VisualARQ FEATURES
Parametric Architectural Objects
General Features
BIM object styles library
VisualARQ provides a library of parametric object styles, that can be modified, extended, and exchanged between documents and users.
Free-form objects
The VisualARQ architectural objects are supported by NURBS (curves and solids), so you can have any possible shape. Objects can be created from straight lines, archs, or follow free-form curves.
Associative objects
Most VisualARQ objects are associative and calculate the joins and intersections among them.
Edit objects through styles and properties
VisualARQ objects are managed by styles, which define their features. Objects can be created, edited, and modified by style but also by object individually.
Control points
VisualARQ objects have control points to change object dimensions and position straight on the model. Those objects created from curves have the same control points as the original curves.
Custom dynamic objects
VisualARQ object styles can be created from Grasshopper definitions, allowing unlimited parametric designs.
Easy interface
VisualARQ objects are inserted in the model and can be edited at any time through their dockable and floating dialog.
Selection commands
They let you select objects from the same type or same style easily.
Boolean operations
They can be applied to VisualARQ objects which keep their parametric properties after the operations.
Interferences New in VA3 !
The Add and Remove interferences commands are used to calculate interferences between VisualARQ objects and other objects (VisualARQ or Rhino geometry).
Simultaneous 2D and 3D representation
VisualARQ objects show different 3D and 2D representations depending on whether they are displayed in plan views or not.
Materials and other attributes
Assign materials directly to VisualARQ objects and apply texture mappings as you would do to any other Rhino object. Materials can be assigned by style and by component, as a quick way to edit objects in the model.
Walls
Multilayer walls
Wall styles can have multiple layers with different thicknesses, heights, materials, and other display attributes.
Editable joints & intersections
Wall intersections are solved in 3D and in 2D graphic representation. Wall component wrappings are also fully customizable.
Walls from curves
Walls can be created from curves in any shape, which are editable using the baseline control points.
Extend walls
A command lets you extend walls vertically to surfaces, polysurfaces, roofs, slabs, and other objects.
Selection commands
Options to select connected walls, doors or windows contained in the specified walls.
Irregular walls
A command lets you convert one or multiple Rhino solids into a VisualARQ wall.
Linked openings
Doors and windows snap into walls, generate the openings and get linked to them.
2D and 3D display attributes
Wall layers are displayed in 2D Section and Plan view drawings and in the 3D model. They can have different render, printing, and display attributes.
From Grasshopper definitions New in VA3 !
Create new wall styles using Grasshopper definitions with no limits of parametric design.
Automatic intersections with other objects New in VA3
Walls intersect automatically with columns, slabs, roofs, and stairs, calculating their volume in common and cleaning their intersecting edges.
Curtain Walls
Multiple curtain wall designs
Specify the cell division type, and play with the multiple parameters to generate hundreds of curtain wall style variations.
Curtain walls from curves
Turn 3D curves of any shape into curtain walls, which will be editable using the baseline control points. Panels can be either flat or curved.
Structural components
Add Support components to define structural paneling systems. Mullions and supports can be created from custom profiles.
Curtain walls from surfaces New in VA3
Select any planar Rhino surface and turn it into a Curtain wall.
Extend curtain walls
A command lets you extend curtain walls vertically to surfaces, polysurfaces, roofs, slabs, and other objects.
Linked openings
Doors and windows snap into curtain walls, generate the openings, and get linked to them.
Curtain walls as cell infill
Use curtain wall designs as infills of other curtain wall-style cells.
Custom designs from Grasshopper styles New in VA3
create new curtain wall styles from Grasshopper definitions, with unlimited parametric design possibilities.
Doors and Windows
Anchored to walls and curtain walls
Doors and windows can be inserted in different host objects to which they are anchored. Their openings are generated automatically and update after any modification.
Anchored to Roofs and slabs New in VA3!
Openings can be inserted in roofs and slabs, and they orient automatically to the proper slope.
Floating
Openings can be inserted and rotated freely in the model, not necessarily attached to walls or other objects.
Style properties and components
Opening type (swing or sliding), Profile, Frame, Stop, Leaves, handle, glass, Muntins, and Sill (windows). Pre-defined Sizes can also be stored in styles.
