topic Re: Rotate Lamp Object in Libraries & objects

Rotate Lamp Object

Anonymous — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 21:35:28 GMT

Does anyone know how to rotate a standard archiCAD library lamp object (ie. Fluorescent Recessed 02 13) along the x-axis to accommodate a sloped ceiling?

Based on reading other threads about similar topics, I'm not too optimistic. I've read its possible if you modify the GDL script of the object, but this is a bit beyond me. If modifying the GDL script is rather straightforward and someone could walk me through it, I'd really appreciate the help.

Thank you.

Re: Rotate Lamp Object

Dwight — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 03:11:39 GMT

Adding a Rotation Parameter:

1: Make the new Object so as not to ruin the original:

Place the original object in the plan view, select it and "File>Libraries and Objects>Open Object"

"Save As" a new name. Place the new file in a new library folder. Keep the object parameter/script dialog box open.

2: Add Parameter:

Open the Parameter List, add two parameter values and make them look like this attachment. Play with the bits - you are making an angle parameter for the x and y planes.

Re: Rotate Lamp Object

Dwight — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 03:13:16 GMT

3: Fixing the 3D script:

This is a raw hack, but make the lead-in for the 3D script look like this attachment

Re: Rotate Lamp Object

Dwight — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 03:19:46 GMT

Change the 2D script:

Throw away the existing script.

Add the attached line of code.

This merely gives you a modelled representation of the object, not a proper dotted overhead line like you should have.
That needs more specific scripting.

Others can help you better than me, but these quick changes will get you a tilted light fixture.

Re: Rotate Lamp Object

Dwight — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 03:20:48 GMT

NOTE: adding parameters at the end of the parameter list makes the tilt parameters appear beneath the Parameters for Listing Area.

If i knew more about this newfangled stuff I could direct you better.

Re: Rotate Lamp Object

Dwight — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 03:40:42 GMT

How is it that five minutes after I post the answer, thirty people have looked at these rudimentary code tidbits?

Is this really that arcane a skill?

Re: Rotate Lamp Object

Anonymous — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 05:48:35 GMT

Maybe not, but we always appreciate your posts.
hope I can buy your book soon.

Re: Rotate Lamp Object

vistasp — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 07:04:44 GMT

Dwight wrote:
NOTE: adding parameters at the end of the parameter list makes the tilt parameters appear beneath the Parameters for Listing Area.

In the parameters page when you're editing the object there are double-headed arrows to drag a parameter up or down in the list to the desired location.

Dwight wrote:
If i knew more about this newfangled stuff I could direct you better.

Re: Rotate Lamp Object

Ralph Wessel — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 10:59:11 GMT

BenY_Boston wrote:
Does anyone know how to rotate a standard archiCAD library lamp object (ie. Fluorescent Recessed 02 13) along the x-axis to accommodate a sloped ceiling?

Try OBJECTiVE if you want a simple, intuitive way to rotate objects like lamps. To rotate, do the following (referring to the attached image):

1. Select the lamp and use the menu OBJECTiVE > Tools > Rotate. Click twice to define the axis to rotate the lamp around.

2. Then click a third time to define the rotation angle (you can use the standard coordinate input to type an angle too).

3. The result in 3D (before and after).

Note that you can also rotate several lamps at once, and rotate the lamps in section/elevation views (which is often easier because you can align to the ceiling angle).

Re: Rotate Lamp Object

Dwight — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 17:10:13 GMT

And considering that over 400 members have viewed my laborious code tweak in just 12 hours, the simplicity of OBJECTIVE should make it in great demand!!!

Re: Rotate Lamp Object

Anonymous — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 22:47:42 GMT

Dwight wrote:
How is it that five minutes after I post the answer, thirty people have looked at these rudimentary code tidbits?

Is this really that arcane a skill?

Dwight -

Success! Thanks for the help and step by step directions - it worked like a charm.

What would be the steps to include all the original 2D script rather than to delete it? So we would have the options for fills, overhead lines, etc.? Or is this too much trouble than its worth? Seems like maybe I should really look into Objective...

Also, I'm assuming we could use the same steps to modify diffusers, speakers, etc.?

And yes, I think we could consider the topic of modifying GDL script slightly arcane, especially for those of us who know how to use a powerful software tool like archiCAD, but have little idea as to HOW it actually functions and operates. I am trained as an architect... not a software engineer... I will admit, I do find the script of an object rather intimidating and fear I'll do catastrophic damage to an object rather achieve any desired goal. I suppose more experiments will help ease this concern. But, this very reason is what makes this forum such a useful knowledge base.

It makes you wonder though, why wouldn't a simple parameter to rotate and object on all axis be included in the default object? We're certainly not the only ones working w/ slope ceilings are we? This would be an entirely different conversation though.

In any case. Thanks for the tips - I'm glad someone was able to help me out!

Re: Rotate Lamp Object

Dwight — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 23:06:02 GMT

I gave you a 'hack' that applies to simple rectangular boxes like lights. The PROJECT2 command in 2D is a bad one since it requires CPU power to rebuild a 2D projection for each instance on the plan, slowing redraw. These are 'heavy' work relative to executing parametric 2D scripts.

This approach works with almost everything that doesn't already use the command code and the variables I chose in its 3D script.

Someone with more patience than me would need to analyze code changes to fix the 2D code to a sophisticated level...

Many users are intimidated by GDL, but it is a very simple and obedient language lacking irregular grammar, eh? And as for being trained as an architect and not a programmer, I sympathize, since to progress as an architect you need to be good at waving your arms and delegating the real work while you vacuum [euphemism] up to clients.

You could learn a lot of GDL in an afternoon with David Nicholson-Cole's "Object Making with Archicad."

Re: Rotate Lamp Object

David Maudlin — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 11:24:38 GMT

BenY_Boston wrote:
What would be the steps to include all the original 2D script rather than to delete it? So we would have the options for fills, overhead lines, etc.? Or is this too much trouble than its worth?

Ben:

You would need to use some trigonometry to calculate the points of the rotated object onto a horizontal surface, not too hard for a rectangle rotated on one axis. With these points, you can then use the 2D commands for lines and fills to get the 2D symbol that meets your needs. As Dwight mentioned, the PROJECT2 command is ok for a few objects, but tremendous overhead if applied to many parts.

This would not be a bad exercise for dipping into GDL, but it does take some time and study.

David

Re: Rotate Lamp Object

ztaskai — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 14:04:44 GMT

One more little addtion.

Instead of replacing the 2D script you can add the following lines at the start of it:

if abs(rtx)>5 or abs(rty)>5 then
    project2 3, 270, 2
    end
endif

This will leave the normal (and fast!) 2D for the normal placement but use the slower projection for rotated cases.

OK, one other thing. If you find objects in the ArchiCAD Library which are usually used in a tilted way report them to GS. For example, we changed the cars for AC13 cause of this.

Regs,

Re: Rotate Lamp Object

Dwight — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 16:19:18 GMT

All of them.

Except sinks. Sinks need to be level. Unless you are building one of these:

Rube Goldberg Paint Ball

Re: Rotate Lamp Object

Anonymous — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 07:56:28 GMT

Halo guys am relatively new in gdl scripting would like to for someone to lead in scripting as which menu will i click to view the window to change a code so as to rotate an object e.g in a flythrough

Re: Rotate Lamp Object

Achille Pavlidis — Sun, 15 Dec 2013 14:07:02 GMT

Thanks Dwight!

Great tip!