topic Re: Set up Template in Modeling

Set up Template

Brett Brown — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 22:48:42 GMT

Hi All, How does one get around the situation where you set up views and layout elevations at zero in your template. Then when you come to do projects, your zero is at say 40 metres, so all your pre set elevations, with 2D stuff already on them, is in middle of screen where you had set them, but the building is at 40 metres and way off screen. Then you have to go through and redo all your preset elevation views and layouts. Hopefully you can tell me the way around this to save all this extra work.

Re: Set up Template

Link — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 02:59:25 GMT

Brett wrote:
...your zero is at say 40 metres....

Depends on what you mean by this. Can we safely presume by the fact that everything is moving, that you are entering this 40 metres into your story settings?

Cheers,
Link.

Re: Set up Template

Brett Brown — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 03:33:46 GMT

Yes,Am I doing it the wrong way?

Re: Set up Template

Link — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 04:47:49 GMT

Indeed you are, but it's a common minsconception.

These story elevations should not be considered real world elevations. Consider them merely as elevations in setting up storeys relative to project zero.

You can then set up your Options> Project Preferences> Working Units & Levels> Reference Levels to relate your project zero to real world elevations. For example you would rename one of the Reference Levels to something like Datum or Sea Level and give it a value of -40m (Relative to Project Zero).

Then, just about every tool can be set to that level rather (or in addition to) project zero. See image below. Even Elevation dimensions can be post edited to relate to these reference levels.

Unfortunately, despite multiple requests, GS has not created any story level lines that relate to the reference levels.

Cheers,
Link.

Re: Set up Template

Brett Brown — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 05:35:10 GMT

Link wrote:

Unfortunately, despite multiple requests, GS has not created any story level lines that relate to the reference levels.

Are you saying that using reference levels you can't use the story level lines in elevations?

Re: Set up Template

Link — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 05:46:43 GMT

You can use them alright, they just don't have autotext that relates to the reference levels. I have seen users who have made their own markers to overcome that problem.

Maybe a GDL guru here can modify the Built-in Story Marker (or similar) so that the autotext can refer to the Reference Levels? But that question will probably have to be posted on the GDL forum.

Cheers,
Link.

Re: Set up Template

Anonymous — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 16:29:32 GMT

Link wrote:
Maybe a GDL guru here can modify the Built-in Story Marker

Like this?

It's not a modification of the GS marker (which always seems more trouble than it's worth) but rather written from scratch (well actually adapted from my level line marker).

It's rather simple since the story marker subtype is pathetically limited in functionality; most significantly it lacks any dynamic hotspots to provide individual adjustments for length and offsets. Since the markers cannot be individually adjusted there is little that can be accomplished even with manually typed parameter values.

To be honest I think that the story marker feature is an embarrassing effort to match a Revit feature (which is dramatically superior) and is nearly useless as a result.

Features:

There are parameters to select the reference elevation and to choose between decimal feet, feet & inches, and meters.

The default font is hard coded to Arial and there is a parameter to override this and use the font from the pop-up list. If anyone wants to hard code a different font name there are instructions in the master script.

There is also a parameter to adjust the marker (called "Extend marker...") that will shift the markers' positions relative to the sections' extents.

Re: Set up Template

RandyC — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 21:46:12 GMT

Matthew , would you have an example of that Story Marker in Version 11?

Re: Set up Template

Anonymous — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 02:46:33 GMT

RandyC wrote:
Matthew , would you have an example of that Story Marker in Version 11?

I'll see what I can do. Time's pretty tight at the moment though.

Re: Set up Template

Link — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 04:55:14 GMT

I actually have one here that was kindly sent to me by Robert Kalocay. He created it while polishing off a nice bottle of red. It's a great part, but I'd like to see it access the same autotext available in the Dimension Text Settings, as per the image below.

With his permission, I'll be happy to upload it if anyone is interested in improving the GDL code.

Cheers,
Link.

Re: Set up Template

Dennis Lee — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 06:39:11 GMT

Wow, this story marker seems like it can do everything! I hope the author is kind enough to share w/ us.

On another note, I wish there would be a more efficient way for GDL gurus to share their work w/ the rest of us, instead of bit here, bit there almost by chance. Hopefully they can be rewarded somehow by GS.

