Allplan 2013-1

New Features in Allplan 2013-1

This documentation has been produced with the utmost care.
Nemetschek Allplan Systems GmbH and the program authors have
no liability to the purchaser or any other entity, with respect to any
liability, loss, or damage caused, directly or indirectly by this
software, including but not limited to, any interruptions of service,
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Information in this documentation is subject to change without
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unless otherwise noted. No part of this documentation may be
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mechanical, for any purpose, without the express written permission
of Nemetschek Allplan Systems GmbH.
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Parts of this product were developed using LEADTOOLS, (c) LEAD
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Apache Software Foundation'.
fyiReporting Software LLC developed parts of this product using the
fyiReporting library, which is released for use with the Apache
Software license, version 2.
Allplan update packages are created using 7-Zip, (c) Igor Pavlov.
All other (registered) trademarks are the property of their respective
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© Nemetschek Allplan Systems GmbH, Munich. All rights reserved.
1st edition, March 2013
Document no. 131eng01m01-1-TD0313
Neues in Allplan 2013-1 Contents i

Contents
Welcome ......................................................................................... 1

General ............................................................................................ 3
"Allplan on Mac 2013-1" installation guide................................................. 3
Recent projects can be accessed more quickly ............................................ 4
Updating project attributes ..................................................................................... 4
Help available in online mode .......................................................................... 5
Options, mouse and crosshairs ......................................................................... 7
Improvements to the building structure ....................................................... 8
Modifying the layer status ................................................................................. 9
Advanced symbol catalogs .............................................................................. 11
Creating and selecting wizards ...................................................................... 12
Specifying path for wizards ...................................................................................12
The new "Save and Show Copy as a Wizard..." tool........................................12
Saving and loading the current toolbar arrangement ........................... 13
Importing configuration settings as UBX files ......................................... 14
New patterns for pattern lines ...................................................................... 15
Larger selection list for style areas ............................................................... 16
Changes in names .............................................................................................. 17
Tools palette, separator can be moved ....................................................... 17
Icons in the Detailing module ........................................................................ 18
Options, desktop environment - display sequence ................................. 19
ii Contents Allplan 2013-1

Basic .............................................................................................. 21
Outline auto-detection and holes ................................................................ 21
Trimming without preview.............................................................................. 22
Construction lines .............................................................................................. 22
Group numbers for construction lines............................................................... 23
Advanced measuring tools .............................................................................. 24
Placing measured values in the document....................................................... 24
Setting decimal places ............................................................................................ 25
DTM measurements ................................................................................................. 27
Measuring coordinates ........................................................................................... 27
Editing element groups without ungrouping them................................ 28
Selecting congruent elements ....................................................................... 29
Saving and loading filter settings................................................................. 30
Exchange favorites for importing survey data ......................................... 30
Labeling 3D objects ........................................................................................... 32
Sketchup interface ............................................................................................ 32
IFC interface ........................................................................................................ 33
Advanced IFC base quantities............................................................................... 33
IFC object type for each Allplan element ......................................................... 34
ODX interface, preview .................................................................................... 35

Plot Layout ................................................................................... 37

Options, layouts and plotting ........................................................................ 37
Replacing the output device in layouts ...................................................... 41
Selecting layouts - preview of layout ......................................................... 43
Plotting layouts - output ................................................................................ 44
Exporting PDF data - using plot profile ..................................................... 45
Improved PDF export of layouts with fills ................................................. 46
Layout structure - show all layouts ............................................................. 47
Creating layout windows................................................................................. 48
Neues in Allplan 2013-1 Contents iii

Modifying layout windows ............................................................................. 48

Changing the size of layout windows ................................................................49
Layout windows - changing the scale ......................................................... 49
Allplan Exchange ................................................................................................ 51

Bonus Tools .................................................................................. 53

Filter for selecting object attributes ............................................................ 53
Improved shortcut menu for smart symbols ............................................. 54
New features for SmartParts.......................................................................... 55
Same units as in Allplan .........................................................................................55
Point snap and handles ...........................................................................................55
Revised "Table with Chairs" SmartPart ...............................................................56
New features in the SmartPart Editor ................................................................56

Architecture ................................................................................. 57
Hatching in component direction ................................................................ 57
Elevation point .................................................................................................... 58
Merging surface elements ............................................................................... 58
Dimensioning walls............................................................................................ 59
Deleting sections of linear components ..................................................... 60
Smart window and door symbols ................................................................. 61
Uniform colors and surfaces of elements ..........................................................61
Setting for plan view taken from document ....................................................62
Direction of swing, door leaf preset to 'inside' ................................................63
Converting rooms to 2D polylines ................................................................ 63
Improved assignment of surface elements ................................................ 64
Groups of rooms and stories .......................................................................... 65
Modifying groups of rooms ...................................................................................65
Labeling groups of rooms and stories later ......................................................66
Grouping rooms and stories without the selection dialog box ..................67
iv Contents Allplan 2013-1

Straight ramp and spiral ramp ...................................................................... 68

Stair wizard for modifications ....................................................................... 69
Section surfaces of stair components ......................................................... 70
New features for reports, selection .............................................................. 72

Terrain ........................................................................................... 73
Bruns master articles ........................................................................................ 73
Input options for dividing and stationing elements............................... 74

Presentation ................................................................................ 77
New features for the global illumination rendering method .............. 77
Same materials for ray tracing and global illumination .............................. 77
Environment mapping ............................................................................................ 79
Accelerated renderings ........................................................................................... 79
Hidden line images without environment mapping ............................... 80
Zooming in on animation windows ............................................................. 80

Engineering .................................................................................. 81
Mesh cutting diagram ...................................................................................... 81
Options, reinforcement - new standards ................................................... 82
Cross-section catalogs and default settings ............................................. 84
Collision check for HVAC objects .................................................................. 85
Layer and bending marking ............................................................................ 86

Associative Views ....................................................................... 87

Displaying intersected areas that are hidden ........................................... 87
Conversion to 2D................................................................................................ 90

Index .............................................................................................. 91
Neues in Allplan 2013-1 Welcome 1

Welcome
Allplan 2013-1 is now available!
Dear Allplan Customers,
Again, we were able to put a great number of your ideas into
practice, making Allplan 2013-1 even easier to use and more
efficient. You will be able to accomplish your daily tasks in no time
at all!
See for yourself!
You can find new features and improvements in the following
areas in Allplan:
• Productivity
Island detection with outline auto-detect
Editing element groups without ungrouping
Uniform surfaces for animation, ray tracing and GI renderer
• Rooms & room groups
Improved colorizing and labeling of room groups
Converting rooms to polylines for exporting data
• Components
Straight ramp and spiral ramp based on SmartPart technology
Simplified process of assigning colors and surfaces for smart
window and door symbols
Style areas for stairs
• Plotting, layouts
Polygonal layout windows can be modified directly
New option for Allplan default plotter
• Engineering
More international standards
New display options for hidden areas in associative views and
sections
You can find details about these new features and many more
improvements to Allplan 2013_1 on the pages that follow. We wish
you much fun and every success with Allplan 2013-1!
Nemetschek Allplan Systems GmbH
2 Allplan 2013-1
Neues in Allplan 2013-1 General 3

General
"Allplan on Mac 2013-1" installation guide
Allplan 2013-1 is running on Mac OS X 10.8 and Parallels Desktop
8 for Mac.
You can download an installation guide from Allplan Connect.
Installing "Allplan on Mac" requires the following software
components:
• Allplan on Mac Setup
• Windows 7 Professional 64-bit license DVD
• A license for Parallels Desktop 8 (you can request a trial license
for Parallels Desktop while installing)
• Allplan 2013-1 64-bit (DVD or download)

Hardware requirements
• MacBook Pro or iMac
• Intel Core i5 or i7 Processor
• 4 GB RAM
• 20 GB free hard disk space
• AMD or Nvidia graphics card

Software requirements
• Mac OS X 10.8
• Parallels Desktop 8 for Mac
• Windows 7 64-bit Service Pack 1
4 Recent projects can be accessed more quickly Allplan 2013-1

Recent projects can be accessed more

quickly
Now you can find the Recent Projects tool directly under New
Project, Open Project on the File menu.
Similarly, Recent Documents is now directly under Open.

Updating project attributes

The project attributes are updated the first time you open a project
from an earlier version. Consequently, all attributes are available in
the project.
Neues in Allplan 2013-1 General 5

Help available in online mode

Now the Allplan help is also available online. This ensures that you
can always access the latest help version. The user interface of the
help was adjusted to that of Allplan.

Help icons
The following icons help you use and navigate the Allplan help:

Icon Description

Takes you back to the welcome page.

Help you navigate between the most recent help

topics.

Creates an email with a link to the current help

topic.

Creates an email you can send to the

Nemetschek documentation team.
Prints the current help topic.

Searches for the term you enter in the box.

Shows or hides the table of contents. When it is

hidden, you can show it temporarily by clicking
within the bar on the left.
Expands or collapses the entire table of
contents.
Indicates which help type you are currently
using (online help or local help). Click this
button to switch to the other type.
6 Help available in online mode Allplan 2013-1

Online help and local help

The help for Allplan is available in online mode and in a local help
file. The online help is active by default. This way, you always have
access to the latest help version. But of course you can switch to the
local help version at any time. All you need to do is click the Online
help button at bottom right in the Allplan help window. The text in
the button changes to local help. The next time you open the help,
the version you used last is displayed automatically.
Note: The online help uses Google Analytics to collect statistics of
the help topics you select. Please refer to data protection
(http://help.allplan-connect.com/Allplan/2013-1/1031/Privacy.htm)
for details.
Neues in Allplan 2013-1 General 7

Options, mouse and crosshairs

You can find some new features in the Options on the Mouse
and Crosshairs page. You can specify whether the crosshairs and the
cursor are displayed or not when a tool is active or not. One of the
two options must be selected.
The default setting is the crosshairs.
So that you can immediately see whether a tool is active or not, you
can combine the options as follows:
Representation when no tool is active - crosshairs and cursor
Representation when a tool is active - crosshairs

If both Crosshairs and Cursor are selected, the cursor is displayed in

addition to the crosshairs.
8 Improvements to the building structure Allplan 2013-1

Improvements to the building structure

Finding entries in the building structure and in the objects
derived
There used to be only one tool for finding entries in the building
structure. The area that was scanned varied depending on the current
position of the cursor.
Now two separate search tools are available - one for the building
structure and one for the objects derived. As a result, the current
position of the cursor is irrelevant.

Activating source drawing files

In earlier versions you could only activate the source drawing files
or reference drawing files in conjunction with reports. Now this
option is also available for Views and Sections.
Neues in Allplan 2013-1 General 9

Selecting drawing files in the building structure

The program saves the current state of the structural levels (collapsed
or expanded) when you select drawing files in the building structure.
The next time you open the building structure, this state is restored.

Modifying the layer status

The tools in the Modify Layer Status dialog box can now be
used individually and independently of the dialog box and can be
integrated into any toolbar. Now you can find these tools in two
places on the View menu - Toolbars - Customize... - Customize tab:
• The Special category contains the tools that have an effect on all
layers.
10 Modifying the layer status Allplan 2013-1

• The Additional tools with icons category contains the tools that
have an effect on the layers of individual elements.

Special toolbar
The Special toolbar includes the Modify Layer Status tools that
have an effect on all layers.

The other Modify Layer Status tools, which have an effect on

the layers of individual elements, should still be selected on the
shortcut menu so that the element to be changed is selected
autocratically.
Neues in Allplan 2013-1 General 11

Advanced symbol catalogs

The 'Architecture 3D' and 'Child-friendly building' symbol catalogs
have been expanded.
• Now you can find the latest types of computers in the 3D
Architecture symbol catalog, subfolder 11 Computer.

• The Child-friendly building symbol catalog provides some new

files:
- 7 Education 2D including educational furniture

- 8 Playground 2D including playground equipment

12 Creating and selecting wizards Allplan 2013-1

Creating and selecting wizards

Specifying path for wizards
Now you can specify a default path for wizards by clicking the Path
settings button in the Options - Desktop environment. The
default setting is Private, that is the Assistent folder in the
private path. This is usually the
...\Users\Windows_user_name\Documents\Nemetschek\A
llplan\2013\Usr\Local\Assistent folder.

The new "Save and Show Copy as a Wizard..." tool

You can use the Save and Show Copy as a Wizard... tool (File
menu) to create wizards from drawing files and documents in a
single step.
The program suggests saving the new wizard in the folder specified
for the Path settings in the Options - Desktop environment. You
can change this folder at any time. By default, the name of the
document is used for the name of the new wizard, which you can
also change.
After this, you specify the wizard group for the new wizard. To make
sure that the office standard does not change, you can configure the
program to automatically create a new wizard group in the private
path or you can select an existing wizard group. After you have
clicked OK, the new wizard is opened in the Wizards palette.

Wizards you create for practice and testing should always be saved
in the private path. If you are satisfied with the result, you can move
or copy the wizard to an existing group in the office standard.
Neues in Allplan 2013-1 General 13

Saving and loading the current toolbar

arrangement
When you reduce the Allplan application window, the position of
the toolbars may change. When you enlarge the window again, the
toolbars stay at the new position.
Allplan 2013-1 introduces the Save Toolbar Arrangement as "My
Favorite" and Load "My Favorite" Toolbar Arrangement tools,
which you can select on the View menu, Toolbars submenu.
Alternatively, you can use shortcut keys.
You can save the toolbar arrangement quickly and easily by pressing
CTRL+F12 and load it at any time using SHIFT+CTRL+F12.

Note: You can still use Customize... to save and load configuration
files (*.UBX). The "My Favorite" toolbar arrangement can only be
accessed using the tools on the View menu or the shortcut keys.

Float all toolbars

Now you can find the Float All Toolbars tool on the View menu,
Toolbars submenu instead of the Default Configurations submenu.
14 Importing configuration settings as UBX files Allplan 2013-1

Importing configuration settings as UBX

files
Although users often prefer their own shortcuts, they do not want to
do without a colleague's configuration that has proven to be useful
for daily work. Or vice versa: you want to use a colleague's shortcuts
without changing your own configuration of the user interface.
Drawing this distinction was not possible in earlier versions.
When importing configuration settings as UBX files, you can now
decide whether you want to import the User interface configuration
and/or the Shortcuts.
Neues in Allplan 2013-1 General 15

New patterns for pattern lines

Allplan provides a number of new patterns, which were specially
developed for pattern lines used in landscape architecture.
You can find the new patterns in the $ETC folder. After you have
updated to Allplan 2013-1, the new patterns have the numbers 287
to 299 and 484 to 509.
16 Larger selection list for style areas Allplan 2013-1

Larger selection list for style areas

In response to repeated requests from our customers, a large number
of dialog boxes now provides a larger selection list for style areas
for a better overview.
Neues in Allplan 2013-1 General 17

Changes in names
This section gives you an overview of the most important tools with
new names.

Animation: Set Up Lights is now called Light Settings.

Hotline Tools: NVWupd is now called remotesrv - Nemetschek
Remote Maintenance.

Tools palette, separator can be moved

The Create and Change areas divided the Tools palette into two fixed
parts. When a module contained a lot of tools for creating elements,
you had to use the slide bar to scroll down although there was still
enough space in the Change area at the bottom.
Now you can move the line separating the Create and Change areas
to adjust these areas to the number of tools provided. The new
arrangement is saved and also applies to other modules.
18 Icons in the Detailing module Allplan 2013-1

Icons in the Detailing module

The Detailing window provides revised icons, which are more
meaningful.

Create menu
Icon Function

Open Window (Based on Diagonal

Points)
Open Window (Based on Center)

Window Then Region

Modify menu
Icon Function

Move Window

Move Region

Resize Detailing Window

Delete Window

Detail Display Mode

Neues in Allplan 2013-1 General 19

Options, desktop environment - display

sequence
Using the Options, Desktop environment page, you can specify
the Display sequence for new elements. When you changed the
value for Normal design entities (line, circle, ...), this new value was
entered and selected automatically for the Sequence property when
you opened the Modify Format Properties tool.
Now the value for the Sequence is set to 0 and the Sequence
property is not preselected when you open the Modify Format
Properties tool.
20 Allplan 2013-1
Neues in Allplan 2013-1 Basic 21

Basic
Outline auto-detection and holes
When you used Outline auto-detect, you had to select Multi
and then Plus or Minus to define areas with holes.

Now you can get around this by using Island detection. This
feature automatically detects closed outlines ("islands") within an
area.

To fill a single area, select Single, Outline auto-detect and

Island detection and then click inside the area - that's all!

Note: Island detection is not available for entering area

reinforcement, rafters, beams or rafter-supporting purlins.
22 Trimming without preview Allplan 2013-1

Trimming without preview

Construction lines indicated all possible options provided by the
Intersect 2 Entities tool in conjunction with the Trimming
option, and you had to click the option you wanted to use.
Now you do not have to do this anymore: when it comes to
specifying the elements to be intersected, just click the side you want
to retain; the other side is deleted.

Construction lines
You can create and display construction lines in Allplan as follows:

• Use Construction Line on/off to choose whether to draw

elements as construction lines.

• Use Show/Hide to globally show or hide elements drawn as

construction lines.

Construction Line on/off was locked if construction lines were

hidden in Show/Hide. In response to repeated requests, you can
now switch on construction lines whenever you create elements
because Allplan automatically selects the corresponding option in
Show/Hide after having issued a message.
Neues in Allplan 2013-1 Basic 23

Group numbers for construction lines

When you convert construction lines (group number 0) to 2D entities
using Modify Format Properties, the element must be assigned
to a new entity group.
In earlier versions, the Modify Format Properties dialog box
displayed the most recent group number and the converted element
was added to this entity group. Now the dialog box displays the next
available group number and the converted element is given a new
entity group.
24 Advanced measuring tools Allplan 2013-1

Advanced measuring tools

The Measure tool provides a number of advanced options.

