Saturday, November 20, 2010

Parametric Trusses via Curtain Panels 02: Arch Trusses

Continuing on from my last entry, i wanted to push the idea further.  A simple straight truss is pretty easy, but what about arched, triangular trusses?  This is where the fun really started.

First i made some adjustments to the panel pattern i was using.  I connected the reference points of the grid using the "Connect Points with Curve" command.


Using the right command is important because otherwise it won't properly generate the form downstream.  i then linked the visibility of these lines to the visibility of the different forms of the truss frame.


Then i created a rig in the conceptual mass editor.  An arc controls the overall geometry while some triangles nested at the ends and center generate the desired form of the truss.


Generating the truss form, i then pick and divide the individual surfaces, applying my Truss Panel Pattern


Once all the surfaces have had the panel applied, I have to pick each panel and setup the sides which are on and off.  A bit tedious, but you can apply to several similar panels concurrently.


So with this done, we can cycle through a bunch of different sizes pretty quickly.


And this what i like best....I can export one of these trusses to DWG format.  when i open it up in ACAD, I get this:



Because i implanted the model lines within the Panel Pattern family, with a little bit of creative deleting, I can have this:


A nice wire frame i can give to the engineers so they can analyze my truss quicker, with less guess work!  Collaboration at its finest!

download the arch truss family here: Panelized Arch Truss.rfa
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10 comments:

  1. zenshoApril 19, 2011 at 10:47 AM

    is there any chance you can post a more detailed version(possibly a video)of this tutorial so a novice like myself can follow along step by step? that would be very much appreciated..

    -sadabukon-

    ReplyDelete
  2. zenshoApril 19, 2011 at 1:46 PM

    I have been searching all over the web trying to find a way to build a 3d truss system shown in this post. please help me.. please

    ReplyDelete
  3. zenshoApril 19, 2011 at 1:49 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  4. zenshoApril 19, 2011 at 2:00 PM

    i've been trying hours on end.. still couldn't figure out how you set the angle parameters...

    ReplyDelete
  5. zenshoApril 20, 2011 at 12:03 AM

    is it the parameters set for the radius of the truss that enables to overall radius of the truss to change or does it change according to the set parameters for the panel? please help...

    ReplyDelete
  6. zenshoApril 20, 2011 at 10:48 AM

    WHAT EXACTLY IS Connect Points with Curve command?? connecting with splines??? i'm so lost

    ReplyDelete
  7. Olsi AlukuJune 15, 2017 at 8:41 AM

    i can not download the truss

    ReplyDelete
  8. UnknownOctober 17, 2018 at 12:37 PM

    is not working

    ReplyDelete
  9. HalesApril 28, 2019 at 1:27 AM

    Hey what a brilliant post I have come across and believe me I have been searching out for this similar kind of post for past a week and hardly came across this. Thank you very much and will look for more postings from you. Zonnepanelen

    ReplyDelete
  10. Faiza JeeApril 29, 2019 at 10:40 AM

    Thanks for the post and great tips..even I also think that hard work is the most important aspect of getting success Zonnepanelen

    ReplyDelete