Parametric Cell Studio - Perforators

By default, perforators have never created openings in walls from a vertical orientation (or other angles).  However, there is an undocumented variable (I know, I know) that does allow perforators to cut vertically: BB_PERFORATEALL.  Set this to a value of 1, restart ABD, then move the object in order to regenerate the geometry.   That should work.

Undocumented? Does that mean unsupported or just forgotten?

Thanks -  I'll give that a go.

Yes.      ;-)

Honestly, it's one that I learned about not too long ago myself.  From my brief testing it seems to do what it's supposed to, and I haven't noticed any side-effects.   However, you will need to take sense distance into consideration in *all* directions when doing this.

Previously, I only knew of a more limited version of this variable.

So If perforator anarchy takes over, you may want to try

BB_PERFORATEWALLTOP = 1

With this variable, it enables a perforator to cut from top in addition to the side

of a form/wall.

It doesn't allow a perforator to cut from end to end of a form/wall.

I am going to have to think about this to see if using all might be to much.

Sense distance is definiately going to much more important.

Good one, Tom!  I'm still struggling to remember some of these newer variables.   I would imagine BB_PERFORATEWALLTOP = 1 would be the better choice for Robert's specific case since Sense Distance would only matter vertically and not in all directions.  

The end-to-end scenario you mentioned is of course a different case and would require BB_PERFORATEALL.

It looks to me like, the cell perforator's SenseDistance property is hard coded to the placement tools SenseDistance field meaning the placement SenseDistance value overrides the cells built in cut distance.

This seems to be a unique situation, as all the other placement properties seem to be one off placement options, or are driven by the datagroup definition files.

This is unfortunate in that there is (should be) a difference between SenseDistance and CutDistance

Can the SenseDistance attribute (controlling cut depth) in the cell be disassociated from the placement SenseDistance (controlling search depth)?
Is there an alternative cell property (variable name), or
Is there a configuration variable that moves the hardcoded SenseDistance to a datagorup definition, or
Is there a way to implement a =SenseDistance vs =\SenseDistance or =SenceDistance_01, =SenseDistance_02 syntax?

I think it is either one or the other

and set with the Blind Attribute in the pc cell.

This is how to do it for a Paz Cell

Attributes Used for Openings (Perforators)

To create an element in your Parametric Cell which will cut an opening when placed in Bentley Architecture:

Create a closed Path2d element which will act as the cut path in the cell.

Rename this path2d element so that the name begins with RoughOpening. For example, RoughOpening_1

Add the three Attributes Blind, Directional, and SenseDistance.

Blind

Type:   Boolean.

Possible Values:   True or False (selected from the drop-down list box when Boolean is selected for Type)

The Blind attribute controls the the depth of the cut with respect to the Sense Distance. If the Value assigned to Blind is False, the RoughOpening Perforator will cut all the way through any forms found within the Sense Distance. If the Value of Blind is True, then the RoughOpening Perforator will only cut to the depth of Sense Distance. This option can be used to cut pockets into forms for recessed cabinets, sliding doors etc.

Directional

Type:  Integer

Possible Values:   2,  1, or  -1

The Directional attribute controls the direction of the cut from the RoughOpening path when the cell in placed in Bentley Architecture. If the Value of Directional is 2, then the cut will be 2 way, that is, it will cut in both directions perpedicular to the plane of the path. If the Value of Directional is 1, then the direction of the cut will be outward from the path. If the Value of Directional is -1, then the direction of the cut will be inwards from the path. For use in Doors and windows, the logical value of Directional will be either 2 or -1.

SenseDistance

Type:  Length

Possible Values:   any length value.

Sense Distance is the distance which Triforma will search from a perforator for elements to cut. The SenseDistance attribute contains the default value you wish to apply to the Triforma Sense Distance search. This value can be modified in the tool dialog at placement time or in the Perforators tab of the Triforma Element Info dialog when a Parametric Cell os selected.

I think it is either one or the other

and set with the Blind Attribute in the pc cell.

This is how to do it for a Paz Cell

Attributes Used for Openings (Perforators)

To create an element in your Parametric Cell which will cut an opening when placed in Bentley Architecture:

Create a closed Path2d element which will act as the cut path in the cell.

Rename this path2d element so that the name begins with RoughOpening. For example, RoughOpening_1

Add the three Attributes Blind, Directional, and SenseDistance.

Blind

Type:   Boolean.

Possible Values:   True or False (selected from the drop-down list box when Boolean is selected for Type)

The Blind attribute controls the the depth of the cut with respect to the Sense Distance. If the Value assigned to Blind is False, the RoughOpening Perforator will cut all the way through any forms found within the Sense Distance. If the Value of Blind is True, then the RoughOpening Perforator will only cut to the depth of Sense Distance. This option can be used to cut pockets into forms for recessed cabinets, sliding doors etc.

Directional

Type:  Integer

Possible Values:   2,  1, or  -1

The Directional attribute controls the direction of the cut from the RoughOpening path when the cell in placed in Bentley Architecture. If the Value of Directional is 2, then the cut will be 2 way, that is, it will cut in both directions perpedicular to the plane of the path. If the Value of Directional is 1, then the direction of the cut will be outward from the path. If the Value of Directional is -1, then the direction of the cut will be inwards from the path. For use in Doors and windows, the logical value of Directional will be either 2 or -1.

SenseDistance

Type:  Length

Possible Values:   any length value.

Sense Distance is the distance which Triforma will search from a perforator for elements to cut. The SenseDistance attribute contains the default value you wish to apply to the Triforma Sense Distance search. This value can be modified in the tool dialog at placement time or in the Perforators tab of the Triforma Element Info dialog when a Parametric Cell os selected.

Good answer Tom (?)

My only other frustration with this was the inability to define the "Length" value of sense distance using a variable that could be modified during placement. I haven't tried it in a long while but I assume that hasn't changed.

Thanks Tom, I was aware of that info. My problem is when cutting "pockets" of different depths in the same paz cell. All depths get overridden by the single value stated in the datagroup catalog....

As Dennis days being able to set this (these) depths via a variable is not possible.

How important is the datagroup information to you? If it isn't important you could try importing the cell directly (keyin TFPACELL IMPORT) and move it into place to see if it works the way you expect. It will import at the origin.

This is also good way to test cells before putting them into the DG system.

I havent tried that, but isn't the whole point to go through the datgroup system and add that metadata. Doors and Windows placement tools only accept PAZ & PCF. Otherwise I might have just stuck with compound cells and lived with the huge amount of effort rebuilding those each time I needed a variation.

One thing I have used to create a variable depth pocket is to create a variable

and use it to control the movement of the perforator off the reference plane.

Most cells I have seen use a static perforator.

However,

If you set

Blind = False

Direction = 1

It tells the perforator to cut the entire form in the outward direction only.

This way you can use the variable to control how far into the form or wall

to locate the perforator and it will remove the part of wall from the perforator

to the front of the wall.

This concept can be used in combination with a bidirection rough opening perforator.

In this sceneio, it is useful to create an opening in a wall where you want two different size openings.

For instance, a window in a brick metal stud wall.

I would use the standard bi-directional rough opening perforator to cut all the wall through the wall.

Then set up a second perforator as discribed above with the height and width

set independently of the rough opening perforator

Maybe in this case, I would have created a  variable (i.e. Masonry_Opening) to control the second

perforator height and width and set it 2" larger than the rough opening.

I then set my variable to the depth of the second perforator

to occur in the cavity between brick and metal stud wall.

The perforator will only remove the brick which is in front of the second perforator.

I now have room to place my wood trim.

HTH

Tom