topic Re: labeling different sides of composite wall finishes in Documentation

labeling different sides of composite wall finishes

DavitBotchorishvili — Sun, 22 Jun 2025 19:10:56 GMT

Hello.

I’m working with composite walls that have different finishes on each side. I need to label them based on their respective finishes—for example, one side should be labeled as WF-01 and the other as WF-02. It's important that the labeling tool correctly identifies which side of the wall to apply each label.

I’ve tried setting specific rules in the Property Manager using composite structure names. While I’ve managed to extract both finish IDs, I’m having trouble getting Archicad to distinguish between the two sides of the wall.

I also experimented with a few custom labels (not GDL-based, but simple ones created using autotexts and lines), but I keep running into the same issue.

Is there a way to achieve this correctly?
Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Operating system used: Windows 11

Re: labeling different sides of composite wall finishes

ShaunTaylor — Mon, 23 Jun 2025 00:01:31 GMT

Hi,

To my knowledge, I don't think the Label tool can automatically detect which side of the wall you have tagged. When you label the wall, the label attaches itself to the entire wall so you can collect any information relating to the wall.

I have faced this same issue. As my workaround, I have created my own label that collects Surfaces. My label collects "Outside Surface", "Inside Surface" and "Edge Surface" into a list. I have created an editable hotspot that cycles between these options so that if my labels gets the wrong surface, I just drag my hotspot over to the correct side.

In your case, you can rename your surface to something like "WF-01: Wall finnish type 1" and then split the ID from the name of the surface in your label.

I must warn you though, following my suggestion requires customisation using GDL.

Here is an example,

An alternative is to use IFC Properties or Property Manager and create 4 properties that collect "Outside Surface" & "Inside Surface" to create the "ID" and "Description" properties, using a splitting rule for IFC Properties or an expression for the Property Manager.

These properties might look like;

- Outside Finish ID

- Outside Finish Description

- Inside Finish ID

- Inside Finish Description

Then you could use "autotext" label or the "Classifications and Properties Label" to use that data. Then you could save your preferences as Favourites. Every time it tags the incorrect side (Outside), you could select it and change it to your Inside favourite. Pretty much from there, you could eye drop and inject the labels to make corrections. You would still get the job done pretty quickly.

Re: labeling different sides of composite wall finishes

qbic-ft — Mon, 23 Jun 2025 00:43:58 GMT

It's a very unusual way to work for a real BIM workflow. The wall has its own specifications, fire rating, sound, thermic properties, etc... And the finishes are attached but separate from the basic assembly so you can follow during construction if the wall is done and as well as the finishes... I think your approach brings more problems instead of solutions

Re: labeling different sides of composite wall finishes

Lingwisyer — Mon, 23 Jun 2025 02:10:37 GMT

Are you suggesting modelling all of the finishes seperately? That brings with it a host of other problems and makes it a whole lot harder to make any modifications...

Or are you talking about the IFC Properties workaround for setting the name and code? There was a wish somewhere around here for a better solution, though it might have fallen victim to the great cull...

Ling.

ps. Hm... the hotspot is a good idea. I had just included a menu toggle...

Re: labeling different sides of composite wall finishes

ShaunTaylor — Mon, 23 Jun 2025 06:41:15 GMT

You could also, use Wall accessories to achieve this, which is another workflow I have done. This would be attaching an object to the wall that will update in size and location if the wall is amended. The Wall accessory would carry the data that can be tagged automatically. Again, you will likely need to use GDL to create this customisation. BIM projects do require that finishes are modelled, so you would be achieving potential project requirements.

Re: labeling different sides of composite wall finishes

qbic-ft — Mon, 23 Jun 2025 21:50:16 GMT

Yes, if you want to use a tool to modified quickly...maybe, CI Tools (cladding) may work for you.

Re: labeling different sides of composite wall finishes

DavitBotchorishvili — Wed, 25 Jun 2025 10:28:03 GMT

First of all thank you for advices.

