topic Re: How does one stretch a line that intersects w/ another? in Modeling

How does one stretch a line that intersects w/ another?

Anonymous — Mon, 29 Jan 2007 16:05:46 GMT

When I have 2 lines intersecting at one point and I decide to stretch one of the lines to a different location, I select the line I want and click on its node (which is also the node of the other line) in order to stretch it. Unfortunity the other line becomes selected while it deselects the line I wanted making stretching/editing impossible.

I have found that I have to either delete the line and start over or move it to a new location and stretch both ends to new locations. Is there an easier way (key board command or preference setting)? I remember that this wasn't a problem in AC 6.5.

I think this applies to walls too.

Re: How does one stretch a line that intersects w/ another?

TomWaltz — Mon, 29 Jan 2007 16:18:05 GMT

When editing a point like that, it helps to select the tool of the element you are trying to edit in your Toolbox. I like to use the eyedropper to match the element type quickly.

Since you have the Arrow tool selected when you are doing this, Archicad gives selection priority over editing. If you have the Line Tool (or the Wall Tool) selected, Archicad would give priority to editing that element type and let you stretch the end of the line (or wall).

Re: How does one stretch a line that intersects w/ another?

Anonymous — Mon, 29 Jan 2007 16:27:52 GMT

That's it. I was wondering what I was missing.

Option-Click on the line to get the line tool. Of course this means to get back to the arrow cursor you have to move back to the tool box, but at least there won't be the frustration I felt trying to make simple adjustments anymore...thnx for the help and quick response. Best.

Re: How does one stretch a line that intersects w/ another?

Anonymous — Mon, 29 Jan 2007 16:30:46 GMT

Just curious, why doesn't the arrow cursor work in this case? Is there another function that it does in this scenerio that I'm missing?

Re: How does one stretch a line that intersects w/ another?

TomWaltz — Mon, 29 Jan 2007 17:04:49 GMT

DrawingStudio wrote:
That's it. I was wondering what I was missing.

Option-Click on the line to get the line tool. Of course this means to get back to the arrow cursor you have to move back to the tool box, but at least there won't be the frustration I felt trying to make simple adjustments anymore...thnx for the help and quick response. Best.

Nope. Just hit Escape when you are done.

You can also avoid the Arrow Tool to begin with. You can hold down SHIFT and pick on the elements you want to select.

Re: How does one stretch a line that intersects w/ another?

TomWaltz — Mon, 29 Jan 2007 17:07:19 GMT

DrawingStudio wrote:
Just curious, why doesn't the arrow cursor work in this case? Is there another function that it does in this scenerio that I'm missing?

Because Archicad is doing what I described earlier: Giving priority to the tool you have selected at the time. The Arrow Tool is made for selecting elements, not editing them. Archicad thinks you want to select something, so that's what it's trying to do.

There is also a feature in Archicad that if you have overlapping elements, picking on them repeatedly will cycle through them. Since you are picking on the same point where the lines meet, Archicad is trying to "help" by cycling though the elements that overlap at that point.

As an alternative, you could select what you want with the Arrow Tool, then click Edit > Reshape > Stretch (or it's equal keyboard shortcut) to stretch the point.

Re: How does one stretch a line that intersects w/ another?

Djordje — Mon, 29 Jan 2007 17:36:28 GMT

Just extending it somewhere else? Use adjust. Fillet also works nicely.

Yep, walls too. All linear element behave the same.

As Tom said - the arrow prefers selection. I am a fervent advocate of NOT using the arrow to select anything, except by a window ...

Re: How does one stretch a line that intersects w/ another?

Jefferson — Mon, 29 Jan 2007 20:23:00 GMT

Unlike Djorde, I work with the selection tool as much as possible and like him I use adjust frequently. It is a wonderful and overlooked editing method that does wonders. In conjunction with the much maligned pet palette, you can tab through the range of type of adjustments you want to make, distance, etc. this method works for slab type object edges etc. as well. And once again I've never switched from the selection tool. No big deal to switch from selection to specific tools, unless you add it up over the corse of an ArchiCAD session.

In the case you introduced here, selceting the line, [the one you can't grab the end of], key in adjust, draw the adjust to point, or click on an adjust to element, adjust to point and you're done. And you never left the selection tool! If it hasn't made the correct adjustment now the end point is accessible without interference

Re: How does one stretch a line that intersects w/ another?

Anonymous — Tue, 30 Jan 2007 08:54:35 GMT

Ctrl+H (stretch command) and ac will force stretching and won't allow selecting even if you're in selecting mode so you don't need to change tool to line, pline, wall etc.

Re: How does one stretch a line that intersects w/ another?

Link — Tue, 30 Jan 2007 10:36:03 GMT

DrawingStudio wrote:
Just curious, why doesn't the arrow cursor work in this case? Is there another function that it does in this scenerio that I'm missing?

It should work. Can you select the line first, then click on the endpoint and hold until the pet palette appears? Then with the appropriate pet palette option chosen, you should be able to stretch the endpoint to the desired location.

I can't see why that shouldn't work, especially for simple lines. That's how it's intended to work.

Cheers,
Link.

Re: How does one stretch a line that intersects w/ another?

Anonymous — Tue, 30 Jan 2007 18:06:12 GMT

zucoc: ...Ctrl+H (stretch command)

This hides AC program on the Mac...there is no keyboard shortcut for stretch on the Mac as far as I can see. (Edit > Reshape > Stretch)

Link: ...click on the endpoint and hold until the pet palette appears

I noticed this works sometimes but not always...if you click on the line and not the node, then click on the node and hold, it doesn't always show the pet palette for me, especially if I've been dragging a whole line previously, instead it sometimes selects another line. I probably need to get used to how it works.

TomWaltz: (when in a tool mode) ...hold down SHIFT and pick on the elements you want to select (, then edit them)...hit Escape (to return to the arrow cursor)...

Works great for me. I'll be making this my habbit because it seems to work every time.

Thanks everyone for the suggestions!

Re: How does one stretch a line that intersects w/ another?

Stress Co_ — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 03:34:32 GMT

DrawingStudio wrote:
zucoc: ...Ctrl+H (stretch command)

This hides AC program on the Mac...there is no keyboard shortcut for stretch on the Mac as far as I can see. (Edit > Reshape > Stretch)

Reassign the shortcut... I use Option+H

Try enabling the "element info pop-up" (info tag). If you place the arrow over the intersection point of the lines, you'll see it says "multiple elements" (tab). Hit the tab key and you'll cycle through the selections. When the line you want is highlighted, click your mouse to select it..... then stretch the end point (using the tool selected in the pet palate).

This works great when you have elements stacked and a simple selection is not so easy.

Re: How does one stretch a line that intersects w/ another?

SeaGeoff — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 23:45:20 GMT

You don't need the info tag turned on (bugs me) for the Tab cycling to work. You just need to be in selection mode (Arrow tool or Shift). I have the highlight set so it never comes on by itself since it's always available with Tab. Avoids a lot of flashing when moving around the screen.

Re: How does one stretch a line that intersects w/ another?

Jefferson — Thu, 01 Feb 2007 01:35:15 GMT

Hey Geoff -

Howzit down your way? Would you mind posting a screen shot of the setting location for the info palette, set as you describe. I presume this in Work Environment somewhere.........can't seem to work it that way from here. Thanks!