Isometric Shapes With Shading

[vojo]

Question:  How valuable would be to have 3d isometric shapes (cube, cylinder, tetrahydron, octogon/hexagon cylinders, spheres, etc) with light source/shading to give it a bit more realism/depth?

[Visio Guy]

Hi vojo,

Are you looking for these shapes, or have you built them, or do you want to build them?

There are some Visio shapes along these lines in the stencils that open with these templates:

File > New > General > Block Diagram
File > New > General > Block Diagram With Perspective

Look for the Blocks Raised Visio stencil in the Block Diagram template for isometric Visio shapes.

The Block Diagram With Perspective template uses one-point perspective to achieve a 3D effect.

[vojo]

shapes with perspective are not isometric nor have light source.

Is there any way to embed a jbeg or enhance metafile into this forum to show example
(or a place to post it for discussion)?

[Lars-Erik]

When posting: Click on "additional Options..." theres the option to attach files.

[Visio Guy]

Here are two images that vojo e-mailed me:

[snsisk]

On a similar topic, how can a rectangle with a beveled edge or other similar effects be built in Visio?  I'm attempting to improve the visual appeal of my diagrams.  However, I'm a little deficient in the graphics area.  Any help or pointers would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Steve

[Visio Guy]

Hi Steve,

If you look at the Blocks stencil (File > Shapes > General > Blocks), there's a Button shape that you might have a look at to get started.

[vojo]

either way its tedious:

A):   take a shape...like the button...and modify it to your needs
B):   make a group shape out of individual shapes consisting of N,S,E,W bezel and center piece.   Play with shading
       as appropriate.

Either way at the group level...set to group only.

I attached something that can get you started (playing with color, shading, etc)

[snsisk]

Vojo,

Thank you very much. 

Does anyone have any insight into how rounded edges might be accomplished?

Thanks,

Steve

[vojo]

well...2 ways

1. in the cube shape (sheet 1 of this embed), you can specify one dim as 0mm.  At that point , you can use the
    rounding GUI to set (though I tend to do it manually for more precision

2. in manifold shape, can use the the arc to set a better arc to all

[vojo]

As time allows, I am working on a "lego" behavior ibut having troubles...stay tuned..

[Visio Guy]

Hi Folks,

I've just posted an article that is somewhat related to this thread:

Go 3D with Free Isometric Piping Shapes for Visio

The cube and cylinder shapes on this stencil are quite interesting!

[Visio Guy]

Hi snsisk,

Vojo is right about tedious. Visio is a 2D drawing engine that looks smarter because it offers lots of pre-built SmartShapes that do cool things. But the design and work behind those SmartShapes involves manipulating lots of primitive 2D elements using trigonometry, math, and Excel-like formulas and references.

For example, here is how you might implemented a rounded, feathered shadow:

[snsisk]

Visio Guy,

My assumption is the bottom graphic represents the shapes that comprise the top graphic, correct?

Your example is very close to the objective.  The desired effect is a shape that is for example blue with blue rounded edges.

Thanks,

Steve

[snsisk]

I did some tweaking on Visio Guy's concept and came up with this shape.  This is my first attempt so any feedback would be appreciated.