!Restored: Object Labels that Auto-Update when Attribute is Changed

[Anonymous]

Hello,

I am the primary Archicad user in an As-Built Architectural firm, and recently we have hired an interior designer. She primarily works in AutoCAD, and I have been trying to move her over to Archicad. I have spent the past week trying to figure out how to add Labels (on the layout view) that will automatically update when a linked attribute is changed. for example, she will be using elevation views of a hotel room, and will tag every object (including walls and furniture) with a tag that includes a color code (dictated by the customer in a color table) that describes the color used. For instance, say (1001 = red) (5005 = blue) and we change a wall color from red to blue, we need the label to update from the original label of 1001 to 5005 when the change is made. Also, we need to figure out how to add a table to link the colors with the color code (so that the application "knows" what code to use for every object color.

Hopefully I have explained this well enough. I would like to know if this is possible with the current program, and if not, is there a plug-in that tackles this problem? If no plugin exists, my firm would most likely spend the time to code a plugin for Archicad. If someone could enlighten me on the feasability, I would appreciate it.

-Ben

[TomWaltz]

It sounds like you could do it with a custom Label object, but it would take some GDL programming to pull it off.

[Anonymous]

TomWaltz wrote:
It sounds like you could do it with a custom Label object, but it would take some GDL programming to pull it off.

It's pretty simple code though (as long as you don't start with one of the GS labels 😉 ). The only tricky part is you need to use the request function:

REQUEST ("ASSOCLP_PARVALUE", expr, name_or_index, type, flags, dim1, dim2, p_values)

To get the value of the associated parameter.

[Thomas Holm]

OT: Pardon my ignorance, but what does "As-Built Architectural firm" really mean?

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the info, when I'm at the office on Monday I'll have to give it a shot. The company that I work for does as-builts, meaning that we go into a site that is undergoing a renovation or remodel, and we capture all of the existing conditions (architecture, fixtures, MEP). Up until about a year ago, we only used AutoCAD (to draw in the field as well as deliver to the customer). We still typically draw in AutoCAD on site, but in-house I convert the CAD As-Built into a Archicad model (we have a few instances of using drawing in Archicad in the field, but until we have a full "live" total station add-on, AutoCAD will still be king of field drawing.)

I've been using Vico Constructor (the primary software we use, not Archicad exactly, but 99% just like it) since I bounced up to Vico USA in Boston for training last year. I'm the only one in the office of 50 who can use it, so I'm almost always busy. My primary background is Architectural modeling in Maya and XSI, so Archicad has been quite a breath of fresh air. I would like to get to know more about GDL, because that is an area I have yet to conquer. If you know of any good books/online tutorials, let me know. I've looked through a great many, but I would like something closer to the custom label creation question topic here. For instance- how is the custom tag created? Is it in the "New Object" dropdown under the "File" menu? Thanks for your time, guys.

-Ben

[Thomas Holm]

Thanks, Ben.

There are a number of posts on GDL learning in this forum, not only in the dedicated developer section. You should do a search.

I don't know much about it, but I find David Nicholson-Cole's GDL Cookbook is the most mentioned document beside Graphisoft's own documents.

Some posts about it:

http://archicad-talk.graphisoft.com/viewtopic.php?p=115846#115846

http://archicad-talk.graphisoft.com/viewtopic.php?p=113637#113637

http://archicad-talk.graphisoft.com/viewtopic.php?p=113056#113056

And the source:
http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/sbe/cookbook/

And about your original question: James Murray has posted some invaluable info about labels here:
http://www.onland.info/archives/2004/12/labels.php
and here:
http://www.onland.info/archives/objects/labels/

I have a feeling it would be cost-effective for you to consult him in this matter. You can PM him here:
http://archicad-talk.graphisoft.com/privmsg.php?mode=post&u=81

[Laura Yanoviak]

Thomas wrote:
And the source:
http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/sbe/cookbook/

Also available for "free" from here (although I strongly recommend making a donation).