Complex Profile Question

[Anonymous]

I've made a 2x10 framing member with the CP tool. I've broken the rectangle into 4 triangular pieces so I can get the "X" in the middle of the rectangle. Problem is, when I cut a section and if it happens to be in the middle of the framing member, I get an unwanted line in the middle of the member. This line is there, I believe, because it's the point where the 4 triangles come together. Is there a way to do this to not show the line? I found a 2x framing member in the stock libraries, but it does the same thing when cut through, also I don't like it because you can't set the lineweight of the "X" different from the outer edges. What have others done here?

[Anonymous]

Yes, I agree it is probably easier to draw 2D lines atop the part. It's just frustrating to have to do that with such an expensive, complex program...

[Anonymous]

Hi guys,

I followed your discussion and decide to create an object for it. You can download it here.

It does have the feature of the cross and you can turn it on or off.
Unfortunately in the length the cross still appears, but you can turn it off. I don't think there is a way to get the cross off in a lengthwise section automatically.
Let me know what you think.

[Brett Brown]

Hi Master Script,

Only problem with it is when you put them side by side they merge. Even the great Objective does this, so if you could fix this problem like Jared has mentioned it would be great.

Also another problem with Objective, and it looks like yours has the same problem, is you can't pick up the edges with the mercedes curser. A major disappointment in Objective. Hopefully you can fix this as well.

[JaredBanks]

Brett,

All of those issues are handled with the complex profile. If you add hotspots to the 4 corners in the complex profile, then they'll all have nodes in section/elevation.

[Brett Brown]

Hi Jared, When I first tried the complex profile, the main problem with it was it would merge in plan when you butted them. So never used them again. From your post its easy to do the sides with different fills but how have you got around the tops merging? Objective a least doesn't merge in plan, which brings up the question. Why does it merge in section and not in plan?

[JaredBanks]

If I understand your question...

Not merging in plan is a little tricky but doable. If I remember correctly (just closed ArchiCAD for the dayshift, so I can't double check). Assuming you're using the beam tool, if you use the adjust tool to bring the beam to the edge of the one it meets (perpendicular), the reference lines won't meet and the beams won't merge. But this can get tricky, especially if you later fiddle with the beams sometimes shift and merge their reference lines.

Another option to handle this is with layers. If you have a primary and a secondary layer (say joists vs. beams) then you can control the merging with intersection groups (which is what I do when it matters).

[Brett Brown]

You understand correctly, My continually point with this program is why on earth can't we have probably the most used material (wooden timber) just be used without all these bloody work arounds to get a stick of timber behave like it does in reality. 9 times out of 10 it's quicker to just do it in do 2D. And GS call this a BIM program?

[Anonymous]

Brett wrote:
...why on earth can't we have probably the most used material (wooden timber) just be used without all these bloody work arounds to get a stick of timber behave like it does in reality. ...

I have never cut through a piece of timber to reveal an X on the cut face.

Joking aside, you would think it was possible to have an X "fill" work in a similar way to the insulation fill fitting to the skin thickness*, or shape of a beam / joist etc.

* a feature I have not yet experienced for myself being stuck on AC11

[Brett Brown]

Good point Stuart, would be great, but also if they could fix all the other problems associated with each type, because it seems they all have individual downfalls, or better still, make timber it's own object that has none of the problems the others have.

[Brett Brown]

Hi Master Script, Another little addition/option would be the angle on ends goes from side to side not side to centre.