However, Graphisoft informed us that in the profile editor you can draw any polygon independent from the [wall] profile. The top and bottom of the opening will be placed on that polygon. This lets you freely set the position of your openings in the profile.

QuickTime : QT-6 - This movie shows how to adjust openings in complex slanted walls for vertical or "associate with wall" alignments.	O5.1 - A polygon can be drawn inside the Profile Manager. This polygon can determine the independent conditions of any opening (eg: window or door) with respect to the wall's complex profile.

For those not familiar with BIM programs you may be asking, why is the complete curved wall not showing in your section image, what happened to the last circular window? (see image 06). For those new to BIM it is a very good question, and one of the fundamental issues to be addressed by 3D CAD programs that generate 2D views from 3D models. The question has to do with what you see in the background, beyond the section cut planes through complete virtual building models.

O6 - With a window the default placed the window parallel with the slope, and it successfully resolved complex geometries, the straight sections spanning from jamb side to jamb side.	O7 - As you can see "Limited" is chosen above and Infinite is the other choice. Zero depth will only show elements that are cut. Unfortunately, with the new IE tool you cannot put in a horizontal value for your range.

In the Section Selection Settings palette, under the General flippy triangle, you can set the Horizontal and Vertical Range. (see image 07). "Limited" is the default choice. "Infinite" will show everything beyond the cut plane. User-determined horizontal limits can be determined via Hotspots on the floor plan (if the marker range on the screen view options is turned on). Setting similar settings for horizontal sections (ie: Plans) is made in the Floor Plan Cut Plane settings dialog.

Back to modeling, there really isn't much else new in this update. For very advanced modeling Graphisoft has MaxonForm for ArchiCAD 11, an advanced modeling add-on based on the powerful multi-use 3D software suite by its sister company.

Interior Elevation Tool

This new tool automates the creation of interior elevations, even in complex shaped rooms. Unlike the Section and Elevation tools, the new Interior Elevation tool is used to create new viewpoints only -- that is, you cannot place just the markers without a linked reference.

They are also implemented differently. Unlike Sections, with the new IE tool you must first click "once" to define the limit line of what you see, then a "second" click to complete the limit line. This can be confusing at first; the limit line is equal to the limit or more accurately the "depth" of the interior view. Then you move the cursor to the desired position from where you view (where your body would stand in the space or equivalent to the section cut line). A QuickTime movie will highlight this process. (see QuickTime QT-7).

QuickTime : QT-7 - This movie shows operations in the Resource view. Adding new resources via the Information form.

Another interesting item of discovery was what to do with "curved walls" with the new Interior Elevation tool. Remember our curved-complex profile wall in our test file? How can you trace the limit of that? Here Graphisoft has developed a method. Since the "limit line" can only contain straight lines you must adjust the limit line so that it includes the curved wall or touches it on either end (not necessary to touch both). All structures touched by the limit line will be included in the view.

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