3D Dynamic Blocks

[braddewald]

I am looking for a way to create a 3d dynamic block in Autocad. I need to create 3d cabinets that can stretch to whatever length I need. I realize that there is no way to create a dynamic block in 3d in Autocad but this is exactly what I am trying to do. I would love to be able to assign grips to toggle visibility states (to switch between door styles) and stretch the various elements of the cabinet (toe kick height, width, length, depth) like you can in 2d with Autocad. I understand that Revit is good at parametric modeling: something about creating "families" if I'm not mistaken. I also heard that Inventor could make light work of that task as well but I cannot find any documentation about how exactly. It seems that there should be an easier, faster and more efficient way to create all the cabinets in a kitchen than modeling them all from scratch in Autocad. So what's the best option? Revit, Inventor, some kind of Autocad addon? Any help would be very much appreciated.

[Andres del Castillo]

Hi, Bradley. You can do it with the visibility parameter.

You should create the cabinets before and then create the dynamic block.

Look this example:

[braddewald]

I understand that you can "load" different cabinets via visibility states, but only at predetermined increments. What if I want to stretch a cabinet to 52.69cm? I think that Revit can do the job, with a little bit of work...

[erickdt]

I know for a fact Inventor has exactly that kind of functionality. I'm pretty sure Solidworks does as well.

[Andres del Castillo]

In Revit architecture, you can create families as you want. The parameters are user-defined. You can asign the number parameters that you want. But It isn't a furniture design software. There are softwares, for that job. For example I know teowin. http://www.teowins.net/. I don't know your needs. If your job is architecture, maybe you can buy revit. Good luck!

[braddewald]

An update.

 

I have a trial version of Revit and it is amazing to say the least. It does almost exactly what I want to do. I successfully created a cabinet that can stretch to whatever width that I want. However, I need to be able to slice the cabinet door into angled sections so I can assign the different sections different materials (to make sure that the grain of the wood is running the right direction in the right spots....my clients are very demanding). Because the door is stretching depending on the width I assign, the sections that I need to separate will stretch too. I have been trying to accomplish this task...but to no avail. Any suggestions?

[peterguthrie]

can't help with revit, but sketchup can also do dynamic blocks (components). They are very powerful, but strangely (given that its sketchup) rather difficult to make!

 

There are at least lots of examples of cabinets that dynamically stretch to any width, add shelves, dividers etc

 

I took the window example to bits to figure out how its done, you basically define a corner section and then a straight section and you can texture map those accordingly. If you go down this route then try the sketchup community forums as there are lots of examples of amazing dynamic components and lots of clever people to ask for help.

[andstef]

If you plan on using revit in the future, than you should learn how to work with nested families. This tutorial should help you understand how that works exactly and what are the principles: http://designreform.net/2009/09/parametric-louvre-system-part-1/

also watch part 2, 3 and 4 of this tutorial.

 

regards

[Tommy Burns]

An update.

Because the door is stretching depending on the width I assign, the sections that I need to separate will stretch too. I have been trying to accomplish this task...but to no avail. Any suggestions?

 

Not really sure what this means??? Sections are very easy in revit