Why GDL?

[Anonymous]

I have yet to try MaxonForm, so my question may be a little ignorant, I apologize in advance.

Why does ArchiCad use GDL as the means to creating complex objects, forms, etc? I don't quite understand why ArchiCad would not incorporate menus, palettes, buttons, and commands to do this in a more intuitive manner (similar to programs that allow a user to do these things without knowing code, Maya, Rhinoceros, Autocad, etc).
If I have any major complaints, this is it. ArchiCad's lack of intuitive complex shape-making. For example I think it is easier to think of a "Table" in terms of shapes rather than walls, slabs, beams, and columns. Perhaps this is just because I learned Autocad first...

Anywho, I am just looking for some feedback...

[TomWaltz]

Because GDL allows you to make a single object have multiple options or settings that allow it to serve multiple purposes.

You do not need to learn GDL to make objects, though. You can just model the object you want and said it as an object.

[Dwight]

mzinski wrote:
I have yet to try MaxonForm, so my question may be a little ignorant, I apologize in advance.

Why does ArchiCad use GDL as the means to creating complex objects, … I foolishly learned Autocad first...

Anywho, I am just looking for some feedback...

These tool names are hold-overs from the early days of Archicad where the UI designer was trying to make designing a building more like the modeling process and less like abstracted geek-land. These descriptions and the tools are deliberately limited (directed) to make understandable architectural elements.

I understand your trepidation because by calling a primitive that has a primarily horizontal orientation a "slab," it prejudices the user from using it in unexpected ways, such as like a board, say. And in calling a tiltable, trimmable plane a "Roof," it prejudices the user from making table legs with it.

Recipe for table:

A 3/4" slab = table top
Profiler at perimeter for nosing.
A set of four 3/4" thick walls x 4" high = table skirt
A set of four square roof pieces of zero slope 26" deep with 1 degree tapered edges all around = tapered legs.

Now you have a table modeled with "primitives."

Model these elements together, make a top view in 3D and Save 3D model As - Archicad Object File. No GDL at all.

You'll see, reviewing the 3D Script of the object, that it is editable GDL code, made without you knowing the GDL language at all.

It CAN be an interesting game to actually create objects with GDL code to permit parameter adjustments.

Anyone would admit that Archicad is not a good free-form, modeler. If you want to make ambiguous, editable losenges, forget it - without the Maidenform tool. But for a block of flats, it has no equal.