Stretch command (as in autocad) OR isolate/unselect objects

[Adam A]

I know, I know. Archicad is a different paradigm, everyone has their favourite commands from different programs, try to find a different way...

Using STRETCH in Autocad for the last 15 years has really grown on me and has always been a quick way to edit the geometry of a whole part of the design. In a way, Archicad already has this capability in the form of the Marquee tool; its only drawback is, that it cannot unselect objects that are not supposed to be edited. I need to put the objects that I want to edit in a separate layer, put the reference geometry in a different, locked layer, hide all other layers, make my edits and show & unlock everything again. Which is very time-consuming when in the zone and thinking about the design, not wanting to think about the tool. 

It would be awesome to streamline this process (unselecting/isolating objects would be a huge help).

[EmmanuelF]

I completely agree.

But just for the sake of thinking it through... At the same time, in a fully 3D environment (as AC is supposed to be), it doesn’t make much sense. When you stretch something, you have to adjust the whole thing.

What exactly do you want to deselect?

Ah, yes, for example, enlarging a stairwell without moving the staircase itself...

With a polygonal selection, that would be a first and easier solution.

[nonpertutti]

Of course stretching 3d elements might make nonsense; and let non forget that many visualization in Archicad are supposed to come out of object (that are stretchable aren’t they?).

However I (never ever been an Autocad user) also would appreciate to stretch some 2d drawings. Archicad is a 3d environment and of course a BIM, but 2d tools are there too, they are very good and they are very much present in everybody’s files - for many reasons. Stretching is sometimes practical, I’d love to have it!

[JeffH]

This is one instance where being in a teamwork project is beneficial.

You can only stretch what you have reserved, so you don't have to go through the process of locking items or layers when they aren't reserved.

[Space_Agency]

Completely agree with OP. I'm no fan of Autodesk, but the simplicity of the user interaction of stretch in autocad from back in the day is something I miss every time I use Archicad. I would further stretch (sorry) this wish for Graphisoft to just take a hard look at simplifying the basic UI (stretch, move/drag/ ortho-snap...etc) They can implement a one click "rotate 90º" hotkey, so why not revisit the other basic features that people have complaints about/improvement wishes for?

[nonpertutti]

Being grown within Archicad, I really appreciate the way things (either 2d or 3d) are drawn and moved around within the software. I really believe they are powerful, practical and nice to use. Still anything can always improve, anche the stretch thing would be a simple but welcome addition.

Another handy improvement, in my opinion, could be the selection “get everything inside / get everything touched” depending on the direction of the input, like in Autocad (or in SketchUp if we are allergic to Autodesk). Why not?

[Barry Kelly]

@nonpertutti  wrote:

Another handy improvement, in my opinion, could be the selection “get everything inside / get everything touched” depending on the direction of the input, like in Autocad (or in SketchUp if we are allergic to Autodesk). Why not?

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We already have that option for selection.

Barry.

[nonpertutti]

thank you @Barry Kelly! Years and years in Archicad and I still miss a lot. Thank you!

[Adam A]

let's assume i need to move a piece of the wall... (3D Walls, Zones, 2D Elements):
I select the thing with my marquee. Then I move it 200cm to the left: 
Oh, my truck moved too and the borders have as well. In autocad i would simply deselect those objects after the primary selection and before going through with the action; in archicad i would need to lock everything around beforehand, and then be really precise at the selection. The locking and unlocking also breaks if I have other, more important objects already locked away (for various reasons). 

Also, I could move these few objects by the same amount back, but what if i don't move by specifying distance, but by graphical references? how would I find the previous line?

[Barry Kelly]

This doesn't help in all situations, but you don't have to use a rectangular marquee.

You can use an irregular shape marquee to go around the truck and borders (if possible), so they are not included in the stretch.

It is not always possible to get around some element, so locking them or their layer is the only way not to include them (or temporarily hide the layer).

Barry.