By now, many of us have become familiar with the strategic use of data in architectural design. Building information modeling (BIM) is largely standard in many project workflows, and rightfully so. On any given project, architects work with a lot of different professionals—engineers, landscape architects and contractors, to list a few—and BIM helps simplify communications and ensure project integrity.
Vectorworks focused its latest release, version 2020, on a fundamental aspect of BIM—the use of data. As a BIM software, Vectorworks has had data management capabilities for a long time. With version 2020, though, we focused on the increased demand to use data and have elevated as such.
Algorithmic Modeling
The first topic we’ll go into is algorithmic modeling with our built-in tool, Marionette, which allows you to simplify repetitive processes such as complex patterns in geometry generation or even file setup or management. If you look at the below image, you’ll notice a consistent pattern in the metal mesh panels.
This project made use of a Marionette script to model the building’s shading system. Note below all the different nodes that went into it. It’ll perhaps take some work to develop a custom script this intricate, but algorithmic modeling can be used in ways that are much simpler but just as effective. Once you’ve generated a script, going back to test out design ideas is incredibly easy. All you have to do is convert your Marionette network into an object, and access different parameters directly through the Object Information palette to update. You can also conveniently save this object as a resource for future use.
The patterns generated using these types of metal panels are the perfect fit for demonstrating algorithmic modeling. Think about how long it might take to manually model each of those panels to fit the pattern, and then to go back and change each panel when the design changes—you’d lose a ton of time. Mastering Marionette scripts offers an efficiency that can’t be beat and grants you a truly iterative and repeatable design process.
Flamenco Pavilion
History-based Modeling
History-based modeling is pretty intuitive, and you can gather its purpose right from the name. The feature allows you to explore past actions, almost like a web browser’s history tab—it allows you to reexamine all the steps taken to create the geometry. Instead of starting over, you can instead use this feature to pinpoint the exact operation you’d like to reassess. Don’t like the curve you applied two days ago? Select the action and undo it, keeping the rest of your work completely in order.
Take a look at the Flamenco Pavilion by Gustavo Romero of Costa Rica (above). On the ends of each of the spirals are circular objects acting as keyholes. Modeling these objects required Fillet and Chamfer operations in Vectorworks, the use of which can result in a lot of geometry manipulation.
With history-based modeling, modifying an object with an operation such as solid-subtraction or adding a Fillet will not cause you to lose the steps taken to get to the final geometric form. If you need to make a modification to the object at an earlier point, you can navigate back through those steps by double-clicking an object to enter edit mode. You’ll essentially be able to go back through every operation, make the modification that you need, and retain any steps that followed by simply exiting from edit mode. This makes for efficient and effective change management of your model.
Building information modeling (BIM) is largely standard in many project workflows, and rightfully so. On any given project, architects work with a lot of different professionals—engineers, landscape architects and contractors, to list a few—and BIM helps simplify communications and ensure project integrity.
Data Visualization
Data Visualization capabilities saw a revamp with Vectorworks 2020. When it comes to reading and interpreting data, Data Visualization offers a world of simplicity. In the example below, you’ll see a modeled building with its doors and walls in red and blue. The colors indicate the doors’ and walls’ fire rating.
Being able to see this data in a visual format is beneficial in many ways. First, rather than digging through worksheets and records to see an object’s data, it’s instead seen through graphic attributes, making it accessible and easily comprehendible by anyone involved in the project. Second, because Data Visualization is available within the live design environment, it can be used to quality check your building objects to ensure that the right model, style, part, fire rating information, or any other applicable information is assigned and being used correctly.
Data Visualization can have a variety of applications. If you’re designing a building with exterior metal panels, for example, you can use the feature to specify desired panel properties and materials and to quality check and ensure that the correct information for the panels is attached. With data right in the live design environment, it’s easy to check your work for errors and view the impact of design decisions in real-time.
All of these features are a boon for architects looking for a more insightful and natural design process. BIM workflows certainly benefit from the development of these features and a continued focus on enhancing the BIM capabilities in Vectorworks. Adapting a BIM workflow may seem daunting at first, but focusing on a few key features like these will make the transition easier.
Rubina Siddiqui is the product marketing director at Vectorworks Inc., Columbia, Md. Sign up for a free 30-day trial of Vectorworks Designer at vectorworks.net/trial, and take advantage of training opportunities by visiting vectorworks.net/training.