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3D Profiler 12

2007 Cadimage Solutions Ltd.

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3D Profiler Tools 12
Introduction
The 3D Profiler Tool uses Cadimage profiles, and extrudes them along a path to form solid objects. Profiles may be created parametrically, or from drawn fill polygons via Cadimages Profile Manager tool. Drawn profiles can be used to model anything from standard steel sections to ornate stonework to timber mouldings. Parametric profiles include a range of common steel sections, interior trims and some generic shapes. The Profiler library includes some generic extrusions that sweep a profile along a dynamically editable path in space. The library also includes a set of steel structures (beams, portal frames, etc.) When modelling a structure, use the object that is best suited to the task. The Cadimage Tools profiles should not be mistaken for the new profiles introduced with ArchiCAD 10.

New Features in ArchiCAD 12


In ArchiCAD 12, the 3D profiler technology has been made available to other tools including Cadimages Rapid Details tool. As a result, two items will appear in the Cadimage menu.

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Setup
Before you can use the 3D Profiler tool, you must install the tool and update your ArchiCAD Work Environment.

Installation
Follow the instructions on the Cadimage Tools web site to download and run the installer. The installer will insert add-ons, data files, libraries and preset files into your ArchiCAD 12 folder. You can download and install documentation separately. This will be added to the Documentation folder, and can be accessed from the ArchiCAD Help menu.

Language
Start ArchiCAD, and select the most appropriate language from the File > Set Cadimage Tools Language menu. This language will apply to all Cadimage Tools you have installed. You will have to re-start ArchiCAD for the language to come into effect. Note that a particular tool may not have a translation for the selected language, in which case the tool will display in English.

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Create an Edit Mode Palette
Open the Work Environment Settings on the Toolbars page.

Click on Toolbar
Options > New Toolbar

to create a new tool bar Select the items to add in the Current Menu Structure under Cadimage 3D Profiler.

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Activate the toolbar via the Window Toolbars menu.

You can make this into a floating palette by dragging it out of the toolbar:

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Create a Profile
Create a Custom Profile
Use the 3D Profiler Tool to create custom profiles. Separate documentation is available for download on the Cadimage Tools web site.

Create a Parametric Profile


Objects that use Cadimage profiles allow you to parametrically define common profiles. Having defined a profile parametrically, you can then save the profile for future use. To see how this works, select the Profiler Extruded Steel object from the Profiler 12 library, and open its Settings Dialog. Click on the Profile Type menu button, and a list of profile types will appear. All but the Generic option are parametric profiles. Choose the Channel option.

Click on the Profile tab. A sub-menu will open, giving you a set of editing options for the parametric profile.

The Basic Settings, Model and Cut Surfaces tabs, provide the same control as outlined in the section on Creating a Custom Profile. Parametric profiles have an extra tab labeled Extra Settings. Click on the Extra Settings tab to set special dimensions controlling the parametric profile shape. Each parametric profile may have a different set of parameters under the Extra Settings tab. Edit the parameter values to model the exact profile you require. The final step is to save the profile you have created. Click on the Save button at the top right of the settings dialog. A Save dialog will appear.

Type a File Name for the new profile, then click Save.

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Edit a Profile
You can choose to edit a profile after it has been created. You might want to add or remove Anchor Points, or to change the profile shape.

Edit a Custom Profile


Refer to the Profile Manager documentation for instructions on editing custom profiles.

Edit a Parametric Profile


Parametric profiles can be edited through the object settings dialog. 1. Browse to select an existing profile (Click the Button).

2.

Edit the Basic Settings, Extra Settings, Model and Cut Surfaces settings.

3.

Click on the Save button, and over-write the existing profile.

Tip: Turning a Parametric Profile into a Generic Profile


You can use the Edit a Profile tool to customize a parametric profile. If the parameter settings do not allow enough flexibility, set the parameters to get a fill polygon that is close to what you need, and save it. Then use the Edit a Profile tool to adjust the shape and anchor points, and save it as a Generic Profile.

