the 2D reshape modes, and 2D reshape functionality is enabled (see “2D Reshape Modes” on page 1096). This allows the wall length to be adjusted, even when in a 3D view.

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Reshaping Walls

The Selection Tool

Reshaping Objects

Trim Tool

Changing Wall Height

Reshape_tool.png 

To change the height of the wall:

1   In a 3D view, select the wall to reshape.

2   Click the Reshape tool from the Basic palette, and select Reshape 3D Walls mode.

3   Position the cursor over one of the handles in the middle of the top or bottom of the wall, and click.

When the cursor is over a reshape handle, the standard arrow cursor changes into a double-headed, unfilled arrow.

4   Move the cursor to adjust the wall.

5   Click at the desired location.

Walls_edit00004.jpg 

In the Object Info palette, the height change displays as a top or bottom offset value.

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Reshaping Walls

Changing Wall Peak Height

Reshape_tool00006.png 

To change the height of a peak on the wall:

1   In a 3D view, select the wall to reshape.

2   Click the Reshape tool from the Basic palette, and select Reshape 3D Walls mode.

3   Position the cursor over one of the handles on the ends of the top or bottom of the wall, and click.

When the cursor is over a reshape handle, the standard arrow cursor changes into a double-headed, unfilled arrow.

4   Move the cursor to adjust the wall.

5   Click at the desired location.

Walls_edit00007.jpg 

Changing the height of a wall peak does not change the height of the wall.

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Reshaping Walls

Adding a Vertex to Walls

Reshape_tool00009.png 

To add a vertex to a wall:

1   In a 3D view, select the wall that requires a peak (vertex).

2   Click the Reshape tool from the Basic palette, and select Add 3D Wall Peaks mode.

3   Position the cursor over an end point on one of the corners or an existing vertex, and click.

When the cursor is over an end point, the standard arrow cursor changes into a single-headed, filled arrow with shaded boxes on either side of the shaft.

4   Move the cursor to add a vertex to the top or bottom of the wall.

A vertex can be moved to any location along the same wall as long as the location does not pass another existing vertex.

5   Click when the vertex is at the desired location.

Walls_edit00010.jpg 

To reshape a curved wall to match a planar surface, use the Subtract Solids or Intersect Solids command with an object that matches the plane of the roof.

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Reshaping Walls

Deleting a Wall Vertex

Reshape_tool00012.png 

To delete a control point:

1   In a 3D view, select the wall with the peak (vertex) to be deleted.

2   Click the Reshape tool from the Basic palette, and select Delete 3D Wall Peaks mode.

3   Position the cursor over the vertex to delete.

When the cursor is over a vertex, the standard arrow cursor changes into a single-headed, filled arrow with a hollow diamond in the shaft.

4   Click the vertex.

The vertex is removed and the wall is reshaped to the remaining vertices.

Walls_edit00013.jpg 

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Reshaping Walls

Changing Round Wall Radius

Selection_tool00015.png 

To change the radius of a round wall:

1   Select the round wall.

2   Position the cursor over the center control point, and click.

3   Move the cursor to change the radius, and click to set the end point.

Wall_rnd_ed.png 

Flip the round wall arc by dragging toward, and through, the arc center.

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Reshaping Walls

Removing Wall Breaks

The Remove Wall Breaks tool cleans up any wall breaks or gaps that were created during editing. For example, when creating a new wall that joins an existing wall, if the new wall is later deleted, a break in the remaining wall displays at the joint. The Remove Wall Breaks tool can remove the break and any end caps.

RemoveWallBreaks_tool.png 

To remove wall breaks:

1   Click the Remove Wall Breaks tool from the appropriate tool set:

       Fundamentals workspace: Walls tool set

       Design Series workspaces: Building Shell tool set

Alternatively, right-click (Windows) or Ctrl-click (Mac) on the wall and select Remove Break from the context menu.

2   Click and drag to create a marquee box around the wall break or end cap to remove.

The wall break or end cap is automatically removed.

