• Forma

Instancing and rotation in Forma

Use the Instances and Rotate tools in Forma 3D Sketch.


00:04

In Forma, instances are linked copies of identical elements.

00:07

They save you time and ensure consistency when you are creating identical objects.

00:13

Instances let you take any modifications you make to one object and automatically apply those changes to any copies of that object.

00:21

For this exercise, you will need to have one primitive already placed and extruded.

00:27

To create another instance of it, first select it, and then copy it.

00:32

Immediately paste it next to the original.

00:35

The copy is now linked to the original so that when a change is made to one,

00:38

the same change is propagated to the other.

00:41

Since the two buildings in this exercise are identical, they become instances of each other.

00:46

This convenient tool automatically applies any physical changes you make to a structure to any structure that is linked to it.

00:54

Next, rotate the second building to complement the first and fit it into the site.

00:58

First select Rotate from the design toolbar and, when the protractor graphic appears on your cursor, click to set the plane for rotation.

01:06

After that, type 180 in the dimension box, which rotates your building horizontally.

01:12

Alternatively, you can double-click the building and use the arrows to rotate your structure by sight.

01:18

In this case, the second building is being rotated to align its edges with the Cherry Creek waterway shown on the map—

01:24

just like its partner building.

01:26

Once you are happy with the building’s placement, either press ENTER,

01:29

or double-click anywhere outside the image to save the position and scale.

01:34

Using the Instances and Rotate tools in Forma while in 3D Sketch mode

01:38

can help you replicate designs easily, minimize errors, and save time during the design process.

Video transcript

00:04

In Forma, instances are linked copies of identical elements.

00:07

They save you time and ensure consistency when you are creating identical objects.

00:13

Instances let you take any modifications you make to one object and automatically apply those changes to any copies of that object.

00:21

For this exercise, you will need to have one primitive already placed and extruded.

00:27

To create another instance of it, first select it, and then copy it.

00:32

Immediately paste it next to the original.

00:35

The copy is now linked to the original so that when a change is made to one,

00:38

the same change is propagated to the other.

00:41

Since the two buildings in this exercise are identical, they become instances of each other.

00:46

This convenient tool automatically applies any physical changes you make to a structure to any structure that is linked to it.

00:54

Next, rotate the second building to complement the first and fit it into the site.

00:58

First select Rotate from the design toolbar and, when the protractor graphic appears on your cursor, click to set the plane for rotation.

01:06

After that, type 180 in the dimension box, which rotates your building horizontally.

01:12

Alternatively, you can double-click the building and use the arrows to rotate your structure by sight.

01:18

In this case, the second building is being rotated to align its edges with the Cherry Creek waterway shown on the map—

01:24

just like its partner building.

01:26

Once you are happy with the building’s placement, either press ENTER,

01:29

or double-click anywhere outside the image to save the position and scale.

01:34

Using the Instances and Rotate tools in Forma while in 3D Sketch mode

01:38

can help you replicate designs easily, minimize errors, and save time during the design process.

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