New in Allplan 2004

Allplan 2004
New Features in Allplan 2004

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New Horizons
for Building Design
This documentation has been produced with the utmost care.
Nemetschek 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.
Information in this document is subject to change without notice.
Companies, names and data used in examples are fictitious unless otherwise noted. No part of this document may be
reproduced or transmitted in any form or by means, electronic or mechanical, for any purpose, without the express
written permission of Nemetschek.
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Corporation.
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Parts of this product were developed using LEADTOOLS.
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Allplan® and Allplot® are registered trademarks of Nemetschek AG, Munich.
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All other (registered) trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
2nd edition, February 2004

©Nemetschek Technology GmbH, 2004. All rights reserved.
Document No. 04eng01m01-2-PSMRHG0204

New Features in Allplan 2004 Contents I
Contents
Welcome ......................................................................................... 1
New Features across Modules................................................... 3

Advanced CAD Platform .....................................................................................3
Advanced User Interface.....................................................................................6
New Features in Project and Data Administration .....................................9
Navigation – a Snap!......................................................................................... 28
Advanced Options for Layers.......................................................................... 33
Further New Features across Modules......................................................... 38
Modules in the Basic Family....................................................45

Draft ....................................................................................................................... 45
Text ......................................................................................................................... 51
Dimension Lines .................................................................................................. 56
Interfaces .............................................................................................................. 58
Plot Layout ........................................................................................................... 70
Modules in the Architecture Family ......................................75

Architecture Module ......................................................................................... 75
Walls, Openings, Components........................................................................ 80
Quantity Takeoff...............................................................................................109
Roof Modeler.....................................................................................................119
Stair Design........................................................................................................120
Rafter Design .....................................................................................................123
Additional Improvements in the Architecture Modules ......................124
Presentation.............................................................................. 125
Animation...........................................................................................................125
II Contents Allplan 2004
Shadow................................................................................................................136
Bonus Tools................................................................................137
3D Modeling ......................................................................................................137
Associative Views..............................................................................................140
Smart Symbols ..................................................................................................144
Object Manager ................................................................................................147
Geo...............................................................................................153
Site Plan ..............................................................................................................153
Digital Terrain Model ......................................................................................154
City Planning .....................................................................................................156
Engineering................................................................................157
Component Modeler .......................................................................................157
Bridge and Civil Engineering Modeler.......................................................158
New Features in General................................................................................167
Shell......................................................................................................................170
FF Reinforcement and Typical Details........................................................172
Bar Reinforcement...........................................................................................175
Mesh Reinforcement.......................................................................................177
BAMTEC...............................................................................................................178
Reinforcement Schedules ..............................................................................180
What’s New in other Modules?....................................................................181
Finite Elements .........................................................................182

Importing FEA Data .........................................................................................182
Calculation in Accordance with DIN 1045-1 ..........................................183
Index............................................................................................187
New Features in Allplan 2004 Welcome 1
Welcome
Dear Customers!
Allplan 2004 is complete! The following pages present all the
innovations we have implemented since Version 2003.
Again, we have been able to integrate a great number of your wishes
and requests into this new version. Moreover, we have focused our
development work on advanced layout and design capabilities and
on a component-oriented approach.
Allplan 2004 has more to offer than just conventional CAD functions
and opens up new perspectives and fields of activity to architects and
engineers. A CAD system must be ideally suited for all building-
related tasks including designing, costing, rebuilding and much more
- no problem for Allplan 2004!
Allplan’s efficiency and ergonomics have been increased and new
connections to various applications have been established –
facilitating a fully integrated design process. Allplan helps you in
every way accomplish daily tasks and you can harness all the
advantages provided.
We wish you fun and success with Allplan 2004!
Munich, February 2004

Nemetschek
2 Allplan 2004
New Features in Allplan 2004 New Features across Modules 3
New Features across

Modules
Advanced CAD Platform
Intelligent Symbols
New in Allplan V2004.0a The Intelligent Symbols package has been integrated in the CAD
Platform and is available to all Allplan users. This package consists
of sanitary objects as well as additional smart window and door
symbols.
When placing these objects in the drawing file, you can assign them
attributes such as product, line, producer, price, custom text etc. Then
you can use a predefined schedule to evaluate and analyze these
objects.
When you install these objects, please make sure that you have
enabled the smart symbols option. You can also install the
Intelligent Symbols package at a later stage. Further information on
installing and using intelligent symbols is provided in the online
Help. See the section entitled “The Intelligent Symbols Program
Package”.
4 Advanced CAD Platform Allplan 2004
Scan
New in Allplan V2004.0a The Scan module has been integrated in the CAD Platform and is
available to all Allplan users.
You can use the tools in the Scan module to import scanned drawing
files into Allplan and manipulate them using various functions.
Scanned images (e.g., the site plan or the drawing of a house to be
renovated) can then serve as a backdrop for your work.
Pixel data (the scanned image) and vector data (Allplan drawings)
can be combined (this is known as hybrid data processing). Allplan
provides a wide palette of tools for editing scanned-in drawings. You
can delete, move, copy, rotate, resize and mirror areas. You can also
merge images and vice versa i.e. divide large images into a number
of smaller ones.
Use the scanned images as the basis for your work in 2D and 3D. For
example, display the image on screen, define rooms and use this as a
basis for calculating the area of the current structure. Or, draw new
elements to be integrated into the structure.
6 Advanced User Interface Allplan 2004
Advanced User Interface

Allplan 2004 with XP User Interface
The entire user interface of Allplan 2004 is now designed in the style
of Windows XP.
User-definable Background Color

In earlier versions, you could only set the background color for the
viewports in Allplan to black or white; this selection was made in the
Services. Now you can freely select the color of the workspace
directly in Allplan 2004; you do not have to restart the program.
You can define the background color in the Global Options,

View tab:
The background color is set using the Windows Color Selection

dialog box. If you are familiar with other Windows programs such as
Word, then you’ll find using this dialog box is easy:
You can select from 48 basic colors or you can define your own
color using the Define Colors >> button and save it as a User-
defined Color.
Now you can select a background color of your choice – yellow, for
example- and design facades using bright colors or check and see
how white fills look.
The line colors 0 and 1 (white or black, depending on the
background) and the display of the crosshairs are adjusted
automatically.
So that you get an impression of how the line colors look in
conjunction with the background color set, the Format toolbar
displays the background color you have selected.
Fixing Toolbars
Now you can find the new Fix Toolbars tool on the View menu –
Toolbars. This tool fixes docked toolbars (arranged around the edge
of the workspace) and protects them from being moved
inadvertently.
When the toolbars are fixed, you can only use SHIFT+DRAG to move
docked toolbars or you can float them by double-clicking. Floating
toolbars can be moved as required.
• To move a toolbar and float it at the same time, press and hold
down the SHIFT key while dragging the toolbar.
• To move a toolbar without floating it, release the SHIFT key after
you have clicked the toolbar.
8 Advanced User Interface Allplan 2004
Hiding Names of Function in Dialog Line

Now you can configure the program not to display the name of the
function in the dialog line. To do this, go to the View menu
Toolbars (by default, this setting is enabled). Enable or disable the
Dialog line with function names check box.
This setting is particular useful for experienced Allplan users who do

not require this additional information.
New Features in Project and Data

Administration
Nemetschek Office Suite Project
Optimizing workflow
New in Allplan V2004.0a You will receive the Nemetschek Office Suite Project CD together
with the Allplan 2004.0a CD. This program has been developed
specially for planning offices. Nemetschek Office Suite Project
allows you to optimize the workflow in your office.
Organizational tasks are simplified considerably, reducing the time
and effort spent doing administrative work.
Nemetschek Office Suite Project appears as a bar below the program on the
desktop
10 New Features in Project and Data Administration Allplan 2004
Installing Nemetschek Office Suite Project

To install Nemetschek Office Suite Project, click the Finish button
when Allplan is installed on your computer and insert the
Nemetschek Office Suite Project CD in the CD-ROM drive. Setup will
continue automatically.
Detailed information on Nemetschek Office Suite Project is provided
in the manual entitled “Nemetschek Office Suite Project“, which
comes with the program.
Services
The Services application has been revised and improved; moreover,
some functions have been removed from the Services and integrated
in Windows Explorer.
A lot of details have been improved: for example, some terms have
been adapted to meet the requirements imposed by Windows
standards (Extern I/O has become the File menu) or if you convert
data to the current Allplan version, the system automatically detects
the source version and the corresponding prompt is unnecessary.
When you start Allplan for the first time after a upgrade or first-time
installation, the Services application no longer opens automatically.
Advanced viewport
When you start the Services, the viewport shows various types of
information on the workstation and its configuration.
Folder selection with search tool

You no longer need to enter paths and directories manually. Now
you can select the path in a dialog box – as with other functions in
Allplan.
Paths with blanks

Now you can also use blanks when entering paths in the Services.
Information menu
In addition to the customer number, the seat is also displayed in the
Services, Information menu Customer Number.
Project Administration for Workgroup

A new and easy-to-use tool with a graphic user interface has been
developed for managing projects within a workgroup environment.
You can use this tool to accomplish a number of tasks:
• Checking computers in and out
• Adding computers to and removing them from the workgroup
environment
• Moving and/or copying projects to other computers within the
workgroup environment
• Protecting projects from unauthorized intrusions (locking
projects)
• Renaming projects
• Deleting projects
• Creating Projects
Checking a computer in/out

Now you can remove a computer temporarily from a workgroup
installation. This can be useful if you are working in a workgroup
environment and you need to edit a project temporarily at the week
end without requiring access to the workgroup environment. When
you check out a computer, a copy of the office standard is created on
the local computer, and all the projects on this computer which are
based on the office standard access the local copy. When you check
in the computer, the copy of the office standard is retained on this
computer but all the projects access the office standard in the
network again.
Requirements for checking out a computer:
• The Workgroup option must be installed.
• You must be logged in as CAD Administrator or as a user with
CAD administrator privileges.
• The computer must be logged on to the Allplan network by
means of Add computer.
• Projects on this computer must neither be locked nor in use.
• The computer with the central file storage (i.e. the original office
standard, among other things) cannot be checked out.
• Only the local computer can be checked out; you cannot check
out another computer in the network.
• When the license server is also installed: a separate hardlock is
needed for the computer to be checked out.
To check out a computer

1 Start the Services on the computer you want to check out.
2 Click Workgroup Manager – Administration.
3 Click the computer you want to check out and select Check Out.
Or:
Click the computer with the right mouse button and
select Check Out on the shortcut menu.
4 Enter information on the checkout and press OK to confirm.
5 Specify which data from the office standard is to be copied to the
computer to be checked out and click OK to confirm.
To check in a computer
1 Start the Services on the computer you want to check in.
2 Click Workgroup Manager – Administration.
3 Click the computer you want to check in and select Check In.
Or:
Click the computer with the right mouse button
and select Check In on the shortcut menu.
Locking a project
You can lock projects; in other words, protect projects from
unauthorized intrusions. When you lock a project, you can enter a
note. If workgroup users try to access a locked project, they get
information on the name of the user who has locked the project in
question, the date and this note.
A locked project is represented by a lock symbol.
Operations in Nemetschek workgroup manager

The following table shows an overview of the options available in
the workgroup manager.
To do this ... Do this ...
Check out a computer Click computer and select Check Out.

Or:
Click Check Out on the shortcut menu of the
computer.
Check in a computer Click computer and select Check In.
Or:
Click Check In on the shortcut menu of the
computer.
Adding any computer Right-click somewhere in the area on the left of the
to the workgroup dialog box and select Add any computer to
workgroup.
Remove computer Click Remove computer on the shortcut menu of
the computer.
Adding local Right-click somewhere in the area on the left of the
computer to the dialog box and select Add [name of computer] to
workgroup workgroup.
Copy project Click the project and drag it to the target computer
without releasing the mouse button.
Or:
Click Copy on the shortcut menu of the project and
then select Insert on the shortcut menu of the
target computer.
Move project Click the project, press down the CTRL key and
drag the project to the target computer without
releasing the mouse button.
Or:
Click Cut on the shortcut menu of the project and
then select Insert on the shortcut menu of the
target computer.
Rename project Click the project and press F2 or select Rename on
the shortcut menu.
Delete project Click the project and press the DEL key or select
Delete on the shortcut menu.
Lock project Click Lock on the shortcut menu of the project and
enter a note.
Unlock project Click Unlock on the shortcut menu of the project.
Create project Click New Project on the shortcut menu of the
computer.
Icons used in Nemetschek workgroup manager

The status of projects and computers is represented by icons. the
following table shows an overview of the icons used and their
meaning.
Icon Meaning
Data server
Your own computer in the network
Local computer which is checked out
Network computer which is checked out
Project in use
Locked project
Project on computer which is checked out
Owner of a project
User of a project
Same Name for Folder and Project

Now you can use the same name for both the project and the project
folder. You can use this setting for new as well as for existing
projects.
When creating new projects: Select the Same name for folder and
project option in the New Project - Specify Project Name dialog
box.
When applying to existing projects: Click Open Project on the File

menu, select Settings... and enable the Same name for folder and
project option. As an alternative, you can also use the Properties
dialog box in ProjectPilot.
Up to 70 Characters for Name of Drawing

The name of the drawing can be up to 70 characters long.
Up to 3,000 Layouts per Project

You can create up to 3,000 layouts per project (instead of 1,000).
Windows-compliant Data Coding

With the introduction of Allplan 2004, the internal data coding has
been changed from DOS (code page 437) to Windows Standard (code
page 1252) . This only applies to the following Western European
languages: German, French, Italian, Dutch and Spanish.
This switch-over to code page 1252 means that the individual
characters in the Nemetschek fonts have been resorted so that they
comply with the Windows standard. Common special characters such
as exponents have been added to the Nemetschek fonts. When you
convert data, drawing files and layouts from earlier versions will
adapt accordingly.
If you have integrated your own special characters in a Nemetschek
font (characters for sheet metal, welding seams etc.), it may be
necessary to copy these special characters from the old font to the
correct number in the new font.
Detailed information is provided in the online Help. See the section
entitled “Using Special Characters from Earlier Versions“.
Inserting Drawing Files as XRefs
Using XRefs
You can insert a drawing file as a XRef in another drawing file as
often as you need. The drawing file will update automatically to
reflect any changes you make to the drawing file you have inserted
as a XRef. XRefs can be inserted at any scale and at an angle you
specify. Please note that you cannot use empty drawing files to insert
them as XRefs.
A XRef is always placed so that its size matches that of the elements
in the drawing file. If the size changes at a later stage, you can use
Update All XRefs on the shortcut menu to update the extents. XRefs
can be clipped (but this is only possible when you modify XRefs; you
cannot clip XRefs when placing them).
You can enable and disable the display of XRefs and XRef borders
in Show/Hide.
XRefs are always placed on the current layer. But the individual
elements of which a XRef consists retain their layers.
Please note that a drawing file which already contains a XRef cannot
be inserted as a XRef. If a drawing file which is inserted as a XRef
does not exist any more, the border and the reference are retained,
and the file name of the associated drawing file is displayed in the
border.
Inserting a drawing file as a XRef
To insert a drawing file as a XRef

1 On the Insert menu, click XRef.
2 Set the parameters.
Reference point
This is where you select the point at which the XRef is attached
to the crosshairs when you place it in the workspace.
Drawing file no.

