Let GDL objects read their own properties

NBGheikki
Booster

Currently only labels and zone stamps can read the properties of their parent objects. Many times it would be useful for any GDL object to see their own properties.

 

In many cases older objects have parameters for values that would be better expressed as properties, but migrating to using properties is hindered by the fact that an object can't see them. For example, a door's fire rating and similar qualities are more natural to express as a property. They should be accessible from the object to show the user door parameters that are relevant to those qualities.

 

Most recently I wished for this functionality when converting the properties of a landscaping element standard (MaisemaBIM) into a property set. This information is useless to the corresponding plant objects, and the user would have to set the information twice, again as parameters, to have the object look right.

 

Along the years many others have asked about this at the GDL forum:

https://community.graphisoft.com/t5/GDL/GDL-How-can-I-get-user-defined-properties/m-p/305160

https://community.graphisoft.com/t5/GDL/Linking-properties-into-GDL-Parameters/m-p/323998

https://community.graphisoft.com/t5/GDL/Properties-in-non-label-objects/m-p/265703

https://community.graphisoft.com/t5/GDL/Defining-values-of-ArchiCAD-propoerties-through-a-GDL-script...

The last thread even links to an add-on that lets the user query properties.

 

(In some cases it would be also useful to write properties, but this is another matter and probably makes less sense in the big picture.)

1 Comment
NBGheikki
Booster

Of course it could be argued that the information should flow the other way, that the object should be primary and tell properties their values. This could be done from inside the object, or using an expression-defined property, provided it could read object parameters (https://community.graphisoft.com/t5/Wishlist/Library-Part-Parameters-in-Expression-based-Properties/.... Or the information could go both ways, but I suspect this would complicate and muddle things. In any case some connection between properties and object parameters should be possible, and how exactly to implement it is Graphisoft's design choice.

Status
Open

with 6/200 Votes 33.333333333333%

Wish details