As I am not familiar with GDL script writing I chose primitive yet simple way. I named composites according to finishes (e.g. __WF01 _ WF02 ) and wrote two property expressions. One reads "__WF01" while other reads " WF02" from the name. Therefore, now I have 2 property expressions reading first and the second finish names from the same name.

Then I created 2 custom labels, each with one of the properties. Now I had 2 labels but I had to define their position manually and it was impossible not to make mistakes that way. IDs are almost similar and it is hard to distinguish what side of the wall to set correct label. So I went in composite properties and every finish side that was read by second label e.g. in the wall __WF01 _ WF02, the side " WF02" outline I changed with light purple line. So, now on floor plan I would see composite where the side for second label is lined with light purple line.

Temporarily I changed second label line with purple line as well.

Now when I place the labels I know that the label with purple arrow line should be placed on the wall's purple side.
After finishing the work, I would change lines back to black.

I know this method is primitive and can't be considered as professional but it will be useful for me and 4 other teamwork members so that we wouldn't mislabel any wall

Re: labeling different sides of composite wall finishes

ShaunTaylor — Fri, 27 Jun 2025 21:22:34 GMT

If there is no BIM requirements to model Finishes or handover requirements for Facility Management, then you do not need to model the finishes as long as you can capture them in your documentation. But that may vary depending on what country you are delivering your project in.

You may have additional wall finish combinations on some of your wall types. If you are finding your workaround ends up having too many composites, I recommend that you consider using Surfaces to drive your finishes. Here is an example below.

Re: labeling different sides of composite wall finishes

Helen123 — Thu, 11 Sep 2025 07:15:16 GMT

Just wanted to thank you for sharing this with us! It has helped me immensely! One question, besides using this for surfaces, what else do you use it for? Thanks to you I created a custom label for composites names, similar to what you presented for surfaces.

Re: labeling different sides of composite wall finishes

Ahmed_K — Thu, 11 Sep 2025 10:06:27 GMT

Did someone use this technique when modelling ?

i think how can this affect workflow for documentation and Qty takeoff ( if needed )

According to my quick test :

Pros : automatic extraction of properties from BM , it may help in this case.

Cons : an extra thin layer (1mm) , youneed then to remove some millimeters from another skin to have a rounded total thickness.

Re: labeling different sides of composite wall finishes

qbic-ft — Mon, 15 Sep 2025 00:46:24 GMT

I wouldn't do it that way. You could create a property to say if the that wall is painted or not, I am assuming that by default would be painted anyways and then another property that specify the tag for the paint itself( PT1,PT2, etc) do could schedule without creating a thin layer in 3D

Re: labeling different sides of composite wall finishes

Marc B — Fri, 21 Nov 2025 16:00:36 GMT

Hello Shaun,

Thanks for your post. I am fairly new to Archicad and am struggling with labeling/tagging complex wall profiles. I've created properties for inside outside surface that I can tag but it's a bit intensive trying to keep the properties in correspondence with the surfaces / materials : if I change a surface or material I need to update the property.

I am just starting to get into GDL and would like to know, do your GDL labels work with complex profiles ?

Is there a way to pull the material / surface info to populate a properties choice ?

If you have any suggestions I am all ears and eyes ?

Thanks in advance,

Marc Baillargeon

AC 28 Mac

Re: labeling different sides of composite wall finishes

Gabor Szelei — Fri, 21 Nov 2025 21:53:57 GMT

I'm just putting this here, maybe it helps: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LyBWJq4_aJk

Re: labeling different sides of composite wall finishes

Gabor Szelei — Fri, 21 Nov 2025 22:05:54 GMT

@ShaunTaylor wrote:
As my workaround, I have created my own label that collects Surfaces. My label collects "Outside Surface", "Inside Surface" and "Edge Surface" into a list. I have created an editable hotspot that cycles between these options so that if my labels gets the wrong surface, I just drag my hotspot over to the correct side.

Hello Shaun,

Could you explain this in a little more detail, how you did it?

Could you share with us the label you made? It sounds very exciting that you can switch between properties by moving the hotspot.

I'm currently learning GDL programming and would be interested in what exactly you did.

Thanks:

Gábor