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SOFTWAREreview
Vectorworks Marionette: learning the ropes
Integrated within Vectorworks, Marionette allows anyone - even those with no programming
knowledge - to explore interesting design concepts, as long as they can formulate the logic that
drives them
beyond the software's physical limitations,
by encompassing what can be achieved
logically. Any sequence of actions, from the
input of the starting data, through a series
of modifying processes, can be used to
define a Vectorworks object, draw a 2D
shape or build a 3D model.
Vectorworks Architect contains
excellent free-form morphing and
modelling tools, enabling architects
to create buildings with organic shapes of
some complexity. But, while producing
some stunning architecture, the tools have
whetted the appetite for increased control
over the form of a structure - whilst not,
necessarily, staying within the bounds of
physical manipulation of the geometry.
Besides artistic design there are many
other factors that can influence the design
of a building, from optimising space
utilisation to adhering to environmental
constraints, and so a way of addressing
these issues was required.
The solution was provided for
Vectorworks Architect by the introduction of
Marionette, a Python-based graphical
programming language that allows users
to manipulate Vectorworks objects using a
'graphical script' rather than a traditional
programming language. It is based on
logical workflows, and provides users with
no programming skills the ability to create
application algorithms which they can use
to explore designs, build interactive objects
and streamline complex workflows.
Graphical scripting is destined to have a
significant role in the future, providing an
infinite ability to explore form and function
in design conditions.
The graphical script resembles a flow
chart comprising a number of nodes, each
of which either represent a type of input or
a function that performs operations on the
input. Running the script (from left to right)
with the data path shown by wires between
the Nodes in logical sequences, generates
Vectorworks drawings or BIM objects. The
network created by these Nodes can then
be converted into a Plug-In object, where
its parameters are editable in the Object
Info palette.
Marionette provides a library of node
types, available in the Resource Manager,
which can be linked together logically in an
infinite number of configurations,
supplemented by custom configured
Nodes that can be used, repeatedly, to
provide specific functions for the developer,
but also the architect, designer and
student. There are no practical limits to the
sources of input data either, whether taken
from the internet, Excel spreadsheets,
manually inputted and so on.
THE SKY'S THE LIMIT
Previous design constraints have now
been overcome and have now been taken
THE WIND ROSE
Hence the Wind Rose, a Marionette
generated Weather Analysis tool that can
be used to provide accurate
meteorological data for any Vectorworks
Project, drawing localised sources of
weather data from the internet. If your
project is reliant on very precise knowledge
of local weather conditions throughout the
year then you can either download the data
you need in some third-party format and
refer to that when you lay out the model, or
download the Wind Rose, whose Nodes
have been set up to receive weather data
from the internet and which can be linked
via the Object Info palette and the Object
Nodes to integrate weather data directly
with Vectorworks model files.
Marionette is an integral part of
Vectorworks Architect. Unlike other similar
applications which require additional
software connections, users can create
Marionette scripts and link them directly to
drawing and modelling tools within the
software. Site specific weather data can
then be used directly to set the
parameters of model elements,
influencing, for example, the orientation of
the principal glazing elements to maximise
the effects of sunlight.
KNOWING YOUR NODES
Any logical proposition can be broken
down into simple constituent parts. In
Marionette these are called Nodes, and
they perform a number of different
functions, of which there are fourteen
basic types, the most relevant of which are
as follows:
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January/February 2017