ArchiCAD Tutorial | Terrain Modeling using Solid Element Operations

[EricBobrow]

@Jubitu9 - I'm not sure why you needed to do a variation on the process I demonstrated, but I'm glad you figured out a way to make it work!

TIPS:

1) Make the slab thicker than the mesh so it appears above the terrain

2) Select the slab as target, the mesh as operator, and Intersect

3) Select the slab as operator (can be hard to select in 3D, you might need to switch to plan), the mesh as target, and then Subtract.

[Jubitu9]

Ok,this worked for me : use slab as a target,then mesh as operator,execute with subtraction w|upward extrusion after that use mesh as target and slab as operator and execute subtraction.

[Jubitu9]

Thanks for this tutorial.I'm absolute beginner an I did every step from this video but unfortunately it doesn't work for me.I can see slab in plan model and there are marks for it in 3D but I can see only mesh texture.

[EricBobrow]

@Rob2218 - Thanks for your enthusiastic comments!

You can make the bottom of the path a fixed distance underneath (creating a uniform thickness) by creating an additional copy of the main terrain mesh, offsetting that copy vertically downward the desired distance, and using it as a Solid Element operator to Subtract out from the path slab. This extra copy of the terrain would then be placed on a hidden layer, but would remain linked to the path slab, maintaining the thickness. Try it! - Eric

[Rob2218]

ERIC....you are the man! wow...what a great tip on the terrain adjuster to make the path the same slope as the terrain...wow!....now if you could do the same thing, yet make the bottom of the path follow just say...6" shy of the top of the path...that would be awesome.

[EricBobrow]

@jennahansen88 - I'm sorry to hear that the process isn't working for you. Here are some thoughts for troubleshooting:

1) Switch to wireframe and see if you can still see the slab; if so, you should be able to select it and complete the process of subtracting it (as operator) from the mesh (as target).

2) Is the mesh set for "solid" - check the geometry options for the mesh.

3) Perhaps try these operations in reverse order, subtract first then intersect.

Let us all know if this helps!

Eric

[jennahansen88]

I am using Archicad 14 and the intersection operation to create a road does not work for me! If I use the slab as the target element and the mesh as the operator element, then the slab just disappears from view!! Very frustrating!

[EricBobrow]

dt451 -

Thanks for letting us all know how valuable this tutorial was for you!

I'm curious - can you make an estimate as to how much time it might have saved you?

Eric

P.S. If you like my free ArchiCAD tutorial videos, you'll love the Best Practices Course - a comprehensive system to help you use ArchiCAD more effectively and save LOTS of time.

[dt451]

Watching this video saved me a great deal of time, on my recent project! Thanks!

[EricBobrow]

Hi Tessynz -

I'm glad you liked my video tip on terrain modeling and SEO in ArchiCAD.

Re your question about calculating land area, try the Window menu > Palettes > Element Information palette, which will give you area, volume, perimeter, etc. for selected elements.

Eric

[tessynz]

Hey Eric, very helpful!

Do you have any videos on site boundaries and is there a way to calculate the total land area ? I am having trouble!

[lskm2008]

Thanks Eric!

This video and the other 5, are great tutorials.

[arqarc1]

Excellent tips. Thanks.

[EricBobrow]

If you like my video tips, please click the Like button underneath the video player. Also, add a comment to say how you might be able to use the the ideas in that video. Thanks!

Eric

[aaaatrums]

This I am looking for all the time... Thank you very much :)