topic Re: Railing-independent segment in Modeling

Railing-independent segment

Tom Krowka — Tue, 23 May 2023 15:58:26 GMT

How does one create an independent segment once a length of railing is placed. Have placed several nodes for railing segments. When selecting the railing the context menu does not show "create independent segment" as indicated in the help menu documentation. Have tried it in 2D, 3D, within the EDIT command as well as simply selecting the railing and going to the railing menu. The segment pattern command acts on all the segments as I can't figure out how to make each segment independent of others. I give up.
TK.

Re: Railing-independent segment

Barry Kelly — Fri, 16 Jul 2021 00:52:32 GMT

Tom wrote:
How does one create an independent segment once a length of railing is placed.TK.

I came across this a while ago and I can't remember if I found a solution.

Doesn't matter though.
Just go into EDIT mode, turn on the 'Segments and Nodes' (you can turn off all the other elements - right click on segments and nodes is the quick way to do that) and then select just the segment you want to change, go into the settings and change what you want - it will affect only that segment.

Or just go into EDIT mode and start editing the elements you want to change/delete by selecting them in the 3D view.
i.e. delete inner posts or balusters.
You have to select the segment though and go into the settings to adjust the segment spacing.

Barry.

Re: Railing-independent segment

Laszlo Nagy — Tue, 20 Jul 2021 10:29:51 GMT

Here is my understanding of how it works:

The command "Independent Segments and Nodes" refers to the Segments and Nodes of the Railing Reference Line.

Let us consider a square-shaped Slab.
You place a Railing, starting from the top left corner, then click the bottom right corner. In this case, you have defined 2 Nodes, Archicad created 2 Segments and 1 intermediate Node. The intermediate Node was created automatically by following the outline of the Slab and placing it at a Slab Node. In this case, the "Create Independent Segments and Nodes" command will be available in the context menu.
Intermediate Nodes can be identified by the lack of Hotspots. User-defined Nodes have Hotspots.

However, if you create the Railing by clicking the top left corner, then click the top right corner, then click the bottom right corner, you have defined 3 Nodes. In this case, Archicad did not create any intermediate Nodes (it did not have to), so the "Create Independent Segments and Nodes" command will NOT be available in the context menu.

So, in summary, the command is only available if you select an associative Railing that has intermediate Nodes automatically created by Archicad (and not defined specifically by you). When you execute the command, automatically created intermediate Nodes will be converted to regular Nodes (as if you defined them in the first place) and they will have Hotspots to indicate it.

Re: Railing-independent segment

Tom Krowka — Tue, 20 Jul 2021 13:28:12 GMT

Understand creation of segments as described. Next question is how can I make each segment independent in a railing that is placed by clicking points & creating nodes as in creating a polyline. Sometimes I can adjust the pattern in each segment, sometime adjusting the pattern will change all segments. Can't figure out how to make each segment independent in that case.
Thanks, Tom

Re: Railing-independent segment

Laszlo Nagy — Tue, 20 Jul 2021 18:33:58 GMT

"Convert Pattern to Segment Length" command of the context menu?

Re: Railing-independent segment

Tom Krowka — Fri, 23 Jul 2021 13:18:05 GMT

Nope, still doesn't work correctly. Somehow various segments of the railing are still linked. Can't determine how to separate them when I have multiple segments placed individually (not automatically created nodes). Either I must be doing something wrong or there must be a way to do this that I can't figure out.
TK.

Re: Railing-independent segment

Barry Kelly — Fri, 23 Jul 2021 16:47:43 GMT

As I mentioned, go into EDIT mode.
Turn on the 'Segments & Nodes'.
Select the segment you want and go into the settings to make changes.
Only the selected segment should change.
At least that works for me.

Barry.

Re: Railing-independent segment

Laszlo Nagy — Sat, 24 Jul 2021 10:23:48 GMT

Also, screenshots would be nice at this point.

Re: Railing-independent segment

Lingwisyer — Mon, 26 Jul 2021 01:31:13 GMT

Tom wrote:
Nope, still doesn't work correctly. Somehow various segments of the railing are still linked. Can't determine how to separate them when I have multiple segments placed individually (not automatically created nodes). Either I must be doing something wrong or there must be a way to do this that I can't figure out.
TK.

Clarification, are you trying to split your railing into multiple parts, or make a segment of your railing have different settings?

Ling.

Re: Railing-independent segment

Barry Kelly — Mon, 26 Jul 2021 02:08:11 GMT

The segments need to be independent segments to control each one separately.
i.e. there needs to be a node (hotspot) at the end of each segment as Laszlo showed earlier.
If there is not a node at each corner, then you have to 'Create independent segments and nodes'.
The railing can still be associated to the element, but it must have nodes for each segment.
If the 'Create independent segments and nodes' is not available (right mouse click) then they are already individual.

Then it is just a case of EDIT and select the segment you want to alter.

Barry.

Re: Railing-independent segment

Tom Krowka — Mon, 26 Jul 2021 14:49:08 GMT

To answer both recent questions...am not making independent segments but trying to make segments have different railing patterns.
Have placed associative railing via gravity to mesh. In between the points where railing has automatically associated to the mesh, I've placed several points by clicking without the gravity connection. When I select the entire railing, no right click "create independent segment" command shows up. So then I go to edit. I can select individual segments and change the railing pattern. However it is not only the selected segment that changes the pattern, but others as well for no apparent reason that I can discern. Sometimes it will only change the selected segment, sometimes one or two others. It seems some of the segments are still linked in some manner.
I'm sure it must be some simple thing I've overlooked. Maybe part of the railing is static, part is associative?
TK.

Re: Railing-independent segment

Barry Kelly — Tue, 27 Jul 2021 01:10:44 GMT

Tom wrote:
I'm sure it must be some simple thing I've overlooked. Maybe part of the railing is static, part is associative?

Can you show a 3D image of the railing with it selected so we can see where the nodes are?
Also indicate what segments you want to change.

Barry.

Re: Railing-independent segment

Lingwisyer — Tue, 27 Jul 2021 01:31:46 GMT

Tom wrote:
Sometimes it will only change the selected segment, sometimes one or two others. It seems some of the segments are still linked in some manner.

Possibly the same, have not found a solution other than how it is initially drawn;
https://archicad-talk.graphisoft.com/viewtopic.php?p=329099#p329099

However it is not only the selected segment that changes the pattern, but others as well for no apparent reason that I can discern.

The connected segments should still highlight together when you use the Edit function.

Ling.

Re: Railing-independent segment

Tom Krowka — Tue, 27 Jul 2021 16:12:59 GMT

Ling: In reference to your autopath comment.....am assuming it is not the "autogroup" command. If not, than I am not familiar how one invokes "autopath". Is it segment associativity in the railing dialogue box?
Thanks TK.

Re: Railing-independent segment

Lingwisyer — Wed, 28 Jul 2021 01:43:46 GMT

Tom wrote:
I am not familiar how one invokes "autopath".

When you associate a railing to some entity, you can select two nodes that are not adjacent and the Railing Tool will automatically path you through the nodes in between. This will also occur when you add a node to an edge that an associated railing passes along. If you select the railing, there will be no actual node on these automatic junctions and the segments on either side will act as one. You can convert it to a proper node by moving it off, then re-associating it.

Ling.