topic Re: GDL parameters reference document in Libraries & objects

GDL parameters reference document

Anonymous — Sat, 13 Nov 2004 10:52:16 GMT

I don't know whether creating GDL objects is a type of development. But ... here goes:

I can find a document about Global GDL parameters on ArchiGuide, but it is for ArchiCAD 7.

Where I can find a v8/8.1 version of the document?

Re: GDL parameters reference document

Aaron Bourgoin — Sat, 13 Nov 2004 16:43:49 GMT

Wolf King,

The GDL Reference Manual is in the Online Help. Press F1.

Re: GDL parameters reference document

Anonymous — Sat, 13 Nov 2004 21:49:05 GMT

Bourgoin

I use V8.1. It seems that I am outdated.
OK, I try to got a copy of V9, at least only Reference Manual.

Thanks.

Re: GDL parameters reference document

Karl Ottenstein — Sat, 13 Nov 2004 22:40:43 GMT

A PDF of the GDL Reference Manual is included with 8.1. Look in your program folder under Documentation or Graphisoft Documentation (I can't remember where it was originally - I moved mine) ... or else on your CD.

Otherwise, the new GDL reference manual, as well as all 9 documentation, is available on the Graphisoft web site: go to Support, and follow links to Documentation.

Karl

PS I've moved this question to the GDL forum: this is a GDL question and not a developer (API) one.

Re: GDL parameters reference document

Anonymous — Sun, 14 Nov 2004 09:19:01 GMT

Well, guys. I have read the GDL Renference Manual. It is not what I need.
Perhaps I express my requisition with wrong words, sorry.

In fact, the chm file (in program folder) is enough for general usage. But what I want to know is about some variables which created by ArchiCAD automaticly and display in blue when u create an object. ( I think this sentence is too long) See the picture below please.

I can find introduction of some blue variables, but others not. eg, Why 4 AC_MarkerText in WD Marker? In Interactive Schedule, Marker Text is point which one, AC_MarkerText_1 or other? etc.

In GDL Reference Manual, Chapter GDL Global Variable, GS list all variables of standard object such as beam, wall and etc. They ingore user custom objects such as Markers, accessories.

I beg for a completed reference manual.

Re: GDL parameters reference document

Karl Ottenstein — Sun, 14 Nov 2004 19:09:37 GMT

The parameters in blue are not globals, but are parameters introduced by the subtype mechanism.

If you experiment with an object and select alternate subtypes, you will see what is happening: a subtype defines a group of parameters that all objects belonging to that type will have. (I hesitate to say 'inherit' since it isn't really like object-oriented inheritance.) It is sort of a macro process. You can define your own subtypes, and then define objects of those subtypes so that they will all obtain the same common parameters.

So: nothing special, just parameters.

Karl

Re: GDL parameters reference document

Anonymous — Sun, 14 Nov 2004 23:20:13 GMT

I see.

But I still want to learn more about blue parameters. Some of blue parameters is complex.

Re: GDL parameters reference document

Karl Ottenstein — Mon, 15 Nov 2004 01:28:12 GMT

Wolf wrote:
IBut I still want to learn more about blue parameters. Some of blue parameters is complex.

Can you give an example...screenshot of some of the parameters that don't make sense to you?

Re: GDL parameters reference document

Anonymous — Mon, 15 Nov 2004 06:10:56 GMT

Karl, I think what Wolf is talking about is the fact there there is no explanation (AFAIK) of the purposes of particular subtype parameters beyond reading the name and figuring it out by studying existing parts. For example, there are several text parameters auto-defined for a section marker, but one has to figure out which one represents the drawing number, sheet reference, etc...

Besides the lack of standards for structuring the parts (which is beginning to be addressed with the subtypes) there is no standard for ensuring that all these thing are properly documented and communicated to the end users. Guys like us can figure it out, but we really shouldn't have to, and the guys who haven't the time or inclination to figure it out should have a place to look this stuff up.

I understand that documenting software is a bit like doing architectural revision clouds and addenda. The tedium of having to document everything you do really slows down the process of doing it. But, it is, at least to some extent, necessary.

BTW, Karl, congratulations on the fifth house. Now I'm not the only senior citizen around here.

Re: GDL parameters reference document

Aussie John — Mon, 15 Nov 2004 08:42:27 GMT

Wolf wrote:
I see.

But I still want to learn more about blue parameters. Some of blue parameters is complex.

I agree it is a waste of time to have to experiment to find about what one of these "blue" parameters does, rather than have documented for ready reference.