From blocks
Option to define a custom door/window style using a 3D block for the Model view, a 2D block for the Plan view, and a custom profile to define the shape of the rough opening in the wall.
Openings from curves
Windows and doors can be created from profile curves directly in the model.
From Grasshopper definitions
Create a door/window style using a Grasshopper definition with no limits of parametric design.
Beams
Full worldwide standard beam profiles
AISC, European, Australian, UK, etc. available in imperial and metric templates.
Custom profiles
Beams are defined by a Profile: a parametric profile library is included for each object but custom profiles can be also used for their shape.
Beams from curves
Beams can be created from a curve in any shape and get the same control points as the original curve.
Beam joints and end cuts
When two beams join at ends they solve their intersection. Beam cuts at ends can be horizontal, vertical, or perpendicular to their path.
Intersections with slabs New in VA3
Beams and slabs hide their intersecting edges when they have the same section attributes.
From Grasshopper definitions
Create a beam style using a Grasshopper definition with no limits of parametric design.
Columns
Full worldwide standard column profiles
AISC, European, Australian, UK, etc, available in imperial and metric templates.
Custom profiles
Columns are defined by a Profile: a parametric profile library is included for each object but custom profiles can be also used for their shape.
Intersection with walls
Columns can be inserted inside or outside a wall. Intersections are automatically calculated in Plan and Model view.
Column from blocks
Option to define a custom column style using a 3D block for the Model view and a 2D block for the Plan view.
Extend columns New in VA3 !
Command to extend columns vertically to other objects.
From Grasshopper definitions
Create a column style using a Grasshopper definition with no limits of parametric design.
Stairs
Edit flights and landings
Stairs can be straight or can have stair flights with different directions, joined with landings.
Step numbers in plan view
Stairs are displayed in plan view with the step numbers, arrow, and the overhead representation of the hidden upper part.
From Grasshopper definitions
Create a stair style using a Grasshopper definition with no limits of parametric design.
Stair Slab
Stairs can have a slab and its top and bottom thickness can be edited to be adapted to the landing slab thickness.
Slope rule
Define the relation between the tread and riser values, and check whether the stair passes the slope rule requirement or not.
Intersections with slabs and walls New in VA3 !
The stair slab detects slabs and walls and hides the intersection edges automatically.
Railings
Multiple railing designs
Combine posts, rails, and balusters and play with their parameters to generate multiple parametric designs: custom shapes profiles, ends margins, alignments, locations, etc.
Railings from curves
Railings can be created from a curve in any shape. Railings get the same control points as the original curve.
From Grasshopper definitions
Create a new railing style using a Grasshopper definition with no limits of parametric design.
Slabs and Roofs
Multilayer
Slab and roof styles can have different layers with their thickness, material, and attributes.
From curves
Slabs and roofs are directly created and defined by the projection of any type of closed and planar curve.
From surfaces
Slabs can be created from planar surfaces but roofs can be created from any free-form surface.
Shed, Gable, and Hip roofs
Switch between shed, gable, and hip roof types, and define the angle of each slope individually.
Edge cuts
Define the slab and roof edge cut from three options: Flat, Square, and Plumb.
Add and subtract boundaries
Commands to modify the boundary of slabs and roofs adding or subtracting contours from existing curves.
Roof intersections
Switch between shed, gable, and hip roof types, and define the angle of each slope individually.
Slab intersections New in VA3 !
Slabs detect each other and merge their volume to provide a clean intersection.
From Grasshopper definitions
Create a new roof or slab style using a Grasshopper definition with no limits of parametric design.
Furniture and Element Objects
Create your library of BIM objects
VisualARQ provides a library of parametric furniture and Element objects, but you can create your own styles or download them from food4Rhino.
Multiple-view blocks
The furniture and element objects are created from a 3D block for the Model view and (optionally) a 2D block for the Plan view.
From Grasshopper definitions
Create new parametric furniture and element styles from Grasshopper definitions with no limits of parametric design.
Flexible IFC type assignment
The Element object is aimed at any object type and therefore can be exported to IFC as any IFC object type.