Arrow.png 

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Reshaping Walls

Joining Walls

Joining Walls with the Fillet Tool

ArchLand.pngMoving Connected Walls

The Selection tool has an additional mode, Connected Walls, in the Vectorworks Architect and Landmark products. This mode automatically maintains the connection between the wall being moved and adjoining walls. The involved wall angles remain constrained throughout the move. While dragging a wall, you can enter precise offset distances in the Offset field of the Tool bar.

The Connected Walls mode does not apply to Y-joined walls or round walls.

Connections between T-joined walls and L-joined walls are also maintained if they are moved using the Move or Nudge command, or moved and/or duplicated using the Duplicate Array command or the Move by Points tool, as long as the ends of the moved or duplicated walls overlap with the walls to which they were originally connected.

2DSelectionModes.png 

Selection_tool00019.png 

To move a wall while maintaining its connection to adjacent walls:

1   Click the Selection tool from the Basic palette.

2   Select Connected Walls from the Tool bar.

3   Click the desired wall and drag it to a new location; alternatively, change the wall length by editing the L value from the Object Info palette (polar coordinates), or by editing a dimension value. The walls stay connected during the move.

When you move a wall connected between two other walls, the wall being moved is resized to maintain the connection. Moving a T- or L-joined wall beyond the end of the connected wall disconnects the walls.

connected_wall.png 

End-to-end walls joined as an L-join move together as a single wall.

Move_end2end.png 

For corner joined walls, all involved walls are resized to maintain the connection. A wall cannot be moved in such a way that its length equals zero.

tjoin_move.png 

To move a collection of walls without changing the walls relative to each other, deselect the Connected Walls mode, and then move the walls.

cornerjoin_move.png 

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Moving Objects

Duplicate Array

Creating Walls

Creating Wall End Caps

Joining Wall Components

Hiding Wall Components

Automatically Joining Walls

The Vectorworks preference Auto join walls automatically joins walls at corners and intersections, and automatically heals the mitered ends of walls when they are separated from one another. For T joins, the break in the side of the wall is healed. Walls can be in either 2D or 3D view.

Walls_edit00020.jpg 

When a core component has been set for walls with components, the components also automatically join. Core components, as well as the other components, join uncapped if they have the same fill, and capped otherwise.

To set the Auto join walls preference:

1   Select Tools > Options > Vectorworks Preferences.

2   On the Edit tab, select Auto join walls.

3   Click OK.

Automatically Joining Walls in Rectangle Mode

When the Vectorworks preference Auto join walls is on, walls drawn in Rectangle mode that are parallel and overlap or touch each other interact. The drawing operation can be performed using the default Add option, which combines interacting walls, or using the Subtract option, which deletes interacting wall segments. A set of rules determines these interactions.

The existing walls that interact with the new walls are highlighted while drawing.

Add option

The existing overlapped wall remains, and the new overlapping wall is not created.

Walls_edit00022.jpg 

If the new wall extends the existing wall and has the same style, the existing wall is extended and the new wall is not created. If the new wall has a different style, it is created.

Walls_edit00024.jpg 

Walls_edit00026.jpg 

Subtract option–press and hold Alt (Windows) or Option (Mac) while drawing

The overlapped portion of the existing wall is deleted, and the new overlapping wall is not created.

Walls_edit00028.jpg 

If the new wall extends the existing wall and has the same style, the existing wall is extended and the new wall is not created.

Walls_edit00030.jpg 

If the new wall partially extends and partially overlaps an existing wall, the overlapping portion is deleted and the extending portion is created with the new wall.

Walls_edit00032.jpg 

When a wall subtraction requires that the existing walls change direction to maintain the correct orientation, the wall direction changes automatically (see “Wall Direction” on page 547).

Walls_edit00034.jpg 

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Creating Wall Components

Joining Walls

Joining Wall Components

Edit Preferences

Joining Walls

walljoin_tool.png 

The Wall Join tool is in the Walls tool set (Fundamentals workspace) and the Building Shell tool set (Design Series workspaces).

