Allplan 2015 StepsToSmartParts
Allplan 2015 StepsToSmartParts
Allplan 2015 StepsToSmartParts
Steps to Success
Allplan 2015
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1st edition, August 2014
Document no. 150eng01s66-1-BM0814
Steps to Success Contents i
Contents
Welcome! ........................................................................................ 1
Basics ............................................................................................... 3
Concept definitions .............................................................................................. 3
Where to find SmartParts .................................................................................. 4
The SmartParts module's user interface ........................................................ 5
Tools for creating SmartParts ................................................................................. 6
Getting Ready ................................................................................ 7
Creating the project ............................................................................................. 7
Basic settings ....................................................................................................... 10
Steps to Take ............................................................................... 11
Step 1: SmartPart Freeform Solid .......................................... 13
Getting to know SmartParts ........................................................................... 13
Step 2: Additional SmartParts ................................................ 21
Inserting additional SmartParts .................................................................... 21
Modifying SmartParts ...................................................................................... 24
Inserting and modifying another SmartPart ............................................. 29
ii Contents Allplan 2015
Step 3: Understanding Scripts ................................................ 31
Additional tools for SmartParts .................................................................... 31
Reading scripts .................................................................................................... 35
Allplan SmartPart Editor .................................................................................. 36
Basic tools .................................................................................................................. 36
Parameters ................................................................................................................. 38
Master script .............................................................................................................. 40
Parameter script ....................................................................................................... 42
Dialog script ............................................................................................................... 43
2D script ...................................................................................................................... 44
3D script ...................................................................................................................... 45
Resources .................................................................................................................... 46
Step 4: Creating Your Own SmartPart .................................. 47
Objective ............................................................................................................... 47
Creating the tabletop ....................................................................................... 49
Creating table legs ............................................................................................. 58
A note on useful tools for scripts ........................................................................ 64
Creating cross braces ........................................................................................ 67
Creating bars ....................................................................................................... 72
Creating connectors .......................................................................................... 78
Creating a box and importing it as a resource ................................................ 79
Using the resource ................................................................................................... 81
The IF - THEN condition ......................................................................................... 86
Parameter script ................................................................................................. 90
Saving the intermediate result ...................................................................... 94
Parametric surfaces ........................................................................................... 95
Integrating parameters into the script ............................................................ 100
Plan view............................................................................................................. 106
Steps to Success Contents iii
Defining your own dialog box using scripts ............................................ 110
Some special notes ................................................................................................ 116
Saving the SmartPart ...................................................................................... 121
Saving the preview image ................................................................................... 124
Digression .................................................................................. 127
Table with round legs - Flexi 02 .................................................................. 128
Digression - summary of parameters ............................................................... 133
Digression - summary of parameter script .................................................... 134
Digression - summary of dialog script ............................................................ 134
Digression - summary of 2D script ................................................................... 134
Digression - summary of 3D script ................................................................... 135
Digression - summary of resources .................................................................. 136
Step 5: Analysis ....................................................................... 137
Objective ............................................................................................................. 137
Completing the drawing file ........................................................................ 139
A note on defining height setup for SmartParts ......................................... 142
Analysis using a report ................................................................................... 143
Labeling the SmartPart .................................................................................. 146
Index ........................................................................................... 151
iv Contents Allplan 2015
Steps to Success Welcome! 1
Welcome!
This guide provides an overview of the SmartParts mo-
dule.
You will learn all you need to know about SmartParts in
five steps. In particular, you will find out about the mo-
dification options of the SmartParts that come with the
program, and you will learn how to load and use additi-
onal SmartParts as well as create your own SmartParts.
Finally, you will analyze SmartParts in a report.
Each step is described in detail so that you can follow
quickly and easily.
Have fun with SmartParts! We wish you every success!
2 Allplan 2015
Steps to Success Basics 3
Basics
Concept definitions
Allplan SmartPart
A SmartPart is a parametric Allplan CAD object that intelligently
reacts to changes or other actions done by the user, provided its
parameters and settings are defined accordingly.
SmartParts can be edited using dialog boxes or handles. Both options
are described in detail in "Step 1: SmartPart Freeform Object (see
"Step 1: SmartPart Freeform Solid" on page 13)".
SmartParts are based on a script that contains 2D and/or 3D infor-
mation on the relevant SmartPart. SmartParts can be saved as files
ending in *. smt .
Allplan SmartPart script
The Allplan SmartPart script is used to program SmartParts. This
programming language, which is similar to BASIC, can be learned
quickly and easily . The script is part of each SmartPart.
You will familiarize yourself with Allplan SmartPart script in "Step
3: Understanding Scripts (on page 31)". In "Step 4: Creating Your
Own SmartPart (on page 47)", you will learn how to create your own
SmartPart using Allplan SmartPart script.
4 Where to find SmartParts Allplan 2015
Where to find SmartParts
Use the SmartPart and Insert SmartPart tools (Smart-
Parts module - Create area). Select a SmartPart and place it in
the workspace as you would place a symbol or smart symbol.
Open the Library palette and the SmartParts folder. Select a
SmartPart and place it in the workspace as you would place a
symbol or smart symbol.
Download SmartParts from Allplan Connect's Content area.
Create your own SmartParts or modify existing SmartParts. This
guide shows how you can create and change your own Smart-
Parts in just a few steps
SmartParts can also represent customer-specific content. A
SmartPart consultant, who has in-depth knowledge of SmartParts
and a lot of experience in this field, can help you create your
own SmartPart catalogs. Your local sales partner would be glad
to provide you with more information. Visit the Allplan Homepa-
ge (http://www.allplan.com) for a list of all sales partners.
Allplan provides additional types of SmartParts:
- Reinforcement SmartParts
- Window SmartParts, Door SmartParts, Shading SmartParts
and Domed Roof-Light SmartParts
"Allplan 2015 - Step by Step - Doors and Windows" shows
you how to work with the Window SmartPart, Door
SmartPart and Shading SmartPart tools (Basic: Walls,
Openings, Components module - Create area).
Steps to Success Basics 5
The SmartParts module's user interface
You can find the SmartParts module in the Bonus Tools family.
The Create area provides the SmartPart and Insert SmartPart
tools.
You can use the SmartPart tool to open the Library palette
and the SmartParts - Default folder, where you can select a
SmartPart and place it in the workspace.
You can use the Insert SmartPart tool to select existing
SmartPart files in SMT format in any folder and place them in
the workspace.
The Change area of the Tools palette provides the Modify
SmartPart using Handles and Update SmartPart tools.
6 The SmartParts module's user interface Allplan 2015
Tools for creating SmartParts
The Customize: Default dialog box provides additional tools, such as
the SmartPart Editor for programming SmartParts. To open this
dialog box, click Customize... on the Tools menu. On the Customize
tab, click the Categories button and choose Additional tools with
icons.
You will familiarize yourself with these tools in "Step 3: Under-
standing Scripts (on page 31)".
Steps to Success Getting Ready 7
Getting Ready
Creating the project
Start by creating a new project in Allplan 2015 so that you can
follow the steps described in this guide.
To create a new project
Allplan is running.
1 On the File menu, click New Project, Open Project.
2 In the Open Project dialog box, click New Project, Open Pro-
ject.
8 Creating the project Allplan 2015
3 New Project Specify Project Name
Enter the name of the project: Steps to Success - SmartParts.
Click Next >.
Steps to Success Getting Ready 9
4 In the next dialog box, check that all paths are set to the Project.
If they aren't, set them accordingly. Then click Next to confirm.
Note: The example in this guide is based on the project standard.
The project standard, which is a copy of the office standard, only
applies to the current project. The advantage is that any changes
in the definitions of pens or line types do not affect the office
standard but apply to your project only. Consequently, you can
customize all the settings for your needs without changing the
office standard.
5 New Project Additional Settings
You do not need a project structure in this guide. If a structure is
selected, clear the check box. You will use only a few drawing fi-
les; a building structure is not necessary.
Click Finish to confirm the last dialog box.
10 Basic settings Allplan 2015
You are back in Allplan. The Steps to Success - SmartParts pro-
ject is open and drawing file 1 is current.
Note: You can also use ProjectPilot - Admin... (File menu) to
create a new project
Basic settings
Check the settings in the status bar: Length (m), Scale (1:100) and
Angle (deg).
Click Show/Hide on the View menu and make sure that the
Smart symbol foil A to C options are selected. Deactivate Color
stands for pen, if necessary. Leave all the other settings as they are.
On the Format toolbar, the Pen is set to 0.25, the Line type to 1, the
Color to 1 and the Layer to DEFAULT.
Steps to Success Steps to Take 11
Steps to Take
Step 1 SmartPart Freeform Object
Placing a freeform object SmartPart in the workspace
Open the shortcut menu
Selecting modification tools
Step 2 - Additional SmartParts
Inserting and modifying additional SmartParts
Step 3 - Understanding Scripts
Getting to know additional SmartPart tools
Reading scripts
Working with the Allplan SmartPart Editor
Step 4 - Creating Your Own SmartPart
Creating the tabletop, table legs, cross braces and bars
Saving the intermediate result
Creating a connector in Allplan
Inserting the connector as a resource in the SmartPart Editor
Defining parameters using scripts
Parametric surfaces
Plan view
Defining your own dialog box using scripts
Saving the SmartPart
Digression - creating a table with round legs using scripts
Step 5 Analyzing and Labeling
Adding more SmartParts to the drawing file
Analyzing the contents of the drawing file in a list
Labeling the SmartPart
12 Allplan 2015
Steps to Success Step 1: SmartPart Freeform Solid 13
Step 1: SmartPart
Freeform Solid
Getting to know SmartParts
In the first exercise, you will place a freeform object SmartPart in
the workspace and familiarize yourself with the tools on its shortcut
menu.
To get to know a SmartPart
Allplan is running and drawing file 1 is current.
1 In the Tools palette, open the SmartParts module (Bonus Tools
family).
2 Click SmartPart in the Create area of the SmartParts module.
You can use this tool to open the SmartParts - Default folder in
the Library palette.
3 Click the 3D objects folder.
14 Getting to know SmartParts Allplan 2015
4 Select the freeform object in the bottom part of the Library pa-
lette. Click the SmartPart with the left mouse button, keep the left
mouse button pressed down and drag the SmartPart into the
workspace.
Alternatively, you can double-click the SmartPart.
Steps to Success Step 1: SmartPart Freeform Solid 15
The SmartPart is attached to the crosshairs.
5 Check the values in the Freeform Solid palette. If these values do
not match those shown above, correct them and click Reset to
undo any changes you may have made using the handles.
6 Place the SmartPart in the workspace.
Note: Check the dialog line.
7 The SmartPart you have placed is displayed with handles. As you
do not want to use the handles to modify the SmartPart right
now, press ESC.
8 A copy of the SmartPart is attached to the crosshairs. As you do
not want to place another SmartPart, press ESC again.
Now you have the option to select additional SmartParts in the
library. This option is not described any further here.
9 So that you can see better what you are doing, click 2+1
Animation Window on the Window menu and select a suitable
isometric view in the border of the viewport at bottom left: for
example, Front Left, Southwest Isometric View.
16 Getting to know SmartParts Allplan 2015
10 Click the SmartPart with the right mouse button to open the
shortcut menu.
In addition to the general tools, the shortcut menu provides spe-
cific SmartPart tools you can use to modify the SmartPart.
11 To familiarize yourself with these tools, click Properties first.
The SmartPart is displayed with handles and the Freeform Solid
palette opens:
Steps to Success Step 1: SmartPart Freeform Solid 17
You can check and, if necessary, change the values of the Smart-
Part's parameters. The entries you can see for the SmartPart in
the Freefrom Solid palette were created in the SmartPart script.
To find out how to create your own dialog boxes for SmartParts,
see the section entitled "Defining your own dialog box using
scripts (on page 110)".
12 Change the dimensions:
Length: 10
Width: 5
Height: 3
Division: 6
13 After you have pressed ESC, you can immediately see the effects
of your changes on screen.
14 Open the shortcut menu of the SmartPart again and select
Modify SmartPart using Handles.