Placing measured values in the document

Now you can find Place measured values as paragraph text in
document next to Copy single value to clipboard (by clicking)
in the Measured values dialog box. Consequently, you no longer
need to decide in advance whether you want to place the
measurement result in the drawing file.

This applies to all measuring tools, such as Measure Length or

Measure Coordinates. A positive side effect is the more compact
form of the Measure dialog box. In addition, the text is displayed
more clearly. Additional values are returned for specific elements,
such as ellipses.

Allplan uses the text parameters you selected last for a text tool,
such as Horizontal Text, and places the measured values with
their descriptions as paragraph text.
Neues in Allplan 2013-1 Basic 25

Selecting measuring tools individually

Although it is no longer new, the following feature for Measure
is worth mentioning: in addition to the Measure Length and
Measure Coordinates tools, which are integrated in the Default
toolbar, you can add more measuring tools to this toolbar.
On the Tools menu, select Customize..., open the Customize tab and
scroll down to the Additional tools with icons category. Here you
can find the Measure Area, Measure Angle and Measure
Volume tools.

Setting decimal places

You can use Set precision to specify the number of decimal
places (1 to 9) for the values displayed. The values are rounded off
accordingly.
26 Advanced measuring tools Allplan 2013-1

Note: Set precision applies to the unit currently set in the

Options - Desktop environment or in the status bar. The decimal
places are set and saved separately for each Unit.
Note: The precision of values measured in inches/feet depends on the
setting for 'Precision for entries in inches/feet' in the Options -
Desktop environment.

Measurements in inches, feet

When you measure values in inches or feet, the precision you specify
only applies to the angle and inclination. Lengths and coordinates
are always displayed in accordance with the setting for Precision for
entries in inches/feet in the Options - Desktop environment.
Neues in Allplan 2013-1 Basic 27

DTM measurements
The measurement results of DTM values are no longer displayed in
the dialog line. Now you can also find them in the Measured values
dialog box.

Measuring coordinates
If a project contains fixed Offset coordinates, the Measure
Coordinates tool also returns the coordinate values without offset
values.
28 Editing element groups without ungrouping them Allplan 2013-1

Editing element groups without ungrouping

them
Before you could edit element groups, you had to ungroup them first
and create them again afterwards. Now the element group is retained
while you are editing it.
The following new options are available:
• To edit elements in a group, click the relevant element group with
the right mouse button, and, on the shortcut menu, select Open
element group. For example, you can modify the format
properties or move, resize or delete elements. A separate tool is
provided for adding elements to the group.
• When you have finished editing the element group, click it with
the right mouse button again, and this time select Close element
group on the shortcut menu. When you switch to a different
drawing file using Open on a Project-Specific Basis or click
Save, open element groups are closed automatically.

• Using Expand Element Group (shortcut menu and Advanced

Draft module), you can add elements to an existing element
group without ungrouping it.
Neues in Allplan 2013-1 Basic 29

Selecting congruent elements

When you select an edit tool and click congruent elements, these
elements are blinking and you must use the TAB key to get from
element to element until you reach the desired element.

Requirement: the Selection Option for Ambiguous Elements

on/off (Filter Assistant) is switched on.
Selecting congruent elements is much easier now: when you come
across congruent elements, the elements found are displayed in a list.
The element selected in the list is blinking in the foreground.
Pointing to a line displays a ToolTip with additional information on
the element. The details displayed depend on the settings for Element
info in the Options - Desktop environment - Selection - Element
info.
Double-click the element you want to use.
30 Saving and loading filter settings Allplan 2013-1

Saving and loading filter settings

In earlier versions, filter settings could only be used once and were
lost after you had applied them. Using the new Most Recent
Filters tool on the Filter Assistant toolbar, you can now retrieve and
use filter settings repeatedly.

Allplan automatically saves up to 30 filter settings. The setting you

selected last is the first in the list.

Exchange favorites for importing survey

data
Survey data and cadastral drawings often form the basis for
construction projects. However, this data is usually not available in
Allplan format but in DWG or DXF format.
Normally, survey data and cadastral drawings are based on the
Gauss-Krüger or UTM coordinate system and contain elements
whose X and Y values are specified as country coordinates. These
values usually consist of six digits, which means that the data is
more than 100,000 m from the actual origin in Allplan. This can lead
to undesirable effects and restrictions.
You can choose between two import settings depending on whether
the coordinate values are binding (for example, in urban planning
and landscaping) or whether it is only the geometry that is of
relevance.
The Import site plan with offset and Import site plan with
displacement exchange favorites are available for importing survey
data. Using these exchange favorites, you can quickly import this
data into Allplan without having to determine the "correct" default
Neues in Allplan 2013-1 Basic 31

settings yourself. The Import site plan with offset exchange favorite
retains the original coordinates.

If necessary, you can define further settings in addition to the

defaults saved in the favorite. This unselects the exchange favorite
you selected beforehand. However, its default settings still apply with
the exception of the changes you made.

Note: The Import site plan with offset and Import site plan with
displacement exchange favorites can only be used for importing
data with large coordinates. The data must be at least 5,000 m from
the origin. Otherwise, the Adjust center of gravity to option is not
available. The values are read from the file as soon as you select it.
This way, you can check the values before you import the file.

Detailed information on the exchange favorites 16 and 17 can be

found in Allplan's online help. See the section "Overview of
exchange favorites".
32 Labeling 3D objects Allplan 2013-1

Labeling 3D objects
It was not possible to completely analyze the dimensions of 3D
objects using attributes in label styles - in particular, the height was
not included. As an alternative, you could convert the 3D objects to
user-defined architectural elements. With this method, however, you
could no longer merge or intersect these objects using Boolean
operations.
Now the height of 3D objects is included when you use the Height
and Absolute_height attributes in label styles.

Sketchup interface
Since Allplan 2013-0-1 the Sketchup interface has also been
available for 64-bit installations of Allplan. It is no longer limited to
32-bit installations.

Note: To apply these improvements, you need to install the complete

package as an update, upgrade or as a new installation. Allplan
2013-1 is only available as a complete installation package.
Neues in Allplan 2013-1 Basic 33

IFC interface
Advanced IFC base quantities
Base Quantities are dimensions and values that are taken from the
geometry of the model and that can be transferred to exchange
partners. So that you can transfer multi-layer walls from Allplan
using the IFC interface, a number of newly defined base quantities
are available.
You can transfer the following base quantities:

IFC class Attribute Explanation

IfcWallStandardCase Width The thickness of the

(= multi-layer wall of entire wall or of an
constant width) individual layer

Length Length of the center

line of the wall
GrossSideArea Gross area of wall
returned by a
longitudinal section of
the center axis,
without subtracting
openings
NetSideArea Net area of wall
returned by a
longitudinal section of
the center axis, with
(interior) openings
being subtracted
GrossVolume GrossSideArea x width
NetVolume NetSideArea x width
Height Wall height (walls of
constant height only)
GrossFootprintArea Length x width
(of the wall or of
individual layers)
34 IFC interface Allplan 2013-1

IfcOpeningElement Depth Matches the thickness

(= opening of rectangular of the element to
outline) which the opening
belongs
Height Approximate value of
the opening height
Width Approximate value of
the opening width

IfcOpeningElement Depth Matches the thickness

(= opening as a freeform of the element to
area of constant thickness) which the opening
belongs
Area Matches the area of
the opening

IfcOpeningElement Volume Matches the volume of

(= opening as a freeform the opening
area of variable thickness)

IFC object type for each Allplan element

Now you can export any Allplan element as any IFC element. All
you need to do is assign the corresponding IFCElementType attribute.
Neues in Allplan 2013-1 Basic 35

ODX interface, preview

When it comes to selecting the file to be imported using the ODX
interface, you can click the Preview button to open a window in
which you can check the file contents before even importing the file.
In earlier versions, the size of this window was fixed and could not
be changed. Now you can enlarge or reduce it as you need. You can
even use the mouse wheel for zooming.
36 Allplan 2013-1
Neues in Allplan 2013-1 Plot Layout 37

Plot Layout
Options, layouts and plotting
You can find two new features in the Options, Layouts and
plotting page:
• When setting up page - adjust device
• Allplan default plotter (large-format printer)
With the When setting up page - adjust device option being
selected, the paper format of the device is adjusted automatically
when you define the format and/or orientation of the layout using
the Set Up Page tool or the button in the Output tab of the
Plot Layouts tool.
Allplan tries to select as identical a paper format as possible. If a
suitable format is not available, the existing format of the output
device is retained.
38 Options, layouts and plotting Allplan 2013-1
Neues in Allplan 2013-1 Plot Layout 39

Open the list box of the Allplan default plotter (large-format

printer) option to select an Allplan default plotter from the list of
available printers and plotters. This plotter is automatically assigned
to layouts if the plotter saved in the layout cannot be accessed.
Regardless of the default plotter set, the Windows default printer is
used to print small-format documents (DIN A4/DIN A3).
40 Options, layouts and plotting Allplan 2013-1

The default plotter is assigned automatically only in cases where this

is absolutely necessary, for example, when you start plotting. This is
not done when you select the layout just for checking, thus avoiding
unnecessary delays.
If you have not defined an Allplan default plotter and the Windows
default printer cannot be used, you are prompted to specify the
plotter you want to use.

The following options are provided in the dialog box:

• Click Settings to specify the Allplan default plotter in the

Options. Then start the plot operation again.
• Click Yes to select the desired plotter in the Print Setup dialog
box. Allplan continues automatically.
• Click Cancel to quit the tool without applying the changes you
have made.
Neues in Allplan 2013-1 Plot Layout 41

Replacing the output device in layouts

The Windows output device is saved in each Allplan layout
document. If you change the plotter, you need to specify the new
plotter in each layout. Now Allplan provides a tool that simplifies
this process, in particular when it comes to replacing the plotter in
all layouts of a project. For example, switching from Windows XP to
a newer Windows operating system requires replacing the plotter, as
it is essential that you set up all the devices again even if they do
not change.
You can find the new Replace output device in layouts tool in the
Configurations (Plot Layout module, Create area).

Selecting this tool opens a dialog box where you can replace the
printer or plotter with a different one.
The Find box shows the printer or plotter that is set for the current
layout, and the Found in box shows the current layout.
You can use the Find button to scan the active project for all layouts
that use the printer or plotter displayed.
42 Replacing the output device in layouts Allplan 2013-1

Open the Replace with list box and select one of the printers or
plotters provided.

After having selected a different printer or plotter, you can decide

whether you want to use the new printer or plotter only for the
layout displayed in Found in or for all layouts of the active project.
If you want to use the new printer or plotter for all layouts, click
Replace all.
If you want to use the new printer or plotter only for the layout
displayed in Found in, click Replace.
Neues in Allplan 2013-1 Plot Layout 43

Selecting layouts - preview of layout

When you select a layout using the Open on a Project-Specific
Basis tool in the Layout Editor, you can now display a preview of a
layout in use as a bitmap by pointing to the icon of this layout in
the Open on a project-specific basis: layouts dialog box.
44 Plotting layouts - output Allplan 2013-1

Plotting layouts - output

When using Windows drivers for plotting, you no longer have to
specify the output device in the Print Setup dialog box in the
Output tab of the Plot Layouts tool (Plot Layout module, Create
area). Instead, you can now select the printer or plotter directly in
the Device area and then specify the paper size, the number of copies
and the orientation (landscape or portrait).
If Use Allplan raster driver for output is selected, click the
Properties... button to define the properties of the raster driver.
Otherwise, you can define the properties of the output device
selected.
Neues in Allplan 2013-1 Plot Layout 45

Exporting PDF data - using plot profile

You can now use an existing plot profile for creating PDF data in
conjunction with the Export PDF Data tool (Plot Layout module,
Create area).
After having chosen one or more layouts, you can select the Use plot
profile option in the Export PDF Data dialog box. Then click the
button provided to select an existing plot profile.

The plot profile you select here has a higher priority rating than the
plot profiles that are saved directly in layouts, and it is used for all
the PDF files that are created in batch mode. This setting is saved in
the favorite file and can thus be used in conjunction with Allplan
Exchange Layout Distribution.
46 Improved PDF export of layouts with fills Allplan 2013-1

Improved PDF export of layouts with fills

Using Export PDF Data (Plot Layout module), you can correctly
export layouts that contain fills with gradients and transparency.
Neues in Allplan 2013-1 Plot Layout 47

Layout structure - show all layouts

If a layout structure exists for a project, you can show and hide the
All layouts folder using the shortcut menu of the project folder. Now
this definition only applies to the current project. When you switch
to a project without a layout structure, Allplan does not
automatically display the All layouts folder again.
If the layout structure of a new project was created automatically or
taken from an existing project, the All layouts folder is hidden by
default.

In projects without a layout structure, the All layouts folder is

always displayed, and the Show "All layouts" structural level entry
is selected and grayed out.
48 Creating layout windows Allplan 2013-1

Creating layout windows

The Layout Window tool (Plot Layout module, Create area) is
now much easier to use. As a result, the process of creating a layout
window takes fewer mouse clicks. After having selected this tool,
you immediately decide whether you want to place drawing files or
NDW files as layout elements.

Modifying layout windows

The Modify Layout Window tool (Plot Layout module, Change
area) is now much easier to use. As a result, the process of modifying
a layout window takes fewer mouse clicks. After having selected this
tool, you immediately decide whether you want to add layout
elements (drawing files or filesets) or NDW layout elements to the
existing layout window.

When opening this tool on the shortcut menu, you no longer need to
select the layout window again.
Neues in Allplan 2013-1 Plot Layout 49

Changing the size of layout windows

You can modify corners and edges of layout windows using the
Stretch Entities and Fold Line tools. As a result, you no longer
need to redefine the outline of the layout window when its geometry
changes.

Layout windows - changing the scale

When you use the List Layout Elements tool (Plot Layout
module, Change area) to change the scale of a layout window, all the
elements of the layout window are now displayed so that they are
proportional to the center of the MinMax box representing the
layout window polygon at the new scale. The center of the layout
element border was used as the reference point in earlier versions.
Consequently, the layout elements are no longer displayed at their
original position in the layout when you explode the layout window
later.
For example: initial situation; outline of layout window displayed
50 Layout windows - changing the scale Allplan 2013-1

Scale of layout window changed from 1:100 to 1:50

Layout window exploded

Neues in Allplan 2013-1 Plot Layout 51

Allplan Exchange
Using the Settings provided for Allplan Exchange Layout
Distribution, you can now select any number of attributes when you
define the file names of the layouts to be exported. In earlier
versions, you could not use more than 8 attributes. The maximum
number of characters is limited to 260.

If the maximum number of characters is exceeded, the program

issues a message when you start exporting and prompts you to
correct this.
52 Allplan 2013-1
Neues in Allplan 2013-1 Bonus Tools 53

Bonus Tools
Filter for selecting object attributes
You can now filter the attributes that are presented in the dialog box
for selecting object attributes:

• Show, hide fixed geometric attributes

You can use this icon to hide the geometric attributes that cannot
be changed, such as length, width, height, area and so on.

• Show, hide Allplan default attributes

You can use this icon to hide the Allplan default attributes, such
as code text, enclosure type, text 1-5 and so on.
As a result, you can see better what you are doing. For example, you
can hide all geometric attributes while creating a title block.

This new feature applies to all tools that provide a dialog box for
selecting attributes, such as Surface Object, Assign, Modify
Object Attributes or Label in conjunction with the Object
label option.
54 Improved shortcut menu for smart symbols Allplan 2013-1

Improved shortcut menu for smart symbols

Now the tools on the shortcut menu of smart symbols are in line
with the natural logic of Allplan: Smart Symbol opens the tool
for creating smart symbols; Match displays the smart symbol
attached to the crosshairs and you can place it as you need.
Neues in Allplan 2013-1 Bonus Tools 55

New features for SmartParts

Same units as in Allplan
The SmartPart dialog boxes and palettes use the units currently set
for the length and angle in Allplan.

Point snap and handles

After having used handles for modifications, you could not snap to
points anymore. Now this is possible. As a result, you can restore the
initial state graphically.
56 New features for SmartParts Allplan 2013-1

Revised "Table with Chairs" SmartPart

Allplan 2013-1 includes a revised version of the "Table with Chairs"
SmartPart. In particular, the preview provided for placing the
SmarPart is correct.

New features in the SmartPart Editor

Overview tab no longer available

The Overview tab is no longer available in the SmartPart Editor.

Programming SmartParts
You can find advanced functions for programming SmartParts in
various places.
This section gives you an overview of the most important new
features:
• Engineering SmartParts support connectors that provide a
specific entry logic.

• You can press ESC to cancel Run Script.

• A preview of the palette is displayed with Run Script.

• You can open and edit several scripts at the same time.
• Debugging is possible in the SmartPart Editor.
• Syntax elements are highlighted in color.
• 'Auto-complete' is available for entering commands.
• Each SmartPart provides its own units for the length and angle.
• There are a number of new commands for defining functions.
• You can use two new commands: SWITCH and REDIM.
• An add-on is available for geometric functions.
• There are new prompts for path values.
• A number of adjustments were made for Unicode.
Neues in Allplan 2013-1 Architecture 57

Architecture
Hatching in component direction
Now you can apply hatching that is in the direction of the
component to linear components like walls, strip foundations,
upstands, downstand beams, flush piers and facing. You can use the
Change Archit. Properties tool, Hatching in component
direction option, to do this later.

When creating linear components, you can match the Hatching

in component direction property by selecting Match parameters
or by double-clicking the right mouse button.

The Hatching in component direction property is saved together

with the component when you use Save as a favorite and it is
also included when you Apply Archit. Component Properties.

In future versions, you will be able to select the Hatching in

component direction property directly when you create linear
components.

Note: Hatching in component direction is not available in

conjunction with hatching in style areas.
58 Elevation point Allplan 2013-1

Elevation point
Using Elevation Point, the values you can enter for delta TL and
delta BL are no longer limited to a range between -99 and 99. Now
you can also enter larger values.

Merging surface elements

The process of merging 2D surface elements like patterns, hatching,
fills, textures and style areas is much easier now. When you use
Merge Surface Elements, Archit. Elements and, for example, select
a pattern as the leading element, you can now select several surface
elements of the same type by enclosing them in a selection rectangle
when you are prompted to select the elements you want to join with
the leading element. In earlier versions, you could only click a single
element.
Please note that you can only merge surface elements of the same
type. The special control option you could use to select hatching and
patterns together is no longer available.

Note: When it comes to merging architectural elements like walls,

slabs or rooms, you still need to click a single element in order to
select it.
Neues in Allplan 2013-1 Architecture 59

Dimensioning walls
You can use the Dimension Walls tool to automatically create
dimension strings for one or more walls. The dimension blocks are
placed in one go.

The Dimension Walls Context toolbar now includes the

Match parameters and Load favorite tools. The dimension block
is also saved in the favorite. Match parameters copies the
parameters of the dimension line clicked and applies them to the
entire block.

Now the shortcut menu of a dimension line block that was created
with Dimension Walls provides both the Dimension Line tool
and the Dimension Walls tool. Double-clicking the dimension
block with the right mouse button or selecting Match on the
shortcut menu creates a dimension block of similar type.
60 Deleting sections of linear components Allplan 2013-1

Dimensioning walls using wizards

In addition, you can insert dimension blocks that were created with
Dimension Walls in wizards and use these blocks to create new
ones or to match parameters as usual.

Deleting sections of linear components

Now you can apply Delete Section of Linear Component to
vertical surfaces and baseboard. Consequently, you can find this tool
on the shortcut menu of these elements and in the Change area of
the palette in the Rooms, Surfaces, Stories module.
Neues in Allplan 2013-1 Architecture 61

Smart window and door symbols

Uniform colors and surfaces of elements
The surfaces you assigned in Smart Window and Door Symbols
only applied to the elements you were currently defining. So you
had to define the surfaces before you created the next element.
Changing these surfaces later was a tedious task.
When assigning surfaces, you can now decide whether the surface
settings are to apply to all elements of a type or only to the element
you are currently defining.

When you select the Uniform ... check box for an element type
(default setting), this setting applies to all components of the
element. Otherwise, the setting only applies to the element you are
currently defining.

Note: The setting that is selected when you save the smart symbol
applies to the entire smart symbol.

This new option is of great benefit when you modify surfaces: by

selecting the Uniform ... check box, you can change the
corresponding settings in a single step. This way, you do not have to
go through the time-consuming and error-prone process of adjusting
the surface for each individual element.
62 Smart window and door symbols Allplan 2013-1

Setting for plan view taken from document

The preview shows the smart symbol you are currently defining in
plan view. In earlier versions, the setting for Depends on drawing
type/reference scale was preset to Reference scale and 1:100. If the
setting in the document differed from that in the dialog box, the
preview and the result were also different.
Now the current setting is taken from the document and used as the
default setting. As a result, the preview and the later result are
exactly the same. Of course, you can change the setting at any time.
Neues in Allplan 2013-1 Architecture 63

Direction of swing, door leaf preset to 'inside'

The opening direction for windows and doors was preset to Outside
in the Smart Window and Door Symbol dialog box. In response
to repeated requests from our customers, the default setting for
windows is now set to Inside. The default setting for doors has not
changed.

Converting rooms to 2D polylines

The Convert Elements tool (3D Modeling module and various
architectural modules) offers the new Convert rooms to 2D polylines
option.
This option converts rooms to closed polylines. The resulting
polyline assumes the format properties of the room. Room labels are
converted to normal text, which is no longer associated with the
room or polyline.

The Convert rooms to 2D polylines option is especially useful if you

want to exchange Allplan data with other CAD programs that can
only handle rooms that are transferred as closed polylines. Before
exporting the data to, for example, the DWG format, you can now
convert rooms to closed polylines in a single operation.
64 Improved assignment of surface elements Allplan 2013-1

Improved assignment of surface elements

You can use Assign Surface Elements to Rooms, Surfaces,
Stories to apply a hatching style, pattern or fill to specific types of
architectural elements (user-defined architectural elements, stories,
rooms and floors) according to selection criteria that you define.
As rooms are usually given surface elements, the Object=Room
criterion is now preset in the Assign Surface Elements to Rooms, ...
dialog box.

Before you can select a different architectural element, you need to

delete this criterion line by clicking .
Neues in Allplan 2013-1 Architecture 65

Groups of rooms and stories

Modifying groups of rooms
When you modified groups of rooms using Modify, the surface
elements were lost and you had to assign them again. Now the
surface elements are retained. If you want to change a surface
element, you have to explicitly select it in the dialog box.

Grouping rooms
When you create several groups of rooms in succession, the surface
elements no longer change automatically.

Ungrouping rooms
When you ungroup a room, the linear elements are also removed
from label styles.
66 Groups of rooms and stories Allplan 2013-1

Labeling groups of rooms and stories later

Now you can label groups of rooms and stories later without having
to use the Group Rooms, Stories tool. Consequently, you do not
have to go through the time-consuming process of clicking Modify
(input options), selecting the group, confirming and placing a new
label.

The Input Options provided for the Label tool offer advanced
options for selecting groups of rooms and stories:

• You can use Selection list for group of rooms, stories to

select one or more groups of rooms, stories for labeling in a list.
The list shows all groups of rooms, stories that are available in
the drawing file.

• You can use Click group of rooms, stories to select a group

of rooms, stories for labeling by clicking it.

Selection preview for labeling

When you point to the label of a room group, the entire group is
selected and displayed in the selection preview.
Neues in Allplan 2013-1 Architecture 67

Grouping rooms and stories without the selection dialog box

Each time you opened Group Rooms, Stories, a selection dialog
box appeared and you had to decide whether you wanted to group
rooms or stories. In practice, users tend to group rooms, for example,
to obtain residential units.
Now the Group Rooms, Stories Context toolbar opens immediately.
You can switch between Room group and Story group; room
group is the default.
68 Straight ramp and spiral ramp Allplan 2013-1

Straight ramp and spiral ramp

You can find two new tools in the Stairs module: Straight Ramp
and Spiral Ramp. These two ramps are SmartParts. Using various
parameters provided by palettes, you can customize the two new
ramps for your needs.

You can still use the familiar methods based on the Stair and
Three-Point Canopy, Four-Point Canopy tools.
Neues in Allplan 2013-1 Architecture 69

Stair wizard for modifications

Stairs you created using the Stair Wizard could only be edited
using the Modify Stair tool.

Now you can also use the Stair Wizard dialog box to modify
these stairs. Double-click the stair (line of travel) with the left mouse
button or open the shortcut menu of the stair and select Properties.
If you only edit properties that do not change the geometric outline
of the stair, all you have to do is place a new label. But if the
geometric outline changes, you have to place the stair again.

If a stair section exists, you can configure the program to create it

again after the change. To do this, select the Restore section in plan
check box. This check box is only available for modifications. Clear
70 Section surfaces of stair components Allplan 2013-1

this check box if you want to delete the stair section or create a new
one.

Note: Once you have used Modify Stair to edit a stair created
with the Stair Wizard, you can no longer modify this stair using
the Stair Wizard.

Section surfaces of stair components

Sections of stair components could only be illustrated with hatching.
Now you can use all surface elements.
When it comes to defining the stair components, the Geometry, 3D
tab provides the new Surface elements area (previously Hatching).
Click a button to open the Surface elements dialog box. You can
assign a Hatching style, Pattern, Fill or Style Area to each stair
component and specify whether the surface element in question is to
be displayed or not.
Using these advanced options, you can give sections a uniform
appearance. Now you can use the same surface elements as for the
other architectural elements (except Bitmap Area).
Sections are often adjusted manually. However, these changes were
lost as soon as you updated the section (for example, using the
building structure). Now you can get around this extra work by
using style areas.
Neues in Allplan 2013-1 Architecture 71
72 New features for reports, selection Allplan 2013-1

New features for reports, selection

Reinforcement - overview report
The Reinforcement - overview.rdlc report also analyzes
the total weight of the reinforcing bars and meshes.

Thermal insulation, dimensions of envelope surfaces -

overview report
The Dimensions of envelope surfaces -
overview.rdlc report calculates envelope surfaces more precisely
when the graphics option is selected.

Finish vertical surfaces report

The Finish vertical surfaces.rdlc report takes into
account the trades of the vertical surfaces.

Reinforcement schedule - bending shapes report

The Reinforcement schedule - bending shapes.rdlc
report also outputs the number of elements.
Neues in Allplan 2013-1 Terrain 73

Terrain
Bruns master articles
Advanced features are available for the interface to Bruns master
articles in the Services application. For example, you can now
import the latest file of master articles.
74 Input options for dividing and stationing elements Allplan 2013-1

Input options for dividing and stationing

elements
Now you can select a point symbol and specify its size in the input
options provided for the following tools: Divide Element (Basic
family, Draft module, Change area) as well as Divide Element
and Station Element (Terrain family, Site Plan module, Create
area).

Input options for the Divide Element tool:

Input options for the Station Element tool:

Click Point symbol to open a dialog box where you can select
the symbol. With the tools in the Site plan module, you can also
specify settings for the primary and secondary point number.
You can use to match an existing point symbol.
To exclude the point symbol from being displayed, click Off.
Neues in Allplan 2013-1 Terrain 75

You can also specify the Size of the point symbol in the input
options.
Both values - point symbol and its size - are saved independently of
the settings in the Point Symbol (Basic family, Draft module,
Create area) and Terrain Point tools (Basic family, Advanced
Draft module, Create area).
76 Allplan 2013-1
Neues in Allplan 2013-1 Presentation 77

Presentation
New features for the global illumination
rendering method
Same materials for ray tracing and global illumination
Allplan 2013-0 introduced the new Global Illumination rendering
method. This rendering method has been developed further so that
the materials intended for ray tracing can also be processed by the
new renderer. This means that you can work with the existing
default materials. The materials that were specially developed for
Global Illumination are no longer required.
Therefore, the five surfaces revised for V2013 (glass and metal) are
replaced in the office standard (STD\Design) when you install
Allplan 2013-1. The new ...\Design\Standard-GI folder for
V2013-0 is not installed anymore, as the surface files therein are
superfluous.
What's more, the adjustments you had to make for ray tracing are
also obsolete. Global illumination no longer affects ray tracing.
78 New features for the global illumination rendering method Allplan 2013-1

Optimizing surfaces
In Allplan 2013-1 you can use surfaces across all applications - be
it Animation, Ray Tracing or Global Illumination.
To achieve the best possible results, you can optimize surfaces
according to the following rules:
• Optimizing surfaces in general:
- Increase the Luster for shiny surfaces to 16000 (previously set
to 50).
- Increase the Reflection for glass to a maximum of 100%.
• Optimizing surfaces that were adapted for Allplan 2013-0:
- Set the Object color of transparent and reflective surfaces
back to the actual color (instead of black in 2013-0).
• Please note the following:
- Global Illumination ignores the color of luster, which is only
calculated by the diffuse color. In other words, colors of luster
have no effect on Global Illumination but they are taken into
account in Animation and Ray Tracing.
- When you work with highly reflective materials, it is a good
idea to slightly darken the object color.

Adjusting existing projects

If you have already used Global Illumination in your projects, the
design folder of the project contains the \StandardGI folder with
the global illumination-specific surfaces assigned. As a result, the
individual projects are self-sufficient.
Setup does not adjust the surfaces in this folder. This can lead to
undesirable effects and restrictions when you use global illumination
for rendering in Allplan 2013-1.

surfupdate hotline tool

To update the global illumination surfaces used in projects, you can
use the surfupdate hotline tool. Select one or more projects. Running
surfupdate copies all files (*.surf and any associated textures)
that are also in the STD\Design folder and that are newer in STD
than in the project to the project. Before overwriting a file, the
Neues in Allplan 2013-1 Presentation 79

program makes a backup copy that has the same name and ends in
*.bak.

Adjusting surfaces manually

If you are only working with a few Global Illumination surfaces,
you can assign new surfaces or adjust the existing ones manually.
This involves the following steps:
• Set the Object color of transparent and reflective surfaces back to
their actual color.
• Set the Color of luster to white.
• Increase the Reflection value, if necessary.
• You usually do not have to change the other parameters.

Environment mapping
The Global Illumination rendering method calculates multiple
reflections. Therefore, environment mapping textures are not
required. So that you can continue to use all rendering methods to
calculate animation models without making any adjustments, the
Global Illumination rendering method no longer takes into account
environment mapping.

Accelerated renderings
As long as you do not change the geometry or the surfaces of a
scene, the program does not load new data, speeding up subsequent
renderings.
80 Hidden line images without environment mapping Allplan 2013-1

Hidden line images without environment

mapping
Surfaces calculated with environment mapping behave as if they
reflect opposite elements in the animation.
These surfaces produced strange results when you created hidden
line images with the Create bitmaps from textures, fills from colors
option being switched on. Now environment mapping is ignored in
hidden line images.

Zooming in on animation windows

There used to be a difference between the mouse wheel and the right
mouse button when you zoomed in on an animation window or
selected Navigation Mode in a viewport.
When you used the right mouse button, Allplan considered the
minimum offset and switched from sphere mode to camera mode.
Now this setting also applies when you use the mouse wheel for
zooming.

Note: You can set the value for the Minimum offset for sphere
mode using the Options - Animation page - General area.
Neues in Allplan 2013-1 Engineering 81

Engineering
Mesh cutting diagram
In response to repeated requests from our customers, we added a
number of new features to the options in the Mesh cutting diagram
area ( Options - Reinforcement - Representation page).
82 Options, reinforcement - new standards Allplan 2013-1

Distribution: using this option, you can specify whether welded

mesh sections are cut out of meshes in a longitudinal or transverse
direction.
Bent-up meshes and spacers: using this option, you can specify
whether bent-up meshes and spacers are placed on different pages
when you create mesh cutting diagrams using the Mesh Reports
tool.
Place table for total weight on separate page: you can define how
the diagram is output.
On: a list with totals for all the wire meshes is provided on a
separate page in addition to the tables on the individual pages.
Off: a table is included on each page for the wire meshes displayed
on it.
Text height, width for headings of page
Text height, width for labels of mesh sections
Text height, width for text in lists
You can use these options to define the size of the diagram header,
the mesh sections and the diagram text.

Options, reinforcement - new standards

The Options, Reinforcement page provide the following new
country standards:
• DIN EN: Germany (Euronorm with German appendix)
• BS EN: Great Britain (Euronorm with British appendix)
• TS 500: Turkey (TÜRK STANDARDI)
• EN: Europe (Euronorm)
• NEN EN: the Netherlands (Euronorm with Dutch appendix)
• RSIC: Canada (Reinforcing Steel Institute of Canada)
• NTC: Italy (Norme Tecniche per le Costruzioni)
• IS: India (Indian Standard)
Neues in Allplan 2013-1 Engineering 83

The EN Euronorm is used without a country-specific appendix for

Belgium, Luxembourg, Austria, Hungary, Romania, Singapore and
many more countries from Eastern Europe. This way, you can use
Allplan to handle international projects.

The names of the following standards changed:

Old name New name in V2013-1

AS 3600: Australian standard AS/NZS: Australian/New Zealand

Standard
04G101-4: Chinese standard 09G901-2: Chinese standard

Note: Resetting the default values using the cleanstd hotline tool
(Services application) replaces the standard set previously for some
country-specific Allplan installations with the new Euronorm. In
Germany, for example, the DIN EN standard is set by default.
The same applies when you select the Reset Options tool.
84 Cross-section catalogs and default settings Allplan 2013-1

Cross-section catalogs and default settings

With regard to international projects, you can find additional
standards as well as cross-section catalogs for Australia, New
Zealand, Canada, China, India, Norway and Turkey. The cross-
section catalogs for France, Italy and South Korea provide revised
and new features.

Now country-specific default settings are available for almost all

countries.
Neues in Allplan 2013-1 Engineering 85

Collision check for HVAC objects

In earlier versions, the Collision Check tool in the 3D
Modeling module (Bonus Tools family) only checked 3D elements
that have volume. Now this tool also considers two-dimensional
HVAC objects without volume, such as ventilating ducts.

In addition, you can now use this tool to check openings containing
elements for collisions.
86 Layer and bending marking Allplan 2013-1

Layer and bending marking

Using the bar label, you can now create the layer and bending
marking that is commonly used in Norway. Do the following:

• Open the Options - Reinforcement - Label - Bar

reinforcement and select the Layer symbol, horizontal / vertical
spacing option.

