Free the Databases!
While this catalog looks as though it could be reorganized one does ask the question as to why the ID field isn't part of the XML MaterialCatalog file.
Graphisoft. It's not like the visual interface that displays this information doesn't have room for additional fields. It's even less complex than the Project Info dialog box which also shouts out for easier customization.
The MaterialCatalog.xml file contains much information that is useless, e.g. Gypsum1, Gypsum2, etc. These titles mean absolutely nothing and don't begin to differentiate one product from another.
Seems to me I could rewrite a catalog using the existing as an exemplar and adding OMNICLASS or other codes to the Material Group's name. But even that is not quite enough.
ArchiCAD needs to start making it simpler to connect the threads across the data/toolset. By that I mean that the standard set of Attributes is sub-par and invariably needs reworking. The support infrastructure for these Attributes also needs a major rethink.
if a Building Material is made up of two fills and a surface, they should be much easier to coordinate and change. A single dialog box for these attributes would be great. Another one that could be launched in the Composites Editor would be even greater.
And to let the user add fields - if you won't, we should be able to.
Think Like a Spec Writer
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