Using the handles, you can modify SmartParts graphically.
Handles are temporary markers on elements, which you can use
to resize SmartParts. The ToolTip of the selected handle shows the
directions in which you can modify the SmartPart. Here, you can
modify the SmartPart in the x, y and z directions. Press the SHIFT
key for modifications in the x or y direction.
Handles are defined in the script of the SmartPart. You will learn
how to do this in the section entitled "Creating the tabletop (on
page 49)".
18 Getting to know SmartParts Allplan 2015
15 Select a handle by clicking it with the left mouse button.
16 Move the mouse in the desired direction.
17 Click the left mouse button to finish modifying the SmartPart.
18 You can continue to modify the SmartPart graphically by cli-
cking another handle.
19 Quit the Modify SmartPart using Handles tool by clicking
ESC.
Note: You can also find the Modify SmartParts using Hand-
les tool in the Change area of the SmartParts module.
Steps to Success Step 1: SmartPart Freeform Solid 19
20 To get to know the third modification tool for SmartParts, open
the shortcut menu of the SmartPart again and click Modify
SmartPart Instance's Attributes.
These attributes assigned to the SmartPart behave like attributes
of a smart symbol. For example, you can define a height setup
for the SmartPart.
21 As you do not want to make any further modifications, close the
dialog box by clicking Cancel.
Tip: Double-clicking the
SmartPart with the left
mouse button opens the
dialog box as well as shows
the handles for modifications.
To copy the SmartPart, dou-
ble-click it with the right
mouse button.
20 Allplan 2015
Steps to Success Step 2: Additional SmartParts 21
Step 2: Additional
SmartParts
Inserting additional SmartParts
Allplan comes with additional SmartParts. You will use two of these
SmartParts in this exercise.
To insert an additional SmartPart into Allplan
Allplan is running and drawing file 1 is current.
1 Open a new drawing file by clicking Open on a Project-
Specific Basis on the Default toolbar.
2 As you do not need a building structure for this project, click
Cancel to close the next dialog box.
3 Select the Fileset structure tab. Make drawing file 2 current and
close drawing file 1.
4 Click SmartPart in the Create area of the SmartParts module.
This opens the SmartParts - Default folder in the Library palette.
22 Inserting additional SmartParts Allplan 2015
Note: The navigation field at the top indicates the library and
folder you are currently working in. Back takes you up one
level in the hierarchy; use Find to find a name in the current
folder.
5 Open the Interior folder.
6 Select the Table with chairs SmartPart.
7 Place the table and the chairs in the workspace and press ESC
three times to quit the tool.
Steps to Success Step 2: Additional SmartParts 23
The format properties (pen, line, color) and the layer set on the
Format toolbar were used to place this SmartPart in Allplan.
Tip: You can also modify the
format properties for this
SmartPart later.
24 Modifying SmartParts Allplan 2015
Modifying SmartParts
You can now modify the SmartPart you have just placed in Allplan.
To modify the SmartPart you have placed
Allplan is running and drawing file 2 is current.
1 Double-click the SmartPart with the left mouse button.
Allplan shows both modification options: dialog box and hand-
les.
2 Clear the Chairs at head check box in the dialog box and change
the Surfaces. To check the result of the modification, press ESC to
close the dialog box. Look at the result in the animation window.
Experiment with the surfaces until you find what works best for
you.
3 Next, use the handles to modify the SmartPart graphically. Dou-
ble-click the SmartPart with the left mouse button again.
Steps to Success Step 2: Additional SmartParts 25
4 Click one of the handles. The ToolTip of the selected handle
shows what can be modified and in which directions.
5 Try out the various handles and check the effects.
The Distance handles modify the distance between the chairs and
the table in 10cm increments. The minimum distance to the table
is -30 cm; the maximum is 90 cm.
You can use the Width and Length handles to change the width
and length of the table in 10 cm increments.
The Length/Width handle differs from all the other handles in
that two directions are presented for modification.
The Chairs at head and Chairs at sides handles control whether
chairs are displayed.
If you modify the width or length of the table, the number of
chairs will also change. Allplan will do this automatically.
26 Modifying SmartParts Allplan 2015
When you change the length graphically, the values displayed in
the dialog box update accordingly.
Note: In addition to using handles, you can also modify Smart-
Parts graphically by entering the corresponding coordinates (dx,
dy) in the dialog line.
6 Change the settings and dimensions of the table and the chairs as
shown in the dialog box:
Note: You can find the Maple 1, portrait surface in the
\ St d\ Desi gn\ Def aul t \ Bui l di ng\ Fi ni shes\ Wood fol-
der.
7 Press ESC to finish
8 Switch to plan view.
9 Move the mouse over the SmartPart. As soon as it is displayed in
the selection color, double-click the right mouse button.
The SmartPart is copied and you can place it in the workspace.
10 Place the SmartPart to the right of the existing one.
11 As you do not want to use the handles to modify the SmartPart,
press ESC.
Another SmartPart is attached to the crosshairs.
Place it as well as another copy of the SmartPart and press ESC
twice to finish.
Steps to Success Step 2: Additional SmartParts 27
Note: The Input Options toolbar appears when you place the
SmartPart. You can specify a new drop-in point for the Smart-
Part. In addition, you can mirror the SmartPart in the x and y di-
rections and switch the Modify SmartPart using Handles tool on
and off.
Note: Before placing the SmartPart, you can change the angle of
rotation in the dialog line.
The result might look like this:
12 Open the shortcut menu of one SmartPart and select Properties.
28 Modifying SmartParts Allplan 2015
13 Change the Surface and clear the Chairs at head check box, for
example.
14 Press ESC to finish making changes.
A prompt appears, offering you three options:
Click Show identical ones to get a close-up view of all Smart-
Parts that are identical.
Click Yes to change all identical SmartParts in the drawing file.
Click No to change only the selected SmartPart. The copies stay
the same; you create a variant of the SmartPart.
15 Click Yes.
16 Open a viewport in animation view to look at the result.
Steps to Success Step 2: Additional SmartParts 29
Inserting and modifying another SmartPart
In the second part of this exercise you will place and modify another
SmartPart in Allplan. Now it's your turn.
The following section should serve as a guideline and does not con-
sist of detailed descriptions of the individual steps.
Make drawing file 3 current and close drawing file 2 ( Open
on a Project-Specific Basis).
Select SmartPart and insert the Parking Lot SmartPart (Exte-
rior folder).
Use Modify SmartPart using Handles (shortcut menu) to
change the number of parking lots.
Use Properties (shortcut menu) to modify the SmartPart as
follows:
- Enter Number of parking lots for the text.
- Place a car in every fourth lot.
- Reduce the text height for lot numbering.
Use Modify SmartPart using Handles (shortcut menu) to
adjust the position of the Number of parking lots XX text.
The result might look like this:
30 Allplan 2015
Steps to Success Step 3: Understanding Scripts 31
Step 3: Understanding
Scripts
Additional tools for SmartParts
In the previous step you placed and modified a SmartPart in Allplan.
The next step is to open and read the script of this SmartPart. First
you need to integrate additional modification tools for SmartParts
into the Create and Change toolbars.
To add tools to the toolbars
Allplan is running and drawing file 3 is current.
1 On the Tools menu, click Customize....
The Customize dialog box opens.
2 Switch to the Toolbars tab.
32 Additional tools for SmartParts Allplan 2015
3 Select the Create and Change tabs.
4 The toolbars are displayed in the workspace.
Steps to Success Step 3: Understanding Scripts 33
5 On the Customize tab, select the Additional tools with icons
category.
6 Scroll down in the Buttons area.
7 Click Create SmartPart and drag the icon with the left mouse
button pressed down to the Create toolbar.
34 Additional tools for SmartParts Allplan 2015
8 Add the icons of the Modify SmartPart using Script and
Modify SmartPart Instance's Attributes tools to the Change
toolbar.
The Create and Change toolbars should now look like this:
Now the toolbars and the Create and Change areas of the Tools
palette of the SmartParts module provide all the tools relevant to
SmartParts.
9 Close the Customize: Default dialog box.
10 You can close the Create and Change toolbars again.
Steps to Success Step 3: Understanding Scripts 35
Reading scripts
You will use the Modify SmartPart using Script tool to read the
script of the SmartPart.
To open the script
1 Click Modify SmartPart using Script in the Change area of
the Tools palette.
2 Which SmartPart would you like to modify?
Click the parking lot.
The Allplan SmartPart Editor opens.
36 Allplan SmartPart Editor Allplan 2015
Allplan SmartPart Editor
The integrated SmartPart Editor consists of eight different tabs:
Parameters, Master Script, Parameter Script, Dialog Script, 2D
Script, 3D Script and Resources.
These tabs are briefly introduced in the following section.
Basic tools
You can find the tools and options in red in all tabs:
Steps to Success Step 3: Understanding Scripts 37
The top part of the SmartPart Editor dialog box provides the follo-
wing four tools:
Reset: you can reset all the entries for an object, resetting the
object to an empty default object.
Open SmartPart: you can open SmartPart files (*. smt files).
Save SmartPart: you can save the current SmartPart as a file
(*. smt file).
Lock SmartPart: you can specify a password to protect the
script of your own SmartPart object from unauthorized changes.
This hides the scripts. Thus, you can change only the parameter
values of the SmartPart or you can save it.
You can enter a name for the SmartPart in the Name box.
Using the Type selection menu, you can assign a type (e.g., beam,
foundation, column) to the SmartPart. This attribute is analyzed in
reports, for example.
You can use the Save preview as .0 image tool to save the cur-
rent contents of the preview as a 0.png file. This file is saved in the
resource folder of the SmartPart.
The right-hand part of the SmartPart Editor dialog box includes
tools you can use to define how the object looks in the Preview area.
You can zoom in on the preview, pan or display the object in its
entirety. You can even create a hidden-line image or set different
views.
At bottom right in the SmartPart Editor dialog box, you can move
the origin of the reference box by clicking one of the options provi-
ded or by manually entering the corresponding values in the boxes
below. In addition, you can define the size of the reference box.
These values correspond to the global variables REF_X, REF_Y and
REF_Z.
By default, the origin of the reference box is X=Y=Z=0, placing it at
bottom left in the box.
You can find the SmartPart Settings tool near the bottom of the
SmartPart Editor dialog box. Clicking it opens the Settings dialog
box, where you can check and change the SmartPart's settings. You
can find more detail on this in the Allplan help. Please refer to the
chapter "SmartPart Editor dialog box" - "Settings dialog box".
38 Allplan SmartPart Editor Allplan 2015
Parameters
You can add, edit and delete parameters. In addition, you can com-
bine them in groups and display them accordingly (Groups option).
The name of a parameter must be unique in the SmartPart object
and cannot be changed afterwards.
Steps to Success Step 3: Understanding Scripts 39
You can choose from the following types of parameters:
The entries you make in the Description and Value columns are
freely definable.
The Attribute column associates the parameter with an Allplan attri-
bute. When you select the Show all attributes option, all available
Allplan attributes are presented for selection in the list.
You can use the Check / Format Script tool to check you script
for syntax errors and format it again. To run all the scripts defined
in the editor, select the Run Script tool. As a result, the corres-
ponding dialog box opens.
40 Allplan SmartPart Editor Allplan 2015
Master script
The Master Script manages all global variables. In other words, the
object information that is to apply to all parts of the script is defined
in the Master Script. It runs prior to any other script (as if it was
copied and placed in front of any other script).
The Master Script, Parameter Script, Dialog Script, 2D Script and
3D Script tabs provide the following tools:
Steps to Success Step 3: Understanding Scripts 41
Undo and Redo: you can undo and redo the last text you
entered in the script character by character.
Add Comment: you can add comments that describe the actions
of the following program lines or you can comment out program
lines. These lines will be ignored when you run the script. Lines that
are commented out start with an exclamation mark "!".
Remove Comment: you can remove comments. In other words,
lines you have commented out are re-integrated into the program
and considered again when the program runs. The exclamation mark
is deleted.
Search: you can find strings or regular expressions in the script.
The program scans the script for the text entered in the box and
selects it after finding it. When you click again, the program starts at
the current position and continues to scan the script for the text
specified.
Active: you can activate or deactivate the script. If it is not active, it
does not run.
Check / Format Script: you can check you script for syntax er-
rors and format it again.
Run Script: you can run the script, showing the result in the
preview. Press ESC to cancel the process.
You can find help on the syntax in the bottom part of all script tabs.
After you have clicked a command in the script, the Help graphics
area graphically illustrates how the command in question functions.
The Help and messages area shows the syntax of the command
clicked and describes how it functions. Click a variable to show its
current value. However, this is only possible if you have run the
script before.
In this area, you can find any errors and messages that might occur
while the script is running.
42 Allplan SmartPart Editor Allplan 2015
Parameter script
You can assign values to parameters and check entire areas in this
script. It runs whenever you use a handle, apply changes in a dialog
box or load and insert objects.
Steps to Success Step 3: Understanding Scripts 43
Dialog script
The Dialog script is used to generate the input dialog box. In this
script, you can assign parameters, bitmaps, text and so on to this
object-based dialog box.
44 Allplan SmartPart Editor Allplan 2015
2D script
The 2D script is used to define the SmartPart's 2D data. In other
words, you generate the 2D representation of the SmartPart.
Steps to Success Step 3: Understanding Scripts 45
3D script
The 3D script generates the 3D representation of the SmartPart.
46 Allplan SmartPart Editor Allplan 2015
Resources
Resources are geometric objects (lines, circles, solids), images or
other SmartParts (subscripts) that are required for running the
scripts.
You can import bitmaps using the left-hand part and objects using
the right-hand part. You can make language-specific adjustments in
the part at the bottom. For example, you can create separate parame-
ter descriptions for each language.
Look in the Allplan help for detailed descriptions of all the tools on
this tab. Please refer to the chapter "SmartPart Editor dialog box,
Resources tab".
As you do not want to change the existing SmartPart right now,
click Cancel to close the SmartPart Editor.
Steps to Success Step 4: Creating Your Own SmartPart 47
Step 4: Creating Your Own
SmartPart
Objective
The aim of this exercise is to create your own SmartPart. You will
create a table by generating a script in the SmartPart Editor. This
table - Flexi 01 - will be adjustable in length, width and height. The
surface of the tabletop will be variable. Similarly, the colors for the
frame, the individual table elements and for the representation of the
table in plan will be variable, too.
48 Objective Allplan 2015
The following illustrations show the Flexi 01 table with its main
dimensions. At the beginning of each exercise, the required dimensi-
ons are displayed again in detailed drawings.
Steps to Success Step 4: Creating Your Own SmartPart 49
Creating the tabletop
Start by creating the tabletop.
To create the geometry of the tabletop
Allplan is running and drawing file 3 is current.
1 Open a new drawing file by clicking Open on a Project-
Specific Basis on the Default toolbar.
2 Select the Fileset structure tab. Make drawing file 4 current and
close all the others.
3 Click Create SmartPart on the Create toolbar of the Smart-
Parts module.
4 The SmartPart Editor shows the entries of the last SmartPart you
used. To empty the SmartPart Editor, click Reset.
5 The New SmartPart dialog box opens. Type in Flexi 01 Table for
the name.
50 Creating the tabletop Allplan 2015
6 Set the type to Object, the unit of length to Meter and the unit of
angle to Degree.
7 You do not want to use an existing SmartPart as the basis for the
new one.
Consequently, you do not need to select any option.
8 Click OK to close the dialog box.
The Parameters tab is open.
9 You will create the table inside the reference box. Therefore, enter
the following initial values:
ref_x = 1.600
ref_y = 0.800
ref_z = 0.750
Click in the relevant box in the Value column, enter the value
and press ENTER to confirm.
Note: Enter all length values in meters.
Make sure you use points to separate decimal values. Do not use
commas.
The reference box in the preview adapts accordingly. The same
applies to the length values displayed at bottom right in the dia-
log box.
Steps to Success Step 4: Creating Your Own SmartPart 51
10 Switch to the 3D Script tab.
11 It makes sense to begin each part of the program with a comment
so that you can quickly find specific parts later.
Comments describe the actions of the subsequent program lines.
Lines you comment out are ignored by the program when you
run the script. Lines that are commented out start with an excla-
mation mark "!".
Therefore, in line 00003, enter:
!Define tabletop
12 Pressing ENTER takes you to the next line of the script.
To create a blank line, press ENTER again. This takes you to line
00005.
13 First, move the coordinate system to the position of the tabletop.
The table is 75 cm high. For the height, you need the ref_z para-
meter.
The command for moving the coordinate system is TRANS.
In line 00005, enter:
TRANSZ ref_z
Note: While entering commands or parameters, you can select
appropriate commands or parameters from a drop-down list. All
you need to do is double-left-click the command or parameter
you need, inserting it in the script.
14 Click Run Script.
As you can see, the coordinate system has moved to the top left
corner of the reference box.
52 Creating the tabletop Allplan 2015
15 To enter the dimensions (length= 1.6 m = ref_x; width= 0.8 m =
ref_y and thickness = 0.03 m) for the tabletop, you need to define
a parameter for the thickness of the tabletop, which is to be vari-
able.
Switch to the Parameters tab and click Add Parameter.
16 Make the following settings in the New Parameter dialog box:
Note: Here, capital letters are used for commands (TRANS,
BOX...) and small letters for parameters. After you have formatted
the script using the Check / Format Script tool, everything is
written in capital letters.
17 Click OK.
Steps to Success Step 4: Creating Your Own SmartPart 53
18 Switch back to the 3D Script tab.
19 To create the tabletop, use the BOX command.
In line 00006, enter:
BOX ref_x, ref_y, -tabletop_t
Bear in mind: dimensions of the tabletop
Length = 1.6 m = ref_x; width= 0.8 m = ref_y and thickness =
tabletop_t = 0.03 m
Note: The bottom part of the SmartPart Editor provides help on
the BOX command, which is displayed graphically in the "Help
Graphics" area and described in detail in the "Help and messages"
area.
20 To define more elements based on scripts later, move the coordi-
nate system back to its initial position (in the bottom left corner).
To do this, you need the RESTORE command.
In line 00007, enter:
RESTORE 1
21 Click Check / Format Script.
To find out whether your entries are correct, have a look at the
Help and messages area.
54 Creating the tabletop Allplan 2015
22 Click Run Script.
Steps to Success Step 4: Creating Your Own SmartPart 55
23 Insert two more lines at the beginning of the 3D script. Write in
the first line:
REF_HANDLES
This automatically creates handles at the tabletop.
24 Click Run Script again.
25 Click OK to close the SmartPart Editor dialog box.
26 Place the SmartPart in the drawing file and press ESC to quit the
tool.
This saves the SmartPart in the drawing file for the first time.
56 Creating the tabletop Allplan 2015
27 Click 2+1 Animation Window to look at the result.
28 Double-click the Flexi 01 Table SmartPart with the left mouse
button.
The SmartPart is displayed with handles. Instead of the Proper-
ties palette, you can see the Flexi 01 Table palette. You can now
use either option to modify the SmartPart: you can enter values
directly in the palette or drag the handles. Try it out for yourself!
29 When you have finished, change the SmartPart's dimensions back
to those shown in the illustration above and press ESC to close
the Flexi 01 Table palette.
Steps to Success Step 4: Creating Your Own SmartPart 57
Summary of the current 3D script:
REF_HANDLES
!Define tabletop
TRANSZ REF_Z
BOX REF_X , REF_Y , -tabletop_t
RESTORE 1
Tip: You can select the entire
script or parts thereof in this
summary, copy the data to
the Clipboard and paste it
into the corresponding tab of
Allplan's SmartPart Editor.
Blank lines are ignored.
58 Creating table legs Allplan 2015
Creating table legs
The subframe of the table consists of 4 legs, 2 cross braces connec-
ting two legs each and 2 longitudinal bars.
In the next step, you will create the four table legs. The geometry of
all four legs is the same. It is the position that varies.
To create the geometry of the table legs
Allplan is open and drawing file 4 is current.
1 Click Modify SmartPart using Script (SmartParts module) in
the Change area of the Tools palette.
2 Click the tabletop.
3 Open the 3D Script tab in the SmartPart Editor.
4 For a better overview in the script, it is a good idea to leave blank
lines between the individual program parts.
Insert a blank line after the RESTORE 1 command.
Write the following comment in the next line:
Steps to Success Step 4: Creating Your Own SmartPart 59
!Leg at bottom left
5 The tabletop is to project over the table legs by one centimeter in
the x direction and the y direction. To position the first table leg
accordingly, do the following:
Leave a blank line and enter:
TRANS 0.01, 0.01, 0
This moves the coordinate system by 1 cm in the x direction and
the y direction. The z direction is not affected by the movement.
6 Next, enter the dimensions for the table leg. Its width is 2.5 cm,
its depth is 5 cm and its height is to be defined so that the leg
ends 2 cm below the tabletop.
The height of the table legs is to be adjustable. The height of tab-
le frame variable is given the following name:
tableframe_h
It consists of the total height of the table (ref_z) minus the thick-
ness of the tabletop (tabletop_t) and the 2 cm offset from the bot-
tom of the tabletop.
Insert blank lines below REF_HANDLES (line 00003) and write in
one of these lines:
tableframe_h=ref_z-tabletop_t-0.02
Note: Dimensions you require a number of times can be defined
as variables. If necessary, you can quickly replace them with pa-
rameters in the script later. As a result, the relevant dimension
becomes parametric.
7 Now you can create the BOX for the table leg. Press ENTER to
insert a line after TRANS 0.01, 0.01, 0 and enter the following in
the new line:
BOX 0.025, 0.05, tableframe_h
8 Next, restore the original position of the coordinate system:
RESTORE 1
60 Creating table legs Allplan 2015
9 Click Check / Format Script.
The Help and messages area indicates whether your entries are
correct.
10 Click Run Script.
Steps to Success Step 4: Creating Your Own SmartPart 61
11 After having created the leg at bottom left, you can enter the
lines for the remaining three table legs:
!Leg at top left
TRANS 0.01 , REF_Y - 0.01 - 0.05 , 0
BOX 0.025 , 0.05 , tableframe_h
RESTORE 1
!Leg at bottom right
TRANS REF_X - 0.01 - 0.025 , 0.01 , 0
BOX 0.025 , 0.05 , tableframe_h
RESTORE 1
!Leg at top right
TRANS REF_X - 0.01 - 0.025 , REF_Y - 0.01 - 0.05 , 0
BOX 0.025 , 0.05 , tableframe_h
62 Creating table legs Allplan 2015
Check the position of the coordinate system in the reference box
every time you enter the RESTORE and TRANS commands.
12 To finish, enter:
RESTORE 1
13 Click Check / Format Script.
The Help and messages area indicates whether your entries are
correct.
14 Click Run Script.
Steps to Success Step 4: Creating Your Own SmartPart 63
If everything is correct, the preview of the object should now
look like this:
15 Click OK to close the SmartPart Editor dialog box and check the
result.
64 Creating table legs Allplan 2015
A note on useful tools for scripts
The following tools help you create scripts.
Help and graphics
You can find the Help area at the bottom of the SmartPart Editor
dialog box. When you enter a command or click a command in the
script, the syntax of the command is displayed. In addition, you can
see a description of how this command functions. Clicking a variable
shows its value. However, this is only possible if you have run the
script before.
If available, you can see graphics illustrating the command on the
left.
Checking and formatting scripts
While formatting the script, the Check / Format Script tool
checks whether the entries you have made are correct. Any messages
that may occur - even after you have run the script - are displayed
in the Help and messages area.
Steps to Success Step 4: Creating Your Own SmartPart 65
Selecting commands
While entering a command, you can see a drop-down including all
possible commands matching the letters you have entered so far.
Double-click a command to insert it into the script.
Colors in the script
Specific colors are used for the different entries in the script:
Green comment
Blue command
Orange parameter acting as a keyword
Black parameter, variable (not acting as a keyword)
Red value, text (enclosed in quotation marks)
66 Creating table legs Allplan 2015
Summary of the current 3D script:
REF_HANDLES
tableframe_h=ref_z-tabletop_t-0.02
!Define tabletop
TRANSZ REF_Z
BOX REF_X , REF_Y , -tabletop_t
RESTORE 1
!Leg at bottom left
TRANS 0.01 , 0.01 , 0
BOX 0.025 , 0.05 , tableframe_h
RESTORE 1
!Leg at top left
TRANS 0.01 , REF_Y - 0.01 - 0.05 , 0
BOX 0.025 , 0.05 , tableframe_h
RESTORE 1
!Leg at bottom right
TRANS REF_X - 0.01 - 0.025 , 0.01 , 0
BOX 0.025 , 0.05 , tableframe_h
RESTORE 1
!Leg at top right
TRANS REF_X - 0.01 - 0.025 , REF_Y - 0.01 - 0.05 , 0
BOX 0.025 , 0.05 , tableframe_h
RESTORE 1
Tip: You can select the entire
script or parts thereof in this
summary, copy the data to
the Clipboard and paste it
into the corresponding tab of
Allplan's SmartPart Editor.
Blank lines are ignored.
Steps to Success Step 4: Creating Your Own SmartPart 67
Creating cross braces
Cross braces are used to connect the table legs at the shorter sides of
the table.
To create the geometry of the cross braces
Allplan is open and drawing file 4 is current.
1 Click Modify SmartPart using Script on the Change toolbar
of the SmartParts module.
2 Click the SmartPart.
3 Open the 3D Script tab in the SmartPart Editor.
4 After you have inserted blank lines, enter the following comment:
!Brace on the left
68 Creating cross braces Allplan 2015
5 Here, too, the tabletop is to project over the cross brace by one
centimeter in the x direction and the y direction. In addition, you
need to consider the depth of the table leg (5 cm) in the y direc-
tion. The height of the table frame (tableframe_h) is defined as
the initial point in the y direction.
Leave a blank line and enter:
TRANS 0.01, 0.01+0.05, tableframe_h
6 Click Run Script and select a suitable view in the preview.
The result should look like this:
7 Next, enter the dimensions for the cross brace. Its width is 2.5
cm, its height is 5 cm and its length is to be defined so that the
brace extends as far as the rear table leg.
The length is calculated from: ref_y-2*(0.05+0.01)
Explanation: total table width - 2*(depth of table leg + projection
of tabletop)
In the next line, enter:
BOX 0.025, ref_y-2*(0.05+0.01), -0.05
8 Reset the coordinate system:
RESTORE 1
9 Click Check / Format Script.
Steps to Success Step 4: Creating Your Own SmartPart 69
10 Click Run Script.
11 Next, define the cross brace on the right.
!Brace on the right
TRANS ref_x-0.01-0.025, 0.01+0.05, tableframe_h
BOX 0.025, ref_y-2*(0.05+0.01), -0.05
RESTORE 1
70 Creating cross braces Allplan 2015
12 Click Check / Format Script and then Run Script.
13 Click OK to close the SmartPart Editor dialog box and check the
result.
Steps to Success Step 4: Creating Your Own SmartPart 71
Summary of the current 3D script:
REF_HANDLES
tableframe_h=ref_z-tabletop_t-0.02
!Define tabletop
TRANSZ REF_Z
BOX REF_X , REF_Y , -tabletop_t
RESTORE 1
!Leg at bottom left
TRANS 0.01 , 0.01 , 0
BOX 0.025 , 0.05 , tableframe_h
RESTORE 1
!Leg at top left
TRANS 0.01 , REF_Y - 0.01 - 0.05 , 0
BOX 0.025 , 0.05 , tableframe_h
RESTORE 1
!Leg at bottom right
TRANS REF_X - 0.01 - 0.025 , 0.01 , 0
BOX 0.025 , 0.05 , tableframe_h
RESTORE 1
!Leg at top right
TRANS REF_X - 0.01 - 0.025 , REF_Y - 0.01 - 0.05 , 0
BOX 0.025 , 0.05 , tableframe_h
RESTORE 1
!Brace on the left
TRANS 0.01 , 0.01 +0.05 , tableframe_h
BOX 0.025 , REF_Y - 2 * ( 0.05 +0.01 ) , -0.05
RESTORE 1
!Brace on the right
TRANS REF_X - 0.01 - 0.025 , 0.01 +0.05 , tableframe_h
BOX 0.025 , REF_Y - 2 * ( 0.05 +0.01 ) , -0.05
RESTORE 1
Tip: You can select the entire
script or parts thereof in this
summary, copy the data to
the Clipboard and paste it
into the corresponding tab of
Allplan's SmartPart Editor.
Blank lines are ignored.
72 Creating bars Allplan 2015
Creating bars
The table legs and the cross braces form two frames, which will be
connected by longitudinal bars.
To create the geometry of the bars
Allplan is open and drawing file 4 is current.
1 Click Modify SmartPart using Script on the Change toolbar
of the SmartParts module.
2 Click the SmartPart.
3 Open the 3D Script tab in the SmartPart Editor.
4 Write the following comment:
!Bars
5 Write another comment in the next line:
!Bar at bottom
Note: Do not forget to insert blank lines for a better overview.
Steps to Success Step 4: Creating Your Own SmartPart 73
6 To move the coordinate system to the correct position, enter the
following in the next line:
TRANS 0.01+0.025, 0.22, tableframe_h
Explanation - x direction: 0.01 m projection of tabletop +
0.025 m width of cross brace
Explanation - y direction: 0.22 m fixed offset of bar from
edge of tabletop
Explanation - z direction: height of table frame
7 Here, you will use a subscript. The geometry of the bar will be
created in this subscript.
The command for calling subscripts is GOSUB.
Enter:
GOSUB "bar"
8 After having inserted several blank lines, enter the following
comment:
!Subscript for bar
9 After having inserted another blank line, enter the following:
Bar:
10 To define the geometry of the bar, you require a new parameter -
the bar width.
Switch to the Parameters tab.
11 Click Add Parameter.
12 Enter the following:
74 Creating bars Allplan 2015
13 Click OK to close the New Parameter dialog box.
14 Switch back to the 3D Script tab.
15 Here, too, you will use the BOX command to create the geometry
of the bar.
In the next line after Bar, enter the following:
BOX ref_x-2*(0.01+0.025), bar_w, -0.05
Explanation - x direction: length of tabletop - 2*(0.01 m pro-
jection of tabletop + 0.025 m width of cross brace)
Explanation - y direction: bar width
Explanation - z direction: bar height
16 To complete the subscript, enter:
RETURN
17 After having inserted a blank line, enter the following comment:
!Subscript for bar - end
18 Go back to the GOSUB "bar" line and enter in the next line:
RESTORE 1
19 Next, define the second bar. To do this, insert the following lines
between the last RESTORE 1 command and the !Subscript for
bar comment:
!Bar at top
TRANS 0.01+0.025, ref_y-0.22-bar_w, tableframe_h
GOSUB "bar"
RESTORE 1
20 After having inserted a blank line, enter the command for com-
pleting the program:
END
Steps to Success Step 4: Creating Your Own SmartPart 75
21 Click Check / Format Script and then Run Script.
76 Creating bars Allplan 2015
22 Click OK to close the SmartPart Editor dialog box and check the
result.
Steps to Success Step 4: Creating Your Own SmartPart 77
Summary of the current 3D script:
REF_HANDLES
tableframe_h=ref_z-tabletop_t-0.02
!Define tabletop
TRANSZ REF_Z
BOX REF_X , REF_Y , -tabletop_t
RESTORE 1
!Leg at bottom left
TRANS 0.01 , 0.01 , 0
BOX 0.025 , 0.05 , tableframe_h
RESTORE 1
!Leg at top left
TRANS 0.01 , REF_Y - 0.01 - 0.05 , 0
BOX 0.025 , 0.05 , tableframe_h
RESTORE 1
!Leg at bottom right
TRANS REF_X - 0.01 - 0.025 , 0.01 , 0
BOX 0.025 , 0.05 , tableframe_h
RESTORE 1
!Leg at top right
TRANS REF_X - 0.01 - 0.025 , REF_Y - 0.01 - 0.05 , 0
BOX 0.025 , 0.05 , tableframe_h
RESTORE 1
!Brace on the left
TRANS 0.01 , 0.01 +0.05 , tableframe_h
BOX 0.025 , REF_Y - 2 * ( 0.05 +0.01 ) , -0.05
RESTORE 1
!Brace on the right
TRANS REF_X - 0.01 - 0.025 , 0.01 +0.05 , tableframe_h
BOX 0.025 , REF_Y - 2 * ( 0.05 +0.01 ) , -0.05
RESTORE 1
!Bars
!Bar at bottom
TRANS 0.01 +0.025 , 0.22 , tableframe_h
GOSUB "bar"
RESTORE 1
!Bar at top
TRANS 0.01 +0.025 , REF_Y - 0.22 - bar_w , tableframe_h
GOSUB "bar"
RESTORE 1
END
!Subscript for bar
Bar:
BOX REF_X - 2 * ( 0.01 +0.025 ) , bar_w , -0.05
RETURN
!Subscript for bar END
Tip: You can select the entire
script or parts thereof in this
summary, copy the data to
the Clipboard and paste it
into the corresponding tab of
Allplan's SmartPart Editor.
Blank lines are ignored.
78 Creating connectors Allplan 2015
Creating connectors
To connect the subframe of the table - consisting of the table legs,
cross braces and longitudinal bars - with the tabletop, you will at-
tach box-shaped connectors. You will start by creating these connec-
tors in Allplan. After this, you will insert them as a resource in the
SmartPart Editor.
The "box" resource will then be used in the SmartPart Editor and
placed at four different positions of the table.
Note: This box-shaped connector only serves as an example. Of
course, you can create even the most complex elements in Allplan
and import them as resources into the SmartPart Editor.
Steps to Success Step 4: Creating Your Own SmartPart 79
Creating a box and importing it as a resource
To create a box and insert it as a resource in the
SmartPart Editor
Allplan is running and drawing file 4 is current.
1 In the Tools palette, select the 3D Modeling module (Bonus Tools
family).
2 Select the Box tool (Create area).
3 Click Based on diagonal line in the input options.
4 Start point
Click in the workspace.
5 Diagonal point
Enter dx = 0.15 m and dy = 0.20 m.
Press ENTER to confirm.
6 Point on parallel surface or height
Enter 0.089 m.
Press ENTER to confirm.
7 Press ESC to quit the Box tool.
8 Switch to the SmartParts module (Bonus Tools family).
9 Click Modify SmartPart using Script on the Change toolbar
of the SmartParts module.
80 Creating connectors Allplan 2015
10 Click the Flexi 01 Table SmartPart you placed in drawing file 4.
11 Open the Resources tab in the SmartPart Editor.
12 In the Objects area, click 3D Objects first and then Match
Object.
The SmartPart Editor closes temporarily.
13 Select 3D objects...
Display the box in Front Left, Southwest Isometric View.
14 click the box.
15 Select base point...
Click the bottom left corner of the box.
Steps to Success Step 4: Creating Your Own SmartPart 81
This imports the box as a 3D object to the SmartPart Editor.
01 indicates the resource index and 1 the number of objects in-
cluded.
When you select this entry, the box is displayed in the preview.
Using the resource
To use the "box" resource
Allplan is running and drawing file 4 is current.
The Resources tab is open in the SmartPart Editor.
1 Switch to the 3D Script tab in the SmartPart Editor.
Note: Everything that follows is inserted before the END com-
mand.
2 Enter the following comment:
!Insert resource of connectors
3 Insert two blank lines and write:
!Connector at bottom left
Tip: To quickly find a com-
mand in the script, you can
use the Search tool.
82 Creating connectors Allplan 2015
4 Position the coordinate system. To do this, enter:
TRANS 0.1, 0.2, ref_z-tabletop_t-0.09
Explanation - x direction: the connector at bottom left is to
be placed at a fixed offset of 10 cm from the left edge of the
tabletop.