• Select the Label tool, clear all the parameters in the Label
area and select the Layer marking option in the Leader area.
• Select the desired symbol, click a bar and place the marking
(without text).
Neues in Allplan 2013-1 Associative Views 87

Associative Views
Displaying intersected areas that are hidden
When creating hidden line images and associative sections, you can
now assign surface elements to intersected areas of 3D objects and to
all hidden and intersected areas.
88 Displaying intersected areas that are hidden Allplan 2013-1

This way, you can visually highlight surface walls in upper stories or
any supporting structures that are hidden.
Below is an example to illustrate the effects. You can see the same
floor plan: on the left it is displayed without surface elements and on
the right with surface elements for hidden and intersected areas.
Neues in Allplan 2013-1 Associative Views 89

If you use fills for intersected areas that are visible and these fills
hide the surface elements of the intersected areas that are not visible,
you can define a transparency value for the fill. To open the Color
Gradients and Transparency dialog box, click the Expand >>
button at the bottom of the Select RGB Color dialog box. To manage
area styles, use the Layer dialog box.
90 Conversion to 2D Allplan 2013-1

Conversion to 2D
Now you can use a simplified version of the Conversion tool,
which you know from the Bar Reinforcement and Mesh
Reinforcement modules, even if you do not work with an
engineering license. This new tool is called Convert View to 2D.
Using this tool, you can convert individual elements of a view or
entire views to non-associative design entities and text. The format
properties of the converted elements remain unchanged. For
example, you can indicate connection components without creating
references to the model data or change the view to suit your needs.
Using the converted view, for example, you can remove the surface
elements from the hidden and intersected masonry walls while
retaining those of the hidden and intersected reinforced concrete
walls.
Neues in Allplan 2013-1 Index
Index
A data 30
animation windows, zooming 80
assigning surface elements 64
associative views
converting to 2D 90
B
Bruns master articles 73
building structure, improvements
8 environment mapping 79
C group numbers for construction
changes in names 17
collision check
for HVAC objects 85
congruent elements 29
construction lines 22
group numbers for
construction lines 23
converting rooms to 2D polylines
63
creating and selecting wizards
12
path for wizards 12
saving and showing copy as a
wizard 12
D
deleting sections of linear
components 60
detailing windows, icons 18
dimensioning walls 59
displaying intersected areas that
are hidden 87
E IFC interface 33
editing element groups 28
elevation point 58
engineering
cross-section catalogs 84
default settings 84
layer and bending marking 86
91
exchange favorites for survey
exporting PDF data using a plot
profile 45
F
filtering object attributes 53
G
global illumination
same materials 77
lines 23
groups of rooms 65
grouping rooms 65, 67
labeling groups of rooms later
66
modifying groups of rooms 65
selection preview for labeling
66
ungrouping rooms 65
groups of stories 65
grouping stories 67
labeling groups of stories later
66
selection preview for labeling
66
H
hatching in component direction
57
hidden line images without
environment mapping 80
I
IFC base quantities 33
IFC object type for all elements
34
importing configuration settings
14
importing survey data 30
92 Index Allplan 2013-1

L replacing output device in

labeling 3D objects 32
layout selection with preview 43
layout structure 47
layout window
changing scale 49
changing the size 49
creating 48
modifying 48
linear components, hatching in
component direction 57
M section surfaces of stair
measure 24
DTM measurements 27
measurements in inches, feet
26
measuring coordinates 27
placing measured values in
document 24
selecting measuring tools
individually 25
setting decimal places 25
merging surface elements 58
mesh cutting diagram
advanced options 81
modifying layer status 9
N SmartParts
new standards 82
O spiral ramp 68
options
options, layouts and plotting
37
options, mouse and crosshairs
7 T
options, reinforcement - new
standards 82
outline auto-detect 21
P U
pattern lines 15
plotting layouts, output 44
projects can be accessed more
quickly 4
R
layouts 41
reports
new features in 2013-1,
selection 72
S
saving and showing copy as a
wizard 12
saving, loading filter settings 30
saving, loading toolbar
arrangement 13
components 70
Sketchup interface 32
smart symbols, shortcut menu
54
smart window and door symbols
61
direction of swing, door leaf
63
setting for plan view 62
uniform colors and surfaces
61
SmartPart editor 56
overview tab no longer
available 56
programming SmartParts 56
dialog boxes and units 55
point snap and handles 55
stair wizard for modifications 69
straight ramp 68
style areas, selection list 16
symbol catalogs 11
tools palette, separator 17
trimming 22
updating project attributes 4
Z
zooming in on animation
windows 80
Allplan 2013

New Features in Allplan 2013

This documentation has been produced with the utmost care.
Nemetschek Allplan Systems GmbH and the program authors have
no liability to the purchaser or any other entity, with respect to any
liability, loss, or damage caused, directly or indirectly by this
software, including but not limited to, any interruptions of service,
loss of business, anticipatory profits, or consequential damages
resulting from the use or operation of this software. In the event of
discrepancies between the descriptions and the program, the menu
and program lines displayed by the program take precedence.
Information in this documentation is subject to change without
notice. Companies, names and data used in examples are fictitious
unless otherwise noted. No part of this documentation may be
reproduced or transmitted in any form or by means, electronic or
mechanical, for any purpose, without the express written permission
of Nemetschek Allplan Systems GmbH.
Allfa® is a registered trademark of Nemetschek Allplan Systems
GmbH, Munich.
Allplan® is a registered trademark of Nemetschek AG, Munich.
Adobe® and Acrobat PDF Library™ are trademarks or registered
trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated.
AutoCAD®, DXF™ and 3D Studio MAX® are trademarks or registered
trademarks of Autodesk Inc., San Rafael, CA.
BAMTEC® is a registered trademark of Häussler, Kempten, Germany.
Microsoft®, Windows® and Windows Vista™ are either trademarks or
registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
MicroStation® is a registered trademark of Bentley Systems, Inc.
Parts of this product were developed using LEADTOOLS, (c) LEAD
Technologies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Parts of this product were developed using the Xerces library of 'The
Apache Software Foundation'.
fyiReporting Software LLC developed parts of this product using the
fyiReporting library, which is released for use with the Apache
Software license, version 2.
Allplan update packages are created using 7-Zip, (c) Igor Pavlov.
All other (registered) trademarks are the property of their respective
owners.
© Nemetschek Allplan Systems GmbH, Munich. All rights reserved.
1st edition, September 2012
Document no. 130deu01m01-1-TD0912
New Features in Allplan 2013 Contents i

Contents
Welcome ......................................................................................... 1

New design for Allplan's user interface ................................. 3

Graphical components, overview ..................................................................... 4
Customizing ............................................................................................................7
Redesigned wizards ..............................................................................................8

General new features .................................................................. 9

Folder structure in line with Windows ........................................................... 9
Access to folders via the Services application .................................................10
Native 64-bit support ....................................................................................... 11
IBD on a separate medium .....................................................................................13
'Allplan 2013 IBD Building Alteration' package in Allplan Connect .........13
Finding and replacing in the building structure, layout structure
and fileset structure .......................................................................................... 13
Undoing and redoing changes in the layer status .................................. 14
Undoing and redoing the selected project ................................................ 15
Up to 9,999 drawing files ................................................................................ 16
Up to 9999 layouts ............................................................................................ 16
Quick access to element control and direction symbols ....................... 17
Layer structures set to project ....................................................................... 18
Outline auto-detect in the input options .................................................. 19
Shortcut key for point snap options ............................................................ 20
Advanced collision check................................................................................. 21
Connect palette .................................................................................................. 22
ii Contents Allplan 2013

Zooming in on selected objects ..................................................................... 22

Finding text in large layouts ................................................................................. 22
Interfaces .............................................................................................................. 23
IFC interface .............................................................................................................. 23
iTWO interface .......................................................................................................... 25
Importing DXF, DWG using drag-and-drop operations ................................ 25
Exporting bitmap areas to DXF ............................................................................ 25
Improved import of Sketchup data .................................................................... 25

SmartParts ................................................................................... 27
New features for working with SmartParts .............................................. 27
Selecting SmartParts in the palette ................................................................... 27
Additional tools for placing SmartParts............................................................ 28
Adjusting SmartParts in the Properties palette .............................................. 29
Additional tools for creating SmartParts .......................................................... 30
More new features for SmartParts ..................................................................... 34
New commands in the Allplan SmartParts script .................................... 35
Concrete components for engineering ....................................................... 36

Architecture ................................................................................. 37
Light and shadow in hidden line images .................................................... 37
New parameters for hidden line images ........................................................... 39
More new features ............................................................................................ 41
Changes in names of tools .................................................................................... 41
More changes ............................................................................................................ 41
Improved element marking of rooms ................................................................ 42
New tool for marking critical model data ........................................................ 43
New Features in Allplan 2013 Contents iii

Presentation ................................................................................. 45
New rendering method: global illumination............................................. 45
Settings for global illumination ...........................................................................46
Tone mapping after calculation ...........................................................................48
Surface properties for global illumination ........................................................49
Default surfaces for global illumination ............................................................50
Global Illumination with projects from earlier versions ...............................52
X3D format in animation ................................................................................ 53
Diameter-dependent representation in animation ................................. 54

Layout management using Allplan Exchange ..................... 57

Allplan Exchange Layout Distribution ......................................................... 57
Documentation for Allplan Exchange ................................................................58
Sending layouts and other files using Allplan Exchange ...................... 59
Project attributes generally available .......................................................... 63
More new features for plotting layouts ..................................................... 64
Managing favorites for PDF export .....................................................................64
Title block legends ....................................................................................................64
Reports in the layout editor ..................................................................................65
Defining layout and project attributes ..............................................................66

Engineering .................................................................................. 69
Labeling reinforcement using the palette.................................................. 69
Reports in engineering ..................................................................................... 74
Mesh cutting diagram and excess mesh placement ............................... 76

Associative views ........................................................................ 79

New display options .......................................................................................... 79
Intuitive drawing file filter ............................................................................. 82
More new and revised features ..................................................................... 86
iv Contents Allplan 2013

Reports .......................................................................................... 87
Templates: Reports, Legends, Labels module............................................. 87
Analyses in the building structure ...................................................................... 87
Reports in building lists.......................................................................................... 88
Creating and editing legends ......................................................................... 89
Editing graphics in reports .............................................................................. 90
New administration reports............................................................................ 91
Defining reports ................................................................................................. 95
Creating report templates ..................................................................................... 95
Modifying report templates .................................................................................. 97
Converting lists from earlier versions to reports ..................................... 98

Energy ........................................................................................... 99
Heat pump systems ........................................................................................... 99

New features for Nemetschek Softlock .............................. 101

NemSLock License Manager ......................................................................... 102
General new features ............................................................................................ 102
Fixing NemSLock License Manager yourself .................................................. 103
NemSLock Server.............................................................................................. 104
General new features ............................................................................................ 104
New features for user administration.............................................................. 107
Upgrading NemSLock Server .............................................................................. 109
Installing Allplan on several computers, using an image and SysPrep .. 112

Index ............................................................................................ 113

New Features in Allplan 2013 Welcome 1

Welcome
Dear Sir or Madam,
Allplan 2013 – anything else is work! Under this motto we provide
you with a software that is tailored to today's and future needs of
the AEC industry. Allplan 2013 offers more than 30 new useful
features, equipping you with everything you need to successfully
accomplish building projects in a globalized and highly connected
world.
The main new features include digital layout distribution using
Allplan Exchange, a web-based online platform. Further highlights
are the Connect palette, which is directly integrated in Allplan, the
new "global illumination" rendering method and hidden line images
with shadows. What's more, you can now find optimized associative
views, reinforcement labels and parametric objects (SmartParts).
With Allplan 2013 you can focus on the essential: bringing visions
to live.
We wish you every success,

Nemetschek Allplan Systems GmbH

2 Allplan 2013
New Features in Allplan 2013 New design for Allplan's user interface 3

New design for Allplan's

user interface
Allplan's user interface has been given a new design, which replaces
the colorful, Windows-based design, which had been used for years.
The new user interface features subtler colors - after all, it is your
work that matters.
The main colors used are shades of gray and blue. You can still find
red, indicating action and modification. Lighter shadows produce an
embossed look.
4 Graphical components, overview Allplan 2013

Graphical components, overview

The graphical components that make up the new icons contain many
elements that are familiar to you from earlier Allplan versions -
albeit slightly modified and with subtler colors.
Below is an overview of the most important elements:

Component Meaning Examples

Options (for the entire

program) Options (opens the Options dialog box including all
pages)

Point snap options

Track tracing options

(open individual pages in the Options dialog box)
Settings (for individual
modules, tools or dialog Set Up Page
boxes)
Surface Settings
Parameters, properties
(for elements) Terrain Point

Editing, changing
Edit Text

Fold Line
Combination of
parameters + editing Change Archit. Properties

Change Text Parameters

Adding
Add Other Layouts

Attach Geometric Elements to Instance of Smart Symbol

Cutting, separating
Cut with Area

Split Dimension Line

New Features in Allplan 2013 New design for Allplan's user interface 5

Converting
Convert Polyline, Spline

Change Case
Joining, combining
Combine Lines to Make Polylines

Text Lines to Paragraph

Exploding
Split Polylines into Discrete Lines

Explode Paragraph
Document, drawing file
Legend

Copy, Move Elements between Documents

Updating, refreshing
Restore 3D View

Refresh
Exporting
Export IFC Data

Export Object Manager Data

Importing
Import IFC Data

Import, Export Point File

Deleting, removing
Delete Double Lines

Delete Dim. Line Point

Placing
Place Info on Document as Label

Layout Element
6 Graphical components, overview Allplan 2013

Showing, hiding
Show, Hide Dimension Text

Show/Hide Junctions
Automatic features
Auto Dimensioning

Auto-Room
Administration
Manage Label Styles, Legends

ProjectPilot - Admin
Filter
Filter by Pen

Filter by Building Alteration Category

Catalog
Smart Symbol Catalog

Get from Library

Searching, finding
Find Elements

Find
New Features in Allplan 2013 New design for Allplan's user interface 7

Customizing
There are new options for customizing the Allplan user interface.
Click in a palette with the right mouse button and choose
Customize... on the shortcut menu or select the Tools menu and click
Customize...

Color scheme and icon design

On the Customize tab, Color scheme and icon design area, you can
choose between Allplan and Windows. When set to Windows,
Windows settings have an effect on Allplan's user interface,
influencing the background color of palettes and dialog boxes. In
addition, the borders of dialog boxes are wider, and the appearance
of buttons in the dialog boxes differs.
Changing the color scheme will only come into effect when you re-
start Allplan.

Spacing between icons

On the Palettes tab, you can adjust the spacing between the icons in
the Tools palette. This is only possible when Icons + text is not
selected.
8 Redesigned wizards Allplan 2013

Redesigned wizards
The wizards in Allplan have been redesigned and adjusted to the IBD
wizards and the Connect palette.
The Allplan group provides wizards that cover all aspects - from 2D
to 3D to sections and architecture.
New Features in Allplan 2013 General new features 9

General new features

Folder structure in line with Windows
The folder structure in Allplan 2013 has been adjusted to the
structure you can find in Windows 7. For example, data that can be
changed by the program is no longer written to the program folder.
This makes it possible to install Allplan to the Windows default
folders and to run Allplan without administration privileges.
The most important changes:
• A separate user folder is provided for each Allplan user working
with a standalone version. In previous versions the same folder
was used for all users.
• Now you can find the \ETC folder in the folder containing
general program data.
• When you install an upgrade, the contents of the \ETC and
\USR folders are moved to the new position.

Where can I find my folders and files after I have upgraded?

Folder name and path in earlier versions Folder name and path in Allplan 2013

C:\Program Files\Nemetschek\Allplan\Prg C:\Program Files\Nemetschek\Allplan\Prg

C:\Program Files\Nemetschek\Allplan\Etc C:\ProgramData\Nemetschek\Allplan\2013\Etc\
C:\Program Files\Nemetschek\Allplan\Usr\Local C:\Users\user_name\Documents
10 Folder structure in line with Windows Allplan 2013

Access to folders via the Services application

So that you can quickly access the Windows-compliant folder
structure, new options are available for the Windows Explorer tool
on Service menu of the Services application: now you can open
every major folder of an Allplan Installation. It is even possible to
open all folders with a single click.
New Features in Allplan 2013 General new features 11

Native 64-bit support

Allplan introduces native 64-bit support, enabling you to use the full
memory in conjunction with 64-bit operation systems.
You can find two setups on the Allplan DVD and the Internet: one
for 32-bit systems and another one for 64-bit systems. It is possible
to upgrade a 32-bit Allplan version to a 64-bit version. However,
you cannot update a 64-bit version using a 32-bit version.
12 Native 64-bit support Allplan 2013

Note: Please decide on the Allplan version you require before you
start installing. It is not easy to switch between 32-bit and 64-bit
versions: you always have to uninstall the program before you can
install it again.

When you select About Allplan, you can immediately see which
version is installed. You can upgrade a 32-bit Allplan version to a
64-bit version.

Some restrictions in conjunction with 64-bit versions

• Sketchup data cannot be imported or exported
• CINEMA 4D R6 data cannot be exported
• The Maxwell format is not available
• Allfa FM Manager cannot be connected
New Features in Allplan 2013 General new features 13

IBD on a separate medium

Due to the setups for 32-bit and 64-bit operating systems, there is
not enough space on the Allplan DVD. Therefore, the Allplan 2013
IBD packages and documents are provided on a separate data
medium.

'Allplan 2013 IBD Building Alteration' package in Allplan Connect

The Allplan 2013 DVD no longer contains the Allplan 2013 IBD
CAD Data for Building Alteration package, which comes with
Allplan. You can download this package from Allplan Connect
(https://www.allplan-connect.com) - Support - Downloads.
So that you can work with the Allplan 2013 IBD CAD Data for
Building Alteration package, you need to install it separately.
When you upgrade Allplan to the current version, the building
alteration wizards of the previous version are moved from the ETC
folder into the STD\IBD\011-IBD-Assistenten-PIB-2012
folder. To install and configure Allplan 2013 IBD CAD Data for
Building Alteration, proceed as you would when installing a new
version. This installs a new template project with a new name.
Template projects from earlier versions are retained and can be
added using Add group.

