topic transparent architectural elements in Visualization

transparent architectural elements

Anonymous — Thu, 11 May 2023 13:53:10 GMT

I'm working on a sequence of images where I need to show the architecture in transparency and structure in red (it's something we do here where I work) I got this result easily in Revit and SketchUp however I am struggling to achieve this effect in Archicad

Re: transparent architectural elements

Barry Kelly — Wed, 10 Sep 2014 02:06:53 GMT

The transparency part is quite easy if your structural elements are in separate layers to your architectural elements.
If so you can just make the layers for the architectural elements wire frame in the layers settings dialogue.
This can be set as wire frame or solid in different layer combinations so it is very easy to switch between solid or wireframe.

As for the colour you could set the surface material for all structural elements to a material that has the appearance that you want.
However once set it will be the same always unless you manually change the surface material again.

But you might be able to use the renovation filters if you are not using them for their intended purpose.
Set all structural elements as either 'new', 'existing' or ' to be demolished' and make sure all other elements are set to one of the other reno states.
Then make sure your reno filters show all reno states but over-ride the surface colour of your structural elements (i.e. the 'new' reno state if you used that).
Now by changing the reno filter being used you can alter the appearance of the materials and together with the layer combinations you can control the wire frame/solid appearance.

I hope this is correct as I don't usually use the reno filters but I am pretty sure they can be used for this purpose if you are not using them for their intended purpose.
Of course this assumes you are using version 15 or above which has the renovation filters.

Barry.

Re: transparent architectural elements

Anonymous — Wed, 10 Sep 2014 17:27:43 GMT

Hi Barry, thank you for your answer

From your reply the solution would be to use the layers setting to make the architecture wireframe

I had no problems turning the structure red, and it is interesting that the solid and wireframe display is defined by layer, however I believe the result I get with wireframe is not ideal, it is visually confusing compared to the standard of transparency that I want.

Karina.

Re: transparent architectural elements

Nando Mogollon — Thu, 11 Sep 2014 00:37:01 GMT

Try the other option: using the renovation filters.

You will have to:

1- create 2 new Surfaces: Structure Override and Architecture Override. give each the color and transparency desired.( solid red for the Str, and grey-ish 50% transparent for the Arch stuff.)

2- Go to the renovation Filter Options and create a new filter showing all, existing, demo and New and Override only demo and new.

3- go to Renovation Override styles ( button available in the same window) and select to override the Surfaces with the crated Surfaces (Structure Override and Architecture Override) for Demo and New. Maybe also keep the Line override in black or grey.

4- Now you have to select the Structural elements and make them Demolished elements ( will be shown as solid red), and select all the facade or Architectural elements and make them New ( will be shown transparent grey). everything else -existing- will be shown with it's current surface/material.

5- Make sure your 3D view is saved with the New Reno Filter.

It should work pretty well.

Re: transparent architectural elements

Anonymous — Thu, 11 Sep 2014 14:00:55 GMT

Thank you so much for explaining me how to do it so clearly!

Got a cool effect, but when I create a new 3d document the transparency is replaced by a solid black surface, do not know what can be, I made sure that it is saved with the new reno filter and activated the transparency in the 3d document settings.

Re: transparent architectural elements

Nando Mogollon — Thu, 11 Sep 2014 23:20:19 GMT

Hi,
You have to check if you are overriding the drafting or cover fills (find it on the Model View Options settings of the 3D Doc).
Even like that, the results may not be the ones you want. But I can offer an alternative:

Use a 3D View either using Internal Engine or OpenGL. Place that view on a Layout and annotate it on the Layout. That would work pretty well.

I'm attaching a comparison using the 3 types of views

hope it helps

Re: transparent architectural elements

Anonymous — Tue, 16 Sep 2014 19:01:16 GMT

thank you so much guys!
while not having the same appearance as revit - with colorful transparency
this pleased my boss hahahaha

thank you very much for your attention and patience

Re: transparent architectural elements

Anonymous — Tue, 08 Nov 2016 04:17:44 GMT

Hi Everyone.

Has anyone attempted something similar with the new graphic overrides?

I'm working on an override to show my structural elements and give some more understanding to the fabricators and engineers. I'll post when I have set it up.

Re: transparent architectural elements

Laszlo Nagy — Fri, 11 Nov 2016 12:25:03 GMT

I think you should be able to achieve this look in AC20 with Graphic Overrides.
You can define Glass Surfaces and override elements meeting certain criteria with those. Then also define Red surfaces and override elements meeting certain criteria with those. Should not be very complicated to do.