topic Re: AC21 Railings....hubboy... in Modeling

AC21 Railings....hubboy...

rob2218 — Tue, 23 May 2023 16:05:15 GMT

so, we have no video tutorials of exactly how to do the AC21 railings. fine...so then how/where are the railings that I can associate to the stairs that have the "wire rails"? How can I adjust the railings to contains those "wire rails"?
(see attached image) I need the railings on the stairs which are currently associated to look like the "wire rail" on the left.....how can I accomplish this?

Re: AC21 Railings....hubboy...

Barry Kelly — Wed, 12 Jul 2017 03:34:06 GMT

No image attached.

What choices do you have in your railing favourites?
The default template should have something which you can export then import into any job.
Might not be exactly what you want but you can adjust all the settings.

If/when you create a stair or railing you will use again I highly recommend saving it as a favourite or saving it in a 'sample' file that you can copy into any other job.

Setting up these stairs and railings is going to be a long and tedious task.
Something you won't want to do again and again if you can avoid it.

I just had a quick look at the wire railing (image attached) and it all looks good until you need to adjust the height.
Then you must adjust (add/remove) the height of all the individual wire rails.
I am hoping there is an easier way - a custom panel maybe?
No that wouldn't work as the height of each wire would stretch along with the spacing?

Barry.

Re: AC21 Railings....hubboy...

Anonymous — Wed, 12 Jul 2017 10:11:02 GMT

Rob,
Why not just spend an evening exploring the new tools and the way they operate rather than just looking for an immediate answer. If you can understand how the tool works you will be able to master it sooner and find out alternative uses for the tool(s)
Scott

Re: AC21 Railings....hubboy...

rob2218 — Wed, 12 Jul 2017 13:24:14 GMT

Barry:
How did you access that "wired railing" object as it relates to adding a railing to the stairs?
Please explain.

Scott:
I plan on spending a few nights understanding this new tool but as you are very well aware...it's always the same. Client pressures dictate that we KNOW and UNDERSTAND how to use the software before it is created. You know that Scott...come on.

So, yesterday I was futsing wiht that "sketch panel" thats inside the railing settings and I see how to add (+) using the + or - tabs on the upper right but how do you adjust the railings pattern width? Can't see to touch/grab/select the vertical dashed lines to make the panel width what I want.
Also....when you place (+) add another "rail" component...how do you set it "EXACTLY" a specified distance where you want it?
Also, the rail components have this "gap" above them that I can't seem to remove.......too many questions guys, we need a a comprehensive video that explains in details how to operate the new railing tool. it's a bit complex. Sure I know, I'm well aware of that once you are shown how to do it.....its simple.........but please we need help GS. We need good tutorials. Not that "stereo manual" instructions that we've been reading for years now. It seems that GS has the same dude for the last 30 years writing the "instructions" portion on their site without realizing that we can't really understand the instruction for new tools. it's not written comprehensively nor is it an easy step-by-step how to follow format...it's very choppy to say the least. Good instructions GS, please.

Re: AC21 Railings....hubboy...

rob2218 — Wed, 12 Jul 2017 13:34:12 GMT

Barry:
When I select the "railing" tool, I don't get that "folder drop out sideways" that you see in your image that shows you being able to select railing from a "folder" I get only the "favorites" button pop out which I can't seem to figure out just how to access the AC21 railing types? See....that's what I'm talkin' bout.

Re: AC21 Railings....hubboy...

rob2218 — Wed, 12 Jul 2017 15:41:22 GMT

So...from these (ahem) instructions...

https://helpcenter.graphisoft.com/guides/archicad-21/archicad-21-reference-guide/elements-of-the-virtual-building/construction-elements/railings/place-railing-basic-polyline-input/

I see that a pullout menu can be accessed, though on my pull out menu for the "railings tool" I can't seem to access anything other than "Favorites"? What button/toggle/pull-out triangle can I click on to go to the library of parts for the "railings"? I'm sure there are some stock OTB standard wired rails but I can't seem to find the folder where to access them from? Help GS.

Re: AC21 Railings....hubboy...

DGSketcher — Wed, 12 Jul 2017 16:00:27 GMT

For anyone else struggling with the new tools and reaching for the internet it is worth remembering that within AC under the drop down Help menu you will have ARCHICAD 21 Help.pdf, the AC user manual, which can be read at leisure offline.

Re: AC21 Railings....hubboy...

rob2218 — Wed, 12 Jul 2017 16:07:12 GMT

are you kidding me? Read the "help" menu? it's worse than reading it online. it's like reading a stereo manual for Petes Sake.......we need "step-by-step" instructional videos ASAP from GS guys. This hunting and pecking and fumbling thru the tool just to get a railing inserted is nonsense....seriously.

it's a chore to have to go thru these kinds of BIM gymnastics to try and use the tool effectively and efficiently. Lots of wasted time while all the while the client is breathing down yer neck asking you "when am I going to get that stair done"?