The Wall Join tool joins straight or curved wall segments not already connected using the Auto join walls preference. (See “Automatically Joining Walls” on page 539 for information on Auto join walls.) There are three modes for joining walls and two end cap modes.

WallJoin_modes.png 

Mode

Description

T Join

Lengthens or shortens one wall segment until it intersects with the second wall segment selected; creates Y joins by joining the first selected wall to two sections of an existing L join

L Join

Joins the closest ends of two walls to create a corner

X Join

Joins two wall segments at the point where they intersect

Uncapped Join

Applies an uncapped join to wall join operations

Capped Join

Applies a capped join to wall join operations

To temporarily activate this tool, right-click (Windows) or Ctrl-click (Mac) on a wall, and select Join from the context menu. The tool defaults to the mode used previously with the tool.

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Reshaping Walls

Removing Wall Breaks

T Wall Joins

Y Wall Joins

L Wall Joins

X Wall Joins

Joining Walls with the Fillet Tool

Inserting and Editing Symbols Within a Wall

Automatically Joining Walls

T Wall Joins

T Join mode lengthens or shortens the first wall segment selected until it intersects with the second wall segment selected. As only the first wall is altered, this mode does not create corner joins.

walljoin_tool00037.png 

To join walls with the T Join mode:

1   Click the Wall Join tool from the appropriate tool set:

       Fundamentals workspace: Walls tool set

       Design Series workspaces: Building Shell tool set

Alternatively, right-click (Windows) or Ctrl-click (Mac) on the first wall to join and select Join from the context menu.

2   Click T Join from the Tool bar.

3   Select the wall segment that must change length to intersect with the other wall.

4   Select the second wall segment to join.

Walls_edit00038.jpg 

To create a T join to an existing corner, join the wall segment to the perpendicular corner segment. This creates a clean join between the walls.

 

Walls_edit00040.jpg 

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Joining Walls

Joining Walls with the Fillet Tool

Y Wall Joins

Y wall joins are not automatically created when you use the Auto join walls preference. (See “Edit Preferences” on page 55 for information on Auto join walls.) Instead, use the T Join mode to create Y wall joins.

walljoin_tool00042.png 

To create a Y wall join of three wall segments:

1   Click the Wall Join tool from the appropriate tool set:

       Fundamentals workspace: Walls tool set

       Design Series workspaces: Building Shell tool set

Alternatively, right-click (Windows) or Ctrl-click (Mac) on the first wall to join and select Join from the context menu.

2   Click T Join from the Tool bar.

3   Select the wall segment that must change length to abut the two previously joined wall segments.

4   Select one of the two wall segments to join.

The wall segments are joined.

Walls_edit00043.jpg 

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Joining Walls

Joining Walls with the Fillet Tool

L Wall Joins

L Join mode joins the closest ends of two walls to create a corner, or joins two walls end to end. Both wall lengths are automatically resized as necessary to meet cleanly.

walljoin_tool00045.png 

To join walls with the L Join mode:

1   Click the Wall Join tool from the appropriate tool set:

       Fundamentals workspace: Walls tool set

       Design Series workspaces: Building Shell tool set

Alternatively, right-click (Windows) or Ctrl-click (Mac) on the wall and select Join from the context menu.

2   Click L Join from the Tool bar.

3   Select the first wall segment to join.

4   Select the second wall segment to join. For corner joins, the location of the clicks defines the direction of the L.

The wall lengths are automatically resized and joined.

Walls_edit00046.jpg 

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Joining Walls

Joining Walls with the Fillet Tool

X Wall Joins

X Join mode joins two wall segments at the point where they intersect. Because neither wall segment’s length is altered, the two segments must already intersect in order to use this mode.

walljoin_tool00048.png 

To join walls with the X Join mode:

1   Click the Wall Join tool from the appropriate tool set:

       Fundamentals workspace: Walls tool set

       Design Series workspaces: Building Shell tool set

Alternatively, right-click (Windows) or Ctrl-click (Mac) on the wall and select Join from the context menu.