Explanation - y direction: the connector at bottom left is to be
placed at a fixed offset of 20 cm from the bottom edge of the
tabletop.
Explanation - z direction: total height of table - thickness of
table top - height of connector
5 The command for inserting a resource in the script is: PLACE
Enter
PLACE 01,1
6 Reset the coordinate system.
RESTORE 1
7 Click Check / Format Script and then Run Script.
Select a suitable view in the preview. The result should look like
this:
Steps to Success Step 4: Creating Your Own SmartPart 83
8 Define the remaining three connectors.
!Connector at bottom right
TRANS ref_x-0.1-0.15, 0.2, ref_z-tabletop_t-0.09
PLACE 01,1
RESTORE 1
!Connector at top left
TRANS 0.1, ref_y-0.2-0.2, ref_z-tabletop_t-0.09
PLACE 01,1
RESTORE 1
!Connector at top right
TRANS ref_x-0.1-0.15, ref_y-0.2-0.2, ref_z-tabletop_t-0.09
PLACE 01,1
RESTORE 1
9 Click Check / Format Script and then Run Script.
84 Creating connectors Allplan 2015
Summary of the current 3D script:
REF_HANDLES
tableframe_h=ref_z-tabletop_t-0.02
!Define tabletop
TRANSZ REF_Z
BOX REF_X , REF_Y , -tabletop_t
RESTORE 1
!Leg at bottom left
TRANS 0.01 , 0.01 , 0
BOX 0.025 , 0.05 , tableframe_h
RESTORE 1
!Leg at top left
TRANS 0.01 , REF_Y - 0.01 - 0.05 , 0
BOX 0.025 , 0.05 , tableframe_h
RESTORE 1
!Leg at bottom right
TRANS REF_X - 0.01 - 0.025 , 0.01 , 0
BOX 0.025 , 0.05 , tableframe_h
RESTORE 1
!Leg at top right
TRANS REF_X - 0.01 - 0.025 , REF_Y - 0.01 - 0.05 , 0
BOX 0.025 , 0.05 , tableframe_h
RESTORE 1
!Brace on the left
TRANS 0.01 , 0.01 +0.05 , tableframe_h
BOX 0.025 , REF_Y - 2 * ( 0.05 +0.01 ) , -0.05
RESTORE 1
!Brace on the right
TRANS REF_X - 0.01 - 0.025 , 0.01 +0.05 , tableframe_h
BOX 0.025 , REF_Y - 2 * ( 0.05 +0.01 ) , -0.05
RESTORE 1
!Bars
!Bar at bottom
TRANS 0.01 +0.025 , 0.22 , tableframe_h
GOSUB "bar"
RESTORE 1
!Bar at top
TRANS 0.01 +0.025 , REF_Y - 0.22 - bar_w , tableframe_h
GOSUB "bar"
RESTORE 1
!Insert resource of connectors
!Connector at bottom left
TRANS 0.1 , 0.2 , REF_Z - tabletop_t - 0.09
PLACE 01 , 1
RESTORE 1
!Connector at bottom right
TRANS REF_X - 0.1 - 0.15 , 0.2 , REF_Z - tabletop_t - 0.09
PLACE 01 , 1
RESTORE 1
!Connector at top left
TRANS 0.1 , REF_Y - 0.2 - 0.2 , REF_Z - tabletop_t - 0.09
PLACE 01 , 1
RESTORE 1
Tip: You can select the entire
script or parts thereof in this
summary, copy the data to
the Clipboard and paste it
into the corresponding tab of
Allplan's SmartPart Editor.
Blank lines are ignored.
Steps to Success Step 4: Creating Your Own SmartPart 85
!Connector at top right
TRANS REF_X - 0.1 - 0.15 , REF_Y - 0.2 - 0.2 , REF_Z - tabletop_t - 0.09
PLACE 01 , 1
RESTORE 1
END
!Subscript for bar
Bar:
BOX REF_X - 2 * ( 0.01 +0.025 ) , bar_w , -0.05
RETURN
!Subscript for bar END
86 Creating connectors Allplan 2015
The IF - THEN condition
You have defined four fixed connectors for the table. Now you will
place two more connectors in the middle of the table. This is required
for tables that are longer than 1.60 m.
To use the IF condition
Allplan is running and drawing file 4 is current.
The 3D Script tab is open in the SmartPart Editor.
Note: Everything that follows is inserted before the END com-
mand.
1 Insert blank lines before the END command and write the follo-
wing comment:
!Connectors when table longer than 1.6m
2 Leave a blank line and enter:
IF ref_x>1.60 THEN
3 Leave a blank line and enter the following comment:
!Connector centered at bottom
4 Leave a blank line and enter the following three lines:
TRANS ref_x/2-0.075, 0.2, ref_z-tabletop_t-0.09
PLACE 01,1
RESTORE 1
5 Leave a blank line and enter the following comment:
!Connector centered at top
6 Leave another blank line and enter the following three lines:
TRANS ref_x/2-0.075, ref_y-0.2-0.2, ref_z-tabletop_t-0.09
PLACE 01,1
RESTORE 1
Tip: To quickly find a com-
mand in the script, you can
use the Search tool.
Steps to Success Step 4: Creating Your Own SmartPart 87
After having inserted a blank line, enter the command for com-
pleting the IF condition:
ENDIF
7 Click Check / Format Script and then Run Script.
Note: The preview shows a table that is longer than 1.60m.
88 Creating connectors Allplan 2015
Summary of the current 3D script:
REF_HANDLES
tableframe_h=ref_z-tabletop_t-0.02
!Define tabletop
TRANSZ REF_Z
BOX REF_X , REF_Y , -tabletop_t
RESTORE 1
!Leg at bottom left
TRANS 0.01 , 0.01 , 0
BOX 0.025 , 0.05 , tableframe_h
RESTORE 1
!Leg at top left
TRANS 0.01 , REF_Y - 0.01 - 0.05 , 0
BOX 0.025 , 0.05 , tableframe_h
RESTORE 1
!Leg at bottom right
TRANS REF_X - 0.01 - 0.025 , 0.01 , 0
BOX 0.025 , 0.05 , tableframe_h
RESTORE 1
!Leg at top right
TRANS REF_X - 0.01 - 0.025 , REF_Y - 0.01 - 0.05 , 0
BOX 0.025 , 0.05 , tableframe_h
RESTORE 1
!Brace on the left
TRANS 0.01 , 0.01 +0.05 , tableframe_h
BOX 0.025 , REF_Y - 2 * ( 0.05 +0.01 ) , -0.05
RESTORE 1
!Brace on the right
TRANS REF_X - 0.01 - 0.025 , 0.01 +0.05 , tableframe_h
BOX 0.025 , REF_Y - 2 * ( 0.05 +0.01 ) , -0.05
RESTORE 1
!Bars
!Bar at bottom
TRANS 0.01 +0.025 , 0.22 , tableframe_h
GOSUB "bar"
RESTORE 1
!Bar at top
TRANS 0.01 +0.025 , REF_Y - 0.22 - bar_w , tableframe_h
GOSUB "bar"
RESTORE 1
!Insert resource of connectors
!Connector at bottom left
TRANS 0.1 , 0.2 , REF_Z - tabletop_t - 0.09
PLACE 01 , 1
RESTORE 1
!Connector at bottom right
TRANS REF_X - 0.1 - 0.15 , 0.2 , REF_Z - tabletop_t - 0.09
PLACE 01 , 1
RESTORE 1
!Connector at top left
TRANS 0.1 , REF_Y - 0.2 - 0.2 , REF_Z - tabletop_t - 0.09
PLACE 01 , 1
RESTORE 1
Tip: You can select the entire
script or parts thereof in this
summary, copy the data to
the Clipboard and paste it
into the corresponding tab of
Allplan's SmartPart Editor.
Blank lines are ignored.
Steps to Success Step 4: Creating Your Own SmartPart 89
!Connector at top right
TRANS REF_X - 0.1 - 0.15 , REF_Y - 0.2 - 0.2 , REF_Z - tabletop_t - 0.09
PLACE 01 , 1
RESTORE 1
!Connectors when table longer than 1.6m
IF ref_x >1.60 THEN
!Connector centered at bottom
TRANS ref_x/2-0.075,0.2,ref_z-tabletop_t-0.09
PLACE 01,1
RESTORE 1
!Connector centered at top
TRANS ref_x/2-0.075,ref_y-0.2-0.2,ref_z-tabletop_t-0.09
PLACE 01,1
RESTORE 1
ENDIF
END
!Subscript for bar
Bar:
BOX REF_X - 2 * ( 0.01 +0.025 ) , bar_w , -0.05
RETURN
!Subscript for bar END
90 Parameter script Allplan 2015
Parameter script
The table is defined so that it its length, width and height can be
adjusted. The next step is to restrict these changes in size to sensible
dimensions.
To assign values to parameters
Allplan is running and drawing file 4 is current.
The 3D Script tab is open in the SmartPart Editor.
1 Switch to the Parameter Script tab.
2 The table length is to be defined so that it can be adjusted from
0.08 m to a maximum of 2.00 m in increments of 5 cm.
In line 00003, enter:
VALUES "ref_x" RANGE [0.80, 2.00] STEP 0.05,0.05
Explanation: the ref_x value is a variable value ranging from
0.80 m to 2.00 m in increments of 0.05 m (second value), with
the first increment starting at 0.05 m (first value). Square brackets
indicate that the limits (0.08 m and 2.00 m) are included in the
value range.
3 The table width is to be defined so that it can be adjusted from
0.08 m to a maximum of 1.20 m in increments of 5 cm.
In line 00004, enter:
VALUES "ref_y" RANGE [0.80, 1.20] STEP 0.05,0.05
4 The height of the table is to be adjustable, too. The minimum
height is to be 0.20 m and the maximum height 0.80 m. Here,
too, 5 cm increments are to apply.
In line 00005, enter:
VALUES "ref_z" RANGE [0.20, 0.80] STEP 0.05,0.05
Steps to Success Step 4: Creating Your Own SmartPart 91
5 The width of the bars belonging to the subframe of the table is to
be defined so that is adjustable in increments of 5 mm.
In line 00006, enter:
VALUES "bar_w" RANGE [0.025, 0.05] STEP 0.005,0.005
6 Click Check / Format Script and then Run Script.
7 Switch to the Parameters tab.
8 Change the entries for ref_x, ref_y and ref_z in the Description
column.
9 Click Run Script.
92 Parameter script Allplan 2015
The dialog box for the Flexi 01 Table SmartPart now looks like
this:
10 Click OK to close the dialog box.
11 Click OK to close the SmartPart Editor.
12 Double-click the Flexi 01 Table SmartPart with the left mouse
button.
Steps to Success Step 4: Creating Your Own SmartPart 93
Use the handles or the dialog box to check whether the parameter
restrictions work as intended.
94 Saving the intermediate result Allplan 2015
Saving the intermediate result
The geometry of the Flexi 01 Table is finished. Before you continue,
it is a good idea to save your work.
To save the SmartPart
Allplan is running and drawing file 4 is current.
1 On the File menu, click Copy, Move Elements between
Documents....
2 Select the Copy option in the dialog box and click OK to confirm.
3 Select drawing file 5 and click OK to confirm.
4 Select the element(s) you want to copy to drawing file 5
Enclose the Flexi 01 Table in a selection rectangle.
5 Click Open on a Project-Specific Basis (Standard toolbar),
make drawing file 5 current and close all the others.
Steps to Success Step 4: Creating Your Own SmartPart 95
Parametric surfaces
You will assign parametric surfaces to the table. The tabletop is to
have a surface that is visible in the animation. The table and the
connectors will be given individual colors. You will define an additi-
onal parameter that controls the color of the table in 2D (plan view).
To define additional parameters
Allplan is running and drawing file 5 is current.
1 Click Modify SmartPart using Script (SmartParts module) in
the Change area of the Tools palette.
2 Click Flexi 01 Table SmartPart.
3 Switch to the Parameters tab.
4 Click Add Parameter.
5 Start by defining the Surface for tabletop parameter. Enter the
following:
6 Click OK.
7 Next define the Color for table, Color for connectors and Color
in plan parameters one after the other.
