This is where you can assign a layer to the architectural element or, in the case of elements with multiple construction layers, you can assign a separate layer to each construction layer.
The Select Layer/Visibility tab of the Layer dialog box opens so that you can select a layer.

Note: Basic layer settings such as Layer’s format properties and From layer, line style are taken into account and displayed in the dialog box. The settings made are represented by the relevant layer symbol. Consequently, you cannot make entries.

To assign a Hatching style, click the box next to Hatching and select a style.
If you want to apply a background color to the hatching, click the box next to Fill and select a color.

To remove Hatching from an architectural element, click the Hatching box and choose or Off.

To assign a pattern, click the box next to Pattern and select a style.
If a background color is to be applied to the pattern, click the box next to Fill and select a color.

To remove a Pattern from an architectural element, click the Pattern box and then or Off.

To assign a Fill, click the box next to Fill and select a color.
In addition to a Fill, you can also select Hatching or a Pattern; the fill is then used for the background color.

To remove a Fill from an architectural element, click the Fill box and choose or Off.

The building trade assigned here is used later by the system to generate lists, schedules and analyze the building data.

To assign a building trade, click on an entry.

The priority rating governs the way components of the same group behave when they intersect. A wall with a priority rating of 200, for instance, will run straight through a wall with a priority rating of 100 as its rating is higher.

One instance of element interaction is walls which cross each other’s path. A ‘hole’ is created in the first wall. The hole extends along the entire height of the wall. This is called element interaction. You can determine which wall has a section (hole) removed from it by setting a different priority rating for each wall. Walls with a higher priority rating have precedence over walls with a lower priority rating.
This interaction always occurs with elements of the same component group. But they do not interact with components belonging to a different group.

(1) A 'hole' is 'cut' in this wall

Component groups, overview

The computation mode has a bearing on subsequent lists and schedules.

You might, for instance, list elements differently depending on the computation mode set here i.e., show the area of walls more than 4’’ thick and show the volume of walls more than 10’’ thick.

To specify a computation mode, select one of the modes (volume, area, linear) listed in the dialog box.

The Single opening and Multiple opening settings control how openings interact. Multiple opening is the default setting.

Openings usually interact with all adjoining components. When the Single opening setting is enabled, the opening only interacts with the component with which it is associated.

Example:

Create a free-form opening which has the same height setup as the smaller wall and associate this opening with the larger wall.

As the default setting is Multiple opening, the image in the middle is wrong as a 'hole' is also 'cut' in the smaller wall. Activate the Single opening setting. As a result, a 'hole' is 'cut' in the larger wall only.