Arc Hi Wall

ArchiWall™

PLUG-IN FOR ARCHICAD®

Free Shape Walls

Cigraph

vers. 2.0

ArchiWall™

User Guide

ArchiWall “User Guide”Version 2.0 for Microsoft Windows and Apple Macintosh© 2006 Cigraph Factory S.r.l.

CopyrightThe contents of this manual and the software described therein are the sole property of Cigraph S.r.l. withall rights reserved.As per copyright laws, this manual and the software programs cannot be copied either fully or in partwithout the written consent of Cigraph S.r.l., except during normal use of the software to create a back-upcopy. This exception does not allow the buyer to make copies for others, even if the software is sold, tra-ded or given away.

Written by Roberto CoronaTranslation: Katherine CosentinoCover Illustration by Marco Marella

Guarantee limitationsEven if Cigraph S.r.l. has tested the software described in this manual and reviewed its contents, CigraphS.r.l. can give neither express nor implied guarantees or statements with reference to the software, its quali-ty, its performance or suitability for any particular purpose.Therefore, this software is sold “as is” and the buyer assumes all risks with reference to its quality and per-formance.In no case shall Cigraph S.r.l. be held responsible for direct, indirect, special, incidental or consequentialdamages deriving from any defect in the software or from errors in the manual, even if its notified of thepossibility of said damages.In particular, Cigraph S.r.l. shall not be held liable for possible loss of data or of the program on compu-ters, including the cost of recovery or the cost of data reproduction or of the program itself.

Licences and TrademarksArchiWall is a registered brand name of Cigraph S.r.l. ArchiCAD, PlotMaker, StairMaker, PlayBack, andGDL are registered trademarks of Graphisoft. Microsoft Windows and Windows 95/NT are registered tra-demarks of Microsoft, Inc. Apple, Macintosh, Power Macintosh and Mac OS are registered trademarks ofApple Computer Inc.. AutoCAD, DXF and DWG are registered trademarks of Autodesk, Ind..Other products and trade names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of other companies and areused purely for demonstrative purposes in favour of the trademark holder, without intent of breach.

Cigraph S.r.l.Via Orsato, 38 - (I)30175 VE/MargheraTel. +39 041 93 23 88 - Fax +39 041 92 00 31Internet: http://www.cigraph-store.come-mail: [email protected]

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Contents

ContentsArchiWall 1

What is an ArchiCAD plug-in? 1System Requirements 1ArchiCAD versions 1Where to install the plug-in 1Package Installation 2

Introduction 3The palette 4Wall creation 5

Polygonal Wall 5General settings 6Special Settings 7Angle management 8View 10Materials 11Help 11Information 12

Free Shape Wall 13Tubular Linear Wall 15Tubular Wall 17Stripe Wall 19Reveal Wall 21Block Wall 23Edit Parameters 25

Data update 25Explosion 26Geometry update 26

Window creation 28Moulding creation 323D colour 37Help online 40

Appendix 41Custom block creation for Block Walls 41

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ArchiWall

ArchiCAD Plug-In used to create wallswith irregular surfacesWhat is an ArchiCAD plug-in?A plug-in is a Software component that allows you to add functions toArchiCAD.

ArchiCAD manages the plug-ins automatically, activating and closing themusing the menu bar. Once the plug-in has been installed, a new commandwill appear in the menu bar. This menu acts like any other ArchiCADmenu.

You won’t even realise that you’re using a plug-in: it’s like using yourArchiCAD, but with more functions.

System RequirementsThe plug-in requirements must comply with the ArchiCAD configuration. Ifyou do not have sufficient memory for the libraries, you will be promptedby a dialogue window.

If this occurs, make more memory available by quitting other applicationsor by limiting the memory assigned to ArchiCAD.

ArchiCAD versionsThis plug-in is compatible with ArchiCAD 8.1 and will not run with pre-vious ArchiCAD versions.

Where to install the plug-inThe plug-ins cannot be directly activated from the Finder (Macintosh) or byWindows Explorer (Windows). In order to activate them, you must copythe plug-ins in the ArchiCAD Add-Ons folder.

• Mac OS: the Add-Ons folder can be located in the same folder in whichyou find the ArchiCAD application, or on the inside of the Graphisoftfolder located in the System folder.

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• Windows: the Add-Ons folder must be located in the same folder inwhich you find the ArchiCAD application, if it is placed in any otherlocation, you will not be able to enter into ArchiWall.

ArchiCAD verifies the presence of the plug-ins upon start up. If the plug-insare not in the correct location, you will have to quit the program, place theplug-in in the appropriate location and restart ArchiCAD.

For temporary use, you can activate the plug-in using the Load Add-oncommand… located in the Tools menu.

