topic Multiply without Multiplying? in Modeling

Multiply without Multiplying?

Anonymous — Tue, 23 May 2023 14:25:26 GMT

This might be a school boy question but;

I use multiply to say, space an object equidistant between two points i.e. something like putting a light in the centre of a corridor. However, is there a way I can do this without duplicating? I don't know if that's a good enough explanation of what I'm trying to achieve?...

So typically, I get my light, drag it to one edge of the the corridor, 'multiply' > 'distribute -1', and drag to other side of corridor. Ta-da, one light in the centre of the space. However, I've done 2 potentially unnecessary things, 1) Dragged a light to edge of room, 2) had to delete that light after.

I'm on a quest to work more efficiently! Help appreciated.

Re: Multiply without Multiplying?

Eduardo Rolon — Mon, 07 Jul 2014 11:56:02 GMT

Basically draw a guide line between the limits and use that to place the object. The command is under View-> Guide Line Options -> Create Guideline Segment

Re: Multiply without Multiplying?

David Maudlin — Mon, 07 Jul 2014 12:30:54 GMT

Daniel:

Try this:
1. Select light you want in Object Settings
2. Select Half under Special Snap Points (in Control palette)
3. Activate Special Snap Constraint (I have the shortcut "d" assigned, it is also in the Control palette with the Relative Construction Methods, 6th option)
4. Click on opposite corners of the corridor
5. The light is placed at the mid point

David

Re: Multiply without Multiplying?

Anonymous — Mon, 07 Jul 2014 13:14:52 GMT

These are both good methods thank-you. I did used to use guide line segment; However I think I started working without guidelines some time ago because they were often more hindrance than help (leaping up all over the screen when not wanted).

The special snap point method; it doesn't seem to be possible to do it with non-objects? Is that right?

Thanks again.

Re: Multiply without Multiplying?

Laszlo Nagy — Mon, 07 Jul 2014 13:34:05 GMT

Hm, when was that some time ago?
Maybe before AC15, because in AC15 the behaviour of Guide Lines was changed.
They don't leap up everywhere on your screen anymore. When you find an edge, an orange dot appears and if you click it a Guide Line will be placed along that edge. So the whole way they work has been optimized. You might want to take another look at them now.
Here is a video about them from Eric Bobrow:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E99TsG6jJ1E

Re: Multiply without Multiplying?

Anonymous — Mon, 07 Jul 2014 14:01:34 GMT

Hi Laszlo, it could well have been!

I have just been experimenting with guide lines after my last post, and I definitely need to make them integral to the way I work in ArchiCAD. Just watching video now. Thanks for the help, as is often the case, it's down to a lack of knowledge by the user rather than ArchiCAD error!

Re: Multiply without Multiplying?

sinceV6 — Mon, 07 Jul 2014 16:18:18 GMT

What David Maudlin said. Use Special Snap Constraint. IT IS what you are trying to do... just instructions missed the drag operation step:

1. Select your light/object/group/etc.
2. Ctrl+D or move/drag: start a drag operation.
3. THEN select and activate Special Snap Constraint (in extended Control Palette), you can use half, divisions, percent, distance.
4. Follow instructions on status bar.

Like David, I also have shortcut "d" assigned to it. Great time-saver. Check it out.

Re: Multiply without Multiplying?

Anonymous — Mon, 07 Jul 2014 17:44:21 GMT

laszlonagy wrote:
So the whole way they work has been optimized.

I would beg the differ. I would rather deal with pre-14 guide lines than use post-15 ones. In 14 and before, I never once used the create guileline segment command. Sure there was the problem of extraneous lines on screen but for the most basic following the edge guide lines, I find the new guide lines to be cumbersome and it's both easier and faster just to create guide line segments instead of trying to make guide lines onscreen. Not only that, but I am sooooooo sick of that orange dot appearing under my pointer or over hotspots.

Re: Multiply without Multiplying?

Eduardo Rolon — Mon, 07 Jul 2014 17:48:08 GMT

zeropointreference wrote:
… Not only that, but I am sooooooo sick of that orange dot appearing under my pointer or over hotspots.

Re: Multiply without Multiplying?

David Maudlin — Tue, 08 Jul 2014 11:32:04 GMT

sinceV6 wrote:
What David Maudlin said. Use Special Snap Constraint. IT IS what you are trying to do... just instructions missed the drag operation step:...

The Drag step is needed for elements that are already placed and need to be moved. Certain elements with an anchor point (Objects, Columns, Hotspots) can be placed directly using this method, no need to place then Drag into position.

David

Re: Multiply without Multiplying?

Laszlo Nagy — Tue, 08 Jul 2014 13:18:26 GMT

ejrolon wrote:
zeropointreference wrote:
… Not only that, but I am sooooooo sick of that orange dot appearing under my pointer or over hotspots.
+1

I think this is the debate where nobody will be able to decide which is better, because both ways have/had their plus and minus points.

Re: Multiply without Multiplying?

Eduardo Rolon — Tue, 08 Jul 2014 17:25:53 GMT

IMO over hot spots is worse than under the pointer but couldn't it be offset parallel to one side or the other of the guideline?
Anywayit looks like it behaves better in 18 or I might be imagining things.

Re: Multiply without Multiplying?

sinceV6 — Tue, 08 Jul 2014 23:12:58 GMT

David wrote:
sinceV6 wrote:
What David Maudlin said. Use Special Snap Constraint. IT IS what you are trying to do... just instructions missed the drag operation step:...
The Drag step is needed for elements that are already placed and need to be moved. Certain elements with an anchor point (Objects, Columns, Hotspots) can be placed directly using this method, no need to place then Drag into position.

David

Correct indeed.
Assumed elements were already placed as they were being multiplied.

Re: Multiply without Multiplying?

Anonymous — Wed, 09 Jul 2014 07:51:13 GMT

laszlonagy wrote:
I think this is the debate where nobody will be able to decide which is better, because both ways have/had their plus and minus points.

Sorry, I wasn't try to debate you. There are plus and minus points to both and I will concede the new system provides a lot of usability.

The problem with the orange ball is something that can be fixed but I have to agree with ejrolon the ball appearing over hot spots is worse than under the pointer but both situations are frustrating.

Re: Multiply without Multiplying?

Laszlo Nagy — Wed, 09 Jul 2014 12:38:01 GMT

zeropointreference wrote:
Sorry, I wasn't try to debate you. There are plus and minus points to both and I will concede the new system provides a lot of usability.

The problem with the orange ball is something that can be fixed but I have to agree with ejrolon the ball appearing over hot spots is worse than under the pointer but both situations are frustrating.

I think debate is fine. No problem with that, good to hear different viewpoints.
I think I will just call this issue to the attention of the guys at GS so maybe it can be tweaked in a future release.