Design SuiteCreating columns and pilasters

Mode

Tool

Workspace: Tool set

Modes for The Symbol Insertion tool

Column

Landmark, Spotlight: Building Shell (basic column)

Architect: Building Shell (additional capabilities)

Modes for The Symbol Insertion tool

Pilaster

Architect: Building Shell

A basic column can be drawn in Landmark and Spotlight. In the Vectorworks Architect product, columns and pilasters can be architectural in nature, structural in nature, or both, and the architectural and structural components can be created using a material resource for an efficient BIM workflow. Use the Column tool or Pilaster tool to draw an object that not only reflects the architectural appearance of a column/pilaster, but also defines it in structural terms that can be used in an engineering analysis of the building. Structural and architectural elements can be displayed or hidden. The column ID can also, optionally, be placed on the drawing. Additionally, in the Architect product, the column/pilaster can be exported to IFC format for exchange with structural analysis programs.

A pilaster can be placed in a wall; a column cannot. A pilaster inserted in a wall can set its architectural height relative to the wall.

To create a column or pilaster:

Click the tool and the symbol insertion and alignment modes.

Do one of the following:

Click Column Style or Pilaster Style on the Tool bar to select a resource from the Resource Selector.

Click Preferences to open the object properties dialog box and specify the tool’s default parameters.

The parameters can be edited later from the Object Info palette.

Click on the drawing to place the object, and click again to set the rotation.

To create a circular or square shaft, capital, or base, enter the same value for the width and depth.

Optionally, after placement you can create a plug-in object style, which combines style parameters (with a fixed value established by the style) and instance parameters (which can be set independently for each instance of the styled object in the drawing). See Standard plug-in object styles without catalog options.

Basic column parameters

The basic column object is available with the Vectorworks Landmark and Spotlight products.

 

Click to show/hide the parameters.Click to show/hide the parameters.

Parameter

Description

Rotation

Specifies the number of degrees to rotate the object (0.00 is horizontal)

Text Style

Select a text style from a library or the current file. To use the style defined for the object’s class, select <Class Text Style>. To format the text using options on the Text menu, select <Un-Styled>. See Using text styles and Formatting text.

Style

Replace, remove, or edit the current style, or create a new plug-in object style for this object.

Editing a style changes all instances in the file that use the style.

Hide Style Parameters

Hides the parameters that are set by style; these cannot be edited from the dialog box or Object Info palette

Use Center Marks

Select this option to size the cross at the column insertion point and enter the Center Mark Size

Height

 

Height

Directly sets the desired height of the column, including base and capital (if any). When the column height is determined manually by this method, the Top Bound property of the column is automatically set to Layer Elevation, and the Top Offset value is modified accordingly.

When the top of the column is bound by the layer wall height value, the wall height updates automatically.

Top Bound

Sets the vertical reference that determines the top of the column.

The Layer Wall Height value is set by the design layer (see Setting design layer properties).

Additional options are available for the Vectorworks Architect product.

Top Offset

Sets the offset of the top of the column from its specified top bound height. If setting the boundary of the top of the column to the layer elevation, enter the column’s height for the Top Offset; if setting the height of the top of the column to the default wall height, specify any offset above or below the layer’s default wall height.

Bot Bound

Sets the vertical reference that determines the bottom of the column; Layer Elevation is the only option available unless the Vectorworks Architect product is installed

Bot Offset

For the bottom of the column, sets the offset from the layer elevation

Shaft Type

Select to draw the column with an oval or rectangular shaft type

Shaft Width

Enter the shaft width

Shaft Depth

Enter the shaft depth

Shaft Corner Radius

For rectangular shaft type, enter the corner radius of the shaft

Shaft Taper

Select whether to draw the column with a classic or straight taper, or no taper

Taper Width

For a straight or classic taper, enter the taper width

Taper Depth

For a straight or classic taper, enter the taper depth

Use Capital

Select whether to add a capital to the column

Capital Type

Select to draw the column with an oval, oval mushroom, rectangular, or rectangular mushroom capital

