Composites Legend

arch_08 · ‎2025-05-04

For years, I've been wishing for a Legend that would automatically list the composition of Composite Structures.

With version 28, we got Keynotes and along with them, the Keynote Legend. An identical legend, but specifically for composites, would be great!

I know that it's possible to list composites using Schedules as well, but there are some limitations with this approach. One of the main ones is that Schedules inherit their units from the 'Calculation Units' settings, which means you cannot set different units for different Schedules.

Furthermore, I like that the Keynote Legend is linked to the layout and only outputs the relevant data for each specific drawing.

Karel Landa · ‎2025-05-07

This is a must have.
We also need possibility to place composites where zero thickness materials are present (eg. painting).

A21_Ma_Si · ‎2025-06-13

Another issue is the need to represent a single construction element using multiple composite structures. A typical example is the floor between building stories.

In our workflow, we often model the structural slab (e.g., reinforced concrete) as a single large composite element that spans the entire floor. On top of that, we add separate composite slabs to represent floor finishes and insulation, which can vary by room or zone. These finish layers are usually placed as multiple smaller elements, depending on the layout.

We would need the ability to link multiple composites so they are recognized and displayed as a single assembly in the Composite Legend.

For example, on Story +1:

The structural slab is modeled with Composite 1 (e.g., 20 cm reinforced concrete).
The finishing layers are modeled with either:
- Composite 2 (e.g., insulation + tiles), or
- Composite 3 (e.g., insulation + parquet), depending on the room.

In the Composite Legend, instead of listing these individually, we would want to group them as:

Composite 1 + Composite 2
Composite 1 + Composite 3

arch_08 · ‎2025-06-13

I agree.

We get around this by creating different slab compositions and then cutting the slab into multiple parts. We set the reference line to the core top (slab). When you only want to display the slab, you select "show core only," and you'll just have the slab.
If you use the same core material in all slab composites and it's at the same height, ArchiCAD will merge the slab in the display so there are no lines in between, meaning it won't look cut.

I hope that helps!

A21_Ma_Si · ‎2025-06-16

Yes, it is a possible workflow. We don't like splitting the slab in multiple parts, because we try to model as it will be built: one large RC slab with multiple finishing composites on top. I don't know if exporting the SAF model to a FEM software (for example SCIA Engineering), using those 2 methods, gives different results.