• Partial Structure Display

Using Partial Structure Display for Structural Connection

The Partial Structure Display function and the layer system in ArchiCAD allow you to display and output architectural elements in a simplified form. For example, when working with structural engineers, you may prefer to publish a structural plan or export an IFC file that shows only the real load-bearing structural elements such as the core of complex and composite elements.

As a first step, the load-bearing structural part of an architectural model may be filtered out of the entire structure by using Layers and Layer Combinations (Document/ Layers/ Layer Settings). For example, structural elements (slabs, walls, beams, columns etc.) can be placed on one single layer, or elements on independent layers can be grouped in a single Layer Combination.

The Partial Structure Display settings influence composite and complex structures only. Slabs, Walls and Roofs can be defined as composite structures in ArchiCAD. The load-bearing part of a composite or complex structure is the Core skin. The next figure shows how you can set Core and Finish skins for composite structures (Options/ Element Attributes/ Composites).

Partial Structure Display affects the display of elements in 2D and 3D windows alike, and it can be assigned to the following window types:

• Floor Plan,

• 3D Window,

• Section-Elevation/ Interior Elevation/ 3D Document
  Each instance of these window types can have its own Partial Structure Display setting (for example, you can have three Section windows with three different Partial Structure Display settings). Exception: You cannot set a Partial Structure Display setting for a drawing-type Section or Elevation.

• Worksheet and Detail
  If the source viewpoint is in the Floor Plan or is an Auto-update viewpoint, you can set Partial Structure Display settings for Worksheets and Details (separate ones for each window, if needed).

Partial Structure Display (Core Only) can be set for the current window at three different locations, dialogs:

1. Document/ Partial Structure Display;
2. Properties/ Settings in the Organizer Project Map;
3. Partial Structure Display pop-up in the Quick Options palette (Window/ Palettes/ Quick Options).

The Partial Structure Display setting is saved with the view. The following figures are examples of Partial Structure Display settings applied for different views.

Sections

3D View

3D Document

Although Columns and Beams can have a Core and a veneer part, they are not considered composite elements for the purposes of Partial Structure Display.

To display a column/beam with its core, create a Complex column/beam, set the veneer component as a Finish, and then switch Partial Structure Display to Core Only.

Exporting to IFC

If you would like to save only the simplified state – that is, the load-bearing structure – of the current model as an IFC file, the following settings have to be considered during the saving procedure (read more in IFC Export for Structural Connection guide):

• Export elements
  Filter elements in the current ArchiCAD database for export. To consider the current view defined by a Layer Combination, choose the All visible or All visible on current story option (depending on whether you would like to save elements on every story or on the current story).

• Follow Partial Structure Setting
  Enabling this option saves elements with their displayed state set at Partial Structure Display settings (it affects composite and complex structures only).

PDF Download

• The above article is also available in PDF format: PartialStructureDisplay.pdf

Related Pages

Category2dDrawing, Category3dModeling, CategoryInputOutput