Package InstallationThe ArchiWall folder contains the ArchiWall plug-in and the“ArchiWall.Lib” folder. To install the plug-in:

• Copy the ArchiWall folder into the ArchiCAD Add-On folder.

If the installation has been correctly carried out, a new menu commandwill appear in the Menu Bar.

The library needed to run the “ArchiWall.Lib” software is automaticallyadded to the list of active libraries from ArchiCAD.

If the additional library has not been added, the first time you use one ofthe plug-in commands, the software will prompt you to activate it.

Select the Library Manager… from the ArchiCAD File menu.

In this window, select the ArchiWall.Lib folder and add it to the activelibraries list.

To avoid any improper functioning of the Plug-In, do NOT rename the fol-der and do NOT move the file from the Library (ArchiWall.Lib) from the fol-der where the Plug-In (ArchiWall.apx) is located.

Introduction

With the ArchiWall add-on, you can add "overlaid-structures" to normalArchiCAD walls, transforming simple prismatic blocks into multiform con-struction elements. The elements created are single instances of a librarypart which interacts with the add-on, but can also be used independently,although with some limitations. This allows you, for example, to send yourproject to a colleague who does not have ArchiWall, without the risk ofsupplying him with an incomplete image. You just have to remember tosend him the ArchiWall library as well, or to save the project in Archiveformat.

The element created by ArchiWall has all the geometric characteristics ofthe original wall, including trims to roofs and openings created for doorsand windows. The object maintains a link with the original wall, with thepossibility of automatic (in real time) or manual updating, but the link is notbinding. Unlike ArchiCAD "Accessories" objects, ArchiWall objects canremain present and functional, even if you decide to delete the wall usedto create them.

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The paletteLet’s begin with an exploration of the palette controls. The top buttonlabelled ArchiWall displays a simple info window enabling the serial num-ber of the product to be entered.

The largest button marked with the type of structure to be created is theWall Creation button and has a small triangular icon at the bottom right.When you click and hold down this button, a pop-up menu appears whereyou can select one of the seven wall options available:

Polygonal Wall, Free Shape Wall, Tubular Linear Wall, Tubular Wall,Stripe Wall, Reveal Wall and Block Wall.

Below are the following eight buttons:

Modify parametersExplosion

Window creation3D colour

Now let's see how to use the various functions.

Data updateGeometry updateMoulding creationHelp on-line

Wall creationSimply clicking this button immediately activates the process of defining thetype of structure represented. Although the number of steps depends on thewall type chosen, you will always start by defining the reference wall sur-face. With this add-on, you can process structures derived from linear, tra-pezoidal and circular walls. You cannot use ArchiCAD polygonal walls.

Note: If you make a copy of an ArchiWall element, both the original and copywill refer to the same wall. When you copy the object and wall together,the duplicate element remains associated with the host wall, not its copy.

Polygonal Wall This tool is used to create a vertical prism-like element, whose outsideshape is defined by a profile previously drawn on the Floor Plan in the cor-rect planimetric position with respect to the wall. To draw the shape, whichmay contain linear and curved segments, you must use the Polyline tool.

After clicking on the Wall Creation tool, the ArchiCAD cursor is marked bya small circle prompting you to define the reference wall face. Next youmust indicate the shape of the element. To prompt this operation,ArchiWall places a small downward pointing arrow next to the ArchiCADcursor.

Alternatively, you can choose the wall and polyline first, then click on theWall Creation button.

When the reference elements have been defined, the Settings Window willappear.

This window will be more or less the same for all types of ArchiWall gene-rated wall. Obviously the controls may be different according to type.There will, however, always be seven buttons on the left side providingaccess to seven settings tabs: General Settings, Special Settings, AngleManagement, View, Materials, Help, Info.

The contents of each tab in this first window are described in detail below.

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General settings

In this tab, you can enter values for the base and top of the element.Remember that the object is also "cropped" to follow the shape of thebase and top of the wall, including above or below trims to roofs. Thismeans that even if you enter a value higher than the top of the wall, theelement can never project above the wall. Similarly, the base of the ele-ment can never be below the base of the wall.

The magic wand button at the bottom left activates or deactivates theAutomatic Update function. When this function is active, the element willalways adapt in real time to modifications in the geometry of the host wall.If the button is not active, you can always update manually using the DataUpdate button in the ArchiWall palette.

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Special Settings

If the polyline includes curved segments, the resolution can be set here.The value entered defines how many straight segments will be generatedto approximate the curvature.

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Angle management

The shape of the new element may cover the entire or partial length of thewall. In the former case, the ends adapt to any junctions in the wall, follo-wing the bisector. In the latter case, they will be perpendicular to the wallsurface. If the element has to follow the junction of the walls, it may be lon-ger than the wall it is attached to. This must be borne in mind when dra-wing a polyline which must project sufficiently with respect to the angle for-med by the two walls.