96 Parametric surfaces Allplan 2015
8 The Parameters tab should now look like this. However, the
values for the length, width and height of the table and the bar
width can differ. These values are based on the last modification
of the SmartPart.
Steps to Success Step 4: Creating Your Own SmartPart 97
9 To get a better overview, you can group the parameters.
In the Parameters tab, click parameter bar_w to select it.
10 Click in the box beside Group and enter Dimensions for the na-
me of the group.
11 Now select parameter ref_x by clicking it.
98 Parametric surfaces Allplan 2015
12 Open the Group list and select Dimensions.
13 Repeat these two steps for the parameters ref_y, ref_z and table-
top_t.
14 Select the Groups option.
The group you have just created is displayed.
15 Create a second group and name it Representation.
Add all remaining parameters to this group.
Steps to Success Step 4: Creating Your Own SmartPart 99
The Parameters tab should now look like this:
These groups form the basis for creating your own dialog box
(see the section entitled "Defining your own dialog box using
scripts").
To get a first impression of the new dialog box, click Check /
Format Script and then Run Script.
100 Parametric surfaces Allplan 2015
Integrating parameters into the script
Have you seen the dialog box? Click OK to close it. Now, you will
integrate the new parameters into the script.
To add new parameters to the script
Allplan is running and drawing file 5 is current.
The Parameters tab is open in the SmartPart Editor.
1 Switch to the 3D Script tab.
2 Start by adding the color for the table (color_t) to the script. The
color is to be used for the whole table with the exception of the
connectors, which will be given their own color parameter (co-
lor_c). The command for assigning a color is COLOR.
Insert some blank lines after the tableframe_h=ref_z-tabletop_t-
0,02 line (at the beginning of the script) and enter the following:
COLOR color_t
3 Insert two blank lines and write the following comment:
!Define surface of tabletop
4 Leave two blank lines and enter:
MATERIAL tabletop_s
This activates the tabletop_s parameter for creating the tabletop.
5 Insert a blank line for a better overview.
There follows the geometry of the tabletop in the script.
Note: The COLOR and MATERIAL commands start at the line in
which they are entered in the script and apply to all the following
lines. The COLOR command is valid until you define a new color
in the script. The MATERIAL command ends with the MATERIAL
"" command.
Tip: To quickly find a com-
mand or entry in the script,
you can use the Search tool.
Steps to Success Step 4: Creating Your Own SmartPart 101
6 As the material is to be assigned to the tabletop only, you need to
end the MATERIAL command after the definition of the tabletop.
Therefore, insert blank lines after the definition of the tabletop's
geometry.
Enter the comment:
!Reset surface
7 There follows:
MATERIAL ""
8 The connectors are to be given their own color assignment.
Therefore, insert some blank lines after the script for the bars and
before the !Insert resource of connectors comment and enter the
following comment:
!Define color of connectors
COLOR color_c
102 Parametric surfaces Allplan 2015
9 Click Check / Format Script and then Run Script.
That's it! The 3D script is complete.
Note: The preview shows a table that is longer than 1.60m. This
ensures that all components of the table are displayed.
10 Click OK to close the SmartPart Editor dialog box and check the
result.
Steps to Success Step 4: Creating Your Own SmartPart 103
Changing the color of the SmartPart
If the SmartPart is not displayed in the colors you have just defined,
the colors are not taken from the element but from the instance,
which means that the colors on the Format toolbar are used.
To change this, you can use Modify SmartPart Instance's Attri-
butes to set the setting for Format from Placement to Element.
Note: When you save the SmartPart in the Library palette, the pro-
gram automatically switches to Element.
To modify the SmartPart instance's attributes
1 Click the SmartPart with the right mouse button and select
Modify SmartPart Instance's Attributes on the shortcut
menu.
The Modify Smart Symbol Instance's Attributes dialog box
appears.
2 Set the Format setting from Placement to Elements and click OK
to confirm.
The SmartPart is now displayed in the colors you defined.
104 Parametric surfaces Allplan 2015
Summary of the current 3D script:
REF_HANDLES
tableframe_h=ref_z-tabletop_t-0.02
COLOR color_t
!Define surface of tabletop
MATERIAL tabletop_s
!Define tabletop
TRANSZ REF_Z
BOX REF_X , REF_Y , -tabletop_t
RESTORE 1
!Reset surface
MATERIAL ""
!Leg at bottom left
TRANS 0.01 , 0.01 , 0
BOX 0.025 , 0.05 , tableframe_h
RESTORE 1
!Leg at top left
TRANS 0.01 , REF_Y - 0.01 - 0.05 , 0
BOX 0.025 , 0.05 , tableframe_h
RESTORE 1
!Leg at bottom right
TRANS REF_X - 0.01 - 0.025 , 0.01 , 0
BOX 0.025 , 0.05 , tableframe_h
RESTORE 1
!Leg at top right
TRANS REF_X - 0.01 - 0.025 , REF_Y - 0.01 - 0.05 , 0
BOX 0.025 , 0.05 , tableframe_h
RESTORE 1
!Brace on the left
TRANS 0.01 , 0.01 +0.05 , tableframe_h
BOX 0.025 , REF_Y - 2 * ( 0.05 +0.01 ) , -0.05
RESTORE 1
!Brace on the right
TRANS REF_X - 0.01 - 0.025 , 0.01 +0.05 , tableframe_h
BOX 0.025 , REF_Y - 2 * ( 0.05 +0.01 ) , -0.05
RESTORE 1
!Bars
!Bar at bottom
TRANS 0.01 +0.025 , 0.22 , tableframe_h
GOSUB "bar"
RESTORE 1
!Bar at top
TRANS 0.01 +0.025 , REF_Y - 0.22 - bar_w , tableframe_h
GOSUB "bar"
RESTORE 1
!Define color of connectors
COLOR color_c
Tip: You can select the entire
script or parts thereof in this
summary, copy the data to
the Clipboard and paste it
into the corresponding tab of
Allplan's SmartPart Editor.
Blank lines are ignored.
Steps to Success Step 4: Creating Your Own SmartPart 105
!Insert resource of connectors
!Connector at bottom left
TRANS 0.1 , 0.2 , REF_Z - tabletop_t - 0.09
PLACE 01 , 1
RESTORE 1
!Connector at bottom right
TRANS REF_X - 0.1 - 0.15 , 0.2 , REF_Z - tabletop_t - 0.09
PLACE 01 , 1
RESTORE 1
!Connector at top left
TRANS 0.1 , REF_Y - 0.2 - 0.2 , REF_Z - tabletop_t - 0.09
PLACE 01 , 1
RESTORE 1
!Connector at top right
TRANS REF_X - 0.1 - 0.15 , REF_Y - 0.2 - 0.2 , REF_Z - tabletop_t - 0.09
PLACE 01 , 1
RESTORE 1
!Connectors when table longer than 1.60m, centered
IF ref_x >1.60 THEN
!Connector centered at bottom
TRANS ref_x/2-0.075,0.2,ref_z-tabletop_t-0.09
PLACE 01,1
RESTORE 1
!Connector centered at top
TRANS ref_x/2-0.075,ref_y-0.2-0.2,ref_z-tabletop_t-0.09
PLACE 01,1
RESTORE 1
ENDIF
END
!Subscript for bar
Bar:
BOX REF_X - 2 * ( 0.01 +0.025 ) , bar_w , -0.05
RETURN
!Subscript for bar END
106 Plan view Allplan 2015
Plan view
Currently, the table looks like this in plan view:
Note: You can see a table that is longer than 1.60m. This ensures
that all components of the table are displayed.
The aim is to produce a 2D representation of the table that only
consists of a rectangle in a different color. The command for a
rectangle is RECT2 with the coordinates of the diagonal points.
To define the 2D representation
Allplan is running and drawing file 5 is current.
1 Click Modify SmartPart using Script on the Change toolbar
of the SmartParts module.
2 Click Flexi 01 Table SmartPart.
3 Switch to the 2D Script tab.
4 Enter the following lines:
!Define color of plan view
COLOR color_p
!2D rectangle for plan view
RECT2 0,0,ref_x,ref_y
Steps to Success Step 4: Creating Your Own SmartPart 107
5 Click Check / Format Script and then Run Script.
6 Click OK to close the SmartPart Editor.
7 Look at the result in plan.
The table is displayed as a rectangle.
8 Double-click the SmartPart with the left mouse button.
9 Open the Representation page in the Flexi 01 Table palette and
change the color for the plan view from color 1 to 27, for exa-
mple.
10 Select color 6 (red) for the color of the connectors.
11 Click the Surface for tabletop button.
108 Plan view Allplan 2015
12 Select the Office folder at top left in the dialog box and choose a
surface file of your choice. In this example, select the
Gl ass5. sur f file in the St an-
dar d\ Bauwer k\ Rohbau\ Gl as folder.
13 Press ESC to finish.
Steps to Success Step 4: Creating Your Own SmartPart 109
14 Look at the result.
Summary of the 2D script:
!Define color of plan view
COLOR color_p
!2D rectangle for plan view
RECT2 0,0,ref_x,ref_y
110 Defining your own dialog box using scripts Allplan 2015
Defining your own dialog box using scripts
In the previous step, you modified the surface, colors and dimensi-
ons. Next, you will customize the dialog box for your needs.
To customize the SmartPart dialog box
Allplan is running and drawing file 5 is current.
1 Click Modify SmartPart using Script (SmartParts module) in
the Change area of the Tools palette.
2 Click Flexi 01 Table SmartPart.
3 Switch to the Dialog Script tab.
4 Write the following comment in the first line:
!Define name of dialog
5 You can use the I_DIALOG command to specify which name is to
appear in the title bar of the dialog box.
I_DIALOG "Properties of Flexi 01 Table"
6 The dialog box is to consist of two pages.
To define the first page of the dialog box, enter the following
comment:
!Define page 1
7 The command for defining the name of a page is I_PAGE:
I_PAGE "Dimensions"
8 Enter the following comment:
!Define output and input boxes
9 You can use the I_OUTFIELD command to define that and how a
specific element is displayed in the dialog box. The name of the
element to be displayed in the dialog box must be enclosed in
quotation marks. The values after the name define the position of
the element displayed in the dialog box (in pixels). Enter
Steps to Success Step 4: Creating Your Own SmartPart 111
I_OUTFIELD "Table length",0,0,160,22
Explanation:
"Table length": the name of the element to be displayed in the
dialog box.
0: the start point for the position of the element's name in the x
direction.
0: the start point for the position of the element's name in the y
direction.
160: the maximum length of the element's name in the x direc-
tion.
22: the height of the name.
10 You can use the I_INFIELD command to define how a parameter
to be changed is displayed. The values after the name define the
position and size of the input box for the parameter to be chan-
ged (in pixels). Enter
I_INFIELD "ref_x",180,0,120,22
Explanation:
"ref_x": the parameter to be changed.
180: the start point for the input box in the x direction.
0: the start point for the input box in the y direction.
160: the length of the input box in the x direction.
22: the height of the input box.
Customize four more parameters on the Dimensions page of your
dialog box:
I_OUTFIELD "Table width",0,25,160,22
I_INFIELD "ref_y",180,25,120,22
I_OUTFIELD "Table height",0,50,160,22
I_INFIELD "ref_z",180,50,120,22
I_OUTFIELD "Thickness of tabletop",0,75,160,22
I_INFIELD "tabletop_t",180,75,120,22
I_OUTFIELD "Bar width",0,100,160,22
I_INFIELD "bar_w",180,100,120,22
The first page of the dialog box is now finished.
