topic Software to subdivide 3D model in pieces (like Lego blocks) in AutoCAD Forum

Software to subdivide 3D model in pieces (like Lego blocks)

lois-pl — Fri, 13 Mar 2020 17:38:19 GMT

Hello everybody,

I have modeled in 3D a relatively simples building, all orthogonal and thick wall.

Now, I want to subdivide the model into individual pieces using parameters, as if I'm creating Lego blocks from this model.

I know autocad won't do it. So, is there any Autodesk product that can do this job? Further questions, I'll ask in the right software forum afterwards.

I don't mind having to remodel the whole thing again if there is no compatibility.

I am basically looking for a software to produce parametric stone blocks.

Thank you!😁

Re: Software to subdivide 3D model in pieces (like Lego blocks)

Kent1Cooper — Fri, 13 Mar 2020 17:41:22 GMT

@lois-pl wrote:

.... I want to subdivide the model into individual pieces using parameters....

I'm not sure what you mean by "using parameters," but won't SLICE subdivide it?

Re: Software to subdivide 3D model in pieces (like Lego blocks)

lois-pl — Fri, 13 Mar 2020 20:27:12 GMT

Ok, let me put this in another way.

I have a whole cubic monolithic stone building, 20x20x15m size. The architecture inside follows a stereotomic approach, through subtractions, so the end result is a stone building with very thick walls and niches. Not that this information is extremely relevant, but it may help picture where I'm going with this.

At the moment, my model is one whole solid object (with interior). What I want to do next, using the appropriate software (which at the moment I'm clueless which to use), is to subdivide the whole model into stone "bricks", as if it was built using seperate pieces of stone instead of being carved out of one huge block.

Hence the origin of the name" stereotomic", it comes from the Greek, stereós, (solid) + -tomía, (-cut). The technique of cutting stone and assembling it to erect architecture.

What I will get at the end will be my 3D model, all subdivided into "bricks" that form the architecture. Like Lego bricks.

I cannot using the Slice tool, neither design all the stone bricks manually, it would take a whole lot of time, and my primary goal is to learn how to automate this using proper parametric software.

What do I mean by parametric? Let's say, all bricks must be 60cm high, not exceed x amout of volume, be between x of leght and width, follow the established grid, etc... And special bricks I coud design manually if I had to.

I'm sure this is possible somehow. We live in the parametric age of architecture and I see complex designs being rendered all the time. This that I'm trying to explain seems quite simple, I guess.

Thank you!

Re: Software to subdivide 3D model in pieces (like Lego blocks)

Tomislav.Golubovic — Fri, 13 Mar 2020 20:05:25 GMT

There are a couple of options that come to mind:

* Revit - with Dynamo programming. You could nominate a wall and have Dynamo split it up?

* Inventor - There might be something where you draw a 'block' (wall) and have some smarts in Inventor to do it (I don't know enough on Inventor for this to actually work)

* API Customisation in AutoCAD?

That's all I think can think of.

Re: Software to subdivide 3D model in pieces (like Lego blocks)

lois-pl — Fri, 13 Mar 2020 20:33:17 GMT

I see, so Dynamo for Revit is like Grasshopper for Rhino.

I will search these solutions and see if their good, meanwhile, I will wait for other possible solutions from other users.

Thank you