For each of the two ends, there are three buttons enabling the orientationto be defined. With the first option, the ArchiWall element is cut at thesame angle as the ends of the reference wall. In the case of free ends, theangle will be 90°, while for L or T connected walls, the angle will be equalto the bisector of the angle formed by the two walls. This option enables

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you to correctly manage the junctions between similar ArchiWall elementson continuous walls. The second option locks the angle in such a way thatit is always perpendicular to the surface of the reference wall. With thethird option, a specific angle value can be entered manually.

There are also two check boxes displaying two "handles" with editablehotspots on the Floor Plan. These can be used to set the angle graphicallyand interactively by simply dragging the ends with the mouse.

Note that the angles of the cut are always calculated from the ends of thereference wall, not the ends of the ArchiWall element.

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View

In this tab, you can set the parameters defining the appearance of the ele-ment in the 2D and 3D images. The box at the top left provides a moredetailed image in 2D symbol. In the field below, you can choose the sec-tion value for the plan symbol. This value also defines the visibility of anyopenings on the Floor Plan and, for certain types of element, the thicknessof the sectioned element. On the right, you can choose the pen to be usedfor non-sectioned lines such as thresholds and any overhanging parts pre-sent in certain types of element.

The controls below can be used to choose the type of fill and pen to usefor the fill, background and outline of sectioned parts. If the box with thedropper is selected, these controls will be deactivated and the element willuse the same properties as set for the reference wall. Note that the line ofseparation between the ArchiCAD wall and the ArchiWall element is cor-rectly hidden only if the pen used for the fill background is other thanzero. In addition, in Display Options, the Fill Background Colour commandmust be set to "For element settings".

Below, you can choose the pen to use for lines in the 3D view and for non-sectioned parts, visible in the Section/Elevation view. Here too there is abox with a dropper enabling the pen set in the reference wall settings win-dow to be used.

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Materials

In this window, you can choose the materials for the surfaces of theArchiWall element. The box with dropper at the top left enables you to usethe same materials as set for the reference wall. When deactivated, youcan choose a specific material for the outside surfaces. For the sides, youcan choose whether to use the same material as set for the edges of thereference wall, those defined for the body of the element or another mate-rial.

The button at the bottom right with the chain icon limits the material on theside and front surfaces. By activating this limit, the edge material set abovewill be used only for the openings and trims to roofs.

If the dropper boxes are not selected, the default pens, filles and materialswill always correspond to those used for the reference wall.

HelpThis button opens a pdf document containing the electronic version of theuser guide. Help on-line will be available only if the AWall_Help.pdf file isin the correct position in the same directory as the add-on. To consult thedocumentation, Adobe Acrobat Reader or other suitable software must beinstalled on the computer.

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InformationThis button displays a simple window with info on the add-on.

Whatever window is currently active, there is always a pop-up menu at thebottom of the settings window to choose the layer on which to place theelement. When you click on the OK button (bottom right), ArchiWall calcu-lates and creates the Polygonal Wall element, linking it to the host wall.The generating polylines are not cancelled from the Floor Plan.

Free Shape WallThis tool is used to create an element whose shape is the result of a unionbetween two profiles, one top and one bottom. The two profiles must havepreviously been drawn on the Floor Plan in the correct planimetric positionwith respect to the wall using the Polyline tool. The only condition to berespected is that the two polylines must have the same number of sides,while there are no limits to the use of curved or linear segments.

After clicking on the Wall Creation tool, the ArchiCAD cursor is marked bya small circle prompting you to define the reference wall face. Next youmust indicate the top and bottom shape in order. To prompt the correctsequence, ArchiWall places one small arrow pointing downwards and onepointing upwards beside the ArchiCAD cursor.

Alternatively, you can choose the wall and polyline first, then click on theWall Creation button. In this case ArchiWall will only ask you which of thetwo polylines is the bottom one.


The content of the various tabs is identical to that described for thePolygonal Wall.

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For this type of element, the resolution entered in the Special Settings tab isused to divide both the curved and linear sides of polylines into segments.The individual surfaces of the Free Shape wall will usually be complex andtherefore not part of a simple slanting plane. ArchiWall will thereforeapproximate them by dividing them into triangular planes. In the 2Dimage, the segmentation may be obvious above all in sectioned parts.Using higher resolutions will produce more accurate results, but the proces-sing times will increase proportionally.

When the dialog window is closed with OK, ArchiWall calculates andcreates the Free Shape Wall element, linking it to the host wall. The gene-rating polylines are not cancelled from the Floor Plan.

