Modelling in 3D - how to set heights

[Barry Kelly]

I am sure I am missing something very simple here.
I don't often model in 3D - usually I do it all in plan and edit in 3D if I need to - I just find that easier.

Playing around in 17 we now have the option for a base and overall height for a wall.
This works great in the plan.
However go to the 3D window and this option is greyed out.
Do we really have to switch back to the 'Project zero' setting and then set both the top and bottom heights of the wall? - seems like only half a step forward with a new feature.

I know I can use guidelines based on something existing or reset the height of the editing plane but these are all extra steps.
And even the 'Z' height in the co-ordinates palette has no effect.

As I say not a big problem but it is just annoying me now.
Can someone tell me if I am missing something?

Barry.

[NandoMogollon]

Hi Barry,

the wall is modeled based on the current Editing Plane (Blue Grid), so just click on the working plane's Grip, and offset it up-down.

In AC17 the wall tool will also recognize other element's surfaces like morphs and slabs, so you can model walls starting on top of the slab even if the editing plane is lower or higher.

Hope this helps

Cheers

[Barry Kelly]

Thanks Nando,
I guess what I was trying to say is that the "Height and Home Offset" option seems to be a bit half-baked if it doesn't work in the 3D window.
I know I can adjust the editing plane but that is assuming I have it turned on in the first place.
And yes usually there will be many other elements that you can snap to for placement.
I may as well place my element at the wrong height and then adjust it.

If I have to resort to using the "Project Zero" and setting base and top heights in 3D then at least it could remember when I switch back to 2D that I was using "Height and Home Offset" there.

I won't get into the fact that I can't choose the storey in 3D to place my element in.
I can use "Project Zero" and other reference levels - why can't Archicad show me the storeys as well.

All I want to do is to say I want a wall of a certain height (i.e. 3000mm) to start at a certain level (i.e. 1000mm above project zero or storey 1) and I can't do it easily without resorting to maths to work out top and bottom levels or activating the editing plane and moving it first.
It would be just so easy to have the wall height set and then just type in the level I want it at.

As I said I don't model often in 3D so not a big problem but I just want to make sure I am not missing something really obvious here.

Barry.

[NandoMogollon]

Sorry Barry,
by reading again my previous post I realize it was written as if you were a beginner here... ( not the case obviously)

anyway, coming back to the original issue, nope, there is no way to make the d*mn field active...

Too bad since sometimes is good to have "free modeling environments"

regards

[Laszlo Nagy]

I think this has something to do with changes made in AC17 to how the Editing Plane works and how elements are created.
I think the following clips tells a bit about this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5BiRWhXr2oY

So the Wall will be placed on the Editing Plane (unless you find an element node, edge or surface point). And the Home Offset value is grayed because it is derived from the current location of the Editing Plane. Or it will be derived from the found element node, edge or surface point.