Full-project database / tinkering with the pln script?

[zoli79]

This is one of my frustrations and I am wondering if anyone has any solution for it.
Problem 1. As far as I know ArchiCAD can't search across full project, only from floor plans. Same goes for schedules. If you have hundreds of details, sections, elevations, so on, that can be a problem.
Problem 2. Library manager does not tell me where the selected library element is placed. Or did I miss something? (If it's in an attribute it does tell me the surface name e.g.)

Here are two real-life tasks that illustrate the problem:
TaskA.
I come up with a new pen set and I want to replace all lines using #123 to use # 3. Again: I have hundreds of details. (With other attribute types this is not a big issue: delete and replace)

TaskB
I am converting my AC 20 template file to 21. I get a dozen or two elements (with a few hundred placed instances) from the migration library. Call me an idiot, but I do not want anything loaded from the migration library in the template file. So in some cases I might replace objects, markers, notes etc. manually / semi-manually. But first I need to know where they are. If they are on floor plans: very nice, if they aren't, then I have a very frustrating job for weeks...

Anyone has any solution for these? I would imagine that someone knowledgeable in scripting could open the pln in script format and tinker with the DNA. Is that possible? If so, I would consider outsourcing the task. But of course it would be better, if there were an option for the rest of us architects without hacking skills.

Has this been covered in another thread? I did take some time to search, but no results.

[Anonymous]

For the B thing you can schedule the elements (if you are talking about objects) and put the home story and layer in the schedule. From there you can quickly select them. Do it in 3D window so you can replace them in bunch. For 2D object you have to go story-by-story.

You can filter the name of the object to have the previous archicad version in it, in migration library the objects are named like this as I remember correctly : "Window 19"
So just put in the filter to have 19 in the name and it will list all object.

[zoli79]

I might have not expressed myself clearly enough, but the problem is that the schedule only reports objects that were placed in the model - or how to put it. Items that can be seen on a floor plan.
The problem is that many objects are placed on details, worksheets, and the schedule does not report those objects. Unless I've missed something.

[Eduardo Rolon]

You are correct, only objects placed in the model will show up in the schedule. By definition worksheets and details are "dumb" views which convert Model Data to 2D elements (lines and fills) which cannot be part of the schedule.

[JaseBee]

This (issue b) is one of my biggest pet hates with archicad right now!

There is a way to run SQL queries on a plan file that could (partially) solve your problem, at least then you'll have a list of where the objects are. I think it's in the calculate menu (you'll have to enable it in the work environment) it's just called "SQL query" from memory. I'm not up to speed on sql so you'll have to figure out your query.

The other way (and what I'm looking at doing) is a pretty heavy handed approach. I am building up my own custom library, and I've put in some write out scripts to dump useful object data to a text file that can in turn be read by excel.

Both methods are a static output though and you still have to go find and change things yourself.

Seriously graphisoft schedule worksheets/elevations/layouts everything, it's all useful to someone.

And while you're at it, labels too please!

[zoli79]

Thanks! I'll look into calculations / SQL queries. I've wondered where it went - I recall it used to be in the default menu, but never really got into it.

[Barry Kelly]

SQL is no longer supported.

http://archicad-talk.graphisoft.com/viewtopic.php?t=58300

Barry.

[zoli79]

Great! Perfect timing to learn something.
As I browsed through the thread you linked it seems that it still works in 20. Since the issue is about migrating a project from 20 to 21 it still could be valuable - for now...

[Barry Kelly]

Yes, but it has been unsupported since version 18 - so I would use with caution.

Barry.