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Tubular Linear WallThis tool is used to create a horizontal prism-like element, whose outsideshape is defined by a profile previously drawn on the Floor Plan, keepingin mind the following points:

- the Y axis represents the vertical axis;- the value of the lowest point of the profile is the same as the value of thebase of the wall;

- the point farthest left will be linked to the host wall;- the part of the profile facing right will be the outside surface with respectto the wall.

The profile must be traced with the Polyline tool and may contain linearand curved sides.

After clicking on the Wall Creation tool, the ArchiCAD cursor is marked bya small circle prompting you to define the reference wall face. Next, youmust indicate the profile of the element. The operation is prompted by asmall icon which ArchiWall places beside the ArchiCAD cursor.Alternatively, you can choose the wall and polyline first, then click on theWall Creation button. In this case, ArchiWall displays the eye cursor whichcan be clicked on one side or the other of the wall to choose the side onwhich to construct the element.


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The controls in the various tabs of this window are all identical to thosepreviously described for the Polygonal Wall.

The field defining the top value of the object created by ArchiWall will notbe taken into consideration if the designed profile is lower. If on the otherhand the profile is higher, it will be cut to the set height. Modifying the bot-tom value shifts the profile vertically.

The resolution indicated in the Special Settings tab is used to segment thecurved sides of the profile.

When the dialog window is closed with OK, ArchiWall calculates andcreates the Tubular Linear Wall element, linking it to the host wall. Thegenerating shape is not cancelled from the Floor Plan.

Tubular WallThis tool is used to create a horizontal prism-like element along a path. Itsoutside form is defined by two shapes (path and profile), which must havepreviously been drawn on the Floor Plan. The path must be in the correctplanimetric position with respect to the wall and represents the trace of theinnermost point of the profile.

The profile must be drawn keeping in mind the following points:

- the Y axis represents the vertical axis;- the value of the lowest point of the profile is the same as the value of thebase of the wall;

- the point farthest left will follow the path;- the part of the profile facing right will be the outside surface with respectto the wall.

Both the profile and the path must be traced with the Polyline tool and maycontain linear and curved segments.

After clicking on the Wall Creation tool, the ArchiCAD cursor is marked bya small circle prompting you to define the reference wall face. Next, youmust indicate the path and then the profile of the element. These opera-tions are prompted by the small icons placed by ArchiWall beside theArchiCAD cursor.

Alternatively, you can choose the wall and the two polylines first, then clickon the Wall Creation button. In this case ArchiWall will only ask youwhich of the polylines is the path.


The controls in the various tabs of this window are all identical to thosepreviously described for the other types.

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The field defining the top value of the object created by ArchiWall will notbe taken into consideration if the designed profile is lower. If on the otherhand the profile is higher, it will be cut to the set height. Modifying the bot-tom value shifts the profile vertically.

The resolution indicated in the Special Settings tab is used to segment anycurved sides of the two polylines.

When the dialog window is closed with OK, ArchiWall calculates andcreates the Tubular Linear Wall element, linking it to the host wall. Thegenerating polylines are not cancelled from the Floor Plan.

Stripe WallThis tool is used to create an element with an almost non-existent thickness,formed from simple horizontal stripes of different materials whose characte-ristics can be defined directly in the settings window.

The element created will always be the same length as the host wall. Forcontinuous walls, the length of the wall will continue until the bisector ofthe angle formed by the two walls.

After clicking on the Wall Creation tool, the ArchiCAD cursor is marked bya small circle prompting you to define the reference wall face.Alternatively, you can choose the wall first, then click on the Wall Creationbutton. In this case, ArchiWall displays the eye cursor which can be clic-ked on one side or the other of the wall to choose the side on which toconstruct the element. At this point, ArchiWall displays the SettingsWindow.

The majority of the controls in the various tabs of this window are all simi-lar to those previously described for the other types.

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The Special settings tab contains specific controls to define the appearanceof a Stripe Wall. At the bottom there are two numbered lines containing anumerical field and a pop-up menu. These represent the first two stripescovering the wall. The first stripe usually begins at the base of the wall, butthe value of the entire element can be modified using the bottom field inthe General Settings tab. The numerical field defines the width of the stri-pe, while the material can be chosen using the pop-up menu.

Using the "more" and "less" buttons on the bottom right, the number of stri-pes can be modified. The stripes are always added at the top, after thelast current stripe. The stripe added will have the same characteristics(height and material) as the previous one. Similarly, when a stripe is can-celled, it will always be the last one added, in other words, the one at thetop. You can never have less than two stripes. The chain icon at the rightof the material selector enables a series of alternating stripes (even and/oruneven) to be linked together, enabling their parameters to be modifiedsimultaneously.

The series of stripes defined in this way can be repeated, until the entirewall height is covered (or to the level set in the General Settings tab), sim-ply by activating the Repeat Stripe check box at the top left.

