Use this procedure to add a new mass element that has the properties specified in a selected massing tool.
Shapes of Mass Elements
To create mass elements, you start with basic shapes and manipulate them for the desired result. The twelve basic mass element shapes are Arch, Barrel Vault, Box, Pyramid, Isosceles Triangle, Right Triangle, Cone, Cylinder, Dome, Sphere, Gable, and Drape. You can also create custom mass elements by extruding and revolving profiles and by creating free form mass elements.
You can modify a mass element based on its shape. For example, you can specify the width, depth, and height of a Box mass element, and the radius and height of a Cylinder mass element.
Specifying the Size of Mass Elements
You can graphically specify size parameters of mass elements.
- A rectangular mass element is any element that has four lines at its base, such as an Arch, Barrel Vault, Box, Gable, Pyramid, Isosceles Triangle, or Right Triangle. You can graphically specify the width, depth, and height of rectangular mass elements.
- When you create a circular mass element, you graphically specify all the valid size parameters. Circular mass elements are Cone, Cylinder, Dome, and Sphere.
Some parameters are fixed during input; for example, the radius of an arch is one quarter of the width, and the rise of a gable is half the height. These parameters can be edited after the mass elements are placed in the drawing.
- Open the tool palette that you want to use, and select a massing tool.
Alternatively, you can click Home tab
Build panel, and select a mass element there. - Specify the insertion point of the mass element.
You can move or hide the Properties palette to expose more of the drawing area.
- Specify the next point.
This point can be the second corner (for a rectangular mass element), or the radius (for a circular mass element).
- Specify the height, if prompted.
- Specify the rotation of the mass element.
- Continue adding mass elements, and press Enter.