Finding and replacing in the building

structure, layout structure and fileset
structure
Now you can use Find to find and, if necessary, replace entire
names of drawing files, layouts, filesets and structural levels or parts
thereof in the building structure, layout structure and fileset
structure.
14 Undoing and redoing changes in the layer status Allplan 2013

Undoing and redoing changes in the layer

status
Using Undo layer visibility, Layer visibility, Redo layer
visibility to undo changes made to the layer visibility or to restore
changes you have undone. Using Layer visibility you can display
the changes made to the layer visibility and undo up to 30 steps.
This setting is user-specific and saved separately for each project.
This function is available when you select layers on the Format
toolbar and in the Layer dialog box:
New Features in Allplan 2013 General new features 15

Undoing and redoing the selected project

Now you can undo and redo the project selected in the New Project,
Open Project dialog box.

Using Back to and Go to, you can navigate between the

projects you opened last. Recent Projects displays a list of the
projects opened most recently. You can select a project in the list.
This list is saved in a user-specific manner.
16 Up to 9,999 drawing files Allplan 2013

Up to 9,999 drawing files

Now Allplan 2013 provides 9,999 drawing files instead of 6,000.

Up to 9999 layouts
Now Allplan 2013 provides 9,999 layouts instead of 6,000.
By default, the Open on a project-specific basis: layouts dialog box
presents the first 1,000 layouts for selection.

Using the shortcut menu, you can change the selection as usual, that
is, restricting it further or displaying all 9,999 layouts.
New Features in Allplan 2013 General new features 17

Quick access to element control and

direction symbols
When it comes to complex drawings or applying surface elements to
outlines, users often employ element control and direction symbols
to find out whether polylines are closed or not. In response to
repeated requests from our customers, you can now show and hide
element control and direction symbols quickly and easily.

Now you can also find these options in Show/Hide:

Using Options - Desktop environment - Display - Element

marker, you can still specify whether element control and direction
symbols are to be displayed. In addition, you can define the size of
the symbols and decide whether you want to show them in reference
drawing files, too.
18 Layer structures set to project Allplan 2013

Layer structures set to project

When you create a new project, the path setting for the layer
structures is now set to Project by default:

As a result, the default layer structure is automatically copied to the

new project.
Background information: when you import DWG files, new layers
are created in the office standard. In the case of large volumes of
data, there are not enough free numbers and the data cannot be
imported.
When the layer structures are saved in the project, the imported
layers are simply added to the project-specific layer structure while
you still have all the copied layers from the office standard at hand.
New Features in Allplan 2013 General new features 19

Outline auto-detect in the input options

The Outline auto-detect tool, which you can use to automatically
detect the outlines of closed polygons, has been moved from the
dialog line to the input options for entering polylines.

In particular while entering areas, users frequently switch Outline

auto-detect on and off or use other options provided by the polyline
entry tools. Now it is no longer necessary to toggle between the
dialog line and input options.

Note: Some tools, such as Rafters and Beam (Frame

Construction: Rafters, Roof Beams, Posts module) as well as
Span Reinforcement (Mesh Reinforcement module), do not provide
all the options for entering polylines. In this case, you can still find
the Auto-detect outline on/off tool in the dialog line.
20 Shortcut key for point snap options Allplan 2013

Shortcut key for point snap options

In response to repeated requests from our customers, you can now
define a shortcut key for the Point snap options.

Select the Tools menu, click Customize and set the category to Point
entry. Type in the shortcut key you want to use in the New shortcut
key box and click Assign >>. The shortcut key is entered.
New Features in Allplan 2013 General new features 21

Advanced collision check

In earlier versions the reinforcement tools provided a tool you could
use to check for collisions in bar reinforcement. Now a revised and
independent version of this tool is available. You can find the new
Collision Check tool in the 3D Modeling module in the
Bonus Tools family.
You can use this tool to check whether selected 3D objects,
architectural objects, SmartParts, smart symbols, fixtures and/or bar
reinforcement collide. When selecting the elements to be checked,
you can use the filter assistant.
A message appears informing you of the number of collisions found.
When you confirm this message, the collisions are displayed as
temporary boxes in the selection color in plan, isometric view and
animation. The pen thickness set is used. If Color stands for pen is
switched on, pen 6 is used for the boxes.
Associative views and sections only display the collisions of bar
reinforcement. Bars that collide are marked with a cross.
When quitting the tool, you can save the markings in the current
document so that you can change these places later. If the markings
are no longer required, you can delete them as an entity group.
Correcting the collisions does not delete them automatically.
Notes:
• Mesh placements and digital terrain models are not included in
collision checks.
• The program does not check whether bar reinforcement collides
with 3D objects or architectural objects, which usually make up
the formwork.
• The factor for the diameter, which you can specify for the
representation of bar reinforcement in the Options, is not
taken into account.
22 Connect palette Allplan 2013

Connect palette
Using the Connect palette, you can access content provided by
Allplan Connect straight from Allplan. You can enter the user name
and password directly in the palette (the entries are lost as soon as
you close Allplan) or on the Palettes tab of the Customize... tool on
the Tools menu (the entries are saved and thus retained).

Zooming in on selected objects

Allplan 2012 introduced Zoom in on selected objects in the
Properties palette. Recently, we have repeatedly been asked how text
can be found in large layouts. The section that follows briefly
introduces a solution using this tool.

Finding text in large layouts

To find text in large layouts, you can use Find and Replace in
combination with Zoom in on selected objects (Properties
palette).

To find text in large layouts

1 Click Find and Replace (How).
2 Select the area where you want to find the text, for example, the
entire layout.
3 Type in the text you want to find and press ENTER to confirm.
The program selects the text found.
4 In the Properties palette, click Zoom in on selected objects.
The program zooms in on the text found.
5 If you want to replace it, you can now type in the new text.
New Features in Allplan 2013 General new features 23

Interfaces
IFC interface

New attributes and project attributes

The attributes (address, client) and building characteristics (height
above mean sea level, number of stories, gross floor area) assigned in
the Project Settings of Allplan are distributed among the structural
levels and transferred to IFC. You can export the attributes and
building characteristics in the IFC file. The attributes are written to
the corresponding PSets, if possible.
The project attributes include additional IFC-compliant attributes
(geographical longitude and latitude, building type and so on).

New attributes
Allplan provides a wide range of new attributes. Most of these
attributes are required as default values in the PSets of the
individual elements. This way, architectural components can be
transferred to IFC files in accordance with the regulations specified
by IAI.
Now you can find Allplan attributes for special modules
(manufacturer, type and so on) in the general attribute groups. As a
result, all users have unlimited access to these attributes.

New IFC types

In addition to the IFCObjectTypes, which have been available for
some time now, this new version offers additional IFC-compliant
types. Using these new types, you can classify finishing elements in
detail, for example.

Assigning and transferring types of architectural and 3D

elements
Now you can also assign IFCObjectTypes to 3D elements and transfer
these elements with these types. This considerably reduces the
number of proxy elements in IFC files. In addition, the ObjectTypes
you can assign to architectural elements (stairs in particular) are no
24 Interfaces Allplan 2013

longer limited to the original ObjectTypes. The elements are then

transferred with the ObjectType you assigned. So, for example, you
can export a ramp created with the Stair tool as an IFCRamp.

Transferring attributes in PSets

All the attributes you have assigned to elements in Allplan are
written to the correct places in the IFC file - provided they are
available in the corresponding PSets - and thus exported as IFC
attributes. Only additional component data is transferred and
displayed in the Allplan attribute set.

Transferring geometric values

The attributes that are defined by the element itself or by its
geometry and that cannot be modified by the user (architectural
quantities attribute group) are transferred in the form required by IAI
and written to the corresponding BaseQuantities of the objects in the
IFC file.
Additional characteristics are displayed as Allplan attributes or as
calculated values in the properties of the relevant element.

Finishing surfaces and finishing elements

Now finishing surfaces (floors, vertical surfaces and so on) are also
transferred as coverings to IFC. This applies both to special surfaces
and to finishing surfaces defined together with a room.
The assignment to the room is based on the coordinate values.
Consequently, any independent elements within a room are also
assigned to this room during transfer (provided they are in the same
drawing file). The same applies to finishing elements (furniture,
windows, doors and so on).
New Features in Allplan 2013 General new features 25

iTWO interface
In general, an opening object is merged with all its associated objects
and exported as a single opening object.
Corner windows are exported as opening objects.

Importing DXF, DWG using drag-and-drop operations

You can import *.dwg and *.dxf files more flexibly: Using the
Options - Import and export page - DXF, DWG import area, you
can now specify whether the Open file dialog box is to be displayed
in conjunction with drag-and-drop operations.

When Show Open File dialog box (options) for drag-and-drop

operations is selected, you can specify the options separately when
you import *.dwg or *.dxf files. When this option is not selected,
the program uses the import settings that are saved for the relevant
file type.
This option is off by default.

Exporting bitmap areas to DXF

Files with bitmap areas are exported in the original format. In earlier
versions, export was restricted to BMP format.

Improved import of Sketchup data

The process of importing Sketchup data to Allplan has been
improved: Sketchup surfaces can be adjusted during import, and
object groups and components are imported as smart symbols. This
considerably reduces the volume of data in Allplan.
26 Allplan 2013
New Features in Allplan 2013 SmartParts 27

SmartParts
New features for working with SmartParts
Selecting SmartParts in the palette
The SmartPart tool opens the new SmartPart content palette,
where you can select SmartParts and place them in the workspace.
28 New features for working with SmartParts Allplan 2013

You can still use Insert SmartPart to select SmartParts using the
Open file dialog box. However, the palette makes selection much
easier as it provides schematic previews of all SmartParts.
You can use the area at the top to navigate through the folders:
• Click Start to select between Standard and Office.
• To open a folder, click it with the left mouse button.
• Clicking the Start folder with the right mouse button opens
the superordinate folder. Clicking Start with the left mouse
button takes you back to the top-level SmartPart folder.

Additional tools for placing SmartParts

As with symbols and smart symbols, the input options provide
specific tools helping you place SmartParts.

A number of tools is provided in the Input Options to help you place

SmartParts:

Use this to position the drop-in point.

S point
You can use the default drop-in point. This is the point you chose
when you defined the SmartPart.

Mirror in X direction
You can mirror the SmartPart in the X direction when you place it.

Mirror in Y direction
You can mirror the SmartPart in the Y direction when you place it.
New Features in Allplan 2013 SmartParts 29

Modify SmartPart using Handles

When this option is switched on (this is the default setting), handles
appear after you have placed the SmartPart. You can use these
handles to modify the SmartPart. Before you can place another
instance of this SmartPart, you need to press ESC to quit
modifications using handles.
When this option is switched off, you can immediately place another
instance of this SmartPart. You can modify the SmartPart at any
time by entering values in teh dialog box or palette.

Adjusting SmartParts in the Properties palette

A separate dialog box no longer opens when you place and modify
SmartParts. Instead the parameters are displayed in the Properties
palette.
The advantage of this is that the SmartPart is not hidden by the
dialog box. Any changes you make to the values are immediately
displayed in the workspace. Consequently, you no longer need to
click the Apply button.
30 New features for working with SmartParts Allplan 2013

Additional tools for creating SmartParts

Reset tool with selection

When you create a new SmartPart using Create SmartPart, the
SmartPart dialog box is still filled with the data of the last SmartPart
placed. The first step is to empty the dialog box for the new
SmartPart. To do this, click Reset.

Clicking Reset opens the New SmartPart dialog box, where you
can specify default settings for the new SmartPart.

Name
Enter a name for the new SmartPart.

Type
Specify the type of the new SmartPart: Object, Beam, Foundation,
Stair, Furniture, Column or Connector.

Use data of
When you select this option, you can use the data of the Current
SMT - the SmartPart that is currently displayed in the SmartPart
Editor - or import an SMT file into the dialog box.

File
When you have selected Use data of SMT file, you can specify the
folder with the SmartPart to be imported to the dialog box.
New Features in Allplan 2013 SmartParts 31

Use
You can specify which components of the selected SmartPart are to
be transferred to the SmartPart Editor: Parameter list, Scripts,
Resources and/or Settings.

New options in the SmartPart Settings dialog box

Clicking SmartPart Settings in the SmartPart Editor at bottom
right opens the Settings dialog box, where you can specify the
settings of the SmartPart.
We have added some settings to this dialog box.
32 New features for working with SmartParts Allplan 2013

Overview of new settings

Auto-update based on value list (active by default)
This setting influences the values you enter. When it is switched off,
incorrect values in the script are displayed in red in the dialog box.
When it is switched on, incorrect values are automatically corrected
to the next possible value.
...

Save file in folder

Select the folder where the SmartPart is saved. Subscripts are stored
in relation to this folder. Bitmap folder shows the path to the
Bitmaps folder, which contains the bitmaps.
...

Allow countable subobjects (in SmartPart Editor only)

This setting controls how SmartParts that consist of individual
components are analyzed. If a SmartPart consists of several smart
symbols (e.g. a table with chairs) and the script uses the CALL_OBJ
command for the chairs, the report also analyzes the number of
chairs.

Quick placing (without dialog box) (in SmartPart Editor only)

When this option is selected, you cannot specify values in a dialog
box when you place the SmartPart. The default values defined in the
script are used automatically. Later changes are possible.

Relative height (SmartPart Editor only)

Like smart symbols, SmartParts can be given a height setting. You
can specify whether the bottom level of the SmartPart is to be based
on the Upper plane, Lower plane or on an Absolute
height setting. You can enter an offset to the plane or the absolute
height in the data entry box.

Link to (SmartPart Editor only)

Like smart symbols, SmartParts can be linked with the element in
which it has been placed. This is important for subsequent analyses
using reports.
New Features in Allplan 2013 SmartParts 33

The following settings are available:

- Room
- Roof covering
- Ceiling
- Floor
- Nothing

Consider (SmartPart Editor only)

As with smart symbols, you can specify how a SmartPart placed in a
room with finish specifications is to be displayed in animation and
in sections.
The following settings are available:
- Floor
The SmartPart adapts to the height of the floor.
- Ceiling
The SmartPart adapts to the height of the ceiling.
- Nothing
The SmartPart does not adapt to finish specifications.
34 New features for working with SmartParts Allplan 2013

Using parts of scripts

Now you can use parameters of a script in a different script. All you
need to do is save the parameters and add them to the other script.

More new features for SmartParts

Parameters set last are retained
When you make changes (size, surface color and so on) while
placing a SmartPart, these changes are retained and presented the
next time you select this SmartPart.
This reflects the philosophy of Allplan: when you open a tool, the
settings selected last are still active (for example, wall thickness,
height, material).
The modified settings are saved in the temporary folder. You can
delete the default settings manually or using cleanstd (hotline tool).

Improved shortcut menu

Matching
New Features in Allplan 2013 SmartParts 35

New commands in the Allplan SmartParts

script
The Allplan SmartParts script provides a number of new commands
and options. Special emphasis is put on the commands for creating
engineering elements and on the commands you can use to display
the properties of a SmartPart in a palette. You can find a complete
list of the changes in the Help. Please refer to the chapter "Allplan
SmartParts Script Language - Changes in Version 2013"
36 Concrete components for engineering Allplan 2013

Concrete components for engineering

The concrete components designed for engineering, which you can
find in the SmartParts palette in the standard, unfinished structure
and concrete folders, are also included in the new Concrete
Component module in the Engineering family. Select the
Concrete Component tool.

In addition, this new module provides the Element Plan tool,

which you can use to create finished element plans with
dimensioned views, an associative legend and a title block with label
styles for the concrete components.
New Features in Allplan 2013 Architecture 37

Architecture
Light and shadow in hidden line images
You can use the new display options for sections not only in
engineering but also in architecture when creating hidden line
images: now you can include light and shadow in isometric and
elevation views. The images created are not real sun studies but
idealized representations that are calculated based on the values you
can specify freely for the angle of incidence and the intensity of the
light.
Together with the familiar options for displaying surface elements,
Allplan provides a wide range of new options for enhancing layouts.
In earlier versions, you often had to use separate drawing files to
obtain these specific effects.
You can also use these options for the objects derived from the
building structure.
38 Light and shadow in hidden line images Allplan 2013

Elevation with bitmap areas from textures and shadows

Elevation with fills and shadows

Elevation with lines and shadows

New Features in Allplan 2013 Architecture 39

New parameters for hidden line images

To control light and shadow in hidden line images, you can use the
following new parameters:

Consider light
When you select the Consider light setting, lights in hidden line
images are calculated in accordance with the settings for Light angle
in view and Light angle to visible axis. This is not a sun study; the
light situation is idealized.
Using Light angle in view (left / right) you can define the angle of
incidence in views.
Using Light angle to visible axis (length of shadow) you can define
the angle of incidence in isometric views.

alpha: light angle in view, -90° (left) to 90° (right)

beta: light angle to visible axis, 0° to 0° (length of shadow))
40 Light and shadow in hidden line images Allplan 2013

Using Light intensity you can specify how many shades of color are
used for fills and bitmaps. Enter a value between 0 and 100 here. The
smaller the value, the darker the image.
Using Fill-in light intensity you can brighten up shadows and fills.
Enter a value between 0 and 100 here. When you specify an
intensity of 0, the fill-in light is not calculated.
Using Show shadows you can display shadows. When you enter
negative values for Light angle in view (left / right), the shadows
are cast to the left. In the case of positive values, they are cast to the
right. The smaller the value, the more steeply the shadows are cast.
Using Light angle to visible axis (length of shadow) you can
control the lengths of shadows in isometric views. The greater the
value, the longer the shadows.
New Features in Allplan 2013 Architecture 41

More new features

Changes in names of tools
We have adjusted the names of tools in Allplan 2013 in various
ways.
•
•
Names no longer include slashes ("/"):

• Perpendicular to Surface/Plane is renamed Perpendicular to

Surface, Plane.

• The icon used for Surfaces (Animation) in dialog boxes or on

the shortcut menu of the animation window differs from that
used for Assign Custom Surfaces to 3D, Archit. Elements.
Surfaces (Animation) uses the properties of specific
components.