This is where all the drawing files in the current project are listed.
Select those you want to include. Filenames may also be used to
select drawing files.
Congruent/custom
This is where you specify how a XRef is to be placed: so that it is
congruent with existing XRefs or at a point you specify (custom).
Drop-in point (relative to an Congruent ON Congruent OFF (custom)

existing XRef)
Within the XRef Congruent At the position clicked

Beyond the XRef At the position clicked At the position clicked
At the edge of the XRef Congruent (but at any offset to the edge At the position clicked
clicked)
At the corner of the XRef At the position clicked At the position clicked
Scale
You can enter the scale at which the XRef is placed here.
Rotation angle
You can define the angle at which the XRef is placed here.
Positive angles result in a counter-clockwise rotation.
3 Place the drawing file in the workspace.
OLE Objects
Creating new OLE objects

Now you can create new OLE objects.
Linking OLE objects

Now you can also link OLE objects. When you change the source
document, you can update the associated OLE objects manually and
you do not need to insert them again.
Editing OLE objects

Double-clicking an OLE object opens it in its original application and
you can edit it as usual. You can also edit objects associated with
Allplan 2004 directly in the original application and then update
them in Allplan. All you have to do is double-click these objects and
edit them.
Just double-click these objects and edit them.
Embedded objects can be edited either in Allplan 2004 or in their
original application; but any changes you make to the object have
no effect on the source document.
Transparency of OLE objects

Now you can use the shortcut menu to modify the transparency of
OLE objects. The background of OLE objects can only be set to
transparent or to not transparent; the default setting is transparent.
Transparent background means that the background color set in
Allplan 2004 is displayed instead of the background color of the OLE
object.
Therefore, you should disable the transparent setting when you use a
black background in Allplan 2004 and the OLE object you have
embedded is Word document containing black text, for example.
Sequence In which Elements Are Displayed

Up to 32 levels are now available to define and modify the sequence
in which elements are displayed on screen.
General information
By default, elements are displayed in the sequence in which they
have been created or modified. This way, the element you created or
modified last is always on top. The program provides several settings
for changing the sequence in which elements are displayed. For
example, you can prevent fills from hiding all the elements below.
The Sequence in which elements are displayed is saved as a number
between -15 and +16. Based on this number the elements are
displayed on screen: the element to which you have assigned the
highest value is displayed on top of all the other elements. When two
elements have the same number, the element you created last is
displayed on top of the other one. New elements get a fixed default
value. Allplan 2003 elements with the Always on Top format
property are automatically assigned a value of 12.
Note: New elements are always displayed on top. The settings are
only applied to the elements after you click Regen.
In the case of elements consisting of subordinate elements (such as

smart symbols, element groups, XRefs), the setting made for the
superordinate element has priority over the setting made for the
subordinate elements. If, for example, you configure the program to
display an element group on top of another element group, all the
elements of which this element group consists are displayed on top
of the elements of the other element group, regardless of the settings
made for the individual subordinate elements.
Default values for the sequence in which elements are

displayed
Default values for new elements

The following table lists the default Sequence values for various
elements created in Allplan 2004. You can modify these values in the
Global Options, Entry tab.
Default values for new elements
Element Default value
Dimension lines/text with fill +16

OLE objects +11
Dimension lines/text without fill +10
Nemetschek (smart) symbols +5
Normal design entities 0
XRefs 0
Hatching, patterns -3
Bitmaps -5
Fills -7
Line elements of architectural components +7
(in the case of multi-tier walls, the priority will increase
with each additional construction layer by a factor of 1)
Surface elements of architectural components +6
(in the case of multi-tier walls, the priority will increase
with each additional construction layer by a factor of 1)
Line elements of architectural rooms -1
Surface elements of architectural rooms -8
Notes:
• When you convert a surface element to another one using

Convert Surface Element, the display priority will not
change.
• Elements in reference drawing files are always behind the
elements in active drawing files.
• When you have enabled the die Surface elements in background

option in Show/Hide, fills are always behind other elements,
regardless of the priority set.
When converting data from V2003 to V2004

Property in V2003 Priority in V2004
Always on Top property +12

All other elements 0
When converting data from V2004 to V2003
Priority in V2004 Property in V2003
Priority > 5 Always on Top property
Priority ≤ 5 Without Always on Top property
Modifying sequence in which elements are displayed

Two methods are provided for modifying the sequence in which
elements are displayed:
• Select Modify Format Properties (Basic Tools toolbar or

Format Properties on the shortcut menu of the element selected)
and enter a value between -15 and + 16.
• Right-click an element, point to Sequence on the shortcut menu
and select the desired function:
Function Effect
Into the Moves the element to the top. This element is

foreground assigned a priority value of +16.
Into the Moves the element to the bottom. This

background element is assigned a priority value of -15.
One level to the Moves the element up one level. The priority
front value of this element is increased by a factor
of 1.
One level to the Moves the element down one level. The
back priority value of this element is reduced by a
factor of 1.
In front of Moves the element in front of another

another element element. Compared with the selected element,
the priority value of the modified element is
increased by a factor of 1.
Behind another Moves the element behind another element.

element Compared with the selected element, the
priority value of the modified element is
reduced by a factor of 1.
Favorites (Styles)
The styles (proposed values for wall setups, rooms etc.) have been
revised so that you can structure and select them in a comfortable
manner.
Saving favorites
When you save favorites using , you can now select any (network)
paths - as in Windows Explorer.
In addition, you can click Create New Folder or you can select
New Folder ... on the shortcut menu to create folders of your
choice.
The favorites are saved in the folder you specify.
Opening favorites
You can open favorites as usual by clicking .
In the case of some architectural elements (e.g. Wall), you can

now select from the 20 favorites you have used most recently. To do
this, a quick selection is available near the bottom of the properties
dialog box. Just click the arrow on the right.
Component-specific extension for favorite files

Favorites are created for components; each favorite file is thus
assigned a component-specific extension. Now you can immediately
see in Window Explorer which components are defined by a favorite
file (e.g. *.wafa for walls).
An overview of all available file extensions is provided in the online
Help.
Styles from earlier versions

You can still use all the styles you have defined in earlier versions.
These styles are automatically integrated in the new dialog boxes and
retain their names. You can structure these styles using folders and
subfolders.
28 Navigation – a Snap! Allplan 2004
Navigation – a Snap!
Rotated Plan View
You can use the Rotated Plan View tool on the View menu to rotate
the screen contents about its center. All coordinates are retained;
only the display is rotated. Positive angles result in a counter-
clockwise rotation. It is a good idea to use this tool if you want to
edit an inclined floor plan, for example. To return to the original
display, all you have to do is activate this tool again and enter an
angle of 0 degrees.
This tool only applies to plan view and to the active viewport.
Rotating the screen contents changes the system angle. Please note
that the system angle is a global setting; in other words, the system
angle changes in all the viewports. If, for example, you use Previous
View to restore the original view or you select a predefined
arrangement or you click Save, Load View to load a section you
have already saved, the system angle will not be reset to its original
value.
You can specify in the Text options how text is to behave when it is
created in the rotated plan view:
• The Add angle to system angle option is enabled: the system
angle is added to the text angle; in other words, the text is
created so that it is parallel to the rotated plan view.
• The Add angle to system angle option is disabled: the system
angle is not added to the text angle; in other words, the text is
created so that it is parallel to the original plan view (not rotated).
System Angle
The system angle in the drawing file mode no longer depends on the
system angle in the Plot Layout module and can be set separately.
New Shortcuts available

Allplan 2004 provides various new options for assigning shortcuts to
functions. In earlier versions, you could only define shortcuts in
conjunction with the CTRL, ALT or SHIFT keys. In Allplan 2004 you
can practically use all keys and key combinations.
But please note the following restrictions:
• The TAB and BACKSPACE keys can only be used in conjunction
with the CTRL, ALT or SHIFT keys.
• The CTRL, ALT or SHIFT keys can only be used in combination
with other keys.
• The PRINT and F12 keys and the CTRL+ESC, ALT+ESC, ALT+TAB,
CTRL+TAB, CTRL+Numlock key combinations cannot be used.
Animation Windows and Viewports
Same display logic in isometric view and animation

window
In earlier versions the display logic between the view generated by
the Isometric tool and that generated in Animation was different:
you could not move the plane in Animation. But this was possible in
viewports so that eye and target point were no longer in the middle
of the viewport.
An isometric view created in the viewport was always different from
that in the Animation window; you had to configure the parameters
once again.
Now the two tools have become more alike, making things easier for
you.
Same utensils in viewports and animation windows

• Now you can use CTRL+middle mouse button to zoom in on any
part of the design in the animation window
• The following functions from the bottom par of the viewport have
been added to the Animation window:
Zoom section
Pan
3D View
Navigation Mode
Designing and modifying elements in the Animation

window
The Navigation Mode tool has been added to Animation
windows; it is active by default. In the Animation windows, the
cursor has a navigation symbol:
When you disable the navigation mode by clicking in the border

of the Animation window, you can work in the Animation window
in the same way as in isometric view in a ‘normal’ viewport. The
mouse is no longer used to control the display on screen.
Now you can select a tool (e.g. wall, window opening etc.) or use the
shortcut menu of an element in the Animation window to create or
modify elements. The crosshairs are displayed instead of the cursor.
Preview in Animation window
Tip: The brick grid (Array When you design in the Animation window, a preview assists you as
length in Advanced Point you go along. The same options as in isometric view are provided; it
Entry) is an aid to orientation is best if you use existing points to construct new points.
when you design in the
Animation window.
Advanced Point Entry

The Point Entry 2003, which was introduced in conjunction with
Allplan 2003, is now referred to as Advanced Point Entry and has
been refined.
Advanced shortcut menu

The options provided in the Point Assistant have been adapted as
follows:
Now the options provided for using X, Y or Z coordinates
snapped by the system can be found directly on the shortcut menu as
well as in Direction point; the combinations XY Fixed, XZ
Fixed and YZ Fixed are only available in Direction point.
Brick grid
... see the section entitled “Advanced Point Entry – Brick Grid” in the
“Architecture Modules” chapter.
Advanced Options for Layers

New Layers and Layer Groups
New in Allplan V2004.0a A new layer group called Hall design has been integrated in Version
2004.0a.
In addition, a new layer for the Bitmap area tool is available.
Modifying Visibility of Element Layers

The shortcut menu of elements contains a new entry: Modify Layer
Status. Clicking this entry opens a dialog box in which the you can
change the layer of the element. In addition, you can set all the
layers – with the exception of the element layer – to hidden.
Note: You cannot find this entry on the shortcut menu if the element
is on the Default layer. If you belong to a design group that does not
have the rights required to access a certain layer, the corresponding
status is disabled.
34 Advanced Options for Layers Allplan 2004
Modifiable
Sets the layer of the element to Modifiable.
Visible, frozen
Sets the layer of the element to Visible, frozen.
Hidden, frozen
Sets the layer of the element to Hidden, frozen.
Isolate Element Layer

Sets all the layers to Hidden, frozen with the exception of the layer
of the element clicked.
Edit Element Layer

New in Allplan V2004.0a Sets all the modifiable layers to Visible, frozen. All hidden layers
remain invisible.
Applying Format Properties

Now you can specify on the Select Layer/Visibility tab in the Layer
dialog box whether the format properties of the layers are simply
transferred to the Format toolbar or taken from the layer/linetype in
a fixed manner.
Displaying the ‘FromLayer’ Format Property

If an element has the FromLayer format property, the Format
Properties dialog box and Format toolbar now include the actual
settings for pen thickness, linetype and line color. In earlier versions,
only the FromLayer property was displayed.
Taking Layer Visibility from Design Group

A new option has been added to the Design Groups tab: User
Options.
Use this to specify whether the visibility of the layers is to be taken

from the design group you select in the Select Layer/Visibility tab. If
this option is disabled, the layer visibility does not change when you
select another design group.
Layer Sets and User Groups

Now you can change the sequence in which layer sets and user
groups are displayed in the dialog box. To do this, you can sue the
short cut menu or drag & drop.
36 Advanced Options for Layers Allplan 2004
Using Drawing Types

The drawing type defines how elements are displayed on screen and
in the printout. The display of the elements varies depending on the
selected drawing type. Requirements: the format properties are taken
from the layer (in a fixed manner) and the use of linestyles is
enabled. Drawing types can be used both in drawing file mode and in
the plot layout. In drawing file mode, the drawing type is selected in
the Layer dialog box, in layout mode in the Element Visibility from
Layers in the Layout dialog box
Using drawing types involves the following five steps:
1 To define linestyles, enable the Linestyles depend on type of
drawing option.
2 Specify the pen, line and color format properties.

