This tool creates contour meta-object, which is similar to grid meta-object.
Contour object also doesn't represent directly any real-life element of a building or a structure
(such as wall, column, beam etc),
but it can be used to describe somehow more abstract geometric level of a structure. Note that contour object may have
substantial part (called "body"), which may represent for example glazed surface.
BIM objects, which directly represent real-life elements, can be attached to a contour object as
sub-objects. So complex structure,
which consists of added sub-objects, can be created in a batch manner according to geometric
rules described by a contour object. The most obvious use is creation of linear structures such as
railings.
- open tool dialog
- (optional) adjust contour's settings: size, steps, materials etc
- (optional) add sub-objects
- click "draw..." command button at the top of the dialog
- click at starting point of a contour
- move cursor and click to add next contour vertices or type offset value using keyboard and press <Enter>
- double-click at an ending point or single-click at an ending point and press <End> key to finish contour drawing
- (optional) finish contour drawing at a starting point to create closed contour
Basic modes:
'Default' mode is for selecting existing contour objects. It is possible to reshape and re-adjust properties of selected contour.
'Draw Contour' mode allows to draw a contour of a contour vertex-by-vertex.
'Pick Face' mode is for picking any face, that represents a contour of a contour, instead of drawing a contour vertex-by-vertex.
'Pick Curve' mode is for picking any curve, that represents a contour of a contour, instead of drawing a contour vertex-by-vertex.
Refer to the following related topics to learn even more about "Contour" tool capabilities:
