OpenBuildings™ Station Designer Help

Place Profile

Used to place linear, arc, curve, and "by-path" Profile Components such as architectural mouldings. Profiles are defined by points which include the start point, the center point in case of arc and curved profiles and the end point. The profile extrudes along the path drawn by successive data points. Edit handles aid in manipulating the profile path. All 'Place by' path types placed using this tool are supported by the DataGroup System. Catalog data is applied to profiles at the time of placement. The Place Profile tool also provides additional types : Ductbank and Platform Edge.

Note: Placement is completed using the controls found on the Placement ribbon tab and the Property Panel which is loaded with the active Building element catalog items and properties.
Accessed from:


  • Ribbon: Building Design > Architectural > Place Architectural Elements > Profile
  • Ribbon: Building Design > Structural > Place Building Elements > Profile

Placement tab

Note: The Placement tab opens on the ribbon when placing Building elements. The Placement tab contains settings specific to the Building element being placed that are used to define the position, orientation or dimensions of the Building element being placed. Also available on the Placement tab, are a collection of Building common tools selected specifically because of their relevance to the Building element being placed.
Placement Options – contains settings used to control the physical placement and positioning of newly placed profile components.
SettingDescription
Place By Sets the profile path type (Line, Arc, Curve or By Path).
Arc Control Option menu (enabled for the Place By:Arc profile placement option).
  • By Center – The profile is positioned by three points: an endpoint, the arc center point, and a point that defines the sweep angle.
  • By Edge – The profile is positioned by three points on the arc edge.
Tolerance Defines the smoothness of the profile curve by determining the number of segments that compose the curve. Decreasing the tolerance value creates more segments, resulting in a curve that is more smooth; increasing the tolerance value creates fewer segments, resulting in a curve that is less smooth. Enabled for the Place By:Curve profile placement option only.
Close When on, a Reset click adds a profile from the start point of the first profile to the end point of the last profile, to form an enclosed area. Enabled for the Place By:Line profile placement option only.
Delete Path When on, the path or shape referenced by profile is deleted. Such path or shape to be followed by the profile is drawn using the smart line or stream curves. Enabled for the Place By:By Path profile placement option only.
Offsets
  • Side Offset — Sets an offset distance and direction for profile segments which is parallel to a line defined by two placement data points. Direction can be set by setting a negative distance for Left offset and a positive distance for Right offset.
  • Base Offset — Sets the Z axis distance between the elevation of the active floor and the elevation of the item being placed (usually the bottom surface). Base Offset can be a negative value.
Note: Besides linear, the Place Profile tool can draw arcs, curves as well as by path and modify by selecting defined path of a profile. It also draws path, closed paths and miter cleanup at the corners. Profiles can follow an inclined plane, such as a gable roof.


Profile Properties



SettingDescription
Catalog Type Selector Used to select from available Catalog Types. Selections made here updates the Catalog Item Selector combo box.
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.
  • ( Match Element Properties) - Sets the current active placement/modify dialog settings to match the parameters of an existing, selected catalog item instance in the model. This saves a good amount of time when placing catalog items that need to identically match those that already exist.
    Note: The existing catalog item instance must be of the same catalog type selected with the Catalog Item Selector for the parameters to be matched.
  • (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.
  • (Save Catalog Item) - Updates the active catalog item in the DataGroup System catalog library with the values currently shown in the Properties list box permanently changing the defaults for the catalog item.
  • (Save Catalog Item As...) - Used to save a copy of the selected catalog item as another catalog item (the default name adds the prefix " Copy of " <current catalog items name>). Opens the Save As dialog where catalog item definitions can be named before saving them to the DataGroup System.
Note: The Save Catalog Item and Save Catalog Item As... tools perform administrative tasks on DataGroup System catalogs. Administrators and users may want to hide the tool icons to avoid incidental or unwanted changes to their firm's dataset by setting the user configuration variables BB_CATALOGITEM_ADMIN_IN_PLACECMDS and BB_CATALOGITEM_SAVEAS_IN_PLACECMDS to "0", respectively.
Preview Displays the selected catalog item in the preview window. This display changes and the preview updates as various options are chosen. The preview also changes dynamically with some of the prominent settings on the Placement tab, e.g Height, Rotation angle, etc. A right-click in the Preview opens a Show/Hide Viewing Tools option menu:
  • Zoom In - Zooms in about center of preview.
  • Zoom Out - Zooms out about center of preview.
  • Pan - Moves the preview following the pointer. Click again to stop panning.
  • Fit - Fits the object to the extents of the preview.
  • Rotation - Sets the orientation of the selected item in the preview to one of the standard orientation options:
    • Isometric
    • Right Isometric
    • Top
    • Bottom
    • Left
    • Right
    • Front
    • Rear
  • Display Mode - Sets the display of the selected item in the preview to one of the standard display modes.
    • Solid
    • Wire Frame
    • Visible Edge
    • Filled Visible Edge
For Place workflow, the Hide/Show Preview controls displaying preview of the element currently selected for placement.
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.
Profile Parameters Lists placement options and their values for catalog items placed with the Place Profile tool.
  • Cell Symbol Name - Displays the name of the profile cell associated with the profile selected from the catalog.
  • Rotation Angle — Sets the vertical inclination of the profile along the placement plan. The angle value determines the tilt for the profile.
  • Flip — When on, profile segments flip to the opposite orientation along the placement line (for the active placement mode) during placement. The flip state shifts the inner side of the profile out, making profile suitable to be placed along outer periphery of an object.


