Find & Select a zone based on zone stamp library part parameter

[alexliz]

Anyone knows of a way to search by, say, 'stApartmentId'?

It's one of the parameters I use for Zone ID info in my current project, and I already filter by it and display it in my Zone Schedule.

But I haven't figured a way to use it when searching in plan view, using Edit > Find & Select.

I know how to find the zone by selecting it in the schedule itself and then hitting the button at the top (for 2D or 3D). It's only within Plan view that I am looking for help.

Thanks.

[Ricardo Lopez]

Hi @alexliz 

Alternatively you could use the Apartment ID property available for zones also present in the zone label in the Classification and properties section.

[alexliz]

Thank you, Ricardo. Two questions, please:

1. Is this the same parameter, only found through the label?

2. I can't locate it in Label Settings dialogue - is it a case of how I have set my Classifications and Properties in Archicad 28 INT?

Alex

[Ricardo Lopez]

Hi @alexliz 

The zone label has the option to change the content using your own properties. I got it from the default template and took the screenshot from AC29 INT, but I just checked it on my AC28 SPA as well, and it is also available.

🤔

[Yves]

Hi,

I think Ricardo is talking about a custom property while Alexliz is using this setting from the zone tool.

 

[alexliz]

That is correct. I was referring to the 'Apartment ID' checkbox and linked text field from the Zone settings. Any way we can search for that value using Find & Select?

[Yves]

Like this

[alexliz]

Thanks for your video, Yves. I watched but it doesn't correspond exactly with what I see on my Archicad screens. I will have to spend a bit more time and get back.

In the meantime: anyone with a tip on how to bring the 'Apartment ID' etc variables into the Zone Label?

[Laszlo Nagy]

@alexliz,

The reason you may not have been able to duplicate Yves' video is that there is one very important thing: When you go to the IFC Translators Dialog, you have to select the IFC Translator for Export used for Preview, and modify the Property Mapping settings preset used by that IFC Translator. The Preview setting is indicated by the Archicad logo in front of its name in the list. In the video, the General Parametric Export IFC Translator is set to be used for Preview.

So, here is what happens in the video:

1. Yves goes to the IFC Translators Dialog, and makes sure that the default IFC Translator for Export is selected in the list.

2. He clicks the ... button next to the Property Mapping preset field to modify the settings of the Property Mapping preset used by the IFC Translator for Export used for Preview. In this case, he will be modifying the settings of the Property Mapping preset called Standard IFC2X3 Properties.

3. He creates a custom IFC Property, and then maps the GDL parameter storing the Apartment ID of Zones to this IFC Property. Please note that at 1:00 in the video, he is using the option Add as Library Part independent. This is also important because that GDL Parameter may be used by multiple Zone Stamps, and this way, you have to specify this mapping only once and it will work with all Zone Stamps that have that GDL parameter.

4. When he clicks OK, the settings of the IFC Translator for Export used for Preview will be executed by Archicad. As a result, you will see the proper IFC Type for elements in their Settings Dialogs, and you will also see this new IFC property filled with the correct data in Settings Dialog based on the mapping you defined.

So, for example, if in the Zone Settings Dialog, you gave the value "102" to the Apartment ID field, when you go to the Classifications and Properties panel of the Dialog, you will see that the "Apartment ID" custom IFC Property is also listed under IFC PROPERTIES and it also contains the value "102". This is because Archicad executes the type mappings (e.g. Classification = "Space", then IFC Type will be "IfcSpace") and Property mappings based on what you set in the IFC Translator for Export used for Preview. So, even before exporting the file as IFC, you can see what the IFC Types and IFC Properties of elements will be.

Unfortunately, the Find & Select Palette cannot search for Library Part parameters. However, it can search for IFC Properties, and this is why you have to map the value of your Zone parameter to a custom IFC Property so you will be able to use it in your Search criteria.

There is one other important thing: in the Find & Select Palette, if you select Zone for Element Type, you will not be able to search for IFC Properties. However, if you select All Types or 3D Types for Element Type, then you will be able to use IFC Properties as criteria.

[alexliz]

Thanks Laszlo. As always, detailed and helpful. I will take some time to digest and set up and will post back if still required.