cdc 2011 student workbook unit 3 -...

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Autodesk Conceptual Design Curriculum 2011 Student Workbook Unit 3: Component Exploration Lesson 1: Components

Overview: Components In this lesson, you learn the basic principles of component definition and instantiation for

conceptual modeling. You learn the significance of these modeling systems and when

they are appropriate for a particular design objective. In addition, you learn how these

systems are defined, what design criteria lead to their application, how they provide for

different approaches to model construction and aesthetic development, and how they

enhance the overall articulation of a base geometry.

Objectives

After completing this lesson, you will be able to:

Explain the principles of components, instantiation, variation, and top-down

versus bottom-up modeling approaches.

Describe the strengths and potential attributes of each modeling concept and

approach for conceptual design.

Demonstrate the capabilities of various Autodesk applications in respect to each

modeling approach.

The following Concept lessons refer to:

Presentation: 3-1 Component Concepts.pptx

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Concepts

Components

Figure 1. Example of a hexagonal component.

Components within architectural modeling are a fundamental requirement, as buildings

are essentially large assemblies of thousands of smaller subassemblies. Therefore, the

need to breakdown or rationalize large geometric elements into component parts is a

critical aspect of architectural modeling. Many elements within architectural design are

standard repeating objects with little or no variation. The process of defining and

instantiating components becomes more challenging when the architectural intent

requires purposeful variation of these base elements. This is where an associative,

parametric application can significantly enhance the modeling and design process. These

systems often allow for the definition of custom parametric components that can be varied

either as a system or individually. Each application approaches this process differently,

depending on the industry for which it was initially designed. Revit® Architecture® software

enables the custom definition of standard architectural elements through its Family Editor.

Revit Architecture introduced a new Conceptual Mass environment that can be used to

create custom-patterned components for building enclosures. Both 3ds Max® software and

Maya® software use history-based component definition and animation tools to control

variation. AutoCAD software allows for the definition of variable components with dynamic

blocks.

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Instantiation

Figure 2. Image of a hexagonal grid before and after component installation.

Instantiation is the process of populating a geometric object with components. The

process of instantiation can be incredibly time consuming and tedious, unless there is

some sort of automation or associativity between base geometry and instantiated

components. Most CAD applications provide for a basic level of instantiation through

object repetition commands such as Array. These object repetition commands can be very

useful when the instantiation involves a single component that is duplicated in a regular

way. If the instantiation requires any variation of the base component or irregular

positioning, then these tools often prove to be inadequate. Numerous CAD applications

have implemented features to assist with this process, including the creation of

spreadsheet-driven components, contextually aware variable components and automated

positioning, which improve this process considerably. Even with these features, it is often

still necessary to do some manual placement or scripting to address atypical conditions,

as it is impossible to generalize these tools for all situations. Revit Architecture 2011

introduced several new tools to address component instantiation directly in the new

Conceptual Mass environment. These tools include custom patterning and parametric

component definition tools for architectural masses. In addition to history-based object

repetition tools, both 3ds Max and Maya provide tools for animation that can be adapted

for the purposes of component instantiation. AutoCAD provides some level of control and

customization of components through its Dynamic Blocks interface

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Variation

Figure 3. Component application with dimensional variation.

The need for variation across architectural components can come from functional or

formal concerns. As buildings are large and complex assemblies, it is often difficult to

create solutions that only require the repetition of standard elements. Frequently, for both

performative or aesthetic reasons, it is necessary to create variation in these elements.

Therefore, the ability to control this variation purposefully and precisely is an important

requirement for architectural modeling. As described above, parametric, associative

applications can assist significantly in the creation of variation across component

elements. These applications often provide an interface for defining one instance of the

component, identifying the elements that can vary and then controlling the variation of

these elements using geometric and numeric inputs. Each application supports this

process in different ways, with some applications providing more control and

customization than others. Revit Architecture provides for the parametric variation of

individual components. These individual components can be controlled systemically using

schedules. Both 3ds Max and Maya enable you to vary components systemically using

animation tools. AutoCAD enables you to vary individual components through Dynamic

Blocks.

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Top-Down Versus Bottom-Up Approaches

Figure 4. Illustration of the top-down and bottom-up approaches to design.

Top-down and bottom-up are different approaches to design rationalization and

generation.

