On Land

Location: 01 General/1 Graphic Symbols/

Description: A mask, frame, and title block for generating SK revision/clarification drawings.

Parameters:

• Sketch Title: Can be entered, or can take the layout name in PM
• Scale: Use ArchiCAD scale, 'no scale', or custom text.
• SK number: May (should) be omitted for automatic generation in PM
• Sheet Reference (optional)
• Project Name
• Issue Date, Past issue dates, and the ability to remember past dates.

Features:

• Interior mask with optional frame, for isolating the drawing part you need. The frame area can be drawn as the object is placed using the Box or Rotated Box methods of the Object tool. The mask can be removed, maxing out the available paper area, by stretching the mask to its maximum size. Note: The masked area will always be centered on the sheet.

• Check the 'Today' box to put today's date in the date fields. If there is a previous issue date, it will be bumped down the list. Or,

• Set the date manually and then check the 'Store Custom Date' box, which also retains the previous dates.

(Note: Both of these checkboxes are designed to uncheck themselves once they have done their work. Don't check them again!)

• The date saving is controlled by the 'Remember Dates' box, and can be turned off.

Use:

• Place in ArchiCAD. Set the SK number to 'Auto in PlotMaker'. Place Hotspots at the corners. Save a view of the sketch area. Import this view into PM, using a layout linked to the 'SK' Master. Print the layout from PM.

• Place in ArchiCAD. Marquee the object, snapping to the corners of the white space. Print, using the 'Marquee Area' option. For this option, you must set the SK number manually. This method is not recommended, since the SK number isn't generated automatically, and the SK isn't saved.

• Scan a hand drawing or other image. Create a layout in PM, using the 'SK Blank + Title' Master.

Place the object and its hotspots on the layer '+Z SK Title'. This layer is hidden and unlocked in all layer combinations. Before placing the object, set the layers/view to one of the output LCs. (E.g., A1) Then either turn on the '+Z SK Title' layer manually, or set the object tool to the layer and click 'show layer' in the 'layer is hidden' dialog box. Save the view with the layers as they are. It isn't a layer combination, but the view won't care. The alternative is to create LCs for every output LC plus the SK Title layer. Too much.

Very Important Note: The object must be brought to front. You might also have to send something back a step to get it hidden. There is no way to automate this. Sorry.

See also:
Sketch Revisions (SKs)
Getting the SK Layout Tools into Current Projects

[Note: This object has been superseded.]

This is the stamp you will use most of the time. Right now it's the only one we have.

It's pretty hard to tell it apart from the Room Name object. There are some differences.

The name list is hooked up to the Room Name parameter of the zone tool, which lets you select from the list in the info box.

The text size of the name is also available in the info box. The size for the material label is only in the settings, though.

There are parameters for the crown type, base type, and ceiling finish, for use in generating a finish schedule. Note: You must enter these. They don't learn from the room automatically, yet.

Location: 04 Masonry

A brick arched wall niche. Duh. Right now it can only do a semicircular arch. It will draw the brick lines on the sides and around the arch. The sill is optional.

In plan, the niche will display correctly. If using the Reflected Ceiling Plan display option, the niche will disappear completely, as if if it was a regular window. Consider using a patch.

Location: 12 Furnishings/Casework

• Obviously, set the number of shelves and the number of vertical divisions. You can also set a maximum height for the shelves and have the quantity calculated. The height of the bottom shelf can be set independently, or not.

• For odd values of horizontal divisions, the width of the center shelves can be set independently.

• There are separate thicknesses for the box, base, shelf, and vertical divider.

• You can choose to start with a shelf or a space (eg, to place on top of a counter).

• For shelves which will be cased like a door, you have the option of using door dimensions for easier alignment.

• All the trim options of a typical door are available, and should behave consistently.

• You can place a 'transom' section on top, which can be divided separately.

• In plan, you can choose a simple rectangle or 'poche' mode, which shows the cut profile of the shelf, including the vertical dividers.

That's all I can think of.

Note: This object is pretty OK, if a bit glitchy, but I'm really enjoying the Cabinet Opening in thick wall method for bookshelves.

All the pocket doors now have a line representing the extent of the void in the wall. Now you know if the door really fits.

Location: 12 Furnishings / Casework

You can miter it, like a trim object. No big deal.

Location: 08a Windows

A window for placing a wall of screen panels at once.

The vertical panels are limited to 3. The rail height and the transom height can be set where these panels are used. These two heights are also graphically editable in 3D, so you can line them up with railings or doors.

You can have any number of horizontal divisions. You can put in the quantity or have it calculated from a maximum width.

Location: 08b Doors

A screen door. Optional screen transom.

Location: 06 Wood & Plastic/Railings & Stairs

Railings and posts in one object. The available settings are the same as 'Rail Level JAM8' and 'Deck Post JAM8'.

The starting and ending posts can be controlled independently of the typical (inside) posts, and of each other, or not. It is possible to build a multi segment rail to allow for posts, and leave the posts themselves out.

Location: 16 Electrical/Elec Symbols.

Replaces 'SwitchMulti JAM8'. Improvements: Bigger 'S'. Any switch can be shown as a dimmer. The extent of the switch plate is shown as a line at the base. This line can be stretched to add or subtract switches. The limit is 6. Probably enough?

It retains the optional 3D. It should be placed on the layer 'E Fixt3' or 'E Fixt2'.

Location: 11 Equipment.

Dishwasher JAM8 is a dishwasher. Fridge UnderCounter JAM8 is an under-counter refrigerator. Pretty simple really.

All the JAM8 windows have a parameter called 'Mode' which allows you to tell the object how to interpret your width and height dimensions. (Then there's schematic mode which draws a glass box. More of a bar stunt than a feature, but it does work.)

The default is for the windows to treat the height and width as the frame size, the outside measurement of the unit. I chose this behavior because it is the most objective overall measurement for a window, when you consider different manufacturers. The other option is 'Jamb', which treats the height and width as the inside dimension of the frame instead of the outside. When measuring an existing window, this is the measurement you'll have.

Both the frame and jamb modes place the window so that the INSIDE of the head is at the head height as given in the settings box, which is the sill added to the height parameter. That is, switching from frame to jamb DOES NOT move the window in Z. The head height in the settings box always reflects the finish head height (above the subfloor, of course).

Reread the preceding paragraph several times.

Window companies are notoriously idiosyncratic about sizes, dimensions, standards, and terminology, to the point that the statement, "I want a 2-8 double-hung" is almost meaningless. Weathershield, for example, refers to its frame size as 'Jamb-to-Jamb', where normal people would think that meant the inside jamb dimension. Not helpful.

You have to develop a knowledge of what the different manufacturers mean by their terms. The only way to do this is to study their details and find the relationships among the various size definitions.

One of my more ambitious goals for the next version of the windows is to teach them the technical differences among the manufacturers, but it might be more trouble than it's worth. In the meantime, as usual, there is no substitute for understanding what you're doing. You might have to put in counterintuitive values to get the windows to behave correctly in a given application. I do it all the time.