OpenBuildings™ Designer Help

Modify Curtain Wall dialog

Used to modify an existing Curtain Wall elements in the model. Using modify properties you can assign required part/family panels and frame of profile suitable to your design.



Example of the Modify Curtain Wall (Frame), opens when a curtain wall frame element is selected.

The Modify Curtain Wall opens for selected curtain wall element. Meaning when the frame is selected, the Modify command opens the dialog for the catalog type: Curtain Wall - Frame and when a panel is selected, it opens for the catalog type: Curtain Wall - Panel. You can select multiple panels or mullion frames and modify their properties through single interface, say for standardizing design, by assigning a unique part to all panels in selection set.
Note: Use the <Ctrl>+ Click to select multiple elements, say panels of a curtain wall and also from different curtain walls. After you select catalog types in active selection via the Select Building/Curtain Wall Components, the Modify dialog then opens listing different properties as <<Varies>> that can be changed to a required value or type.
SettingDescription
Catalog Item Selector Used to select from available Catalog Items. The Catalog Item Selector combo box contains several options and settings designed to make it easier to find the exact catalog item you need to place/change.

A generic example of Catalog Item selector options for searching, grouping and navigating

The Catalog Item list also includes user defined assemblies, and RFA catalog items, if any.
  • Search - Used to search for catalog items by name. Results are dynamically updated in the catalog items list. The searched text is also highlighted in the results.
  • Group By: - Used to list catalog items in groups based on values assigned to specific catalog item properties. Groups can be collapsed and expanded by clicking the down/up arrows on the group name headers. For instance, selecting Group By: > Type for a wall catalog type creates groupings with Schematic, Partition, WallComponent, etc headings. Catalog items which have Type defined as Schematic, Partition, or WallComponent will be listed under those headings. You can also select Group By: > Do Not Group to create a flat list with no grouping. (Exemption Mechanical).
  • (Large Icons) - Displays a representative icon for each catalog item listing.
  • (List) - Displays catalog item listings without any icons.
  • (Float) - When selected, the Catalog Item Selector combo box is detached from the placement/modify dialog, and becomes a separate dialog. You may prefer to have the floated dialog docked and always open over clicking the Catalog Item Selector in the placement/modify dialog for each catalog item selection.
    Note: The main dialog remains open and refreshes the thumbnail and preview in response to the selected catalog item.
    Click the Dock icon to close the floated dialog.
  • Recently Used - Lists catalog items that were recently selected in a "Group". This is useful because when you need to repeatedly place or modify the same catalog items, you do not need to repeatedly browse or search the main catalog items list.
Note: When you make your catalog item selection, it becomes the active part the Family/Part Toolbar.
Catalog Tools A split button located to the right of the Catalog Item Selector contains tools to assist with managing catalog data prior to placement of selected catalog items.
  • (Reset to Defaults) - Resets the selected catalog item property values to the default state as defined in the catalog library.
  • (Edit Catalog Item) - Used to edit the selected catalog item. Opens the Catalog Editor, where you can create and edit new catalog types and catalog items. Catalog Editor can also be used to edit existing data and to view catalog item instance properties and values by definition.
  • (Catalog Item Manager) - Used to manage catalog items library into organizational dataset. Opens the Catalog Item Manager, where you can copy or move catalog items into the dataset, and promoting current catalog items by moving then across workset levels.
Properties list - toolbar Used to manage catalog item properties during placement or modification. Catalog item properties define the catalog item instance in the model, and are accountable in the DataGroup System data management tools. You can place a catalog item with its default property values or you can change property values as needed, place an instance in the model, and optionally save the changes to the catalog.

The Properties combo box contains tools for sorting and searching the properties list:

  • (Categorize) - When on, catalog item properties are grouped in categories based on the catalog type definitions. When off, the properties are listed alphabetically without grouping.
  • (Alphabetical) - When on, catalog item properties are listed alphabetically without grouping. When off, the properties are listed in categories.
  • (Description) - Toggles a description field at the bottom of the placement dialog listing information about the highlighted catalog item property. The information listed includes the property definition display name, internal name, and type definition.
  • Search - Used to search for catalog item properties by name. Results are dynamically updated in the properties list.
Curtain Wall Frame For Frame, the following curtain wall frame properties are shown:
  • File Type – Sets the frame file type from the list of available options:
    • Jamb
    • Sill
    • Head
    • Mullion
    • Fixed Corner
    • Variable Corner
  • Width – Displays the width dimension of the selected frame.
  • Depth – Displays the depth dimension of the selected frame.
  • Part – Lists Part and Family definition assignment to the frame. Clicking in the Value column cell opens a Family and Part picker. Here parts and families are available from the option menus.
  • Profile – Displays the current catalog item for the profile of curtain wall frame.
Curtain Wall Frame Quantities For Frame, displays the dimensions quantifying the curtain wall profile:
  • Profile Length – Displays the default length of the frame profile.
  • Profile Cross Section Area – Displays the cross section area of the frame profile.
Curtain Wall Panel For Panel, the following curtain wall panel properties are displayed:
  • Panel Type – Displays the current pane type.
  • Part – Displays the Part and Family definition assignment to the panel.
  • Thickness – Displays the thickness of the panel of the curtain wall.
  • Offset – Displays the panel offset from the frame.
Curtain Wall Panel Quantities For Panel, displays the dimensions quantifying the curtain wall panels:
  • Panel Width – Displays the default width of the panel.
  • Panel Height – Displays the default height of the panel.
  • Panel Area – Displays the area of a panel.
  • Panel Volume – Displays the cube volume of a panel.
Note: Information in the Value column rows can be completed by selecting the applicable cell to activate an editor field, an option menu, or a pop up dialog. This data is written to the element properties. Properties displayed with grey text are read only. Some of these are set in the placement tool's Placement tab, and can be modified there. The dividing bar between the Property, and Value columns can be moved to change the width of either area, or resize the dialog. A vertical and horizontal scroll bars are available to scroll and adjust Properties panel viewing and the display of data.
Parent topic: Curtain Wall Modification