More changes
The 2D to 3D Lines tool is no longer available as a separate tool. But
you can still access it as usual by opening the Convert Elements
tool and selecting the 2D to 3D Lines option.
42 More new features Allplan 2013

Improved element marking of rooms

There were times when you had problems visualizing rooms enclosed
by walls and analyzed in reports because the room boundaries were
hidden by the walls. The situation was similar when you labeled
walls using the Label tool on the shortcut menu.

Allplan 2013 applies fills in transparent selection color to rooms and

other area elements. Now you can clearly see the boundaries of the
relevant element.
In various reports, you can use the graphics, room name or room
function to zoom in on and select elements in the workspace. This is
also supported by the new transparent preview. The following
example shows a room analyzed in the 'Net floor area' report:

You can specify the selection color as usual ( Options - Desktop

environment - Display). By default, the transparency is set to 50%.
New Features in Allplan 2013 Architecture 43

New tool for marking critical model data

You can use the new Mark Critical Model Data tool (3D
Modeling module) to find critical model data in the active document
or in all drawing files that are open or open in edit mode.
"Critical model data" refers to components that look correct but that
contain coordinates that differ by approximately 0.00001 mm or
lines whose angles differ by 0.0001°. Data of this kind can come
from earlier versions or it can be created by importing data from
other CAD systems. This kind of data is not displayed correctly in
animated models, hidden line images, associate views and above all
in sections.
44 Allplan 2013
New Features in Allplan 2013 Presentation 45

Presentation
New rendering method: global illumination
The Global Illumination rendering method displays not only direct
light sources but also indirect lighting that results from refraction
and reflection. Using this method, you can give lighting a realistic
look, in particular, when it comes to lighting interiors. Compared
with ray tracing, the Global Illumination method optimizes the
nuances of brightness and produces smoother shadows. The image is
calculated as a 'high dynamic range image'. You can save it in HDR
format and in any standard bitmap format.

Note: As global illumination calculations require much disk space,

we recommend a 64-bit version of Allplan.

Note: If sunlight is switched off, the program automatically uses

ambient occlusion to calculate the scene. This improves the realistic
representation of smooth shadows.

The new rendering method is available for the following tools:

• Render

• Record Sun Study

• Record Movie
46 New rendering method: global illumination Allplan 2013

Settings for global illumination

You can define the quality of the rendered images in the GI
Renderer Settings dialog box. The better the quality, the longer the
whole process will take.

Settings

Medium (default setting)

You can select one of the predefined settings: Low, Medium, High
or Very high. You can save your own settings by clicking on the
right. deletes settings you have saved.
New Features in Allplan 2013 Presentation 47

Picture quality
You can specify the degree of anti-aliasing. Small values produce
jagged edges and coarse textures. Large values result in smooth
edges and detailed textures.

Irradiance cache quality

You can control the density and accuracy of results for the
interpolation of indirect lighting. Large values produce more
accurate results, in particular in conjunction with indirect lighting
changing quickly (e.g., in corners or below objects). Small values
lead to unrealistic results.

Indirect illumination quality

You can control the accuracy when it comes to calculating indirect
lighting. Small values produce great differences when surfaces are
illuminated indirectly. Large values lead to smooth results.

Shadow quality
You can control the quality of shadows. Large values produce
smooth shadows whereas small values lead to coarse shadows. The
larger the relevant area, the higher the required quality of shadows.
You are advised to combine Picture quality and Shadow quality in
a reasonable way. To obtain smooth shadows, you do not need to
increase the Picture quality setting considerably as calculating
shadows does not take very long. So you can produce satisfying
results by increasing the value for Shadow quality while reducing
that for Picture quality.

Photon map quality

You can control the number of photons created globally, the
accuracy of lighting and other settings relating to Photon map
quality. Large values lead to more accurate results whereas small
values produce great differences when surfaces are illuminated
indirectly. Setting Photon map quality to a larger value can replace
a lot of time-consuming calculations of indirect lighting.
Consequently, you can reduce the value for Indirect illumination
quality considerably. This is very useful when it comes to rendering
complex models or complicated light situations.

Optimization

Optimize rendering for: Exterior visualization / Interior visualization

You can optimize the rendering process for exteriors or interiors.
48 New rendering method: global illumination Allplan 2013

Tone mapping after calculation

The image is calculated as a 'high dynamic range image'. After the
calculation, you can interactively adjust the result in the Tone
Mapping dialog box. In conjunction with Record Sun Study and
Record Movie, the Tone Mapping dialog box opens after the first
image has been calculated. The settings you define in this dialog box
then apply to all subsequent images. The changes are displayed
immediately.

Tone Mapping, Optimization

Exposure compensation
You can correct the exposure of the image.

Gamma correction
You can correct the tonal values of the image.

Color saturation correction

You can correct the color saturation of the image.

Click HDR to save the image as a High Dynamic Range Image in

any folder.

OK
Click OK to finish correcting the image.
New Features in Allplan 2013 Presentation 49

Surface properties for global illumination

Compared with the Ray Tracing method, the surface properties need
to be set differently for Global Illumination so that you can achieve
optimum results for renderings that include transparent and mirror-
like materials. However, these settings also produce satisfying results
in conjunction with other rendering methods, such as Ray Tracing or
Quick Ray.
Transparent, glass-like materials
• For transparent, glass-like materials, the Object color should be
set to black and the Color of luster to white. For colored glass, it
is sufficient to set the Color of luster to the hue you need; the
Object color stays black.
• The more transparent the glass, the higher the Luster: For
transparent glass, use a value near the maximum of 16,000. For
matt or sandblasted glass, a value of 20 or 30 is sufficient.
• Thick glass panels require a Refraction of 1.5. For normal glass
panes, such as Allplan's smart window symbols, it is enough to
set the Refraction to 1.0.
• For water, you are advised to use a Refraction of 1.5.
Bright, metallic materials
• As with transparent materials, set the Object color to black. Set
the Color of luster to the color of the material, e.g., white for
chrome.
• The greater the mirror effect of the material, the higher the
Luster: use a value near the maximum of 16,000 for chrome.
Smaller values are sufficient for bright materials.
Coated, vanished materials
• Materials like polished plastic or vanished wood are composed of
the layer below in Object color and the bright coat in the Color
of luster. If the material is to dominate, the Object color gets the
higher value. If the focus is to be on the coat, the Color of luster
is given priority.
50 New rendering method: global illumination Allplan 2013

Default surfaces for global illumination

Allplan 2013 comes with five surface files in SURF format, which
have been adapted to meet the requirements imposed by Global
Illumination. These files are in the ...\Design\Standard-GI
folder and can be used for surface definition.
The default surfaces in the STD\Design folder have not changed
and can be used as usual. The new surface files also produce
satisfying results in conjunction with other rendering methods, such
as Ray Tracing or Quick Ray.
The section that follows compares the properties of the new surfaces
for Global Illumination in Allplan 2013 with the common default
surfaces.
An example illustrates the principles of surface definition for Global
Illumination.

A comparison of default surfaces

Surface properties Surface optimized for GI Default surface

alu.surf
Object color
RGB 128, 128, 128 RGB 150, 150, 150
Color of luster
RGB 171, 171, 171 RGB 180, 180, 180
Luster (0-16000) 10 100
Reflectivity as a % 40 0
Transparency as a % 0 0
Refraction (1.0-2.0) 1.000 1.000
New Features in Allplan 2013 Presentation 51

Surface properties Surface optimized for GI Default surface

chrome.surf
Object color
RGB 213, 213, 213 RGB 241, 241, 241
Color of luster
RGB 255, 255, 255 RGB 255, 255, 255
Luster (0-16000) 16000 1
Reflectivity as a % 80 80
Transparency as a % 0 0
Refraction (1.0-2.0) 1.500 1,000

glass.surf
Object color
RGB 0, 0, 0 RGB 200, 200, 255
Color of luster
RGB 255, 255, 255 RGB 255, 255, 255
Luster (0-16000) 16000 50
Reflectivity as a % 5 70
Transparency as a % 85 59
Refraction (1.0-2.0) 1.500 1,000

milkglass.surf
Object color
RGB 255, 255, 255 RGB 255, 255, 255
Color of luster
RGB 255, 255, 255 RGB 255, 255, 255
Luster (0-16000) 30 1
Reflectivity as a % 5 0
Transparency as a % 85 60
Refraction (1.0-2.0) 1.000 1.000
52 New rendering method: global illumination Allplan 2013

Surface properties Surface optimized for GI Default surface

mirror.surf
Object color
RGB 0, 0, 0 RGB 220, 220, 255
Color of luster
RGB 255, 255, 255 RGB 0, 0, 0
Luster (0-16000) 8000 500
Reflectivity as a % 80 69
Transparency as a % 0 0
Refraction (1.0-2.0) 1.500 1.000

Global Illumination with projects from earlier versions

The changes in the surfaces normally have no effect on projects
created with earlier versions. The office standard remains unchanged.
What's more, all the surface files used in a project are copied from
the office standard (STD\Design) to the design folder of the project
in question. In addition, any changes are saved in the project.
If you want to use Global Illumination with projects from earlier
versions, it is a good idea to do some trial runs with Global
Illumination. If you are not satisfied with the results, you can
implement various strategies.

Note: The changes described here are made in Windows Explorer

and affect Allplan resources; therefore, they should by implemented
by experienced users only. Back up your data before you start.

Note: To open folders of an Allplan installation, you can use the

Windows Explorer tool on the Service menu in the Services
application.
New Features in Allplan 2013 Presentation 53

Changing surfaces in a specific project

You do not need to assign all textures and surfaces from scratch. If
necessary, you can manually adjust the parameters for transparent
surfaces, such as glass or water, or for bright, metallic surfaces, such
as chrome or aluminum. The changes are saved in the design folder
of the project.

Replacing the default surfaces in the project

If you have not adjusted surfaces in the project, you can copy the
five new surfaces to the design folder of the project and overwrite
the existing surfaces. You are advised to back up the design folder of
the project in advance (e.g., you can copy it and rename the copy).

Optimizing surfaces for Global Illumination

If you want to use Global Illumination for most rendering operations
in future, you can copy the five new surfaces to the office standard
and overwrite the existing surfaces. This way, you always use the
new surfaces even when you assign surfaces to existing projects.

X3D format in animation

Now you can use the Export to CINEMA 4D / VRML / 3DS /
U3D tool (Animation module) to create data in X3D format.
Extensible 3D (*.x3d) is an XML-based description language for 3D
data, which can be displayed in a web browser. This format is the
successor of the VRML format. ECMA International (European
Computer Manufacturers Association) standardized this format in
2009.
54 Diameter-dependent representation in animation Allplan 2013

Diameter-dependent representation in
animation
The Options provide the additional Surface colors from
diameters setting for the representation of bar reinforcement in
animation. When you select this setting, the individual diameters are
displayed in animation using the colors that are assigned (provided
Color stands for pen is switched off in Show/Hide).
To assign colors, click the Assign diameter colors button. A dialog
box opens. You can change existing color assignments by selecting
the desired color in the Color column.

When you create an animation with the Surface colors from

diameters setting being selected and there are diameters to which
colors have not been assigned, these diameters are given the
unassigned color numbers starting at 2 in ascending order. If there
are no color assignments, the diameters are automatically given
color numbers starting at 2 in ascending order.
New Features in Allplan 2013 Presentation 55

The same colors are used in the animation on the left. The animation on the right shows
the result with colors being automatically assigned to diameters.
56 Allplan 2013
New Features in Allplan 2013 Layout management using Allplan Exchange 57

Layout management using

Allplan Exchange
Allplan Exchange is a comfortable tool for web-based layout
management. Using this module, which is integrated in Allplan 2013,
architects civil engineers and designers can save the layouts created
in the CAD system in different formats, archive them locally and
send them to project partners via a web platform.
Thanks to additional new features in the area of layout and project
attributes, you can change data quickly and easily and customize
attribute definition for your needs.
Using the multi-export tool, you can export a number of layouts in
different formats at the same time and save and archive these
layouts in any folder afterwards.
As a result, the current layout data is available to all those involved
in a project at any time over the course of a project. In addition, the
program creates a log whenever data is sent and/or downloaded. So
you can keep track of who has opened or downloaded which layouts
and when.

Allplan Exchange Layout Distribution

You can use the Allplan Exchange Layout Distribution tool
(Create menu in the Plot Layout module) to export layouts in
different formats, save them locally and send them to individual
project partners. You can define specific settings, such as file
formats, layout filters and messages for each project partner who is
to receive the layouts.
In addition, you can define and manage the layout attributes and
project attributes of the current project.
58 Allplan Exchange Layout Distribution Allplan 2013

Documentation for Allplan Exchange

You can find further information on Allplan Exchange in a
number of places:

• Information on using the Allplan Exchange Layout

Distribution tool can be found in the help for Allplan: Printing
and Plotting - How to - Sending layouts and other files.

• The "First steps in Allplan Exchange" guide can be found on the

web site of Allplan Exchange (https://allplan-
exchange.com/documents/10179/0/Exchange_Web_Anleitung_DE
U).
• The "Steps to Success - Allplan Exchange" guide, which shows
how to use Allplan Exchange based on an example, can be
downloaded from Allplan Connect (https://www.allplan-
connect.com) - TRAINING - Documents.
New Features in Allplan 2013 Layout management using Allplan Exchange 59

Sending layouts and other files using Allplan

Exchange
You can use the "Allplan Exchange Layout Distribution" tool to
export layouts in different data formats from Allplan and upload
them to the Allplan Exchange (http://www.allplan-exchange.com)
web platform. The project partners authorized by you can then
download these layouts from this web platform.
While the data is uploaded, the contacts specified get a note
including a link to the download area and a list of the layouts and
files that are available.

Important!
This tool requires that you have created a user account for the
Allplan Exchange web platform. Users that do not have access to
Allplan Exchange cannot use this tool. In this case, the data can
only be saved locally.

Selecting the layouts for distribution

You can select the layouts for distribution using the layout structure,
which is familiar to you from other modules (see "Specifying layouts
and files for the current package"). If you have created a project-
specific layout structure for the project, the layouts can also be
displayed in this structure.
First the selected layouts are added to the distribution lists of all the
contacts specified in the current contact list. You can then define
custom layout filters to control the scope of the individual packages
for each contact (see "Setting a layout filter for contacts").

Local file storage

A separate package is saved locally for each export operation. You
can specify the path and folder for the local file storage. In addition,
you can define data formats and layout filters as you would for any
other contact.
60 Sending layouts and other files using Allplan Exchange Allplan 2013

Defining contacts, saving and loading the contact list

Important!
This tool requires that you have created a user account for the
Allplan Exchange (http://www.allplan-exchange.com) web
platform. Users that do not have access to Allplan Exchange cannot
use this tool.
The same applies to all the related tools.

Select the contacts who are to receive the current package in the
contact list, which you can maintain using Allplan Exchange (see
"Specifying the contacts to whom the current package is to be sent").
There you can add new contacts, update existing ones and assign
contacts to specific projects thus creating project partners.
You can save a contact list defined in Allplan as a favorite file. All
the settings you have selected for the individual contacts are also
saved in the favorite file. You can then retrieve the list whenever
required. The settings for the individual contacts are retained. In
other words, when you retrieve the contact list from the favorite file,
the program restores the settings that were current at the time of
saving.

Specifying data formats for contacts

You can export and send layouts in a variety of data formats: In
addition to the regular Allplan format (zip as usual), you can also
use the PDF, NID, DGN, DWG and DXF formats as well as a number
of bitmap formats. You can specify several data formats for each
contact within a package.
When you add a contact to the contact list, the data formats you
defined in the default settings are selected automatically. However,
when it comes to sending the current package, you can adjust the
data formats separately for each contact.
Here, too, you can save the individual combinations of data formats
in favorite files. This way, you do not need to define the formats for
each contact or package from scratch each time.

Setting a layout filter for contacts

Initially, the layouts selected in the layout structure are assigned to
all contacts. You can then define custom layout filters to control the
scope of the individual packages for each contact (see "Setting a
layout filter for contacts").
New Features in Allplan 2013
Tip: You have to use the
Settings dialog box if you
want to change the actual
contents of the distribution
note (see "Distribution note").
Layout management using Allplan Exchange 61
Here, too, you can predefine a number of filter conditions and save
them in favorite files.
Distribution note
A distribution note in the form of an email is sent with each package
(except local file storage). This note informs the persons who receive
the package of the new layouts and files.
In addition to the head, salutation, main text, contact-specific
message and complimentary close, the distribution note provides the
following information: file name, file date and file size of each file
sent.
When it comes to sending the package, you can define the contents
of the distribution note using the template in the Settings dialog box
(see "Defining the template for the distribution note"). The
distribution note sent with a package is the same for all contacts,
which means that each note contains the same salutation, main text
and complimentary close. Immediately prior to sending, however,
you can adjust the messages defined in the template individually for
each contact.
So that you can use different distribution notes for the individual
packages and projects without having to define the corresponding
templates from scratch each time, you can also save the templates
for distribution notes in favorite files and retrieve them later when
needed.
Messages in distribution notes
The template currently defined in the Settings dialog box is always
used for the distribution note that is sent together with a package.
You can only adjust the messages for the individual contacts in the
contact list.
Adding custom files to distribution lists(n) of one or all
contacts
In addition to Allplan layouts, you can add custom files, such as
Word documents and schedules, to the packages.
A file can be assigned to an individual contact or to all the contacts
of the current contact list (see "Adding custom files").
62 Sending layouts and other files using Allplan Exchange Allplan 2013

Checking data prior to sending or uploading

Before sending or uploading the data, you can check the packages
for the individual contacts: By means of an option, you can specify
whether the data is to be sent immediately after the export files have
been set up or at a later time. If you select the latter, you can check
each layout after setup to see whether the name of the export file is
correct or whether it is sent to the appropriate contacts.