3 Enable the From Layer option.
4 Enable the Assign, use linestyle check box and select a linestyle
of your choice.
5 Enable the from layer, linetype check boxes in the Select

Layer/Visibility tab.
38 Further New Features across Modules Allplan 2004
Further New Features across Modules

256 Element Colors
Instead of 30 colors, Allplan now provides 256 colors which you can
use:
• as element colors
• in animated mode
• in the Shadow module
These 256 element colors facilitate advanced design options for
creating sophisticated layouts to be used in competitions, for
example. Moreover, you can easily exchange data with other systems
which also support 256 element colors.
Note: Now the colors 0 and 1 are always available, regardless of the
background color you have set. This way, you can create white text
or lines on dark fills in the background in a comfortable manner.
256 colors on the Format toolbar and when selecting the fill color
Applying a color filter

The Color filter in the Filter Assistant now provides all the basic
256 Allplan colors as well as any RGB colors; the Advanced
Color filter is no longer necessary.
Architecture
Now 256 colors are also available for architectural elements.
Now you define the colors for Walls in the Properties
dialog box; the current settings on the Format toolbar do not affect
the display of walls any more.
256 colors are available for defining the format properties of walls
The colors of other architectural elements are still defined using the
Format toolbar.
Animation and shadow

Now 256 colors are available in the Animation and Shadow modules
for defining surfaces. For more detailed information, please see the
sections entitled "Animation” and “Shadow” in the "Presentation”
chapter.
256 colors in the Animation module (left) and in the Shadow module (right)
Hotinfo
The Hotinfo program has been revised. Now five different topics are
presented for selection.
Measure Tool
Areas are added up

When you use the Measure tool to measure several areas, the dialog
box now displays the serial number of the current area, the serial
number of the area measured and the total area of the all areas
measured (in addition to the values of the current area).
Six decimal places when measuring angles

When you measure angles, the results are now rounded off to six
decimal places.
Measuring the slope

In addition to measuring the slope defined by two points within a
DTM, you can now measure the slope based on two defined 3D
points in relation to the x-y plane and the slope defined by two 2D
points in relation to the x axis. To do this, select the Slope option.
The DGM Inclination option is the former Slope function (in Allplan
2003) and measures the slope defined by tow points within a DTM.
New Print Preview Options

Now you can define the scale and section to be used when the print
preview starts.
• as in viewport: uses the section currently displayed in the

viewport.
• Display scale: uses the current display scale.
• Reference scale: uses the current reference scale.
New Zoom Section tool: this tool has been integrated in the print
preview.
Fills in Drawing Files Open in Reference Mode

More options are available for setting the color used to display
elements in drawing files open in reference mode: now you can also
configure the program to show fills in another color.
You have the following options:
• Fills are displayed using the color set for drawing files open in
reference mode
• The color of the fills is brightened.
• Fills are displayed using their original color (as usual).
Using Large Coordinates

Elements that are too far from the origin can cause significant
numerical inaccuracies during calculation. The critical range starts at
approximately 5,000 m.
In earlier versions, you could apply a project offset to elements of
this kind; for example, you could use Gauss-Krüger or country
coordinates. The program internally displaced the data by the offset
you specified, and when you exported the data or disabled the
project offset, the program updated the coordinates.
Now a new option is available which you can use to configure the
program to optimize large coordinates automatically. To do this,
select the
Global Options, Miscellaneous tab.
The program internally optimizes the coordinates of the elements and

resets them to their original values every time you save the elements.
This is also possible when you have already set a project offset.
Please note that the process of opening drawing files (depending on
the number of elements contained in each drawing file, the total
number of the drawing files to be opened and on the distance from
the origin) can take longer as a result.
The Measure tool always displays the correct coordinates.
The new option is disabled by default. But you can enable this option
whenever you need it: if, for example, you are not satisfied by the
result of a shadow calculation or by an image rendered in the
Animation module, enable the Optimize working with large
coordinates option, repeat the calculation process and disable the
option again.
Note: If the elements are near to the critical value of 5,000 m, a

project offset might yield better results.
Drawing Precision
In earlier versions, some actions carried out by the user could cause
inaccuracies. This cannot happen in Allplan 2004:
• If you press ENTER to confirm the System Angle which

consists of a periodic number (e.g. 0.3333...) or an irrational
number (e.g. 1.297562168...), the hidden decimal places are not
rounded off, and thus, the system angle is not changed.
• If you enter a periodic number (e.g. 0.3333...) or an irrational
number (e.g. 1.297562168...) in the Modify Offset tool and
press ENTER to confirm, the program issues a warning.
New Features in Allplan 2004 Modules in the Basic Family 45
Modules in the Basic

Family
Draft
Bitmap Areas
In addition to hatching, pattern and fill, Allplan 2004 provides
another option: the bitmap area. As with textures in the Animation
module – a bitmap is placed in a 2D area as often as you need.
You can select a bitmap of your choice, either in the Allplan design
folder ($STD\design) or in any folder containing your own
bitmaps.
Note: Your own bitmaps are copied to the Allplan design folder and
to the design folder of the project – as with textures in the
Animation module.
The Bitmap Area tool functions in the same way as the

hatching/pattern/fill tools: after you have selected the tool, you can
define the outline of the area in which the bitmap is to be placed as
you would a normal polyline.
46 Draft Allplan 2004
If you want to change the settings or select another bitmap from any
path, click Properties on the Bitmap Area Context toolbar. A dialog
box opens where you can define parameters:
Two basic methods are provided for placing bitmap areas:

• As a tiled pattern spread over a surface.
• To place solitary elements such as trees, persons in rooms, images
in walls.
Modifying fills
To modify a bitmap area, the program provides the same options as
in the hatching/pattern/fill tools.
You can use Convert Surface Element to convert bitmap areas to

other surface elements (hatching, pattern, fill) and vice versa.
Fills with Color Transition and Transparency

When you create layouts to be used in competitions, fills with color
transition and transparency are an absolute must. Now Allplan
provides all the necessary tools; you do not need any other
programs.
• Single-color fills.
• Fills based on two colors
• In addition to color transition, you can define a value for
transparency.
• Single-color, transparent areas without color transition
Clicking the Expand >> button in the Select RGB Color dialog box
in the Fill tool opens the Color Transition and Transparency
dialog box.
This is where you can define a great number of settings.

By clicking on Match and selecting an existing definition you
can copy all its parameters .
Tip: To apply the same degree

of transparency to an entire
area, use the slide bars in the
Transparency area to enter
the same values in the From
and To data entry boxes.
The result might look like this:

Note: When you have enabled the display list, only the outlines of
fills with color transition are displayed on screen.
Note: GDI-compatible devices are required for displaying and

printing out fills with color transition (not possible with vector-
oriented devices such as pen plotters).
Modifying fills
Individual fills defined with color transition can be modified quickly
using Properties on the shortcut menu or Change Fill. If you
want to modify several fills – with or without color transition – or if
you want to convert patterns and bitmap areas to fills with color
transition, use the advanced Convert Surface Element tool.
Note: The Shift Color in Fill Areas tool in the Paint module
cannot be applied to fills with color transition.
Advanced Manufacturer Color Systems

We continue to work on the integration of manufacturer color
systems in Allplan.
Allplan 2004 comes with the following demo palettes (not the full
color range):
• Herbol
• Keim
• Marmorit
• NCS
• RAL
• Sikkens
• Zero
The complete versions of these color systems can be purchased
directly from the corresponding manufacturer.
Text
New Tools
Text with numbering

You can use this tool to place text which is numbered automatically.
You can define the format, reference value and increment value for
the numbering. Every time you place text, the program automatically
increments the number by the value you have specified.
Use this to copy the format from an existing text. Every figure in this
text is replaced by the “$“ placeholder.
Format
Use this to define the format for the numbering. You can enter any
text; “$“ acts as a placeholder and when you place the text, this
placeholder is replaced by the value you have entered in Start at.
Every time you place the text, the program automatically increments
the number by the value you have specified in Increment. You can
enter up to 36 characters (including “$“).
Result
This is where the text is displayed.
Use this to copy the start number from an existing text. The system
scans this text and uses the first number it finds as the start number.
Start at
This is where you enter the start value for the text to be numbered.
You can enter values between -99999999 and 99999999.
52 Text Allplan 2004
Increment
This is where you enter the value by which the program
automatically increments the number. You can also enter negative
values.
New Features in the Text Editor
Display opaque text

Now you can add a fill in the color defined for the background to the
text you enter in the text editor. This ensures that the text is always
visible even if you have placed it over a pattern or hatching style.
Unicode preview
Use this option to enable/disable the display of Unicode characters in
the text editor. You can edit the text when the display is disabled.
Open string table

Use this option to start a program from which you can copy
characters to the Allplan text editor using the Clipboard. You can
also insert other programs by editing the registry. This setting is
saved in the following key:
HKCU\Software\Nemetschek\Allplan\2004.0\TextEdit\ExtTools.
Text in italics
The approach to entering text in italics has changed:
For Nemetschek fonts: to display a font in italics, either click the

Italics button (this automatically sets the angle to 71 degrees) or
enter the font angle manually in the data entry box. To disable this
setting again and to return to normal text, enter a value of 90 in the

Font Angle in Degrees data entry box.
For TrueType fonts: To display a font in italics, click the Italics
button. The font angle is set to 71 degrees and can no longer be
altered manually. To disable this setting again and to return to
normal text, click the Italics button again.
Using Unicode Characters

Allplan 2004 supports Unicode characters (e.g. Chinese characters).
You can insert these characters directly in the drawing file or in the
text editor using the Clipboard or you can use Import to import
these characters from AutoCAD files. You can insert Unicode
characters from Allplan 2004 in other applications using the
Clipboard or you can select Export to export these characters to
AutoCAD-format files.
Requirements:
• A TrueType font that supports Unicode must be installed in the
operating system.
• This font must be associated with an Allplan 2004 font number in
ProjectPilot.
Entering Unicode characters

You can insert Unicode characters directly in the drawing file or in
the text editor of Allplan 2004 using the Clipboard (from the string
table, for example). Use CTRL+V or click the Paste button to
insert these characters in the text editor. To paste Unicode characters
into a drawing file, use Insert Contents – Unformatted Unicode text
on the Edit menu (or the shortcut CTRL + SHIFT + V).
When you copy these characters to the Clipboard, the program
converts the Unicode characters to control characters in the format of
%Wxxxx (xxxx represents the hexadecimal value of the character).
If you know the value of a character, you can also enter the
character directly in the text editor as a control character.
You can use Import to import Unicode characters contained in

AutoCAD files.
54 Text Allplan 2004
Displaying Unicode characters in the text editor

Unicode characters can be displayed in the text editor in two ways:
as a control character in the format of %Wxxxx (%W stands for
Wide, xxxx represents the hexadecimal value of the character).
When you click Unicode Preview, the text editor shows the
actual display of the character but you cannot edit the text in this
mode. The drawing file always shows the actual display of the
characters. If the current font does not support Unicode, a substitute
is displayed instead of the Unicode character.
Exporting Unicode characters

You can use Cut and Copy or CTRL+X and CTRL+C to copy
text from the text editor to the Clipboard and then paste it into the
application of your choice. When this application supports Unicode,
the characters are inserted as ‘normal’ text. When this application
does not support Unicode, the characters are inserted in the same
way as they are displayed in Allplan 2004’s text editor, i.e. as.
%Wxxxx.
You can use Export to export Unicode characters to AutoCAD

files.
Restrictions on the use of Unicode characters

When you want to use Unicode characters in conjunction with
Allplan 2004, remember the following restrictions:
• Nemetschek fonts do not support Unicode.
• You have to use Windows drivers if you want to output Unicode
characters.
• Unicode characters are not displayed in the preview or when the
display list is activated.
• The Text to/from File tool only writes ASCII text.

• You cannot use Unicode characters in conjunction with text that
is generated automatically (e.g. room labels, label styles).
• You cannot use Unicode characters in smart symbol names, layer
names, drawing file names, layout names, project names.
Advanced Copy, Cut and Paste functions in the text editor

The way in which the Copy, Cut and Paste tools in the text editor
function has changed:
Copy and Paste insert two strings in the Clipboard: a Unicode string
which does not contain any control characters and an ASCII string
containing the Unicode control characters (%Wxxx). When you
insert text of this kind from the Clipboard in other applications, the
program automatically uses the correct string: the Unicode string is
inserted in applications that support Unicode and in the case of
applications that do not support Unicode, the characters are inserted
in the same way as they are displayed in Allplan’s text editor, i.e. as.
%Wxxxx
Paste inserts Unicode characters from the Clipboard in the Allplan
text editor using the Unicode control characters %Wxxx. This means
that text from the Clipboard is converted when you insert it. Use
CTRL+SHIFT+V to paste the exact contents of the Clipboard (without
conversion) into Allplan’s text editor.
56 Dimension Lines Allplan 2004
Dimension Lines
Layers for Automatic Wall Dimensioning
You can use Dimension Walls to create up to five different
dimension lines in a single step. Now you can assign each dimension
line its own layer. The layer assignment is also included when you
save styles.
Using the visibility setting of layers, you can quickly hide certain
dimension lines or even entire dimension line blocks.
Dimension Line Options
Project-specific font
The Dimension text font setting – which is defined in the
Dimension Lines Options, Settings area – is no longer valid on a
global basis but only applies to the current project. If you use an
uncommon font in a project, you no longer need to change the font
when you switch to another project.
New fixed color option

Now you can set a fixed color for dimension lines in the
Dimension Lines Options, Settings area.
This option is also provided in the Properties dialog box,

Dimension Line tab of the dimension line type you have selected,
Horizontal Dim. Line, for example:
New Dimension Line Parameters
‘Blanking for dim. text‘ option

When you enable the Blanking for dim. text option, a fill in
background color is drawn around the dimension text (just as in the
Text module). This ensures that the dimension text is always visible
even if you place it over a pattern or hatching style.
‘Fraction‘ option
You can use the Fraction option to specify whether the last digit of
the dimension text is written as a fraction. The denominator of the
fraction depends on the setting you have made for Round-off value.
You can only use the Fraction option in conjunction with the ', "
and Inches dimension text units.
58 Interfaces Allplan 2004
Interfaces
Quick Import/Export
Now the Interfaces options (Allplan) contain a quick import/export
function which you can use to quickly export/import files without
having to make further settings.
Click Start configuration assistant to open a dialog box in which

you define the quick import/export.
You can make the most important settings in the Definitions dialog
box. The settings for the units differ depending on which field of
application you select.
Note: Both the Use quick import/export check box in the Interfaces
Options and the Save these settings check box in the Definitions
dialog box have to be enabled if you want to use the quick
import/export. Otherwise, the program only creates a topic file which
has to be selected manually.
Preview for Import file

Now you can preview the file to be imported or individual layers of
this file in a separate window.
Preview of entire file

Click the Preview >> button in the Open File dialog box to preview
the file to be imported.
• To zoom: click in the preview with the left mouse button to zoom
in and press and hold down the SHIFT key to zoom out.
• To zoom in on an area in the preview: click and hold down the
right mouse button and select the area on which you want to
zoom in by enclosing it in a selection rectangle.
• To preview the entire file again: press x at the number pad.
• To navigate in the preview: move the mouse cursor towards the
border of the preview until an arrow is displayed and then click
with the left mouse button.
Notes:
• The contents of the preview vary depending on which setting is
active: paper space or model space.
• The preview is not suitable for very large files as they cause
refresh operations to perform very slowly.
• The preview does not work in conjunction with the AutoCAD
2004 PlugIn.
Preview of individual layers

You can configure the system to display a preview of selected layers
in the Conversion Configuration dialog box, Layers tab. Click the
layers with the right mouse button and select Preview on the
shortcut menu.
This way, you can quickly preview the contents of the individual
layers and then specify whether the corresponding layer is to be
transferred or not and if yes, on which drawing file or layer.
Transferring XRefs
• When XRefs are imported, they can now be converted to Allplan
XRefs. You can also convert them to smart symbols (as in
V2003): enable the Convert XRef to smart symbol option in the
Interfaces Options (ODX), Advanced Transfer Settings tab.
• In the Interfaces Options (ODX), Allplan 2004 Specific tab, you

can now specify how the drawing files to which XRef files have
been imported are inserted in the current drawing file. The
options defining that XRef files are to be assigned in ascending or
descending order are no longer necessary.
All options disabled

When all the options are disabled, all XRef files are inserted as a
XRef in the current drawing file.
Distribute (1:1, discard placement)

When this option is enabled, all the XRef files which are placed at a
scale of 1:1 (i.e. these files have not been resized or rotated, and all
files have the same drop-in points) are inserted as a drawing file
open in edit mode and not as a XRef.
Discard all placements

When this option is enabled, all XRef files are inserted as drawing
files open in edit mode, regardless of the manner in which they are
placed. This may change the appearance of the files.
Collect in fileset
When this option is enabled, the program creates a fileset containing
the current drawing file and all the XRef files imported.
Transferring OLE Objects

Linked as well as embedded OLE objects are now included in export
and import operations. For more information on OLE objects see
"New Features across Modules”.
Transferring Unicode Characters

Unicode characters (e.g. Chinese characters) can now be included in
export and import operations. For more information on Unicode
characters see "Text"". When you want to export Unicode characters,
it is possible that you need to set the code page to be used and the
multibyte code page (required for Asian fonts) in the
ad_tools.dat file. This defines how the characters are coded in
the AutoCAD file. Detailed information on the ad_tools.dat file
is provided in the chapter entitled “EXPORT_DwgCodepage”.
Assigning Layers when Importing

When you import layers, you can now assign them both to different
drawing files and to different layers. In earlier versions, you could
only assign layers either to drawing files or to layers. This way, when
importing very large files, for example, you can split the data into
several drawing files without destroying the layer structure.
Assigning layers to several drawing files and to several

layers
To assign the layers of the import file to different drawing files and
different layers, enable both check boxes - Layers and Drawing files
- in the Distribute layers area on the Allplan 2004 Specific tab in
the Interfaces Options (ODX).
In the Configuration for Conversion dialog box, Layers tab, all

available Allplan layers are presented for selection and can be
assigned. When you import a layout, only the current layout is
presented. In addition, the Additional Layers tab is available which
contains all empty drawing files and the current drawing file. By
default, all assignments refer to the current drawing file. Based on a
configuration file you can also add drawing files that are already in
use to the selection. These drawing files are added to the end of the
selection list and are assigned the Drawing file in use comment. The
additional layer table does not provide an option for assigning the
Do not use setting to layers. The transferred elements are created in
the drawing file you have specified in the Additional Layers tab and
on the Allplan layer set in the ‘normal’ Layers tab.
Assigning Layers when Exporting

When you export layers, you can now define layer names consisting
of the drawing file number and the layer structure. This way, you
can retain the layer structure while making a distinction based on
drawing files.
To assign the elements a layer that consists of the drawing file
number and the layer in Allplan 2004, enable both check boxes -
Layers and Drawing files - in the Distribute layers area.
In addition to the Allplan layer, the drawing file number is added to

the layer name. An exception is the DEFAULT layer – it is not given
a drawing file number. The drawing file number is written to the
layer name as a prefix in the form of “DF_1024#”. The prefix is
predefined and cannot be changed by the user. The layers are sorted
according to their names so that all the drawing files containing
layers are visible at the same time. Layers in layouts are not given a
prefix as just one layout can be current at any one time.
Exporting .ncb Files

Now you can also use .ncb files to export data, enabling you to
export entire projects and/or folders or individual drawing files or
layouts in s single step.
When exporting, select the .ncb file type.
Then click Options....

Current contents of batch file

This is where the program displays the current contents of the batch
file. You can edit the contents. The batch file is created automatically
when you click the Allplan structure button (see below) to select a
project or drawing files.
Default settings
This is where you select the file type and target directory.
Analysis
Use Extend batch file to add data to the batch file displayed in the
dialog box. If this option is disabled, selecting new elements will
overwrite the contents of the batch file.
Use Allplan structure to select the elements (projects, drawing files,
layouts) you wish to export. The program automatically creates the
contents of the batch file based on the elements you have selected
and you can immediately start the batch file.
Importing Smart Symbols
Saving smart symbols in the smart symbol catalog

Now you can save smart symbols which are created when importing
blocks from AutoCAD files in a smart symbol catalog. Use the Save
smart symbol in catalog setting in the Interfaces options (Allplan) to
specify a mart symbol catalog of your choice. Requirement: the
Write smart symbols to catalog option must be enabled in the
Interfaces options (ODX), Allplan 2004 Specific tab.
Note: Enable the Write smart symbols to catalog setting only when
needed as otherwise smart symbols are created every time you import
blocks.
Assigning smart symbols already placed

When you import blocks, all the smart symbols placed in the drawing
files currently loaded are also presented for selection.
Exploding smart symbol into its constituents

When you import a smart symbol, you can now explode it into its
constituents.
Tip
New in Version 2004.0a
Support of AutoCAD 2004 PlugIn

Allplan supports the AutoCAD 2004 PlugIn which you can use to
import AutoCAD 2004 files. The following features are supported in
conjunction with the AutoCAD 2004 PlugIn (regardless of the format
of imported file):
• Importing ACIS elements as triangular surfaces (you can apply a
filter using Other elements in the ODX filter)
• Importing *.dxf files without headers. The resources are taken
from a prototype file to be selected.
• Exploding hatching styles and patterns
• Calculating MTEXT in an optimized manner
Large Coordinates
Now a new option is available which you can use to configure the
program to optimize large coordinates automatically. You can make
this setting in the Global Options (see "Using Large Coordinates" in
the chapter entitled "New Features across Modules"). This means that
you can now import files with large coordinates without having to
set an offset beforehand.
Transferring Hidden Layers

Now you can configure the program to transfer elements with hidden
layers. To do this, enable the Export hidden layers setting in the
Interfaces options (Allplan). This option is only available if you are
using a standalone workstation.
Automatic Selection of Paper or Model Space

When importing AutoCAD files, you can now configure the program
to select the paper or model space automatically.
Tip
New in Version 2004.0a
When you have enabled the Automatic selection option in the

Interfaces Options (ODX), AutoCAD Specific tab, the program selects
the (paper or model) space automatically based on the TILEMODE
value saved in the AutoCAD file.
Optimized Export of Linetypes

The export of linetypes to AutoCAD has been optimized.
Settings in the ad_tools.dat File

You can specify how AutoCAD files are to be exported and imported
in the ad_tools.dat file. This file is saved in the \etc folder.
Further options have been added to this file; for detailed information
see the file itself.
Important: Always make a backup copy of the original file before

you change it.
Importing dimension lines

Now you can specify whether dimension lines are to be imported
based on their graphical display or based on their contents. You can
make this setting in the DIMENSION CHECK section.
Setting the code page

Now you can set the code page for export operations. You can make
this setting in the EXPORT_DwgCodepage section.
Different units in model and paper space

This setting is used to correct units if the unit that is set differs from
the one that is actually used in model space.
Example: the unit is set to mm but the unit which is actually used in
the design is m (thus 1:1000) and in paper space a scale of 1:1 is
used for the placement. The correct settings would be: a unit of mm
for the design and a sale of 1000:1 for the placement. You can make
this setting in the LAYOUTUNITCORRECTION section.
70 Plot Layout Allplan 2004
Plot Layout
Subdivision of Fills
In the Plot Layout Options you can now specify that fills consisting
of several parts are divided when they are printed out. This prevents
connecting lines from being included in the printout or in PDF files.
The setting you make here also applies to the Print Preview.
New Text for Layout Windows

The three options provided in the Layout Window tool have been
renamed. The new names show clearly that only layout elements are
taken into account. Other elements such as lines and text are
ignored.
Display of Layout according to Drawing Type

When placing layout elements, you can now determine in the
Element Visibility from Layers in the Layout dialog box that the
layout is displayed based on the drawing types specified.
But this is only possible when you have enabled the Linestyles
depend on type of drawing option in the Linestyle Definition
dialog box (to do this, click the Define, modify linestyle button in
the Format Definition tab of the Layer dialog box).
You can modify the drawing type you have specified using the
Transfer Layer Visibility, List, Edit Layout Elements or
Modify Layout Window tools.
Nemetschek Drivers and Bitmap Files

Now you can also use Nemetschek drivers to output a layout as a
bitmap file using the Export HPGL File, Bitmap File tool.
But please bear in mind that the program uses the settings of the
selected driver to create the bitmap, and thus, the appearance of the
bitmap may differ from the appearance of the layout.
If, for example, you select a driver that does not support the output
of fills (e.g. the Nemetschek driver HP_GL_KOMPATIBL), the fills will
not be included in the bitmap. Moreover, color bitmaps will only be
created when the requirements for printing color layouts are met.
A Single Tool for Editing Layout Elements

The List Layout Info, List, Delete Layout Elements and
Sort Layout Elements functions have been combined into the
new List, Edit Layout Elements tool.
This tool includes all the existing modification functions, and in
addition, you can modify all the properties which you have assigned
to the layout element when you have placed it. Moreover, the Auto-
detection of text direction option specified in the Text Options can
also be modified.
You can specify the sequence of the layout elements based on the
individual properties or according to the plot sequence.
You can select the layout elements in the first three columns of the
dialog box in a Windows-compliant manner; in other words, pressing
the SHIFT key selects a range and pressing the CTRL key select a
series of non-adjacent layout elements.
Modifying the Properties of Drawing Files

To modify a single property of several selected layout elements, click
an entry in the columns 4 to 9 while pressing and holding down the
CTRL and SHIFT keys.
To modify several properties of the layout elements selected, right-
click any entry of a layout element and select Properties on the
shortcut menu.
Important notes
• When you resize layout elements by modifying the scale and
when you rotate layout elements by changing the angle, the
program uses the center of the drawing file frame as the basis for
these operations. To make sure that congruent layout elements
are still congruent after modification, you have to activate them
simultaneously. To do this, it is best to list the drawing files
separately.
• If you change the scale and/or angle of a layout element that is
assigned to a layout window, all the layout elements (even if they
are not activated) of the layout window update automatically to
reflect the changes you have made. The program will issue a
relevant message.
Modifying the sequence in which drawing files are printed

out
You can only move layout elements when the Sequence as in layout
and the Show all layout elements settings are activated. Two check
boxes are provided in the dialog box.
The program provides several methods for moving layout elements:

• You can drag & drop the drawing file to the layout element
behind which the drawing file is to be inserted.
• You can use the buttons near the bottom of the dialog box.
Clicking or moves the selected elements to the bottom or
top; clicking or moves the selected elements down or up a
line.
• You can click a selected element with the right mouse button and
select the desired function on the shortcut menu. This way, you
can insert the element in question behind any element.
Removing Drawing Files from the Layout

The program also provides several methods for removing layout
elements:
• Press the DEL key at the keyboard.
• You can click the Remove button near the bottom of the dialog
box.
• You can click a selected element with the right mouse button and
select Remove on the shortcut menu.
A Single Tool for Editing Layout Window Elements

The options available for sorting and deleting layout elements in
layout windows have also been combined in the new List Layout
Window Elements sub-function. As in List, Edit Layout
Elements, you can directly modify all the properties displayed.
This tool functions in the same way as List, Edit Layout

Elements. To move elements, the Show all layout elements option
must always be enabled as selecting a layout window only lists the
elements of the layout window in question.
New Features in Allplan 2004 Modules in the Architecture Family 75
Modules in the
Architecture Family
Architecture Module
Advanced Point Entry and Brick Grid
You can use the Advanced Point Entry to place points and
architectural elements in a brick grid with a precision of an
eighth of a meter.
Enabling the brick grid and making settings

The following options are available in the dialog line:
• Click Array length to enable the brick grid.