Capital Width

Enter the capital width

Capital Depth

Enter the capital depth

Capital Height

Enter the capital height

Capital Corner Radius

For rectangular capital type, enter the corner radius of the capital

Use Base

Select whether to add a base to the column

Base Type

Select an oval or rectangular base type

Base Width

Enter the base width

Base Depth

Enter the base depth

Base Height

Enter the base height

Base Corner Radius

For rectangular base type, enter the base corner radius

Base Divisions

Enter the number of divisions for the base

Divider Depth/Height

For more than one base division, enter the depth and height for each divider

Classes/Materials

Click to open the Classes/Materials dialog box to select the class to use for rendering the 3D shaft, capital, and base of the column

Shaft Finish

Displays the class to use for rendering the 3D shaft (selected in the Classes/Materials dialog box)

Capital Finish

If Use Capital is selected, displays the class to use for rendering the 3D capital (selected in the Classes/Materials dialog box)

Base Finish

If Use Base is selected, displays the class to use for rendering the 3D base (selected in the Classes/Materials dialog box)

ArchitectArchitect column and pilaster parameters

The architectural column and pilaster objects are available with the Vectorworks Architect product.

 

Click to show/hide the parameters.Click to show/hide the parameters.

Parameter

Description

Rotation

Specifies the number of degrees to rotate the object (0.00 is horizontal)

Text Style

Select a text style from a library or the current file. To use the style defined for the object’s class, select <Class Text Style>. To format the text using options on the Text menu, select <Un-Styled>. See Using text styles and Formatting text.

Style

Replace, remove, or edit the current style, or create a new plug-in object style for this object.

Editing a style changes all instances in the file that use the style.

Hide Style Parameters

Hides the parameters that are set by style; these cannot be edited from the dialog box or Object Info palette

Use Center Marks

Select this option to size the cross at the column/pilaster insertion point and enter the Center Mark Size

Use Component

Select whether to use only architectural components, only structural components, or a combination of architectural and structural components for the column/pilaster. Depending on the selection, different options are available.

When both Architectural and Structural components are selected, the height, attributes, and materials of the architectural and structural components can be set individually.

Use Wall Height

(Pilaster only, inserted in wall)

For Architectural Only or Architectural and Structural components, draws the architectural pilaster height equal to the wall height. This option is only available when a pilaster has been inserted into a wall.

If a wall is set according to a top and bottom boundary level, pilasters inserted into the wall are in effect also set by boundary level.

Height

(Architectural Only or Structural Only)

Directly sets the desired height of the column/pilaster’s architectural or structural component, including base and capital (if any). When the height is determined manually by this method, the Top Bound property of the column/pilaster is automatically set to Layer Elevation, and the Top Offset value is modified accordingly.

When the top of the column/pilaster is bound by the layer wall height value or by a story level, the column/pilaster height updates automatically.

Arch Height

(Architectural and Structural)

When architectural components are included with structural, directly sets the desired height of the column/pilaster’s architectural component, including base and capital (if any). When the height is determined manually by this method, the Top Bound property of the column/pilaster is automatically set to Layer Elevation, and the Top Offset value is modified accordingly.

When the top of the column/pilaster is bound by the layer wall height value or by a story level, the column/pilaster height updates automatically.

Struct Height

(Architectural and Structural)

When structural components are included with architectural, directly sets the desired height of the column/pilaster’s structural component, including top plate and base plate (if any). When the height is determined manually by this method, the Top Bound property of the column/pilaster is automatically set to Layer Elevation, and the Top Offset value is modified accordingly.

When the top of the column/pilaster is bound by the layer wall height value or by a story level, the column/pilaster height updates automatically.

Top Bound

Sets the vertical reference that determines the top of the object.

The Layer Wall Height value is set by the design layer (see Setting design layer properties).

Additional options are available for the Vectorworks Architect product. The top of the object can be bound by one of the story levels defined for the story or the story above it. By setting the top of the object to a level type, if the elevation of the associated story changes, the height of the object changes automatically to match.

Top Offset

Sets the offset of the top of the object from its specified top bound height

Bot Bound

Sets the vertical reference that determines the bottom of the object; Layer Elevation is the only option available unless the Vectorworks Architect product is installed.

Additional options are available for the Vectorworks Architect product. The bottom of the object can be bound by one of the story levels defined for the story or the story below it. By setting the bottom of the object to a level type, if the elevation of the associated story changes, the height of the object changes automatically to match.

Bot Offset

For the bottom of the object, sets the offset from its specified bottom bound height

Arch. Comp. Class

For Architectural Only or Architectural and Structural components, displays the class for the architectural components of the column/pilaster (selected in the Classes/Materials dialog box)

Arch Offset X/Arch Offset Y

(Column only)

For Architectural and Structural components, specify the distance to offset the architectural component of the column from the insertion point, in the X and Y directions.

The 2D column’s insertion point always coincides with the center marks (if any) and the center of the structural component (if any), and the architectural component is offset from the insertion point as specified by these properties.

column_offset.png 

Struct Offset X/Struct Offset Y

(Pilaster only)

For Architectural and Structural components, specify the distance to offset the structural component of the pilaster from the insertion point, in the X and Y directions.

The 2D pilaster’s insertion point always coincides with the face of the wall, centered on the architectural component; the structural component and center marks (if any) are offset from the insertion point, as specified by these properties.

pilaster_offset.png 

Struct Offset Z

(Pilaster only)

For Architectural and Structural components, specify the distance to offset the structural component of the column/pilaster from the architectural component, in the Z direction

Shaft Type

For Architectural Only or Architectural and Structural components, draws the column/pilaster with an oval or rectangular shaft type

Shaft Width

For Architectural Only or Architectural and Structural components, enter the shaft width

Shaft Depth

For Architectural Only or Architectural and Structural components, enter the shaft depth

Shaft Corner Radius

For Architectural Only or Architectural and Structural components, enter the corner radius for a rectangular shaft type

Shaft Taper

For Architectural Only or Architectural and Structural components, select whether to draw the column/pilaster with a classic or straight taper, or no taper

Taper Width

For a straight or classic taper, enter the taper width

Taper Depth

For a straight or classic taper, enter the taper depth

Shaft Finish

For Architectural Only or Architectural and Structural components, displays the class to use for rendering the 3D shaft (selected in the Classes/Materials dialog box)

Use Capital

For Architectural Only or Architectural and Structural components, select whether to add a capital to the architectural component

Capital Type

Select to draw the column/pilaster with an oval, oval mushroom, rectangular, or rectangular mushroom capital

Capital Width

Enter the capital width

Capital Depth

Enter the capital depth

Capital Height

Enter the capital height

Capital Corner Radius

For rectangular capital type, enter the corner radius of the capital

Capital Finish

For Architectural Only or Architectural and Structural components, displays the class to use for rendering the 3D capital (selected in the Classes/Materials dialog box)

Use Base

For Architectural Only or Architectural and Structural components, select whether to add a base to the architectural component

Base Type

Select an oval or rectangular base type

Base Width

Enter the base width

Base Depth

Enter the base depth

Base Height

Enter the base height

Base Corner Radius

For rectangular base type, enter the base corner radius

Base Divisions

Enter the number of divisions for the base

Divider Depth/Height

For more than one base division, enter the depth and height for each divider

Base Finish

For Architectural Only or Architectural and Structural components, displays the class to use for rendering the base (selected in the Classes/Materials dialog box)

Column ID

For Structural Only or Architectural and Structural components, enter the Column ID (for reporting purposes, and optionally to be displayed in the drawing)

Display Column ID

Select this option to display the column ID on the drawing; the ID text is placed at the insertion point of the column/pilaster, at the center of a control point. Click and drag the control point to move the ID to the desired location on the drawing. The ID text attributes can be modified using the Text menu commands.