For this type, the Angle Management tab is no longer active as the elementhas virtually no thickness and is always precisely adapted to the length ofthe host wall. The Materials tab is also inactive as these are defined in theSpecial Settings tab.

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When the dialog window is closed with OK, ArchiWall calculates andcreates the Stripe Wall element, linking it to the host wall.

Reveal Wall This tool is used to create an element formed from a series of horizontalreveals whose characteristics can be directly defined in the settings win-dow. This element is very similar to the element created with the StripeWall tool, but in this case the thickness of each stripe can also be defined.

The element created will always have the same length as the host wall. Forcontinuous walls, it may continue as far as the bisector of the angle crea-ted by the two walls.



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The Special Settings tab contains specific controls to define the appearanceof a Reveal Wall. At the bottom there are two numbered lines containingtwo numerical fields and one material field. These represent the first twostripes covering the wall. The first stripe usually begins at the base of thewall, but the value of the entire element can be modified using the bottomfield in the General Settings tab. The first numerical field defines the widthof the element and the second defines the height, while the material canbe chosen using the pop-up menu.

Using the "more" and "less" buttons on the bottom right, the number of stri-pes can be modified. The stripes are always added at the top, after thelast current stripe. The stripe added will have the same characteristics(thickness, height and material) as the previous one. Similarly, when a stri-pe is cancelled, it will always be the last one added, in other words, theone at the top. You can never have less than two stripes. The chain icon atthe right of the material selector enables a series of alternating stripes(even and/or uneven) to be linked together, enabling their parameters tobe modified simultaneously.

The series of elements defined in this way can be repeated, until the entirewall height is covered (or to the level set in the General Settings window),simply by activating the Repeat Element check box at the top left.

When the dialog window is closed with OK, ArchiWall calculates andcreates the Reveal Wall element, linking it to the host wall.

Block WallThis tool is used to create an element formed from two alternated series ofblocks arranged in horizontal rows, whose characteristics can be defineddirectly in the settings window.



The Special Settings tab contains specific controls to define the appearanceof a Block Wall.

In the area at the bottom there is an illustration of four sample blocks anda series of numerical fields enabling the sizes to be set. The distance bet-ween the blocks, set in the central field at the right, is used for all horizon-tal and vertical joints.

At the four corners of this area there are pop-up menus for choosing thematerial for each block.

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You can use the Choose button in the top part of the tab to select the blockto be used from those present in the loaded libraries. ArchiWall comescomplete with a number of blocks already available. Every user howevercan personalize extra blocks as described in the appendix. Note that libra-ry blocks can be used for linear and trapezoidal walls only. A simpledefault rectangular element will be used for curved walls.

The two blocks in the bottom row and the two in the top row are two sepa-rate modules. The modules will be repeated side by side horizontally andalternating vertically until they cover the complete surface of the referencewall, in respect of the upper and lower limits set in the General Settingstab.

When the dialog window is closed with OK, ArchiWall calculates andcreates the Block Wall element, linking it to the host wall.

Edit ParametersThis is an extremely important function, even though described in a fewlines. After creating one or more ArchiWall elements, the specific settingwindow can be opened again to modify the parameters by simply selec-ting the element and clicking on this button. ArchiWall allows you to editmore than one element at a time. If the elements are of different types, thesettings window will obviously relate to one type only. In this case, youcan edit the parameters common to the various types only. If you edit spe-cific parameters in the Special Settings tab, these values will be applied tothe elements of corresponding type only. For example, if you select aStripe Wall and a Reveal Wall, the Stripe Wall Settings Window could bedisplayed (depending on the order of creation and/or selection of the ele-ments). If the base value is modified, the modification will be applied toboth objects. If the height or material of the stripes is modified, it will beapplied to the Stripe Wall only. In this situation, you cannot change thethickness, height or material of the Reveal Wall elements.

Note: this function can be used for Wall, Moulding and 3D Colour elements. ForWindow type elements, the parameters can be edited using the ArchiCADSettings Window dialog only.

Data updateThis tool can be used to update the geometric data the ArchiWall Elementsinherit from the host wall. Instead of activating the automatic update (byusing the relative button in the settings windows) it may be more practicalto manually update as required only, making editing of walls with associa-ted ArchiWall elements easier and faster. Updating is possible only if theoriginal wall has not been deleted.

Updating will be carried out on the selected elements. If no element hasbeen selected, ArchiWall will ask if you want to update all of the elementson the current story.

Following this operation, the ArchiWall elements will take their positionand orientation, together with value, height, door and window openingsand trims to roofs, from the host wall. The properties of the element (pens,fill type, materials) will also be updated if the corresponding boxes withdropper are active in the View and Materials tabs.