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Sharing Profiles
Every profile you create is stored as a .txt file. By default the profiles are stored in your CadimageTools Extras\Defaults\Profiles folder. By default, this folder is installed in your ArchiCAD 11 folder. If you use Vista, however, you will find the folder in the Public\Documents folder. To send a profile to a colleague, email a copy of the .txt file. To receive and use a profile, copy the .txt file into your CadimageTools Extras\Defaults\Profiles folder. Make sure you place it in the correct sub-folder.

Profiles Used in Objects Profile > Basic Settings


All the objects that use Profiler technology contain Profile tabs. In the Basic Settings tab, you can select a Profile for use by the object. The layout of the Basic Settings tab page is consistent for each Profiler object.

Select a Profile Clicking the first button you can select a Category from a drop down list. The second button allows you to choose a Profile from the last 10 used presets within that Category. Clicking the button opens the file dialog where you can search for an already saved preset profile. The 4th button you can be used to save the changes you have made to a profile in this dialog.

Profile Preview A Preview Image of the profile is displayed below the drop down lists.
Preview Image

The image displays the profile shape and orientation, and the RGB colour of the section fill pen. The numbered points indicate the positions of anchor points for the profile. The background grid provides a rough indication of the size of the profile.

Navigator

You can zoom in to view the profile at a larger scale. This can be useful if two or more anchor points lie close together. To zoom in and navigate about the preview image, use the Navigator.

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The buttons under the Navigator infield provide control to Fit in Window, Zoom In and Zoom Out. When zoomed in, the Navigator infield will highlight the area displayed in the Preview Image.

Click in the Navigator infield to display a different area in the Preview Image.

Profile Width & Depth The top two fields are the overall width and depth of the profile. By clicking the checkbox beside the chain icon you can keep the proportions of the original fill polygon even when setting just one of the parameters. Profile Anchor Point The preview image displays a set of available Anchor Points. Choose an Anchor Point from the list. Profile Orientation Choose the Mirror Status and a Rotation Angle for the profile. The Rotation Angle rotates the profile around the chosen Anchor Point.

Profile > Extra Parameters


Most parametric profiles, such as the Steel sections shipped with the Profiler tool, have extra parameters. For example, a steel I-beam might have parameters that control the flange width and thickness, the web thickness and the inside radius.

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Profile > Model
Choose Model from the menu on the left to set the materials for the currently selected profile. On this tab page you can choose a material for the profile, set the size of the applied texture, and select an Outline Pen for 3D view, Section and Elevation and a Background Pen for the plan view.

For Profiles with more than one part, you can select a different colour for each part. The 3D preview will indicate which part is currently selected. Keep the Preview and Positioning tab open. highlights which piece you are currently editing. This

Profile > Cut Surfaces


O n this tab page you can set the Section Pen for the contour of the profile, the Section Fill, Fill Pen and Background Pen. If there is more than one piece then these parameters can be set individually for each piece. The currently selected piece will be highlighted in the Preview and Positioning tab.

Plan View
Set options and line types for the Floor Plan symbol, and pens for both floor plan and 3D.

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Extruded Profiles
The Extruded Profiles are objects that sweep a profile around a path in space. The result is a solid tube that has the selected Profile as its cross-section.

Define a Path
There are several ways that you can define the path for the Profiler object. Note that once the path has been defined, it can later be edited dynamically (see Extruded Profiles\Editing the Path).

Extrude along a User Defined Path


The Extrude along a User Defined Path tool can be explained using the following example. We will use the Profiler to extrude a 3D handrail around a staircase.

1.

Select Create 3D Path from the Cadimage>3D Profiler menu. The Profiler Objects settings dialog will appear. Select the profile type to extrude.

In the Page Selector field, choose Path, and use the Closed checkbox to select a closed or open path. (Open in this case).

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In the Page Selector field, choose Profile, and select the profile you want to use for the new path, then click OK (see Profiles Used in Objects\Selecting a Profile).

2.

Click in the plan view window to define the paths start point. A pop-up dialog will appear. The dialog allows you to set the Height of each point on the path, and the Radius at that point, as it is defined. In this example we will set the Height to 1000mm, and the Radius to 0mm.

