Adding parameters to placed objects

[Anonymous]

Hi.

Is there a way to add/change specific parameters of already placed objects and at the same time keep their existing values (as they differ)?

[Eduardo Rolon]

In AC changing one parameter of a groups of objects should not affect the other different parameters. As usual do a save before doing the change and verify.

[Anonymous]

Well the problem is that the object I want to change is a part of the archicad standard library so it is inside a .lcf-file which makes it uneditable hence when opening and saving the object it asks me to create a new object instead of overwrite it. If I create a new object the whole idea is lost as the already placed objects looses their values when assigned as a new object...

[Eduardo Rolon]

My mistake was assuming that you wanted to change the parameters of a placed object not edit the GDL of an existing library part with the result of creating a New Library Part. So in that case the answer looks to be no.

As a workaround, once you have created the New Object you can use find and select to find all the objects that have one set of parameters and switch them to the new object. That means that you will only not have to go edit each object individually.

[sinceV6]

Hi.
If you have saved a new library part with the changes you want (say in the embedded library) you can select your placed object(s) and use ctrl-alt when selecting the new library part. This will transfer parameter values that exist in both objects, but will use the default values of the new parameters.
Hope that's what you are after.
Best regards.

[Anonymous]

That is exactly what I was looking for.

Thank you!

[Anonymous]

I have unfortunately noticed that this method does not completely keep all values. It only keeps the dimensions and element ID. Other parameters such as Fire class, door glazing etc are all overwritten.

[Barry Kelly]

So you have already placed objects in your model.

You can add NEW parameters so long as you edit and save the original object.
This will mean you have to extract the original LCF (Library Container File) so you can access the object and save it back as itself (i.e. not a 'Save As' as this will create a new object).
The problem with this is you are amending the original object so if you ever update with a new library (object) you will lose all the changes you made and will have to re-do them.
However all of your already placed objects will get the new parameters.

You can not change parameter values this way - it will just reset the default for all new (future) objects.
To amend existing parameter values you must select all the objects and change the parameter as Eduardo mentioned - only those parameters you modify will change in the objects.

Using the eye-dropper / syringe method will pass ALL common parameters from one object to another - you have no control over individual parameters.

You could create (Save As) a new object (with a new name) based on the original object - this way you will not have to extract the LCF file.
This new object will have your new parameters.
Then you select the old object in your model and open the object settings.
Browse for the new object and then hold CTRL+ALT (syringe) as you select the new object that you have created.
This will pass on all of the existing parameters to the new object at the same time as swapping the old object for the new object in your model.
You will still need to modify any existing parameters you want changed because this will overwrite all of your existing parameter values into the new object.

Barry.

[sinceV6]

Yeah... what Barry said.

You must be doing something different. Fire rating, glazing type, etc. ARE carried over when selecting a new object (door, in this instance), so long you use CTRL-ALT when selecting. This is provided you select the same type of object and that the parameters exist in both and have the same variable name. If you created a new door to add a new parameter (say you needed fire rating in a door that doesn't have the parameter to fill in), you would need to use the same variable name in the parameter list (notice you need the variable name, not the 'name' that is displayed in the settings dialog or the value) so that the value gets carried over.

Or maybe you need to be a little more specific on how you are trying to add/change parameters.

Best regards.

[Anonymous]

SinceV6, I'm using windows. When I (after having marked placed objects) select the new object in the object setting dialog using ctrl+alt (the cursor becomes an injection symbol), it does not keep existing values such as Fire Rating, it overwrites it.