What’s new in VisualARQ 3. Complete list

VisualARQ 3.0

Attributes

  • Restore the option to override text size in object styles
  • Option an option to define linetype scale from the style attributes
  • Support “By Material” color
  • Allow custom print widths in the section attributes panel and the attributes tab in the Styles dialog.
  • Link Section attributes with Rhino Section Styles (Rhino 8 only). (+ Info)
  • Change the term “By Parent” with “By Object” for style attributes
  • Enable Section attributes “By Layer”.

Clashes (+ Info)

  • New Clashes report panel which reports collisions and clearances between two sets of objects in your model
  • Implement hard clash tolerance setting in clash tests
  • Highlight clash issues on top of the geometry
  • Add “Zoom to Issue” option in the Clashes context dialog
  • Remove the need to press ENTER to end the “show issue” command in the Clashes panel
  • Implement a Clash Level filter
  • Add a button to Run and pause the clash analysis in the Clashes panel
  • Add “Zoom to issue” option in Clash and Clear panel items
  • Display objects in Set A and Set B in separate columns, in the Clashes panel
  • Enable text wrapping in the Clash tests styles dialog
  • Automate clash & clear pre-configurations (+ Info)

Grasshopper: Components

  • Add “Building” entity to the VisualARQ Pipeline component
  • Change the default Max Aperture % value of Door component to 50%
  • Introduce Guide components
  • Implement valid host input/output for door and window styles
  • Introduce the Handle component (for doors and windows)
  • Allow roofs and slabs as hosts for the Grasshopper-created windows and doors
  • Implement Fixed Width and Height options in the “Deconstruct Curtain Wall Fixed Dimension Cell” component.
  • Add “Fill Width” and “Fill Height” options for the “Curtain Wall Fixed Dimension Cell” component
  • Rename the “Set Property Value” component by “Set Value”, and its “Property” input
  • Rename the “Get Property Value” component by “Get Value” and its “Property” input
  • Add “Roof alignment” in Grasshopper components
  • Remove obsolete Curtain Wall Mullion and Frame components
  • Add Custom profile support for Curtain Wall Frame/Mullion components
  • Reorder inputs in the Openings Options component
  • Add “Max Aperture” property to Door and Window Options
  • Add Edge Cut value to the Roof Style Create a Decompose components
  • Define roof slopes individually from Grasshopper
  • Modify Get Level to detect the wall path curve location instead of the bounding box
  • Enable the VisualARQ Pipeline component to retrieve Block Definitions and Block Instances.
  • Make the Get Level return a list of levels
  • Reduce the number of Opening components displayed in the VisualARQ Grasshopper ribbon

Grasshopper: Styles

  • Support non-geometry output parameters (+ info)
  • Enable Wall styles from Grasshopper definitions (view tutorial)
  • Enable Curtain wall styles from Grasshopper definitions
  • Allow Input geometry for slab and roof Grasshopper styles
  • Enable upward extension for walls created from Grasshopper styles
  • Display height parameter in the style properties panel for walls created as a Grasshopper Style
  • Allow ordering of output parameters in groups
  • Detect the “height” linked parameter in walls and curtain walls created as Grasshopper styles
  • Set “Model” and “Plan” view representations as checked by default for new Grasshopper styles.
  • Enable wall joining for walls created as Grasshopper styles
  • Implement join options for walls created as Grasshopper styles
  • Enable the option to assign components to “Model” and “Plan” view simultaneously
  • Implement automatic Horizontal alignment for doors and windows created with Grasshopper styles
  • Support block definitions (retrieved by name) inside Grasshopper styles
  • Use distinct icons for Geometry, Texts and Hatch components in Grasshopper styles
  • Prevent extrusions from being converted into Breps in geometry output components for Grasshopper styles

IFC

  • Enable import and export of IFC 4 and IFC 4.3 files (the Export option is available from the 3.4 update)
  • Support for NURBS geometry in import and export of IFC files (IFC 4 and 4.3)
  • Improve the speed of opening and saving IFC files
  • Remove the “VaIfc_” prefix in properties category name when they are exported to IFC
  • Add the “By Layer” option in the IFC Tag list of types for the VisualARQ Element object

