LOOKING FOR AN OBJECT: ACCESS FLOOR

[Fritz T]

Hi, does anyone know of, or have a library part that creates a computer or access floor object? I'm thinking something similar to the ceiling accessory used to create ceiling layouts.. I have browsed the forum Object depository for the possibility, but seem to have missed it, if it exists.

Thanks

[Aaron Bourgoin]

CIGRAPH makes a Plug-In that does both ceilings and floors called ARCHIPANEL:

ArchiPanel

ArchiCAD plug-in for designing false ceilings and raised floors

Description:

With ArchiPanel, you can design raised floors and false ceilings starting with an ArchiCAD Zone or Fill. To cover an area, you can use panels tocreate simple or checkered layouts or you can use panel modules for more elaborate arrangements with repeated shapes, sizes and materials.

Detailed Work method:

In the settings for your floor or false ceiling paneling, you can define the panel/module sizes and materials, the minimum surface areafor cut elements, the joint size and layout origin and orientation, and you can also configure the vertical and horizontal supporting elements.

The Offset function allows you to define an inset for the paneling with respect to the perimeter of the area being covered, and you can specify whether to include or exclude any holes inside the area; you can also configure a false ceiling's border and customize its edging.

The Cut/Drill function allows you to add additional holes (which may have curved sides) to a paneling once you have positioned it, while the Modify Paneling tool lets you edit the elements of a floor/false ceiling, either by selecting them manually or using customizable search criteria. Searches can be performed based on the surface material of a panel, its name or the name of an accessory that is associated with it, or the name of its support or supporting beam.

Different search criteria can be combined, and they can also be based on geometric rules (by row/column and either horizontally or diagonally). Once you have confirmed your panel selection in the settings window, you can define optional accessories, including fans, aeration systems, grates, towers, smoke detectors and ceiling signage. You can also add lamps, letting you illuminate your environments according to the settings you define.

The Change Default Configuration tool allows you to update only those elements that use standard settings, leaving the panels you configured separatelyunchanged.

The Change Layout Origin tool allows the origin and orientation of the panels/modules to be redefined while keeping track of the changes you made to the individual components and maintaining their settings.
With the Modify covering/Create structure tool, you can generate a support structure with columns that support a beam (for floors) or suspension elements that hold up a beam (for false ceilings).
When a paneling has been selected, this tool allows you to activate or deactivate the display and numbering of the panels, structure and accessories, both in 2D and in 3D; furthermore, you can change the position of the supports and accessories for each separate panel.


If you make design changes to a room, you can make the necessary adjustments to the paneling with the automatic updatetool: just use the Update ArchiCAD Zone command (or change the fill manually) to regenerate the covering. All of the previously defined settings will be maintained.

ArchiPanel's element calculation functions are particularly interesting: they allow youcalculate the number of whole panels and cut panels by material, display their sizes and list the supports, beams and associated accessories.