topic Re: “Expression cannot be evaluated for this Element”. in Collaboration with other software

“Expression cannot be evaluated for this Element”.

Anonymous — Tue, 07 Apr 2020 09:21:05 GMT

We recently jumped from Ver 20 to Ver 23 (International)
So testing Classifications and Properties feature.
Kindly see attached image.
All Morph elements have separate Classification.
However the evaluation of “Balance Area of Plot” fails stating “Expression cannot be evaluated for this Element”.
I did not find any post on this error, so bothering you. Please reply early.

Re: “Expression cannot be evaluated for this Element”.

poco2013 — Tue, 07 Apr 2020 10:03:06 GMT

The Classification(s) of all expressions must include the classification used for the morphs which use those expressions including any expressions embedded in other expressions

Re: “Expression cannot be evaluated for this Element”.

Anonymous — Wed, 08 Apr 2020 07:31:14 GMT

Hello Gery!
Thanks very much for your reply.
We tried your solution. Sadly it does not work.
Same message " “Expression cannot be evaluated for this Element”.
Attaching 2 files for your kind view. The Properties03.jpg shows Schedule view that shows Classifications assigned to various Morphs.
Many thanks in advance.
Expecting a solution. This is very essential to us.
Anu

Re: “Expression cannot be evaluated for this Element”.

Barry Kelly — Wed, 08 Apr 2020 07:39:49 GMT

Can you show the properties of your morph - in particular morph-008?

Barry.

Re: “Expression cannot be evaluated for this Element”.

Anonymous — Wed, 08 Apr 2020 08:19:42 GMT

Hello Barry!
Thanks for the query.
Kindly see attached image. I hope this is what you need.
Anu

Re: “Expression cannot be evaluated for this Element”.

Barry Kelly — Wed, 08 Apr 2020 08:35:28 GMT

OK, a couple of problems.

Also you morph seems to be missing the properties that need to be used to calculate the balance of area.

Barry.

Re: “Expression cannot be evaluated for this Element”.

poco2013 — Wed, 08 Apr 2020 10:47:52 GMT

FYI:

A couple of points:

Properties and expressions in expressions do not use titles, they use the underlining GUID of that property/expression. That way you could have two properties of the same name but in different groups and this does occur in Archicad. Your expression name is OK but confusing. I agree it should be changed.

Your classification of 'net area of plot' appears to be a custom one that you made up. That's OK but each expression and each property used must include that classification.

Your screen shot of the morph does not show all of the properties used as shown in the Property Manager which indicates that you are not using the correct classifications for the sub properties. As mentioned above All properties and expressions must include the one used for the element in question.

To determine where the error is we would need screens shots of each property or expression you created for this formula(s) showing both the definition and the classification panes. Most likely the error lies there unless you are using a property in your sub expressions which is not applicable to morphs?

Re: “Expression cannot be evaluated for this Element”.

Anonymous — Sun, 12 Apr 2020 13:23:21 GMT

There are 3 morphs. Each has a different classification.

Re: “Expression cannot be evaluated for this Element”.

poco2013 — Sun, 12 Apr 2020 15:43:57 GMT

Your attachment is unreadable ---- BUT,if each morph has a different classification, all of the expression used by them and any contained within those expressions must include each of the classifications of the morphs.

Within the Classifications pane of each morph should show the expressions available for that element.

Re: “Expression cannot be evaluated for this Element”.

Anonymous — Mon, 13 Apr 2020 05:56:11 GMT

I am sorry! I had realised that. Attaching separate views. Kindly go through.
Probably I had done what you are suggesting.
Element IDs have been changed for better.

Re: “Expression cannot be evaluated for this Element”.

poco2013 — Mon, 13 Apr 2020 07:46:19 GMT

Available classifications for properties are set in the Property Manager not in the Classification Manager.

In the Property Manager, for each property and expression used, Under the 'Availability for classifications' tab include all of the classifications for all three morphs for all properties. This will make the expressions you created visible to each of the morphs. However, Archicad presently has no ability in schedules to subtract areas from different elements and then create a total. You may want to use zones and calculated areas.

Re: “Expression cannot be evaluated for this Element”.

Anonymous — Tue, 14 Apr 2020 08:17:44 GMT

“However, Archicad presently has no ability in schedules to subtract areas from different elements and then create a total. You may want to use zones and calculated areas.”
Many thanks for admittance!

This is important to note. We in the office, after having trying all possibilities suggested by moderators had already come to conclusion that Expression defined properties do not work on different elements simultaneously. Besides Classification is a poor method to classify elements when there are 100s of parameters to include to classify elements.

Archicad 6 introduced “Calculations of elements, components and zones” way back in 1997. It is disgusting to note that there is no improvement at all in the algorithm/ process in it since 1997. Even Archicad 23 carries the same method without any improvisation after 17 versions later. Eric Wilk wrote the famous book “Archicad: From CAD to Quantity Survey”. We tried to use methods shown by him. However even Eric states in the book that reports through Graphic Templates are difficult to formulate. There is no simple and proper language along with proper documentation to create template suitable for your office standards. Even Archicad reference manuals state not to fiddle with the Template code. Besides by now all Archicad users have agreed and resigned from creating reports from those templates. It is also to mention that reports from those templated cannot be exported for any further use, which is a necessity in AEC Costing and Estimation.

Text lists in the calculation menus are just lists given away by the software and they cannot be added with custom parameters which is possible to some extent with Graphic templates.

No one can deny however fantastic a design may be, it cannot be constructed without a detailed estimation and component quantities which unless documented in industry standard format are useless for a contractor or a site personnel to understand. Architects and designers for many centuries have created impossible-to-imagine-before-designs with simple tools.

Now after 17 versions later (23-6) Archicad has not arrived with a proper Estimating and Costing Interface which generates reports in Industry standard format of
SpecificationCode|Description|L|B|D|Quantity|Unit|Rate|Unit|Amount.

Many practitioners here, quote that they export data to spreadsheets to process it further. However I fail to understand reliability and safety of spreadsheets to handle data worth millions. Besides export means disconnection of the data from Archicad. Design is a continuous process. How many times will one export data and keep its integrity with the BIM model? And what about synchronisation of the new data with the old one? Does anyone agree that all this can be done with much boasted “Expression defined Properties?

I have never seen a presentation by any practice about Estimation and Cost Management through Archicad’s Building Information Model in much boasted KCC’s during launces of newer versions. I wonder how those large practices manage Estimating Costing and Constructions of their large projects. At least I have not so far come across any work-flow of the Lifecycle of a project of which “Estimation-Costing-Bidding-Measuring-Variance” are spine either in KCC or on Web. I come from a country where most form the AEC industry still use AutoCAD. I am the one around me who has been using Archicad for last 25 years. Since there are no peers to consult with I am solely dependent on the web and manuals so if anyone feels that I do not have knowledge of how Archicad BIM is used for entire lifecycle of the project I apologize beforehand, but at the same time expect them to share the process for my knowledge.

Till then I am of the view that Archicad is a sophisticated 3D modeller and wonder if it is a BIM software.