Creating walls with varying heights

[Anonymous]

I am currently designing a new building and in certain areas I need to create a wall such that the height at the beginning is floor level and rises at some angle (not known yet) until it reaches the next floor up. Are there any methods inwhich to create a wall like this or do I have to create a profile? It would be so easy if it was possible to put a wall in place and then while in 3D just grab the upper corner and drag it to the appropriate location like most 3D MCAD programs do. Thanks in advance.

[Lingwisyer]

I did notice what I think is a drawback to the SEO tool. I noticed that the "execute" function only works when the operator actually crosses into the item to be trimmed. If the operator abuts or does not intersect the target the operation will fail.

The operator itself doesn't need to intersect, just the zone of the operation type selected given the extruded up/down options. If neither the zone nor the operator itself intersect, you just won't see the effect of the operation, but it's still there.

Obviously the tool does not "Project" the features/shape of the operator onto the target but if it did then it would make some of the work go quicker and easier. Maybe one of the GS programmers could look at adding these capabilities.

What do you mean by this? Using the subtraction with upward/downward extrusion, you'll get a vertical hole that follows the cross section of your operator. If you're wanting the entire shape (solid) of your operator intersecting it's relevant parts is the only way.

If you're looking for the subtraction of a horizontal cross section as an operation you can always model it vertically then convert it to a morph and rotate it to the required orientation.



Ling.

[Barry Kelly]

Lingwisyer wrote:

The operator itself doesn't need to intersect, just the zone of the operation type selected given the extruded up/down options. If neither the zone nor the operator itself intersect, you just won't see the effect of the operation, but it's still there.

Yes sorry I wasn't 100% clear.
The elements do not need to physically intersect for the upwards or downwards extrusion to work.
So long as the projection of the operator (i.e. the 'zone') intersects with the target then the SEO will still happen - even if they are separated.

Only the standard 'subtraction' or 'intersection' requires the target and operator to physically intersect.

Just to complicate things a little bit you have to be careful of the Building Material strengths for elements that automatically connect.
i.e. if you are trying to SEO a strong wall to a weak slab it won't work if the wall is the target and the slab is the operator.
The weak slab will automatically be connected to the slab creating a hole in the slab.
Because of this hole there is no slab to create the SEO with the wall as there is no intersection (or projection).
The SEO will be active but nothing will happen.
Make the slab stronger than the wall and it will now SEO properly.
(see attached image).

Barry.

[Anonymous]

Hello Barry:
To give you a better idea of what I want to do I have attached 2 pictures.

This first one is an example both inside curve and outside curved stairs. Please note that I created them with my MCAD software and it was easy using the sweep tool. First create the sweep path and then the profile and click sweep and voila. In the second picture
it shows the corner of a hockey rink. On the right side of the picture you will see the side stands (pay not attention to the seats as they are only there to take up space for locations) which were created using the "stair" tool as that is much faster than having to insert a slab and then a wall and then a slab and a wall to create them. It would be much easier to use the stair tool in the corners as well except that there isn't any sweep function for stairs. If it were possible the stairs could be used to terminate wall that are under the seating area. I can quickly create the seating section with my MCAD software and then import it into Archicad but I don't know of this new GDL object can be used for wall termination or SEO actions for trimming.

In my endevours to solve my problem I have notice some things about Archicad that indicates to me that these "sweep" operations should be possible. When creating a wall the user creates a path for the wall to follow. When the wall is terminated the outline of the wall cross section is extruded along the path created. That is exactly how the sweep function works in an MCAD program. The difference in Archicad is that the profile the user creates by drawing the profile on the screen in the MCAD software is that the profile is contained in the "Setting" box. I could see adding a few more options (like number of hand rails, stringers, etc. but not limited to) which would then allow sweeping. So just like a wall the user would select/set all the necessary options and then create the placement path. Simply click the starting point and then using the pet pallet select what type of line to draw (straight or curved) and create the path to the width ending point. It should be noted that the "upper" termination points should be indicated as well, like when creating a roof. The same could be done with single plane roofs. Anyway thanks for all the help but I think I am going to be stuck with creating the corner seating in my MCAD package and transferring it to Archicad.

[Barry Kelly]

The images didn't attach.

As for the sweep it sounds exactly like what a 'complex profile' wall or beam can do.
You could also use the shell tool if the path is straight or an arc or the morph tool is another option.
There was a recent post on sweeping a morph around a door frame.
http://archicad-talk.graphisoft.com/viewtopic.php?t=30516

Barry.

[Anonymous]

Hello Barry:
Thanks for all the help. It turns out that I can import a part from my MCAD software (save as .3ds) and then import and convert it to a GDL part which I can then use to trim walls and such. The only issue with this is that the imported MCAD part has no BIM info except the material it is made with. It would be nice if it was possible to add the BIM info to the part while it was being converted to a GDL object by filling out a form during the process. Maybe you could pass that idea on to the GS guys/gals to see if it might be added. Having a feature that allows users to import parts from a 3ds file (which nearly all MCAD software can do) and then add the BIM info to would allow users to develop very complicated shapes (which can be burdensome in AC) easily in an MCAD product (like Solidworks as eg.). Anyway, got my problem solved for now.

[Barry Kelly]

DrWho wrote:
Maybe you could pass that idea on to the GS guys/gals to see if it might be added.

I would love to but unfortunately I only have the same contact with the GS guys/gals that you do.
Either contact your local distributor with the suggestion and/or make a wish here in the wishes section of the forum and see if you can get others to vote for it.

DrWho wrote:
Anyway, got my problem solved for now.

Glad to here it.
I would still like to see an image of what you are trying to achieve.

barry.

[furtonb]

Hi,

similar problem here - I need to create quite silly geometry, and I would like them to remain "live".
I have no issues with modeling, but the display of the SEO on model views is a bit confusing.
Subtraction (with up- or downwards as well), intersection shows up on a 3D document properly, addition doesn't (hidden lines, contours, etc.).

This is where the wall should appear dashed.
(EDIT: elevation from a 3D document) Like this:
(EDIT: same 3D document, addition operator detached, and showing as separate wall) The 3D model (insulation is wireframed for better understanding): When I morph the whole thing, it appears just fine, but I wish not to ("live" editability is a must now). A profiled wall is not an option, as the floor plan is irregular as well, and the shape has some weird bumps.

Is this the planned behaviour?

[furtonb]

I was able to attach the three images, so my 3D document setup is as follows: In the 3D view in wireframe, there is a weird representation of the part in question: There are random contour lines missing:

[Barry Kelly]

SEO is not shown in plan view so you won't see any dashed lines or cut elements.

I can't comment about the hidden/missing lines in 3D without experimenting (which I don't have time to do at the moment sorry).

Barry.

[furtonb]

I was familiar with the floor plan situation, this is about 3D documents, and addition only, others show the hidden lines as expected.

No worries, I just left the operator element as a separate object (shows up incorrect in section - the separation line remains, but I can live with that in this case), and all elevations + top views/RCPs are correct this way.

EDIT: Sorry, I went through my initial post, this is an elevation from a 3D document.