What Is New V.3.

DESIGNING WITH FORMFINDER

Jan. 2014

CONTENT

Page Introduction ............................................................................................. 2 Formfinding .............................................................................................. 3 Basic Settings ........................................................................................... 4 Viewport Navigation .................................................................................. 5 General Layout ......................................................................................... 6 Power Net Technology ................................................................................ 9 Edges: Join and Explode............................................................................10 Drag and Drop .........................................................................................11 Copy Paste ..............................................................................................12 Advanced Editing for mesh ........................................................................13 Sun and Rain Study Tool ...........................................................................14 Membrane Texture and Bitmap Rendering .................................................... 15 Background Images ..................................................................................16 Typology .................................................................................................17 Project Finder .........................................................................................18 Material Finder .........................................................................................20 Corner Solution by TENNECT by Carl Stahl ................................................... 21 TENNECT Vectors .....................................................................................22 Cost Estimation (Complete Update with Excel Sheets) ................................... 23 Improved Import of DWG/DXF ...................................................................24 Contact / Registration for Formfinder Professional ......................................... 25

Perfection, then, is finally achieved, not when there is nothing left to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.

Antoine de St. Exupery

Formfinder assists architects and project planners in the design, planning and costeffectiveness assessment for the implementation of Lightweight Membrane Structures. This easy to use tool provides solutions from formfinding process to material decisions. Advanced features like the instant cost estimation generates a productive dialogue between the client, the architect, the structural planner and the manufacturer influenced by the choice of structural elements. Formfinder makes it possible to compare the desired design with existing projects in the Projectfinder database. Formfinder also serves as the most advanced Online search engine for Lightweight Membrane Structures.

Formfinding

The main focus of Formfinder is the generation of a feasible 3d geometry. The goal is the creation of useful and beautiful tensile membrane structures to enrich our environment and to make people more happy! Formfinding describes the process of determination of the form. The form is influenced by the edge condition of the so called "Edge controller" and the resulting forces within the surface. The edge controller is the "blue" line you draw on input of the edge points. Like soap films, each closed polygon can be filled with a soap film. Soap films are helpful in the determination of form but to tweak around with the shape we prefer to use the force-density method. Through formfinding harmonic and well proportioned surfaces should be created. "Harmonic" means "equal" distribution of the force. "Well proportioned" means each parts of the structure are in relation to the other like length, width, height. The forces are highly influenced by the "proportion" and relation of each structural part to the other.

You can sketch edge lines, changes fixity and tweaks net parameter. The force-density algorithm calculates the net which approximately matches the blue lines but relaxes in a position where internal forces are mostly equal. This is the preferred state of a tensile membrane structure.

Basic Settings On start please select the mouse scheme which you are used to work with:.

Mouse scheme:

"Formfinder" similar to "AutoCAD"

"Rhino" similar to Rhino3d Modeller * right mouse button to "rotate" * middle mouse button to "select"

Viewport Navigation Navigation in the viewport is done via: Rotate, Pan or Zoom. To operate the navigation please click on .

You can use the mouse or also the keyboard (arrow keys) to rotate, pan or zoom. Note: The zoom centre is always the centre of your mouse pointer.

Toolbar (middle): Future "Master Designer Tool" In the centre of the toolbar you find a button which indicates "Play". You might wonder why this dominant button has no function today: The answer is that we currently work on a "Master Designer Tool" which will be accessed via this button. If you like to keep updated you can register to our newsletter via www.formfinder.at or just send us a message to mail@formfinder.at.

General Layout
Formfinder is organised in four areas:

(A) Toolbar (Symbol Bar): access to major actions and also gives control over automatic or manual formfinding.

(B) Properties Panel: access to all parameters which affect the shape of a tensile membrane structure. Points, edges, nets and proportions of the model can be tweaked here.

(C)Viewport: A three dimensional working area to sketch, manipulate and explore your model with mouse and keyboard

(D) Dialogue Panel: An integrated web browser, which analyses your design and compares it to a catalogue of idealised prototypes and real buildings.

Design Tools
The application provides a basic tool set to create tensile architecture models in the viewport. The properties panel (click on the vertical bar to expand it) gives access to essential numerical parameters.

