Custom Coffered or Tray Ceiling Question

[brookpe]

Hello-

Just purchased pro 2012 11.3.1.6 version.

I am trying to build this kind of library ceiling using soffits.

The "vertical faceted" shapes tool has proven useful to define the center shape, and I think I can draw lines to represent the grooves there.

My problem right now is getting the complex soffits to join... does anyone know how to do this?

Any other suggestions welcome.

Thanks

[Katalyst777]

Soffits is certainly one way to do it. What type of problem are you having with the soffits joining, can you attach a screenshot?

[brookpe]

Kat-

That is certainly the look I am trying to achieve. Thanks so much.

Here is what I am experiencing (my plan actually calls for 10 sides).

[Katalyst777]

The number of sides doesn't really matter, but you do need to line up your Soffits right if you want them to merge together in camera views.

For the center, they don't have to overlap, the program will automatically fill in those triangular gaps between.

It's alright if they do overlap a bit though, just zoom in on the corners to make sure they line up right.

Also, looking at your screenshot, not all of the Soffits appear to have the same Height. Maybe try just setting up one Soffit the way you want, and then Copy/Paste it to make sure the others have the values and orient/lengthen them in the floor plan view.

The orientation of your Soffits might matter? Since Face Indicators only show when the soffit's selected, I manually drew in some face indicators with CAD lines here so you can tell which direction each of the soffits in my example is facing to see if that helps.

[brookpe]

Thanks Kat.

I made certain that the faces and heights are right per Kat.

The mathematical accuracy is where I am lacking.

Is there a way in floor plan view to know if two soffits successfully "joined", it would be helpful, is there a way to tell?

Jim

[Katalyst777]

Is there a way in floor plan view to know if two soffits successfully "joined", it would be helpful, is there a way to tell?

Yes, you'll notice the program automatically fills in the gap between the two soffits. The lines will connect, even though the actual soffit doesn't extend that far.

[brookpe]

Thanks to you experts, those soffits melded.

Now to make the inside decahedral (?) swirl pattern, I'm thinking about taking a vertical faceted cylinder shape, try to put that pattern on it, make it a 1/4" veneer, and slam it up into the ceiling.

The picture below shows my white mercury capsule on the platform ready to launch... is this

1) anywhere close to how you would do it and

2)if it is how you would do it then

3) how do you do it?- draw that pattern on there?

Thanks

[Katalyst777]

Now to make the inside decahedral (?) swirl pattern, I'm thinking about taking a vertical faceted cylinder shape, try to put that pattern on it, make it a 1/4" veneer, and slam it up into the ceiling.

I would probably try to find a decagonal pattern as close to what you want as possible and import it in as a "Stretch to Fit" Material to apply to a thin "ceiling" cylinder, rather than drawing all of the individual boards out, but you have a lot of different options, use whatever you are most comfortable with.