ACP | March 21, 2019

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Question
Answer Notes
Time Stamp
Keywords/Categories
Course Reference/URL
Qu. Caller would like to indicate the same beams in 2 different ways: on the floor plan as dashed lines, and on the structural framing plan as centrelines.Eric places a beam with generic settings to investigate and shows that the options relevant to this are in Beam Selections Settings > Floor Plan and Section. Here he changes to Overhead dashed lines and can turn the centreline off.0:00:40Beam tool, Beam Selection Settings
Eric discusses attempting this with Graphic Overrides and explains that these can be used to change Linetypes, fills, surface etc that already exist but won't allow you to turn off the centreline that is already showing.0:03:30Graphic Overrides, Graphic Override rules
Eric then looks into using Model View Options as a solution (allows you to control how much detail is shown): i.e. Document Menu > Model View > Model View Options > Construction Element Options. Eric creates a new Model View Option and demonstrates how the beam can be shown in the 2 different ways the caller requires using different Model View Options.0:05:00Model View Options, Construction Elements Options
Eric repeats demonstration of creating a new Model View Option0:09:12Model View Options
Qu. New caller has ArchiCAD warnings eg. "Errors Occurred During the last Operation". Would like to know how to identify the problems and resolve the errors.0:12:40Warnings and errors, error reports.
Eric opens callers file (ArchiCAD 21). The error is coming up each time caller opens a 3D window. He explains how ArchiCAD tracks data & errors0:16:34
Eric explains he is going to turn on visibility of the Error Report & opens callers file. He explains errors are usually Invalid Parameters, Invalid Geometry, or missing Attributes. He then explains each one.0:18:12Error reports
Eric shows how to change setting to view Error Report i.e. Options> Work Environment >Model Rebuild Options. After changing settings there, to view Error Report: View > Refresh > Rebuild. This didn’t trigger Error report so Eric closes file and re-opens.0:21:10Model Rebuild Options, Error report
Error report appears as Tab which Eric Opens & discusses how to investigate errors.0:25:24
Eric shows how to search for object which is listed in report as causing error: Edit > Find and Select. He then looks into possible causes of the errors in Object Selection Settings0:26:25Find and select, Object selection settings
If Report Tab isn't visible on opening file, go to File > Info > Session Report0:32:10Session Report
Qu. From same caller. He wants to change the Shingle Siding colour of model Eric has open (Caller used to modify .jpg in Photoshop and re-save but is unable to do that now).Eric looks into changing the colour in: Options >Surfaces. He tests a few settings but they are not effective.0:34:04Surfaces
Eric explains the use of Alpha Channels in the Texture section of Surface Settings(usually used for colour or transparency).0:36:10Alpha Channels
Eric now looks at alternative which was previously used by caller, i.e.. accessing and modifying the jpeg. He finds the jpeg in an .lcf file and explains how ArchiCAD uses this type of file.0:39:05lcf files, Library Container Files
Eric shows where the .lcf container file is located on his computer. To access jpg files within it, he opens a new project and sets 'ArchiCAD Library Usage' to 'Extract Elements to a Folder'.0:40:20.lcf files, Extract Library Files
Eric demonstrates archiving a project and saving the complete library file i.e. Archive Options select 'Include All Parts in Loaded Libraries' and also 'Linked Textures'0:43:50Archiving, Include all Parts in Loaded Libraries, Copying Library
Caller pointed out this can also be done by going to File > Libraries and Objects > Extract a Container.0:45:30Extract a container
Qu. What causes a report to be created?A report is created if the following is set: Options > Work Environment > Model Rebuild Options > Write report. The amount of detail shown in the report can be adjusted0:47:25Write report
Qu. Open GL vs Basic Engine?Eric explains and shows examples of the difference0:49:08Open GL, Basic Engine
Qu. Caller has used Zones in his model & is having trouble getting the schedule to display Room namesEric opens callers file (A22), he then opens the schedules to try adding some fields to fix the problem. He shows ways to adjust display of information when there are multiples of the same door.0:54:00Zones, Schedules
Eric looks into zones that have been created and realises they have been placed using Polygon tool rather than using room wall/boundary in the model (which might be causing the problems). He changes this to use walls: Construction > Inner edge1:00:16Creating zones
In an open plan design that contains several zones, Eric shows how to place a line (checked as 'Zone Boundary') to designate zones when there is no door.1:02:10Zone Boundary, Eye dropper
Schedule is still not updating with required info (room names etc.). Eric starts a fresh demo project to test use of zones and associated schedule. This test works, Eric continues troubleshooting between the new test project and the callers project.1:13:25Zone creation