Toolbar (left side): Design Tools Sketch: Sketch a closed polygon by clicking in the viewport. Finish the polygon by clicking the right mouse button. You can extend or divide your model by adding more lines. Select Object: You can select points, edges and nets. Keep [Shift] pressed to select multiple elements. You can also drag a selection window. Selection masks help you to just select the desired element type. Move Object: You can move points and nets on the ground plane. Press the [Ctrl] key to move elements in the Vertical-Axis. Edges change sag and elevation. Viewport: Rotate/Pan/Zoom Proportions: The proportion tools help to adjust the shape in a very easy way. Options Panel: Here you find many settings like Theme (Layer management), Controls (Snap, Mouse scheme), Grid, Sun, Image

Dialogue
Formfinder is unique in its approach to establishing a dialogue with a designer and knowledge that has already been created by other experts. The worlds first "Membrane Project Finder" is made to encourage designers in the creation of feasible and beautiful membrane architecture. It is clear that experts reports or a collection of drawings, images or typologies can only provide inspirational knowledge and that this knowledge can not be simply transferred from one project to the other. Each tensile membrane project is a result of a process - and decisions made by a team. We would like to point out that only a team of experts can create such structures and we like to support you in any question! To provide a short introduction to this topic there are several dialogues like Typology, Projects, Materials, Details and the Value Finder.

Toolbar (right): Dialogue

Typology: By clicking this icon the current user model from the Viewport is analysed by the application and aspects are compared to an idealised catalogue of prototypes. The user can preview a prototype and even add it to the viewport and continue working with it. To repeat the analysis cycle click the typology button again. Projects: Materials: The recommended materials are for inspirational purpose and focusing mainly on SEFAR architecture solution www.sefar.com and CARL STAHL www.carlstahl.com. Details: The detail browser is made for inspirational purpose. Each detail has to be elaborated in team with the engineer and is individually solved! We recommend to contact www.carlstahl.com for further information. Value Finder: This tool does not provide a Euro price for your structure. Euro prices are made after the builidng permission, engineering, builidng physics, workshop drawings and tendering a building project - plus at the end the manufacturer is providing the "price". So this Value Finder is more likely a tool to determinate factors which influenced costs and to find a well proportioned structure which is more efficient or more beautiful than others. And at the end please mind that it is not only the price which makes the project.

NET TECHNOLOGY!

The NET technology allows the creation of 3d meshes in many configurations and is now double the speed. DRAWING METHOD Each mesh is made by one closed polygon. Please always close the polygon with the starting point

The result is an easy management of meshes:

Screenshot: controller lines are turned off to show the complexity of the form

NEW: JOIN / EXPLODE EDGES How to Join or Explode (split) controller lies (Edges) please see the following Example: Four point structures made of two meshes:

First Mesh:

Second Mesh:

Meshes are joined:

Move Points in 3d

Click Right Mouse on Edge...

and Explode the Edges

But please keep it a real "four point structure" and click again the right mouse button and Join the edges (Note a three point sail is flat and creates many problems like water ponding)

MERGE / SPLIT POINTS It is now also possible to merge or to split Points (Edge controllers). If you select two "coplanar" points (Point with the same coordinates) and click right mouse button and select "Merge points" If you move a mesh by "drag and drop" the points are still connected.

If you like to split the points again, plaese press the right mouse button and select "Split points".
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DRAG AND DROP NET

To activate "DRAG AND DROP" open the Properties panel and click on the check box "Meshes".

HOW TO DO IT The Shortcut "CTRL+M" opens the Hand:

Then simply click on the mesh and move it in 2D or 3D.

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COPY / PASTE NETS ON RIGHT MOUSE CLICK

In the next update we will provide the "Copy Paste" Function with the optional "Base Point" Insertion. We currently test the feature and will release it as soon as possible.

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Advanced Editing (Sample for mesh connection - high point)

1 3

2 4

click "ctrl+x" to close the polygon

More information will be provided during the lecture.

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SUN SHAPE STUDY TOOL To open the sun shape study tool click and set your geographic position, move the Date- or Time- Slider to see the result. Click on Show cardinal directions to make North / South, East / West direction visible

Click on "Rain" to open the RAIN ANALYSE TOOL

Mark the checkbox and set the "Falling angle" for rain 90 Degrees "Falling angle" is no wind 80 Degrees is "very little wind" 60 Degrees is windy (We will soon provide a table of diff. wind speeds) The "Direction angle" moves the "Direction of the wind".

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NEW: MEBRANE TEXTURE

To make the membrane texture visible please open

Properties Panel / Theme and activate Membrane (check box)

and select the empty box to add the image: On our website you will also find a set of sample texture materials like SEFAR Architecture or X-Tend from Carl Stahl.

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BACKGROUND IMAGES Insert and manipulate three images in file format JPG, GIF or BMP. Next update will also offer the free 3d Rotation of images!

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TYPOLOGY Dialogue Panel (right side)

The fully "online" based database Typology Panel is completely renewed! The frame is also "dock able": just click on the horizontal bar on top of the frame.

