"NCS" Wall Label limitations

[Brandon-W_DWa]

I understand it's called the "Wall" label, but why should this be limited to walls only? This would be a very helpful label for all sorts of assembly types, such as roofs, ceilings, floors, etc. It's so close, especially with the embedded ability to create "Wall Type ID's", which removes the requirement of users to input Element ID's or create favorites.

We are forced to use composites to assemble and host all building assemblies, but then are limited to wall composites with this label? Why?

Operating system used: Mac Apple Silicon 14.7.1 Sonoma

[Laszlo Nagy]

If you would like additional functionality for this library part, you should make a wish for it on the Wishlist:

https://community.graphisoft.com/t5/Wishlist/idb-p/wishlist

[Brandon-W_DWa]

Wish created: Construction Assembly 'Type' Marker & Composite Attribute 

[Aaron Bourgoin]

We've decided to avoid all NCS branded components in our template as they are not adequately maintained at GS HQ. We experienced migration issues with the wall tag which necessitated additional work to replace them with a label that works.

I think this is likely because they're supporting the American CAD standard and North American objects just don't get the care and attention that parts for the rest of the world get.

[max_min · Accepted solution]

@Brandon-W_DWa 

You can easily achieve the same result using a custom expression with the Property Label.

Not to be a debby downer, but I don’t see that wishlist item gaining much traction. Setting up an expression defined property to split the composite name is really simple, and it gives you finer control over what appears in the label, and you can set it up today! rather than waiting for GS to create a dedicated label for something you already have the tools to create yourself. Tools like the NCS Wall Label tend to come with limitations. Like the one you already found.

With expressions, you can split the name wherever you want ( not just start or end like within the NCS Wall Label), using whatever delimiter makes sense to you. And , you’re not limited to only splitting the composite name; you could potentially split but also combine with other elements like layer name, renovation status, fire rating, etc.

Then, just set up a favorite that uses the "Property Label" to display the custom expression. It’ll work with any element type, not just walls.

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See attached screenshot how I set up the expression for it to work on both walls and slabs ( and anything that can use a composite really) with the OOTB USA composite naming conventions.

To explain the logic of the expression further; if you want a different symbol as the delimiter; just replace the Colon [:] for whatever symbol you want and it should work. The "2" determines which part it will return. In the screenshot above "2" works if the format of the composite name is Composite Name : Element type.

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But if we expand it and add another number at the beginning for organizational purposes, using the following composite name as an example:

• 10 : Composite Name : Element Type

Then the expressions in the left column would return the following parts of the composite name:

Expression:	What it will return:
SPLIT ( Composite Structure, ":", 1 )	10
SPLIT ( Composite Structure, ":", 2 )	Composite Name
SPLIT ( Composite Structure, ":", 3 )	Element Type

[Brandon-W_DWa]

@max_min - Thank you for such a thorough and helpful reply! I've utilized expressions only just a little bit, so this was a great reminder.

[max_min]

Glad it was helpful, I use expressions a lot, and I think they have a lot of potential; but the fact that they can't access "Library Part Parameters" like schedules can, is their biggest downfall. 😓