Column ID Class

Displays the class to use for the column ID text (selected in the Classes/Materials dialog box)

Classes/Materials

Opens the Classes/Materials dialog box to assign classes and (optionally) materials to the architectural and structural components of the column or pilaster; see Setting classes and materials for columns and pilasters

Struct Type

For Structural Only or Architectural and Structural components, select whether the structural component is made of concrete, wood, or steel

Struct Shape

For Structural Only or Architectural and Structural components, specify whether the concrete or wood structural shape is oval or rectangular

Struct Width

For Structural Only or Architectural and Structural components, enter the width of the concrete or wood structural component

Struct Depth

For Structural Only or Architectural and Structural components, enter the depth of the concrete or wood structural component

Struct Corner Radius

For Structural Only or Architectural and Structural components, enter the structural corner radius for a rectangular structural shape

Select Structural Shape

For Structural Only or Architectural and Structural components, with a Struct Type of Steel, click to open the Select Structural Shape dialog box. Select the structural shape from a library or the current file, and then select the shape’s series and size.

Struct Shape / Struct Series / Struct Size

For Structural Only or Architectural and Structural components, with a Struct Type of Steel, displays the selected steel structural shape symbol name, series, and size

Struct Height

For Structural Only or Architectural and Structural components, specify the overall height of the structural column/pilaster, including base plate and top plate (if any)

Struct Rotation

For Structural Only or Architectural and Structural components, enter the number of degrees to rotate the structural component

Struct Clearance

For Architectural and Structural components, specifies the clearance around the structural component that will be subtracted from the architectural component

Struct. Comp. Class

For Structural Only or Architectural and Structural components, displays the class for the structural component of the column/pilaster (selected in the Classes/Materials dialog box)

Use Top Plate

For Structural Only or Architectural and Structural components, select whether to add a plate to the top of the structural component

TP Shape

Select to draw either an oval or rectangular top plate

TP Width

Enter the width of the top plate

TP Depth

Enter the depth of the top plate

TP Thickness

Enter the thickness of the top plate

TP Corner Radius

For a rectangular top plate, enter the corner radius

Use Base Plate

For Structural Only or Architectural and Structural components, select whether to add a plate to the bottom of the structural component

BP Shape

Select to draw either an oval or rectangular base plate

BP Width

Enter the width of the base plate

BP Depth

Enter the depth of the base plate

BP Thickness

Enter the thickness of the base plate

BP Corner Radius

For a rectangular base plate, enter the corner radius

ArchitectSetting classes and materials for columns and pilasters

In Architect, you can select the classes and, optionally, the materials to use for the various components of the column or pilaster, and for the Column ID text, if applicable. If a material resource is used to define a component, the material typically provides the fill, texture, physical attributes, and construction information needed for drawings, renderings, and reports.

Basic columns created in Landmark and Spotlight offer a simpler version of this dialog box that allows you to select classes for the shaft, capital, and base components of the column.

To assign classes and materials for Architect columns and pilasters:

Click Classes/Materials from the object properties dialog box or the Object Info palette. The Classes/Materials dialog box opens.

Click to show/hide the parameters.Click to show/hide the parameters.

Parameter

Description

Select Component Finishes

To control appearance and visibility, select classes for the 3D shaft, capital, and base of the column from the list of classes present in the drawing, or create a new class. Select <Object Class> to place the text in the same class as the column or pilaster object.

Select Component Classes

Architectural and/or structural components are available, as applicable, based on the component type specified

Class

Select a class for the component.

In addition to classes present in the drawing, architectural component classes include the Wall-Interior and Structural-Columns class standards and structural component classes include the Structural-Columns class standard.

Material

To specify a material, select a material from the Resource Selector. The material’s fill attribute is used for section views of the object.

Textures

Select whether the components that use a material should use textures from the class or from the material

Column ID Text

To control appearance and visibility, select a class for the Column ID text from the list of classes present in the drawing, or create a new class. Select <Object Class> to place the text in the same class as the column or pilaster object.

Exporting columns and pilasters to IFC format

 

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