Arch Component

Description
Creates a non-parametric Arch component from any Part-based object. This gives the Part-based object the same attributes and properties as other Arch objects, and allows to specify how it should be exported to IFC by setting its Role property.

How to use

 * 1) Select a  Part-based object.
 * 2) Press the  button, or use the  →  →  from the top menu.

Common Arch component properties
The Arch component object is also a base shared by all other Arch objects (,, etc). Therefore some of its properties and behaviours are common to all Arch objects (except tools that don't produce solid objects, like or ):


 * Base shape: Arch Components are always based on a Shape-based base object. Some types of Arch objects will just use the Base shape as is, others (for example will do some additional operations on it, such as an extrusion. For some types, having a base object is not mandatory


 * Additions: Arch Components have an addition property, that can hold reference to any number of other Shape-based objects. The shape of these additions will be united with the base shape of the component, to produce the final shape.


 * Subtractions: Arch Components have an subtraction property, that can hold reference to any number of other Shape-based objects. The shape of these objects will be subtracted from the base shape of the component, to produce the final shape.


 * The Placement of the Arch Component is applied after the additions and subtractions are done, so these are performed against the base object at its base location. Then the result is moved to the location of the Placement.


 * Objects can be added or removed to/from a Component's Additions and Subtractions lists by selecting both the object and the component, and using the or  commands, or from the task panel by double-clicking the Component in the Tree view. The task panel also allows to check which object is currently part of these lists.


 * Role: Each Arch Component, besides the function defined by its type (wall, window, etc), also has a Role property, that can define further which kind of function it performs. For example, an can have a beam or column role. Generic Arch Components (as produced by this command) can have any role available in the whole Arch workbench. The role is what is used to define the type of IFC object to export to when exporting to IFC.


 * Clone Of: Any Arch Component can be a clone of another Arch Component of the same type (a Wall can only be a clone of another Wall, etc.). The only exception is the generic Arch Component (as produced by this command), that can be clone of any other type (Wall, structure, window, etc). This allows to use a generic Arch Component to override the type of another one.


 * Description: All Arch Components have a Description field, that can contain any text. This is used when exporting to IFC.


 * Tag: The Tag property is another text field, which can be used to give an additional custom identity to objects.


 * Material: All Arch Components have a Material slot, that can contain either a Material or a MultiMaterial (not all Arch object type support the use of MultiMaterials). The DiffuseColor and Transparency properties of the attached material will define the Shape color and transparency of the Arch component. The material will be imported and exported to IFC, OBJ and DAE.


 * Move with Host: When a component is embedded inside another (for example a window inside a wall), setting this property to True will make the object move and rotate together when its host object is moved or rotated using or.


 * Hi Res: Arch Components can use the shape of another object as a higher-resolution version of themselves. For this, both the Hi Res property and the Hi Res display mode must be set. This allows, for example, to make a simple wall, and then model every brick that composes the wall, for example with . Then, use a compound of those bricks as a high-resolution version of the wall. The shape of the wall is not modified by adding a Hi-Res object. Only its representation in the 3D view will change by adopting the representation of the high-resolution version instead of its own.