Sending or uploading a package

The template currently defined in the Settings dialog box is always
used for the distribution note that is sent together with a package.
For documentation, each package gets a time stamp giving the date
and time the package was sent.

Note: The necessary steps for sending layouts using Allplan

Exchange are described in "Sending layouts and other files using
Allplan Exchange (how to)".
New Features in Allplan 2013 Layout management using Allplan Exchange 63

Project attributes generally available

In earlier versions you first had to open ProjectPilot or the Open
Project tool (Select Attributes) and specify which of the attributes
predefined in Allplan were available in a project. Only then were you
able to assign values to these attributes using the Properties of a
project. You could assign up to 30 attributes to a project even if
more attributes were available.
In Allplan 2013 you no longer need to select attributes in advance.
All project attributes are always available. The attributes are
structured in groups.

Now you can assign an unlimited number of attributes to each

project. In addition, a number of new project attributes are available,
opening up new options: for example, you can assemble a layout
index from several individual attributes.
64 More new features for plotting layouts Allplan 2013

More new features for plotting layouts

Managing favorites for PDF export
The parameters in the Export PDF Data dialog box have been
resorted and combined into groups.

Now you can use Save as a favorite to save the settings in the
Properties area as a favorite file, which you can retrieve and, if
necessary, adjust using Load favorite. In addition, you can use
Reset to reset the settings in the Properties area back to their
defaults.

Title block legends

In addition to the Label tool, the Plot Layout module provides
the new Legend, Title Block tool, which functions in the same
way as the familiar Legend tool but applies to layouts.

You can use the Legend, Title Block tool to create legends with
the current layout and project attributes.
The program always creates the legends as associative legends to
make sure that changes in the attributes update automatically. After
having placed a legend, you can resolve it into its design entities.
New Features in Allplan 2013 Layout management using Allplan Exchange 65

Reports in the layout editor

In the layout editor, you can create reports using the new Layout
Content Reports or the Reports button in the Open on a
project-specific basis: layouts dialog box. The reports analyze the
data in the documents placed.
You can use all the reports that are also available in document edit
mode. Please note the following:
• You cannot place reports in layouts.
• Each document is only analyzed once even if the layout contains
several copies thereof.
• All the elements in a document are analyzed even if a layout
window only shows a part of the document.
• Elements that are on hidden, frozen layers are not taken into
account.
In earlier versions, information on the layouts in use could be output
using the shortcut menu of the project node, layout folders or
layouts. Now you can use one of the reports in the
Administration folder.
• The Layout list with documents report lists all the layouts
that are used in the current project. The following information
is provided for each layout: layout number, layout name,
person editing the layout, date of creation and layout
elements included (drawing files and NDW files, with number
and name). Layout elements that are placed several times are
also listed several times. You can choose to show or hide
graphics.
In the case of a layout structure with additional layout folders,
you can use the Object filter to specify which layouts are to
be included.
66 More new features for plotting layouts Allplan 2013

• The Layout overview with layout structure report lists all the
layouts that are used in the current project. The following
information is provided for each layout: layout number,
layout name, display mode, layout type, person editing the
layout and date of creation. You can choose to show or hide
graphics, additional attributes assigned on the Settings tab
and/or entries of the index table.
In the case of a layout structure with additional layout folders,
you can use the Object filter to specify which layouts are to
be included.

Defining layout and project attributes

In addition to the familiar methods for defining layout and project
attributes, the Plot Layout module provides the new Layout and
Project Attributes tool.
This tool opens the Layout Attributes dialog box, which you can
also access via the Open on a project-specific basis: layouts or the
Allplan Exchange dialog box. Look in Allplan's online Help for
detailed information on defining layout attributes.

Clicking at bottom left opens the Project Attributes dialog box,

which always provides all project attributes (as mentioned earlier).
To get a better view, you can show and hide unassigned values.
New Features in Allplan 2013 Layout management using Allplan Exchange 67

In earlier versions you added and deleted change notices for a layout
using the shortcut menu of a layout and the Change notices tab.
Now you can do this on the Settings tab in the Index table area or
in the index table in the Layout Attributes dialog box.
Entries of the Subindex type are not taken into account when you
create layout legends using the Legend, Title Block tool.
68 Allplan 2013
New Features in Allplan 2013 Engineering 69

Engineering
When developing the engineering part of this new version, we
focused on improving entry and modification using the palettes and
on converting the old lists to the new reports.

Labeling reinforcement using the palette

In Allplan 2013 you can now use a palette to create labels for bar
and mesh reinforcement. This creates an efficient and consistent
workflow for the most common reinforcement methods.
Now you can place labels quickly and easily in reinforcement
drawings. Thanks to the preview function, which shows the next
steps, you can proceed quickly: when creating a new label, you can
immediately see the effects on the layout. So, for example, you can
see whether the label and its leaders will collide with other labels or
elements.
You can use favorites for labels and dimension line types as well as
match existing parameters. This makes entry and modification much
easier.
When it comes to displaying leader end symbols and bar markers,
you can select from a large number of new options.
70 Labeling reinforcement using the palette Allplan 2013

Labels for bar reinforcement

Now a palette covers the entire process of creating reinforcement.
Compared with the conventional method for labeling, the new
palette offers the following advantages:
• By selecting the Automatic mark number option in the input
options, you can configure the program to automatically adjust
the position of the mark number to the labeled bar shape or
placement.
If the text is to the right of the section, the mark number will be
placed to the left of the text. If the text is to the left of the
section, the mark number will be moved automatically to the
right of the text. Using the preview, you can immediately see
whether the label collides with any other elements.

• The program displays a preview for the Fan and Comb dimension
line types (as for the other types).
• The different label components of the individual dimension line
types are saved separately. As a result, you immediately get the
appropriate label when switching from Dimension line to Fan,
for example.
Even with the Label tool, the program knows whether you
have clicked a definition bar or a bar of a placement and
proposes the appropriate label.
New Features in Allplan 2013 Engineering 71

• When setting the dimension line type to Dimension line, you can
output the number of spacing values and the total. In addition,
you can change the sequence of bar spacing and number of
pieces and select a different separator.

• You can specify the format properties of the mark number, mark
text and the leader using the Options for text and Options for
leader parameters. These settings can differ from those in the
Options on the Reinforcement - Format page. The next time you
select this tool, the program takes the settings from the options
again.

Mesh labels
The old tools for labeling mesh reinforcement - Label, Automatically
Label Mesh in Plan and Mesh Dimensions - have been combined
into one tool. Here, too, a palette covers the entire process of
creating reinforcement.
When it comes to labeling meshes later, you can select the Auto-
label option in the input options to configure the program to label
all meshes automatically. To replace an existing label, select
Delete existing labels in the input options.
72 Labeling reinforcement using the palette Allplan 2013

In the parameter area of the palette, you can enter any value for the
Text angle or select a value in the list box. The Parallel and
Perpendicular settings apply to the mesh diagonal or the direction
line clicked.
Clicking Options for text opens a new dialog box, where you can
specify the text parameters and apply a background fill.
The same applies to Options for leader. Here you can specify the
type and size of the leader end symbol and the pen thickness and
line color of the leader. The modified format properties of the leader
are valid until you quit the tool. The next time you select this tool,
the program takes the settings for the pen thickness and line color of
the leader from the Options, Reinforcement - Format page
again.

Modifying labels
Labels are also modified in the palette. Therefore, the old Modify
Label tool no longer exists.
Select the labels you want to modify, open the Properties palette and
choose the relevant entry: Label, Dimension line, label or Mesh
label.
New Features in Allplan 2013 Engineering 73

If the Display element properties in palette even with left double-

click setting is selected in the Options on the Desktop
environment page, the palette opens automatically when you
double-click the label with the left mouse button.
Compared with the conventional method for modifying labels, the
new approach offers the following advantages:
• You can select and modify several labels in one go. The palette
only shows the properties that are the same for all labels.
However, you can change different properties so that they form a
common, new property.
• You can modify the parameters of the dimension line later. It is
still not possible to change the dimension line type.
• When it comes to modifying bar labels, you can use Options for
text to change the format properties of the mark number and
mark text later.
• Using Options for leader, you can modify the format properties
of the leader later. You cannot change the leader type.
74 Reports in engineering Allplan 2013

Reports in engineering
All the reinforcement schedules provided by the old Create Schedule
and Mesh Schedule tools have been replaced with reports. To access
the Reports dialog box, where you can select the new reinforcement
schedules, you can use the new Reinforcement Reports (Bar
Reinforcement module) and Mesh Reports tools (Mesh
Reinforcement module).
Consequently, the old Manage Reinforcement Schedules and Load
Schedule from File tools have become superfluous and are no longer
available.

Now reports are also provided for Cross-section catalogs and

analyses in the Key Plan, Site Plan, Digital Terrain Model and
Cadastral Plan modules.
New Features in Allplan 2013 Engineering 75

In addition, you can find a new legend for couplers, nuts and threads
in the reinforcement legends.
76 Mesh cutting diagram and excess mesh placement Allplan 2013

Mesh cutting diagram and excess mesh

placement
The old Mesh Cutting Diagram tool, which you could use to place a
mesh cutting diagram for excess mesh placement in the workspace
or drawing file, is no longer available. As a result, there are fewer
settings in the Options - Reinforcement - Representation page -
Mesh cutting diagram area.
New Features in Allplan 2013 Engineering 77

Mesh cutting diagram

Now you can use the new Mesh Legend tool to create mesh
schedules with or without bending shapes.

Please note that mesh cutting diagrams cannot be created as

associative legends. To output a mesh cutting diagram as a separate
report, you can use the Mesh Reports tool.

Excess mesh placement

Excess mesh is still placed with the Place Individually tool.
However, you no longer use Match but the new Excess
Mesh Placement tool.

After you have selected Excess Mesh Placement, the Excess

mesh placement window opens in addition to the active viewport.
This window shows all meshes with pieces of excess mesh. The data
in all the active drawing files is taken into account. The manner in
which the meshes are displayed depends on the settings in the Mesh
cutting diagram area on the Reinforcement - Representation page
of the Options.
78 Mesh cutting diagram and excess mesh placement Allplan 2013

If there is no excess mesh, the program displays an appropriate

message.
Note: There may not be any excess mesh even when you place cut
mesh. The reason for this is that all cut meshes put together result in
whole meshes. For example, two half meshes result in one whole
mesh without any excess.
• Click the piece of excess mesh you want to place in the Excess
mesh placement window.
Afterwards, the Excess mesh placement window is closed again.
New Features in Allplan 2013 Associative views 79

Associative views
Allplan 2013 provides a much improved version of associative views.
In addition to the new display options producing realistic results and
an impression of depth, development focused on working across
drawing files. Inadvertent drawing file references are a thing of the
past.

New display options

Thanks to new and revised parameters, you can produce just about
any representation of views and sections with hidden edges. When it
comes to defining the individual format properties for visible and
hidden edges, you can specify whether each property is to be taken
from the model data or whether the settings defined in the dialog
box are to be used. By switching off the Show visible edges option,
you can easily create a glancing section with a section depth of zero.
80 New display options Allplan 2013

If textures are assigned to the model data, selecting the Create

bitmaps from textures, fills from colors option immediately
produces an animation-like representation.

Taking into account transparency, light and shadow, you can create photo-realistic images.

If the display of boundary lines is not selected in the section settings,

the section ends are open, which means that the program no longer
creates notional edges.
New Features in Allplan 2013 Associative views 81

When applying a thick line around intersected components, you can

now specify whether this is to apply to all edges or to exterior edges
only.
The section edges of windows and doors are not displayed with a
thick line.

If the Display hidden and intersected edges option was not selected
in earlier versions, these edges were displayed as hidden edges. Now
these edges are not displayed at all.
82 Intuitive drawing file filter Allplan 2013

Intuitive drawing file filter

The new, intuitive drawing file filter works in the background and
supports you when working across drawing files without you even
noticing. Thanks to this new filter, you can modify views quickly
and easily without producing additional references to other model
data. Any superfluous drawing files, which may be selected, are
automatically filtered out.
In addition to speeding up the process of modifying model data, the
drawing file filter offers the following advantages:
• Specific drawing files can be filtered permanently in associative
views and sections.
• Superfluous views are filtered out automatically.
• Starter bars can be displayed.
• You can edit alternative building models within one Allplan
project.

Changed settings in options

Due to the drawing file filter, working across drawing files is the
recommended approach again. Therefore, the Create across drawing
files and Transfer 3D components automatically to sections options
are selected by default.

Please note that you will not be able to switch off the Create across
drawing files option in future Allplan versions.

Selecting reference drawing files

New Features in Allplan 2013 Associative views 83

So that the workflow is not interrupted in a workgroup environment,

the drawing files with the model data of the building must be open
in reference mode. Now you can select this mode directly on the
shortcut menu of the drawing file.

If you have not selected all the reference drawing files that are
required for modifying a view, the program will issue an appropriate
message. In earlier versions, you could load the reference drawing
files using CTRL+F5 after you had confirmed the message. Now you
can load the reference drawing files directly in the message.

Note: You can still 'unload' the reference drawing files using
CTRL+F5 without having to open the dialog box for selecting
drawing files.
84 Intuitive drawing file filter Allplan 2013

Removing references
To remove references, you no longer need to select the
corresponding drawing files and delete the elements. Now you can
simply modify the drawing file filter. This way, you can quickly and
easily create reinforcement drawings without referencing other
drawing files.

To modify the drawing file filter, you can use the new Manage
Reference Drawing Files tool in the Change area.
After you have selected this tool, a dialog box displays all the
reference drawing files of the current drawing file. If you want to
delete a reference but not all reference drawing files are open in
reference mode, click Edit. Then clear the check box of the
corresponding drawing file and click Apply.
New Features in Allplan 2013 Associative views 85

The messages issued by the Display Drawing File References tool

have also been improved.
Now you can see which drawing file contains the view or section
and which drawing files are referenced by the view or section. If the
view or section and the 3D elements are in the same drawing file, a
message appears announcing that there are no reference drawing
files.
86 More new and revised features Allplan 2013

More new and revised features

Favorites
Favorites have been available in the dialog boxes for specifying
settings for hidden line images and sections for some time. Now you
can also find favorites on the View and Section Properties Context
toolbar. In addition, you can match the parameters of an existing
view.

Moving using the Clipboard

As moving views and sections using the Clipboard always resulted in
data loss if the original drawing files were not open in edit mode,
this option is no longer available for associative views.

Instead you can use the Copy, Move Elements between

Documents tool or copy the data using the Clipboard and delete the
original data afterwards.
New Features in Allplan 2013 Reports 87

Reports
Templates: Reports, Legends, Labels module
Allplan 2013 only provides the reports; the classic Allplan lists are
no longer available. The same applies to all tools associated with
lists. Legends are still created based on the classic method.
Now you can find the tools for creating and modifying reports and
legends in the Templates: Reports, Legends, Labels module, which
replaces the List Generator module.

Analyses in the building structure

Now the building structure only provides the reports.
88 Templates: Reports, Legends, Labels module Allplan 2013

Reports in building lists

The Building Lists... on the File menu use reports for analyses.
In addition to the xca format for Allplan BCM, various file types are
available for output. In the Building Lists dialog box, you can now
select any destination folder in the Output file area. The files created
are saved in this folder.
New Features in Allplan 2013 Reports 89

Creating and editing legends

The tools for creating and editing lists are no longer available. But
they have been optimized for creating legends, which are special
types of Allplan lists from earlier versions.
The Templates: Reports, Legends, Labels module provides the
following tools for legends:

Create menu

Icon Function Use

Define Cell You can use this tool to create legend cells.

Define Legend You can use this tool to create a legend.

Legend You can use this tool to create legends for objects and architectural
components. The legends are placed in the (drawing) file. Legends can
update automatically (depending on the settings you make).
Manage Label Styles, You can use this tool to rename, copy or delete individual label styles and
Legends legends or entire files thereof.

Modify menu

Icon Function Use

Modify Legends You can use this tool to modify legends. To change default legends, copy
them to the Office path first.
90 Editing graphics in reports Allplan 2013

Editing graphics in reports

You can change graphics interactively in specific engineering and
floor area reports.

Note: At the moment you can only change the graphics in the
Living space.rdlc and Reinforcement schedule -
bending shapes.rdlc reports.

To edit graphics in reports

1 Create the report.
The report is displayed in the Report Viewer.
2 Click to switch to editing mode.
3 Click in the graphic.
The graphic opens in Allplan's workspace.
4 Change the graphic. For example, you can move text, add new
text and lines and so on.
5 Press ESC.
The report with the modified graphics is displayed again.
6 Repeat steps 3 to 5 to adjust more graphics.
7 You can edit the report as follows:
• Customize it
• Print it
• Place it in the current document
• Save it as a file in Excel, PDF or Word format
• Modify it using the Layout Designer and save the changes
as a new template in RDLC format
8 Print or save the report.
New Features in Allplan 2013 Reports 91

Note: As long as you do not change the reference object (bar,

room), the modified image will be used for the report. Only when
you change the reference object will the graphic be recalculated
and you may need to adjust it again.

New administration reports

In earlier versions you could use special Crystal Reports to analyze
projects, drawing files, smart symbols, symbols and similar elements
in ProjectPilot. This option is no longer available in Allplan 2013.

