topic Re: PolygonOperations in Libraries & objects

PolygonOperations

Pertti Paasky — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 11:02:34 GMT

There is a macro object called "PolygonOperations.gsm" in the objectlibrary 12. What objects call this macro? Is it possible to capture Archicad Complex Profiles to be used in gdl objects?
For example a tube could use different profiles created by Complex Profiles.

Re: PolygonOperations

Anonymous — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 14:18:53 GMT

I think PolygonOperations.gsm has something to do with converting polygon based objects from the floorplan to GDL poly objects.

It is possible to capture complex profile objects simply by saving them as a GDL object. You can either select it on the floorplan then 'file' > 'libraries and objects' > 'save selection as', or simply drag from the floorplan into the 3d script of an pre opened library part.

Bear in mind this converts it into an 'sprism_{2}' so you lose any ability to use the profile manager to edit and choose between different profiles. The code is also horrendously complicated when you start using chained lengths of geometry. I don't know enough about GDL to say whether it can be simplified manually or not!

Re: PolygonOperations

Anonymous — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 18:01:52 GMT

There is some info on "PolygonOperations" macro in Basic Library Documentation

Still interested? For example, in AC11, "CavityClosure" macro (doors and windows), used several macro calls to "PolygonOperations", but no more in AC12.
So go figure. If you are not afraid by complexity ... good luck.

Re: PolygonOperations

Anonymous — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 19:02:06 GMT

Thanks Olivier, I'm not entirely sure my description was completely right then, but looking at that technical information, who knows?!

Re: PolygonOperations

Anonymous — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 21:29:54 GMT

Peter, your description is right, and as you say, who knows. 🙂

All this stuff is sooo complex, I'm not sure any architect can understand. For myself, I don't.

GDL is a nice but limited language, we all know. Paradoxically it turns into an incredible complexity level.
Previous bugs are half corrected, and each new release adds new ones. This would deserve another thread.

I tend to use old but simple GDL. Not so bad. At least it works from 8.1 to 12
From my stats, a lot of people are stil on old versions. Backward compatibility is important.
Yes we can.

Re: PolygonOperations

Pertti Paasky — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 21:42:20 GMT

A window in a polygon wall can read the wall contour polygon (ac_wallcontourpolygon) parametes array. It´s used in drawing the window opening in 2d.

Re: PolygonOperations

Anonymous — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 22:08:33 GMT

Pertti wrote:
A window in a polygon wall can read the wall contour polygon (ac_wallcontourpolygon) parametes array. It´s used in drawing the window opening in 2d.

Pertti,

Could you explain a bit more, please?
I'm not sure to understand clearly what you try to achieve.

Re: PolygonOperations

Pertti Paasky — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 17:27:12 GMT

Oliver, I´m trying to create a tube object, which can change and modify it´s profile. The route is defined by moving hotspots. The object can build lists, roads , fences or walls.

It would be useful to have a storage of profiles you can choose between to create the tube. Of course it´s fun to compare between different profiles, which one gives the most suitable result. Interactive playing with forms is the thing.

Moreover, the route is a problem. How to make an array of points where you can add or remove points like you can do with archicad polygon tool...

Re: PolygonOperations

Anonymous — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 19:27:00 GMT

Pertti wrote:
How to make an array of points where you can add or remove points like you can do with archicad polygon tool...

Pertti, take a look at the freeFormWindow on the depository. It is mabe by your compatriot Petri Leskinen.
The contour is defined by an array in which you can add new hotspots. You could adapt this for the tube path.
I have some examples of tube (array) in the library below. Insertion of new points is manual, but you can improve this, following Petri's example.

For cross section, you can start with a list of values for different profiles.

About your first question, I don't find examples in 12 Library, using "PolygonOperations" macro. Just this one, very similar, in case you need an example.
Looking at "terrace_CavityClosure" macro, it calls a "terrace_PolygonOperations" macro, which looks the same as "PolygonOperations".
I am not sure if this add-on can work with something else than doors/windows. If anyone has some info on this, I would be interested.

