Railing Tool Basics - How to create a 2D symbol for a custom Railing Post?

[Boldizsar Vermes]

The new Stair and Railing Tools use GDL sub-elements (such as posts, rails, etc.). Many of them are pre-defined and available by default through the element and component settings dialogs. You can find several default objects in the stock ARCHICAD library, but you can also create your own sub-elements (objects) and save them as custom Library Parts. In a previous article we explained how to save a 3D object of the Loop Fence Inner Posts (in the picture below).

To have a floor plan display for these inner-posts, you have to create the 2D View of this Loop Post. This article shows you how to do that, step-by-step!

Create the 2D Symbol

1. Select and then Open your Railing Post object in the GDL Editor with 'File/Libraries and Objects/Open Object…'
2. Open the '2D Symbol' tab/window from the left side and draw the desired symbol with the basic 2D tools (Text, Fill, Line, Arc/Circle, Spline and Figure Tools).
   

You can use the Hotspot Tool to aid you to draw the symbol you want, but the Hotspots won't be shown on the 2D Symbol, and you won't be able to use these points for adjusting elements, snapping dimensions, etc.

2. 
3. Make sure the geometry is properly coordinated, same as in the 3D. In the '2D Symbol' tab/window the X axis points to the right and the Y axis points to the top. So, in this case Y axis should be parallel to the reference line of the Railing, and the origin should be in the middle.
   
4. Close the '2D Symbol' tab/window.

Now, you created the 2D Symbol of your Railing Post, but we are not finished yet. If you check the '2D View' tab/window from the left side, it is empty. You have to write a single line of script to use the 2D Symbol as 2D View.

Create the 2D Script to use the 2D Symbol as 2D View

1. Open the '2D Script' tab/window and type this into it: fragment2 1, 0
   
2. Save the Object and close its tab/window.

After creating the 2D View of your custom Railing Post based on the steps above, you should see them on the Floor Plan, like on the picture below.

You have to set up the proper Model View Options or custom Component Visibility and Detail Level to show the posts on the Floor Plan. Check the ARCHICAD YouTube Channel for tutorials about the Railing Tool and the Stair Tool.