Component Level Design Workflows - Conversation & feedback

[James B]

Hi All,

Now in Archicad, most design and data are handled at the element level - assigning properties, using Graphic Overrides or setting renovation status are a few examples.

To express design intent and extract data at a more detailed level, the component or skin level requires further data and flexibility. We already visualise these skins, have Offset Modifiers for Profiles to create smart parametric extrusions, and Component/Surface Schedules to extract data.

We plan to further develop the component/skin level of elements and expand existing functionality in that area, so we are exploring more about what you need. Some questions:

• What type of data do you need to store in components/skins that may be separate or different to existing Building Material properties?
• How is this data used and presented in documentation and schedules?
• Renovation of components, are similar for the same composite/profile? Or mostly unique for all placed elements separately?
• Modelling flexibility of components, in which common situations are you resorting to workarounds, like stacking elements, that existing composites/profiles with modifiers can't achieve?
• Visualisation of components, in which situations do components need be visualised differently compared to the whole element? Such as requirement for submission to highlight structural skins.

As we progress in this area, your input will be invaluable to understand priorities and our direction moving forward. Thanks in advance.

[James B]

Hi Trevor,

During AC17 development we did consider moving the core/finish/other into the Building Material - as you indicated, there were concerns of loosing flexibility and making the Building Material more restrictive in some ways, or add another way to override.... We can always revisit this though.

[Tim Ball]

What are the situations that a building material might be seen as say both core and other? Or other and finish?

I can think of insulation as one of those, however you could then have more than one insulation materials (I have many), each with its own core/other/finish setting

[James B]

Thanks Gerry for your feedback and examples. Much appreciated.

[James B]

Hi Trevor.

Can you elaborate on "without resorting to Complex Profiles" part? Over the years, we've tried to bring Composites and Profiles closer, especially in their representation. Is there something specifically you see better in working with Composites?

[DGSketcher]

Hi James, I appreciate there is a general ethos in AC for it to be flexible, but I also think that we are reaching a point in development where there needs to be some compromise to 1. Simplify the whole interface for users e.g. being able to assign attributes in a logical location, 2. Make it easier for the Devs to process this data in a less chaotic manner and also make it easier for future development.

I think most users would recognise that assigning an attribute like Core or Finish should be naturally applied at the Building Material Source rather than buried / overridden in numerous different dialogs. The creation of additional materials, if required, is less of an issue than trying to find a core material that has been designated as other or finish in a dialog buried 3 pages down. It might also drive home the BIM side of things that a material is selected to do a job in the real world, not because the graphics look better.

[James B]

Hi thanks for the feedback. We're not only looking at components in Complex Profiles, but also hierarchical elements and Composites.

For element ID of a component, if you could access Building Material properties (including ID), would that solve your need? Any examples would be appreciated how you need to use this type of data.

Renovation for complements, you mentioned as being nice, but not a must have in your workflow? You don't use Renovation?

Graphic Overrides for components, you mentioned would be great. Can you provide some workflow examples on how you'd override parts of elements and for which types of outputs?

Thanks.

[DGSketcher]

Hi James, has someone mentioned how easy it is to miss posts on here! Just spotted this by chance after replying to one of your other posts.

What I was suggesting is something along the lines of Vectorworks that on plan  lets you extend or shorten individual skins at junctions, it's slightly more reliable than PBC's. What I was thinking is why does it have to be limited to plan? Having drawn a wall why not have dynamic hotspots on the top & bottom edges of each skin to create vertical offsets e.g. with an external wall I can just drag the insulation above the internal blockwork and lower the outside brickwork to suit the eaves detail. We can do this with Complex Profile offsets, but honestly it isn't an easy thing to set up. 

[James B]

Hi Marek,

Can you outline a few examples in projects, and what current workflows you've used for renovation at skin/component level? Thanks.

[James B]

Thanks for the feedback and comments.

For renovation, what are some examples you're commonly finding in projects?

Can you explain some of the "workarounds" you mention? For the 2 or more elements you currently stack, in which situations do these occur?

For visualising components, how would you present for clients/during construction these components? Thanks.

[abdelaziz]

Hi James 

for example, this happened to us in renovation projects where it was necessary to intervene on the insulation and the exterior finish and it was necessary to break down the wall which constitutes the exterior wall into several walls and superimpose the part which represents the insulation and the finish exterior, the first represents the existing wall to be demolished and the second is the wall to be projected, the problem in this operation is that it was necessary to propose several solutions to the customer and according to the price and the performance of the products he had to choose a solution