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ExplosionThe first four ArchiWall element types (Polygonal Wall, Free Shape Wall,Tubular Wall, Tubular Linear Wall, Tubular Wall) are used to define shapes(paths and/or profiles) created with the Polyline tool. By selecting one ofthese elements and clicking on the Explosion button, ArchiWall will provi-de a restored copy of the original polylines on the Floor Plan in order toproceed with an update of the geometric definition.

The path is restored to its original position with respect to the host wall,while, to position profiles (Tubular Wall and Tubular Linear Wall)ArchiWall asks you to click on the Floor Plan.

During this phase, the ArchiWall object is placed in edit mode and this isindicated by a small box with the pencil icon.

The Explosion operation can be performed on a number of elements simul-taneously. If a number of tubular walls are selected, you must also click onthe Floor Plan to position the relative profiles.

Note: this function can be used in the Floor Plan view only. This operation can beperformed only if the host wall has not been deleted.Bear in mind that in many cases you will not need to use this function asmany modifications can be made directly by graphic editing, using thecursor to drag the hotspots of the selected element. In the Floor Plan view,you can modify the position of the nodes on the bottom polylines(Polygonal Wall, Free Shape Wall, Tubular Linear Wall). For curved sides,a further hot spot at the centre of the side enables the curvature to bemodified. In the 3D window, you can also edit the top polylines and profi-les. Here too, you can modify the curvature by means of a hotspot at thecentre of the curved sides. Further hotspots positioned at the vertices of thebottom and top polylines enable the bottom and top values of the elementto be modified interactively. Therefore the Explosion function need only beused when you want to modify the number of nodes on the polylines ortransform straight lines into curved lines or vice versa.

Geometry updateOnce the Explosion function has been used and the geometric data defi-ning the object has been modified, you can use this button to regeneratethe updated object. Select the box that shows the element in edit modeand click on Geometry Update. According to the element type, one ormore mouse clicks will be necessary to define the updated elements to beused. This is similar to creating an element, except that the reference wall

does not need to be defined as it is already known. Once again, as in ele-ment creation, all elements can be selected before clicking on the button. Ifyou are updating a Free Shape Wall or a Tubular Linear Wall, ArchiWallwill ask you to indicate which of the two polylines is the bottom one.

Note: This function can be used only if the host wall has not been deleted and ifthe layer in which it is positioned is visible.

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Window creationThis function can be used to create openings of any shape, in some wayslike normal ArchiCAD Window objects. The tool can be used (with slightlydifferent procedures) in the Floor Plan or Section/Elevation views.

In the Floor Plan view, it constructs the shape of a window using a fill.Curved sides can also be included, but holes will not be considered.Select the fill and click on the Window Creation button. A SettingsWindow will appear showing the normal Window tool settings dialog. The3D_WALLHOLE window will always be selected, configured with the sameshape as the fill used to define it.

Note: do not select other library windows otherwise you will have to repeat theprocedure from the beginning.

In the user interface panel named ArchiWall you can choose whether tocreate a niche, a simple hole without window or a complete window. To

access other settings, press the button at the right under the three buttonsshowing the main types.

In the subsequent window, you can enter the sizes and resolution for cur-ved lines in the various numerical fields. For niches, the only dimensionavailable is the depth, while for the empty hole, the window will show theresolution parameter only. With the right hand buttons, you can move tothe next windows (pens, materials, grid) or go back to the initial window(question mark).

In the Pens window, you can use the four pop-up menus to choose thepens to use for the 2D and 3D image of the window. This window is notavailable if the Hole or Niche type is selected.

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The Materials window can be used to select the materials for the variousparts of the window. If Hole or Niche is selected, you can activate a checkbox to use the same material as the host wall. When deactivated, youcan use a pop-up menu to choose a different material.

In the Grid window, the two fields on the left enable the number of hori-zontal and vertical subdivisions to be defined. In the two fields at the bot-tom right, you can enter the sizes of the elements, while the pop-up menuat the top chooses the material to be used. This window is not available ifthe Hole or Niche type is selected.

When the settings dialog is closed by clicking OK, the defined element willbecome the current default Window. Choose the Window tool from theTool Palette, then place it on one or more walls in the usual way.

Remember that you have not created a "new" window, but an ad hoc con-figuration of the 3D_WALLHOLE window. This means that if you chooseanother window and then the 3D_WALLHOLE window again, it will no lon-ger have the shape or other customised parameters you defined as theywill all be reset to the default values. To insert other windows identical to

the one already defined into the design at a later date, you can transferthe parameters by Alt-clicking the configured window then inserting thenew windows.

As said above, the Window Creation tool can also be used in theSection/Elevation view. In this case, the fill which defines the shape of thewindow will be created directly on the host wall. Not just the shape butalso the position and height of the window can thus be defined in a singleoperation. To use this procedure, the section must be parallel to the wall.Before clicking on the Window Creation button, you must select both thefill and the host wall. After configuring the element and closing the settingsdialog by clicking OK, the window is automatically inserted into the wall.The same element will also become the default window and other identicalwindows can be inserted following the usual procedure.

Note: this method can be used for linear or trapezoidal walls only. To insertArchiWall windows in curved walls, you must create them as describedabove.Once positioned, you can select the ArchiWall windows and edit them inthe settings dialog like any other ArchiCAD window. There are also edita-ble hotspots on each vertex and at the centre of each curved side. Bydragging these nodes in the 3D or Section/Elevation views, you can inte-ractively modify the shape of the element. For niches, there is a further hot-spot (also present in the Floor Plan view) to modify depth.

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Moulding creationThis tool can be used to create various types of moulding following thecourse of linear walls, trapezoidal walls or curved walls.

When you click on the Moulding Creation tool, the ArchiCAD cursor ismarked by a small circle prompting you to define the reference wall face.Given that the same moulding is generally used on a number of façades oron a number of buildings in the same group, this command is cyclic. Thismeans that after you have clicked the side of the first wall, the cursor willremain marked by a small circle and you can go on indicating furtherwalls on which you want to position other mouldings. These will all bedefined together and will all therefore be identical. You can, however, editthem later, even individually.

If the button is clicked on a wall which has already been selected,ArchiWall will display the eye cursor with which you can click to indicatethe side where the element is to be built.

The moulding settings window will appear, very similar to the windowdescribed for the various types of ArchiWall wall. Once again, there is aseries of buttons down the left side providing access to the various tabscontaining the controls to configure all aspects of the elements - GeneralSettings, Special Settings, Angle Management, View, Materials, Help, Info.

In the General Settings tab, you can choose the shape of the moulding,using the five buttons at the top. A sixth button enables custom mouldings

to be created. This button is only active if, before activating the MouldingCreation button, you have selected a fill in the Floor Plan view representingthe shape of the element to be created. While creating the custom shape,remember that the left part will face the wall and the right part will faceoutwards. The values in the numerical field refer to the topmost part of thefill.

At the bottom of the tab there is an Automatic Update button. If active, asalready described for the walls, the element will always adapt to modifica-tions to the geometry of the host wall. If the button is not active, you canalways update manually using the Data Update button in the ArchiWallpalette. On the right of this button there is a numerical field where you canenter the height of the moulding. To the right, the Gutter button opens a fur-ther Settings Window where you can define the characteristics of thisoptional element.

When the top box with the eye icon is selected, the gutter is displayed.This also makes the other controls below available. On the right you canchoose the shape - round or square. The sizes and (for the round gutter)the resolution can be entered in the numerical fields on the right. Two pairsof options further down can be used to set open or closed ends. At the bot-tom, there is a pop-up menu to define the material for the gutter.

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The dimensions of the type of moulding chosen can be defined in thenumerical fields in the Special Settings tab. If the fifth type has been cho-sen, there will also be a pop-up palette to select the shape of the crossbarunder the moulding.

This tab is not available when a moulding with custom shape is beingcreated as the dimensions are already entirely defined by the perimeter ofthe fill.

The Angle Management tab is identical to that described for ArchiWallwalls. Mouldings can also automatically follow the junctions of the hostwall and have the ends either at right angles or cut at angles definedeither numerically or graphically by the user.

The View tab is very similar to that described for the walls. In this case,however, there are controls to define the fill and pens for the element inthe sections. In the Floor Plan view, mouldings are in fact always withoutfill. There is also a further pop-up menu at the top right to choose the typeof line for the planimetric image, enabling you to use filling to indicate thepresence of the moulding.

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The Materials tab usually contains only a pop-up menu to choose the mate-rial. If the fifth type of moulding has been selected, there will also be asecond pop-up menu to choose the material for the crossbars under themain structure.

When the dialog window is closed with OK, ArchiWall calculates andcreates the Moulding, linking it to the host wall.

To modify the settings of one or more mouldings already in place, selectthem then click on the Modify Parameters button. The settings windowopens and all settings can be modified.

Note: when editing custom mouldings, if you choose one of the pre-defined typesin the General Settings tab and pass to another tab, you cannot select thecustom button again. In other words, the custom shape will be lost.

3D colourThis function can be used to create arbitrarily shaped areas of colour onthe surfaces of linear and trapezoidal walls.

To use this tool, proceed as follows:

- create a section parallel to the wall;- in the Section/Elevation view, trace out the area to be coloured on thewall using the Fill tool;

- Select the Wall and Fill together, then click on the 3D Colour button.A Settings Window similar to those described for ArchiWall walls andmouldings will appear.

