04 AC Calculation Guide

7/29/2019 04 AC Calculation Guide

1/72

ArchiCAD Calculation Guide


2/72

GRAPHISOFT

Visit the GRAPHISOFT website athttp://www.graphisoft.com for local distributor and product availability information.

ArchiCAD Calculation GuideCopyright 2013 by GRAPHISOFT, all rights reserved. Reproduction, paraphrasing or translation without express prior writtenpermission is strictly prohibited.

TrademarksArchiCAD is a registered trademark of GRAPHISOFT. All other trademarks are the property of their respective holders.
http://www.graphisoft.com/http://www.graphisoft.com/


3/72

ArchiCAD Calculation Guide 3

Introduction

The complex feature set of ArchiCADs Calculate function interacts with the project database to calculate the number of elements in a project, their spatial disposition andthe quantity of element components. Specialized menu commands allow you to perform various calculations (quantity takeoffs, inventories, pricing, schedules). Theextracted information can be searched using SQL, presented in customized layouts and exported easily to other applications.

The ArchiCAD Calculation Guide is a compact manual aimed at experienced users that explains the features used to generate reports about your project. TheCalculation Guide Appendix presents two step-by-step calculation examples. (If you are new to the Calculation function, begin by reading a brief overview: Calculationin the Documentation chapter of the ArchiCAD Help.)


4/72

4 ArchiCAD Calculation Guide


5/72

Contents


CONTENTSCalculation Commands _____________________________________ 7Listing Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7List Schemes and Output Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

List Types ________________________________________________ 9Element Lists. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9Component Lists. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10Zone Lists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11Selection and the Listing Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Structure of the Calculation Databases _______________________ 12Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13Descriptors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14Units . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Editing the Calculation Database ____________________________ 16

Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17Units . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20Descriptors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Property Objects__________________________________________ 22What are Property Objects? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22Creating and Editing Property Objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22Defining Components and Descriptors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23Linking Components and Descriptors to Databases. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25Linking Property Objects to Element Criteria . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26Creating Criteria for Property Assignment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29Assigning Properties to Elements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29Last Selections Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30Locating Property Objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

List Schemes and Templates ________________________________ 33Templates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33Records and Fields . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33The Setup List Schemes Dialog Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34Managing List Schemes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34Editing List Schemes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35Element Lists. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35Elements Tab Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35Element Type Filters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35Filtering by Label and ID . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36Minimum Opening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Layer Filters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36Story Filters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36Filter by Property Objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

List Fills and Objects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37Properties & Parameters Tab Page. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38Selection of Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38

Selection of Listed Components and Descriptors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38Selection of Parameters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39List Format Tab Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40Plain Report. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40Sorting Order. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40Column Headers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40Complexity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41Graphic Template . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41Data Order. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41Parameter Listing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42Format Assistant/Format Wizard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42Component Lists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42Components Tab Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

Properties & Parameters Tab Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42Zone Lists. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43Zones Tab Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43Properties & Parameters Tab Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43Related Elements Tab Page. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44

Using the Format Wizard/Format Assistant ___________________ 45The Layout Tab Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45Layout Type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46Single Column. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46Tiled . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46Layout Size . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46

Edit Page Item. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46

The Content Tab Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48The Fields Tab Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49Record Fields . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50

SQL in ArchiCAD_________________________________________ 52

Appendix ________________________________________________ 57A: Step by Step Calculation Examples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57Example 1: Zones with all included object types summarized (subtotal byzones) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57Example 2: Grand total of object types for the entire project. . . . . . . . . .58Example 3: Zones with all included object types summarized (subtotal byzones) and the total number of each object type (grand total) . . . . . . . . . 59B: Graphic Template Setup Example . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61

Index____________________________________________________ 69
http://acuserguidetoc.pdf/http://acuserguidetoc.pdf/http://acuserguidetoc.pdf/


6/72

Contents



7/72

Calculation Commands


CALCULATION COMMANDSThe Calculation function is a tool aimed primarily at advancedusers. Many of the commands referenced in this section are notvisible in ArchiCADs default work environment profiles. To addthese commands to your work environment, Options > WorkEnvironment > Menus to add the following commands to anexisting menu (e.g. Document > Schedules & Lists):

Set up List Schemes

Edit Database

New Properties

Edit Properties

Last Selections Properties

Link Properties to CriteriaWhen you have finished customizing your menu, it may looksomething like this:

LISTING COMMANDS

The Element Lists, Component Lists and Zone Lists commandsgenerate lists of different formats and complexity for the entireproject or a particular element selection based on the instructionsdefined in the Setup List Schemes dialog box.

To create the desired List, choose one of the predefined ListSchemes from the submenus.

See the detailed explanation of the list types in List Types onpage 9.


8/72

Calculation Commands


LIST SCHEMESAND OUTPUT REPORTS

The sorting and analyzing of data, the calculation of requiredresults and the formatting of reports are all done in accordance withthe configuration of the selected List Scheme. List Schemes are

predefined sets of instructions on how the ArchiCAD listing engineshould process project information to present the required results.List Scheme formats can be of two types:

Plain Text reports display calculation results in editabletabulated text format. The reports appear in text windows andcan be saved as spreadsheets, text files or HTML files.

Graphic outputs allow for both alphanumeric and imageinformation, including element symbol drawings, logos andother bitmaps. Graphic output reports can be saved as RTF Listfiles or ArchiCAD Project files. It is also possible to copy all or

part of these lists into any of the Drawings.Although the content of each language version is different, somefactory default list schemes are embedded in ArchiCAD and areavailable even if ArchiCAD is running without an active Library.

Graphic Schemes based on predefined templates can be configuredusing the Format Assistant orFormat Wizard.

See The Setup List Schemes Dialog Box on page 34 andFormat Assistant/Format Wizard on page 42.


9/72

List Types


LIST TYPESAfter analyzing project data and relevant database information,ArchiCAD can generate three fundamental types of calculationreports: Element Lists, Component Lists and Zone Lists.

Note: Add-On commands can also generate other list types.

ELEMENT LISTS

Element Lists are best used for creating schedules and inventories,and to display the parameters of construction elements in a project.


10/72

List Types


To generate Element Lists, ArchiCAD filters the project or theselection set for construction elements according to theconfiguration of the selected List Scheme. Elements matching thefilter settings will be listed together with element Parameters,Components and Descriptors, if so defined in the List Scheme.

The following table lists different element types, their surfaces, andwhat Volume means for the different element types.

Notes:

(1) including surfaces around openings with reveals and along

reveal depth. ref stands for the reference line side of the walland other for the side opposite the reference side of the wall.

(2) all edges (top, bottom, both sides), including the edges ofopenings, except for some special edges of openings withreveals.

(3) left and right side of the beam as defined by its orientation;left and right may be different when the beam is connected to a

wall at a non-perpendicular angle.

COMPONENT LISTS

Component Lists are generated when bills of materials, quantitytakeoffs or price lists are required. These reports typically sum upand display component type properties; however, certain elementparameters can also be listed.

Element Surface Surface Surface Surface Surface Volume

Wall ref(1) other (1) edge (2) totalvolume

Column core core

Beam top bottom left (3) right (3) end totalvolume

Slab top bottom edge total

volumeRoof top bottom edge total

volume

Mesh top bottom edge totalvolume

Zone area totalvolume

Object total totalvolume

Door/Window surfaceof librarypartelements

totalvolumeoflibrarypartelements


11/72

List Types


ZONE LISTS

Zone Lists are generally used to create room schedules and finishschedules. Zone Lists can include parameters of Zones and relatedconstruction elements. When related construction items are listed,the report is in fact an Element List where the range of calculatedelements is limited by the Zones they belong to.