Re: PolygonOperations

Piotr Dobrowolski — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 19:43:40 GMT

Pertti wrote:
Moreover, the route is a problem. How to make an array of points where you can add or remove points like you can do with archicad polygon tool...

the "Array" is the key word - rather ArrayS would be even better here -
the trick is in pouring one array to another such way that adding or removing point is found out in the right position, anyway the pet palette is not possible (hopefully word "yet" could be added to the last sentence).

Best Regards,
Piotr

Re: PolygonOperations

Pertti Paasky — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 09:11:07 GMT

Pjotr wrote:"the trick is in pouring one array to another such way that adding or removing point is found out in the right position"
-good idea! A new point can distinguish it´s position if it is moved between existing points. Pouring ? any examples?
I´m a poor pourer but it doesn´t stop me trying.

The oher thing, saving profiles, may be done by "polygon operations extension" GDL-manual page 328. Needs studying...

Petri´s Mesh3d -object is a fine exaple of smart programming - thank you Oliver of this link.

Re: PolygonOperations

ztaskai — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 09:22:36 GMT

Pertti wrote:
There is a macro object called "PolygonOperations.gsm" in the objectlibrary 12. What objects call this macro? Is it possible to capture Archicad Complex Profiles to be used in gdl objects?
For example a tube could use different profiles created by Complex Profiles.

This macro was made with the same mindset as all others in the Basic Library: to give a quality implementation of useful generic task. In this case, this function is to provide some basic geometric operations with points, segment and polygons. It doesn't have any background magic in it.

Unfortunately, there is no way to use the complex profiles of ArchiCAD in GDL, yet(!). You shouldn't wait for that with any of your elements because it won't come in AC13 and there is no official promise for a given date.

Until then, dealing with polygons in GDL is a pain, indeed. I think you already do it as it can be done - via arrays of coordinates.

Olivier wrote:
About your first question, I don't find examples in 12 Library, using "PolygonOperations" macro.

Doing this complicated function is more efficient to implement in C++, that's why we made a new, faster and more rich implementation in a GDL add-on. It is called "PolyOperations", you can read about it in the GDL Reference Manual 12 from page 326. It provides a much more sophisticated way for executing operations on polygons.

We replaced all uses of the v11 macro by this add-on in v12.

Regards,
Zsolt

Re: PolygonOperations

Anonymous — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 10:15:37 GMT

Zsolt,

Thanks for the clarification, that's very helpful.

Re: PolygonOperations

Piotr Dobrowolski — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 10:58:33 GMT

ztaskai wrote:

Unfortunately, there is no way to use the complex profiles of ArchiCAD in GDL, yet(!). You shouldn't wait for that with any of your elements because it won't come in AC13 and there is no official promise for a given date.

Regards,
Zsolt

I hope for it soon - as it would be a quick workaround for badly joining columns with beams, beam& beams and so on....

Best Regards,
Piotr

Re: PolygonOperations

Erika Epstein — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 02:55:10 GMT

ztaskai wrote:
Pertti wrote:
There is a macro object called "PolygonOperations.gsm" in the objectlibrary 12. What objects call this macro? Is it possible to capture Archicad Complex Profiles to be used in gdl objects?
For example a tube could use different profiles created by Complex Profiles.
Unfortunately, there is no way to use the complex profiles of ArchiCAD in GDL, yet(!). You shouldn't wait for that with any of your elements because it won't come in AC13 and there is no official promise for a given date.

Until then, dealing with polygons in GDL is a pain, indeed. I think you already do it as it can be done - via arrays of coordinates.

Zsolt

When I first read Pertti's question I thought he was describing how the MEP routing works: various sectional profiles called along a path. How then does MEP work?

Re: PolygonOperations

ztaskai — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 08:26:48 GMT

Erika wrote:
When I first read Pertti's question I thought he was describing how the MEP routing works: various sectional profiles called along a path. How then does MEP work?

MEP works by utilizing lots of API, GDL and even some inside-ArchiCAD functions. Basically, it implements the polygon editing in C++ in an add-on using API functions of ArchiCAD. Then it places GDL elements along the routed path. It's quite complicated. It's good that you mentioned it though - I forgot to mention the API based solution before.

Regards,
Zsolt