Re: GDL parameters reference document

Aussie John — Mon, 15 Nov 2004 10:47:50 GMT

Matthew wrote:
BTW, Karl, congratulations on the fifth house. Now I'm not the only senior citizen around here.

yes congrats but after 5 houses does that make a hotel for Mayfair Street (or what ever is the American equivalent fro monopoly)

Re: GDL parameters reference document

__archiben — Mon, 15 Nov 2004 11:07:35 GMT

wolf

if i am understanding you correctly, the 'blue' parameters are those predefined by graphisoft across their entire library - based on the subtype of an object you are starting or editing, these parameters are already included and typically begin "gs_..."

it appears to be a structure that graphisoft as a library developer have imposed on themselves. i get the impression that they've hard-coded the 'blue' bit into archiCAD just as a visual aid for themselves.

if you are developing your own libraries or multiple objects, there is no reason why you can't make up your own structured parameter set . . . although it would be nice to have everybody dancing to the same tune.

Matthew wrote:
Besides the lack of standards for structuring the parts (which is beginning to be addressed with the subtypes) there is no standard for ensuring that all these thing are properly documented and communicated to the end users.

there is actually typographic advice documentation in the basic library development kit however this has absolutley no bearing on how graphisoft have generated their own stuff. what a surprise!

M. wrote:
BTW, Karl, congratulations on the fifth house. Now I'm not the only senior citizen around here.

hear hear! now . . . if only i could just catch up an overtake the comical canadian

Re: GDL parameters reference document

Aussie John — Mon, 15 Nov 2004 12:01:10 GMT

welcome to Australia Ben

Re: GDL parameters reference document

Karl Ottenstein — Mon, 15 Nov 2004 18:25:44 GMT

Aussie wrote:
yes congrats but after 5 houses does that make a hotel for Mayfair Street (or what ever is the American equivalent fro monopoly)

Thanks... a hotel and some rent for each visit would be nice, and some free 'get out of jail' cards... but alas, I think the 5 houses mean: "Here is a guy who spends too much time on ac-talk instead of doing billable work!". 😉

Karl

Re: GDL parameters reference document

Anonymous — Tue, 16 Nov 2004 14:09:45 GMT

Ok, guys. I am agree with all of you said except I don't what means for "the 5 houses" or "hotel".

I am not disagree that GS put some "blue" parameters with subtype. It would be useful to standardize the interface of objects. But they should write some documents for these blue parameters.

And I know sometime we can write codes or parameters all as our wishes, give no regards to these blue parameters.

I seek help here because something wrong with my WD Marker. (You can see it here.http://archicad-talk.graphisoft.com/viewtopic.php?t=4646) And at that time I considerd that I use blue parameters in a wrong way. So ...

BTW, I am not good at English. I see the word AFAIK many times, but I do not know the meaning yet. Is there anyone would like to tell me?

Re: GDL parameters reference document

Laszlo Nagy — Tue, 16 Nov 2004 14:20:19 GMT

AFAIK means : As Far As I Know.
Another two I had problems with:
LOL: Laughing Out Loud
HTH: Hope This Helps

There's probably more like
IMO: In My Opinion
IMHO: In my Humble Opinion
ASAP: As Soon As Possible

And there is another one I learned:

SNAFU: this is a dirty one so I will not write down what it means

About the houses:
You can see houses above the name and avatar (that picture that represents the person) of each registered member of the forum.
Some guys now have 5 houses because they have written 1000 or more posts to the list.
In the table game called MONOPOLY you can occupy building lots and if you have all 2 or 3 building lots from the same color code, you can start building houses on it and charge other players large sums of money in the game if they land on one of your lots. In the game, if you build 5 houses, they turn into a hotel, which charges the most money.

HTH

Re: GDL parameters reference document

Anonymous — Tue, 16 Nov 2004 17:14:28 GMT

Thanks, laszlonagy, you told much than I want!

And the game, MONOPOLY, I played when I was a child. Dice for the whole afternoon....

Re: GDL parameters reference document

__archiben — Wed, 17 Nov 2004 06:56:31 GMT

Aussie wrote:
welcome to Australia Ben

thank you. as much as i love thailand, it's a welcome, and cooler, change from bangkok!

~/archiben

Re: GDL parameters reference document

__archiben — Wed, 17 Nov 2004 06:57:39 GMT

laszlonagy wrote:
And there is another one I learned:

FUBAR ?

~/archiben

Re: GDL parameters reference document

Laszlo Nagy — Wed, 17 Nov 2004 20:59:19 GMT

~/archiben wrote:
laszlonagy wrote:
And there is another one I learned:
FUBAR ?

~/archiben

No idea but I am afraid it is something ugly