topic Re: Unwanted geometry merge in Libraries & objects

Unwanted geometry merge

Bruce — Wed, 15 Mar 2017 20:42:38 GMT

When creating two PRISM elements side by side with no gap between, is there a way to maintain a separating cut line?

The ArchiCAD default is to merge / clean up touching geometry - but I would like to maintain a separating line without having to create a gap between.

Re: Unwanted geometry merge

Barry Kelly — Thu, 16 Mar 2017 00:34:17 GMT

The easiest way is to use two separate materials.
They can be identical materials but with different names.

Or leave a small gap in your model.

Barry.

Re: Unwanted geometry merge

Bruce — Thu, 16 Mar 2017 00:43:08 GMT

Thought so. Would be very handy to set an intersection priority (sim to DRAWINDEX) so these workarounds wouldn't be required.

Thanks Barry.

Re: Unwanted geometry merge

Barry Kelly — Thu, 16 Mar 2017 01:28:36 GMT

There might be more to it but I am not sure what.
Just checked one of my doors.
All PRISMS have the same material and no gaps.
Joining lines are not merging.
I can't see anything special in the code.
See attached image.

I also created a new object with two cubes (PRISMS) next to each other (touching) and the lines were there.

If I get the time I will look into it further unless someone else has an answer already.

Barry.

Re: Unwanted geometry merge

Bruce — Thu, 16 Mar 2017 01:42:53 GMT

Thanks Barry.

Not a problem in elevation - it's section views that I'm interested in keeping the prisms separate.

Cheers.

Re: Unwanted geometry merge

Barry Kelly — Thu, 16 Mar 2017 02:01:29 GMT

Sorry I missed the 'Section' part.
Different materials won't help.
You will need to use 'SECT_FILL' command with different fills.
Again they can be identical fills so they look the same but with different names so you will see the join.

Barry.

Re: Unwanted geometry merge

Bruce — Thu, 16 Mar 2017 04:12:54 GMT

Yes - that part I knew...but it won't help in this situation. I've just created a <0.1mm gap.

Re: Unwanted geometry merge

Barry Kelly — Thu, 16 Mar 2017 05:25:48 GMT

Bruce wrote:
Yes - that part I knew...but it won't help in this situation. I've just created a <0.1mm gap.

I can't imagine why not but of course I am not familiar with your object.
All you need are two fills - the same with different names - i.e. "Solid Fill" & "100 %".
Then add a SECT_FILL before each PRISM command using a different fill for each adjacent prism.

If you have more than two adjacent prisms then you will need more fills as well.

Barry.

Re: Unwanted geometry merge

Bruce — Thu, 16 Mar 2017 07:26:00 GMT

It's more to do with the office standards / attributes, and the fact that the users will be choosing the fills...not the coding functionality.

Re: Unwanted geometry merge

Barry Kelly — Thu, 16 Mar 2017 07:30:27 GMT

Ahh - I get it now.

Barry.

Re: Unwanted geometry merge

Bruce — Sun, 07 May 2017 06:50:21 GMT

There is another way to 'force' a separating line between geometry of the same fill type: create a PLANE where you need it. A PLANE will not merge with a PRISM, allowing you to keep geometry separate, without having to create a gap, or use different fill types.

Still a workaround though.

Re: Unwanted geometry merge

Lingwisyer — Mon, 08 Nov 2021 04:27:38 GMT

So like;

IF GLOB_VIEW_TYPE = 4 then PLANE 4, x1, y1, z1, x2, y2, z2, x3, y3, z3, x4, y4, z4 endIF

Ling.