A top-down approach typically involves a process of rationalization where a global system

or geometry is broken down in order to gain further insight into its local subsystems or

components. This is the most common approach in architectural design, as projects are

typically conceived at a global level and then refined into component parts. This approach

typically requires modifications to the global system in order to address properties and

limitations of the component subsystems; for example, a complex curved enclosure

system being broken down into planar panels of a specified dimension. This approach

gives the designer more control over the global system, but limits the options of the local

system to those that meet the rationalization criteria. Therefore, top-down design

approaches should incorporate these criteria into the design of the global system as early

as possible in order to minimize changes that significantly alter the design intent. All

Autodesk applications support a top-down modeling approach, and it is the most common

modeling approach in most architectural design applications.

A bottom-up approach typically involves the piecing together of systems or components to

then generate additional systems, thus making the initial components local subsystems of

a global system. A bottom-up approach differs conversely from a top-down approach in

that the initial step involves specifying and describing the individual local components in

detail. These individual components are then linked together to formulate subsystems,

which are in turn linked to one another, frequently using multiple levels until a complete

top-level system is constructed. This approach emphasizes a high level of control and

specificity at the component level, but less control over the global system generated from

the aggregation of the local components. The challenge of this approach is that you run

the risk of defining local components without having a clear idea as to how they function

individually and/or as a part of the overall system. Bottom-up modeling approaches are

more common in mechanical design applications, like Autodesk® Inventor® software, but are

being displaced with hybrid workflows that combine both top-down and bottom-up

approaches. Bottom-up approaches in conceptual design are usually accomplished

through some form of scripting, although it is possible to replicate this process through

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component instantiation and variation as described above―but this process is less

common in architectural design.

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Assessment

Challenge Exercise Instructors provide a challenge exercise for students based on this lesson.

Questions

1. What are the features of component-based modeling systems?

2. How is instantiation used in modeling programs?

3. Why is it beneficial to add variation to your design project?

4. Describe a bottom-up approach to design.

5. What are the advantages and disadvantages to using a top-down or bottom-up

approach?

Lesson Summary

This lesson focused on introducing component-based modeling approaches for

parametric and associative modeling. The underlying principles for component systems

were described, with an emphasis on approaches to variation and instantiation. These

approaches and their applicability for different design objectives were articulated and the

advantages and disadvantages of each were discussed. Autodesk provides a

comprehensive collection of software platforms for the generation of component-based

systems for conceptual design, each offering a distinct set of features. You focus on how

these concepts can be applied in Lesson 3-2.


Autodesk Conceptual Design Curriculum 2011 Student Workbook Unit 3: Component Exploration Lesson 2: System-Based Variation

Overview: System-Based Variation In this lesson, you create a component system that uses system-based variation and

discover how this approach is useful for conceptual design. You learn how to control the

variation of this system through the modification of parameters at the global level. Through

these exercises, you learn how this approach can be used to explore and refine a design

concept.

Objectives


Explain the process of a component-based approach to design modeling.

Populate components onto a surface.

Control a component system with system-based variation.

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Exercises The following exercises are provided in a written overview and step-by-step videos in this lesson:

6. Creating and Transforming a Surface from a Spline

7. Designing and Instantiating a Component onto a Surface

8. Modifying a Component Through System-Based Variation

Exercises 1–3 refer to:

Presentation: 3-2 System Based Variation.pptx

Video: 3-2 Components Pavilion.mov

Start File: 3-2 Components_Start.rfa

End File: 3-2 Components - v01- End.rfa

End File: 3-2 Panel - End.rfa

End File: 3-2 Components - v02- End.rfa

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Exercise 1: Creating and Transforming a Surface from a Spline

In this exercise, you create a geometrical object based on a spline and adjust its surface geometry.

Figure 1. Constructed B-Splines generate a surface form.

As in Lesson 2-2, you begin the modeling process for this exercise by drawing a spline

and generating a surface from it. You create the surface geometry that references the

spline by creating a compound loft based upon profiles. To do this, you draw three

parabola shapes and use them to construct a surface that sweeps along the spline curve.

At this point, there are two ways to modify the shape of the surface you just generated: as

adjustments to the base spline curve or as adjustments to the profile parabolas. For

example, the surface can be stretched by scaling the original spline, and the height of the

middle of the surface can be increased by adjusting the middle profile parabola. This

ability gives you increased opportunity for design exploration within the system. It is also

characteristic of a top-down approach to design, as adjustments are made at a

global level, affecting the entire system at once. In addition, the interpolation parameter

can be increased or decreased to modify the surface geometry by adjusting the density of

the mesh. This interpolated mesh is used as the basis of component instantiation, which

takes place in the following exercise.

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Exercise 2: Designing and Instantiating a Component onto a Surface In this exercise, you apply a component to a geometric object through a process of instantiation.

Figure 2: Process and development of instantiating a component onto a surface of a parametric system

When designing a component system with system-based variation, you do not need to

worry about building parametric behavior into individual components, as they will conform

to the behavior and logic of the system that it will be applied to. This means that the

component can remain relatively loose because it will be driven by a global system, as

opposed to being driven locally. You begin by creating a simple triangular pattern using

curves that will be applied to the surface. Before it is applied, you transform the planar

curves into 3D geometry through a process of extrusion and offsetting.

A surface, similar to the one created in the previous exercise, is used as the basis for

instantiating the triangular pattern. Once the pattern has been linked to the surface, its

shape changes significantly as the pattern conforms to the geometry to which it is applied.

Also note that linking the surface and triangular pattern allows for history-based

manipulations, similar to that of the previous exercise, where the pattern can be adjusted

by modifying the base parabola profiles or the surface itself.

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Exercise 3: Modifying a Component Through System-Based Variation In this exercise, you adjust the properties of a component from the global level through the system.

Figure 3: Component modification at the global level through system transformations.

With system-based variation, a component is modified at the global level through

transformations to the system as a whole. Therefore, manipulations can be made to the

surface and those modifications will be reflected in the components that have been based

on the surface. This feature allows for variability at the system level and is a defining

characteristic of a parametric, top-down approach to modeling, as adjustments are made

at a global level that affect the entire system. It is also important to note, as discussed in

the preceding exercises, that there are multiple ways in which these systems, and

ultimately their components, can be modified. Not only can they be altered through

transforming the original base spline, but also through the adjustment of profile shapes

that generated the lofted surface, as well as the surface geometry itself.

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Assessment


Questions

9. How do you create a surface based on shape profiles?

10. How are system-based components defined?

11. Which system’s attributes do the components reflect after instantiation?

12. In what ways can the components of system-based variation be manipulated?

13. How is this process characteristic of a top-down approach to design?

Lesson Summary

This lesson focused on the introduction of component-based modeling systems for

parametric design that are characterized by system-based variation. The underlying

principles of the modeling approach were described, emphasizing the global parametric

modification of the system as a whole and how these modifications affect residual levels,

down to the component entity. This methodology and its applicability and advantages for

different conceptual design objectives were described. The alternative approach would be

one based on component-based variation, which is discussed in Lesson 3-3


Autodesk Conceptual Design Curriculum 2011 Student Workbook Unit 3: Component Exploration Lesson 3: Component-Based Variation

Overview: Component-Based Variation In this lesson, you create a component system that uses component-based variation and

discover how this approach is useful for conceptual design. You also control the behavior

of these systems through the modification of parameters at the component level. Through

these exercises, you learn how this approach can be used to explore and refine a design

concept.

Objectives


Explain the process of a component-based approach to design modeling.

Create a customized component system.

Populate components onto a surface.

Control a component system with component-based variation.

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Exercises

The following exercises are provided in a written overview and step-by-step videos in this

lesson:

14. Designing a Parametric Component

15. Populating Panel Components onto a Building Mass

16. Using Quantitative Data to Inform the Design

Exercises 1–3 refer to:

Presentation: 3-3 Component Based Variation.pptx

Video: 3-3 Components Tower.mov

Start File: 3-3 Components Tower - Start.rfa

Progress File: 3-3 Components Tower - Grid.rfa

End File: 3-3 Components Tower - End.rfa

End File: 3-3 Nested Panel - Tower End.rfa

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Exercise 1: Designing a Parametric Component

In this exercise, you create a parametric component that will be applied to the building

enclosure.

Figure 1: Process and development of designing and constructing a parametric component.

In Lesson 2-3, you concluded with the construction of a surface pattern that will be used

as the basis of a panelized component system. You design custom panel components to

apply to the building’s enclosure. The panel that you construct will be a faceted

component. You create each panel using parameters to demonstrate some of the

variation that can be accomplished using associative modeling techniques. For the

faceted panel, you control the width and depth of its frame, as well as the height of its

center point, using interactive parameters. To begin the model, you base the component

on a rhomboid pattern base. To create three-dimensionality, you find the center point of

the base and create a construction line segment in the base normal direction. To begin

imposing parametric constraints, you create a dimensional parameter that constrains the

height of the component to a specified value. To finish the component, you define

surfaces between the construction lines that create a solid panelized component.

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Exercise 2: Populating Panel Components onto a Building Mass

In this exercise, you populate the panel components you created onto the surfaces of your

building mass.

Figure 2: Beginning application of parametric component onto a patterned façade system.

The faceted panels are now applied to each face of the building mass through a process

of instantiation. Once this is completed, individual modifications, using the component's

local parameters, can then be made to the panels based on aesthetic or performative

requirements. As stated in previous lessons, the difference from system-based variation to

component-based variation is that components possess their own control mechanisms

through user-defined parameters, so they do not inherit all properties from the system to

which they are being applied. This means that some aspects remain open and individually

modifiable, as opposed to the components in system-based variation that conform

completely to the geometry to which they have been applied.

To instantiate the component, you first need to divide the surfaces of the building mass

into a pattern that matches the component base. Once the surface has been divided, you

can then instantiate the component on the surface. Once the component is instantiated, it

will be clear how the parametric logic of the panel has been retained and the form has not

changed significantly after it has been applied to the surface. At this stage, both local and

global modifications can be made. For example, individual panel offsets can be adjusted

or the underlying surface can be modified, updating the global configuration of the

components accordingly.

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Exercise 3: Using Quantitative Data to Inform the Design In this exercise, you use quantitative data to inform the design of your parametric tower.

Figure 3: Visualization of the waterfront tower in context to assist with real-time feedback and modifications.

Now that the panelization process has been completed, both individual modifications to

the components at a local level can be made and data extraction tools can be used to

quickly calculate quantitative information, such as the number of panels used, as well as

the surface area of each material. At this point, if you notice any modifications that you

would like to make at the local, component scale, you can simply revert back to the base

component, change any of the component parameters, and regenerate the component

instantiation to reflect these changes. This includes, but is not limited to, adjustments of

the width or depth of the base frame, changes to the height of the panel, and the addition

of new geometry and parameters.

You can use the data extraction tools to get real-time quantitative feedback as you make

modifications to your design. You can identify the metrics that have the most meaning to

you and drive your design decisions based on satisfying these metrics. These metrics can

be derived from, and design modifications made to, either the component or system

levels. The feedback loop created through real-time access to these metrics creates an

informed decision-making process that can be used to improve your design.

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Assessment


Questions

17. How can parameters be used to drive components?

18. How do these parameters affect the components once they have been

instantiated?

19. Describe some of the uses of quantitative data within conceptual design.

20. Describe how this lesson represents a component-based approach to design.

Lesson Summary

This lesson focused on the introduction of component-based modeling systems for

parametric design that are characterized by component-based variation. The principles of

these systems were described, specifically the ability of component-based variation at a

local level, and the advantages of this approach for different design objectives. Through

the previous lessons and exercises, various Autodesk software platforms were used to

demonstrate the magnitude of possibilities for conceptual design modeling, from

geometric exploration to parametric modeling to component-based systems.


Autodesk Conceptual Design Curriculum 2011 Student Workbook Unit 3: Component Exploration Lesson 4: Custom Panelization

Overview: Custom Panelization Curtain wall panelization is a significant part of contemporary architecture, and it presents

its own set of design challenges. In most cases, a default solution will be unable to solve

all of a building’s panelization requirements. Not only are customizations often necessary

to fulfill a building’s architectural conception, but the understanding of modern panelization

techniques leads to better, more functional buildings. Autodesk provides a number of tools

that can aid in the development of custom panels; in this lesson, you will learn about some

of Autodesk® Revit® software’s functionality built specifically for this purpose.

