Entity-based component - wall

Tools: Wall

You can use Entity-Based Component to draw walls based on 2D elements (for example, lines, polylines, ellipses, splines) or composite elements. The wall will be created along the basic element. The arcs are approximated by a polyline: This results in short, straight segments of walls, which you can address as a single entity.
The basic elements remain unchanged. So, they might be visible in printouts. Therefore, we recommend that you draw these elements with a thin line or a construction line.

Note: You can define the number of segments for entity-based components in the Options - Components and architecture page - Wall entry area.

Note: Quantity takeoff of curved and circular components is based on the segments.

Note: Entity-based components have restricted wall functionality.

Entity-based walls have restricted wall functionality:

• Only one wall is created per entity or composite element
• Walls based on single lines behave like walls created with the Straight Wall tool
• Walls do not join automatically
• Junctions on straight walls can only be created retroactively with Join Linear Components.
• Walls along individual circle elements behave (except for the wall ends) more or less like curved walls, also as far as window entry is concerned
• Entering windows in entity-based walls using curves other than circles is only possible in ”straight” sections; it may be necessary to create the wall again with a smaller number of segments

To draw a wall by matching an outline

• Before you select this tool, draw the basic 2D elements by using the tools in the Design task.
• The Wall tool is open. You have already defined the wall’s parameters.

1. Click Entity-Based Component.
2. Place the starting point of the wall. To do this, click the starting point of the element or composite element or click a point which is on the element or composite element.

   When you click any point, you can see the reference point; the dialog line shows the distance to this reference point.

3. Enter the distance to the reference point in the dialog line.

   The component is attached to the crosshairs; its axis follows the outline. The preview shows the direction of extension and the position of the component axis. The previews of walls are complete with all construction layers and surface elements.

4. Check the preview to see whether the component’s direction of extension is correct. If it isn’t, click Reverse offset direction on the context toolbar to change the direction.

   You can change the direction of extension at any time, even while entering components.

   Tip: While entering elements, you can quickly change the component axis by means of keyboard shortcuts or in the dialog line. In the case of walls, you can also change the component axis by means of drag-and-drop editing in the Properties palette.

   

   To modify the component axis in the dialog line, do the following:

   • Use the TAB key to activate Set component axis.
   • After you have placed the start point of the wall, the following options are available:
     • Press the + (plus) key to tilt the wall about the axis.
     • Press the '-' key (minus) to move the axis within the component to the default positions; this is the same as clicking , and in the wall's Properties dialog box.

   You can also modify the component axis using shortcuts.

   The following shortcuts are available for modifying the component axis:

   • Using CTRL+^, you can tilt the wall about the axis; this is the same as clicking on the Wall Context toolbar.
   • Using CTRL+<, you can move the axis within the component to the predefined positions; this is the same as clicking , and in the wall's Properties dialog box.

   

   The following shortcuts are available for modifying the component axis:

   • Using CTRL+^, you can tilt the wall about the axis; this is the same as clicking on the Wall Context toolbar.
   • Using CTRL+<, you can move the axis within the component to the predefined positions; this is the same as clicking , and in the wall's Properties dialog box.

   In addition, the dialog line provides a convenient way of modifying the component axis using the keyboard.

   To modify the component axis in the dialog line, do the following:

   • Use the TAB key to activate Set component axis.
   • After you have placed the start point of the wall, the following options are available:
     • Press the + (plus) key to tilt the wall about the axis.
     • Press the '-' key (minus) to move the axis within the component to the default positions; this is the same as clicking , and in the wall's Properties dialog box.
5. Define the end point of the component in one of the following ways:
   • Click the end point of the element or composite element.
   • Click a point which is on the element or composite element.
     You can see the reference point; the dialog line shows the distance to this reference point. Correct the distance.
   • Click any defined point on another element.
     The system drops an imaginary perpendicular from this point to the element. The point obtained defines the end point.

     Allplan draws the wall between the starting point and end point along the outline.