Interface

  • Add Constraints icon in the Properties panel (+ Info)
  • Rename commands in the Section Manager
  • “Filter by” option for output parameters in the Grasshopper Style Wizard
  • Change the term for “Guide rules” in the Properties panel
  • Display units for length property values
  • Show icons for the object types in the import and export styles dialogs
  • Add the Profile manager command ( _vaProfiles vaProfiles ) in the VisualARQ toolbar and Menu
  • Add Guide commands to the Menu
  • Hide block name in VisualARQ object Properties panel
  • Add Icons for total row types in the Table styles dialog
  • Group the Roof’s slope angle and area properties into one

Layout

  • Export layouts to DWG vaExportToDWG (+ Info)
  • Export multiple layouts to DWG
  • Option to export only the current layout
  • Make the vaExportToDWG command cancellable with the escape key.
  • Insert tables in Layouts

Level Manager

  • Link Rhino and VisualARQ objects to Levels
  • Add Building contours
    • Display the building boundary with a dotted linetype when selecting a building that has a boundary assigned
    • Set the Building Boundary as a rectangle directly on the model
    • Extract building boundary
    • Allow the contour of a building to be removed
    • Save Building contour to the document
    • Add “Set building boundary” in the contextual menu
  • Allow buildings to be isolated
  • Allow buildings to be hidden
  • Allow levels to be freely hidden
  • Add an option to isolate levels
  • Create Sub-Levels
  • Synchronize level states in all viewports
  • Add Level states dialog
  • Add new dialog to create multiple levels on a building
  • Ask for confirmation before deleting a building
  • Improve the performance when working with different buildings with boundaries
  • The isolate level action should change the CPlane to the isolated level
  • Update CPlane position when changing a level’s elevation
  • Detect numbers in level name patterna when creating multiple levels
  • Show Level elevation reference marks for only one Building in Elevation views
  • Add Tooltips in the Level Manager
  • Modify the text for deleting a building from the contextual menu
  • New Icons for the floor/ceiling plan view options in the Level manager
  • Detect level and floor types when inserting 2D plan views from the level manager
  • “Set Plan View to Viewport” should adjust the view zoom to the building boundary
  • Make “Sync Levels” and “Toggle Level’s elevation” buttons always active
  • Organize RCP commands in the Level Manager toolbar
  • Disable the “Isolate” option when the building has no boundary
  • Set “3 meters” as the default height between levels in the Multiple Level creation dialog.
  • Switch between Building Elevation and Document 0 Elevation in viewport elevation marks
  • Display Level Elevation relative to the Z Document origin
  • Enable multiple level selection in the Level Manager
  • Show tooltips for the Plan View Reference icon
  • Allow duplication of Buildings and Levels
  • Prevent a Construction Plane from being on a hidden level

Object

  • New _vaAddInterferences vaAddInterferences command command to create Boolean interferences between objects, or subtract one VisualARQ object from another (+ Info)
  • New criteria to define the intersection order between different objects (walls, slabs, and roofs). (+ Info)
  • Order new sizes alphabetically in the Styles dialog for beams, columns, doors, and windows
  • Cleanup intersection edges between elements with the same section styles (affecting intersections between walls, slabs and roofs, and interference objects created with _vaAddInterferences command)
  • Allow extraction of individually subtracted or added solids (+ Info).

Object: Beam

  • Calculate the intersection between beams and walls, slabs, and roofs. (+ Info)

Object: Column

  • New _vaColumnExtend vaColumnExtend command command to Extrude / extend columns (and their coating component) to surfaces

Object: Door

  • New “Garage” door style in VisualARQ templates (created as a Grasshopper Style)

Object: Curtain Wall

  • Calculate curtain wall joints (when their path curve start/end points are coincident)
  • New command to create curtain walls from surfaces vaCurtainWallFromSurface command (+ info)
  • Support custom profiles for Mullion and Frame components
  • Adjust division count in extended curtain walls
  • Move “Rotation” parameter to the profile tabs
  • Rename one of the two “length” properties
  • Add “Elevation” property to Curtain walls
  • Change the default curtain wall height to “by style”
  • Add “Fill Width” and “Fill Height” options to “Fixed-size grid” cells.
  • Rename curtain wall “Gap” properties to “Margin”
  • Rotate Curtain walls using the gumball or Rotate commands