SELECTIONANDTHE LISTINGCOMMANDS

When you choose a listing command while elements are selected inthe project, there may be a conflict between the listing commandscriteria and the selection. (For instance, if you choose a Windowschedule when the current selection also contains Walls andDoors.)

In Options > Work Environment > Imaging and Calculation,the Selected Elements to be Calculated pop-up menu offers threeoptions for managing this situation.

If you choose the List All option, all the selected elements willbe calculated in the list, even though they do not correspond tothe filtering criteria.

If you choose the Use Filters option, the filters defined for thelist template will be applied to the selected elements; elementsthat do not correspond to these criteria will be ignored.

If you choose the Show Alert option, a warning of conflict willappear. You will then be able to choose between the two optionsdescribed above.


12/72

Structure of the Calculation Databases


STRUCTUREOFTHE CALCULATION DATABASESMost of the information that is needed by ArchiCAD to createcomplex reports comes from Property Databases in activeLibraries. You can use, extend, modify and update factory default

Database(s) that come with ArchiCAD, and you can also set upmultiple Databases that match your specific needs. Databases caninclude Components, Descriptors and Units organized in logicalgroups called Keys. Databases can be edited - including thecreation of new Databases, Keys, Components and Descriptors -using the Calculation commands.

See also Calculation Commands on page 7.

Databases are sets of files placed in a folder of the ArchiCADLibrary.

The default, built-in calculation database can be accessed throughthe Edit Database command.

In the example above, Default Set is the name of the database;General, Sitework, Concrete, etc., are the keys; every key

can have Component and Descriptor definitions; concrete,concrete block, etc. are Components and Reinforced concreteslab is a Descriptor.

Note: The database also contains the units that elements refer to(see below).

See also Editing the Calculation Database on page 16.

KEYS

Data items in Databases are arranged in a hierarchical systemcategorized by Keys. A Key includes a group of Components andDescriptors that are logically grouped, typically following acountrys takeoff standards. Properties can, for instance, begrouped by type of structure, e.g., Walls, Columns, Roofs; bymaterial, e.g., Concrete, Timber, Steel; or type of work, e.g.,Foundation, Electrical, Furnishing. Cross-references are not

possible, which means that the same Property item cannot begrouped in multiple Keys unless you duplicate it for each Key.


13/72



Every Key has a name and a code that are both alphanumericdefinitions. A databases Keys are arranged in alphabetical orderby their codes. Keys can have a hierarchy among themselves whichis also controlled by the code. The Code is the identifier whosename can be descriptive.

Example:

A Key named Concrete is created. Its Code is 003.

Another Key named Precast Concrete is created. Its Code is003.001. Because of this format, it becomes the SubKey of theKey Concrete

An additional Key named Precast Wall is created. Its Code is003.001.001. Because of this format, it becomes the SubKey ofthe SubKey Precast Concrete.

This way up to four levels of hierarchical Keys and SubKeys maybe created.

COMPONENTS

Components can either be the material ingredients (steel, concrete,etc.) of a structure, or anything (price, man hours, etc.) that can bemeasured in proportion to elements of the structure type. EachComponent has a name, a code, a quantity definition, a unit and a

reference to its proportion to related construction elements. Code: can be any alphanumeric string (e.g. 1143, Wall-012,

JKG-ft, 345fdsr etc.)

Name: text string identifying the Component for the user (e.g.gravel)

Quantity: a numeral value (e.g 412.5)

Unit: any of the Units defined under Unit within the sameDatabase (e.g. kg, m2, Euro, $ etc.) selectable frompop-up menu.

Reference Quantity: predefined series of geometric or othervalues of Construction elements the Component can beproportional with the Reference Quantity is selected - selectablefrom pop-up menu. They are:

Item: the entered component will be calculated per piece of theconstruction element it is assigned to (e.g. 2 hours/item in caseof Columns having relatively similar sizes)For other reference units in case of various types of referencedconstruction elements, see the below table and its explanation:


14/72



Abbreviations:

ref: this means the reference line side of a wallother: this means the opposite side of a wallleft: this means the left side of a beam taking into account itsorientationright: this means the right side of a beam taking into account itsorientation

Meanings:components proportional with column length: Height of thecolumn is taken instead of 0components proportional with beam length: (left+right)/2 is

taken instead of 0components proportional with object length: the parameter A istaken instead of 0

components proportional with column surfaces: the surfacearound the core is omitted, only the surface around the veneer istaken. If there is no veneer, the core surface is taken.

Notes:

the left and the right side length of a beam may be different

when it is connected to a wall in a non-perpendicular angle. some values are intentionally different from the appropriate

element list values, as the associated components are usuallycalculated based on different surfaces. For example you maywant to calculate the painted surface of a wall. In this case youare not interested of the edge surface but the sum of thereference and the opposite side surface of the wall.

Components can reside in Databases (global) or locally inProperty Objects. Library Part type construction elements(Objects, Lamps, Windows and Doors) can also have locally

defined (i.e., object-specific) Properties: however, these are onlyavailable for the Library Part they were defined in, and cannotbe linked to other elements. Property Objects can be created andedited using the File > Libraries and Objects > Open Object,then editing in the Property Script window, or by using theappropriate Calculation commands: New Properties and EditProperties.

For more information, see Property Objects on page 22.

DESCRIPTORS

Descriptors are text elements related to structure types, e.g.,finishing, security, shipping, assembly or handling information.Descriptors are simply displayed in reports: they are not used in

calculations and are not linked to components or elementparameters. Each Descriptor has a name (also called short text), acode and the full description (long text).

Referencedelement

Length SurfaceA

SurfaceB

Surface C Volume

Wall (ref+other)/2 ref other ref+other total vol.

Column height around

veneer

around

veneer

around

veneer

core+

veneerBeam (left+right)/2 left right total total vol.

Slab perimeter top bottom top+bottom

total vol.

Roof perimeter top bottom top+bottom

total vol.

Mesh perimeter top bottom total total vol.

Zone perimeter area area area total vol.

Object length along xaxis (=A)

0 0 total total vol.

Opening width of theopening

width*height

width*height

surface oftheelementsin thelibrarypart

totalvolumeof theelementsin the lib.Part


15/72



Just like Components, Descriptors can reside in Databases (global)or locally in Property Objects.

UNITS

Every Database has a special item group for the Units used incalculations. The Units set is on the same hierarchy level as theprimary Keys of the Database. An unlimited type of Units can bedefined for every Database.


16/72

Editing the Calculation Database


EDITINGTHE CALCULATION DATABASEChoose the Edit Database command. The resulting dialog boxcontains the controls to create, customize, modify and delete theelements of the database(s) ArchiCAD uses to process your project

information for reports.

The information elements are arranged in hierarchical order. Youcan view the contents of a database in the left-hand side of thedialog box.

The right-hand side of the dialog box changes according to the item

selected on the left (see specific sections for details).At the bottom of the dialog box, the small arrow next to theDetails of Database items on the same level allows you to viewthe details of all the items that are at the same level as the oneselected on top, that is, all databases, all keys in a database, allcomponents under the same key, etc.

The default ArchiCAD database contains numerous preset Keys,Components and Descriptors, as well as the Unit set, listed at thevery bottom.

You can remove selected databases or database items with theDeletebutton at top, or create new databases or database items

with the Createpop-up list at top right.

Important: When you leave this dialog box and clickYes in theSave Changes dialog box, ArchiCAD overwrites thecorresponding database files with your changes.

The database files reside in the List Templates subfolder of theArchiCAD Library folder. When creating a new database, a set ofnew files is generated using the name of the new database.


17/72



In addition to the _KEY (keys), _COMP (components), _DESC(descriptors), _UNIT (units) and _CRIT (criteria assignment) files,a new _SCHEME (list scheme) and _MASTER_GDL files are alsocreated.

KEYS

Keys are categories that help you to logically group componentsand descriptors. Keys can be defined to group properties bysubcontractors, materials, profession, cost, etc.

Highlight the name of a key in the database to edit its Code andName in the text fields in the right-hand side of the dialog box.

The order and hierarchy of keys is defined using the codes:subordinate keys appear at lower levels, e.g., together with primarycomponents and descriptors of a key. The key code can include anycharacter, but when establishing a hierarchy, define keys as youwould an IP address, in other words, a maximum of four sets ofthree digits separated by dots, e.g., 100.200.300.124.

Separator dots in the key code help define a hierarchy, e.g., Key016.004.013 is subordinate to Key 016.004 which falls under Key


18/72



016. Keys on the highest level may not have a dot after the codenumber.

Keys must be unique within a database.

Example of fourth level sub-Key (note how its Code is specified)

UNITS

The Unit set contains quantity units that can be referred to from theComponents database. Highlight the name of a selected unit to editits attributes using the controls in the right-hand side of the dialogbox.

The top (uneditable) row displays the name of the database theselected unit belongs to. Edit the name of the unit in the text fieldprovided.

The five formatting options in the center of the window controlhow the units will be displayed in the plain text list. Please bear inmind that Graphic Templates can override these settings.

1 Check the 'Justify Left' checkbox for the calculated value usingthe unit to be justified to the left, causing the remainingcharacters defined by 'Width' padded with SPACEs. As default,all Units are right-justified and character places on the left arepadded with SPACEs.

2 Checking the 'Plus Sign' checkbox inserts a '+' sign as the firstcharacter of the values string, allowing one character less in thenumber value.

3 Checking the 'Space before positive values (if no Plus sign)'checkbox places a SPACE character as the first character, if noplus sign is specified to be placed, making it possible for allvalues to align well to the left.

4 Checking the 'Don't display Zero wholes' checkbox will notdisplay the Zero whole and the decimal separator, in case the


19/72



absolute of the displayed value is between 0 and 1 inch. Thisapplies to values displayed in decimal format. Such can be thecase with width and height of Windows and Doors, for example.

5 Check the 'Display Zero inches' checkbox for Zero to bedisplayed when the absolute of the displayed value is between 0and 1. This applies to values displayed in Imperial format.

In the Width text field, set the number of digits to be used whendisplaying the unit. Note that the Width value cannot be lessthan three.

Choose the desired number of decimals places to be displayed inreports from the Decimalspop-up list in the bottom right corner.

Use the Conversion Unitpop-up at the bottom of the dialog boxif the selected database unit is different from the one chosen inthe Options > Project Preferences > Calculation Units &Rules dialog box. Choose none from the pop-up list if usingthis option is not appropriate. Selecting the proper conversionunits decreases calculation errors when database units andcalculation units are different.

Note: ArchiCAD calculations are performed according to thesettings of the Calculation Units and Rules dialog box(Options > Project Preferences > Calculation Units & Rules)except when instructions in Graphic Templates override thesettings.


20/72



COMPONENTS

Click the plus sign next to any Key in the Database tree in theleft-hand side of the Edit Database dialog box to see whether theselected Key has Components, Descriptors or both grouped in it,then click the plus sign next to the Components icon to view theitems belonging to the selected Key.

If you wish to edit any of the Component records in the selectedDatabase, highlight its name in the Database tree. The right-handside of the dialog box will display the attributes of the highlightedcomponent.

Component type database records are identified by their Keycodesand Codes which appear in the second and third rows of thecomponent attributes in the right-hand side of the dialog box. Thecomponents Code can be edited by typing the new number into thecorresponding text field.

Components can be moved from one key to another usingclick-and-drag. You can drop the moved item either into theComponents folder of the new key location if the key is open, or

simply drop it into the Key folder. In the latter case, the movedcomponent will automatically be placed in the Components folderof the key.

Edit the components name directly in the Name text field, or byclicking on its name in the Database tree.

The bottom three rows of the components attribute controls allowyou to define the Reference Quantity proportional with the quantityof the selected component, the Unit the component is calculated inand the number of component units per Reference Quantity unit,e.g., eight pieces of tiles per square meter of a walls inside surface.

Type the Component Quantity in the corresponding text field, and


21/72



use the appropriate pop-up lists to define the Component Unit andthe Reference Quantity.

DESCRIPTORS

Click the plus sign next to any Key in theDatabase tree in the left-hand side of theEdit Database dialog box to see whetherthe selected Key has Descriptorsgrouped in it, then click the plus sign

next to the Descriptors icon to view the descriptors of the selectedKey.

If you wish to edit any of the Descriptor records in the selectedDatabase, highlight its name (short text) in the Database tree. Theright-hand side of the dialog box will display the attributes of thehighlighted descriptor.

Descriptor type database records are identified by their Keycodesand Codes, which appear in the right-hand side of the dialog box.The descriptors Code can be edited directly in the correspondingtext field.

Descriptors can be moved from one key to another usingdrag-and-drop in the Database tree.

You can drop the moved item either into the Descriptors folder ofthe new key location if the key is open, or simply drop it into the

Key folder. In the latter case, the moved descriptor willautomatically be placed in the Descriptors folder of the key.

The descriptors full text can be edited directly in the Full Text

field.


22/72

Property Objects


PROPERTY OBJECTS

WHATARE PROPERTY OBJECTS?

Property Object files are special ArchiCAD Library Parts without a3D Script. Property Objects are generally used to describe specificstructures for the purposes of calculation, e.g., the quantities andthe detailed description of reinforced concrete beams used in theproject. See the Component and Descriptor definitions above.

Hint: Think of a Property Object as a custom cooking recipe

including ingredients from your garden (local components),in-house cooking instructions (local descriptors), ingredients

that need to be shopped for (database components) andinstructions you commonly find in cookbooks (database

descriptors). Just as the amount of ingredients must be adjustedto the number of people you cook for, in calculating the actualamount of components of an element, ArchiCAD calculates onthe basis of the given relationship between each component andthe reference parameter of the element calculated.

Data not directly derived from construction elements is containedor collected from databases through indirect links facilitated byProperty Objects.

Properties are used to define quantities and descriptions ofconstruction elements. The two types of Property definitions are

Components and Descriptors. Components and Descriptors (alongwith Units) can reside in Databases or be defined locally. LocalProperties definition is possible in any Library Part type element(Window, Door, Object, Lamp etc.) for the exclusive use of theLibrary Part, or in Property Objects. As well as local Properties,Property Objects can also access Database Properties, which arethen assigned to construction elements.

Property Objects can be linked to elements either globally bymatching certain criteria, or individually from the Settings dialogboxes of the different elements.

CREATINGAND EDITING PROPERTYOBJECTS

The New Properties command opens a new, empty PropertyObject file that you are able to edit using the dialog box controlsand ArchiCADs GDL language. The effect of choosing thiscommand is identical with that of the File > Libraries andObjects > New Object command.


23/72

Property Objects


The Property Object type Library Part does not have a 3D Script ora 3D View. Otherwise, the available controls are similar to those ofthe other Library Part types, which are described in the ArchiCADReference Guide.

For more information, see GDL Master Window inAppendix_Tools of ArchiCAD Help.

Choosing the Edit Properties command allows you to select anexisting Property Object and edit it in its library part masterwindow. (You can also edit Properties by choosing File >Libraries and Objects > Open Object and selecting theProperties File type.)

Note: If you choose this command while any construction

element is selected in the ArchiCAD Project, all directlyassigned Property Objects will open automatically.

DEFINING COMPONENTSANDDESCRIPTORS

When defining Properties, you should first decide whether theywill ever be assigned to different elements, whether they may everbe parts of different Properties combinations in Property Objects,

or if only one Library Part will use them. A unique objects properties, e.g., the coating of a custom-made

truss, is best defined locally, within the Library Part.

