ArchiCAD 7.0-created StairMaker Objects in ArchiCAD 8

Written by László Nagy

The situation: a Project created in ArchiCAD 7.0 is opened in ArchiCAD 8. The Project contains Stairs. A Marquee is drawn on the Floor Plan in such a way that it cuts a Stair Object. In case of certain Stairs, the treads of the Stair will not be generated in 3D with error message.
The cause of this is that in such cases, StairMaker has generated a 3D Model that is incorrect. There was a lot of development in AC 8. Whole portions of the code were rewritten. Sometimes the result of this is that things earlier versions did 'tolerate', AC 8 does not. This lower tolerance points toward greater safety and data integrity of the program.
Unfortunately this is one case where this greater strictness results in something like this phenomenon.

Here is a recommended workaround:
After you've drawn the Marquee that cuts the Stair, instead of going to the 3D Window, first 'Select All' within the Marquee and then go to the 3D Window. This way the treads of the stair will be displayed. Of course the whole of all selected elements will be shown in the 3D Window.
If you want to cut unnecessary portion of this 3D Model, you can go to the 3D Cutting Planes Dialog and define the cutting planes there. Then switch on the '3D Cutaway' menu item on the Image menu and there you go. With the Cutting Planes so can simulate the effect of the Marquee cut in 3D.

Page last updated: Thursday, June 10, 2004