Re: Set up Template

RandyC — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 23:19:18 GMT

Thanks Matthew , as time permits.....
Link , I hope to see this story marker as well , maybe in the depository ?

Re: Set up Template

Link — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 00:32:04 GMT

RandyC wrote:
Thanks Matthew , as time permits.....
Link , I hope to see this story marker as well , maybe in the depository ?

Rod Jurich is taking a look at it and we'll see what he comes up with before posting it to the depository.

Cheers,
Link.

Re: Set up Template

__archiben — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 01:38:12 GMT

Link wrote:
Rod Jurich is taking a look at it and we'll see what he comes up with before posting it to the depository.

link, rod and rob

the one feature i find the absolute most important in the built-in marker is the ability to align the text to the INSIDE (or indeed OUTSIDE) as opposed to simply left/right/centre.

other storey markers i've seen don't have this functionality - does yours?

(incidentally, as well as the reference levels, another feature i've longed for in this is the ability to offset the marker into the extent of the section cut rather than out away from it. is that even possible?)

cheers!
b

Re: Set up Template

Rod Jurich — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 04:39:41 GMT

~/archiben wrote:
/..........

other storey markers i've seen don't have this functionality - does yours?
/.........

This what you looking for?

Re: Set up Template

Rod Jurich — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 04:42:31 GMT

~/archiben wrote:
/..other storey markers i've seen don't have this functionality - does yours/.

And the interface.

Re: Set up Template

Anonymous — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 05:20:45 GMT

~/archiben wrote:
(incidentally, as well as the reference levels, another feature i've longed for in this is the ability to offset the marker into the extent of the section cut rather than out away from it. is that even possible?)

I think mine does it but I would have to check (and I've shut down for the night). It is certainly possible. I must admit though that the tool is so limited it is hard to get excited about making it do backflips through flaming hoops.

Since independent level line markers are still needed most of my clients prefer just to use those and not have two different work methods for what is essentially the same task.

Re: Set up Template

Brett Brown — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 21:59:03 GMT

Is Rod or Matthew going to kindly upload there markers?

Re: Set up Template

Anonymous — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 09:43:23 GMT

Matthew wrote:
Link wrote:
Maybe a GDL guru here can modify the Built-in Story Marker
Like this?

It's not a modification of the GS marker (which always seems more trouble than it's worth) but rather written from scratch (well actually adapted from my level line marker).

It's rather simple since the story marker subtype is pathetically limited in functionality; most significantly it lacks any dynamic hotspots to provide individual adjustments for length and offsets. Since the markers cannot be individually adjusted there is little that can be accomplished even with manually typed parameter values.

To be honest I think that the story marker feature is an embarrassing effort to match a Revit feature (which is dramatically superior) and is nearly useless as a result.

Features:

There are parameters to select the reference elevation and to choose between decimal feet, feet & inches, and meters.

The default font is hard coded to Arial and there is a parameter to override this and use the font from the pop-up list. If anyone wants to hard code a different font name there are instructions in the master script.

There is also a parameter to adjust the marker (called "Extend marker...") that will shift the markers' positions relative to the sections' extents.

Matthew... YOU ROCK MAN!

Re: Set up Template

Rod Jurich — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 01:42:18 GMT

Brett wrote:
Is Rod or Matthew going to kindly upload there markers?

Brett, part attached. Will upload later.

This part began as part of the 3dEdge Library.

It was further developed as part of the 4D Library.

The scripting is credited to Bruce Brunton, 3dEdge
and Ben Cohen, 4D ASP Pty Ltd.

Ben has added the ability to use imperial dimensions.

All credit must go to them.

TO NOTE

ALL stories MUST be selected to SHOW, for maker to have
associative dimension to function/show correctly in the
Elevation/Section window.

This has nothing to do with what is scripted in the part, it is
unfortunately a short coming with the way stories are are
handled within ArchiCAD.

Ben has scripted a library part as part of his 4D Library
which has much more flexibility than the marker and which
we use now instead of the Storey Marker.

The part is for v11 and can be loaded to work in v12.
A screen shot showing imperial settings as the default, follows.