112 Defining your own dialog box using scripts Allplan 2015
11 Next, enter a comment on the second page:
!Define page 2
12 To define the name of the second page, enter:
I_PAGE "Representation"
13 Enter the following comment:
!Define output and input boxes
14 The first parameter is to facilitate the selection of the tabletop's
surface:
I_OUTFIELD "Surface of tabletop",0,0,160,22
I_INFIELD "tabletop_s",180,0,120,22
Using the following three parameters, you can control the selec-
tion of colors using the dialog box:
I_OUTFIELD "Color for table",0,50,160,22
I_INFIELD "color_t",180,50,120,22
I_OUTFIELD "Color for connectors",0,75,160,22
I_INFIELD "color_c",180,75,120,22
I_OUTFIELD "Color in plan",0,100,160,22
I_INFIELD "color_p",180,100,120,22
Steps to Success Step 4: Creating Your Own SmartPart 113
15 Click Check / Format Script and then Run Script.
16 What about separating the selection option for the surface from
the color dropdown lists on the Representation page? No prob-
lem!
First close the Properties of Flexi 01 Table dialog box by cli-
cking OK.
114 Defining your own dialog box using scripts Allplan 2015
17 Open the SmartPart Editor, switch to the Dialog Script tab and
enter the following below the I_INFIELD "tabletop_s" , 180 , 0 ,
120 , 22 line:
I_SEPARATOR 0,36,300,36
18 To enhance the Representation page, you can make the text
right-aligned.
This requires just a few entries.
Add a comma and the number 1 (,1) to the end of each
I_OUTFIELD command below the !Define page 2 comment.
See the summary of the dialog script.
19 Click Check / Format Script and then Run Script.
The result should look like this:
This is the first SmartPart you designed yourself. And what's mo-
re, you created a dialog box appropriate to the Flexi 01 Table
SmartPart.
20 Instead of displaying the customized Properties of Flexi 01 Table
dialog box, you now want to display the SmartPart properties in
a specific sequence in a palette called Flexi 01 Table. To achieve
this, you do not need to revise the entire dialog script.
Steps to Success Step 4: Creating Your Own SmartPart 115
It is enough if you replace the I_DIALOG command with the
I_PALETTE command. Everything else is done automatically.
Start by closing the Properties of Flexi 01 Table dialog box.
21 In the Dialog Script, replace the I_DIALOG command with the
I_PALETTEcommand and change the Properties of Flexi 01 Tab-
le name to Flexi 01 Table to define the new name for the palette
of the SmartPart.
22 Click Check / Format Script and then Run Script.
23 Click OK to close the SmartPart Editor.
116 Defining your own dialog box using scripts Allplan 2015
24 Double-click the Flexi 01 Table with the left mouse button.
The Flexi 01 Table palette opens.
The contents of the Flexi 01 Table palette match the entries on
the Dialog Script tab of the SmartPart Editor.
Some special notes
This section provides some background information on how to au-
tomatically create dialog boxes for SmartParts.
If you do not enter anything on the Dialog Script tab, the program
automatically creates a dialog box based on the entries on the Para-
meters tab. The program uses the parameter groups created to arran-
ge the parameters on different tabs in the palette of the SmartPart
and on the pages of the dialog box. The tabs are created based on
the sequence of the parameters in the script.
Steps to Success Step 4: Creating Your Own SmartPart 117
For example: look at the Coffee Table SmartPart displayed. In this
example, there is no dialog box or the existing dialog box has been
deleted.
When you select the Run Script tool on the Dialog Script tab, the
program automatically creates the following dialog boxes:
118 Defining your own dialog box using scripts Allplan 2015
Open the Parameters tab. Now you can see the following entries
sorted in groups:
Steps to Success Step 4: Creating Your Own SmartPart 119
Next look at the palette of this SmartPart:
When comparing the contents of the Parameters tab of the Smart-
Part script with those of the SmartPart palette, you can see that the
palette represents all the parameters in accordance with the sequence
defined in the script and sorted by the existing groups.
The same applies to the parameters in the dialog box that is automa-
tically created from the Dialog Script.
120 Defining your own dialog box using scripts Allplan 2015
Summary of the dialog script:
!Define name of dialog
I_PALETTE "Flexi 01 Table"
!Define page 1
I_PAGE "Dimensions"
!Define output and input boxes
I_OUTFIELD "Table length" , 0 , 0 , 160 , 22
I_INFIELD "ref_x" , 180 , 0 , 120 , 22
I_OUTFIELD "Table width" , 0 , 25 , 160 , 22
I_INFIELD "ref_y" , 180 , 25 , 120 , 22
I_OUTFIELD "Table height" , 0 , 50 , 160 , 22
I_INFIELD "ref_z" , 180 , 50 , 120 , 22
I_OUTFIELD "Thickness of tabletop" , 0 , 75 , 160 , 22
I_INFIELD "tabletop_t" , 180 , 75 , 120 , 22
I_OUTFIELD "Bar width" , 0 , 100 , 160 , 22
I_INFIELD "bar_w" , 180 , 100 , 120 , 22
!Define page 2
I_PAGE "Representation"
!Define output and input boxes
I_OUTFIELD "Surface of tabletop" , 0 , 0 , 160 , 22, 1
I_INFIELD "tabletop_s" , 180 , 0 , 120 , 22
I_SEPARATOR 0 , 36 , 300 , 36
I_OUTFIELD "Color for table" , 0 , 50 , 160 , 22, 1
I_INFIELD "color_t" , 180 , 50 , 120 , 22
I_OUTFIELD "Color for connectors" , 0 , 75 , 160 , 22, 1
I_INFIELD "color_c" , 180 , 75 , 120 , 22
I_OUTFIELD "Color in plan" , 0 , 100 , 160 , 22, 1
I_INFIELD "color_p" , 180 , 100 , 120 , 22
Steps to Success Step 4: Creating Your Own SmartPart 121
Saving the SmartPart
Before you label the Flexi 01 Table SmartPart in step 5, you need to
save it to the library.
To save the Flexi 01 table SmartPart
Allplan is running and drawing file 5 is current.
1 Press ESC to close the Flexi 01 Table or Coffee Table palette.
2 Open the Library palette.
3 Open the SmartParts folder in the library.
You can navigate through the folders in the top part of the palet-
te. Click the required folder with the left mouse button or click
to find the folder.
Clicking takes you up level by level in the folder hierarchy of
the library palette.
4 Open the SmartParts folder.
5 Select the Project folder.
122 Saving the SmartPart Allplan 2015
6 After having opened the required folder, you can find two tools
at the bottom of the Library palette:
New group: you can create a new folder.
Insert SmartPart: you can save a new SmartPart in the se-
lected folder.
7 Click New group.
8 Enter My own SmartParts for the name of the group, press EN-
TER to confirm and open the new folder.
9 Click Insert SmartPart and enter Flexi 01 Table for the name.
Steps to Success Step 4: Creating Your Own SmartPart 123
10 Press ENTER to confirm.
11 Select SmartPart you want to save
Click the SmartPart in plan view.
The new SmartPart is displayed in the preview. Below the pre-
view, you can see the My own SmartParts folder with the Flexi
01 Table SmartPart.
Note: The icon is displayed for folders and SmartParts you
created yourself. Click this icon to open a shortcut menu with the
Delete, Rename and Copy tools.
12 To use the Flexi 01 Table SmartPart, double-click it with the left
mouse button.
The palette with the properties of the Flexi 01 Table SmartPart
opens and the SmartPart is attached to the crosshairs.
124 Saving the SmartPart Allplan 2015
Saving the preview image
You want to add a preview image to the Flexi 01 Table SmartPart
you saved to the Library.
To do this, you can use the SmartParts Editor.
To save the preview image
Allplan is running and drawing file 5 is current.
1 Click Modify SmartPart using Script (SmartParts module) in
the Change area of the Tools palette.
2 Click Flexi 01 Table SmartPart.
3 Switch to the 3D Script tab in the SmartPart Editor.
4 Click Run Script.
A preview of the SmartPart is displayed in the Preview of object
area.
5 Set the desired view.
6 Click Save preview as 0.image.
The image is saved as a 0. png bitmap.
Steps to Success Step 4: Creating Your Own SmartPart 125
7 Open the Resources tab.
Using this tab, you can check which preview is used.
Note: You can use Open preview to insert any bitmap as a
preview.
8 Click OK to close the SmartPart Editor dialog box.
126 Saving the SmartPart Allplan 2015
9 Save the SmartPart to the library again.
Steps to Success Digression 127
Digression
In the previous step you created the Flexi 01 Table. It only takes a
few changes in the script of the Flexi 01 Table to create a table with
round legs.
128 Table with round legs - Flexi 02 Allplan 2015
Table with round legs - Flexi 02
To define the script for the Flexi 02 table with round legs, we
recommend that you proceed as follows:
To create a variant based on the existing script
1 Copy the Flexi 01 Table to an empty drawing file. Open this
drawing file and close all the others.
2 Select the Modify SmartPart using Script tool and click the
Flexi 01 Table.
3 Change the Name of the SmartPart from Flexi 01 Table to Flexi
02 Table.
4 Open the Parameters tab. To define round legs for the Flexi 02
table, you need to add a new parameter.
5 Create the leg_r parameter (radius of table leg).
Steps to Success Digression 129
As you have assigned a group to the leg_r parameter when you
created it, the Parameters tab now looks like this (provided the
Groups option is selected):
6 Switch to the Parameter Script tab to restrict the new parameter.
The radius of the table legs is to be defined so that it can be ad-
justed from 3 to 5 cm in increments of 1 mm, with the first in-
crement starting at 3 cm.
The definition looks like this:
VALUES "leg_r" RANGE [ 0.03 , 0.05 ] STEP 0.03 , 0.001
7 After you have created this parameter and restricted its variable
dimensions, you can use it in the 3D script.
Switch to the 3D Script tab.
130 Table with round legs - Flexi 02 Allplan 2015
8 The script of the table legs starts with the !Leg at bottom left
comment. Find this comment in the 3D script.
To turn the rectangular table legs into round ones, you need to
replace the TRANS (position of coordinate system) and BOX
commands.
9 Creating round table legs requires a new command in the 3D
Script: CYLIND
To define the geometry of the leg at bottom left, enter the follo-
wing:
TRANS 0.0225, 0.06, 0
CYLIND tableframe_h, leg_r
10 To define the leg at top left, enter:
TRANS 0.0225, ref_y-0.01-0.05, 0
CYLIND tableframe_h, leg_r
11 To define the leg at bottom right, enter:
TRANS ref_x-0.0225, 0.06, 0
CYLIND tableframe_h, leg_r
12 To define the leg at top right, enter:
TRANS ref_x-0.0225, ref_y-0.01-0.05, 0
CYLIND tableframe_h, leg_r
Steps to Success Digression 131
13 Switch to the Dialog Script tab.
14 Change the name to
I_PALETTE "Flexi 02 Table"
15 In addition, you need to add two lines to include the radius of the
table legs as a variable parameter on the Dimensions page of the
dialog box of the Flexi 02 table.
Insert the following two lines between I_INFIELD "tabletop_t"
and I_OUTFIELD "Bar width":
I_OUTFIELD "Radius of table leg",0,100,160,22
I_INFIELD "leg_r",180,100,120,22
132 Table with round legs - Flexi 02 Allplan 2015
16 Please note that the start points of the Bar width parameter
change in the y direction. This applies to both the position of the
element's name in the dialog box and the input box (these valu-
es are highlighted in the following illustration).
Steps to Success Digression 133
As you can see, it just takes a few changes to quickly and easily
define a variant of the Flexi table. You can now save the Flexi 02
Table SmartPart in the My own SmartParts folder in the library
(see "Saving the SmartPart (on page 121)").