More generic Properties, e.g., the amount of cement needed tobuild elements made of reinforced concrete, are better describedlocally in Property Objects so that any such element can refer tothem.

The most generic Properties, e.g., the amount of paint neededfor walls (Component) or general safety instructions(Descriptor), which are expected to be used in several Properties

combinations are best defined as Database Properties so that anyProperty Object can refer to them.


24/72

Property Objects


Click the Componentsbutton in the left-hand side of the LibraryPart master window. This will display the Components controls ontop of the window.

Click the Newbutton to create a new Component line.

Type the desired values or strings into the Code, Name andQuantity text fields to define the corresponding attributes of thenew component.

Use the Proportional Withpop-up list to choose a reference

quantity (Item, Length, Surface, Volume) for the component.The following table shows the components referencing differentparameters of ArchiCAD element types:

Notes:

1 Including surfaces around openings with reveals and alongreveal depth. ref stands for the reference line side of the walland other for the side opposite the reference side of the wall.

2 Left and right side of the beam as defined by its orientation; leftand right may be different when the beam is connected to a wallat a non-perpendicular angle.

Some values are intentionally different from appropriate

element list values, as the associated components are usuallycalculated based on different surfaces. For example, you maywant to calculate the painted surface of a wall: in this case, youare not interested in the edge surface but in the sum of thereference and opposite side surfaces of the wall.

To define a special reference, choose Custom from theProportional with pop-up list. This will make active the field thatthe Proportional with header points to, on top of the headers.Enter any GDL expression using global and local variables.

You define Descriptors in much the same way. Click theDescriptors button to display the appropriate controls on top of thewindow.

Ref.element Length Surface A Surface B Surface C Volume

Wall (ref+other)/2 (1)

ref(1) other (1) ref+other totalvolume

Column height aroundveneer

aroundveneer

aroundveneer

core+veneer

Beam (left+right)/2

left (2) right (2) total totalvolume

Slab perimeter top bottom top+bottom

totalvolume

Roof perimeter top bottom top+bottom

totalvolume

Mesh perimeter top bottom total totalvolume

Zone perimeter area area area total

volume

Object along X axis (A)

0 0 total totalvolume

Door/Window

width ofopening

width xheight

width xheight

surface oflibrarypartelements

totalvolume oflib. partelements


25/72

Property Objects


Click the Newbutton to create a new Descriptor line.

Type the desired value in the Code text field and the appropriateShort Text (first line) in the corresponding text field.

Click the Textbutton to open the Descriptor Full Text dialog boxwhere you can give a longer description of the part, element orstructure. This description may include technical parameters andspecifications or other useful assembling or safety instructions.

LINKING COMPONENTSANDDESCRIPTORSTO DATABASES

If you want a Component or Descriptor defined in a PropertyObject to be identified with a Database item, select it in the list of

the Property Objects master window, and click the Link toDatabase Itembutton at the top of the dialog box.

The Select Components orSelect Descriptors dialog box appears.You can choose from all the relevant items in the selected database.

As long as a Component or a Descriptor of a Property Object islinked to a Database, the item will be updated with every update ofthe Database.

When a selected Component or a Descriptor is already linked to adatabase item, the name of the linking button changes to RemoveLink to Database, and the Change Linkbutton also becomesactive. You can then either break the link to a database item, orreplace it with a different one.

Object-specific items are listed in plain text, database items arelisted in italic and the names of missing database items are grayed.

P Obj


26/72

Property Objects


LINKING PROPERTY OBJECTSTOELEMENT CRITERIA

To define a combination of element parameters (type, pen color,size, material etc.) by which a property object is assigned to

construction elements, choose the Link Properties to Criteriacommand.

A dialog box appears, displaying the links of the default set.

Links between construction elements (on the left) and PropertyObjects (on the right) are based on a set of criteria, includingelement type and different common or tool-specific attributes.These criteria can be edited in the Criteria Selector dialog box byclicking the Edit Criteria button in the upper left of the dialog box(see description below).

The Criterion List displays four types of parameters at a time. Tosee all available parameters, use the horizontal scrollbar at thebottom of the Criterion List.

To the right of the Criterion List you see the names of PropertyObjects assigned to each criterion.

If you click any of the column header buttons, the criterion list willinstantly be rearranged so that the items in the clicked column willbe displayed in alphabetical order.

To link Property Objects to criteria or change the previouslyassigned Property Object, press the Link Property Objectbuttonin the upper right of the dialog box while the criterion ishighlighted in the list. Pressing the button opens the LinkProperties to Criteria > Link Properties dialog box.

The Choose Manuallytab page of the dialog box lists availableProperty Objects in the active libraries in alphabetical order. Thecurrently assigned Property Object is highlighted in the list. To seethe components and descriptors of highlighted Property Objects,open the optional Property Preview section of the dialog window

P t Obj t


27/72

Property Objects


by clicking on the small triangle at the bottom left corner of thedialog box.

Highlight the Property Object you wish to assign to the selectedcriterion. If you need help to find Property Objects in the activelibraries, click on the Search by Keywordstab at the top of thedialog box. Type the keywords in the appropriate text field and

press the Searchbutton to run the search engine. The PropertyObjects that match the keywords are listed below the SearchKeywords text field.

Confirm your selection by pressing the Linkbutton in the bottomright corner of the dialog box. At the bottom of the dialog box aninfo strip helps you to follow the procedure. You can open thehighlighted property object by clicking the Edit button, and youcan create a new Property Object by pressing the New button at thebottom of the dialog box. Simply close the dialog box if you dontwant to make any changes.

In the Link Properties to Criteria dialog box, the two radiobuttons above the list allow you to define the logic by which acriterion whose parameters are identical with those of a morespecific criterion are handled.

Enable Properties of all links means that both the Property Objectassigned to a simpler criterion and the one assigned to a morespecific criterion will be applied to matching elements. An

example:

The simpler criterion includes only two parameters, wall Type andsolid brickFill, and the assigned Property Object is one whosecomponents are bricks and mortar. The more specific criterionincludes three parameters of which two, wall Type and solid brick

Fill, are identical with those of the simpler criterion. The thirdparameter is whitewashMaterial, and the assigned Property

Objects only component is plaster. In this case, the constructionelements matching the more specific criterion will receive not onlythe plaster component but also the bricks and the mortar. Elementsmatching the simpler criterion only (non-plastered walls) willreceive the bricks and the mortar but not the plaster, of course.

If you choose Use more specific Criteria only, a match to a morespecific criterion always overrides a match to a simpler one.Elements matching a certain criterion will only receive theProperty Object linked to that particular parameter combination. Inthe above example, the elements matching the criterion with three

parameters would receive the plaster component only.Only one criterion can be selected and edited at a time.

To edit an item in the Criterion List, highlight the criterion youwish to modify.

If you want to create a new item, press the New Linkbutton.

To delete a criterion, highlight it in the list and press the Deletebutton.

A highlighted criterions parameters can be edited in theCriteria Selector dialog box, similarly to the Find & Select.

Property Objects


28/72

Property Objects


Choose the Element Type for the active criterion by selecting OfType>> from the Find Elements pop-up at the top of the dialogbox and the appropriate element icon in the pop-up palette offamiliar icons. Ignore this parameter by selecting All Types fromthe Find Elements pop-up.

Between the Fewer Choices and More Choices button, you cansee the parameters currently defined in the active criterion. Use thepop-up list on the left-hand side to choose the parameter type orremove a parameter from the criterion.

The pop-up palettes on the right-hand side, familiar from ElementSettings dialog boxes, always correspond to the selected parameter

types on the left. Choose the desired parameter values from thepop-up palettes.

