VisualARQ helpVisualARQFlexible BIM for Rhino

Column

Where can I find this command?
Keyboard:
vaColumn
Icon:
Column left click [right click]
Toolbar: Objects
VisualARQ Objects Toolbar
Toolbar: Columns
VisualARQ Columns Toolbar
Menu:
VisualARQ > Column > Column

Columns can be inserted inside or outside a wall.
When they are inserted in a wall, the column boundary automatically cuts out the wall line crossing it in order to define the intersection between both elements (in the Plan and Perspective views).

Insert a Column

After running the vaColumn command, the column insert dialog box will appear. This dialog box shows a list of all object parameters and a preview in 2D and 3D of the style selected.

Insert dialog box for the Column object.
Column insert dialog box

Steps:

  1. Select the Column style you wish to use and define the basic insertion options.
  2. Select the Column insertion point with a left-click on the desired point.
  3. Specify the Column orientation manually with the cursor. Click again when the column is on the desired point.

You can enter as many columns as you wish and you can cancel the command by pressing ENTER or ESC.

Control Points Control Points

Columns have one control point and one control arrow:

  1. Insert point: located at the column base, it corresponds to the alignment chosen for the column when it is inserted.
  2. Vertical extension arrow: it is used to change the height of the column.
Column Control Points
Control points on columns

Control points on this object are enabled in the same way as on any other object in Rhino. More details.

Object-specific editing
  • Use the vaProperties command, then select a Column and press Enter, or
  • Click on vaStyleProperties (left click), then select a Column and press Enter, or
  • Select a Column and open the context menu by pressing the right mouse button for a while then select Column > Properties, or,
  • Double click on a Column object.

Insertion Options and Parameters

All the column insertion options and parameters can be edited in the Object Properties dialog box VisualARQ properties or in the VisualARQ Properties section (in Rhino Properties Panel Rhino properties icon).

General

  • Type: column.
  • Name: a field to distinguish the column from other columns.
  • Description: a field for custom notes.
  • Style: list of column styles available in the document.
  • Tag: reference text that appears in the tag object.
  • Load bearing: indicates whether the column performs a structural function or not.

Display

Isocurves and Plan visibility settings for the column display in 3D and plan views.

Geometry

  • Column calculated measurements: volume.
  • Height: even though Height is a column style property, you can assign a value that is different to the default height value in the insert dialog box.
  • Profile: shows a list of predefined profiles stored at the column style. When the profile is set to Other, you can define new values for the profile shape of the selected style.

Location

  • Insert point: change the column insert point from the Point icon Point icon.
  • Insert mark: the mark displayed on the alignment point which indicates the fixed column face. Insert marks are only displayed in the Plan view. Besides the None option you can select one of the following shapes:
    • Triangular
    • Axes
    • Circular
    • Columns with different types of insert marks.
    Columns with different types of insert marks

Profile

  • Alignment: position of the column insertion point according to its profile shape:
    • Top Left, Top Center and Top Right
    • Middle Left, Center and Middle Right
    • Bottom Left, Bottom Center and Bottom Right
  • Alignment offset: distance from the column X and Y points to the insertion point.
  • Rotation angle by which the column rotates around its axis, taking as the center of rotation its alignment position.
  • Mirrored: when enabled this option changes the column orientation into its mirror image.