Object: Element

  • New Styles for the Element object in VisualARQ templates (created as Grasshopper Styles)
    • Kitchen Sink
    • Sink Cabinet 2 Modules
    • Sink Cabinet Simple
    • Sink Wall Mount
    • Stove Burner
    • WC Cistern

Object: Furniture

  • New Styles for the Furniture object in VisualARQ templates (created as Grasshopper Styles)
    • Kitchen Cabinet 1 Leaf
    • Kitchen Cabinet Drawer and Leaves
    • Kitchen Cabinet Drawers
    • Kitchen Cabinet Multiple Leaves
    • Kitchen Cabinet Shelves
    • Shelving System
    • Sofa Chaise Longue
    • Sofa Corner
    • Stool Circular
    • Stool Rectangular
    • Table – Circular
    • Table – Rectangular
    • Wall Cabinet
    • Wardrobe with Drawers
  • Enhanced existing styles for the Furniture object in VisualARQ templates (created as Grasshopper Styles)
    • Bed – Double
    • Bed – Single
    • Cabinet
    • Sofa
    • Table
    • Wardrobe

Object: Guide (+ Info)

  • Structural guides
  • Link Rhino objects to Guides
  • New _vaGuideGrid vaGuideGrid command command (+ Info)
  • Create guides from curves (+ Info)
  • Manage guides through styles (+ Info)
  • Stretch dimensions when moving guides
  • Draw guides only in Perspective or Top viewports on the XY plane
  • Ensure guides link with both wall edges
  • Add an option to prevent objects from linking to guides
  • Choose which objects by type can be altered by a guide style
  • Assign default Top and Bottom elevation values to guides
  • _vaSelGuide vaSelGuide icon command (+ Info)
  • Add control points to modify top and bottom elevation
  • Display guide plane only when selected
  • Automatic naming control for guides

Object: Opening Elevation

  • Show the handle component in opening elevations

Object: Openings

  • Add Handle / Knob component for doors and windows
  • Determine openings leaf width by fixed size or percentage
  • Set “Auto” as the default value for leaf sizes
  • Control which object type support door and window styles
  • Allow openings to be unliked from walls (by defining the object host)
  • Option to control the Leaf Alignment in relation to the Frame component

Object: Plan view

  • Implement RCPs in 2D plan views (Reflected ceiling plan)
  • Sort levels by elevation in the “Level” property of plan views
  • Draw texts as texts and not as curves in 2D plan views

Object: Railing

  • Make the _vaFlip vaFlip command command work on railings

Object: Roof

  • Add control points for roofs created from surfaces
  • Move the roof “Alignment” property to the “Location” category or tab
  • “All Slopes” property is not working when a roof is created from a surface
  • Roof from surfaces do not show the slab’s layer structure
  • Roof alignment
  • Add “Slab Areas” property to roofs
  • Improve the creation of new roof styles

Object: Section

  • Create Sections with the “Clippable” option unchecked by default
  • Move the “End Text” setting in section styles
  • Change term “Length” by “Depth” in section lines
  • Ensure section arrows are oriented in the same direction
  • Option to hide the apostrophe symbol in Section reference text
  • Identify a section in the model by selecting it in the Section Manager
  • Identify a section in Section Manager by selecting it in the model
  • Add an option to show mirrored section arrow symbols
  • Allow ordering the section list in the Section Manager

Object: Slab

  • Enable slab joining (+ Info)
  • Add a Slab layer type (“Normal” or “Core”)
  • Enable slabs to join with beams and stairs (with the _vaAddInterferences vaAddInterferences command command)
  • Calculate the intersections between walls and slabs automatically (+ Info)

Object: Space

  • Link spaces to levels (using the Constraints feature in the Level Manager)
  • Option to exclude space boundaries from printing.
  • Option to hide the space representation in 3D views
  • Allow rotating space labels
  • Change the alignment of text inside space tags

Object: Stair

  • Join stair slab with walls and slabs (with the _vaAddInterferences vaAddInterferences command command)
  • Edit the number of the first stair step