To decrease the number of parameters included in the activecriteria:

choose Remove Criterion from the pop-up lists on the left toremove the currently selected criterion, or

press the Fewer Choices button at the top to remove the item atthe bottom of the list.

You can save specific criteria by name for later use. Save, load andrename or delete criteria by choosing the appropriate option fromthe pop-up list in the top right corner of the Criteria Selectordialog box. The list items activate the corresponding dialog boxeswhere you can perform the desired action.

The Selected Item button is only active if a construction element isselected in the project. To set the parameter values to match thoseof the selected element, press this button.

Note: This action will also set the element type, even if theprevious selection in the Find Elements pop-up was not OfType >>. Otherwise, it will not increase the number of choices.However, when pressing the More Choicesbutton, you will seethat the additional parameters of the selected constructionelement are stored in the background.

Property Objects


29/72

Property Objects


Click the Applybutton in the bottom right corner of the dialog boxto confirm the changes you made. The Criterion List will beupdated accordingly.

CREATING CRITERIAFORPROPERTY

ASSIGNMENTIn order to create calculation reports that use the Propertiesinformation, Properties data must be linked to constructionelements.

Properties can be associated with construction elements throughCriteria orindividually.

Assignment through Criteria is defined with the Link Propertiesto Criteria command.

Each Property Object can be associated to a unique combination ofelement selection criteria, e.g., the Property Object called

Concrete Wall can be associated with all walls of concrete blockfill, drawn in pen No.12, and placed on the Exterior Walls layer.

When this option is active, ArchiCAD filters the projectsconstruction elements and automatically links the Property Objectin question to all elements matching the given Criteria. Criteria setsare saved within the active Library so that they can be used inmultiple projects.

Note: You can check this assignment by selecting an element,

opening its settings dialog box and clicking the Listing andLabeling tab.

You can also choose to assign Property data directly, individuallyfor each element. In this case the link is manually established itemby item in the Listing and Labeling tab page of each elementsSettings dialog box or in the Info Box.

A combination of Criteria-based linking and direct Assignment isalso possible.

See also Creating and Editing Property Objects on page 22.

Property Objects


30/72

p y j


ASSIGNING PROPERTIESTO ELEMENTS

When editing a construction element in its Settings dialog box, youcan assign Property Objects to the element in the Listing &Labeling panel.

The link can be made by criteria or individually.

To assign a Property Object through criteria (that is, all elementsthat match the criteria selection made in the Link Properties to

Criteria dialog box - see above), check the By Criteria box in theLink Properties section. Property Objects that match these criteriawill be listed in the field below.

You may wish to override this setting by creating a specificassignment for a particular element. In this case, uncheck the ByCriteria box, check the Individually box below and click theChoose button.

Note: It is possible to keep both checkboxes active at the sametime and thereby create a combined assignment.

Assigning the Property Object manually or through keywords isdone the same way as for criteria, as described earlier in thischapter.

LAST SELECTIONS PROPERTIES

While Settings dialog boxes are of modal type, meaning that noother dialog box can be open simultaneously, the selected PropertyObjects cannot be edited directly from the Settings dialog box. Toget to either the Library Part Window or the Edit Database dialog

box (both of which are modeless, and can be openedsimultaneously), you must click eitherOKorCancel in theSettings dialog box to exit it. The Last Selections Propertiescommand helps you to approach Property Objects from thedirection of construction elements the Property Objects have beenassigned to.

If any existing construction element is selected in the Project andyou activate the Last Selections Properties command, you canview the names of the Property Objects linked to the selectedelement, both individually and by criteria. This is similar to the

Listing and Labeling tab page of the elements Settings dialog box.

Property Objects


31/72


If you highlight any of the Property Objects displayed in the LastSelections Properties dialog box and click the small triangle inthe bottom left corner, the optional Preview section of the window

will list the highlighted Property Objects Components andDescriptors on the corresponding tab page. As explained in smallprint in the bottom left corner of the window, object-specific itemsare listed in plain text, database items are listed in italic and thenames of missing database items are grayed.

By clicking the Edit button in the bottom right corner of the LastSelections Properties dialog box while any of the listed PropertyObjects are highlighted, you can open it. In the Library Part Editor,

if the selected property item is object-specific, you can make directchanges to it. If the selected item belongs to a database, then press

the Change Linkbutton in the upper right of the window tomodify the item.

LOCATING PROPERTY OBJECTS

You may need to locate a Property Object that contains a specific

component or descriptor, or one which includes links to a specificdatabase or a specific key.

The Find by Properties command allows you to launch a searchbased on a set of criteria.

Highlighting a located Property Object name and then clicking theEdit button takes you to the Edit Properties dialog box where youcan modify the Property Object.

Example 1:

Lets say you want to find all Property Objects within yourArchiCAD Database that has the text 'tile' in its Component Name.You would select the below two criteria. Values in the fields on the

right can be either text entered or selected from the pop-up listaccessible with the little arrow.

Property Objects


32/72


The list of Properties, in which at least one occurrence of the text'tile' is found, is displayed in the list at the bottom of the dialogbox.

Example 2:

You have all Walls selected on the Floor Plan. You want to find outof the selection only those Walls that have studs in them. Youwould do the above operation and click the 'cross-section' button(cross-section of Selection and Criteria). The result is only thoseWalls remain selected the associated Property Objects of whichcontain Components with 'stud' in their Component Name:

Property Objects


33/72


List Schemes and Templates


34/72


LIST SCHEMESAND TEMPLATESList Schemes are factory default or user-defined instruction sets tocontrol how the Listing Engine processes and displays projectinformation. List Schemes can be independent files or can reside in

Databases.

List Schemes are of Element, Component and Zone types.

It is also possible to create complete List Scheme files that containdefinitions for Element, Component and Zone lists.

List Schemes can be configured to suit a large variety of needs, and

new schemes can be created in the Set up List Schemes dialogbox, accessed with the Set up List Schemes command. Moreover,graphic outputs are highly customizable using a Format Wizard(Windows) or Format Assistant (MacOS).

See Format Assistant/Format Wizard on page 42.

TEMPLATES

Graphic List Schemes are based on templates that contain

information about the lists structure, layout and content.Templates can be of two types:

Template files are simple text files residing in the active library.They are factory-shipped or created manually. It is also possibleto create copies of embedded templates by saving them asexternal files (see below).

Embedded templates reside in the list scheme itself. These areactually Layouts created with the Format Wizard. You cantransform them into template files by unchecking the Include inList Scheme box on the Setup List Schemes dialog boxs ListFormat tab page (see later).

Note:

1. Templates are coded in a simple programming language. It ishighly recommended not to edit these files unless you arethoroughly familiar with the syntax.

2. Template files cannot be edited with the Format Wizard.

Records and Fields

Graphic Templates define layouts to display and print informationunits called Records. Records are small layouts that can includenumerous Fields and one bitmap image. Fields are units ofalphanumeric data. Field contents are collected, filtered andcalculated by the ArchiCAD Listing Engine. The bitmaps can be



35/72


external image files (*.bmp, *.jpg, *.tif, *.gif) from any of theactive Libraries, ArchiCAD object symbols, 3D drawingsgenerated by Property Objects and by the objects themselves, orPreview Pictures of ArchiCAD Library Parts in the activeLibraries.

See Graphic Template on page 41 andFormat

Assistant/Format Wizard on page 42.

THE SETUP LIST SCHEMES DIALOGBOX

The Setup List Schemes command takes you to a complex dialogbox where you can define which element types, components orzones will be calculated by ArchiCAD to produce the requiredreport, as well as the complexity and format of the output.

Choose the Setup List Schemes command to open thecorresponding dialog box.

The Database tree (at the right-hand side of the dialog box)contains the available Databases, marked with the filing cabinet( ) icon, and the List Schemes in the List Scheme folders. This listincludes all the list schemes that are in databases placed in activeLibraries.