This automatically disables the point entry based on
dX and
dY.
• In the data entry box in the middle, enter the length or select a
value presented:
76 Architecture Module Allplan 2004
• Select a setting for the grid in the box on the right:
- Brick plus joint (1cm) form a grid unit.
- Protrusion dimension/grid dimension: value for

another joint is not taken into account
- Outer dimension –: a value of 1 cm is subtracted to

account for the joint
- Opening dimension +: a value of 1 cm is added for

another joint
1 Protrusion dimension/ grid dimension

2 Outer dimension –
3 Opening dimension +
Working with the brick grid

When drawing walls, select the appropriate grid length and enable
Outer dimension; the offset to the start point of the wall is
displayed as a ToolTip at the crosshairs:
Tip: The brick grid is an aid to Now you can place the end point of the rectangular wall in the grid
orientation when you work in selected.
an Animation window.
78 Architecture Module Allplan 2004
Architectural Section
Layers and sequence of elements are retained

When you create an architectural section or calculate a hidden line
image and save it to a target drawing file, the layer of the original
elements is also used for the elements in the hidden line image. The
“From Layer” properties are also taken into account.
Moreover, the sequence in which the elements were drawn is also
transferred.
Background color of hatching/pattern is retained

Since Allplan 2003.1 you have been able to apply a background
color to some architectural components with a hatching or pattern.
The color of the hatching or pattern is retained when you create an
architectural section (hidden line image).
Section from below

When you create a horizontal section from below, walls over a slab
are displayed correctly by a dashed line.
Section aa
from below
Wall
Slab Section bb
from above
Wall
80 Walls, Openings, Components Allplan 2004
Walls, Openings, Components

New Dialog Box for Wall, Upstand and Extrude Walls
Click Properties to open the new Wall dialog box in which
you can enter wall properties.
The Wall dialog box has been adapted to meet the requirements
imposed by the great number of new and advanced options, which
are described on the following pages. So that the dialog box best
suited to the task at hand is always available, you can now select
from various display modes with different functions.
If, for example, you have already defined and saved a favorite file
for a wall or upstand, the small dialog box is sufficient. You can
check the favorite you have selected in the overview and preview. In
addition, you can change the position of the wall axis, set thickness
values for the individual layers and modify the height of the entire
wall using Height of layer 1.
All wall layers always in sight

Click All Properties >> to switch to the advanced dialog box. There
is not much of a difference when you are about to create single-tier
walls. But in the case of walls with multiple construction layers, all
layers are displayed and you can immediately define parameters for
each layer without having to select it in the overview:
The settings are structured in a simple and clear manner and divided
into the following tabs: Parameters, Attributes, Format Properties
and Display of Areas. And if you want to display and define all
parameters of all layers in a single step, just select the Total tab:
Tip: Clicking and dragging the Note: Not all of the options described here are available with the
vertical dividing line in the small dialog box. For example, you can only select favorites but you
column head changes the cannot save them. If, for example, you change the height of a multi-
width of the column. tier wall whose multiple construction layers have different height
values, all layers get the same height (the system will issue a
respective message).
Small dialog box: ‘Height of layer 1’:

So that you can work with the small dialog box, information on the
height of the selected favorite is required.
Therefore, a data entry box has been integrated. This box displays
the height of the first layer and the height setup.
Note: The height values (and setup) of other layers may be different
but these values are not displayed so that the dialog box remains
simple and clear.
When you change the height of the first layer using the data entry
box or when you modify the height setup by clicking the Height...
button, the height values and setup of all the layers change (please
bear in mind that this only applies to the small dialog box).
The system will issue a warning.
Format properties independent of Format toolbar

The properties set on the Format toolbar are no longer important for
walls and upstands! Only the settings in the dialog box apply.
You can define the format properties of the component axis directly
in the dialog box by clicking the Axis... button. Alternatively, you
can also make these settings in the Architecture Options, Display
tab.
Hatching styles and patterns with names

You can quickly select a hatching style or pattern by entering the
respective value at the keyboard. A wish mentioned frequently has
been integrated: Now the name of the hatching style and pattern is
also displayed.
The ‘All layers same settings‘ option

When you enable the check boxes of the individual
parameters/attributes in the All layers same settings line, all layers
assume the setting you have made for the first layer. Any changes
you make apply to all the layers, regardless of the layer which you
are about to enter or modify.
Quick selection of favorites

When you have activated the Wall tool, you can now select from
the 20 favorites you have used most recently. To do this, a quick
selection is available near the bottom of the properties dialog box.
Just click the arrow on the right.
Advanced Preview
Now the preview (animated and standard views) always displays the
wall type you have selected on the Wall Context toolbar. Moreover,
the extents currently set for specific wall types (rectangular wall,
curved wall, polygonal wall) are taken into account in the preview.
Layer per Construction Layer

Each construction layer in a wall can be assigned its own layer.
Clicking in the Layer column opens the Select Layer/Visibility tab
of the Layer dialog box and you can select the desired layer.
Note: The basic settings of the layer management such as Layer’s

format properties and from layer, linestyle are taken into account
and represented by the layer icon. In this case, you cannot make any
entries.
Layer of element is hidden/frozen

If you want to draw new elements to which a hidden/frozen layer is
assigned (e.g. a wall with multiple construction layers and one of
these construction layers is on a hidden/frozen layer), the hidden
layer is automatically set to Modifiable.
If you are about to modify elements on frozen layers, the program
will issue a message.
Note: In the case of layers which you cannot access as you do not
belong to the appropriate design group, the DEFAULT layer is used,
‘Layer per construction layer‘ when converting data to

earlier versions
When you convert data to earlier versions, the layers of all
construction layers are set to the layer of the first construction layer.
The ‘From Layer’ property is removed from the construction layers of
which you manipulate the layer. Instead, the pen, line and color
settings assigned to the valid reference scale are used.
Interaction
Now you can define the element interaction directly in the Wall
dialog box. In the case of multi-tier walls, you can define the
interaction for each construction layer separately.
You do not need to open the Architecture Options any more.
Shortcut Menu for Editing Construction Layers

Clicking the Number column selects the line. Clicking anywhere in a
line with the right mouse button opens a shortcut menu containing
the following options:
• Reverse setup of construction layers

• Insert new construction layer before the line selected
• Insert new construction layer after the line selected
• Remove selected line
Shortcut Menu for Hiding Parameters and Attributes

Right-clicking a title line in one of the tabs of the dialog box opens a
shortcut menu which you can use to hide properties you do not need.
The Number of the construction layer and the Thickness
(Parameters, Attributes tab) cannot be hidden.
Positioning the Component Axis

Customers have again and again requested an option for positioning
the component axis freely, for example, in the middle of the load-
bearing construction layer in a wall, for example. Above all, this
would facilitate the entry and modification (construction layers,
thickness) of components.
In Allplan 2003 you could only place the axis at the outside edges or
in the middle of single-tier walls.
Not only can the component axis now be positioned in the middle or
on the sides of components but also as follows:
• In the middle or on the sides of the wall
• Centered in or on the sides of the each construction layer
• At a freely definable distance to the wall edge
You enter the position of the component axis in the overview area of
the Wall dialog box Small boxes indicate the positions you can
select.
You can place the component axis in several ways:
• Intuitive
Use the mouse to move the axis: the cursor become a double
arrow, and the component axis will snap to the positions marked
by small black boxes. The values displayed on the left of the
preview show the distance to the edges.
• Centered in or on the sides of a construction layer or of the

entire wall/upstand
In the Position column, click the icon of the construction layer or
of the entire wall/upstand in which you want to position the axis
and select the desired position. The values displayed on the left of
the preview show the distance to the edges.
Left edge of component or construction layer
Right of component or construction layer
In the middle of component or construction layer
Freely definable (for Total wall only)
• Freely definable position by entering a value

Click one of the data entry boxes on the left of the preview area
and enter any value for the offset of the axis to the wall edge.
The program automatically calculates the value for the other side
and displays the Free position icon in the Total thickness
area.
Format properties of component axis

The format properties of the component/wall axis cannot only be
accessed via the Architecture Options, but also directly in the
Wall dialog box (Format Properties tab, near the bottom of the
dialog box):
Drawing wall along component axis

After you have defined the position of the component axis in the
Wall dialog box, enter the starting and end point of the component
axis as usual.
As the component axis can now be positioned freely within the wall,
you no longer have to specify whether the wall is to be created to the
right, to the left or centered on the line you enter. The direction is
defined by the axis and by the position of the first layer.
Now the preview of the wall shows these two factors. You can use
Rotate on the Wall Context toolbar to rotate the wall about
its axis at any time.
Example 1, single-tier wall

You have made the following settings for the axis in the
Properties:
Now you click Rotate on the Wall Context toolbar (the

position of the first layer is ignored):
Example 2, multi-tier wall

You have made the following settings for the axis in the
Properties:
Now you click Rotate on the Wall Context toolbar (the

position of the first layer defines the direction):
(1) Axis point

This new function means that the and icons on the Context
toolbar are no longer required. The icon is also unnecessary as
the component axis does not necessarily need to be in the middle of
the wall any more.
Improved preview for multi-tier walls

As an aid to orientation, the preview has been improved: now you
can see the setup of the construction layers in the wall, the thickness
of the individual layers, the offset direction and the position of the
component axis. The position of the first construction layer is
marked with the number 1 (in the color of the component axis).
The Arrow indicating the offset direction and the Construction

layer number can be set in the Point Entry Options:
Modifying wall and position of axis

Previously, the geometric position of the component axis was only
important for modifications of walls. The modified wall with its new
properties was created based on the component axis. As the axis was
always at the outside edge of the first layer, any modifications you
made were based on this edge.
Now two methods are provided for modifying walls (for example,
using Properties on the shortcut menu or Apply Archit.
Component Properties):
• Reposition axis within wall

When you enable this check box, all options for changing the
geometric outline of the wall are locked and the thickness cannot
be modified either. You can move the axis within the wall; the
geometric position of the wall (absolute in the coordinate system)
is retained.
• Recreate wall based on axis

This tool functions in the same ways as in earlier versions. You
can modify all the properties in the Wall dialog box (e.g. setup of
construction layers, thickness values etc.). The position of the
component axis is retained, and the wall is created using the new
settings you have made.
Polygonal Wall
Now you can define the Division setting for polygonal walls on the
Wall Context toolbar (and no longer in the dialog box).
Window and Doors with Facing in Walls with Two Construction Layers
A request for window and door openings with facing has been made
time and again.
Using Window or Door, you can now use elements such as

facing for walls with two construction layers (up to now, walls with
at least three construction layers have been required).
The forms and graphics have been adjusted accordingly. If you enter
meaningless values, the system will issue a relevant message.
‘Change Archit. Properties’ and Layers

Now you can use the Change Archit. Properties tool to change
the layer assigned to an architectural element or to a wall or
construction layer together with other parameters in one go. In
earlier version, layers could only be modified separately using
Modify Format Properties.
In the case of multi-tier walls, you can change the properties of each
construction layer separately.
Opening Modeler: Adjusting Smart Symbol

In the preview area of the Opening Modeler, a shortcut menu is
available which you can use to delete and replace smart symbols you
have already inserted and to modify the reference point of the smart
symbol (for example, to rotate the smart symbol).
Inserting Several Smart Symbols in an Opening in a Single Step

When you use Window or Door to enter openings, you can
now insert several smart symbols with different properties in an
opening in a single step.
Fig.: The smart symbols displayed are part of the HD planning package which
can be purchased separately.
You can make the required settings in the Properties of the opening:
in the Smart Symbol area, you can enter the first smart symbol
immediately. To define more smart symbols, all you have to do is
increase the number in increments of 1.
Fig.: The smart symbols listed are part of the HD planning package which can
be purchased separately.
Removing a smart symbol

To remove a smart symbol, all you have to do is click the check box
beside the name of the smart symbol. The program only removes the
smart symbol whose number you have selected. Smart symbols with
higher numbers automatically move up so that there are no gaps.
Note: When you click the Animation button in the smart symbol
catalog, the smart symbol is displayed in animated mode in the
Properties dialog box of the opening.
Note: You can save the combination of opening and smart symbol as
a favorite and retrieve it later.
Rabbet Traversing Several Layers (for Multi-tier Walls)

Now you can use the Rabbet tool to enter rabbets that traverse
several construction layers in a single step. The entry procedure is
still the same. Allplan detects that the rabbet traverses several
construction layers and automatically creates more rabbets in the
other layers.
To create a rabbet of this kind ...
... enter the following information in the Properties:
Note: When you modify a rabbet of this kind, it is split into its
discrete layers; to avoid this, it is advisable to delete the rabbet and
create it again.
Labeling Architectural Elements
Saving the current label

The settings you have made for the label are saved when you quit
the program and are immediately available when you restart the
program.
Improved default setting for entering rooms

When you enter rooms, the default setting for the label is defined so
that the label only includes the function and the area.
Labeling and object manager

When you have installed the Object Manager module, you can also
use the functions of the object manager to label architectural
elements.
For detailed information, please see the section entitled “Object
Manager” in the “Bonus Tools” chapter.
Rise for Entity-based Walls

Since Allplan 2003, you have been able to use a rise value for the
creation of polylines at circles or splines ( Global Options,
Miscellaneous tab). Using a rise value yields more exact results than
entering a value for the number of segments.
Now this option is also available for Entity-Based Walls (in the
Architecture Options, Entry tab, Division... button).
French Door
In the Properties of the Door tool, you can now specify
whether you the door to be created is a “normal” door or a French
door.
French door
opening
1.00 m3
Door opening
- 0.61 m3
French doors have the following properties:

• Door openings of this kind are internally assigned a special
identifier.
• Smart window or door symbols which are inserted in a French
door are created with a door swing.
• French doors are labeled correctly.
• French doors are analyzed and evaluated in schedules
(List file: 12 Fixtures, List: 11 windows).
Advanced Features for Smart Window and Door Symbols
Any muntins in conjunction with sashes

Now you can create any muntins in conjunction with sashes.
Create the muntins as usual:
• Create the sash(es)
• Select the sash
• Define the position and arrangement of the muntins
• Create the muntins
Setting pen and color

In earlier versions, you had to make the pen and color setting when
you defined the element; in other words, you had to assign pens and
colors prior to transferring the element to the 3D View using . If
you forgot to make the assignment, you had to undo several steps.
Now you can set the pen and color for each element and for the
display in plan separately, regardless of the definition of the
individual elements.
The dialog box has been adapted to meet the requirements imposed
by the new options:
Custom surfaces for frame elements

