ArchCut V4 Plugin

SummarySectioning & Paneling Plugin for Rhino4. Download ArchCut 7-November-2007

Critical: Download and install the latest Microsoft runtime libraries before loading ArchCut plug-ins.

Downloads

ArchCut_Plug-in of November 7th 2007 (works with Rhino4 SR3)

ArchCut Commands Toolbar of November 7th 2007

ArchCut Help Manual (PDF file) updated November 7th, 2007

Scripting Help Document (PDF file) (.SYNTAXML file for Monkey)

Sectioning Examples (.3dm) (1.3MB)

All Sectioning and Paneling Animation Examples (1.3MB) : Following are the clips included:

Curve Divide Example. Video... (56 KB)
Simple Section Example. Video... (124 KB)
Load Sections from File Example. Video... (124 KB)
Array of sections Example. Video... (96 KB)
Update Sections Example. Video... (148 KB)
View Sections & Make2D Example. Video... (224 KB)
Extract Layout of Sections. Video... (109 KB)
UV Paneling Example. Video... (120 KB)
Directional Paneling Example. Video... (100 KB)
Custom Paneling Example. Video... (268 KB)
Quads (Planar) Paneling Example. Video... (92 KB)

Sectioning Commands

Tools to import sections (names/locations), create sections, update, 2D layout and generate area report. Sections data is saved to document and are updatable when model changes.

Paneling Commands

Paneling tools support a variety of paneling algorithms ranging from directional paneling to completely random paneling.

Scripting

ArchCut supports scripting mainly to allow custom pattern definition and also to make plug-in methods available for Rhino scripting developers

Custom Patterns for Paneling

ArchCut_Create command:

Flow:

Select objects to section. Press Enter to select all visible ( Dir=CPlaneX Replace=Yes AutoNaming=Yes LoadFromFile=No ):
Place section. Press Enter when done ( Flip=No ):

Options:

Dir: ( X_Axis , Y_Axis, Pick ) - Set section line direction
Replace: If a section (layer) with same name exists, then delete the content of the old one and replace with the new.
Name=SEC: Naming format is "SEC_01", "SEC_02", etc.
LoadFromFile: If (Yes), user gets section names and their distance from a 0.0 base point, from a .txt, .dat or .csv file (comma separated). (Sample File Format )
Flip: Flips the direction of the section (makes difference is "Layout" view)
DetectSolids: an option to detect solids (if cutting through a solid, a surface is generated alongside intersection curve)

Notes:

The plugin maintains "Sections Table" (ST):

ST is saved to the document. That is sections data is carried from one session to the other.
ST keeps track of each section: layer, section plane, sectioned objects (or all visible)

Each section plane is represented as hidden clipping plane object in the section layer, user can make visible and edit.
Section curves are given the name of the layer from which the sectioned object comes from and name of sectioned object (LayerName_ObjectName). This helps sorting curves by objects when reporting.
Section curves and surfaces take the properties of objects they come from.
Section curves take the attributes of object they section if set to ByObject, However if ByLayer then take the attributes of that layer.
Supports sectioning through blocks

ArchCut_CreateArray command:

Create array of sections. User defines spacing and number of sections

Options:

Dir: ( X_Axis , Y_Axis, Pick ) - Set section line direction
Replace: If a section (layer) with same name exists, then delete the content of the old one and replace with the new.
Name: Enter sections name. Default name is "SEC". Names take the format "SEC_01, SEC_02, etc".
NumOfSections: Number of sections
Spacing: distance between sections
DetectSolids: an option to detect solids (if cutting through a solid, a surface is generated alongside intersection
Flip: Flips the direction of the section
Reverse: Reverse direction vector
BothSides: create sections in both sides

ArchCut_Update command:

Updates all sections.

Notes:

The command uses section plane and the list of sectioned objects (or all visible) to create new section curves and replace old content.

User can edit the following and will be updated using the command:

Sectioned objects (the model)
Section layer name through layer table
Section plane - hidden in section layer. user can make it visible and move.

ArchCut_Report command:

Creates a .csv file that lists sections, SUM area of closed curves, SUM perimeter and SUM of surfaces area sorted by sections and names (Sample Report )

ArchCut_Layout command:

Flow:

(Dialog) ask to select sections.
Placement point. Press Enter to project in-place ( Grip=Center ApplyToAll=No ): Grip
Grip <Center> ( Center Min Max ): Min

Options:

Grip <Center> ( Center Min Max ): Base point relative to section bounding box.
ApplyToAll: if (Yes), Grip and placement point are applied to all sections without prompting the user for a placement point for each section.

Notes:

Creates new layer for each layout. Layer name looks like: "SectionName"_Layout.
It maps sections to world_xy_plane.
Calling ArchCut_Layout deletes old layouts and place new ones.
Projecting in place ensure layouts to properly overlap.
Layouts are update when sections change

ArchCut_NestLayout command:

Flow:

(Dialog) ask to select sections.

Options:

ShowSolid To show sections surfaces.
Arrange To arrange sections horizontal or vertical.

Notes:

Creates layouts and put in current layer with name tags.
All layouts are placed in the , quarter along the world x-axis or y-axis (next to one another).
Layouts created by this command are not updatable with ArchCut_Update command.

ArchCut_View command:

Flow:

Select sections and assign them to viewports.

Notes:

In the following example, section is added to the perspective view
For hidden-lines view try the new Rhino4 TechnicalDrawing Plugin

ArchCut_ClearView command:

Flow:

Deletes selected sections from all viewport.

ArchCut_ClearOneView command:

Flow:

Select a viewport to delete selected sections from.

ArchCut_MoveSections command:

Flow:

Move sections and update sections curves.

ArchCut_SetViewToSection command:

Flow:

Sets a selected view to the selected section plane.

ArchCut_Make2D command:

Flow:

Extracts 2D curves of visible objects in a view. It takes into account active clipping planes in the selected view.

Notes:

Currently clips only polysurfaces and surfaces (not meshes and curves)
If You would like to extract a section with all back visible objects, follow the steps:

Call ArchCut_SetViewToSection and select a view for that section.
Call ArchCut_View to activate section clipping planes in that view
Call ArchCut_Make2D to extract curves.

ArchCut_SectionDir command:

Flow:

Flips selected sections direction.

How to Export:

Macro_SelLayer _Export

You can select one or all layers and export to any supported file format.
To export sections or their layouts, use the above macro (copy and paste to command line)

How to Display Sections:

Macro_PrintDisplay State=On _Enter

Section curves are assigned a print width = 0.5 (default=0.13) to appear thick.
To be able to view the thicker section curves, use the above macro (also available in the toolbar).

How to Delete and Rename Sections:

Delete: Delete layer of the section.
Rename: Change layer name.

Sectioning Wish List: ... You welcome to add to this list

Make2D for Layout... If you need it for viewing, try the new Rhino4 TechnicalDrawing Plug-in
Option for dynamic update of sections

ArchCut_Divide command:

Flow:

Select curves to divide by number or distance. If dividing by distance, there is option to round up or down.

Options:

Method: ( ByNumber, ByDistance ). If ByDistance, user can round up or down to cover all curve length.
SpanNum: Number of spans
SpanDistance: Length of each span. If it doesn't divide evenly, then Rounding option can be used.
Group: To group divide points per curve.

Notes:

For each curve, user is notified of the final number of spans and length of each span in the output window.
User is prompted to enter dividing points name. Dividing points are ordered using the format "Name_Row(0,1,...)_Col(0,1,...)"
The command supports history (divide points are updated when modifying the curve)

ArchCut_Paneling_Dir command:

Flow:

Select object to create a base grid panels.

Options:

DirectionOfCuts: ( X_Axis , Y_Axis, Pick ) - User defines paneling direction relative to CPlane.
DistanceBetweenCuts: Distance separating cuts (section plates)
SplitMethod: Either "ByNumber" or "ByDistance". If SplitMethod=ByNumber, then user can define "NumOfPanels_PerCut". If SplitMethod=ByDistance, then user define "PanelLength" and "RoundingMethod".
PanelShape: Either Straight or Pull. Straight creates linear panels while in Pull, panels follow surface shape.
Pattern: Paneling pattern. For prototype purposes, eight patterns are available. Custom pattern definition is also available. User can define a pattern unit, its base point, shift and select curves that define that pattern.

CalcEdges: Calculate,serialize and output paneling edges.
CalcFaces: Calculate, serialize and output paneling faces.
CalcPlanarFaces: Calculate planar panels - Deviation amount is attached at the end of panel name.
PlanarFacesMethod: This option appears when CalcPlanarFaces=Yes. Methods are either BestFitPlaneThroughCorners or PlaneCenterTouchesSurface.
CalcMesh: Calculate the mesh that makes paneling faces.
CalcQuads: Create as many planar panels as possible based on the QuadsMaxDeviation value. It adjusts the paneling grid within deviation to achieve maximum number of quads.
QuadsMaxDeviation: Value is used by CalcQuads. Maximum deviation allowed from surface.

Notes:

User can panel polysurfaces. Difference in UV direction among faces does not affect result.
If you like to change the corner where paneling starts, you can use Dir command to swap UV.
Paneling point grid, paneling edges and paneling faces are grouped and added to document in new layer.
All paneling points, edges and faces are tagged (named).
Works with trimmed surfaces.
With CalcPlanarFaces option, overall panels may not join together (edges don't align) depending on underlying surface shape.

ArchCut_PanelingUV_Num command:

Flow:

Select object to create a variety of structural panels. The command is sensitive to UV.

Options:

U_Num: Number of panels in U direction.
V_Num: Number of panels in V direction.
PanelShape: Either Straight or Pull. Straight creates linear panels while in Pull, panels follow surface shape.
Pattern: Paneling pattern. For prototype purposes, eight patterns are available. Custom pattern definition is also available. User can define a pattern unit, its base point, shift and select curves that define that pattern.
CalcEdges: Calculate,serialize and output paneling edges.
CalcFaces: Calculate, serialize and output paneling faces.
CalcPlanarFaces: Calculate planar panels - Deviation amount is attached at the end of panel name.
PlanarFacesMethod: This option appears when CalcPlanarFaces=Yes. Methods are either BestFitPlaneThroughCorners or PlaneCenterTouchesSurface.
CalcMesh: Calculate the mash that makes paneling faces.
CalcQuads: Create as many planar panels as possible based on the QuadsMaxDeviation value. It adjusts the paneling grid within deviation to achieve maximum number of quads.
QuadsMaxDeviation: Value is used by CalcQuads. Maximum deviation allowed from surface.

Notes:

Paneling point grid, paneling edges and paneling faces are grouped and added to document in new layer.
All paneling points, edges and faces are tagged (named).
Works with trimmed surfaces.
With CalcPlanarFaces option, overall panels may not join together (edges don't align) depending on underlying surface shape.

ArchCut_PanelingUV_Dis command:

Flow:

Select object to create a variety of structural panels. The command is sensitive to surface UV directions.

Options:

U_Dis: Length of panels in U direction.
V_Dis: Length of panels in V direction.
Round: User can choose round the length of each panel to fit surface.
RoundingMethod: Up or down.
PanelShape: Either Straight or Pull. Straight creates linear panels while in Pull, panels follow surface shape.
Pattern: Paneling pattern. For prototype purposes, eight patterns are available. Custom pattern definition is also available. User can define a pattern unit, its base point, shift and select curves that define that pattern.
CalcEdges: Calculate,serialize and output paneling edges.
CalcFaces: Calculate, serialize and output paneling faces.
CalcPlanarFaces: Calculate planar panels - Deviation amount is attached at the end of panel name.
PlanarFacesMethod: This option appears when CalcPlanarFaces=Yes. Methods are either BestFitPlaneThroughCorners or PlaneCenterTouchesSurface.
CalcMesh: Calculate the mash that makes paneling faces.
CalcQuads: Create as many planar panels as possible based on the QuadsMaxDeviation value. It adjusts the paneling grid within deviation to achieve maximum number of quads.
QuadsMaxDeviation: Value is used by CalcQuads. Maximum deviation allowed from surface.

Notes:

Exact distances are achieved only when iso-curves are parallel in U & V directions
Paneling point grid, paneling edges and paneling faces are grouped and added to document in new layer.
All paneling points, edges and faces are tagged (named).
Works with trimmed surfaces.
With CalcPlanarFaces option, overall panels may not join together (edges don't align) depending on underlying surface shape.

Following is a comparison among different directional paneling commands:

Custom as a pattern option in paneling commands

Flow:

In each of the paneling command, there is a Pattern option. One of the options is Custom. This section shows how you may set up custom paneling pattern.

Options:

Base_x=0 - x value of the base point of the unit pattern relative to paneling grid
Base_y=0 - y value of the base point of the unit pattern relative to paneling grid
Shift_x=1 - Shift in unit grid in the x direction
Shift_y=1 - Shift in unit grid in the y direction
GridWidth=2 - Number of unit grid points in x direction
GridHeight=2 - Number of unit grid points in y direction

Notes:

Enables paneling free-form curves and polylines that are not directly connecting grid points.
Custom paneling curves are saved to file to enable updating after document is closed then re-opened.
When base surface is edited, custom panels get updated too.
Pattern curves need to be pre-created in world xy_plane relative to world origin point using unit grid.
If you have trimmed surfaces, you need to set PanelShap=Pull so that paneling curves are trimmed.

ArchCut_SubPaneling command;

Flow:

Select base surface, any number of closed polylines with end points on surface.

Options:

Degree: Number of subdividing steps.
Method: All/SubsOnly/MainOnly. Different methods of sub-paneling as in the image.
PanelShape: Straight or Pull

Notes:

Supports History

ArchCut_RandomPaneling command:

Flow:

Select base surface, any number of points on surface or have the command generate points for you.

Options:

GenerateRandomly: random generation of points.
PointCount: number of points. Aprrears only when GenerateRandomly=Yes
PanelShape: Straight or Pull

Notes:

Random paneling algorithm finds best solution for smallest triangles starting from a central location of the grid point set.
Random paneling doesn't take into account shorter distances across the seam (in closed surfaces)
Surface is reparameterized to minimize distortion.
Support History

ArchCut_PanelingUpdate command:

Updates all paneling.

Notes:

If the base paneling surface get edited, user can call this command to update paneling.
Paneling data is saved to document

Custom Patterns for Paneling:

Use ArchCut script functions to define custom patterns for paneling and access many ArchCut methods using RhinoScript.

Download Scripting Documentation:

Scripting Help - word file
Scripting Help - PDF file
Scripting Help - .SYNTAXML file - If you like to view ArchCut methods and access functions tree and autocomplete from within Monkey RhinoScript Editor , then you need to save .syntaxl file in the ../Monkey/Resources folder.

Paneling Wish List: ... You're welcome to add to this list

WISHLIST - - - UNIFORMIC PANELLING WOULD BE VERY USEFUL !

Nuno Almeida, UN Studio and Sander Boer, Mecanoo had a wish at the NLARCH2007

E-mail the developer your questions & feedback

Last updated: February 25, 2007

Downloads

Contents

Sectioning Commands

Paneling Commands

Scripting

Links

ArchCut_Create command:

ArchCut_CreateArray command:

ArchCut_Update command:

ArchCut_Report command:

ArchCut_Layout command:

ArchCut_NestLayout command:

ArchCut_View command:

ArchCut_ClearView command:

ArchCut_ClearOneView command:

ArchCut_MoveSections command:

ArchCut_SetViewToSection command:

ArchCut_Make2D command:

ArchCut_SectionDir command:

How to Export:

How to Display Sections:

How to Delete and Rename Sections:

Sectioning Wish List: ... You welcome to add to this list

ArchCut_Divide command:

ArchCut_Paneling_Dir command:

ArchCut_PanelingUV_Num command:

ArchCut_PanelingUV_Dis command:

ArchCut_SubPaneling command;

ArchCut_RandomPaneling command:

ArchCut_PanelingUpdate command:

Custom Patterns for Paneling:

Paneling Wish List: ... You're welcome to add to this list