2   Click X Join from the Tool bar.

3   Select the wall segment to become non-load bearing.

4   Select the wall segment to become load bearing.

Walls_edit00049.jpg 

The first wall segment selected is split into two wall segments, which are joined to the load bearing wall.

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Joining Walls

Joining Walls with the Fillet Tool

Joining Walls with the Fillet Tool

The Fillet tool, located on the Basic palette, joins two wall segments by creating a round wall between them. See “Creating Fillets and Chamfers” on page 1130.

Walls_edit00051.jpg 

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Joining Walls

Arch.pngJoining Wall Components

ComponentJoin_tool.png 

The Component Join tool is in the Building Shell tool set.

The Component Join tool joins the selected components between two straight wall segments; components within pre-existing joined wall segments can also be joined. There are three modes for joining wall components.

ComponJoin_modes.png 

Mode

Description

T Join

Extends or shortens one wall component segment until it intersects with a second wall component segment

L Join

Joins the closest ends of two wall components to create a corner

Capped Join

Applies a capped join to the component being joined

Components can be joined to the edge of walls instead of specific components in Capped Join mode.

Normally, when you join walls with the Wall Join tool, and the Auto join walls preference is enabled, the components automatically join correctly. A core component must be set. (See “Joining Walls” on page 541.)

The Component Join tool is useful for adjusting components that did not join as desired when walls were connected, even in complex wall joins.

Walls_edit00054.jpg 

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Joining Wall Components

Capped Join Mode

Hiding Wall Components

Joining Walls

Automatically Joining Walls

Creating Walls

Arch00055.pngT Join Mode

The T Join mode extends or shortens one wall component segment until it intersects with a second wall component segment. As only the first component is extended, this mode will not create corner type joins. (For those, use the L join mode.)

ComponentJoin_tool00056.png 

To join wall components with the T Join mode:

1   Click the Component Join tool from the Building Shell tool set.

2   Click T Join from the Tool bar.

3   Select the component within the wall segment to join. The component is highlighted.

4   Select the second wall segment to join. The component to be joined is highlighted.

Walls_edit00057.jpg 

5   Repeat steps 3 and 4 for each component within the wall segment that needs to be joined.

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Joining Wall Components

Capped Join Mode

Hiding Wall Components

Arch00059.pngL Join Mode

The L Join mode joins the closest ends of two wall components to create a corner. Both component lengths are extended or shortened, as necessary, until they meet cleanly.

ComponentJoin_tool00060.png 

To join wall components with the L Join mode:

1   Click the Component Join tool from the Building Shell tool set.

2   Click L Join from the Tool bar.

3   Select the component within the wall segment to join.

4   Select the second wall segment to join. The component to be joined is highlighted.

Walls_edit00061.jpg 

5   Repeat steps 3 and 4 for each component within the wall segment that needs to be joined.

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Joining Wall Components

T Join Mode

Capped Join Mode

Hiding Wall Components

Arch00063.pngCapped Join Mode

Like the T Join mode, the Capped Join mode extends or shortens one wall component until it intersects with a second component. The component end is capped at the point where it joins the other wall.

ComponentJoin_tool00064.png 

To join wall components with the Capped Join mode:

1   Click the Component Join tool from the Building Shell tool set.

2   Click Capped Join from the Tool bar.

3   Select the component within the wall segment to join.

4   Select the second wall segment to join. The component to be joined is highlighted.

Walls_edit00065.jpg 

5   Repeat steps 3 and 4 for each component within the wall segment that needs to be joined.

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Joining Wall Components

Hiding Wall Components

ArchLand00067.pngEditing Curtain Walls

CW_edit_tool.png 

The Edit Curtain Wall tool is in the Building Shell tool set.

The Edit Curtain Wall tool manipulates the frames and panels of curtain walls. Once a curtain wall is selected with the tool, the modes allow you to select frames and panels; delete frames and panels; add, split, and combine frames; move frame and panel sets along a wall; and edit frame and panel settings.