3.

Click in the plan view window to define the next point on the path, and set the height and radius at that point. The solid line along the inside of the stairs indicates the path.

4. 5.

Continue defining points, and specifying the height and radius of each point. As you add points the Anchor Line and outline of the profile are shown. To finish the path, click the Finish button.

6.

Having defined the path, you can now select the placed object and edit the settings including the Profile shape, size and colour. The end result should look something like this.

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Tip
When sweeping a path that changes plane, it is recommended that smooth transitions are used to avoid twisting of the profile. If two neighbouring segments of the path can not fit into a single plane, some distortion of the extrusion may occur. You can highlight such segments with the help of the Unresolved Path pen. See further details about the Unresolved Path parameter later in this document. Inserting an extra point in order to have the neighbouring plans in one plane solves the problem.

Extrude along Selected Elements


This method produces a Profile whose path follows a Polyline in Floor Plan, or Section, or Elevation, or Interior Elevation window. Here is a typical situation where it would be nice to create a path in a Section or Elevation window. We need a custom path for a beam under a curved roof. To achieve this:

1.

Using the Poly-Line Tool, trace the required beam contour.

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2. Select the Polyline, and choose Extrude along Selected Elements from the 3D Profiler menu.

3.

In the Profiler Object Settings dialog, choose the Profile you want to use, select an appropriate Anchor Point, and set the parameters.

4.

The Profiler object you created is positioned on the Section Line in Floor Plan. You can move the object or replicate it to suit your model. The placed object can be edited using the Object Settings dialog and/or dynamic hotspots in the section window.

Tip
The Extrude along Selected Elements can also extrude a path around a selected Mesh. You can extrude a profile along multiple selected polyline paths simultaneously.

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Edit the Path
Having defined a path, you can now edit it. Path editing can be done in Floor Plan, Section, Elevation, Interior Elevation 3D and Object Settings Dialog windows. Different editing options are available depending on the context.

Profiler Object Settings


To edit the path, choose Path tab in the menu on the left.

Preview Options C

Choose a Preview Option mode to view the path in plan view, front elevation, or side elevation.

Preview Picture The Preview Picture displays a line diagram of the path. To select a range of Path Nodes for editing, type the range into the ? field. You can select: a single node (type the corresponding number eg. 3 or select the node from the drop down list). a range of nodes (type the range eg. 1-3). a set of single nodes and/or ranges separated by commas (eg. 1, 3, 5-9, 12, 15-19). All nodes (select All from the dropdown list).

Preview Navigator To distinguish between nodes that are close together on the path, you may need to zoom in to display the path at a larger scale. Buttons are provided to Fit in Window, Zoom In and Zoom Out. When zoomed in, the Navigator field will indicate the current area displayed in the Preview

Picture.

To navigate to a different part of the path, click on that area in the Navigator field.

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Closed Path The path can be Closed or Open. If set to Closed, it will form a continuous unbroken path. If Closed is disabled, it will form an open path between two end points.

If the path is currently open, click on the Closed checkbox to close it.

If the path is currently closed, select a Node Point and click on the Closed checkbox to break the path at the currently selected Path Node. Note that you can break the path at any Path Node.

Unresolved Path Areas of the path where twisting occurs can be marked with a different pen, to identify potential problems. In the example, the rightmost path node was elevated, causing twisting to occur. To remove the integrity checking, set the Unresolved Path pen to zero.

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Tilt Angle The Extruded Profiles path can be tilted by a Tilt Angle. You can set the Tilt angle to any value. This illustration shows a path tilted at 3 different angles.

Z-Height & Fillet Radius Use the Z-Height field to set the paths Z-Height for all selected nodes. Note that the Z-Height value actually refers to a vertical offset from the paths local plane. If the path is tilted, the Z-Height will be measured in a direction at right-angles to the tilted path. If you chose the Path Shape to be Straight Edges, you can fillet the path at the vertices. At each Path Node (except the ends of open paths) you can set a Fillet Radius. If the Fillet Radius is set to Zero, the path will have a sharp vertex at that Path Node.