The General Settings tab contains the Automatic Update button and anumerical field to enter the thickness of the element.

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The resolution for curved sides can be entered in a numerical field in theSpecial Settings tab.

The Angle Management tab is not available for 3D Colour. In the Viewtab, the only properties which can be set is the pen used to trace the outli-nes of the element in the 3D window.

In the Materials tab, you can choose the material to be used for the surfa-ce of the 3D colour.

When the dialog window is closed with OK, ArchiWall calculates andcreates the 3D Colour element, linking it to the host wall.

The element created is a GDL object which respects the openings and trimsto roofs of the host wall. When an object is selected in the 3D view or inthe Section/Elevation view, the editable hotspots enable the shape of thearea of colour to be modified. As for all ArchiWall elements, there will bean editable hotspot on each corner and one on each curved side. The pos-sible modifications to the shape are therefore limited to moving the cornersand redefining the curves (if you want to increase or decrease the numberof nodes, you will have to recreate the element).

To modify the settings of one or more 3D Colour elements already inplace, select them then click on the Modify Parameters button. The settingswindow opens and all settings can be modified.

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Help onlineThis button has the same effect as the Help button present in the ArchiWallsettings windows. It opens a pdf document containing the electronic ver-sion of the user guide. Help on-line will be available only if theAWall_Help.pdf file is in the correct position in the same directory as theadd-on. To consult the documentation, Adobe Acrobat Reader or other sui-table software must be installed on the computer.

Appendix

Custom block creation for Block WallsWhen you use the Block Wall, ArchiWall allows you to choose the elementto use. The "block" is a normal library part which ArchiWall turns (into thevertical), scales and repeats.

If you wish to create blocks other than those provided with the add-on, justplace them in the library, providing they have the correct subtype specifi-cally created by ArchiWall.

There are two ways to create a library part: write it or... have ArchiCADwrite it!

Let's take a look at the second possibility. Just proceed as follows.

- Create your element in the horizontal using any ArchiCAD constructiontool, for example: Story, Mesh, etc.

- Select the elements and use the GDL objects > Save selection as commandfrom the File menu.

- Open the recently created object using the GDL object > Open Objectcommand from the File menu.

- The main object editing window will open. Click on the Select Subtypebutton at the top right.

- On the proposed list, select the AW_TILE_SubType Subtype.- Close the Subtype Hierarchy window by clicking on Select and save theobject definitively. This can then be used in ArchiWall. To save the object,use the normal Save command from the File menu, or simply close thewindow and answer "yes" when ArchiCAD asks you if you want to savethe object.

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When creating a grooved element, it could be more practical to create theblock vertically. In this case, you need a parallel view. Select Front viewand set the azimuth to 270°. To save as a 3D object, the File menu com-mand becomes Save 3D model as. The following steps to attribute the sub-type are the same.

If you want the block to use a generic origin, no further operations arerequired to position the texture and 3D vector fill. If, however, you wantthe texture to have its own origin, linked to each single block, beforesaving the element as a part, proceed as follows:

- Select the element in the 3D view. If you use more than one component,select all of them.

- From the Edit menu, choose the Align 3D Texture > Set Origin command.- Click on the vertex that you want to define as the origin.After following this procedure, the selected elements will have a customi-sed origin definition for texture and 3D vector fill management.

To manually create the blocks, they must be written using GDL language,after choosing the GDL Objects > New Object from the File menu. Makesure the origin of the element is in the lower left corner.

A simple rectangular element with a rhombus in the centre can be createdby entering the following instructions in the GDL 3D text.

Z = zzyzx/2BLOCK a, b, zADDZ zPRISM 4, z, a/2, 0, a, b/2, a/2, b, 0, b/2DEL 1

Once again, If you want the block to use a generic origin, no furtherinstructions are required to position the texture and 3D vector fill. If youwant the texture to have its own origin, linked to each block, you must addthe following instructions after each structure created in GDL:

BASEVERT 0, 0, 0VERT 1, 0, 0VERT 0, 1, 0VERT 0, 0, 1COOR 8448, -1, -2, -3, -4BODY -1

In this case, the previous list would become:z = zzyzx/2BLOCK a, b, z

BASEVERT 0, 0, 0VERT 1, 0, 0VERT 0, 1, 0VERT 0, 0, 1COOR 8448, -1, -2, -3, -4

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BODY -1ADDZ zPRISM 4, z, a/2, 0, a, b/2, a/2, b, 0, b/2

BASEVERT 0, 0, 0VERT 1, 0, 0VERT 0, 1, 0VERT 0, 0, 1COOR 8448, -1, -2, -3, -4BODY -1

DEL 1

With a little imagination and a few lines of GDL you can create ever-newblocks to give your walls a unique and original appearance.

Documents

Arc Hi Wall