When a curtain wall is selected with the Selection tool, two context menu commands become available. The Edit Using Reshape Tool command activates the Reshape tool to reshape the walls as described in “Reshaping Walls” on page 533. The Edit Using Edit Curtain Wall Tool command activates the Edit Curtain Wall tool.

CW_edit_modes.png 

Mode

Description

Select Frame

Selects one or more frames

Select Panel

Selects one or more panels

Add Frame

Inserts new frames into the curtain wall

Split Frame

Splits a frame into multiple pieces, so that one portion of the frame can be independently moved, edited, or deleted

Combine Frames

Combines two collinear frames into a single frame

Move Grid

Moves an entire set of frames and panels relative to the curtain wall

Settings

Selected frame or panel parameters can be edited

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Editing Curtain Wall Frames

Editing Curtain Wall Panels

Adding New Frames to a Curtain Wall

Splitting Curtain Wall Frames

Combining Curtain Wall Frames

Moving a Curtain Wall Grid

Changing Selected Frame or Panel Settings

Creating Curtain Walls

ArchLand00069.pngEditing Curtain Wall Frames

CW_edit_tool00070.png 

To select and manipulate curtain wall frames:

1   Click the Edit Curtain Wall tool from the Building Shell tool set, and click Select Frame mode from the Tool bar.

2   Select the curtain wall to edit.

3   Select the frame or frames to edit, move, or delete.

The Edit Curtain Wall tool works similarly to the Selection tool. Frames can be selected for editing in a variety of ways.When a single frame is selected, end handles allow the frame to be reshaped.

Method

Selection Action

Click

Standard selection method; selects a single object only

Shift-click

Selects multiple objects as each object is clicked; also can be used to deselect one or more objects without affecting other selected objects

Option-drag (Mac) or Ctrl-drag (Windows)

Places a copy of the object where the mouse button is released

Rectangle marquee

Selects all objects that are completely contained within the marquee

Shift-marquee

Reverses the selection status of objects inside a marquee; if objects inside the marquee are selected, this method deselects those objects

Option-marquee (Mac) or Alt-marquee (Windows)

Selects all objects that the marquee passes through, as well as those contained within the marquee

4   A single, selected frame can be reshaped, moved by dragging, copied, or deleted. The frame must be connected on both ends to another frame. If deleting or moving a frame causes any frames to become disconnected, they are automatically extended until they join a frame.

Selected frames can be deleted by pressing delete, or alternatively, right-click (Windows) or Ctrl-click (Mac) on the frame and select Delete Frames from the context menu.

Selected frames can be evenly distributed relative to the wall. Frames must be horizontal or vertical, and at least three frames must be selected. Right-click (Windows) or Ctrl-click (Mac) on the frames and select Distribute Frames from the context menu. The frames on the ends of the selection do not move.

Walls_edit00071.jpg 

Panels automatically adjust to conform to the new frame positions.

5   The settings of selected frames can be edited by clicking the Settings mode from the Tool bar.

Alternatively, right-click (Windows) or Ctrl-click (Mac) on the frame and select Edit Frames from the context menu.

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Editing Curtain Walls

ArchLand00072.pngEditing Curtain Wall Panels

CW_edit_tool00073.png 

To select and manipulate curtain wall panels:

1   Click the Edit Curtain Wall tool from the Building Shell tool set, and click Select Panel mode from the Tool bar.

2   Select the curtain wall to edit.

3   Select the panel or panels to edit. Panels cannot be moved; the position of the panels is determined by the frames. Selecting panels is very similar to selecting frames; see “Editing Curtain Wall Frames” on page 549.

4   The settings of selected panels can be edited by clicking the Settings mode from the Tool bar.

Alternatively, right-click (Windows) or Ctrl-click (Mac) on the frame and select Edit Panels from the context menu.

CW_edit_panels.png 

When one or more curtain wall panels are selected, a door or window can be easily inserted. Right-click (Windows) or Ctrl-click (Mac) on the panel and select Insert Window or Insert Door from the context menu. The window or door is automatically inserted as a curtain wall window or door, and sized to fit within the selected panel or panels.