Problem is found to be related to the Zone stamp caller was using. Eric starts to use inject tool to update faulty zone stamps with properties from functional zone stamps1:20:25Zone stamp, inject tool
Qu. Caller asks how to select one object easily in amongst a very complex floor plan?Eric demonstrates different methods of selection using arrow tools and quick select1:27:40Quick Select, Arrow tool
Qu. New Caller has a Site Analysis Schedule/Report he has generated using another program (ie. rooms/zones & area sizes for FAR Ratio), he is wondering if other users would find it useful & if it can be done in ArchiCAD with zones/fills. (Eric returns to this qus when callers pdf of project is uploaded.....)1:33:20Schedules, reports
Qu. Callers worksheets always have Demolished Status showing, how can he change this?Eric selects worksheet tool and makes a demo worksheet from the plan he has open. He shows how to change status of lines in worksheets, and explains that sometimes when worksheets are created they inherit properties of the plan/model they were created from (which may have been the cause of the callers problem).1:38:25Worksheets, Demolition Status
Qu. Caller asks how to do a glazed handrail for a landing stair (ArchiCAD22)Eric creates a demo model of stairs up to a landing and adds railing. He shows how to modify to include glass panels and how to make further adjustments within the railing tool. Including how to change one segment only and not apply changes to the whole handrail (i.e. create Custom Segments).1:47:05Stair, Railing, Inner Posts, Segments, Custom Segments
Previous caller (i.e. FAR Ratio Schedule) has now uploaded file to Resource Sharing Channel. Eric downloads to continue Site Analysis Report discussion from 1:33:202:04:15
Eric explains how to join Resource Sharing feature of Coaching Calls2:05:10Resource Sharing
Eric brings PDF into a new project as a Worksheet. He notes to set scale of Worksheets to same as PDF before you bring in PDF. Set new Worksheet to Show as Trace Reference. Eric finds that PDF is not vector based so he cant snap to anything on it.2:06:00Worksheets, setting scale, importing PDF's, Place external drawing
Caller sends DWG through Resource Sharing for Eric to download instead of PDF. He brings dwg into a new worksheet & shows that setting the drawing/measurement unit in this instance is important (rather than the scale as per PDF). This drawing is also not useful as the program has used extensive line work to create hatching which makes snapping unmanageable.2:19:00Worksheets
Caller tries sharing a third dwg with no fills. Same problems2:28:30
Final attempt exports a manageable dwg. Eric checks scale of drawing is correct and able to be snapped to. He uses the new DWG as a background though Show As Trace Reference.2:31:20Trace Reference, worksheets
Eric downloads the image caller provided of the Site Analysis Table/Report, and drags it into Archicad to sit on the plan for reference.2:35:00
Uses a Fill to designate headings/data required in the Site Analysis Report, ie. Property Area and gives it a basic ID. Same for Buildable Area, & Setback area.2:36:25Fill, Graphic Fill, Schedules
Eric creates a new Schedule to look at Elements (i.e. fills). He adds a Field For Area (to display Surface area of each fill), and generates a table with info for "Property", identical to callers original Report, that could be placed on a sheet.2:43:45Schedules,
Eric adjusts Units displaying Area size for each fill: Options > Project Preferences > Calculation Units and Rules to set Zero decimal places for Areas. Eric adds Custom Text Fields (through Scheme Settings > General Text) to sort based on Custom text & set desired order of headings.2:46:10Custom Text Fields, Units
Eric creates a view of the newly created schedule/report & drags onto the drawing sheet and demonstrates how to remove the drawing title which was auto generated below the schedule. He crops the table so that the Custom Text column isn't visible.2:51:00
Eric opens his Sample Project to look into generating the remaining items on callers Schedule. He brings in the schedule already created with Property Area info by exporting the scheme settings from previous ArchiCAD session into Scheme settings of a schedule in the Sample Project. Eric discusses how most of the values in the report can be generated by ArchiCAD but the final total calculation for Floor Area Ratio = FAR (Habitable + Garages)/ Property will have to be typed in manually.3:11:20Schedule, Scheme Settings,
Eric demonstrates using Expression Editor in Property Manager, ie. including formulas in schedules and their limitations (i.e. they cant be used to create a total). He shows use of Fill within a zone to designate an unusable area. In fill Selection Settings > Subtract from zone must be ticked, and % of Fill Area = 100.3:28:31Zone selection Settings, Area calculations, Expression Editor
Summary of last question & findings.3:47:10
Eric describes how it is possible to calculate a property of an object using a formula, and that the formula used can be varied depending on what type of element is being evaluated. He gives an example of a past project that involved creating a schedule of various steel profile calculations3:57:46

ARCHICAD Coaching Call Index by Sheree Bucton

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