Automatic dimension annotation to windows in schedules

[Barry Kelly]

Can anyone (GS please?) tell me what needs to be added to the window (and door) objects so that they can have the automatic dimension annotation added in the schedules on version 13?

In the diagram below I have three standard GS windows.
The storefront is from the library shipped with Archicad.
The other two are from the AUS Essential library.

Only the "Nominal size" option shows any dimensions at all but not in one window.
You can also see it also show in the 3D view for one window.

None of the other options - wallhole size, reveal size, unit size, etc. - work at all.
I am sure I have seen the wallhole size work on some other objects.

I know it is not the hotspots as I have scripted those out and the dims still work.

Commenting out various pieces of the frame in 3D script makes the dimensions disappear and then uncommenting them brings the dims back.

But all the windows have sripts for the frame (obviously) and they are all based on the overall "A" & "B" sizes (nominal sizes) so I can't spot any difference.

The scripts also have "wallhole" commands in them but they won't dimension.

I know we can annotate mannually but I would rather not have to.
Can anyone shed any light on this please?
Thanks,
Barry.

[Gergely Feher]

For automatic dimensioning and IS, the object must have hotspots in definite positions.
If you would like to have a dimension on nominal width and height, the object must have 4 hotspots in a plane, with "a" distance horizontally and "b" vertically.
It's important, that these hotspots must have an own, unique ID. This ID shouldn't change when you change your scale.

If you would like to dimension the reveal or wallhole or unit width/height, you must have more hotspots with the distance "ac_reveal_width", "ac_reveal_height" or "ac_wallhole_width", "ac_wallhole_height" or "ac_unit_width", "ac_unit_height".

Dimensioning in interactive schedule doesn't depend on wallhole commands.

Regards,

Gergely

[Barry Kelly]

Thanks Gergely.
I just worked out all of the parameters and was in the process of posting but hit the wrong button and closed Architalk.

You just answered my other question too in that they must be scripted with hotspots in the 3D script.

But I have noticed the nominal width does not need the hotspots as long as there is an element (ie prism_ or even line_) in the 3D script that uses the A & B parameters.
Or is this just a fluke because it is the overall size of the object anyway?

Can the same be done with the others or must they have hotspots?
ie script a prism for the door leaf using the ac_leaf_width and ac_leaf_height parameters and not have the hotspots.

I just don't want dozens of potential hotspots (all very close to each other)on my doors and windows.
I guess I can use GLOB_CONTEXT to hide them when needed.

For those interested the full list of parameters is (unless I am mistaken) -

wallhole size = ac_walhole_width, ac_wallhole_height
reveal size = ac_reveal_width, ac_reveal_height
unit size = ac_unit _width, ac_unit _height
egress size = ac_egress _width, ac_egress _height
leaf size = ac_leaf _width, ac_leaf _height
nominal size = A, B

Barry.

[Gergely Feher]

Hi,

For reveal/unit/wallhole sizes, you need the hotspots, it's not enough to have an element with the same size.
Maybe the nominal width can work with the default archicad hotspots (if you don't have any hotspots in the 3D script, archicad gives you hotspots in "a" and "b" size.

If you don't want to see the hotpsots in 3D and section/elevation you can use the "GLOB_CONTEXT = 6" condition in 3d scripts. Then these hotspots will only displayed in interactive scedule 3d and elevation drawings.
There is an other way to control the visibility of hotspots: in the MVO macros (LibraryGlobals13 and RequestDWGlobals) there is a hidden parameter contolled by interactive schedule, called: bShowAddHotspotsForIS. You can get this parameter to any door/window, and use it to show additional hotspots only for IS. You can see how it works in the 2D or 3D script of any Door / indow Functions macros developed by Graphisoft.


Regards,


Gergely

[Ben Cohen]

This is a question I should of posted ages ago. Thanks Barry. Seems this "LITTLE" detail for AC13 didnt find its way into any of the GDL or Developer documentation.

[ztaskai]

Ben wrote:
Seems this "LITTLE" detail for AC13 didnt find its way into any of the GDL or Developer documentation.

Good point. This information will be added to the GDL Technical Standards document ASAP.

Thanks,
Zsolt

[Ben Cohen]

Great to see GS answering these sorts of highly technical questions on the forums Zsolt, as a developer it is very hard to get this sort of information when its not documented. Cheers.

[ztaskai]

I updated the GDL Technical Standards document and its independent Windows and Doors child document. You can find them navigating from http://www.graphisoft.com/support/developer/documentation/LibraryDevKit/

I try to update this documentation and extend it with the new issues as they come.

I haven't created a good signature yet but you should know that I'm not from techsupport but from development. I'm responsible for GDL developments so I'm truly interested in the evangelization of proper usage of GDL 🙂

In case you find any errors in the online Basic Library Documentation, please let me know. I'd really appreciate it.

Best regards,
Zsolt

[Karl Ottenstein]

...and a tip, although most GDL users at this level are power-users:

If you put Zsolt's link in the WWWLinks folder inside your ArchiCAD 13 program/app folder, you can access the online documentation easily from the AC Help menu.

Cheers,
Karl

[Ben Cohen]

thanks for the link Zolt, that documentation has changed alot since last time I read it. I just stumbled across the page on creating custom component templates, absolute GOLD !!! (I was attempting this very thing last week!!). I was about to create a post having a whinge about how the custom components keep changing, there is no need now...

Maybe automatic dimensioning info should also be mentioned in the new features of GDL page as well
http://www.graphisoft.com/ftp/techsupport/documentation/developer_docs/BasicLibraryDoc/13/LibDevGuid...

[ztaskai]

Ben wrote:
Maybe automatic dimensioning info should also be mentioned in the new features of GDL page as well.

Yes, sure. It wasn't added as this is not strictly a GDL feature - it is not a change in the language itself. I guess it is worth a mention though. I updated the file; it should appear in a few minutes.

Thanks for the suggestion - and for the comments on the docs:)

Regards,
Zsolt

[Anonymous]

I have a question regarding this. When you set a door height to lets say 204 (which is a clean opening on a finished floor) the door's threshold is on the floor as it should be but in order for this to happen you have to set a sill height with the same dimensions as the floor thickness. But the wallhole size has to be without a sill when being constructed because no ona will construct a wall (like shown in the section) under the door. I know that I can make this go away with SEO but thats not the point the marker is showing wrong dimension for the construction sheets. Can I make the door size minus the floor thickness? i.e different wallhole and different egress size.