Rotating an Object in Space

by JuditBoros, KatalinTakacs, updated 2012-09-20

There are several situations when you need to rotate an object (or any part of your model) in space.

With the help of the new MORPH Tool feature in ArchiCAD 16, objects can be easily rotated about any axis in 3D. Here are the steps:

ArchiCAD 16 3D Rotation

Any existing 3d element type can be transformed into a freely editable MORPH.

Step 1: Convert your Object to Morph

Select your object in any model window and use the Design > Convert Selection to Morph(s) command in order to have your MORPH object. This command is available from the context menu as well.

Step 2: Rotate in 3D

Click to enter rotation point, or define a rotation axis: click an edge, or click and drag to define the axis with two points. You can change the editing plane if needed.

Shells, Curtain Walls and Morphs can be rotated around any axis in the 3D window space. To do this in ArchiCAD 16, just use the plain Rotate command from the Pet Palette.

Use the protractor feedback to graphically enter the rotation angle and click to complete.

TIP:

• How to Rotate in the Z axis from Cadimage

• Watch the tutorial about Free Rotating of MORPH Sub-elements

Step 3: Save as an Object

In the 3D window, save the selected elements with the File > Libraries and Objects > Save Selection as command, and choose Object. You are prompted to specify which plane of the model represents the top of the object.

In the Save Library Part dialog which appears, enter a name and choose the desired folder location for the new element. It saves the object to the Embedded Library by default.

Rotating Object in ArchiCAD 15 and before

Step 1: Create the object perpendicular to floor plan

In this example, we use a complex profiled curved wall. We will rotate it in space so we can use it as a curved roof.

floor plan view

3D view

rendered view

Step 2: Set up 3D view to show "top" side of the object

Now you need to set up an axonometric 3D view of the model, that shows it as you want to see it from the top. If you want to rotate only part of your model, then select the elements that you want to rotate, then show the selection in the 3D window. In this example, we choose side view in View/ 3D View Mode/ 3D Projection Settings/ Perspective Settings

3D will look like this:

Step 3: Save the model as a new GDL object

Now save your model as a new GDL object with the command File menu/ Libraries and Objects/ Save 3D model as:. You have to choose the type of the object you want to create, as this determines the behaviour of your object - windows and doors can only be placed in walls. Select object instead.

Tip: Make sure that you save this object in a Library that is loaded with your Project File. Most often, this will be the project's EmbeddedLibrary. If you want to use the object in multiple files, save it to a local or BIM server library that you load with your projects.

• Save the Library part as an object for example

• Open the Library Manager and add the test.gsm to the Active Libraries.

Step 4: Place object

Select the Object Tool, and in the Object settings dialog browse for your new object. Set its height and place it on the floor plan. Your object has basic parameters - e.g. you can adjust it's size, or stretch it if you like.

This will be the 3D view:

As you can see, the object is rotated

Step 5: Edit the script of the .gsm for free rotation

• select your test.gsm and open: File/Libraries and Objects/Open Object or Ctrl+Shift+O

• edit the script in the following way:

Open the 3D script, and at the top add:

RotX Xrotang

RotY Yrotang

RotZ Zrotang

Add the Xrotang, Yrotang and Zrotang parameters, of the type Angle, to the object.

To get the transformations clear, add DEL 3 at the end of the 3D script.

Comment the 2D script, and add PROJECT2 2, 270, 3

Note: you can use the Check Script command all the time to see if the script is well edited or not.

In the Object Selection Settings Window in the Parameters field you can edit the rotation of the object.

You can read more about this on:

http://www.gscne.com/new/support/FAQs/ac/026/default.htm

Categories: CategoryLibrary CategoryMove CategoryTechTip CategoryMorph

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