Design Options

[Anonymous]

Does anyone know about this function?:
http://www.cadalyst.com/aec/archicad-insights-design-options-3096
It helps managing different design options inside a file, which is something I hugely need. I'm tired of using layers for that, it is just messy.
Is it an 3rd party add-on which disappeared, or a hidden function or...
Anyway something like that is definitely needed IMO.

Regards,
Ollivier

[Anonymous]

I believe that this product is dead.

[Anonymous]

it's really too bad there isn't such a function available, the problem of multiple options comes up all the time for me and using complex layer combinations or the redlining function is just too clunky a process.

After giving the big firms TW2 in the v13 update, it would be nice to see such a function future updates.

[Anonymous]

What do you use modules?

[Anonymous]

Modules are very tricky. I've tried with them but I never found them very convenient.
When you want to change the module you have to find again all the elements of it before you save over, and that is not easy if you have different levels.
Actually it would be great if we could edit the modules inside the file we are working in without unlinking and opening the group.
Then the module is not something that you can use in your layouts to present different options.

regards
Olivier

[Laszlo Nagy]

Olivier wrote:
Does anyone know about this function?:
http://www.cadalyst.com/aec/archicad-insights-design-options-3096
It helps managing different design options inside a file, which is something I hugely need. I'm tired of using layers for that, it is just messy.
Is it an 3rd party add-on which disappeared, or a hidden function or...
Anyway something like that is definitely needed IMO.

Regards,
Ollivier

I think Option Manager is now part of Virtual Constructor.

[Anonymous]

I agree it would be nice to be able to edit the module within the file more easily.
But you can edit a module-file outside the main file. This way you do not have to find all the elements, you just have to save. also the module can be multi-story.
Did you know that a placed module has its own layer? To hide a design-option you just have to hide that layer. Make sure you change the layer-group number, so walls (and beams) do not connect to the existing building.

[Anonymous]

I didn't know that modules have a "master" layer, thanks for the tips.
About editing the module, the problem is that if you are editing outside the file, you can't see the rest of the building, and so there is no point in editing if u can't see the impact.

[TMA_80]

Olivier wrote:
I didn't know that modules have a "master" layer, thanks for the tips.
About editing the module, the problem is that if you are editing outside the file, you can't see the rest of the building, and so there is no point in editing if u can't see the impact.

i totally agree

a better (similar ) option is to have sketchup "componants or group" editing like tool :

when in your model you double click the componant ( module) and you can edit the componant inside the model whithout having to open the orginal module file....
it could be a great and flexible way to edit modules ( but don't know if feasable in AC)

PS: when considering the fact that constructor does not exist anymore , it'd be time to think to bring it back to AC

[Anonymous]

When you are working in a module you can have the context! Just add the main file as a module. Note that you have to switch on the 'skip nested module' function to avoid the looping of the model. (it won't crash your AC, but it will pollute your file).