Volume measurements

[SeaGeoff]

Hi,
can ArchiCAD calculate the volume of a building? It seems like zones should be able to do it since they are 3D space objects, but I cannot find such a feature anywhere. Thanks.

[Karl Ottenstein]

Geoff wrote:
Hi,
can ArchiCAD calculate the volume of a building? It seems like zones should be able to do it since they are 3D space objects, but I cannot find such a feature anywhere. Thanks.

Hi Geoff,

Boy, the stuff I learn when double checking before answering questions!

Yes, adding up zone volumes works fine. In the I.S., for example, just select zones, volume, and flag the volume field to be summed.

The bad part of all of this (besides that you have to update zones manually - a long known issue) ... is that I just discovered that you cannot do solid element ops with zones! I can't believe this oversight. I wanded a roof over one of my test zones and tried to subtract it from the zone ... the zone can neither be operand nor operator. The only option was to use trim the zone to the roof.

This puts this feature (volume computation) back with pre-solid op days. (Rambling for the soapbox - I know you know where I'm going! 😉 ) With SEOps, we are getting in the habit of using them instead of trim-to-roof since it lets us adjust walls and roofs and still have things clean up properly. With zones, the trim is static, and you have to click 'undo trim' in the object settings, and then re-trim just like in the "old" days with trim-to-roof for walls/etc. Argh. Worse - unlike walls, zones do not show up in section, so you won't really know if you've moved things and the zones need to be re-trimmed.

So: (1) manual update of zones required and (2) manual trim of zones (and re-trim after edits) make using zones for volume calculations an error prone task.

Karl

PS I suppose a workaround is to not use zones for volume, but to use giant slabs that are on an otherwise invisible layer. Then, there is no 'update' issue, SEOps can be used, and you can see the slabs in section if needed to reassure yourself that all interior volume is 'filled'. Just give all such slabs a special ID such as "VOL" (or even VOL01, VOL02, etc. ... since I.S. can match prefixes), and you're all set. In the I.S., under Slab params, use "Volume" for the volume after holes and SEOp trimming. ("Gross Volume" gives the volume without these modifications.)

[SeaGeoff]

Karl,
they don't call you a veteran member for nothing. This one is for a coworker who asked me about volume but I had no answer. Now I can impress. But I promise to pass the credit on to you pal. Thanks for the unexpectedly thorough answer. You da man

[Djordje]

Karl wrote:
Yes, adding up zone volumes works fine. In the I.S., for example, just select zones, volume, and flag the volume field to be summed.

Beware also of the zoen height; for some reason, it is NOT set to the current floor to ceiling, in the cases of the false ceilings it is also manual. For obvious reasons, you might want to watch out for the correct heights, especially if the area reduction calculation is on.

As for the graphics feedback, my favourite is to show zones in 3D, as it is a VERY obvious cue whethet everything is wrong - the structure is superimposed in wireframe.

Agree with Karl that zones might be a bit smarter in following the connected geometry changes. However - as you work, you are creating gaps and openings and voids that have to be defined as zones later, so a live link might prove to be more dangerous and time consuming than a manual update, where you can see and be warned if any polygon defining a zone is not closed as opposed to automatic update.