If the Fillet Radius is set to a positive value, the path will be filleted all selected Path Nodes.

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Dynamic Editing
You can use Dynamic Hotspots in any view to edit the positions and number of path nodes. The way the positions of the path nodes and the path line react to the editing gestures can be controlled through menu commands in the Cadimage > 3D Profiler menu. No Editing In No Editing Mode the selected Plan View mode is displayed. In all other edit modes a simple centreline plan view is displayed to speed up the editing. All edit modes are available in Floor Plan and 3D except the Z Edit Mode which is only available in 3D.

Tip
You can create you own palette of edit modes using the Options > Work Environment, See Set-up at the beginning of this document. X-Y Edit Mode The dynamic hotspot at each Path Node allows you to move the Path Node.

To add a new path node, break any edge into two segments by moving its midpoint hotspot.

Move one Path Node on top of another to truncate the Path.

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Z Edit Mode Use the dynamic hotspots to adjust the Z co-ordinate (perpendicular to the Path Plane). This Edit Mode can be used only in the 3D window. Offset Edit Mode Offset an edge by moving one of the dynamic hotspots.

Helical Arc Edit Mode The Helical Arc will maintain a true arc in plan regardless of Z height changes. Create a Helical Arc Edge by offsetting the centre point of the edge, with the arc being created between the two endpoints and the adjusted point.

Planar Arc Edit Mode The Planar Arc maintains a true arc in the plane of the edge which can be rotated about the line of the edge in 3D. Creating a planar arc is the same as creating a helical one. The plane of the arc can be rotated in 3D.

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Spline Edit Mode

The Spline Edit Mode creates a Quadratic Bezier Spline between the two endpoints and the adjustable hotspot.

End Cuts
If the Path is not closed, you can apply end cuts to the free ends. By default all end cuts are square. End Cut angles are dynamically editable, and are available in all edit modes.

For a vertical cut the cut angle can be adjusted using a dynamic hotspot in Floor Plan. Define angle measured from the horizontal by editing a dynamic hotspot in the 3D, Section, Elevation or Interior Elevation window parallel with the base edge of the Profiler object.

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Profiler Beam
The Profiler Beam allows you to create a customised beam from one of the profiles in your library.

Beam Layout
Set either the Beam Length or Horizontal Span. Whichever you set, the other will be adjusted automatically. Set the Pitch angle this is the angle at which the beam will rise. To curve the beam along an arc, choose a Curved Beam Radius or set the curve Height at Midspan.

Tip
To place a set of beams into your project, use the Edit > Move > Multiply command in ArchiCAD.

Beam Section
Choose from a regular Simple Beam, a Tapered Beam or Multi-Section Beam.

Simple Beam Set the beam Length, Width and Depth.

Tapered Beam Set the beam Length and Width. Set the Beam Depth independently for each end.

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Multi-Section Beam Set the beam Length and Width. Set the Beam Depth at the start. For each section of the beam, set the section length L and depth D. To duplicate a section, choose the corresponding number in the Section # field, and click on the Duplicate button. To delete a section, choose the corresponding number in the Section # field, and click on the Delete button. The Total Length of All Sections is displayed at the bottom of the interface page. This may or may not match the beam length. If the total length is longer than the beam length, the sections will be cut short at the beam length. If the total length is shorter than the beam length, the last section will extend to the end of the beam. This allows you to stretch the multi-section beam while leaving the section data intact.

Profile
For instructions on editing the beam profile, see Profiles\Profiles Used in Objects.

Plan View
Choose to show a Center Line in the plan view, and select a Pen & Line Type. Where beams extend through multiple stories, you can set the colour and visibility of the beam above and below the current story. Choose to show the story penetrations by enabling Show Storey Levels. If Show Storey Levels is disabled, the whole beam will be displayed in floor plan.
Detailed Plan shows true shape of beam segments

Tip
The end cuts of the Beam object can be defined the way described in the Profiles\End Cuts section of this document.

