The Phantom Vertex

 

 

Getting polygons to translate from PowerCADD to Design Workshop -- predictably.

The Problem: Gary Veasy uncovered an anomoly in the behavior of polygonal objects exported from PowerCADD into Design Workshop. Essentially, when reshaping on orthogonal block to create a roof surface, the objects behavior revealed a "phantom vertex" located where the two endpoints of the polygon overlap. This can result in unexpected results:

 



 

These objects were created with 'closed' 4-sided polygons exported from PowerCADD to DesignWorkshop.

Vector pict file seem to behave correctly, unfortunately they do not retain their scale information.

The Solution: So what is the solution? For now, the best answer is as follows: create the polygons in PowerCADD with one less face than you want in DesignWorkshop, and let DesignWorkshop create the "implied" face when you distort the block. Here is how it works:

 

 

Step 1. Draw an open polygon in PowerCADD

  

 

Step 2. Save as DesignWorkshop

  

 

Step 3. Import into DesignWorkshop

  

 

Step 4. Extrude polygon up

  

 

The extrusion creates a plane where none was shown on the polygon.

This is automatic, no intervention is required.

 

 

Step 5. Choose a material. (See Object Info box to left at bottom.

Render in lights and textures, then select shading.

 

 

Step 6. Reshape top vertices to make a pyramid shape.

  

 

Step 7. Choose a material in the Object Info box.

Render in lights and textures, then select shading.

 

Example. Creating a Wall

 

 

Create plan in PowerCADD. Save as DesignWorkshop. Note that this is an open polygon.

  

 

Import into DesignWorkshop

  

 

 

Extrude up. Use Object Info box to select vertical dimension (in this case 6'-0").

  

 

Render Object

Choose material in Object Info box.
Render in lights and textures, then select shading.

 

 

Mike Wheeler notes:

There is a much faster, easier, and more accurate way to make pyramids (or cones).

Instead of using the Reshape Tool choose the Faces Tool,
select the top face of the block,
SpaceJump to a corner handle and drag the handle in towards the center of the face.
The entire face will scale about its center.

If you pull a handle all the way to the center all the other vertices of that face will also go to the center.

 
Got another technique? send it in.