Instead you can use Reports to analyze these elements. You can
find the appropriate reports in the Administration folder.
92 New administration reports Allplan 2013

Available reports, overview

Folder, file name Contents Special features

Building structure.rdlc
Layout list with documents.rdlc
Layout overview with layout
structure.rdlc
Filesets.rdlc
Building structure of the current In the Report Viewer, Parameters
project; including building palette, User Interaction area, you
structure, names of files and can use TabSize to control the
structural levels, drawing file indentation of the elements listed.
number and name as well as
objects derived from the building
structure with names of files and
structural levels, drawing file
number and name.
All layouts of the current project; You can hide the Graphics in the
including layout number, layout Report Viewer, Parameters palette,
name, person who created the User interaction area.
layout, date of creation, documents
used (number and name) and
preview.
All layouts of the current project; You can show and hide the
including layout number, layout Graphics in the Report Viewer,
name, display mode, layout type, Parameters palette, User
person who created the layout, date interaction area. Using Show
of creation, details you can show and hide the
description, hierarchic code, layout information on the layout name,
format, person who checked the hierarchic code, layout format,
layout, release date, preview and checker and release date. Using
layout index with index, date, Show index you can show and
edited by, index note, checker hide the layout index.
name and date, approval name and
date.
All filesets of the current project;
including project name, person who
created the fileset and date of
creation. In addition, the fileset
name, dates of creation and
modification, drawing file number
and name are listed for each fileset.
New Features in Allplan 2013
Libraries folder
Smart symbols.rdlc
Symbols.rdlc
Text symbols.rdlc
Reports
All smart symbols in the default
folder; including path, folder name, Report Viewer, Parameters palette,
preview in plan and name.
All symbols of the selected catalog;
including the catalog name, path,
file name, preview in plan and
symbol name for each catalog.
All text symbols of the selected
catalog; including the catalog
name, path, file name, preview in
plan and symbol name for each
catalog.
93
You can hide the Graphics in the
User interaction area.
You can select one or more
catalogs. Bear in mind that listing
all catalogs in a single operation
takes a very long time.
You can hide the Graphics in the
Report Viewer, Parameters palette,
User interaction area.
You can select one or more
catalogs. Bear in mind that listing
all catalogs in a single operation
takes a very long time.
You can hide the Graphics in the
Report Viewer, Parameters palette,
User interaction area.
94 New administration reports
Project folder
Project attributes.rdlc All project attributes in the current
project; including project ID,
project name, owner, date of
creation, attribute name and
attribute value.
Project details.rdlc All drawing files of the current
project; including drawing file
number, name, hierarchic code, list
number, file size and date of
creation.
Project overview.rdlc All projects; including ID, project
name, status, Allplan version,
owner and date of creation.
Allplan 2013
In the Report Viewer in editing
mode, you can sort the Drawing
file number, Drawing file name,
Size and Created on columns in
ascending or descending order.
In the Report Viewer, Parameters
palette, User Interaction area, you
can use the Show details option to
show and hide the Hierarchic code
and List number columns.
In the Report Viewer in editing
mode, you can sort the ID, Project
name and Created on columns in
ascending or descending order.
In the Report Viewer, Parameters
palette, User Interaction area, you
can use the Show details option to
show and hide the ID column.
New Features in Allplan 2013 Reports 95

Defining reports
You can use the new Define Report tool in the Templates:
Reports, Legends, Labels module to create new report templates in
RDLC format or change existing report templates.
This is done in the Allplan Report Designer.

Creating report templates

You can use Define Report to create a new, empty report
template. This is done in the Allplan Report Designer. The report
template does not contain placeholders for analyzing the Allplan
attributes. You need to insert them in further steps. This creates the
Allplan-specific part of the report (access to Allplan attributes, report
types and object types and transfer of these elements to the query).
To create report templates, you can select one of the predefined,
empty templates, which already contain headers and footers. You
can insert basic tables.
The Allplan Report Designer does not provide special functions like
filtering or user sorting. This requires working in a text editor and
Visual Studio.
You can find various predefined report templates on the File menu -
New Report:
96 Defining reports Allplan 2013

The report templates include the following contents:

• No grouping template
- Header, footer for the page
- Basic table in the body of the report, with a header and footer
table line for the sum
(the sum can be deleted)
• One grouping template
- As above
- Additional grouping
• Two groupings template
- As above
- With two groupings
New Features in Allplan 2013 Reports 97

Modifying report templates

You can also use the Define Report tool to modify report
templates.
Click Open on the File menu and select one of the existing reports to
open it for modification in the Allplan Report Designer.
98 Converting lists from earlier versions to reports Allplan 2013

Converting lists from earlier versions to

reports
You can use the Convert Office Lists tool to convert lists from
earlier Allplan versions to reports in RDLC format.

Note: This tool should be applied by experienced users only.

Although all the components of the list are converted, its layout
needs to be adjusted separately. This requires additional programs.

The office folder must contain lists (after you have upgraded from an
earlier version).
The dialog box for list selection opens. Now you can only convert
the lists to reports. Any other options are not provided.
New Features in Allplan 2013 Energy 99

Energy
Heat pump systems
The Energy Consulting module provides a new tool. Click Heat
Pump Systems to access the GeoTSOL program, which you can use
to place and simulate heat pump systems. This program helps you
optimize most common system configurations in order to achieve the
most efficient installation of the solar thermal system.
Calculations are based on hourly analyses. The results are presented
in a detailed project report.
Use the <<Back and Continue>> buttons or the icons on the left for
navigation in the program. You can enter the name of your company
in Settings in order to display it in the print preview.
Look in the program's online help for detailed information on
GeoTSOL and heat pump systems.

Note: If you want to print the calculation results, you require the full
program version, which you can purchase from Dr. Valentin
EnergieSoftware GmbH, Berlin.
100 Allplan 2013
New Features in Allplan 2013 New features for Nemetschek Softlock 101

New features for

Nemetschek Softlock
There are a number of improvements to Nemetschek Softlock License
Manager and License Server, making the programs easier to use.
The License Manager updates automatically when you update or
upgrade Allplan. When running NemSLock Server, you need to start
the update manually.
102 NemSLock License Manager Allplan 2013

NemSLock License Manager

General new features
Messages when the hardware changes
The program no longer issues a message after the hardware has
changed for the first time. The program will not inform you until the
second change.

You are strongly advised to request a new license with the present
settings and to install the registered license file. This updates the
registration and adds the new components to the license. Click
Update now.

Using alternative licenses with NemSLock License Manager

There are times when you will find that the license you usually use
when working with Allplan is not active or has expired. You are
then prompted to select a different, unused license.

In this case the alternative license is used automatically when you

start Allplan in the future.
New Features in Allplan 2013 New features for Nemetschek Softlock 103

Fixing NemSLock License Manager yourself

If you have deleted the data of an Allplan installation and thus the
data of NemSLock License Manager and re-installed Allplan
afterwards, you will see the following message when you start
Allplan:
An error occurred while initializing the License Manager.
Install an update to solve the problem.
Even minor problems with NemSLock License Manager forced you
to ask technical support for help. Now you can help yourself fix
some problems.
Fixing NemSLock License Manager involves the following steps:
• Update the License Manager.
- The easiest way to do this is to update Allplan. This way, the
License Manager is updated or installed automatically.
- To update the License Manager alone, insert the current
Allplan data medium in the appropriate drive, exit the start
menu and select the drive in Windows Explorer.

Open the \Programs\Allplan\Drv\Nemslock folder,

double-click Nemetschek Software Lock.exe and
follow the instructions displayed on screen.
- Please make sure that you have the Client ID and CD Key at
hand, as you need these codes for installing NemSLock
License Manager.
• The update has fixed the License Manager, which can now be
opened again.
- However, all the licenses have been removed.
- New licenses (including trial licenses) get the status expired.
• The following options are available for activating the expired
licenses again:
- Install an old, registered license. Now you can resume your
work unless you have changed the hardware of your computer
and thus the computer ID.
- Install a trial license or a temporary license, whose status is
initially set to expired. Request a registered license.
104 NemSLock Server Allplan 2013

NemSLock Server
Note: The latest release of NemSLock Server is available from
www.allplan-connect.com.

General new features

General improvements
Server window available as a tab
The NemSLock dialog box has been adjusted to the other elements of
the user interface. Now the server window is available as a separate
tab. Pointing to the tab opens the server window.
Using Lock and Close as usual, you can specify whether the
server window stays open.

Improved box for entering server

The box for entering the server in the server window is not empty if
you have not specified a server yet. Instead the following note is
displayed: Enter server here.
New Features in Allplan 2013 New features for Nemetschek Softlock 105

Messages displayed in separate dialog boxes

Messages issued by NemSLock Server are displayed not only in the
lower border of the server window but also in separate dialog boxes,
which you need to confirm explicitly. This ensures that users do not
overlook these messages. As usual, the text in the border of the
window is retained until the next message appears.

Using alternative licenses with NemSLock Server

There are times when you will find that the license you usually use
when working with Allplan and NemSLock Server is not available or
has expired. You are then prompted to select a different, unused
license.

The next time you started Allplan, the alternative license was used
automatically until you switched back to the original license. Now
the situation is different: the next time you start Allplan, the original
license is selected automatically.
106 NemSLock Server Allplan 2013

But if you want to use a different license permanently, open

NemSLock License Manager (Start - (All) Programs - Nemetschek -
Nemetschek Softlock 2006 - License Manager) and select the
license you want to use.

Registration request without button for sending

NemSLock Server is often installed on computers that are not
connected to the Internet. When generating a registration request,
you no longer have the option of directly creating an email with the
register.txt file.

So the Create registration request button has replaced the Send

button.
The folder with the register.txt file opens in Windows
Explorer. You can use all the options provided in Windows
Explorer: for example, you can append the file to an email, copy it
to a computer with Internet connection and so on.

'users.mcf' no longer coded

The users.mcf file with the user list is no longer coded. Now it is
a text file, which you can open in an editor.
New Features in Allplan 2013 New features for Nemetschek Softlock 107

User list generator no longer available

We have simplified the user administration of NemSLock Server and
removed the external user list generator, which was necessary for
creating the users.mcf user list.
Now you can use the NemGenUsers.ps1 script to create the
users.mcf user list. The script includes helpful comments.
For up-to-date information visit Allplan Connect - Support -
Solutions.

Upgrading licenses on server

When you install new licenses on the server and the clients, the
server automatically deactivates licenses that have expired. The old,
expired licenses used to be retained. As a result, unnecessary
warnings were displayed.

New features for user administration

Predefined user ALL
The predefined user ALL is automatically created when you install
the new version of NemSLock Server, making configuration and user
administration of NemSLock Server much easier.
108 NemSLock Server Allplan 2013

• The predefined user ALL is configured so that each user can

obtain licenses on the network but cannot import licenses. So you
do not necessarily have to set up users to restrict the import of
licenses.
• The predefined user ALL has administrator privileges for
NemSLock Server Console.
• All users who have logged on to the server can access the console
until a user is created.
• Customizing:
- You can set up users in addition to the user ALL. This is useful
if individual users are to be authorized to borrow server
licenses.
- Using the Select licenses function, you can narrow down the
selection of licenses a user is authorized to use.
- To restrict the use of the server console, set up a user with
administrator privileges.
- As soon as you have created a user with administrator
privileges, these privileges are removed from the predefined
user ALL.
- If you delete the user with administrator privileges, the
predefined user ALL automatically gets administrator
privileges again.
• The new Allowed to use licenses option is necessary for working
with the predefined user ALL.
• If you only want to work with users you have set up yourself, the
last step is to deactivate the Allowed to use licenses option for
the predefined user ALL. For this, however, you need to set up
users for all persons who are to work with Allplan and
NemSLock Server Console.
• When you have created all the users, the last step is to deactivate
the Allowed to use licenses option for the predefined user ALL.
• You no longer need to import the user list, making the external
user list generator program superfluous.
New Features in Allplan 2013 New features for Nemetschek Softlock 109

Upgrading NemSLock Server

Every time you update or upgrade Allplan, NemSLock License
Manager updates automatically. When running NemSLock Server,
you need to start the update manually.
You are strongly advised to update NemSLock License Manager so
that you can benefit from the new features described in this guide.
Before upgrading NemSLock License Manager, you need new
licenses. The following options are provided:
• Prior to upgrading NemSLock License Manager, use the existing
version to generate a registration request. You are given a
registered license (e.g., customer#_001.nslsrv), which is
also valid for the new version of NemSLock Server. Use this
license to upgrade NemSLock Server.
• Allplan Connect provides a new personal license for temporary
use (e.g., customer#_001_psd.nslsrv) in the private area of
your office. Use this license to upgrade NemSLock Server. After
this, generate a registration request for a registered license.

Note: During the upgrade, the seats are automatically connected

with the new licenses. Normally, the system administrator does not
need to make any further settings in the user administration or
console.

The following section provides an overview of the necessary steps.

110 NemSLock Server Allplan 2013

Updating or upgrading NemSLock Server on the server

While you are upgrading or updating NemSLock Server to the latest
program version on the server, the clients are not available: You
need to shut down the server and return imported licenses to the
server. It is worth spending time carefully planning an upgrade of
NemSLock Server. You are advised to pick a time when nobody
works at the clients, for example, in the evenings or on weekends.

To update or upgrade NemSLock Server on the server

 Make sure that the Allplan 2013 data medium is available.
 You need to return all the imported licenses to the server.
 You need to shut down the server. Install the update when
nobody is working at the individual workstations.
9 Start NemSLock Server Console.
10 To close NemSLock Server, click Stop server.
This shuts down the service of NemSLock Server; in other words,
the network connection is terminated and clients (users) can no
longer access the server.
Note: Before you can shut down the server, you need to return all
the imported licenses. If there are still some imported licenses
missing, the system will issue an appropriate message.
11 Insert the Allplan 2013 data medium in the appropriate drive.
12 Exit the Allplan 2013 Start Menu.
13 Start Windows Explorer.
14 Open the \Programs\NemSLock 2006 Server folder.
15 Double-click setup.exe.
16 Follow the instructions displayed on screen.
New Features in Allplan 2013 New features for Nemetschek Softlock 111

Upgrading Allplan at the clients

Notes on upgrading Allplan at the clients
• Make sure that NemSLock Server provides licenses for the new
version of Allplan. For example, you can upgrade the NemSLock
Server licenses on the server.
• On the Windows taskbar, click Start - (All) Programs -
Nemetschek - Nemetschek SoftLock 2006 - License Manager.
• Select a license for the new version in the License Manager.
• Upgrade Allplan to the latest version.
- Select Existing license file in the Select License Information
dialog box. The license driver is installed afterwards.
- Setup checks whether you have selected a license for the new
version of Allplan.
- If this is so, Setup continues and installs the new version of
Allplan.
112 Allplan 2013

Installing Allplan on several computers, using an image and SysPrep

The installation of several computers using an image of an existing
computer caused problems. After you had copied the image to a
different computer, NemSLock License Manager did not work. The
computer ID file of the master computer was not suitable for other
computers.
SysPrep makes installation of Allplan easier, in particular when it
comes to installing Allplan on several computers using an image.
SysPrep helps you prepare the master computer so that its image can
be used to install the other computers.

Note: Run SysPrep as the system administrator. SysPrep should only

be used by experienced system administrators.

SysPrep prepares the master computer as follows:

• All the licenses are set to the status of expired; the same applies
to trial licenses that are installed afterwards.
• The computer ID file is reset.
• The new computer ID file is only generated the next time you
start the program.
You can find detailed information on SysPrep in Allplan Connect -
Support - Solutions - sysprep.
After having copied the image, you can install the final license or
connect the License Manager with NemSLock Server. This way, you
can use the full function scope of <Product.
New Features in Allplan 2013 Index 113

Index
engineering 69
2 excess mesh placement 76
2D to 3D lines 41 mesh cutting diagram 76
reinforcement label 69
6 reinforcement schedules 74
64-bit support 11 excess mesh placement 76
A Exchange layout management
57
administration reports 91
associative views 79 F
display options 79 fileset structure, find and replace
drawing file filter 82 13
B finding text in large layouts 22

building structure, find and G

replace 13 global illumination 45, 49, 50
C global illumination rendering
method 45, 49, 50
CAD data for building alteration
in Allplan Connect 13 H
collision check 21 hidden line image 37, 39
concrete components for
engineering 36 I
Connect palette 22 IBD on separate medium 13
converting lists to reports 98 IFC interface 23
creating and editing legends 89 installing heat pump systems 99
creating report templates 95 interfaces 23
DXF, DWG 25
D iTWO interface 25
defining layout and project Sketchup 25
attributes 66 iTWO interface 25
diameter-dependent
representation in animation L
54 labeling reinforcement using
display options 79 palette 69
drawing file filter 82 layer structures set to project 18
drawing files, number 16 layout management 57
DXF, DWG 25 layout structure, find and replace
13
E layouts, number 16
editing graphics in reports 90 legends for title blocks 64
element control symbol 17
element direction symbol 17 M
element marker, rooms 42
114 Index Allplan 2013

managing favorites for PDF T

export 64
mark critical model data 43 title block legends 64
mesh cutting diagram 76 tool names 41
modifying report templates 97 U
module names 41
undo, redo layer status 14
N undo, redo project selection 15
NemSLock License Manager 102 user interface 3
NemSLock Server 104 customizing 7
graphical components 4
O module names 41
outline auto-detect 19 tool names 41

P W
palettes, Connect 22 Windows Explorer (services) 10
point snap options 20 Windows folder structure 9
project attributes 63 X
R X3D format 53
redesigned wizards 8 Z
reference drawing files
loading 82 zooming in on selected elements
managing, deleting 82 22
reports 87
administration reports 91
converting lists to reports 98
creating and editing legends
89
creating report templates 95
defining report 95
editing graphics in reports 90
modifying report templates 97
reports in engineering 74
reports in engineering 74
reports in the layout editor 65
rooms, element marker 42
S
Sketchup 25
SmartParts 27
adjusting SmartParts 29
creating SmartParts 30
engineering SmartParts 36
placing SmartParts 28
selecting SmartParts in palette
27
SmartPart script 35