Unwanted geometry merge

[Bruce]

When creating two PRISM elements side by side with no gap between, is there a way to maintain a separating cut line?

The ArchiCAD default is to merge / clean up touching geometry - but I would like to maintain a separating line without having to create a gap between.

[Barry Kelly]

The easiest way is to use two separate materials.
They can be identical materials but with different names.

Or leave a small gap in your model.

Barry.

[Bruce]

Thought so. Would be very handy to set an intersection priority (sim to DRAWINDEX) so these workarounds wouldn't be required.

Thanks Barry.

[Barry Kelly]

There might be more to it but I am not sure what.
Just checked one of my doors.
All PRISMS have the same material and no gaps.
Joining lines are not merging.
I can't see anything special in the code.
See attached image.

I also created a new object with two cubes (PRISMS) next to each other (touching) and the lines were there.

If I get the time I will look into it further unless someone else has an answer already.

Barry.

[Bruce]

Thanks Barry.

Not a problem in elevation - it's section views that I'm interested in keeping the prisms separate.

Cheers.

[Barry Kelly]

Sorry I missed the 'Section' part.
Different materials won't help.
You will need to use 'SECT_FILL' command with different fills.
Again they can be identical fills so they look the same but with different names so you will see the join.

Barry.

[Bruce]

Yes - that part I knew...but it won't help in this situation. I've just created a <0.1mm gap.

[Barry Kelly]

Bruce wrote:
Yes - that part I knew...but it won't help in this situation. I've just created a <0.1mm gap.

I can't imagine why not but of course I am not familiar with your object.
All you need are two fills - the same with different names - i.e. "Solid Fill" & "100 %".
Then add a SECT_FILL before each PRISM command using a different fill for each adjacent prism.

If you have more than two adjacent prisms then you will need more fills as well.

Barry.

[Bruce]

It's more to do with the office standards / attributes, and the fact that the users will be choosing the fills...not the coding functionality.

[Barry Kelly]

Ahh - I get it now.

Barry.