topic Dissappearing objects in sections in Libraries & objects

Dissappearing objects in sections

Anonymous — Sat, 27 Nov 2004 22:12:30 GMT

Does anyone know why some objects seem to dissappear in section view? I'm using structural beams which appear OK in 3D and 3D marquee but when I cut a section through the beam - it dissappears. Any ideas?

Re: Dissappearing objects in sections

Richard Morrison — Sun, 28 Nov 2004 00:43:53 GMT

One basic thing to check would be your section properties for the beam. If you've got it set to a white pen and also have a white display background, you won't see much. Also check that the section vertical range will include the height of the beam. Finally, check your "Elements to Show in 3D" dialog.

Re: Dissappearing objects in sections

Anonymous — Sun, 28 Nov 2004 00:59:44 GMT

Richard,

thanks for your reply. I have checked the things you mention. One thing I didn't say was that the objects are visible if the section doesn't actually cut through them but looks at them. The same thing happens in the 3d window sometimes.

Interestingly, I have replaced the beam object with another from a different library which doesn't have this problem. All of this makes me think that it must be due to the actual object code itself. Not being proficient in GDL - I can't take it much further at this point.

Re: Dissappearing objects in sections

Djordje — Sun, 28 Nov 2004 18:42:14 GMT

Ian wrote:
Does anyone know why some objects seem to dissappear in section view? I'm using structural beams which appear OK in 3D and 3D marquee but when I cut a section through the beam - it dissappears. Any ideas?

If it is not an irregular shape, why not use the beam tool?

Or is it a part of the wooden roof structure?

Also - which version of ArchiCAD and which library?

Use the signature ... one of the reasons it is there.

Re: Dissappearing objects in sections

Anonymous — Sun, 28 Nov 2004 20:16:41 GMT

Djorde,

I wanted to use a specific structural section rather than just a rectangular object. The objects came from the ArchiCad 9 library "Steel Structure 9". The objects which were still visible when cut by the section come from Australian Essential Library - BHP Sections".

I have found a work-around however I'm interested to know why this happens in some cases and not in others.

Re: Dissappearing objects in sections

Ted Taylor — Mon, 29 Nov 2004 14:44:59 GMT

Ian

Another thing to check to see if duplicate items are occupying the same spot. Sections cut through the objects will behave as you describe but will be visible in elevation if not cut through.

What was your work around?

Re: Dissappearing objects in sections

Djordje — Mon, 29 Nov 2004 17:32:11 GMT

Ian wrote:
I wanted to use a specific structural section rather than just a rectangular object. The objects came from the ArchiCad 9 library "Steel Structure 9". The objects which were still visible when cut by the section come from Australian Essential Library - BHP Sections".

Oh, that is right then!

Ian wrote:
I have found a work-around however I'm interested to know why this happens in some cases and not in others.

As Ted noted, check the duplicates; if you do have duplicates, they will not show in S/E. Also, check whether the layer is not off in the layer combo - it is easy to put the objects on a wrong layer.

Re: Dissappearing objects in sections

Anonymous — Mon, 29 Nov 2004 18:58:57 GMT

Thanks for the comments.

There are no duplicates and the objects are on the correct layer. The work-around I described is simply deleting the objects which don't appear and replacing them with the other ones which do.

It is similar to the problem with stairs where they will sometimes dissappear in marquee 3d view whilst being visible in full 3d view. The dissappearing beam objects will also dissappear in 3d if cut by a marquee but will be visible if the marquee does not cut them.

I have absolutely no idea why this happens but I would be interested to find out. It is an annoying bug.

Re: Dissappearing objects in sections

Laszlo Nagy — Tue, 30 Nov 2004 10:12:45 GMT

A small ArchiCAD PLA zipped and posted containing the buggy part could help us find out the source of the problem.

Re: Dissappearing objects in sections

Aussie John — Wed, 01 Dec 2004 01:15:42 GMT

I have noticed that too, and it is not duplicates. Try replacing the errant object with a new version. That sometimes fixes things.