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Editing Curtain Walls

ArchLand00074.pngAdding New Frames to a Curtain Wall

CW_edit_tool00075.png 

To add new curtain wall frames:

1   Click the Edit Curtain Wall tool from the Building Shell tool set, and click Add Frame mode from the Tool bar.

2   Select the curtain wall to edit.

3   Click at the start point of the new frame, and then click the end point of the new frame. The start and end points must be placed on existing frames.

Press the Shift key to constrain the placement of the second point of the frame horizontally or vertically.

4   The frame is added, acquiring its attributes from the curtain wall grid settings.

Walls_edit00076.jpg 

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Editing Curtain Walls

ArchLand00078.pngSplitting Curtain Wall Frames

CW_edit_tool00079.png 

To split curtain wall frames:

1   Click the Edit Curtain Wall tool from the Building Shell tool set, and click Split Frame mode from the Tool bar.

2   Select the curtain wall to edit.

3   Click a frame to split it into sections.

A frame can only be split at a frame intersection. A red split cursor displays to indicate locations where the frame can be split.

4   The frame is split, and the resulting sections can be dragged, deleted, or have their settings changed independently.

Walls_edit00080.jpg 

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Editing Curtain Walls

ArchLand00082.pngCombining Curtain Wall Frames

CW_edit_tool00083.png 

To combine two collinear curtain wall frames:

1   Click the Edit Curtain Wall tool from the Building Shell tool set, and click Combine Frame mode from the Tool bar.

2   Select the curtain wall to edit.

3   Click each of the two frames to be combined. Frames must be collinear.

At a four-way frame intersection, it may be necessary to split a perpendicular frame to be able to join collinear frames.

4   One frame is created. The attributes of the first clicked frame apply to both frames once they are combined.

Walls_edit00084.jpg 

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Editing Curtain Walls

ArchLand00086.pngMoving a Curtain Wall Grid

The frames and panels of a curtain wall form a grid or pattern relative to the wall. Moving the grid along the wall can be useful to center a grid pattern on a wall.

CW_edit_tool00087.png 

To move the curtain wall grid relative to the wall:

1   Click the Edit Curtain Wall tool from the Building Shell tool set, and click Move Grid mode from the Tool bar.

2   Select the curtain wall to edit.

3   Click to set a reference point for the grid.

4   Move the cursor to shift the entire grid of frames and panels, along with any doors and windows, relative to the wall.

The frames and panels shift to the left or right along the wall. A preview of the grid displays.

5   Click to set the new location of the curtain wall grid.

Walls_edit00088.jpg 

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Editing Curtain Walls

ArchLand00090.pngChanging Selected Frame or Panel Settings

The Settings mode changes the settings of either frames or panels that have been selected with the Select Frame or Select Panel mode of the Edit Curtain Wall tool.

CW_edit_tool00091.png 

To change curtain wall frame or panel settings:

1   Click the Edit Curtain Wall tool from the Building Shell tool set.

2   Select the curtain wall to edit.

3   Using either Select Frame mode or Select Panel mode of the Edit Curtain Wall tool, select the frames or panels to edit.

4   Click Settings mode from the Tool bar.

Alternatively, right-click (Windows) or Ctrl-click (Mac) on the frame or panel and select Edit Frames or Edit Panels from the context menu.

5   The Frame Settings or Panel Settings dialog box opens. Change the frame or panel settings as described in “Setting Curtain Wall Frame Parameters” on page 567 or “Setting Curtain Wall Panel Parameters” on page 570.

The Frame Settings dialog box, when opened in this way, does not include the frame category selection on the left, since the frames to edit have already been selected.

6   Click OK.

The frame or panel settings are changed.

Walls_edit00092.jpg 

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Editing Curtain Walls

Editing Curtain Wall Frames

Editing Curtain Wall Panels

Creating Columns and Pilasters

The Vectorworks Fundamentals product and all Vectorworks Design Series products include a basic architectural column object (for aesthetic and space-defining purposes). In the Architect product, the column object offers additional structural capabilities, and a pilaster object is provided.