Effect of (1) Flip, (2) Rotation Angle: 90° , (3) Rotation Angle: -90°

Manufacturer Lists properties used to identify a manufacturer name, model number or website.
Quantities Displays lengths, elevation, perimeter and net and gross surface and volume quantities for catalog items placed.
Identification Lists identification properties for the active catalog item type.
Materials Lists Part and Family definition assignments. Clicking in the Value column cell opens a Family and Part selection box. Here parts and families are available from the option menus.


Classification Building Classification Systems are supported by the DataGroup System. MasterFormat, OmniClass, and UniFormat property values can be associated with any Building element. Click the Value cell to open the Classification System selection combo box. The combo box is populated with selected classification system property values. It can be resized by clicking on the combo box's bottom right corner. Search for properties by name. Search results are displayed in the classifications hierarchy. Double click a property to select it. This action also closes the selection menu. The selected property displays in the selected classification system property value (on the Properties list).


Discipline Sets one of the disciplines from pull-down options: Architectural, Structural, Mechanical, and Electrical.
IFC Override Lists IFC properties not automatically mapped to DataGroup System properties that can be manipulated for export.
Construction Phase Lists design and construction phase properties for walls such as New Construction, Future Construction, and Items to be Moved.
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.
Key-in: TFPLACE PROFILE USERDEFINED [ Catalog_Item ]
Key-in: TFPLACE PROFILE USERPROFILE [ Catalog_Type ] [ Catalog_Item ]

Catalog selection with key-ins

Use the Catalog_Item argument to directly key-in the desired catalog item saved in the active DataGroup System catalog to pre-populate the tool settings. For instance TFPLACE PROFILE USERDEFINED Chair Rail where Chair Rail is the catalog item name.

Note: The Catalog_Item argument is case sensitive. Be sure to key it in exactly as it appears in the catalog.

Use the Catalog_Type and Catalog_Item arguments to key-in your user defined profile catalog items. For instance TFPLACE PROFILE USERPROFILE MyProfiles "My Profile 001" where MyProfiles is the catalog type and "My Profile 001" is the catalog item.

Note: When keying in User Defined catalog items, the Catalog_Type and Catalog_Item arguments can not contain spaces because within the key-in, the space character is reserved to separate the key-in arguments. If the Catalog_Type or Catalog_Item names contain spaces in their names, they must be entered in quotes. If there are no spaces in their names, there is no need for the quotes. This is different when keying in the catalog items only. Here the Catalog_Item argument can contain spaces.
Tip: When keying in User Defined catalog items, you must use the catalog type definition Type Name for the Catalog_Type argument instead of the Display Name which can not be processed by the key-in. Type Name can be displayed in the Catalog Editor by selecting the Show Catalog Types filter control or Properties from the catalog item right click menu (opens the Catalog Type Definition dialog where catalog types are created and managed).

Extended Types in Place Profile

The Place Profile tool can also be used to place additional catalog types available include: Ductbank and Platform Edge types.
  • To place the catalog type Ductbank with specific item, say "80mm Duct Bank 2x1_400x250", follow the key in: TFPLACE PROFILE USERPROFILE Ductbank "80mm Duct Bank 2x1_400x250"
  • To place the catalog type Platform Edge with specific item, say "Platform Edge 01", follow the key in: TFPLACE PROFILE USERPROFILE Platform_Edge "Platform Edge 01"
To place a profile
Create a User Defined Profile
Add User Defined Profile Cells
Using the Edit Handles in Profile
Adding Edit Handles in Profile using Vertex
Modify Profile dialog
Change Profile using Modify Properties
To Modify User Defined Profile Properties
Modify User Defined Profile Paths
Parent topic: Architectural Walls