Re: Dissappearing objects in sections

Aussie John — Thu, 02 Dec 2004 08:09:27 GMT

I've added a PLA file with two versions of the same object placed on the plan but rotated 180 degrees relative to each other.

View the section and one is visible in section the other isnt. Rotate the "invisible one" 180º and now it can be seen.

The object is a prism_ . The masking is set to "15" so all should be visible.
I have minimised the script for convenience.

The PLA file is a new and reset

Please let me know if anyone can see both objects

Re: Dissappearing objects in sections

Djordje — Thu, 02 Dec 2004 08:38:05 GMT

Ian wrote:
It is similar to the problem with stairs where they will sometimes dissappear in marquee 3d view whilst being visible in full 3d view. The dissappearing beam objects will also dissappear in 3d if cut by a marquee but will be visible if the marquee does not cut them.

Did you try re-saving them as 9 objects? That should help; this is a known bug (part of objects not showing when in marquee).

Re: Dissappearing objects in sections

Aussie John — Thu, 02 Dec 2004 23:24:40 GMT

Aussie wrote:
Please let me know if anyone can see both objects

Anyone? This is a serious problem for me as it occurs with a number of objects. I can do a workaround by rotating and mirroring but if another section looks backwards then the pronblem moves to the second section.

Djordje wrote:
Did you try re-saving them as 9 objects?

Is opening and saving all that is needed to do this as i have done that? There was a command in the special menu to do this but I dont seem to be able to get that menu to show.

Re: Dissappearing objects in sections

James Murray — Fri, 03 Dec 2004 00:16:23 GMT

John,

I could not see both upon opening the section, only the one on the left. Then I rebuilt the section, and both were visible. I cut a new section, and both were visible. After that I tried rotating, mirroring, etc, no disappearance. I tried with direct reading, and saving a library. Same result. I haven't observed the behavior you described in my own work. Probably not much help. Good luck,

Re: Dissappearing objects in sections

Aussie John — Fri, 03 Dec 2004 00:31:26 GMT

James wrote:
John,

I could not see both upon opening the section, only the one on the left. Then I rebuilt the section, and both were visible. I cut a new section, and both were visible. After that I tried rotating, mirroring, etc, no disappearance. I tried with direct reading, and saving a library. Same result. I haven't observed the behavior you described in my own work. Probably not much help. Good luck,

Thanks James that does help me as it says something wrong with my system rather than the object.

Re: Dissappearing objects in sections

Anonymous — Fri, 03 Dec 2004 07:20:38 GMT

John,

I have been able to replicate the same behavoir as you. In other words the beam is sometimes visible and sometimes not depending on the orientation of both the beam and the section. We are both using the Austarlian verson of ArchiCad 9 - do you think this has anything to do with it?

Re: Dissappearing objects in sections

Aussie John — Fri, 03 Dec 2004 07:36:37 GMT

Maybe although seems unlikely.

Re: Dissappearing objects in sections

Fabrizio Diodati — Fri, 03 Dec 2004 11:37:39 GMT

Dear Aussie,

I found the reason and, from my point of view, it should be better to send a report to GS because this sounds just like a bug or… a not requested feature!
From what I see it isn’t related to the beam object but with all the ArchiCAD library parts!

Look at the attached image.
I inserted two chair and I got the same behaviour you have with your beam.

The explanation/solution is quite simple.
In both cases (beam and chair) the library part insertion point is “out” of the section/elevation range.
If you move your section/elevation limit in order to include the insertion point (BTW I’m talking about the default insertion point or probably the object origin) the chair (or the beam) will be displayed.

A simple “temporary” workaround is to avoid to rotate the object but to mirror it (look at the attached image).

Please, tell us if you will submit this report to Graphisoft otherwise I will submit it by myself…

Friendly
Fabrizio

Re: Dissappearing objects in sections

Fabrizio Diodati — Fri, 03 Dec 2004 11:38:26 GMT

The second image, still about the beams...

Re: Dissappearing objects in sections

Fabrizio Diodati — Fri, 03 Dec 2004 11:39:07 GMT

and just the same behaviour with two other library parts...