To save a Typology on your local Computer please click on "Download Model File" To open a Typology in Formfinder please click on "Replace Current File". If you like to see which Typologies are related with "Real World" models, please open the Project Finder (see next page).

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PROJECT FINDER Project Finder workes now also within the Internet-Explorer, Firefox, Safari or any other webbrowser running flash: www.formfinder.at/pf

If you do not like flash like the iPhone or iPad, please use our mobile device Application for iPhone, iPad, Blackberry or Android:

http://apps.formfinder.at/pf-mobile/

The Project finder is a very powerful tool! To learn more about the functions please visit our tutorial website: http://www.formfinder.at/main/downloads/tutorials

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Many projects and specific data like drawings are only displayed on a login: The login data can be obtained via mail@formfinder.at and can be input here --->

PROJECT FINDER can access databases like the SDA made by Professor Vinzenz Sedlak who researched on Membrane Lightweight Structures for decades. The SDA database was developed at the LSRU UNSW Australia. Over 350 kg of data have been scanned and categorised. The online database is growing every day! Another database is provided by Horst Drr of the IF Group and Jrg Wagner (Stromeyer) who has 30.000 slides is now available on login.

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MATERIAL FINDER Also the Material Finder can be found online http://apps.formfinder.at/ff-products/ or directly in the Formfinder Application:

The following screenshot is taken from the Internet Explorer

LENZING PLASTICS www.lenzing.com AND SEFAR ARCHITECTURE SOLUTIONS www.sefar-architecture.com AND CARL STAHL www.carlstahl.com
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CORNER SOLUTION New: Individual and TENNECT standardised "Corner Solution" are available

To Input of the corner solution: Select Corner Point Click Right (or Middle) Mouse Button

Please be aware that Formfinder provides only the strategy for your membrane project! Please work in team with engineer, building physics and material experts. Working in team is wonderful, please take advantage of it!

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NEW: VECTORS To display the NEW TENNECT force vectors Select Corner Point Click Right (Middle) Mouse button to input Tennect Click Right (Middle) Mouse button to switch on the Properties

Show orientation lines

The two vectors display: a) FORCE direction b) FORCE orientation

b)FORCEorientation

a)FORCE direction

If you like to orientate the cables and masts, please use these vectors! If you like to learn more about this tool please contact us!
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COST ESTIMATION With the support of Horst Drr we implemented the one click cost estimation tool.

As the first step the membrane area, cable length, edge condition, form-shape complexity etc. are analysed automatically. Professional users are already provided the full access to the "Horst Drr Excel sheets" for cost estimation.

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IMPROVED DXF / DWG IMPORT AND EXPORT

1. Scale Factor of imported Files can be set (Factor 1 is set for meter)

2. Tessellation deviation can be set: Only Splines, Curves etc. are tessellated (approximated). A small Tessellation Factor (e.g. 0.1) means very precise. For large objects the factor can be set larger.

Source Geometry Imported Geometry This image shows Tessellation Factor 0.1 used to import geometry (Grid size is 1:1 Meter)

All imported Points always remain at the exact source geometry. 3. It is also possible to set merge tolerance for imported (and existing) points.
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CONTACT / REGISTRATION

To register/activate FORMFINDER PROFESSIONAL please: 1. Open Formfinder and go to Menu-> Help-> Register

2. Fill in the form and click Proceed 3. or E-mail the Hardware ID to register@formfinder.at Please copy / paste the numbers and the key will be sent to you within 24 h latest. 4. If you receive the "Activation Key" please copy / paste it in the field "Enter activation code here" On Re-open Formfinder all feature of Formfinder Professional are available

If you are working with Apple MAC please use the following link to generate the Hardware ID. http://files.formfinder.at/tmp_xwkd4/HWIDGEN.zip

Wishing you great designs and we hope you enjoy working with Formfinder Professional Please feel free contacting us for any question.

Robert Roithmayr

Architect, Legally Certified Engineer University Lecturer, Dipl.-Ing. Dr. techn Founder/CEO Formfinder Software GmbH, Vienna Austria TensileEvolution Ziviltechniker (Civil Eng.) GmbH Vienna - Konstanz -Los Angeles (in founding)

Formfinder Software GmbH FN 284970z, ATU 62944933 Hainburgerstrasse 50/10 Austria 1030 Wien Vienna Mobile Skype E-Mail Web
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+43(676)6272950 www.formfinder.at mail@formfinder.at www.formfinder.at

TensileEvolution Ziviltechniker GmbH Wien - Konstanz - Los Angeles E-Mail mail@TensileEvolution.com Web www.TensileEvolution.com