Now you can assign custom surfaces to frame elements and glass.
These surfaces are saved and displayed in animated mode.
Improved plan view

The plan view of smart window and door symbols has been improved
– this example shows a rectangular window:
Advanced options for assigning attributes

Allplan 2004 comes with the Window Objects and Door Objects
attribute forms.
When you have licensed the Object Manager module, you can enter
the attributes in the same way as in the Object Manager.
Modifying Smart Window and Door Symbols
Defaults for profile thickness

In the Smart Window and Door Symbols tool, the values you
entered last for the profile thickness are always set by default.
When you select a saved smart symbol for modification, the profile
thickness of the saved smart symbol is used.
‘Modify Display Parameters’ and Smart Window and Door

Symbols
Now you can use Modify Display Parameters (Modify toolbar or
flyout in the Smart Symbols module) to modify smart window
and door symbols.
When you apply Modify Display Parameters to a smart window

or door symbol, all the components and foils of the smart symbol are
displayed in a tree view.
Tip: Foils that belong

together are linked up with a
line in the tree view. You can
modify the format properties
of these foils in a single
operation.
Clicking the + icon at the node of the foil to be modified shows all
the relevant display parameters. Click in the column on the right to
change the desired parameter. For example, you can modify the
format properties (Pen and Color) of the individual components of a
smart symbol in a quick and comfortable manner:
Components of the smart symbol that you have defined at the same
time (e.g. 2D, frame, individual sashes, door leaf, glass etc.) may
consist of several foils but the format properties apply to all the
foils. In the tree view, the nodes of these foils are linked up with a
line.
All you need to do is change the pen and color in one foil of the
group; all the other foils are updated automatically to reflect the
changes you have made.
Saving modified smart symbols

When you click OK to apply your settings, you will be prompted
whether the modified smart symbol is to be saved in the smart
symbol catalog.
• When you click No, the changes only apply to all the instances of
the smart symbol in the active drawing file.
• When you click Yes, the smart symbol is saved to the catalog.
Click the reference point of the smart symbol, enter a new name
or confirm the existing name if you want to overwrite the
existing smart symbol.
Note: All the instances of the smart symbol in the active drawing
file are replaced by the smart symbol saved to the catalog.
Converting smart window and door symbols to user-

defined smart symbols
flyout in the Smart Symbols module) to convert smart window
and door symbols to user-defined smart symbols. This is
recommended if you want to copy individual foils to other smart
symbols.
Replacing smart window and door symbols

Substitute Smart Symbol tool, Smart Symbol setting: When you
select the smart symbol to be replaced, all the smart symbols of the
same type are now selected automatically (provided that the
dimensions of the corresponding window opening are the same).
Note: When you use a smart symbol from a window with another
shape, the smart symbol only adjusts to the new shape after you
have activated Restore 3D View.
Door Swing and Smart Symbol’s Drop-in Point of

The opening direction of smart door symbols is now inserted in the
door opening in accordance with the direction of the swing.
You can set the opening direction of a door when inserting the smart
symbol as well as when placing the symbol for the door swing.
Window and Smart Symbol from Wizard

You can match window openings and smart symbols directly from
the Wizard and insert them in any walls.
Now the Wizard provides even more options: Favorites plus smart
symbols can be combined and copied from the Wizard in a quick and
comfortable manner.
The most important steps

• Select an empty drawing file.
Tip: Make sure that the smart • Draw walls and insert the desired window and door openings .
symbol (e.g. the sash) is You have to enter the smart symbols when you define the
inserted correctly in the Properties of the opening; you cannot match openings and
opening, as the system will
not prompt for the smart smart symbols using the Insert Smart Symbol in Opening
symbol’s position when you tool!
insert the opening plus smart • Export the drawing file as a Wizard; use the Export File as
symbol. Wizard tool on the File menu.
• If you want to place the windows in the design, load the Wizard.
To do this, select View menu Toolbars Wizard or use the
ALT+S key combination.
The Wizard you loaded last is opened.
• Right-click the Wizard, click Load New Wizard on the Shortcut
menu and select the Wizard of your choice.
• To retrieve the opening plus the smart symbols from the Wizard,
double-click the opening (but not the smart symbol!!!) with the
right mouse button in the Wizard.
The opening is attached to the crosshairs.

• Insert the opening plus the smart symbol in the wall as usual.
Quantity Takeoff
Room
Now you can save all the room properties (i.e.; all the parameters set
on the three tabs) you have defined in the Room tool to a favorite
and retrieve this file later.
110 Quantity Takeoff Allplan 2004
Height Settings for Finish Specifications

In the last few years, the finish specifications for rooms have been
improved step by step. Allplan is unique in being able to save entire
types of finish specifications for rooms and to assign the complete
wall covering to several rooms with a single click. Then all the
quantities can be evaluated and analyzed on a standards-compliant
basis.
Now you can also define height settings for vertical surfaces created
using the Room and Finish Specifications tools: for example,
you can enter bathrooms - which are to be tiled up to a height of 1.6
m - without having to define special vertical surfaces.
A separate dialog box for defining the height setting of each vertical
surface has been integrated into the Finish Specifications for Rooms
dialog box:
As the finish specifications always apply to a room, the Height

dialog box is clear and simple.

• Same height setting as room
• Same height setting as bottom level of room with offset at bottom
• Same height setting as room with offset at top and bottom

Calculating Floor Space according to the New Regulations
Floor space regulations
New in Allplan V2004.0a The regulations for calculating the floor space came into effect on
st
January 1 , 2004. Among other things, these new regulations no
longer include the flat-rate percentage of 3% to be subtracted to
account for plaster when the floor space is calculated or the floor
space below stairs. Clear finished dimensions have to be used for the
calculations.
Using Allplan’s finish specifications, you can easily calculate the
floor space according to the new regulations.
You can still use all the options provided for calculating the floor
space based on the second calculation directive.
Requirements for entering floor space according to the

new regulations
• In order to calculate floor space, you have to enter rooms using
the Room tool.
• So that the finished dimensions are available, switch to the Finish
tab and specify the type and thickness of the vertical surfaces (for
the base area) and the ceiling and floor covering (these definitions
used for the height division) when you enter the room(s).
• You can use the Surface type... button in the Floor space
attributes area of the DIN277 tab to define the area type for the
floor space (living space, additional space, ...).
• Below stair and No deduction (for balconies or terraces) must not

be used here as these options are only required for floor space
calculations based on the second calculation directive.
• You can enter finish specifications at a later stage. To do this, use

the Finish Specifications tool or the Redefine Rooms,
Surfaces, Stories tool or open the shortcut menu of the room in
question and select Properties.
Calculating floor space according to the new floor space

regulations
The data is evaluated and analyzed in the schedules of Area
Calculation, Application tool. Make the following settings:
• In the Calculate base area area, select the Finished dim option
• In the Calculation type area, select according to floor space
regulations
Entering and calculating floor space based on the second

calculation directive
The following section briefly lists the differences when you enter and
calculate floor space based on the second calculation directive.
• In order to calculate floor space, you have to enter rooms using
the Room tool.
• You do not need to enter finish specifications (thickness of
vertical surfaces, ceiling and floor covering).
• The floor space attributes (DIN277 tab) are similar; in addition
you can use the Below stair and No deduction options.
The data is evaluated and analyzed in the schedules of Area

Calculation, Application tool. Make the following settings:
• In the Calculate base area area, you can use the Structure with
3% flat-rate amount option
• In the Calculation type area, also select the according to floor
space regulations option; the values in Heights, Add to Base
Area are the same.
Modifying Animation Surfaces

When modifying vertical surfaces, you have been able to change the
animation surface of the top layer and apply this modification to
several surfaces in a single operation.
Now this option is also available in the Finish Specifications and

Redefine Rooms, Surfaces, Stories tools.
The approach is the same:
Modify the Custom surface of the top layer; do not change the
attributes of the other elements. The button for selecting surfaces can
only be activated when you have not enabled the check box for
Assign/Remove vertical surfaces/ceiling/floor/baseboard.
Hiding Animation Surfaces

New in Allplan V2004.0a In conjunction with the new floor space regulations, finish
specifications are gaining in importance as the floor space is now
calculated based on the finished dimensions and the thickness of the
finished dimensions is used to determine the clear room dimensions.
You can now use the Animation Settings to specify whether

finishing and special surfaces as well as baseboard are displayed in
the animation window and in rendered images.
For detailed information, see the “Animation” section in the
“Presentation” chapter.
Converting Label Styles

Now you can use the Convert Elements tool, Architecture to 2D
option, to split label styles into individual components. But please
note that only the visible parts of the label styles are converted;
display modes you have defined for other scale ranges are not taken
into account. The association between label style and architectural
element is lost during conversion; labels become ‘normal’ text and
graphics are converted to design entities.
Using the middle-left mouse button combination, the components of
the converted label style can be addressed as a single entity.
Lists/Schedules
Page number
Now lists/schedules can comprise 500 pages; in earlier versions, the
number was limited to 127 pages.
New dry construction schedule
New in Allplan V2004.0a The Lists/Schedules tool contains a new schedule in the 13 Dry
Construction file:
2 Assembly wall (incl. regulations)
This schedule evaluates and analyzes all walls assigned the Dry
Construction Work trade, including component number, thickness,
height, dimensions and area; sum according to material, thickness
and height Billing is in accordance with the regulations.
New floor space schedules
New in Allplan V2004.0a The Area Calculation, Application tool contains new schedules
in the 64 Floor Space file:
15 Room groups
This schedule evaluates and analyzes the floor space of room groups
you have created using the Group Rooms tool. The area per room
group is calculated based on the finished dimensions and listed. The
finished dimensions are determined based on the thickness of the
finish specifications entered in the Room tool.
17 Effective area, name
18 Effective are, function
The evaluation and analysis operations comprise the effective area
(special area, no living space) according to name, with or without
function, including dimensions, base area, deductions and net base
area; sum of effective areas.
The former schedule 15 has been moved to the end of the selection
and in now called
19 Comparison with room group
As this schedule compares the flat-rate amount to subtract and the
finished dimensions per room group, it is not suitable for calculations
in accordance with the new floor space regulations .
New city planning schedules

New features in the City Planning List tool:
• Now garages without stories are also evaluated and analyzed.
• Two new schedules have been integrated:
3 GRZ-GFZ plot_comparison and
4 GRZ-GFZ drawing symbol regulations – areas
These schedules compare the area codes with the nominal values
of the plots/drawing symbol areas.
• The existing schedules have been resorted.
Roof Modeler
Merging Roofs Automatically
When you insert a roof saved as a symbol in another roof, the two
roofs will merge.
This way, you can develop your own extensive symbol libraries for
standardized dormers, gablets etc. The individual symbols and the
project-specific main roofs can then be merged in a quick and
comfortable manner.
120 Stair Design Allplan 2004
Stair Design
New Features for Stairs with Double Quarter Landing
Landing type and overlap can be set independently

Now you can set the landing type separately for each landing:
The overlap at bottom/top can also be entered separately for each

landing. The procedure is different depending on whether the offset
is locked or not.
If the Lock Offset Ldg setting is disabled, you can enter any values
for the difference in height at the start and end of the landing for the
landing at top and at bottom:
If the Lock Offset Ldg button is pressed down, you can enable the
Release tread option in the Landing Type dialog box and configure
the system to Calculate the residual length.
You cannot enter values for the middle section of the stair flight (the
system calculates these values automatically). You can change the
Tread on the Stair Outline Context toolbar, and depending on the
settings you make, the value is calculated in different ways. The
other values can be entered freely.
• If ½ at bottom and ½ at top is enabled, the offset value is
calculated at the end of the landing at bottom and at the start of
the landing at top (one half each):
Offset value is calculated:

(A) at the start of the landing and (B) at the end of the landing (one half
each)
122 Stair Design Allplan 2004
• If at landing at bottom is enabled, the difference in height is

calculated at the end of the landing at bottom:
(A) Difference in height is calculated and applied to the start of the landing
(B) No overlap at the end of the landing
• If at landing at top is enabled, the difference in height is

calculated at the start of the landing at top:
(A) No overlap at the start of the landing

(B) Difference in height is calculated and applied to the end of the landing
Rafter Design
New Tool – ‘Intersect Timber, Steel Elements with Archit. Components’
The Intersect Timber Elements with Roof Covering tool has been
adapted to meet the requirements imposed by architectural elements.
New name and new icon: Intersect Timber, Steel Elements with
Archit. Components
The approach is the same as with the old tool.
Note: Intersections created by means of this tool are not included in

quantity takeoff calculations.
124 Additional Improvements in the Architecture Modules Allplan 2004
Additional Improvements in the Architecture

Modules
Converting 3D elements to architectural elements
When you have activated Convert 3D Elements to Architectural
Elements, you can select the elements to be converted by clicking
and by enclosing them in a selection rectangle.
Defining, modifying user-defined elements

Now you can use Change U-D Element’s Properties (Quantity
Takeoff module) to assign 3D surfaces and 3D lines the correct
computation mode – besides other architectural attributes: lines are
calculated according to m and areas according to m².
Applying architectural component properties

Now you can transfer the properties of slabs and roof coverings
using the Apply Archit. Component Properties tool.
Changing the opening height causes the lintel/header and

roller blind housing to change
When you modify the height of a door or window opening later (for
example, using Properties on the shortcut menu), the corresponding
lintel/header or roller blind housing updates accordingly.
New Features in Allplan 2004 Presentation 125
Presentation
Animation
Animation Windows and Viewports
... see chapter entitled “New Features across Modules“.
Advanced Edit Bitmap Tool

New features have been added to the Edit Bitmap tool (Open,
Edit, Print Bitmap File in earlier versions): more effects and filters
for editing bitmaps have been integrated and it is no longer
necessary to store bitmaps temporarily.
New user interface

