Is there a tool / object for making a mesh with a specified thickness?

[gedzior84]

Hello.

As in the topic, I wanted to ask you guys if there exists any tool that would allow me to create a mesh with a specified thickness, or layers.
For example, I have a terrain to model, but the ground has layers: 3cm of grass, 10cm of ground, and some other layers. The terrain is not flat - it has some holes and bumps. Is it possible to create this with one tool/object, not using layered slabs, roofs, and shells?

 

[Botonis]

Thanks for the info.

May I ask whether it is possible to add an option for the floor plan level visibility of the object created? 

[Paul King]

I would love to see an update on this.  

Can confirm the AC27 version is working (sort of) under ArchiCAD 28.

Definitely don't recommend the originally posted version (at least under AC28), as for me it generates objects with a massive discrepancy between plan symbol location, and the 3D object location - so for the most part you will see nothing in a 3D window unless only the object on its own is selected.

A fairly significant problem remains with this otherwise cool object even under AC28 unfortunately:   all the hotspots captured with the source mesh are placed down at the level of the base of the solid source mesh - typically, very far below the top surface (assuming meshes are created with base at sea level=datum).  A bit of a pain if your source site is say 60 meters above sea level=project zero.    This means you can't use the hotspots in the 3D window to position anything on top of the mesh object, or even to move the object up or down to align with another object adjacent at top surface level.

The very tall size of the object bounding box created by these distant hotspots also seems to trigger problems with 3D view clipping planes.

Really need a way to toggle these bottom hotspots off, or at least offset them upwards by a user nominated distance (perhaps to a user selected story height).

Once the above is resolved, it would be fantastic to then add some way to toggle on/off labels for each face of the created mesh to show fall direction and gradient (in 1:x and/or % format).  Also elevation/level markers in plan for mesh node points (since the GS default level tool can't read levels from objects) would really help with the design checking and documentation process for things like complex paving surfaces, driveways etc, where meeting exact falls is important. 

Also, making the mesh node points stretchy in 3D would be brilliant, so that adjustments can be made directly in the object, without having to repeat the process every time something needs to change slightly in the base mesh geometry

[Karel Landa]

I've just discovered this and I must say I love it.

Basically does what is needed (complex terrain with a constant thickness, multiple skins, possibility to schedule volumes of the skins in Component schedule).
Probably one thing I would change is to have only the skins I have selected and not to have "the bottom part" and what is @Paul King suggesting (the nodes for quick edit of points).

Thank you very much for sharing such object ♥️

[torben_wadlinger]

This tool is fantastic! And it is a shame that GS isn’t able to transform the terrain tool into really useful. There is a wish from 2006! for multi-layered terrains:

https://community.graphisoft.com/t5/Wunschliste/Freifläche-mit-mehrschichtigem-Aufbau/idi-p/563671

Hey @GRAPHISOFT here is a opportunity to shine: offer the developer to buy a license or buy the whole object and put it into the library.

Or improve the terrain tool to a really useful tool or buy Land 4 and bundle it.

Anyway, everything is better than the current terrain tool.