IDs for Surfaces

[Josh Verran]

It would be great if there was an ability to add an ID to the surface names, similar to how building materials can have an ID.

It would be used in scenarios like auto-text labels, keys/legends etc.

An example would be:
P1 = paint red
P2 = paint blue
P3 = paint yellow
etc

An auto-text label could then be used on plans to annotate the wall linings, finish etc.
Eg: L1 / P2 / F1

[Lingwisyer]

Similar kind of wish, but for Composites and Profiles..

https://archicad-talk.graphisoft.com/viewtopic.php?f=26&t=59570&p=278646&hilit=composite#p278646

You should add a poll to your post.

[Minh Nguyen]

Hi All,

Thank you very much for creating this poll, and for those who voted to express their opinion.

I am happy to say we took notice of this wish and I have added it into our WishList database (please refer to it in the future as Wish #12679). Hopefully, our Product Management team will adopt this one in the future.

Thank you all once more, and I wish you a great day!

Best regards,
Minh

[Pink Projects]

This is something that I've also spoken directly to Graphisoft NA about. The simple addition of some parameters (ID, etc) to surfaces would be a game-changer. Really hope to see this implemented soon.

[jl_lt]

It would definitely be a step closer to a complete anotation (and maybe keynoting) system within the Archicad environment. Hope it happens.

[James B]

Thanks for the request.

I've moved this to 'under consideration', as we'd like to continue expanding data to Surface in the future.

However, we currently don't have the technology to label surfaces directly - another wish. But can see it still useful for Scheduling surface data.

[Karoly Horvath]

This is actually a much bigger issue.
I don't only want ID's for surfaces, but I want to be able to add custom data fields (similar to properties) to Surfaces.

Why? Because that way I could create a meningful Finishes Schedule.

At the moment the best I can do is I put all the info into the name of the surface in a particular order, then I split the string in a nexpression.
This is a very cumbersome workaround.
If custom data fields could be added to the Surfaces in the Surfaces editor, I could easily achieve the below finishes schedule direct from Archicad.

[James B]

Thanks @Karoly Horvath  for the example.

Is that example pretty typical with all projects? Do you currently create it completely in excel? Then place as a pdf onto layouts?

[Karoly Horvath]

@James B 

That example is very typical, not only at my current practise bat at every architectural practise something similar must be done.

As for doing it in Excel, I know most practises do, but that is a very error prone workflow, so after all these years

did you learn me as someone who likes errors, re-works and confusion???? 

No, I don't do my finishes schedules in excel, it is coming straight from Archicad, but with a lot of unortodox workarounds, all of which could easily be eliminated with a little help from you guys... 🙂
I am 100% sure, all Archicad users would highly appreciate a streamlined workflow to produce finishes schedules.
I'm happy to explain how I achieve the above and what developments I think would be necessary to make it more native and intuitive in Archicad, but that might be best in a short video.

[Karoly Horvath]

PS, a major development requirement to help finishes schedules happen easier is explained in my wish
Custom data field for Composites, Surfaces, Custom Profiles
The only extra necessery thing would be to make it possible to use the surface images in schedule.
Also somewhat connected:
Custom Image Property for Objects - to help FFE schedules 

[James B]

Thanks @Karoly Horvath for the additional info.

Yeah we see many using excel or similar web platform to hold this material data.