Modeling - Essential Skill Video

Learn how the changes you make to elements in one view are visible in all other views.

Why Understanding Modeling is Important

The project model is a virtual version of the building design. The model describes not only the geometry of the model elements but also captures the design intent and logical relationships between the elements of the model. The project views are slices of the live project model. Changes made to one view are instantly visible in all other views of the model, keeping the views in sync at all times. The 3D model is used to create the 2D views that make up the printed document set.

Learning Objective

In this video, you will learn how to:
  • Place a roof element.
  • Move elements in the model.
  • Constrain a roof sketch to walls.

Terms and Concepts

Term/Concept Definition
Model 3D virtual representation of the design. The views of the project are slices of the model at a particular position. Every view of the model is a live view of the elements. If an element is moved in one view, then the position of that element in all of the views is instantly changed. The model also encodes design intent with constraints.
Constraints Constraints establish relationships between elements so when an element is altered, the items it is constrained to will also be changed to maintain the design intent of the model. For example, the tops of the walls may be constrained to the roof. When the roof is raised or lowered, or changes slope, the walls respond and stay connected to the roof element because of the constraint.
Sketching A sketch is used to define the boundary of an element, such as a roof or a floor. In most cases, a sketch for an element must form a closed loop of lines for it to be valid. Sketch lines or elements can be constrained to other elements to ensure that the boundary of the element will retain important relationships to other elements in the model.
Project Views Project views are used to see the model at specific points, such as a plan or section of the model. All views are live and alterations to an object in one view will be instantly propagated to the other views of the project, keeping all views in sync. Views also establish where model elements are positioned when they are placed. For example, a roof plan view establishes the workplane for placing a roof, so that it is positioned at the correct height.

Video