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CYPE Architecture
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CYPE Architecture

Managing the visibility and object snaps of external elements

A new tool has been implemented in the user interface that is common in Open BIM applications with a 3D working environment. Now, the management of the elements from the digital model of the building, which comes from the associated BIMserver.center project, is carried out from the "Elements read" menu located in the left sidebar of the application.

The elements read are structured in the form of a tree based on two classification types: "Models" and "Categories". The organisation by "Models" allows users to inspect each contribution linked to the job and each associated 3D model within it. On the other hand, the "Categories" group the "Elements read" into families according to their features. Next to each tree component, three buttons are displayed to control the visibility, the display mode (solid, transparent or wire) and the object snap. It should be noted that the organisational settings applied to the organisation by "Models" prevail over those indicated by "Categories".

Applications can have default visibility and object snap settings when creating a new view. Furthermore, when entering new components with the tools in the program, the application itself can force the activation or deactivation of the visibility and object snaps of certain categories. When this happens, a yellow padlock will be displayed next to the set options. When users finish using the tool, the tree will return to its original state.

In previous versions, the management of the visibility of BIM project models was carried out in the configuration panel of a view. As a consequence of this improvement, editing is now managed from the "Elements read" menu in the left sidebar and has therefore been removed from the previous location. However, in the editing panel of a view users can indicate whether the view should have its own configuration for viewing these elements or whether it should use the general configuration of the job. For this purpose, the "Use a specific view configuration for the view" option has been added. When this option is active, the "View" text will appear in the "Elements read" menu.

In addition to the component tree of the external models, the "Elements read" menu includes a toolbar with a group of buttons that allow the following actions to be carried out:

Isolate selection
Allows elements from the 3D model to be isolated. Users can select the elements of the 3D model that they wish to isolate and when right-clicking on them, the rest of the elements from the model will disappear.
Hide
Allows the selected elements to be hidden. Users can select the elements from the 3D model that they wish to hide and by right-clicking on them, they will disappear.
Show all
Shows all hidden elements.
Aspect
Allows users to choose between normal drawing or monochrome drawing.
BIM information
Displays a panel showing the attributes associated with the selected component.

In version 2023.a, the management of visibility and object snaps of external elements is available in the following CYPE Open BIM applications:

CYPE Architecture
CYPELEC Distribution
CYPELEC Electrical Mechanisms
CYPELEC PV Systems
CYPEPLUMBING Water Systems
CYPETHERM RE2020
CYPEURBAN
Open BIM Analytical Model
CYPE Construction Systems
Open BIM COVID-19
CYPE Lightning
Open BIM Sampling
Open BIM Site

New example job

A new example job for a multifamily residential has been included in the program. It is a block of 18 apartments and commercial units and has been created to exemplify the use of the tools of the "Groups" set that has been implemented in this version.

Improved wall entry

Walls can be snapped at either end and not only at their directrix plane. The program detects when two walls come into contact with each other and, in that case, it also makes their directrix planes come into contact with each other. This improves the automatic detection of spaces by ensuring that the spaces are closed.

Modified stair landing adjustments

The stair landing allows the adjustment to be changed above, in the centre or below the entered point or surface area.

Improved program interface

Drop-down lists in the "Architecture" tab
Some features in the "Architecture" tab (Levels, Groups, Stairs, Ramps, Elevators/Lifts) have been compressed into a button that displays a list of the different features in that section when selected.

Improved element selection in the "Furniture" tab
The furniture style has been unified. Furniture is now chosen via an icon instead of a reference, making it easier to choose furniture.

Displaying information texts
This option is fixed at the top right of the view, making it easier to read the properties of the elements.

Improved curtain wall properties

The curtain wall element has a new property: Indoor/Outdoor. This property is useful in the thermal analysis of buildings that include these elements.

More information on this new feature can be found in the CYPETHERM EPlus version 2023.a new feature "Curtain walls".

Improved export of structural elements

The export of columns and basement walls has been improved:

The export of columns includes the insertion point
This property is read and imported by CYPECAD from the architectural model generated by CYPE Architecture. CYPECAD uses it to define the fixed point of the column.
Basement walls are exported as load-bearing walls
This property is read and imported by CYPECAD from the architectural model generated by CYPE Architecture.

Space table reports

The program generates space table reports that can be displayed on screen by selecting the "Reports" tool in the program's top toolbar. The reports can be included in the technical specifications and are exported to the project.

Groups of elements

A new set of tools has been added to the top bar of the "Architecture" tab in the program. This is the "Groups" feature that allows architectural and furniture elements to be grouped together. Any modification made to a group will also have an effect on the equal groups, thus facilitating the modelling of the building and its subsequent corrections.

Groups are particularly useful in buildings with repetitive elements, such as types of dwellings or building premises.

The "Groups" feature has several tools:

New group
Allows users to select the architectural and furniture elements to be included in a group and to give the group a name.
Copy group
Creates a copy of a group, generating an equal group. Any modification generated in the group or its copies will be reflected in the rest of the equal groups.
Move group, Rotate group, Delete group and Edit group
These tools allow all elements in the group to be edited at the same time.
Explode group
Ungroups all elements in the group and deletes the group. The elements remain in the job, but no longer belong to a group.
Make unique group
Creates a new group from an existing group, but this new group will not be linked to the original group nor to those that are equal.
Add elements to a group
This feature can be used for adding an element to a given group. If an element is added, this action will also be carried out in the equal groups.
Unlink elements from a group
This feature can be used for unlinking an element from a given group. If an element is unlinked, this action will also be carried out in the equal groups.

Exporting in FBX format

Version 2023.a of all CYPE programs that have the "Print/Save the current view" tool (usually all programs that display graphic information in a window) allows any generated 3D model to be exported in FBX format. This is one of the most common and accepted formats among rendering software (Twinmotion, Enscape, Sketchup+Vray, among others).

Exportation in FBX format is found in the dialogue box that opens when selecting the "Print/Save the Current View" button in any of the programs that include this tool. This feature allows users to export any element that is visible in the current window at that moment in FBX format (as well as elements that have been imported from other programs).

Copying properties between elements in the "Furniture" tab

The "Copy properties" tool has been implemented in the "Edit" group of the "Furniture" tab. This tool allows users to copy properties between the same type of elements (Reference, Level, Colour, etc.).

To copy the properties of an element, follow the steps below. Please note that you can only copy properties between elements of the same type.

Click on the "Copy properties" button in the "Edit" menu.
Select the item for which you wish to copy the properties.
A panel will appear with a list of properties that can be copied and their values.
Choose the properties you wish to copy and accept the panel.
Select the elements to which you wish to copy the chosen properties.
Right-click the mouse and the properties will be transferred to the selected elements.

Sketch surface information

By activating the "Show information texts" feature and hovering over any surface generated with the tools in the "Sketch" tab, the area of that surface will be displayed. Furthermore, the program exports the area information and the label of the surface so that it is accessible in other programs from the Open BIM workflow and in the BIMserver.center viewer.

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