Note: List Schemes will function in Teamwork projects only ifyou save them to the projects Embedded Library.

List schemes are arranged in a hierarchy,organized by type in three folders: the Element,the Component and the Zone List Schemes.Each folder includes at least some default sets, even if no Library isloaded, including a Basic list.

User defined Schemes appear in the same hierarchy under the

default Schemes. Plain Text Schemes are marked withspreadsheet-like icons while the script icon marks GraphicSchemes.

Schemes belonging to a database can only create lists from theirown databases.

Schemes that are independent from any database can be used forlisting all loaded databases.

Open Databases and folders by clicking the small plus (+) signs(Windows) or the small arrowheads (MacOS) next to their names.If you select the name of a Database, a List Scheme folder or adatabase-independent List Scheme file by clicking its name in theDatabase tree field, the left-hand side of the dialog box becomesblank. If a List Scheme is selected, the corresponding configurationappears.

MANAGING LIST SCHEMES

You can create new List Schemes by clicking the Create pop-up inthe upper right of the Setup List Schemes dialog box and choosingthe appropriate item from the appearing pop-up list. Select ListScheme File to create a new database-independent file or any ofthe other three options to create new Schemes within the activeDatabase or list scheme file.


You can rename the new untitled Scheme or any other List Schemeat any time by selecting its name and typing the new name in the

text field.



36/72


You can lock List Schemes by clicking the green padlock icon nextto the name of the Scheme. Unlock List Schemes by clicking thered padlock icon.

To remove List Schemes, select the name, and click the Deletebutton.

Important: Clicking OKin the Setup List Schemes dialog boxwill overwrite all changed List Schemes that are stored in thePreferences file of the Project and in the LISTSET.TXTdatabase file placed in the Library.

When starting ArchiCAD without opening a project file, ListSchemes are loaded from the Preferences files (listset files /*.lis/will not be loaded from any of the loaded libraries);

When opening a Project file, List Schemes stored in the project

will be loaded. (Listset files /*.lis/ will not be loaded from anyof the projects libraries).

When choosing File > Libraries and Objects > LibraryManager, all List Schemes (*.lis) found in any of the selectedlibraries will be loaded.


EDITING LIST SCHEMES

You can edit, modify and customize unlocked list schemes byselecting from the Available List Schemes area on the right.

Depending on the List Scheme type selected, the left-hand side ofthe dialog box will display three or four tab pages.

When selecting Element orComponent List Schemes, threepages appear: the Elements page, the Properties & Parameterspage, and the List Format page.

If the selected List Scheme is a Zone List, you can see four tabpages: Zones, Properties & Parameters, Related Elements, and

List Format. Click the tabs to switch between pages.

ELEMENT LISTS

When selecting an Element List type scheme on the right, theavailable controls are displayed on the left.

ELEMENTS TAB PAGE

Clicking the first tab opens the Elements page. Use the controls(filters) in this page to select the construction elements to becalculated.

ELEMENT TYPE FILTERS

Use the filter buttons with the familiar tool icons to determinewhich element types to list and which to exclude from reportcalculations. Click the All checkbox to select all constructionelement types.

Note: Unchecking the All checkbox will activate the customsetting last used.



37/72


Filtering by Label and ID

Use the checkboxes in the upper right corner of the tab page tofurther elaborate the selection criteria. You can exclude from the

Element List any element without an associative label and/orelements that have no associated ID. This function allows you, forinstance, to distinguish between fixed and optional elements of thesame type or mark problematic elements on the plan and list allinformation about them.

Minimum Opening

The Minimum Opening option allows you to set the minimumsize of wall opening that will be taken into consideration byArchiCAD in wall surface and volume calculations. Type the sizelimit in the text field in accordance with local building code orproject requirements.

Layer Filters

At the bottom of the dialog box, the Layers scrolling list allowsyou to include elements placed on selected layers in calculations.Elements on unchecked layers will not be calculated. The pop-upmenu allows you to list elements on All layers, Visible layers orSelected layers.

Story Filters

The Stories scrolling list allows you to include elements placed onselected stories in calculations. Elements on unchecked stories willnot be calculated. Click the Allboxes to select all stories.

Filter by Property Objects

Use the Linked Property Objects pop-up list to determinewhether you want to select particular Property Objects to furtherelaborate listing criteria.

Select All in the pop-up list if you do not want to use this filter.

Choose Selected in the pop-up list if you wish to calculate

elements to which certain property objects are assigned either bycriteria or in the elements own Settings dialog box.

To make the Property Object selection, e.g., for listingconstruction elements made of reinforced concrete only, chooseSelect Property Objects in the pop-up list to open thecorresponding dialog box.



38/72


Select Property Objects to filter the ArchiCADProject. Leave boxes unchecked to ignoreProperty Objects.

The checkboxes next to folder names have threestates: checked, unchecked, or minus. If thecheckbox is checked or unchecked, all items inthe folder in question will be used or ignoredwhen filtering the project. If only some itemsare checked, a minus sign will appear .

You can view the components and the descriptors of propertyobjects in the preview section at the bottom of the dialog box.

List Fills and Objects

The List Fills and Objectspop-up menu allows you to list Fillsand Objects that are included in Floor Plans, Sections, or any otherviewpoint type listed in the menu.

Once you choose a viewpoint type, a subdialog appears allowingyou to choose any particular viewpoints of that type (e.g. certainElevations) to include in this filter. (To include all viewpoints ofthe chosen type, check the "All" box in the subdialog box.) Toinclude several types of viewpoints, choose the "Any SelectedViewpoints" option, then go through the subdialog and check anyviewpoints, of any type, to include in this filter.

When opening list setups from previous ArchiCAD versions, thedefault value for List Fills and Objects is Floor Plans.


P & P T S l i f Li d C d


39/72


PROPERTIES & PARAMETERS TABPAGE

The second tab opens the Properties & Parameters page. Use thecontrols in this page to determine the amount of informationincluded for each element in the report.

Selection of Keys

Keys are logical categories in Databases, which group the primary

Database items - Components and Descriptors - by type.In the Keys list in the upper left corner of the tab page, you canselect the desired Keys for filtering the components and descriptorsto be listed. You can only select Keys from the Database in whichthe selected List Scheme resides. In the case of adatabase-independent scheme, you can select Keys from any of theexisting databases.

Selection of Listed Components andDescriptors

Use the Components and Descriptors pop-up lists to determinethe combination of components and descriptors to be listed.

The two pop-up lists are identical.

Opt for All to include all related Components (or Descriptors) in

the calculation. Choose None to ignore Components (or Descriptors).

Choose from the two types of Components and Descriptors -object-specific and residing in a database - by selecting one of fourglobal options.

From Databases Only will include all properties (Componentsor Descriptors) residing in databases.

Object Specific Items Only will include only locally definedproperties (those in regular library parts or property objects).

Custom Set From Databases Only opens the SelectDescriptors and the Select Components dialog boxes, where youcan define the set of properties to filter the report.

Custom Set & Object Specific Items is a combination of thesecond and third options.

If you want to use a filter set that does not match any of thepredefined options, use the Customize button.

Example:

Let us say you have a Wall with a Property Object assigned to it, in

which the following Components are created:



40/72


The first two are taken from the Database by clicking the 'Link toDatabase Item' button in the top row and selecting an item fromthe Database for each. The other three Components are LocalComponents of the Property Object, meaning they will not becomepart of the Database so they are accessible for only those Elementsand Objects to which this specific Property Object is assigned to.

The below pictures show selections in the List Setup Dialog and

the result in the Listing Window:

All Components are listed

Nothing is listed

Only items coming from the Database are listed

only items existing in Property Object and not linked to Databaseitems are listed.

