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Although the use of arches in architecture dates back thousands of years, today, projects have incorporated them as doors and windows intact, combining the historic architecture with the modern style. Since modern architecture contains minimal and linear geometric structures, adding arched openings creates a visual contrast, enhances the façade, and supports the construction as a whole. Architects in some residential projects described arched windows and doors as a – child-friendly approach, adding curves to the walls and an arched window for each child.
This blog post is a summary of amazing tricks to Create Different Types of Parametric Arches.
Different type of Arches and their dimension variations
1. Semi Circular Arch
The Center of the arch lies precisely at the midpoint of the springing line that is the point at which an arch, vault, or dome rises from its support. The Radius is half of the span.
2. Segmental Arch
The center of the arch lies below the springing line. It covers the length of less than a semicircle, and the height is one-third of the span. The radius is two-third of the span.
3. Horseshoe Arch
The arch having an intrados – that widens above the springing line before narrowing to a rounded or pointed crown. The distance of the center from the springing line is equal to one-sixth of the span. The radius of the inner circle is equal to half of the span.
4. Equilateral Arch
The chords of the curves are equal to the span. To make the right side arch, we take the center point from which we will start the left side arch and vice versa.
5. Lancet Arch
It is Narrow and pointed, like the head of a spear. By dividing the springing line of the span into equal parts, extend the springing line on both ends of one-third of the width. After that, we draw an arch of the right side using the extended line as a center of the left side and vice versa.
6. Drop Arch
It is a flattened arch as the center points locate closer to the middle of the span. By dividing the springing line into three equal parts and placing the center points closer to each other at a distance of one-third of the span, then the radius of the arch will be two-third of the span.
7. Trefoil Arch
This incorporates the outline or shape of a trefoil; in other words, it has three overlapping rings. From the springing line, we decide the height of the arch according to the span. The Diameter of the circles is equal to half of the span.
Tips and Tricks for Parametric Architecture
1. Create a new family with the default template
To create a new Arch Opening Family. Use the Metric or Imperial Door and Window default Autodesk template.
This door family template is made for a residential wooden door family by default. Since we will be creating an Arch with Architrave or molding, you’ll need to delete a few elements like Trim Elements and their properties.
2. Create extra reference planes and reference lines
Let’s create additional reference planes to adapt for the Arch Opening that includes the frame. Go to the front elevation view. Create new Reference Planes and Reference Lines according to the proportions mentioned above. Don’t worry about dimensions for now.
3. Create new parameters and formulas
To fully automate the complete Arch opening, you need to create few parameters. For example, in a Semi-Circle Arch Opening, we can create a parameter like an Offset for Arch Height.
4. Lock opening cut to Width/Height
In the elevation, select the Opening Cut. Click on Edit Sketch. Use the Align tool (shortcut: AL) to align each boundary line to the Reference Planes and Reference Lines. Click on the Lock icon to lock the constraint. Now, all we need to create is moulding or the architrave around the Opening.
5. Create a sweep for the Architrave or the Molding
Go to the elevation view. Select the Sweep tool. Click on Pick Path, then select the three edges of the opening cut. Click the green check to complete. After picking the path, we need to create the profile. Now, go to the reference level floor plan and draw the form according to your design. After finishing the modelling, test the architrave by changing the opening width and the default wall thickness.
6. Change the visibility/ graphics setting for Architrave
When working in view using the coarse setting, you might want to see a simple opening instead of the complex sweep we have created. Select the architrave sweep and click on Visibility/Graphics Settings in the instance properties. Uncheck visibility for coarse and medium setting. So that Architrave can be visible in Fine Detail Level only
To create a new Arch Opening Family. Use the Metric or Imperial Door and Window default Autodesk template.
This door family template is made for a residential wooden door family by default. Since we will be creating an Arch with Architrave or molding, you’ll need to delete a few elements like Trim Elements and their properties.
7. Create material parameters
We need to create a new material parameter for the form and all the components modelled in your family. For example, Select the Architrave and in the instance properties, click on the Material and Finishes. Create a new parameter called Moulding Material. You’ll be able to assign material once inside a project.