Help Database

You can use the solid Primitive Tools in Chief Architect to create a wide variety of customized shapes and symbols.

In this example, we will use the Cylinder and Cone primitives to create a tool that can then be used to create a bevel on the end of a cylinder and can be saved for use any time you need to accomplish this task.

To create a chamfer at the top of a cylinder

In this example, we will create a concrete column that is 24 inches in diameter and chamfer the top edge at 45 degrees. 

1. Select Build> Primitive> Cylinder , then click and drag to create a cylinder with a 24 inch diameter.
   
   
   
2. To do this easily, turn both Grid Snaps  and the Reference Grid on and begin drawing your cylinder at a reference grid intersection.
   
   
   
3. You can also draw a cylinder of any size and then resize it precisely in its specification dialog.
   
   
   
   
   
   

To create a cone in the same location as the cylinder

1. Select Build> Primitive> Cone , click at the same point you used to start the cylinder, and drag to draw the cone so it is the same diameter as the cylinder.
   
   
   
2. By default, the Radius and Height values for a cone are equal when it is first drawn, which will produce a 45-degree bevel when we are finished.
   
   To produce a different angle, adjust the Height of the cone:  increase the height for a steeper bevel or decrease it for a bevel with a more shallow angle.
   
   
   
3. In the view below, we can see how the two items intersect after changing the material for the cylinder to glass.
   
   
   
   
   

To subtract the cone from the cylinder.

1. Select 3D> Create Perspective View> Perspective Full Overview  and rotate the view so you can see the bottom of the cylinder.
   
   In Chief Architect X1 and prior, use 3D> Create Render View> Render Full Overview.
   
   
   
2. Select the cylinder, click the Subtraction  edit button, and click on the bottom of the cone.
   
   It may take a couple of attempts for this to work since the bottom surfaces of the cone and the cylinder are coplanar.
   
   The resulting 3D shape is a tool that can be used to create a chamfer.
   
   
   Note: If you have difficulty with this operation, try setting the height of the cone to be 1/16 in lower than that of the cylinder. 
   
   
   
3. If you would like to add this object to the library for use in the future:
   
   
   • Click the Select Objects  tool, hold down the Shift key on your keyboard, and drag a rectangular selection marquee around new object.
     
     
   • Click the Make Architectural Block  edit button.
     
     
   • With the object still selected, click the Add to Library  button.
     
     
   • Specify a destination library or library folder to save your new object and give it a short, descriptive name.  It will now be available to add a chamfer to a 24" cylinder in any plan.
     
     
     
4. Select File> Close  from the menu to return to floor plan view and create another cylinder with the same diameter as the one created in step 1.
   
   Position it so that both it and the chamfering tool occupy the same space in floor plan view.
   
   
   
5. Select 3D> Create Perspective View> Perspective Full Overview , then click on the chamfering tool and use the Move  edit handle to move it so that it will intersect the top of the cylinder.
   
   
   • If you wish, you can use the Transform/Replicate Object  edit tool to move it precisely along the Z axis.
     
     
   • You can also use the Transform/Replicate Object  edit tool to move each object to an absolute x,y location in order to make sure they are directly on top on each other.
     
     
   • In this example, a 24" tall cylinder is used and the chamfering tool is set at a height of 22" to create a 2" chamfer in the next step. 
     
     
6. Click on the concrete cylinder at the bottom, click the Subtraction  edit button, then click on the upper chamfer tool to remove the area intersected by this tool, creating a bevel.
   
   You now have a completed concrete colunm with a beveled top edge.