When you click Edit Bitmap and open a bitmap, you will notice
the new user interface immediately: the bitmap is displayed in a
separate viewport, and the menu bar includes all the tools you need.
126 Animation Allplan 2004
Among other things, the following new tools have been integrated:
Color Depth, Saturation, Solarize and Hue (on the Color menu),
Overlap Bitmap (on the Bitmap menu) as well as Posterize, Mosaic,
Average, Median, Sharpen, Add Noise, Select Intensity and Line
Filter (on the Effects menu). In addition, you can enlarge and reduce
the view to check and see how different effects look.
File formats
When you saved bitmaps, a great number of file formats with
different settings for the color depth and various format-specific
options were presented for selection in earlier versions; this could
cause problems when the program selected for editing bitmaps was
not able to open the file format you specified.
Now only the common bitmap formats are available. It is possible to
open these formats in the Adobe PhotoShop program without any
problem.
For example, Allplan 2004 always calculates render results using

16.7 million colors. If you want to save a file using a smaller value
for the color depth in order to save space, for example, all you have
to do is select the Color Depth function (Color menu) prior to saving
the file. You can see immediately how the reduced color depth will
affect the bitmap.
Editing and Saving Results using the ‘Render’ Tool

All the functions available in Edit Bitmap are now integrated
into the Render tool: now you can use the tools on the File menu
as well as the SHIFT+CTRL+S key combination to save render results
without loss of quality, and if you want to edit render results, you no
longer have to save them temporarily or switch to a different
function.
Simplified File Format for Movie Model

Lights, cameras, surfaces and the 3D model are saved to a file with
the extension *.FIL. The *.F00 format is not used any more.
Assigning Custom Surfaces

Tip: You can assign custom The dialog box for assigning custom surfaces to 3D and architectural
surfaces not only in the elements has been simplified: parameters that have been available
Animation module but also in both in this dialog box and in the definition of detailed surface
the modules in the settings have been removed from this dialog box.
Architecture family and in 3D
Modeling.
Moreover, you can now select from the ten surface files you have
used most recently.
Assigning Surfaces to 256 Element Colors

The availability of 256 element colors – which is described in detail
in the chapter entitled die “New Features across Modules” – also has
an effect on the Animation and Shadow modules: now you can
assign each of the 256 element colors its own animation surface.
The Color stands for pen option in Show/Hide is no longer taken

into account in animation windows; the program always uses the
element colors you have assigned.
New dialog box

To ensure that the 256 element colors are immediately at hand, the
dialog box for setting surfaces has been revised. You can use a slide
control to select colors, and the program displays colors you have
modified beside the original color.
The large preview has also been integrated into the dialog box, and
you can select a color and/or bitmap to be displayed in the
background of animation windows or render results as usual.
As an aid to orientation, it is advisable to select the List redefined

surfaces option now and again: the program only displays the
surfaces you have modified.
Saving Surfaces on a Project-specific Basis

Now the program saves custom surfaces and bitmaps in the project in
which they are used. This ensures that the complete settings of a
project are available after it has been imported or exported.
Each texture used in the project is copied to the project folder
(“design\“ subfolder) and then read from there.
Hiding Finish Specifications in Animation

New in Allplan V2004.0a You can now use the Animation Settings to specify whether
finishing and special surfaces as well as baseboard are displayed in
the animation window and in rendered images.
In conjunction with the new floor space regulations, finish
specifications are gaining in importance as the floor space is now
calculated based on the finished dimensions and the thickness of the
finished dimensions is used to determine the clear room dimensions.
If you want to view the plan from the top, all you have to do is hide
the ceilings.
The settings you make here apply to the finish specifications and
baseboard you have created using Room or Finish
Specifications as well as to the special surfaces and baseboard
created by means of Vertical Surface, Floor, Ceiling or
Baseboard.
CINEMA 4D Export
Structuring data using layers

Allplan 2004 users working with layers can now structure animation
data using layers and transfer this information to CINEMA 4D.
Now you can use the Animation Settings to specify which

structure is to be used to transfer the Allplan 2004 movie model to
the CINEMA 4D format.
Drawing file structure

The drawing file structure of the Allplan 2004 data is transferred to
CINEMA 4D.
The top hierarchical unit is the drawing file; subordinate units are
the element type and the individual elements.
This structure is mainly designed for users who structure projects
using drawings files.
New: Layer structure

The Allplan 2004 data is transferred to CINEMA 4D based on the
layer structure.
The top hierarchical unit is the layer; subordinate units are the
drawing files and the individual elements with the superordinate
layer.
This structure is mainly designed for users working with layers.
Allplan – CINEMA update

The new Allplan-CINEMA Update-PlugIn allows you to transfer
geometric changes from Allplan to CINEMA without losing
refinements made in CINEMA (newly assigned materials etc.). If
CINEMA 4D R8 (R8.2 or higher) is installed on your computer, the
PlugIn is included automatically when you install Allplan 2004.
The new C4U format is now available in Allplan’s Export to

CINEMA 4D / VRML / 3DS tool.
The C4U format allows you to exchange data which is automatically

updated in CINEMA 4D R8.2. This format is similar to the C4D
format but as opposed to the latter, it automatically starts the
‘Update-PlugIn’ in CINEMA.
Note: In many cases the size of the Allplan model is reduced when it
is transferred to in CINEMA 4D. To avoid this, you can enter a factor
in the Scale area.
The ‘Update-PlugIn’ in CINEMA 4D provides the following options:

Function Effect
Open Opens the file in a separate viewport

Scale Resizes the Allplan model by the factor you
specify here
Add Objects Adds objects
Update a folder Updates the folder you select
The ‘Update a folder‘ function provides the following options:
Function Effect
Geometry All the objects in the folder are replaced; but the
(internal) material numbers are retained
Cameras All cameras are replaced
Lights All lights are replaced
Materials The material numbers are replaced (starting
from the left; relative to the All tab)
136 Shadow Allplan 2004
Shadow
256 Colors available in ‘Define Surface Colors’
The availability of 256 element colors also has an effect on the
Define Surface Colors dialog box: the approach is the same as
with surface colors in the Animation module.
Result of Shadow Calculation as Bitmap

The result of a shadow calculation is usually saved as vector graphics
to drawing files. You can also configure the program to display the
result as a bitmap in a preview. Now you can save and edit this
bitmap. All the functions available in Edit Bitmap are now
integrated in the preview of the Photo tool.
New Features in Allplan 2004 Bonus Tools 137
Bonus Tools
3D Modeling
Advanced Component Modeler
Revised dialog box for selecting components

To provide a clear structure, the dialog box for selecting components
has been revised. Use the Shortcut menu to navigate.
Moreover, you can use drag & drop to copy and move components to
catalogs.
138 3D Modeling Allplan 2004
New stairs component

A new stair component has been added to the component modeler.
By selecting and combining various options for the bottom and top
of the stair, you can model several stair types which can then be
reinforced using FF components.
Moreover, you can create additional corbels in the area of the
landings.
Bridge and Civil Engineering Modeler

The bridge and civil engineering modeler, which was initially
designed for engineering, has been improved. You can use this
modeler to create 3D objects of any kind in a quick and comfortable
manner. You can find more details in the chapter Engineering.
Typical usage:
140 Associative Views Allplan 2004
Associative Views
General Information
Since Allplan 2003 the Associative Views module, which was
developed for precast concrete units, has been available for
engineering as a bonus module.
Now this module can also be used in conjunction with the
architecture modules and it has been adapted to meet the
requirements imposed by this new field of application.
The great advantage of the Associative Views module is that any
changes made to a 3D component, view or section are automatically
updated in all the representations of the component in question. If,
for example, you move a window in the elevation or insert a door in
plan view, everything is updated and adjusted automatically to
reflect any changes you have made. You can also make
modifications in isometric views. All corresponding views are
updated. Although you work on a layout-oriented basis, you can
harness all the advantages provided by designing in three-
dimensional space.
Availability and Function Scope

The Associative Views module is not supplied with the program as
standard and can be obtained as an extra. When you have licensed
this module, the full function scope is available.
Advanced Options
Two new settings have been added to the options.
Allow creation on a cross-file basis

This is where you specify how the views of the individual elements
are created:
• This option is disabled: the individual associative views are
created in the drawing file with the corresponding element.
• This option is enabled: all the associative views are created in the
active drawing file. But the individual views can only be modified
when the drawing file with the corresponding element is the
active one or open in edit mode.
142 Associative Views Allplan 2004
Dimension text based on span direction

This is where you define the direction of the dimension text for
precast units:
• This option is disabled: the dimension text can always be read
from right to left.
• This option is enabled: The dimension text varies depending on
the span direction of the precast unit. At a span direction of 90
degrees, the horizontal dimension text is upside-down, and at a
span direction of 270 degrees, the vertical dimension text can be
read from left to right.
Deleting Functionality
You have been able to use the Delete View tool to delete
individual elements within a view as well as entire views.
Now two functions are available:
• The Delete View tool only applies to entire views (as with the
Move View and Rotate View tools).
• To delete individual elements, the new Remove from View
tool has been integrated. You can also delete an entire view by
enclosing it in a selection rectangle.
Note: When you use the Delete tool (Edit menu or flyout) to
delete an associative view, all the associated elements in plan are
also deleted.
Modifying Format Properties

When you create associative views and sections, the program takes
the format properties from the original element.
You can use the new Modify Format Properties in View tool to
modify these properties. You can specify whether the modified
properties are to apply to the associative views or to the associated
3D elements.
If you apply the Modify Format Properties tool to associative

views, the format properties are modified as if the Modify associated
3D elements option was enabled in the Modify Format
Properties in View tool.
144 Smart Symbols Allplan 2004
Smart Symbols
All Functions Available in the Smart Symbols Module
In earlier versions the Special toolbar contained the following tools:
Smart Symbol
Modify Geometric Elements in a Smart Symbol
Append Geometric Elements to Smart Symbol
This tool has been renamed Append Geometric Elements to

Instance of Smart Symbol and you can now find it on the Modify
toolbar or flyout in the Smart Symbols module; the Smart
Symbol tool is still on the Create toolbar/flyout.
The Modify Geometric Elements in Smart Symbol tool is

unnecessary as its functionality has been integrated in the
Modify Display Parameters tool. You can find detailed
information in the online Help.
Improved ‘Modify Display Parameters’ Tool
Copying foils
You have already been able to use the shortcut menu to display other
smart symbols in order to copy foils into the smart symbol currently
selected. After you have copied a foil, you can now hide the smart
symbol again and make additional changes.
Smart window and door symbols

flyout in the Smart Symbols module) to modify smart window
and door symbols. Further information is available in the section
entitled “Walls, Openings, Components” in the “Architecture”
chapter.
Unlinking Smart Symbols, Layers

Select Unlink Smart Symbol (Modify toolbar or flyout in the
Smart Symbols module) and specify how the layers of the smart
symbol elements are to be handled.
• When you select the Retain layers of elements option, the
elements retain the layers assigned to them when you created the
smart symbol.
• When you enable the All elements on current layer option, the
unlinked elements are assigned the layer which is currently set in
Select, Set Layer on the Format toolbar.
• When you activate Use layer of instance of smart symbol, the
unlinked elements retain the layer assigned to the smart symbol
when you placed it.
146 Smart Symbols Allplan 2004
Placing (Smart) Symbols with Frozen Layers

Smart symbols containing elements with layers which cannot be
accessed by the currently set design group may not be placed in the
drawing file.
In earlier versions, elements and symbols containing frozen layers
were placed on the Default layer. This could cause inaccuracies and
problems when you had already placed smart symbols of the same
type in the same drawing file.
The behavior of symbols has not changed.
Object Manager
New Dynamic Object List for Exporting and Importing Data
When you use the Export Drawing File Data from Object
Manager tool to export data, a new list called 1 General Object
Attributes is available. This list dynamically analyzes and evaluates
all the attributes you have used and exports them to MS Excel, for
example.
When you want to export data, this new list is active by default:
Geometric data is also exported. But you are not allowed to modify
this data in the external program. This ensures that the geometric
data (not-modifiable) is not re-imported.
148 Object Manager Allplan 2004
Exporting and Importing Data from/to Any Path

When you export data using Export Drawing File Data from
Object Manager, edit this data in an external program (MS Excel, for
example) and then import it again using Import Data into Object
Manager, the standard Windows dialog box is now available to open
files.
This means that you can now select any directory to which the data
is to be saved and you can specify a file name of your choice. Now
the files are given names ending in “.xac“. This extension is used to
start MS Excel.
The program proposes the name of the current project for the file
name, “<project name>.xac“; but you can change it. (The import tool
functions in the same way as the Allplan-Allright data exchange and
uses same extension: “xac“.)
The path and file name you used last to export data is proposed
when you import data (and/or vice versa).
Assigning Attributes to All Architectural Elements

You can use Edit Object Attributes in the Object Manager
module to edit the attributes of any architectural element and to
assign new attributes:
Resorting attributes
You can use the arrows near the bottom of the dialog box to resort
the attributes; the changes you make are reflected in the labels:
• selected attribute is moved to the top
• selected attribute is moved to the bottom
• selected attribute is moved up a line
• selected attribute is moved down a line
Labeling Object Manager Elements

You can use the Label tool to place a specific label for elements
created in the Object Manager module: to do this an additional
option is available (provided that you have installed the Object
Manager module).
Object label
After you have selected Label, the usual Label Context toolbar
opens:
Advanced component/object/attribute label
Click Object label:

Clicking the data entry box opens a dialog box which is similar to
that for assigning attributes. Click the check boxes to include the
attributes in the label:
Resorting attributes for the label

You can use the arrows near the bottom of the dialog box to resort
the attributes; the changes you make are reflected in the label:
Label Style
Click Label Style to select a label style from the dialog box as
usual:
New Features in Allplan 2004 Geo 153
Geo
Site Plan
Side on which Parallel Lines are Created
When you use the Parallel Line Segments tool to create parallel
lines based on a numerical value for the distance and the number of
parallel lines, the side on which the parallel lines are created is no
longer defined by the sign preceding the value for the offset and the
direction of the composite element. Instead, click in the workspace to
specify the side.
But you can still specify the desired offset as a positive or negative
value. When you enter a negative offset, the parallel lines are created
in the opposite direction.
154 Digital Terrain Model Allplan 2004
Digital Terrain Model