Selection of ParametersIn the Global ElementParameters list at the top right ofthe tab page, you can choose anyof the common parameters of allelement types, such as surface,volume, height, thickness or userID. To select several consecutive items from the list, click on thefirst one, then press Shift and click on the last one.

When all items are selected, clickin one of the checkboxes of theselected elements. Use the sameprocedure to uncheck multipleitems.

In the Extra Parameters lists youcan select and deselect list items in the usual manner.

UnderLibrary PartsAdditional Parameters, the SelectAdditional Parameters dialog box allows you to selectparameters by type and one-by-one.



41/72


LIST FORMAT TAB PAGE

The third tab opens the List Format page. The controls in thispage allow you to define the overall appearance of the report, andset the logical order of properties and parameters.

Choose one of the formatting alternatives: clickText List todisplay raw data, orGraphic Template to select a predefined listformat template.

These two radio buttons let you toggle between two controlwindows, described below.

Plain Report

The following page appears when clicking the Text List button atthe top left corner of the List Format tab page.

When you choose this report format, you have only a limitednumber of controls over the report layout. However, the report willappear in a text window and the list settings fully enable you tologically organize the data in the report.

Sorting OrderSet the order of data columns using the parameter list. To changethe default order, drag the parameters by the small doublearrowheads to their new position in the list. The parameter order ofthe list will determine the sorting order of project data for theListing Engine.

Column Headers

Check the Show Column Headers checkbox if you want to printcolumn headers in the report. Column headers will bear either theparameter name or a Custom Header. To create a Custom header,check the box next to the Parameter name you want to customize

and type the desired header into the text fields next to the boxes,into the Use and Define Custom Headers column.


Complexity


42/72


Complexity

Use the three pop-up menus in the upper part of the tab page todetermine the complexity of the report.

At Elements, the Each Item in Separate Row option creates anitem by item list even for identical elements, while Group and

Count Identical groups and counts up identical items as well astheir parameters. For the difference, see the following reports:

At Components, the Unfold Components option lists theparameters of the components. Quantity Only will displayquantities without units.

At Descriptors pop-up, the Unfold Descriptors will list all the

Parameters, Keys and Codes of the Descriptors. Short Text onlydisplays only the first line of the descriptor in the report.

Note: Text lists can be saved in plain text, tabbed text or HTMLformat. Text lists will only list the short text of Descriptors.

GRAPHIC TEMPLATE

The following page appears when you click the Graphic Templateradio button at the upper left of the List Format tab page.

When choosing the Graphic Template alternative, you can eitherselect a predefined list template from your Library, or use anembedded template layout (or a copy of it).

List layout templates offer sophisticated ready-to-present reportformats incorporating both text and graphic elements.

Reports formatted using templates appear in a non-editable projectwindows. The contents of the windows can be copied to the otherproject window, including the floor plan views, or saved inArchiCAD Project, RTF and PlotMaker layout format.

Click the Choose Templatebutton to browse the library for listtemplates. Select the desired template file in the Open dialog box.Default templates can be found in the List Templates folder of theArchiCAD Library.

If you use independent templates, ArchiCAD refers to the actual

template file for the settings. If you check the Include in ListScheme checkbox, the template file will be archived in thelistset.txt file (see above). When the box is checked, the templatename appears in italic.

Data Order

See the Text List section above on how to rearrange the order ofdata columns and to customize columns headers.

If Components and Descriptors appear in the Parameter list of the

center field, use the checkboxes to the right of the list to display theunits ofReference Keys and ofFull Text Keys.


Note: Changing data order can result in inconsistent list content See Templates on page 33


43/72


Note: Changing data order can result in inconsistent list contentif the template contains fixed column headers.

Parameter Listing

Element List template files can include instructions to list elementparameters separately and/or add up parameter values in the report.

The checkboxes to the left of the parameters control whether or notthese instructions are carried out when the Listing Engine isprocessing the Project data.

Use the List on separate level checkboxes to determine whetheryou enable template instructions to list parameter types for eachelement.

Check the Use for Grouping/Total boxes to enable instructions toadd up parameter values in the report.

FORMAT ASSISTANT/FORMAT WIZARDClicking the Start Format Wizard (Windows) or the StartFormat Assistant (MacOS) button opens a complex dialog boxthat allows you to rename, delete, duplicate and customizetemplates.

Note: The Wizard/Assistant does not work on externaltemplate files, only with embedded layout sections that arestored in binary format, in the program itself, in an ArchiCADproject (.pln, .pla) file, or in the Preferences file.

When you quit the Wizard and return to the Setup List Schemesdialog box, you will notice that the name of the previously createdLayout is shown in the Template: field, and the include in ListScheme checkbox is enabled. This means that a reference to thislayout will be stored in the List Scheme file in the library, but theLayout itself will be saved within the project (.pln, .pla) or in thePreferences file. If you disable the checkbox, the Layout can besaved as an external template text file in the library, but in this caseit will no longer be available from within the Wizard.

Note:New & Reset deletes all custom Layouts; only factory

default Layouts will be available.

See Templates on page 33.

COMPONENT LISTS

When selecting a Component List type scheme, the Setup ListSchemes dialog box changes accordingly, to display controls

available for that list type.Many of the controls are similar to those used for Element Lists.See relevant sections above.

COMPONENTS TAB PAGE

In the Keys list at the upper left corner of the tab page, you canselect the keys for filtering the components and descriptors to belisted. Checking the Allbox will enable all components anddescriptors under any keys.

Properties & Parameters Tab Page

The Optional Components Data buttons determine which parts ofthe component will be listed (the name and the quantity alwaysappear). In case of Key Code, the Fragments buttons represent thefour possible fragments of the Key Code string that are separatedby dots. In case of a Key Code of 004.003.002.001, Fragment 3

will return the string 002, as this is the 3rd fragment of the KeyCode.


The Optional Descriptors Data buttons determine which parts of


44/72


p p pthe descriptor will be listed (the short text is always present).Fragments work the same way as for Components.

ZONE LISTS

When selecting a Zone List type scheme, the Setup List Schemesdialog box changes accordingly, to display controls available forthat list type.

Many of the controls are similar to those used for Element Lists.See relevant sections above.

Zones Tab Page

The first tab at the upper left of the Setup List Schemes dialog boxopens the Zones tab page.

Select Zone categories individually by clicking the checkboxesnext to their names in the Zone Categories list at the upper left ofthe tab page; or check All to use all categories.

You can further filter zones by defining conditions using thecheckboxes and options underZone Number Field at the upper

right of the tab page.

The Skip if it is empty checkbox allows you to omit from thereport zones without a number. If you check the Skip Zones withan empty ID fieldbox, ArchiCAD will ignore zones without IDnumbers.

Properties & Parameters Tab Page

Use the Zone Parameters list to include in the list those zoneparameters whose checkboxes are checked. For the selection of

several consecutive parameters, hold down the Shiftbutton whileclicking on their names (or click the first one then click to the lastone while holding down the SHIFT key) and check all theircheckboxes with one click.


Zone listing is not restricted to the geometry of zones. It also


45/72


The Enable Listing of RelatedElements buttons with the familiartool icons allow you to determinewhich types of construction elements in the listed zones to include

in calculations.The Reduce Wall Quantities field and the Linked PropertyObjects pop-up list serve similar purposes to their equivalents inthe Elements tab page of Element List Schemes (see above).

Related Elements Tab Page

Clicking the third tab opens a page that is only available for ZoneList Schemes.

g g yinvolves the construction elements contained in zones, specificallythe surrounding walls, columns, freestanding walls, doors,windows and other objects within Zone spaces.