In the Vectorworks Architect product, columns and pilasters can be architectural in nature, structural in nature, or both. Use the Column tool or Pilaster tool to draw an object that not only reflects the architectural appearance of a column/pilaster, but also defines it in structural terms that can be used in an engineering analysis of the building. Structural and architectural elements can be displayed or hidden. The column ID can also, optionally, be placed on the drawing. Additionally, in the Architect product, the column/pilaster can be exported to IFC format for exchange with structural analysis programs.

A pilaster can be placed in a wall (however, a column cannot be placed in a wall). A pilaster inserted in a wall can set its architectural height relative to the wall.

Tool access varies depending on the Vectorworks product installed:

Vectorworks Product

Tool Set / Tool

Fundamentals

Walls > Column (basic column)

Architect and Designer

Building Shell > Column (architectural column with additional capabilities)

Architect and Designer

Building Shell > Pilaster

Landmark and Spotlight

Building Shell > Column (basic column)

column_tool.png 

To create a column:

pilaster_tool.png 

To create a pilaster:

1   Click the Column tool or the Pilaster tool from the appropriate tool set:

       Fundamentals workspace: Walls tool set

       Design Series workspaces: Building Shell tool set

2   Click to place the object in the drawing, and click again to set the rotation.

The first time you use the tool in a file, a properties dialog box opens. Set the default properties, and click OK. The properties can be edited from the Object Info palette.

To create a circular or square shaft, capital, or base, enter the same value for the width and depth.

Basic Column Parameters

The basic column object is available with the Vectorworks Fundamentals, Landmark, and Spotlight products.

Walls_edit00093.jpg 

Click to show/hide the parameters.

Arch00095.pngArchitect Column and Pilaster Parameters

The architectural column and pilaster objects are available with the Vectorworks Architect and Designer products.

Walls_edit00096.jpg 

Click to show/hide the parameters.

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Exporting Columns and Pilasters to IFC Format

Arch00100.pngExporting Columns and Pilasters to IFC Format

In the Vectorworks Architect product, columns and pilasters can be exported to IFC format for exchange with structural analysis programs. If the column/pilaster has both architectural and structural components enabled, the object is exported as an IfcColumn and the architectural component is exported as an IfcCovering with an IfcCoveringType of Cladding. If the column/pilaster has only an architectural or structural component enabled, the object is exported as an IfcColumn.

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Creating Columns and Pilasters

IFC Format Interoperability

GSA Spatial Program BIM Requirements

Creating Pillars

The Pillar command converts any closed 2D shape—rectangle, circle, oval, or polygon—into a pillar. In addition, use it on open 2D shapes, such as lines and polylines, to create a flat, screen-like object. These objects include such things as movie screens, room dividers, and moving walls. Once created, a pillar can be joined to a wall.

pillar.png 

To create a pillar:

1   Click the object to convert.

2   Select the Pillar command from the appropriate menu:

       Fundamentals workspace: Model > AEC > Pillar

       Architect workspace: AEC > Pillar

       Landmark workspace: Landmark > Architectural > Pillar

       Spotlight workspace: Spotlight > Architectural > Pillar

The Pillar Preferences dialog box opens.

3   Enter a pillar height.

4   Click OK.

After creation, the pillar can be edited by selecting Modify > Edit Pillar. See “Object Editing Mode” on page 1056.

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Joining Pillars and Walls

Joining Pillars and Walls

Walls and pillars can be joined together. Any number of walls can connect to the pillar as long as space exists on the pillar.

The pillar needs to be joined to the end of a wall; it cannot be added to an existing wall intersection such as the corner of L-joined or T-joined walls.

Walls_edit00102.jpg 

To join a pillar to a wall:

1   Click the pillar.

2   Draw the walls.

If the Auto-join feature is enabled, then the walls automatically connect to the pillar.

If the Auto-join feature is disabled, then click the Wall Join tool from the Walls tool set or the Building Shell tool set and join the walls to the pillar.

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Creating Pillars

Automatically Joining Walls