Class Notes: Introduction to Computers for Architecture Majors

Fall 2008 - Tue 10th Period (CIRCA CSE/E211A), Thu 10-11 Period (Arch 116)

Instructor: Mark Schmalz

Project 6 Assignment

It will help if you imagine that you are in architectural or interior design practice, and a client brings this sketch to you. So, you are supposed to design a house (inside and out) based on this sketch, and the things you have learned up through Project 5 (and our discussion of Viz, together with Viz tutorials and video lessons). However, there are some basic attributes of the drawing that CANNOT be altered. A list of such attributes is given from time to time in the description. Be sure to read it carefully.

• Goal. The purpose of this project is to provide experience in drawing in Viz, with some detail. This project is meant as an introduction to interior design using 4D Viz, and all directions are for 4D Viz, not for AutoCAD.

• Primitives. We will be using the primitives to draw simple objects like box, cylinder, sphere, etc. as well as complex objects like wall, door, window, staircase etc. The main focus is on assigning appropriate materials to objects and making the drawing appear as realistic as possible.

• Features. We will be using 3-D Operations (e.g., Move and Rotate). Also, we will use the Boolean operations when necessary.

• Drawing Procedure. The following steps reference Figure 1, below:
  
  Drawing the interior of the first floor :
  Step 1. Use the 'Configuration Layout' button to adjust the viewport layout to contain four viewports, Top, Front, Perspective and Left. Draw a rectangle with appropriate dimensions. Extrude the rectangle to about 7-10 inches to form the floor.

  Step 2. Draw the exterior walls using the 'Wall' command on the 'Create AEC' tab of the Tab Panel. The default height of the walls is eight feet. If you want to alter this, use the 'Modify' tab of the Command Panel. (Tip : To modify any object after it has been drawn, change the parameters in the 'Modify' tab of the Command Panel.)

  Step 3. Draw the interior walls as shown in class. To enable you to draw the interior in detail, turn off the display for the exterior walls using the 'Display' tab of the Command Panel.

  Step 4. As shown in the floorplan of Figure 1, draw the living room and kitchen. The living room must have at least one sofa, at least one chair, and at least one table. It is better to import these objects from the 'Asset Browser'. Use move, scale, or rotate to place them where you want. (Tip : When moving/scaling/rotating multiple objects, draw a bounding rectangle around all the objects and then use the command.) Place a big window in the living room as you would find in a real one. Use the 'door' command to draw the door to the room.

  The kitchen must include a refrigerator, a kitchen counter complete with sink, and a wall cabinet. It is ok if you do not draw all the details of the cabinet, refrigerator, etc. As shown in class, you can use the subtract command to draw an inverted L-shaped counter. (Tip : Before using the subtract command, assign the material you want to use for the final object to both the object to subtract from and the object to be subtracted. This helps in avoiding problems with materials later.)

  Step 5. The first floor must have a kitchen and a living room. Other rooms such as a bathroom, dining room, etc are optional, but highly recommended. Put in the front door and doors, and windows appropriately in all the rooms on this floor. Add materials to the drawing using the Material Library chooser (accessed via the Open button after you click the Material Library radio button). There are other specific libraries available for materials for the floor, roof, etc. Use them to get a good effect.
  
  Note : When adding materials to walls, make sure the material is a adequately transparent so as to enable us to see through the walls. You will lose points if the walls are opaque.

  
  The following steps reference Figure 2, below:
  
  Drawing the interior of the second floor :

  Step 1. Use the 'Edit->Clone' feature to make a copy of the first floor. Move it so that it sits on top of the interior walls to form the second floor. Draw a staircase (choose from one of the four types in Viz) connecting the first and the second floors. Modify the staircase so that it has the correct height. Cut out a small part of the second floor to provide a landing for the stairs. You may add a center pole, railings, etc. depending upon the type of staircase you are using.

  Step 2. As shown in figure 2, put in a bedroom and a bathroom on the second floor. The bedroom must contain a bed, wardrobe and a small table. You are free replace the table with a dresser. You may add a balcony attached to the bedroom. The balcony, is optional.

  The bathroom must contain a bathtub, toilet, and washbasin. Use the methods shown in class to draw these objects. You can alter the position of any of the pieces of furniture. However, all the pieces listed as a must-have MUST be present.

  Step 3. As you have done for the first floor, place the doors and windows appropriately on the second floor. Add a ceiling and roof as shown in class. Assign appropriate materials taking care to modify the color or opacity as necessary.

Figure 1. CGS2470 - Project #6: Floorplan of the first floor of a house.

Figure 2. CGS2470 - Project #6: Floorplan of the second floor of a house.

The plans shown above are for your reference. You need not stick to these drawings in every detail. You are free to alter the placement of rooms, furniture, walls, etc.

• Grading. The project (drawing) will be graded as follows:

     Item               		 Score
     ---------------------         ----------
     2 Floors as shown        	 10 points  (5 points each)
     Furniture 		    	 40 points  
     Doors placed in walls    	 10 points
     Windows placed in walls  	 10 points
     Materials			 15 points	
     Exterior and Interior walls	  5 points   
     Staircase		     	  5 points
     Roof			     	  5 points
     --------------------------------
     MAXIMUM SCORE        	100 points
     --------------------------------
  
  

• Hardcopy. The completed project (drawing) should be printed on a laser printer. Six pages should be handed in, as follows:

  • Page 1: Plan view of the first floor (similar to Figure 1)

  • Page 2: Plan view of the second floor (similar to Figure 2)

  • Page 3: Perspective view along the NW direction, in rendered mode

  • Page 4: Perspective view along the NE direction, in rendered mode

  • Page 5: Perspective view along the SW direction, in rendered mode

  • Page 6: Perspective view along the SE direction, in rendered mode

  Each page must have your name, last four digits of UF ID number, and class legend clearly visible. All pages must be stapled together with a metal staple, not folded over or handed in loose. Otherwise, your pages could get lost.

• Items Due. Give the instructor your completed project in class on Thursday 06 November 2008. Projects turned in a day late will be penalized -10%; two days late: -20%. Projects turned in after the Monday following the due date will not be accepted unless accompanied by a documented excuse (note from your physician or advisor).