Parametric basic shapes after reshape

[AsOne]

I would love to see basic shapes (like 3D rectangular solids) keep their parametric identity after reshape.  Once I reshape I lose the ability to input the width, height, depth of an object.  

[AC1000]

Yes, non-destructive way to reshape would be great. 

 

AutoCad has Solid History feature. If I remember correctly there is same Spatial ACIS modeling engine / kernel in FormZ.

[ZTEK]

For basic shapes, and others not so basic, all the controls are there.

 

Just activate Show Controls and transform them with T-form tools. For extend or change the dimensions of your basic shapes the Move tool is all you need, selecting the controls and not the topology.

 

Moreover, you could modify your objects inserting segments and/or reshaping them, loosing the parametric condition, and then re-form the geometry with the Extrusion tool and its variations to recover the parametric controls. Even, you could derive a face, simple or complex (n-gons), delete one segment and close it again with vector Line or Close Line tool to recover the controls too. After that, you could extrude or reshape without loosing the parametric condition.

 

Of course, not everything can be done this way, but this method is very useful to preserve the controls as much as posible.

 

Best,

 

Marcelo

[Tech]

ASONE, 

 

The reason a cube will lose it's parametric properties when using the Reshape tool is because it is computing a live boolean of the object.  Since one can Reshape a variety of objects (not just cubes) it will automatically remove the cube's parametric properties as if it were any other ambiguous solid object.  Similarly, if you use the Boolean Difference or Boolean Union on two cubes to make what visually looks like 1 single cube, it will also lose it's parametric properties.

 

That being said, we understand that formZ should be able to recognize certain shapes after a boolean operation to retain parametric properties, so we will look into this in the future.

 

As a workaround, as ZTEK suggested, if you want to Reshape an object--like a cube--but you know you want to keep the parametric properties, activate the Show Controls on the cube (as or just change the dimensions in the Pick Tool Options > Parameters tab.

[AsOne]

Thanks for the Show Controls tip.  Still would like non-desstructive reshape, but this is good to know.

 

A feature request would be able to set where the reshape happens from.  In Vectorworks one can pick which corner/side the dimension adjustment happens from.  In FormZ currently it adjusts only from the center of the object, which is a lot less useful as I have to the move the object back into position.  Hope that makes sense.  

[Tech]

ASONE, 

 

If you are trying to reshape from a corner (point) or side (segment), you could Pre-Pick the point/segment and just Move them to achieve the desired shape.  Is this what you are trying to do?

[AsOne]

Yes I know how to reshape either pre-pick or using Command key (Mac).  However, what I mean is being able to adjust the size of an objects with the parameters box in Tool Options palette.  Vectorworks has a handy grid selector to choose which point the reshape happens from.  This is in 2D and would need some thought for a 3D object.  See screenshots...