topic Re: Making hole in vertical slab, why is it so complicated in Modeling

Making hole in vertical slab, why is it so complicated

cocoloco — Fri, 26 Sep 2025 18:33:53 GMT

I know this has been posted countless times, but none of the suggested resolutions seem to work for me (MacBook user).

I’m trying to create very ***simple*** hole or cutout shape in a slab (elevation), but Archicad won’t allow it. I’ve tried both 2D and 3D approaches — first by drawing, but that produces odd, distorted shapes that are very difficult to manage (sweet Revit). I also expected to be able to “subtract from polygon,” but that option isn’t even available for vertical slabs for some reason. And adding an opening to a slab feels like a mission on its own completely ignoring measurements I set up making full hole instead of just the size I made...

Honestly, the software’s interface really needs a major upgrade, especially considering its pricing.

Re: Making hole in vertical slab, why is it so complicated

Emre Senoglu — Fri, 26 Sep 2025 18:08:32 GMT

This is a workaround, and it might have been suggested before but here it goes:

-Create a beam in 3d, change its shape as desired (round, rectangular, custom profile).

-Assign 'Air Space' material for its structure.

-Go into Building Materials settings, find 'Air Space'. Crank up the Intersection Priority to 999

-Position it as desired.

Betreff: Making hole in vertical slab, why is it so complicated

runxel — Fri, 26 Sep 2025 20:48:17 GMT

Sorry, what is a vertical slab? 😁

You mean.... a wall?

Betreff: Making hole in vertical slab, why is it so complicated

cocoloco — Sat, 27 Sep 2025 04:04:53 GMT

Hahaha you made me laugh. 😆 But no I mean actually slab (built vertically) I mean it’s a fireplace face (marble slab) so i didn’t want to call it a wall.

Re: Making hole in vertical slab, why is it so complicated

Barry Kelly — Sat, 27 Sep 2025 07:05:55 GMT

Personally, I would use a wall and place an empty opening window in it or use the opening tool.

Or you could use a tall skinny slab and still use the opening tool.

If you do it in 3D, you can place a horizontal opening with the opening tool.

Barry.

Re: Making hole in vertical slab, why is it so complicated

cocoloco — Sun, 28 Sep 2025 14:55:33 GMT

I tried the opening. It worked yesterday but sometimes it’s so glitchy and won’t do the hole at all or follow the shape.

I also tried to do irregular hole by drawing and using the magic wand but no luck at all.

Re: Making hole in vertical slab, why is it so complicated

Botonis — Sun, 28 Sep 2025 15:16:31 GMT

I agree.

It took me some years to overcome the name of the elements and use them based on the design properties and the geometry needs of each case.

If a "slab" performs better than a "wall" in certain case I would use a slab.

Maybe you can use a shell and make a shell hole......

The name does not matter. Sometimes I use something based on the quantity extraction options.