Digression - summary of parameters
134 Table with round legs - Flexi 02 Allplan 2015
Digression - summary of parameter script
VALUES "REF_X" RANGE [ 0.80 , 2.00 ] STEP 0.05 , 0.05
VALUES "REF_Y" RANGE [ 0.80 , 1.20 ] STEP 0.05 , 0.05
VALUES "REF_Z" RANGE [ 0.20 , 0.80 ] STEP 0.05 , 0.05
VALUES "bar_w" RANGE [ 0.025 , 0.05 ] STEP 0.005 , 0.005
VALUES "leg_r" RANGE [ 0.03 , 0.05 ] STEP 0.03 , 0.001
Digression - summary of dialog script
!Define name of dialog
I_PALETTE "Flexi 02 Table"
!Define page 1
I_PAGE "Dimensions"
!Define output and input boxes
I_OUTFIELD "Table length" , 0 , 0 , 160 , 22
I_INFIELD "ref_x" , 180 , 0 , 120 , 22
I_OUTFIELD "Table width" , 0 , 25 , 160 , 22
I_INFIELD "ref_y" , 180 , 25 , 120 , 22
I_OUTFIELD "Table height" , 0 , 50 , 160 , 22
I_INFIELD "ref_z" , 180 , 50 , 120 , 22
I_OUTFIELD "Thickness of tabletop" , 0 , 75 , 160 , 22
I_INFIELD "tabletop_t" , 180 , 75 , 120 , 22
I_OUTFIELD "Radius of table leg" , 0 , 100 , 160 , 22
I_INFIELD "leg_r" , 180 , 100 , 120 , 22
I_OUTFIELD "Bar width" , 0 , 125 , 160 , 22
I_INFIELD "bar_w" , 180 , 125 , 120 , 22
!Define page 2
I_PAGE "Representation"
!Define output and input boxes
I_OUTFIELD "Surface of tabletop" , 0 , 0 , 160 , 22 , 1
I_INFIELD "tabletop_s" , 180 , 0 , 120 , 22
I_SEPARATOR 0 , 36 , 300 , 36
I_OUTFIELD "Colr for table" , 0 , 50 , 160 , 22 , 1
I_INFIELD "color_t" , 180 , 50 , 120 , 22
I_OUTFIELD "Color for connectors" , 0 , 75 , 160 , 22 , 1
I_INFIELD "color_c" , 180 , 75 , 120 , 22
I_OUTFIELD "Color in plan" , 0 , 100 , 160 , 22 , 1
I_INFIELD "color_p" , 180 , 100 , 120 , 22
Digression - summary of 2D script
!Define color of plan view
COLOR color_p
!2D rectangle for plan view
RECT2 0 , 0 , REF_X , REF_Y
Steps to Success Digression 135
Digression - summary of 3D script
REF_HANDLES
tableframe_h=ref_z-tabletop_t-0.02
COLOR color_t
!Define surface of tabletop
MATERIAL tabletop_s
!Define tabletop
TRANSZ REF_Z
BOX REF_X , REF_Y , -tabletop_t
RESTORE 1
!Reset surface
MATERIAL ""
!Leg at bottom left
TRANS 0.0225 , 0.06 , 0
CYLIND tableframe_h , leg_r
RESTORE 1
!Leg at top left
TRANS 0.0225 , REF_Y - 0.01 - 0.05 , 0
CYLIND tableframe_h , leg_r
RESTORE 1
!Leg at bottom right
TRANS REF_X - 0.0225 , 0.06 , 0
CYLIND tableframe_h , leg_r
RESTORE 1
!Leg at top right
TRANS REF_X - 0.0225 , REF_Y - 0.01 - 0.05 , 0
CYLIND tableframe_h , leg_r
RESTORE 1
!Brace on the left
TRANS 0.01 , 0.01 +0.05 , tableframe_h
BOX 0.025 , REF_Y - 2 * ( 0.05 +0.01 ) , -0.05
RESTORE 1
!Brace on the right
TRANS REF_X - 0.01 - 0.025 , 0.01 +0.05 , tableframe_h
BOX 0.025 , REF_Y - 2 * ( 0.05 +0.01 ) , -0.05
RESTORE 1
!Bars
!Bar at bottom
TRANS 0.01 +0.025 , 0.22 , tableframe_h
GOSUB "bar"
RESTORE 1
!Bar at top
TRANS 0.01 +0.025 , REF_Y - 0.22 - bar_w , tableframe_h
GOSUB "bar"
RESTORE 1
!Define color of connectors
COLOR color_c
136 Table with round legs - Flexi 02 Allplan 2015
!Insert resource of connectors
!Connector at bottom left
TRANS 0.1 , 0.2 , REF_Z - tabletop_t - 0.09
PLACE 01 , 1
RESTORE 1
!Connector at bottom right
TRANS REF_X - 0.1 - 0.15 , 0.2 , REF_Z - tabletop_t - 0.09
PLACE 01 , 1
RESTORE 1
!Connector at top left
TRANS 0.1 , REF_Y - 0.2 - 0.2 , REF_Z - tabletop_t - 0.09
PLACE 01 , 1
RESTORE 1
!Connector at top right
TRANS REF_X - 0.1 - 0.15 , REF_Y - 0.2 - 0.2 , REF_Z - tabletop_t - 0.09
PLACE 01 , 1
RESTORE 1
!Connectors when table longer than 1.60m
IF ref_x >1.60 THEN
!Connector centered at bottom
TRANS ref_x/2-0.075,0.2,ref_z-tabletop_t-0.09
PLACE 01,1
RESTORE 1
!Connector centered at top
TRANS ref_x/2-0.075,ref_y-0.2-0.2,ref_z-tabletop_t-0.09
PLACE 01,1
RESTORE 1
ENDIF
END
!Subscript for bar
Bar:
BOX REF_X - 2 * ( 0.01 +0.025 ) , bar_w , -0.05
RETURN
!Subscript for bar END
Digression - summary of resources
Steps to Success Step 5: Analysis 137
Step 5: Analysis
Objective
In the last step, you will place your own SmartPart in the drawing
file a number of times, make modifications, place another SmartPart
that comes with Allplan and make several copies of this SmartPart.
Afterwards, you will analyze all SmartParts in a list.
Finally, you will label the Flexi 01 Table SmartPart.
138 Objective Allplan 2015
Steps to Success Step 5: Analysis 139
Completing the drawing file
To complete the drawing file
Allplan is running.
1 If you have defined the script for the Flexi 02 table, make dra-
wing file 5 current and close all the other drawing files.
2 Double-click the Flexi 01 table with the right mouse button.
The Flexi 01 table is attached to the crosshairs.
3 Place the SmartPart in the workspace.
4 The SmartPart is displayed with handles. As you do not want to
use the handles to modify the SmartPart right now, press ESC.
The next SmartPart is attached to the crosshairs and the input
options are displayed.
5 Switch off the Modify SmartPart using Handles tool in the
input options.
6 Place two more Flexi 01 tables in the workspace and press ESC to
quit the tool.
7 Click SmartPart in the Tools palette, SmartParts module,
Create area.
8 Open the Interior folder.
140 Completing the drawing file Allplan 2015
9 Select the Flexi Chair SmartPart.
10 Switch off the Modify SmartPart using Handles tool in the
input options.
11 Place the chair in the workspace.
The next SmartPart is attached to the crosshairs.
Place as many chairs as you need for the four tables. You can
specify an Angle of rotation in the dialog line.
12 You can now modify the dimensions of the tables.
Note: You can modify the Flexi Chair SmartPart in many diffe-
rent ways. Try it out for yourself! (Double-click the left mouse
button.)
13 Place the chairs as required.
Steps to Success Step 5: Analysis 141
Now the drawing file might look something like this:
Note: Allplan 2015 comes with the predefined Flexi Table Smart-
Part, which you can find in the Interior folder of the SmartPart-
palette. This SmartPart is equivalent to the Flexi 01 table you
created. The scripts only differ slightly. By the way, the script of
theFlexi Table SmartPart is available as international content.
142 Completing the drawing file Allplan 2015
A note on defining height setup for SmartParts
In Allplan, you can define the height setup for objects such as furni-
ture so that the height of the floor structure is taken into account
when it comes to creating specific representations. In particular im-
ported SmartParts do not include any height settings. However, you
can quickly and easily define the height setup later.
To define the height setup for a SmartPart later
You have already placed the SmartPart in the drawing file.
1 Click the SmartPart which is to be given a height setting with the
right mouse button, and on the shortcut menu, click Modify
SmartPart Instance's Attributes.
2 The Modify Instance's Attributes dialog box opens. Select the
Height setup option.
3 Select an option for Consider:
For furniture, for example, choose Floor.
For lamps, for example, choose Ceiling.
4 Click OK to confirm.
Steps to Success Step 5: Analysis 143
Analysis using a report
To analyze SmartParts in a report
Allplan is running and drawing file 5 is current.
1 In the Tools palette, open the Smart Symbols module (Bonus
Tools family).
2 In the Create area of the Smart Symbols module, click Re-
ports.
3 Select the Default folder on the left side of the Reports dialog
box.
4 Select the SmartParts folder and the Smar t Par t s - over -
vi ew. r dl c file.
5 Click Open.
6 Click All in the input options.
144 Analysis using a report Allplan 2015
The report is displayed in a separate window.
Steps to Success Step 5: Analysis 145
Using the User Interaction area on the left, you can apply a ma-
terial filter.
Using this filter in this example, you can create separate reports
for the Flexi 01 Table and Flexi Chair SmartParts.
You can edit the report as follows:
You can print it.
You can place it in the current document,
You can save it as a file in Excel, PDF or Word format or
You can edit it using the Layout Designer.
You can save changes as a new template in RDLC format.
7 Close the report.
146 Labeling the SmartPart Allplan 2015
Labeling the SmartPart
Finally, you will label the Flexi 01 Table SmartPart.
To label a SmartPart
Allplan is running and drawing file 5 is current.
1 Open the shortcut menu of the Flexi 01 table at top left and sel-
ect the Label tool.
2 Click Label Style and then click in the box below Label style.
Steps to Success Step 5: Analysis 147
3 In the Default folder, select subfolder 12 SmartPart and label
style 1.
4 Click OK to confirm.
148 Labeling the SmartPart Allplan 2015
5 Place the label in the selected SmartPart in plan view.
The labels style displays the name of the SmartPart and its
length, width and height.
6 Now label the other three tables yourself.
The result might look like this:
Steps to Success Step 5: Analysis 149
Note: As you have used a label style to label the SmartPart, the
label of the Flexi 01 table is always up-to-date even when you
modify the dimensions of the table.
For example:
--> -->
150 Allplan 2015
Steps to Success Index 151
A
additional tools 31
adjusting preview 124
C
changing dolor 103
commands
BOX 49, 58, 67, 72
COLOR 100, 106
CYLIND 128
END 72, 81, 86
ENDIF 86
GOSUB 72
I_DIALOG 110
I_INFIELD 110
I_OUTFIELD 110
I_PAGE 110
I_SEPARATOR 110
IF...THEN 86
MATERIAL 100
PLACE 81, 86
RANGE 90
RECT2 106
REF_HANDLES 49
RESTORE 58, 67, 72, 81, 86
RETURN 72
TRANS 49, 58, 67, 72, 81, 86
VALUES 90
copying, moving elements
between documents 94
creating project 7
basic settings 10
creating your own SmartPart
analyzing SmartParts 139,
143
assigning surfaces 95, 100,
104
connectors 78, 84
cross braces 67, 71
defining dialog box using
scripts 95, 110, 120
defining parameters using
scripts 90
graphic representation with
dimensions 47
if condition 86, 88
plan view 106, 109
resource 79, 81
saving SmartParts 94, 121
table leg 58, 66
table top 49, 57
G
get from library 21, 121, 139
L
label style 146
M
modifying attributes 103
R
reference box 36, 49
relative height 142
report 143
S
SmartPart
default dialog box 13
definition 3
get from library 21, 121, 139
inserting 13, 21, 29
labeling 146
modifying 13, 24, 29
shortcut menu 13
where to find 4
SmartPart editor 36
2D script tab 44
3D script tab 45
adding parameters 49, 72, 95
definition 3
dialog script tab 43
forming groups 95
master script tab 40
overview tab 36
Index
152 Index Allplan 2015
parameter script tab 42
parameters tab 38
resources tab 46
understanding scripts 35
variables 58
surface 5
T
tools 6, 31
creating SmartParts 49
inserting SmartParts 139
modifying SmartParts using
scripts 67, 72, 79, 95, 110
tools in the script editor
3D objects 79
checking, formatting scripts
49, 58, 67, 72, 81, 86, 90,
95, 100, 106, 110
resetting parameters 49
running scripts 49, 58, 67, 72,
81, 86, 90, 95, 100, 106,
110
W
write to library 121