6: Massing - Conceptual Mass

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Massing can be used to build anything from small elements to an entire building’s masses. In this chapter, start a new project using the Architectural template. Save the new project as “Class Project 2”.

6.1 TYPES OF MASSING

In-Place Mass

An In-Place Mass is located on the ribbon under the Massing & Site tab by selecting the In-Place Mass icon. This massing is used to create large-scale building masses where floors, walls and roofs can be added quickly. The items created in a project through this method are only available in this project and will not be saved as an individual family file.

Model In-Place

The model in-place is located on the ribbon under the Architecture tab by accessing the Component icons drop-down menu. This massing is used to build a small-scale element that is specific to the project such as countertops shapes, wall details, or shading systems, where the project’s geometries are available to build from. The items created in a project through this method are only available in this project and will not be saved as an individual family file.

Conceptual Mass

A conceptual mass can be created by navigating through the File tab, New sub-menu, and selecting Conceptual Mass. When working in a conceptual mass file, the project does not contain other project geometries to work from. A Conceptual Mass file is different than a Family file because massing can be quickly modeled, there is not a list of categorized model types to choose from and it is typically used for large-scale massing. This massing is saved as separate files and can be loaded into any project.

6.2 CREATE IN-PLACE MASS

Open a New, Architectural template project
Save the project as “Class Project 2”
Open the 3D view by clicking the Default 3D View
Open the North Elevation from the Product Browser
On the ribbon, under the Architecture tab, click the Level Icon
Place 3 levels at 20ft, 30ft, 40ft, and 50ft from the ground plane
Close the North Elevation
Under the View tab, click the Tile Views icon
Click the Massing & Site tab
Click the In-Place Mass icon
Name the mass Main Building
Click OK
On the ribbon, click the Model icon
Use the Line tool to draw a 60ft X 60ft square as shown in Figure 6.1
Select the square
On the ribbon, click the Create Forms drop-down menu and choose the Solid Form option
In the 3D view, select the top face of the cube and use the witness lines to adjust the height to 20’0” as shown in Figure 6.1

Figure 6.1 Massing dimensions shown in the Level 5 plan and the North elevation view
Repeat steps 13 through 16 until all three masses have been created as shown in Figure 6.2
Click the green checkmark to finish the mass

Figure 6.2 Completed massing shown in 3D view

TIP

Use the Green, Blue and Reg toggle tool

to move the faces up and down

Apply Floors, Walls, and a Roof by Face to an In-Place mass

In the 3D view, select the mass
On the ribbon, click Mass floors
In the window click to check the box next to Level 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5.
Click to open the architecture tab
Click the Floor icon drop-down menu and click the Floor by face option
Use the Type Selector to change the type to 3” LW Concrete on 2” Metal Deck
Click on each floor plane which will turn blue after selected
On the ribbon, click the Create Floor Icon

Figure 6.3 Created floors shown in the North elevation and in 3D view
On the Architecture tab, click the Wall icon drop-down menu to choose the Wall By Face option
Use the Type Selector to change the type to Exterior – EIFS on Metal stud
As each wall is selected in the 3D view, the plane becomes a thickened wall
Click the Modify icon to exit the command

Figure 6.4 Created walls shown in the Level 5 plan view and 3D view
On the Architecture tab, click the Roof icon drop-down menu to choose the Roof by Face option
Use the Type Selector to change the type to Steel Truss – Insulation on Metal Deck – EPDM
In the 3D view, click the top plane which will turn blue after selected
On the ribbon, click the Create Roof Icon
Select all four walls by holding the Control key down
On the ribbon, click the Attach Top/Base Icon
Select the roofs

Figure 6.5 Created flat roof shown in the Level 5 view and in 3D view

6.3 CREATE A CONCEPTUAL MASS

Click the File tab
Click the New sub-menu arrow and choose the Conceptual Mass option
Select the Mass.RFT file
Save the project as Conceptual Mass
Open the Level 1 view
Use the Line tool to draw the shape shown in Figure 6.6
Select the shape
On the ribbon, click the Create Forms drop-down menu and choose the Solid Form option
Select the rounded edge along the top face of the mass
At the center of the Toggle tool , click the black circle and drag the edges inward a short distance

Figure 6.6 Conceptual mass shown with dimensions in plan view and in 3D view
On the ribbon, click the Load in Project and Close icon
Make sure the Place on Workplace is selected
Place the mass by the building
Use the Move tool to connect the Conceptual Mass to the Mass Building as shown in Figure 6.7

Figure 6.7 Connected masses shown in the Level 1 view and in 3D view

Apply a Curtain wall to a conceptual mass

Click the Architectural tab
Click the Curtain System icon
Select the tilted curved wall
In the Properties Palette click the Edit Type button
Click the Duplicate button
Change the name to 2’ X 5’ and click OK
Change the following parameters
- Curtain Panel: System Panel: Glazed
- Grid 1:
  - Layout: Maximum Spacing
  - Spacing: 2’ 0”
  - Check the box by Adjust for Mullion Size
- Grid 2:
  - Layout: Maximum Spacing
  - Spacing: 5’ 0”
  - Check the box by Adjust for Mullion Size
Click OK
Click the Create System icon
On the Architecture tab, click the Mullion icon
Click the All Grid Lines icon
Use the Type Selector to choose the 1.5” X 2.5” rectangular
Select the curtain wall
Add a roof by using the Roof by Face icon

Figure 6.8 Conceptual Mass with applied curtain wall in 3D view

Massing Video Tutorial