The controls of the Related Elements page allow you to customizethe settings by which the elements associated with a zone or

multiple zones are calculated in the zone report. The element typesto be considered in calculations are selected in the Properties &Parameters tab page.

The filters of the Related Elements tab page are identical to thoseof the Properties & Parameters tab page of Element type lists.

Using the Format Wizard/Format Assistant

USING THE FORMAT WIZARD/FORMAT ASSISTANT


46/72


USINGTHE FORMAT WIZARD/FORMAT ASSISTANTIn the Setup List Schemes dialog box, make the List Format tabactive and make sure that the Graphic Template option is chosen.Select a list scheme in the right-hand section of the dialog box,then click the Start Format Wizard (Windows) orStart FormatAssistant (MacOS)button.

The Format Wizard/Format Assistant is a complex dialog boxwith three tab pages helping you define the page layout of thegraphic report, the actual contents that will be listed and the fieldsthat will appear in the individual records of the report.

THE LAYOUT TAB PAGE

The Format Assistant/Wizard dialog box opens with the Layouttab page by default.

Select a Graphic Template to edit from the Layout Names list at theleft-hand side of the tab page.

In the list, factory default and locked templates appear in gray.Default templates are wired into the ArchiCAD resource codeand cannot be edited; only the details can be viewed in theFormat Assistant/Wizard.

Editable layouts appear in black print and can be customizedindividually.

All existing layouts can be duplicated, including default and lockedones. The copies are freely editable.


Duplicate, rename and delete selected layouts using thedi b b l h L N li h b

Tiled


47/72


corresponding buttons below the Layout Names list at the bottomleft of the Layout tab page.

Note: To edit the template of a locked list scheme, first unlock itin the Setup List Schemes dialog.

Layout TypeDefine the layout type of theselected graphic template using thetop pop-up list at the upper right ofthe Layout tab page.

To order pagesvertically, choosethe Single Columnoption. To organizepages in a gridsystem, choose theTiled option.

Additional settingscan be defined inthe Details dialog box, opened with the Details button at bottomright. The contents of the Details dialog box are different for theSingle Column and the Tiled option.

Single Column

Define the desired distance between two consecutive records in thecolumn by typing the appropriate value in the Line Gap field.

From the Layout Scalepop-up list choose the scale to be usedwhen pasting the layout into ArchiCAD plan views.

Note: If you choose the Auto option, the current scale of theFloor Plan will be used for pasting the layout.

You can type any remark in the Comment field. The commentappears in the Info field of the Format Assistant/Wizard.

Define the number of desired pages in the tile grid by typing theappropriate values in the Grid fields. The vertical and horizontaldistance between cells can be set in the corresponding fields.Choose between organizing pages horizontally or vertically byusing the Cell Sequence radio buttons.

Layout Size

Choose the layout size from thePaper Size pop-up list.

To match the layout size to the

paper size of your outputdevice, choose eitherPrinterpage orPlotter page. Choose Custom from the pop-up list todefine the layout size manually. Custom sizes can be defined in theWidth and Height fields below the Paper Size pop-up.

Edit Page Item

Clicking any of the Header, Footer orBackgroundbuttons opensthe Edit Page Item dialog box where you can edit the settings ofstandard layout elements. It is possible to place a Header and/or


Footer on each page or only on the first page. The first page Headerd/ F t b diff t f th i it


48/72


and/or Footer can be different from the generic items.

Choose the Page Item you wish to modify from the Editpop-up listat the upper left of the dialog box. Predefined item types areavailable from the Record Type pop-up.

Define the Page Item size by typing the desired values in the TotalWidth and Total Height fields. Organize the selected Page Iteminto Fields using the Rows and Columns fields.

Edit the default text type of the selected page item using the

familiar controls of the Default Text Format dialog box. Use theInsert textpop-up to define how the text will be cropped if theplaceholder does not match the text size.

Click the Picturebutton to import a bitmap image into the layoutof the edited page item. The bitmaps can be external image files(*.bmp, *.jpg, *.tif, *.gif) from any of the active Libraries,ArchiCAD object symbol drawings generated by Property Objects,or Preview Pictures of ArchiCAD Library Parts in the active

Libraries. The familiar controls of the Picture dialog box allowyou to define the size and position of the image within the pageitem.


Page Item Fields


49/72


In the lower half of the Edit Page Item dialog box you find thecontrols to edit individual Fields of Page Items organized inmultiple rows and/or columns. Use the Field to Edit counters todefine which field you wish to modify. The first counter is for thecolumn, the second is for the row.

Define the size and position of the selected field by typing theappropriate values in the Width, Height and Offset fields.

To set a non-default text type for the field, click the Text Formatbutton. Clicking the button opens a dialog box identical to that ofthe Default Text Format button shown above.

Click the Bordersbutton in the lower right corner of the dialogbox to set Field borders.

The contents ofText Fields can be defined using the controls at thelower left of the Edit Page Item dialog box. The current content isshown in the scrollable and editable field in scripted format.

Detail data can be added using the pop-up below the text field.

Choose an item from the pop-up and click the Insert >> button onthe left to add it to the Text Field.

Global information items can be inserted using the pop-up list atthe bottom of the dialog box.

THE CONTENT TAB PAGE

The Content tab page of the Format Assistant/Wizard allows youto define the parameters according to the records that will begenerated in the layout.


The result is identical with the Group & Count function of TextLists


50/72


The parameters in the Parameters list at the left of the Content tab

page are the same as those of the Parameter selection set of theProperties & Parameters tab page of the Setup List Schemesdialog box. From the Parameters list, you can select the Parametersyou want to use to generate Records. The Parameters are listedaccording to Record type, of which there are three:

parameter display,

parameter sum,

parameter display as headline.

Check the Parameter boxes to make the selection.

Group a selection of checked parameters by clicking the Groupselected parameters button to the right of the Parameters list field.

Lists.

Choose the desired option from the Pagebreakpop-up to properlyorganize records on pages.

THE FIELDS TAB PAGE

The Fields tab page is very similar to the Edit Page Item dialogbox described above.

The Parameters selected in the Content tab page appear in theParameter & Record pop-up list.

You can select a predefined Record type for all parameters or youcan edit existing ones. Predefined types are available from theRecord Type pop-up. When editing predefined Record types, thepop-up will switch to Custom.


Define the Record size by typing the desired values in the TotalWidth and Total Height fields Organize Records into Fields by


51/72


Width and Total Height fields. Organize Records into Fields byusing the Rows and Columns fields.

For the Record format to match that of the Header, click the ApplyHeader Format button.

Edit the overall text type of the Record using the controls of the

Default Text Format dialog box, and click the Picture button toimport a bitmap image in the Record.

See Edit Page Item on page 46.

RECORD FIELDS

In the lower half of the Fields tab page you find the controls to editindividual Record Fields organized in multiple rows and/orcolumns. Use the Field to Edit counters to define which field youwish to modify. The first counter is for the column, the second one

is for the row.

Define the size and position of the selected Field by typing the

appropriate values in the Width, Height and Offset fields.

To set a non-default text type for the field, click the Text Formatbutton. Clicking the button activates a dialog box identical to thatof the Default Text Format button previously shown.

Click the Bordersbutton at the lower right of the dialog box to setField borders.

The contents of Text Fieldscan be defined using the controls in thelower left of the Fields tab page. The current content is shown inthe scrollable and editable Text Field in scripted format as

keywords (identifiers).

Global information items can be inserted using the pop-up list atthe bottom of the dialog box.

Detail data can be added using the two pop-ups below the textfield. The information type can be selected from the second pop-uplist.

The first pop-up is used to further specify data if appropriate. Forinstance, the Story Name is a simple, unambiguous data item.

In the case of measurements, you can choose between Name andUnit, or display both.


04 AC Calculation Guide

Documents

Transcript of 04 AC Calculation Guide