Table Report panel

  • Quantity take-offs in a dynamic report panel (+ Info)
    • Display tables in a Rhino’s dock view’s report list
    • Identify elements in the table by selecting them in the model
    • Identify elements in the model by clicking them in a data table
    • Enable bidirectional tables: edit table items by clicking
  • Add option to make tables always dynamic (so new objects are listed automatically)
  • Add objects to tables, after their creation
  • Remove objects from the table row or by selecting them in the model
  • Add total amounts at the ends of table fields
  • Table filters:
    • Filter objects (openings, spaces, walls, polysurfaces, etc) by Level and Building
    • Filter objects by object styles
    • Filter objects by Layer
    • Provide visual feedback when filters are applied to a table
  • Update VisualARQ 2 tables to VisualARQ 3 tables
  • Add an option in table styles to activate/deactivate total row calculations
  • Add a checkbox to define whether a table is dynamic or not.
  • Access table object or style properties from the layout
  • Redefine the “Quantity” property field in table styles
  • Option to switch between dots and commas as decimal separators (defined by the Rhino Annotation Style settings)
  • Table styles shortcut icon in the Table panel toolbar
  • Add a shortcut icon for table styles in the Table Panel toolbar
  • Ensure proper numerical ordering in tables
  • Display a table preview in the table styles dialog
  • Add an “Apply” option in table styles when modifying field names or grouping options
  • Add an option to display the border in “Total” cells
  • Export numeric values in tables in number format
  • Exclude total calculations for the openings’ “Elevation” property field values in tables
  • Add the option to remove unit symbols when exporting tables
  • Sort tables by the “Quantity” field
  • Display units in tables next to values
  • Automatically assign a name to the chosen property in the new table style wizard.

Object: Tag

  • Manage Tag information by style (+ Info)
  • Define the insertion point when creating a tag (+ Info)
  • Display a tag preview in the tag styles dialog
  • Allow text formatting in tags
  • Provide new tag styles for different object properties in VisualARQ templates

Object: Window

  • Allow inserting windows into slabs.
  • Allow inserting windows into roofs.
  • Allow windows to be rotated in 3D
  • Create windows from not-vertical curves
  • Modify window leaf sizes (%-based, unit-based, or equitatively) in the Window Style and the Window Style Wizard
  • Automatically update leaf sizes (%) in window styles

Performance

  • Major performance improvements when activating sections
  • Major performance improvements when activating levels
  • Improve performance when moving or deleting slabs
  • Improve file saving performance

Profile

  • Profile manager. Edit custom profiles. (+ Info)
  • Specify the insert point when extracting a custom profile curve
  • Extract custom profile curves
  • Rename “Profiles Table” to “Profiles”
  • Hide system profiles in the Profile Manager
  • Categorize profiles by the object type they are created for
  • Allow deletion of unused custom profiles

Reflected Ceiling Plans

  • Support real-time RCP views (+ Info)
  • Indicate in the viewport name when the displayed level is an RCP
  • Ignore overhead object representation in RCP views
  • Create RCP as 2D dynamic blocks with the _vaPlanView vaPlanView commandcommand (+ Info)

Template

  • Tables in mm template are too small
  • Added new styles for the Furniture object (Kitchen cabinets, Shelving System, Circular and Round table, Stools, Sofas, Wardrobes…)
  • Added new styles for the Element object (Sink cabinets, Kitchen sink, Stove burner, WC Cistern…)
  • Added a new style for a Garage door
  • New sizes for the Rectangular and Circular beam and column styles
  • Added new tag styles

Toolbar – Menu:

  • Changes in the VisualARQ long toolbar
  • Add _vaSelGuide vaSelGuide icon in the Select Toolbar
  • Replace the icon for Wall From Solid command
  • Add the vaCurtainWallFromSurface vaCurtainWallFromSurface command command to the curtain wall toolbar
  • Add the _vaExportToDWG vaExportToDWG command icon command in the toolbar and menu
  • Display “Column unextend” command in the toolbar
  • Show _vaSelSameType vaSelSameType command icon and the _vaSelSameStyle vaSelSameStyle command icon commands in the toolbar and menu
  • Guide toolbar
  • Add _vaProfiles vaProfiles command icon command in the right click of the vaProfileFromCurve icon
  • Add Clash and Clear icons in the toolbar
  • Install toolbars on all computer users
  • Add vaCurtainWallExtend command in the menu
  • Add the Wall Extract Path command in the Menu and wall context menu

Zoo

  • Include a dll necessary to add a VisualARQ license to the Zoo

VisualARQ 3 Updates

The list of improvements, changes, and fixed errors in VisualARQ 3 updates are published on the VisualARQ Forum: