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Create drawings and 3D models via Design

Create drawings and 3D models via Design

Here's how to use Design to create drawings and 3D models through the available functions.

Updated over a year ago

Follow these steps to create geometries via Design:

  1. Activate the Design tool.

  2. By default, the Line tool is selected, allowing you to create lines with a desired elevation value. The default elevation value is 0 and can be changed under Snap.
    With a simple left-click, you can place new points in the line segments, and the line will automatically continue to be created for each point placed. When satisfied, you can press ESC or Right-click - End line segment to stop creating the line.

  3. To create points, use the Point tool by clicking directly in the scene with the desired elevation or coordinate. You can also import points from CSV via right-click Create - Point (.CSV).

  4. You can also use Placement - Position to enter the coordinates for N, E, and H in the input field. You can specify the Height via Placement/Offset Height for the point, but this must be done before creating the point in the scene.

  5. Once the first point is placed, several functions are available under Placement and Features.

  6. To save your geometry, click on the cloud at the top right of the panel. Here, you can give the new geometry an optional name. You can later change the name through the object list on the left after it is saved. The shortcut to save later is Ctrl+S.

Main functions:

  • Import CSV points

  • Generate grid

  • Create points on a line

  • Interpolation

  • Create offsets

  • Triangulation

The various functions available under the tool are explained below:

Tools

Line

(Shortcut: Q) Use the left mouse button to create lines, or create a point by holding ALT. You can also multi-select by holding CTRL and deselect by holding SHIFT.

Point

(Shortcut: W) Use the left mouse button to create points. Multi-select by holding CTRL and deselect by holding SHIFT.

Select

(Shortcut: E) Use the left mouse button to select. Hold down SHIFT to deselect. You can also pan in the plane by scroll-clicking.

Snap

Object

With object snapping, you can only create points on CAD files or designs. This means you cannot click a point outside of such an object.

Height

With height snapping, you can enter a Z-value in meters to be used for all points you create after the value is entered. Note that if you tie points to existing points or lines in the geometry, the existing point will not change height. This option is the default when creating a new design.

Relative Height

With relative height, you can specify the height of the next point relative to the previous one. If the relative height is to be reduced, start with a minus sign. This option only works when creating a line or when starting from an existing point on the geometry.

Slope (%)

With slope, you can create a line with a specified vertical slope in percentage. If the slope is to be negative, start the value with a minus sign. Like relative height, this option only works when starting from an existing point in the geometry.

Slope (H:B)

With Slope (H:B), you can create a slope with a specified ratio.

Placement

Freehand

The default option that does not affect the position or offset. Draw freehand and hold down SHIFT to make lines orthogonal.

Length

Specifies a fixed distance when creating new lines or offsets. Hold down SHIFT to make lines orthogonal.

Orthogonal

Draw freehand. Lines become orthogonal automatically.

Orthogonal Length

Use a fixed distance when creating new lines or offsets. Lines become orthogonal automatically.

Position

Right-click in the scene, choose Create, then choose Point to create a new point at the specified position. To create multiple coordinate-set points, we recommend using the Import Points (.CSV) function.

Offset XYZ

Use a custom offset in X, Y, and Z directions when creating new lines or offsets.

Cut/Fill Objects

Cut a new line or offset against other visible objects in the scene. (Note that this does not include the Design model under editing.) Typically used in conjunction with the Snapping option Slope.

Functions

Elevate

Elevate marked points to a specified height, relative height, point cloud, or object.

Triangulate

Triangulate marked lines and points.

Create Offset

Create an offset based on a polygon.

Create Grid

Create a grid within the marked polygons.

Create Line Segment

Create a line segment on marked lines.

Import

Import CSV-formatted data.

Attributes

Attribute List

Add, remove, or modify attributes and colors.

Set Attributes on Objects

Set attributes on points, lines, and triangles.

Options

Double-sided mode

When double-sided mode is active, triangles are visible from all angles; otherwise, they are only visible from the front.

Multi-Selection

Choose what to include when multiple objects are selected simultaneously. Use the Select tool or hold down CTRL to select multiple objects simultaneously.

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