Re: AC21 Railings....hubboy...

Steve Jepson — Wed, 12 Jul 2017 17:16:19 GMT

This is why I think there will never be a Stair Tool that can be more useful for the results I am after in terms of the model, details, and the material lists, than simply modeling the stair with individual parts from other stairs, or simply modifying a similar stair to fit the new conditions.

Stair Tool?

Re: AC21 Railings....hubboy...

rob2218 — Wed, 12 Jul 2017 17:42:36 GMT

Steve....agreed.
Everytime GS makes some new "tool"...man, it's hell to figure out. Again, we just want to use a tool that can accommodate "most" (notice I said most not all) of the normal stair parameters.......just a usable tool that isn't so complex to work with.

Either that or please GS....give us some videos that show us a step-by-step on how to use these new tools...

Re: AC21 Railings....hubboy...

Steve Jepson — Wed, 12 Jul 2017 18:31:28 GMT

Ever try to figure out the Construction Simulator ? That one is quite a challenge for me.

Re: AC21 Railings....hubboy...

rob2218 — Wed, 12 Jul 2017 18:57:09 GMT

Uhhhh...no Steve.
For goodness sake...I'm just trying to make simple "railings" behave and work to where I can manipulate them without having to spend 2 weeks and allz I have to show for is 2 damn railings....

Steve wrote:
Ever try to figure out the Construction Simulator ? That one is quite a challenge for me.

Re: AC21 Railings....hubboy...

RandyC — Wed, 12 Jul 2017 22:30:46 GMT

It might be nice to have some pre-configured favorites that we
can make immediate use from -- then we can learn the product over
a longer period of time.

Re: AC21 Railings....hubboy...

rob2218 — Wed, 12 Jul 2017 22:34:09 GMT

RandyC:

exactly sir....if there was a way to locate/find where those already configured library files reside....then we can pluck and paste and customize accordingly but as it is right now....I can't even get the folder where the "wired rail" is located? All I see when I grab the "railing tool" icon is "Favorites" and even then I don't see any cause I never created any......so how/where does a user open up the folder with the "wired rail" dialogue box to select from?

GS? Help Please.

Re: AC21 Railings....hubboy...

RandyC — Wed, 12 Jul 2017 22:47:10 GMT

you need to save favorites yourself ( or load favorites offered from Graphisoft ) then the fly out button will exist .

Re: AC21 Railings....hubboy...

rob2218 — Wed, 12 Jul 2017 22:51:41 GMT

GEEZZ....WTH? the flyout button can only come out if you have FAVORITES? WTF?...seriously?

So, how can I access WHERE are the stock out of the box "rails" for the "railing tool" function? I can't imagine that there are only 2 rails that have been installed in this AC21?......I just can't imagine that's the case.

Re: AC21 Railings....hubboy...

Laura Yanoviak — Wed, 12 Jul 2017 22:57:56 GMT

There are Railing Favorites included in the Templates provided by GS (ARCHICAD 21 Commercial.tpl in the US version).

I agree the Help -- specifically on the Railing Tool -- is subpar. It's like they ran out of time and it didn't get finished.

Re: AC21 Railings....hubboy...

Laura Yanoviak — Wed, 12 Jul 2017 23:01:47 GMT

The US template seems to include different Favorites than what Barry is showing.

I've spent the past 3 days creating Stair and Railing Favorites -- and I'm not done. It would be very helpful to have tutorials provided for these more complex tools.

Re: AC21 Railings....hubboy...

rob2218 — Wed, 12 Jul 2017 23:02:21 GMT

Can you please....point me to where the heck those "favorites" railings are? I can't seem to pull out "ANY" pullout tool bar that has the folder where they reside? I have pecked, poked, prodded, and even threatened Archicad 21 to delete it from my Hard Drive....but to no avail.

I have not a clue where the heck can you find those "railing favorites" or how to even access them.

Also, that darn "palette" diagram within the railing settings? WTH is that? I cant seem to figure out how to add the proper "rails" to the diagram? I mean I know the (+) button "adds" rails or hand rails or top rails or panels....but how can you "precisely position" those newly added components? Also, I keep getting this "gap" each time I add a new rail...seems like theres some programing glitch going on.

Re: AC21 Railings....hubboy...

rob2218 — Wed, 12 Jul 2017 23:05:09 GMT

you've spent THREE DAYS....creating rail and stair favorites? that's just not right. it's uncalled for.....really it is to spend THAT MUCH TIME on a tool that has been touted as a major improvement.....NOT....RIGHT....AT.....ALL..FOLKS.

Laura wrote:
The US template seems to include different Favorites than what Barry is showing.

I've spent the past 3 days creating Stair and Railing Favorites -- and I'm not done. It would be very helpful to have tutorials provided for these more complex tools.