Auto-detecting the outline of an area

Entering polylines

Using Area detection in the input options for entering polylines, you can automatically detect the outlines of closed polygons. Closed areas delimited by design entities of any kind can be used as an outline polygon simply by clicking anywhere within the area. Allplan automatically detects and polygonizes the entire outline. The boundary elements can have points in common, they can intersect and they can touch. This automation feature can be turned on/off as required.

Note: Closed outlines within an area are detected and cut out automatically when Island detection is switched on.

Note: Some tools, such as Rafters and Beam (Frame Construction: Rafters, Roof Beams, Posts module) as well as Span Reinforcement (Mesh Reinforcement module) do not provide all the options for entering polylines. In this case, you can still find the Area detection on/off tool in the dialog line.

To automatically detect an area

1. Select a tool for entering an area, e.g. Hatching.

   The input options for entering polylines are displayed.

2. Select the Polygonize elements on/off check box and click Area detection.
3. Click in the area.
4. If you no longer require the Area detection tool, select a different option in the input options for entering polylines, such as Polygonize entire element, or clear the Polygonize elements on/off check box. Otherwise, Allplan will attempt to detect an area with every point you enter.

Note: You can use the Element filter in the Input options for entering polylines to specify that lines of architectural elements are ignored.

Note: The Minimum distance between points setting in the Options on the Desktop environment page also applies to the Area detection tool. To make sure that outlines with small gaps are detected, you can increase the minimum distance between points temporarily.

Input options for entering polylines, overview