topic Drag element using a reference point in Modeling

Drag element using a reference point

Anonymous — Tue, 09 May 2023 13:53:45 GMT

Hello, i'm new to Archicad and i'm wondering if there is a way to drag elements by using a reference point as shown in image below. I want to drag/move the wall to a position which is 2500mm from reference point A. Is such a thing possible in Archicad?
Thanks in advance, Guido

Re: Drag element using a reference point

Anonymous — Wed, 08 Apr 2020 09:53:08 GMT

Select the object.
Then activate the action you need (for example Ctrl+D for drag, or right click -> Drag)
The select the base point, it doesn't have to be on the object, it can be anywhere.
Complete the action.

There is also an alternative way to think about that:

Add to or Subtract from Current Value

Type + or – after the value. For example, typing x3+ will add 3 to the x value shown in the Tracker box.

From: https://helpcenter.graphisoft.com/user-guide/76350/

I'd suggest taking the time (you can watch it on 1.5x speed too if you can handle it) to watch this:

Re: Drag element using a reference point

Anonymous — Wed, 08 Apr 2020 10:54:51 GMT

Thanx for your reply.
The reference point in your example is the current position of the object if i'm not mistaken.
I'm looking for a way to drag the element to a position to (for instance) 2500mm from reference point A, while not knowing the current distance from the object to reference point A.
I hope this makes sense.

Re: Drag element using a reference point

runxel — Wed, 08 Apr 2020 20:56:32 GMT

Easy! Procedure is nearly the same.
Select the thing you want to move,
move it with whatever your current keyboard shortcut for that is (mind your "base point"!)
move the stuff to a point which should be your reference point - DON'T YOU DARE TO CLICK –
now type "x" for x direction or "y" for y direction,
the tracker opens.
Put your desired value in,
then hit "+" or "-" depending on the direction. (I really can't stress this enough. Value FIRST, operator SECOND)
Hit Enter.
Done!

Re: Drag element using a reference point

Barry Kelly — Thu, 09 Apr 2020 01:42:54 GMT

Let me explain in in a slightly different way.
Make sure your tracker is active.

The longer process (or I call it double handling) is to drag the wall from where it is to point A (click to place).
Then drag the wall again and hover it back over point A, type 'X' to bring up the tracker and type '2500+' (without the quotes), then ENTER - i.e. moving it twice (double handling).
X is the direction you want to move it and the + means in the positive direction (- would go to the left).
Sometimes this is easier as there is virtually no thinking involved.

Or as runxel suggested, you drag the wall from where it is now to point A - but do not click to place.
Notice there will be a value for distance in the tracker showing how far you have moved it.
Now type 'D' (for distance) to activate the distance value in the tracker and type '2500-' (without the quotes), then ENTER.
The wall should be where you want it.
The reason you type '2500-' (negative) is because you want to subtract the 2500 from the current D value that you have temporarily moved the wall.

Or you could type 'X' and the x coordinate will activate in the tracker.
Then type '2500+' to add 2500 to that value and the wall should move to the right in the X axis.

You just need to be careful about what value you want to activate in the tracker (Distance, Angle, X, Y) and do you want to add or subtract from that active figure in the tracker.

Hope this has not confused you more.

Barry.