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Profiler Portal Frame
This object uses a Profile from your library to create a simple Portal Frame. Multiple portals can be created as a single object.

Portal
Choose a Portal Setout and Spacing similar to the Profiler Beam object (see Profiler Beam\Beam Shape). Choose a Portal Shape, and set the knee height (H1, H2) at each end. Choose to define the apex height using one of two methods - either Use Roof Pitch & Height at Knee or Use Lengths.
Use Roof Pitch & Hight at Knee if you know the roof pitch (A1, A2) at

each end.

Use Lengths if you know the offset of the apex (L1 or L2) from one of the ends and the apex height (H3).

Base Plates
Add base plates to the portal by activating the Include Base
Plates checkbox.

The base plate size will match the dimensions of the selected profile, with an added margin (A, B, C) on each side. Set the Thickness and Material of the Base Plates.

Profile
The Profile for the Portal Frame Object can be set the same way (tab pages Basic Settings, Extra Settings, Model and Cut Surfaces) as for the other Profiler Objects. For further details on editing the portal profile, please refer to Profiles\Profiles Used in Objects in this document.

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Plan View
Set options and line types for the Floor Plan symbol, and pens for the Floor Plan representation of the object.

Profiler Purlins
The Profiler Purlins object models a rectangular region of purlins. The purlins can have custom cut shapes on each end.

Purlin Setout
Choose a Purlin Setout method either Single Purlin, Fixed Spacing or Equal Spacing. Set the Purlin or Roof Length. Set the Roof Span, or set the Horizontal Span of the rafters. Set the Pitch and Curve parameters as for the Profiler Beam object.

End Cuts
Select an end cut method for each end of the Purlins. The end cut can be a simple Angle, or a customizable Parametric shape. Set the Purlin overhang O and the dimensions (A, B, C, D, E) of the end cuts. To avoid having to repeat the settings for the other end, use the Copy and Paste buttons to transfer settings from one end to the other. The settings can also be copied and pasted to other Profiler - Rafter & Purlins and Profiler - Purlins objects.

Profile
The profiles for Purlins can be set the same way (tab pages Basic Settings, Extra Settings, Model and Cut Surfaces) as for the other Profiler Objects. For details on editing the rafter and purlin profiles, see Profiles\Profiles Used in Objects.

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Plan View
Set options and line types for the Floor Plan symbol, and pens for the Floor Plan representation of the object.

Profiler Rafters and Purlins


The Profiler Rafters and Purlins object models a rectangular region of rafters and purlins. The rafters and purlins can have custom cut shapes on each end. You can use a different Profile for the Rafters and the Purlins.

Rafters & Purlins


Choose a Rafter Setout method either Fixed Spacing or Equal Spacing. Set the Purlin or Roof Length.
Horizontal Span parameters.

Set the Rafter Length by Roof Span, or the

Set the Pitch and Curve parameters as for the Profiler Beam object.

Rafter Ends
Select an end cut method for each end of the Rafters. The end cut can be a simple Angle, or a customizable Parametric shape. Set the rafter overhang O and the dimensions (A, B, C, D, E) of the end cuts. To avoid having to repeat the settings for the other end, use the Copy and Paste buttons to transfer settings from one end to the other. The settings can also be copied and pasted to other Profiler - Rafter & Purlins and Profiler - Purlins objects.

Purlin Ends
The Purlin End Cuts settings are similar to the Rafter End Cuts settings.

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Profile
The profiles for Rafters and Purlins are set independently the same way (tab pages Basic Settings, Extra Settings, Model and Cut Surfaces) as for the other Profiler Objects. For details on editing the rafter and purlin profiles, see Profiles\Profiles Used in Objects.

Plan View
Set options and line types for the Floor Plan symbol, and pens for the Floor Plan representation of the object.

Examples
The Profiler objects can be used to model a wide range of components. Here are a few examples.

A B

E D C

Profile A: Custom building components Profile B: Shaped trims and Scotia Profile C: Furniture mouldings Profile D: Cabling and piping Profile E: Hardware and fittings Profile F: Foundations

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