Structural Framing model with "transparent" walls?

[rob2218]

So...I've been inputting lately the steel/wood PSL's and the posts for this custom home.
I'm in need of producing a "transparent" (frosty see-thru) type imagery of the house walls, roof, and slabs yet the steel framing needs to be shown as solid so we can analyze the model's structure.

What techniques have you all used to accomplish this WITHIN Archicad? I know something can be done with photochop....but I'm looking to setup views in AC17, then simply either render it out with a rendering style or do a screen snapshot...but the walls would need to be see-thru.

[Erwin Edel]

Hmm, you might be able to get results with the renovation filters, as you can use those to override surface settings. You could then create a surface that is transparant, coloured, etc and apply it to all but the elements you want to show up in the normal way.

[rob2218]

that's a good approach.
only thing I see there is........since the entire house is "new" I'd have to put the walls, windows, doors, etc...on "existing" and put anything that is "steel" or "structure" on the 'new' filter......and I'd have to keep track of what's in the "existing" and whats' in the "new" knowing that it's ALL 'new'................good thought though....may have to give that route a try...see how I can make it come out.

[Anonymous]

Hi Rob,

About six weeks ago there was an interesting article in Presentation, going over this same issue (I think):

http://archicad-talk.graphisoft.com/viewtopic.php?t=46995

Headed "transparent architectural elements".

Hope this helps.

[rob2218]

thanks much!
this does help.
Since we are using a TW file....I'm going to try it first with a PLN solo file to see how that works, so's I don't trash the TW file.
if that works...then I'll create my own renovation filter overrides which will do the job.
I'm assuming also I can output to BIMx with said renovation filters shown so's that the bossman can navigate thru the model with it's transparent "frosty glass-like" walls and see the structure in solid.
I'll post the results when I get this accomplished.

[rob2218]

thanks all......it worked well.
walls, roof, slabs (where needed) are all glass-like transparent.
steel is all solid stuff.
it worked well.