Specific modeling tools commands for Revit: specifically what do you want?

[Wes Macaulay]

We all natter on and on: "We want better modeling tools for Revit."

GREAT!

What do we want? Specifically? If we want development to get going on the geometry question, we ought to get specific about what kind of tools we want. Please describe in detail how the modeling operation works.

I'll start:

I want a combined sweep/blend tool. I don't know what the technical term is for this, but I would like to be able to define a 3D path in any plane, and have that path contain lines, curves or splines, and have the sweep blend linearly between cross-sectional profiles which also contain lines, curves and splines. You could create as many profiles as you need for the object. This would also allow users to rotate the profile slightly, which drives me nuts at present when I'm sweeping around a wall that varies in height and the profile rotates, if you will.

Anyone else?

[sbrown]

1. Tool for drawing compound curved objects(walls that curve in plan and elevation or trim that follows an arched opening in a curved wall.

2. a sweep blend tool. Define a path, with one shape at one end and a 2nd shape at the other end.

3. non-limiting voids, I'm not sure quite how to explain this, but I run into errors alot when trying to cut multiple void shapes out of a single mass. Basically there should be no limit to how you can cut up or subtract from a mass.

4. Fine, coarse and medium profiles for single sweep elements. Ie a simple rectangle representation in coarse view of base trim, cornice, etc, but in fine mode you would see the true cornice profile.

5. Chisel tool. Something to let you sculpt, We do a lot of carved stone details and it would be awesome to play sculpter in the family editor.

6. Allow no limit on radius sizes.

7. Allow profiles to sweep along any path that is on a model.

8. Allow any curtain panel to be placed in a curtain system.

[dbaldacchino]

I want to set different cut hatch patterns in walls for plan and for section views. I want to be able to define whether the pattern orientation is set to a rotation relative to a global setting or relative to the object. This functionality already exists in ADT. I would also like individual wall layer patterns to have a view override (not just by Finish 1, Finish 2 etc but by individual wall layer).

I want the roof by extrusion tool to let me select rotated workplanes and to let me define the extrusion path and not just use a horizontal extrusion. The only way to do "complex roofs" (roofs other than a horizontal extrusion and a profile defined on a vertical plane) is to build a mass first and then do a roof by picking a face.

[Gadget Man]

I have mentioned this several times already, but I will be persistent: I would be absolutely grateful for a way to define a working plane (Reference Plane ?) by "3 points selection" in the space (like it has been available for yonks in solids manipulation in Auto... something).

[Scott D Davis]

The only way to do "complex roofs" (roofs other than a horizontal extrusion and a profile defined on a vertical plane) is to build a mass first and then do a roof by picking a face.

Not the "only" way...you can always build an in-place family roof using a profile swept along any plane, or an extrusion in any plane. You do not have to build the mass and use pick face.

[Dimitri Harvalias]

All the stuff Wes and Scott asked for plus...

another sketch option in the floor creation tool that would allow 'floor by point'. Essentially allowing you to pick points and assign elevations to them relative to the base floor level.
A secondary control would allow the floor to have a level underside or a consistent thickness. Basically a topo tool to build floors as in place families rather than planes. This would allow complex sloped floors with drainage slopes built in. Way easier than the carve and join method or using blends.
As an intermediate solution, the ability to define floor by face on a surface that isn't level.

[cadkiller]

1- Sweep tool

A- Ability to lock several points of a profile shape when used with a 3D curved path to allow for the profile shape to stay vertical through out the path. Similar to how Revit applies a profile to a railing that is attached to a circular stair or ramp.

2- Blend tool

A- Ability to apply a rotation (twist modifier) to a blend, where the vertexes of the blend are curved.
B- Ability to use a point as either the top or bottom sketch for creating pyramid type shapes without the use of voids.

[AP23]

2d tools

Nurbs curves
Helix tool
Spiral tool
interpolated curves


3d tools

Chamfer tool
3d fillet or fillet edge tool
Extrude along spline: this is like the sweep tool but you can use a spline as profile and another spline as paths.
2 rail sweep: here you can use two profiles


Solid deformers

Tool to be able to ad and change control points on a solid to deform the surface
Tool to be able to ad segments on a solid to deform
Twist modifier
Taper modifier
Smooth modifier
Cage or FFD tool (3ds max)

[Andre Baros]

Building on the posts already,
1 The Loft tool that Scott talked about needs to allow you to define shapes at more than just the beginning and end, you should be able to set points along the way and the shape at that point.
This is the biggest thing and would enable most of the shapes I can't draw right now. HUGE.
2. Collapse stack. I LOVE the ability to keep going back and edit the solids and voids that create a form in Revit, but in the family editor, it would be nice to be able to collapse all the changes to a shape and make it permanent. Not a high priority, but it would help the memory management as more options come online. You would still be able to use this mass in the future with other masses and voids.
3. Slice. I would like to be able to cut up a mass that I already created into separate parts.
4. More curve options: b-spline, equation driven, helical, 3-Dimensional, point. For use as paths for sweeps.
5. The ability to define reference points in space, and to tie loft paths to those points. IE, define points a,b,c,d and the lock the control points of a spline those points. Then, by controlling those points with family parameters, the curve would change, and any loft using that curve would change.

[gravelin]

1- create 3D curves from the intersection of 2 surfaces or surface-solid or solid- solid and use this curve as paths.
2- Project 2D curves on surfaces
3-Blend from-to Non paralel and non planar profiles