Objectives After completing this lesson, you will be able to:

Create custom grid patterns for panelization

Employ adaptive components to create special custom panels

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Exercises

In this lesson, you will explore the functionality that Revit offers to solve panelization

problems that require more customization. In Unit 2-4, we discussed the use of adaptive

components in solid masses; here we will cover their use in situations where a building

requires irregular or flexible panels. The lesson will also explore custom grids. The

previous lesson employed some of the default solutions that Revit provides for

panelization grids; in this lesson, you will learn how to create custom grids for additional

control or for more complex geometry.

The following exercises are provided in a written overview and step-by-step videos in this lesson:

21. Designing a Panelized Façade Pattern

22. Custom Patterning

23. Creating an Adaptive Paneling Component

Exercises 1-2 refer to:

Presentation: 3-4 Custom Patterning.pptx

Video: 3-4 Custom Patterning.mov

Model: 3-4 Custom Pattern – Start.rfa

Model: 3-4 Custom Pattern – End.rfa

Exercises 3 refer to:

Presentation: 3-4 Custom Patterning.pptx

Video: 3-4.3 Adaptive Component Panel.mov

Model: 3-4.3 Patterning – Start.rfa

Model: 3-4.3 Patterning – End.rfa

Model: 3-4.3 Adaptive Corner Panel – End.rfa

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Exercise 1: Designing a Panelized Façade Pattern In this exercise, you design a pattern for a parametric panelized façade system.

Figure 7: Beginning development of a patterned façade system

Designing a parametric panelized façade begins with the definition of a pattern. In order to

test different paneling options quickly, you can divide the faces of the conceptual mass

using patterns; this will enable you to use fundamental building information modeling

(BIM) techniques to analyze the various factors relating to the design and performance of

the façade. You can, for example, transition from a single face to a triangulated pattern to

a rhomboid pattern, and so on, until you arrive at a grid that meets the design criteria. The

visibility of these patterns can be adjusted through the definition of their spacing, rotation,

and justification. These patterns form the basis of the custom components that you design

in Exercise 4-3.

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Exercise 2: Custom Patterning In this exercise, you customize the default panel pattern using reference lines.

Figure 8: Default patterns can be customized with additional guide lines.

In the event that the default panelization patterns are not suitable for a given project, they

can be customized further by drawing guide lines to control the façade patterning. For

example, you may desire that the panel pattern conform to the floor heights, or to follow

the contour of the building, or to suit some other criteria that may be appropriate to the

project.

This is accomplished by drawing a set of lines to replace the default U- or V- grid lines.

They need not be vertical or horizontal, or even straight lines; in this case, they are drawn

to align with a number of different floor heights.

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Exercise 3: Creating an Adaptive Paneling Component In this exercise, you create an adaptive component to fit an irregular façade condition.

Figure 9: Example of a hexagonal component.

Frequently, an architectural solution results in a condition that cannot be resolved cleanly

using the default panelization tools that Revit offers. In this case, for example, the

triangular grid pattern on each side of the building has left gaps at the edges. This is an

ideal situation to employ adaptive components, which can be designed to be flexible

enough to fit the irregular angles present at the building edge.

The adaptive paneling component is created as a separate family. Adaptive “placement

points” will be picked when the component is instantiated, while adaptive “shape handle

points” will act as references for the component’s geometry (in this case, the mullions and

glass). Lines can be snapped between these adaptive points, and geometry created on

them can update when the points are moved.

Once the adaptive component is created, the family is loaded into the project, and is then

instantiated: an instance of that family is placed by picking the points on the façade that

the component should snap to. This allows the corner gaps to be filled cleanly.

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Assessment


Questions

24. In what situations might custom panelization be necessary?

25. What are the advantages and disadvantages of custom panelization?

Lesson Summary

This lesson explored Autodesk’s tools for solving panelization problems that require

further control that offered by the default Revit tools. New to Autodesk® Revit® 2011, these

tools enable you to design custom panel grids according to your own criteria by drawing a

set of U- or V- lines. You can also create special adaptive components to fit irregular

panel conditions.

Autodesk, AutoCAD, Inventor, Maya, Revit, and 3ds Max are registered trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., and/or its subsidiaries and/or affiliates in the USA and/or other countries. All other brand names, product names, or trademarks belong to their respective holders. Autodesk reserves the right to alter product and services offerings, and specifications and pricing at any time without notice, and is not responsible for typographical or graphical errors that may appear in this document.

© 2010 Autodesk, Inc. All rights reserved.

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