Improved Cut and Fill Calculation
The algorithm for computing cut and fill has been revised. Now the
cut and fill is calculated separately, leading to more accurate results.
The use of boundary lines and fills for the display of the cut and fill
has also been improved.
Meshing Points into a Grid according to Layers

When you mesh points to form triangles, only points on visible
layers are included in the grid. To exclude individual points from the
meshing operation, all you have to do is place these points on
separate layers and hide these layers.
Retaining Layers
When you mesh points to form triangles, the layers of the points are
retained and no longer moved to the layer which is currently set.
The points retain their original layers even if you unlink the digital
terrain model.
Drawing File Status when Computing Cut and Fill

When you calculate the cut and fill by comparing two digital terrain
models, the DTM which is in a drawing file that is open in edit mode
is used as the original DTM and the DTM in the active drawing file as
the edited DTM.
Please bear this in mind when you define the drawing file status. If
this is not so, the program will issue a message.
Moving DTM Text

Now you can use the new Move DTM Text tool on the Modify
toolbar to move DTM text such as labels, contour lines and points.
New Features in Allplan 2004 Geo 155
Point Labels
The algorithm for labeling and modifying grid points has been
revised. Now point labeling functions as follows:
• The setting for the label currently defined in the options is used
for digital terrain models which have not been labeled yet or
whose labels have been deleted.
• The existing setting is used to label more points of a digital
terrain model which has already been labeled.
• You can change the existing settings for the label using the
Modify DTM tool.
• Point labels do not change when you create and modify the
digital terrain model.
156 City Planning Allplan 2004
City Planning
New city Planning Lists/Schedules
New features in the City Planning List tool:
• Now garages without stories are also evaluated and analyzed.
• Two new schedules have been integrated:
3 GRZ-GFZ plot_comparison and
4 GRZ-GFZ drawing symbol regulations – areas
These schedules compare the area codes with the nominal values
of the plots/drawing symbol areas.
• The existing schedules have been resorted.
New Features in Allplan 2004 Engineering 157
Engineering
Component Modeler
The new features are described in the chapter entitled Bonus Tools.
For engineering, the new ‘stairs’ component is particularly
interesting.
You can model various types of stairs and then apply reinforcement
using FF components.
158 Bridge and Civil Engineering Modeler Allplan 2004
Bridge and Civil Engineering Modeler
Opening and Saving

When you open and save a file of the bridge and civil engineering
modeler, the program always proposes the directory you selected
last.
Accessing Properties
Now you can activate the properties and definitions using a single
function. In earlier versions four different functions were available.
The most recently used tab is displayed. You can switch to other
settings provided on additional tabs in the dialog box at any time.
Displaying 3D Objects
When you enable the Show all routes in 3D preview option in the
Properties, General tab, all existing 3D objects are displayed in
the Isometric Preview.
Displaying Station Points

A new tab has been added to the Properties. You can use the new
Route tab specify how the station points are to be displayed and
named in the tree structure. For example, you can configure the
program to hide point coordinates.
Color Settings
So that you can differentiate visually between station points in
straight route sections and points in curved route sections , you can
now select different colors for the display in the Plan Preview.
Moreover, you can also specify which color is to be used to display
the 3D objects in the Isometric Preview.
Creating Routes
When you import routes, information on existing route sections such
as straight line, arc and clothoid is retained. The program
automatically creates station points at the transition pints of the
individual route elements. You cannot delete these station points if
they are a part of an arc or clothoid. In addition, you can create
more station points at the offset specified. Based on the route
elements, the position of these station points is defined
automatically.
As an aid to orientation, station points in a curved section of the
route are marked with a blue point in the tree structure.
The new practical entry option allows you to create routes quickly
and precisely in no time at all. When you have defined the
stationing, you can also add station points at a later stage.
• If the stationing is within the route, the program automatically
determines the x and y coordinates and the angle in plan of the
new point from the route.
• If the stationing is not within the route, you specify the position
of the new point manually, thus defining a new route section
automatically. This section is defined as a strait line.
Transferring Cross-Sections from Allplan

Cross-sections saved as symbols to the office path in Allplan can be
used for defining cross-sections in the bridge and civil engineering
modeler.
Creating Cross-Sections as Ellipses

Now you can use Add Irregular Polygon to create cross-sections
as ellipses. All you have to do is enter the double radii and if
necessary, an angle of rotation.
Smoothing Corners
You can now add smoothing arcs to the corners of cross-sections.
These arcs can be modified and deleted again at any time.
Deleting Entire Cross-Sections

In earlier versions, cross-sections you had already defined could be
deleted in a single step. All you had to do is select the Delete option
and define an additional rectangular cross-section that completely
covered the existing cross-section.
Now you can use the new Delete All Corner Points tool to delete
entire cross-sections.
Modifying Cross-Sections
You can use the Modify Cross-Section tool to modify the
dimensions of the cross-section (provided you have not modified a
corner after the creation of a predefined cross-section or of a simple
standard cross-section.
Saving Cross-Sections
Now you can exit the Cross-Section Definition dialog box without
saving the cross-section you have defined. Click Exit on the File
menu and choose No at the following prompt.
Local and Global Settings

When you export a route to Excel, the information is now output
both locally and globally.
Importing a Route Profile Later

Now you can use the Import Route tool to import a route profile
at a later stage. So that you can select the Import profile section of
route into current route option, two requirements must be met:
• When you activate the Import Route tool, a station point of
an existing route needs to be selected.
• The existing route should have been imported.
After you have selected the Import profile section of route into
current route option, all you have to do is enter the file name of the
corresponding profile section. Select the file name of a profile section
you have created and saved in the Digital Terrain Model module in
Allplan 2004, for example.
Note: If the route profile does not match the route in plan, the route
profile is adjusted.
Defining Height Curvature

As an aid to orientation, station points in a curved section of the
route profile are marked with a red point in the tree structure.
To delete or modify existing height curvatures, you do not need to
click the corner of the curvature any more. All you have to do is
select a station point in the curvature section. The corresponding
corner of the route profile is displayed in the dialog box.
Moreover, when you modify a height curvature you have already
defined, the station points are adjusted automatically. When deleting
a height curvature, you can include the station points you have
created additionally.
The Delete old start and end points of the curvature automatically
option is no longer necessary.
Making Subsequent Modifications

When you place a volumetric solid in Allplan, the program creates a
3D object containing all the information defined in the bridge and
civil engineering modeler. This means that you can re-import the
volumetric solid into the bridge and civil engineering modeler at a
later stag and modify it there.
To do this, the Modify toolbar contains the new Modify Solids
from the Bridge and Civil Engineering Modeler tool.
But please note that you cannot use the full range of Allplan
functions to edit a 3D object of this kind. The following tools are
available: Union, Create Volume from Intersection and
Subtract and Remove Solid. Please bear in mind that only one
solid from the bridge and civil engineering modeler can be available
at any one time.
So that you can use all the tools in the 3D Modeling module to edit
the volumetric solid, the Convert Elements tool has been
adapted. The data also needs to be converted when you want to use
the volumetric solid as a 3D shell for the reinforcement.
Please note that the information from the bridge and civil
engineering modeler is lost when you convert the data and that it is
not possible to re-import the volumetric solid into the bridge and
civil engineering modeler.
New Features in General

Hidden Line Image of Fixtures
In the Shell Options, Tools tab, you can specify whether fixtures are
to be taken into account for hidden line images.
Fixtures in Isometric View

Now you can enter and modify fixtures not only in plan view but
also in any view of your choice.
New Functions for Fixtures

The Fixtures module contains two new tools which you can use to
manipulate existing smart fixture symbols:
• You can use Modify Attributes of a Smart Fixture Symbol to
modify the parameters (attributes) of all instances of a specific
smart fixture symbol at a later stage.
• You can use Modify Attributes of a Fixture Placement to
modify the parameters (attributes) of an instance of a specific
smart fixture symbol at a later stage.
Advanced Mark Numbers

Now you can assign reinforcing bar and mesh marks a number up to
a maximum of 9,999.
168 New Features in General Allplan 2004
Localization
Custom label
To create country-specific labels, you can make freely definable
settings in the Bar Reinforcement Options.
The program has been adapted to meet the requirements imposed by

individual countries.
Austria
The modified reinforcing meshes, which have been available since
summer 2003, have been added to the cross-section catalogs for
Austria.
Switzerland
The user-defined placement text is automatically entered as a default
setting in the Remark column of the reinforcement schedule with
bending shapes for Switzerland.
France
A new option has been added to the Mesh Reinforcement Options so
that meshes can be displayed in accordance with French standards.
Now you can select the Cross option for the mesh display. In
addition, you can define the line width of the main load-bearing
direction and of the transverse reinforcement by specifying the line
width for the mesh boundary and mesh diagonal.
Netherlands
Layer marking has been adjusted to Dutch standards. Now you can
also select layer marking on both sides. This option is used for bars
that are inserted at top as well as at bottom in the same layer.
England
A new bar schedule based on ISO 4066 has been integrated into the
program. For the general bending shape 99, a schema is displayed in
the schedule.
170 Shell Allplan 2004
Shell
Display
When creating a section or converting a view to a section, you can
now configure the program to automatically create boundary lines.
Moreover, you can apply hatching, pattern or fill to intersected
surfaces.
As the boundary lines of the section and the lines of the section
object coincide, sections for which the section border is enabled are
automatically created without section object lines.
You can use the Show Clipping Path and Delete Clipping
Path tools to show and hide the lines of the section object when you
wish to modify the clipping area, for example.
Dimensioning Views and Sections

Now you can configure the program to dimension views and sections
automatically. All you have to do is make the appropriate settings in
the Shell module's options, Automation tab.
As the dimensions are directly derived from the shell entity, the risk
of error is reduced considerably.
In addition to the usual dimension line parameters, you can define
the position of up to two dimension lines per side. The following
settings are available:
• Auto: the program automatically determines the position of the
dimension line. The dimension lines are arranged so that they do
not overlap.
• Manu: you define the position of the dimension line manually.
• Fixed: the dimension line is created at offset specified.
• None: no dimension line is created.
To create recurrent dimension lines once only, activate the Do not
create identical dimension lines option.
When you have enabled Automatic dimensioning of views and

sections, you can specify the dimensioning angle on the Dynamic
toolbar. You can also skip dimensioning by clicking the button.
172 FF Reinforcement and Typical Details Allplan 2004
FF Reinforcement and Typical Details

Advanced Component Entry
The number has been increased to 85 components. Various ideas
presented by customers have been integrated.
More stair types and components for the bottom and top of stairs are
available.
New components have been added to the additional wall
reinforcement, which is especially tailored to precast double walls.
Now 18 different types are provided. When placing the
reinforcement, you can also fit it in other geometries such as solid
walls or half floors.
To provide a clear structure, the dialog box for selecting components
has been revised. Use the Shortcut menu to navigate.
The option to increase the number of components by purchasing

licenses is no longer available.
You are entitled to ten components as usual. When you purchase
additional licenses, all the components are available.
Using Reinforcing Meshes

Now you can specify whether you want to use bars or meshes to
reinforce components such as columns and stairs. To select the
reinforcement type, a button is available near the bottom of the
dialog box. Please note that this button is only provided where it
makes sense.
You can also create many bending shapes as reinforcing bars or

meshes.
Stairs Configuration
You can use the new Stair Type 5 component to configure and
reinforce 25 different stair types.
To configure stairs you have created using the component modeler,

the program provides the following combination options:
174 FF Reinforcement and Typical Details Allplan 2004
New Bending Shapes

New bending shapes have been added to the catalog. Special bending
shapes for precast double walls are also available. Now the program
provides a total of 93 bending shapes.
Bar Reinforcement
Freely Definable Text in Custom Dialog Box
The text you enter for the label is saved in a custom dialog box and
can be selected directly the next time you open this dialog box.
Reference Point for Label

When you change the position of the mark number, the position of
the label (top, center bottom) is retained. When you have selected the
Without mark number setting, the position (left, center right) does
not change either.
Bar Displayed as Folded

When you activate the display mode (bending shape displayed as
folded), the program presents various folding directions for selection.
Select the desired setting by clicking.
176 Bar Reinforcement Allplan 2004
Default Setting for Panel Thickness

Now the program takes the panel thickness from the FEA calculation
you have selected and enters this value as the default setting in the
Create Reinforcement Automatically dialog box of the
Automatic Span Reinforcement tool.
Dropdown Menus for Basic Reinforcement

To define the basic bar or mesh reinforcement in the Automatic
Span Reinforcement tool, you can select the diameter and spacing or
the mesh type from dropdown menus on which all permitted values
are listed.
Automatic Calculation of Offset Value

You can have the offset value calculated automatically in the
FEA – Reinforcement Color Image tool. All you have to so is
captivate the Auto button. The program calculates the value and
displays it in the corresponding data entry box. The values of the
FEA calculation selected are used as the basis for this calculation.
If you want to change the value, deactivate the Auto button.
Mesh Reinforcement
Display of Meshes in Schemas
With the exception of the Round bar length to option, all the
settings you can make for schema labels in the Bar Reinforcement
Options also apply to mesh schemas.
Moreover, schemas of stirrup meshes with special hooks are also
displayed.
Circular Mark Border

The setting you make for Boundary Size in the Bar Reinforcement
Options also applies to the size of circular mark borders for meshes.
This way, you can define the mark border so that is rigid or dynamic.
Mesh Placement in Plan

So that the individual meshes are clearly visible in plan, the program
uses an offset value to display the meshes you have placed using the
FF Reinforcement tool.
Moreover, the bending direction you have set for the longitudinal or
transverse direction is retained and can be selected again the next
time you activate this function.
‘Fold Line’ and Mesh Placements

Now you can apply the Fold Line tool to mesh placements.
Output of Cutting Diagrams

As with reinforcing bar bending schedules, you can now print out
the entire cutting diagram or the page currently displayed.
178 BAMTEC Allplan 2004
BAMTEC
Basic Reinforcement
The basic reinforcement you specify is saved and presented as a
default value the next time you select this function.
Maximum Diameter
Now you can define a maximum diameter which is proposed by the
program when it automatically creates reinforcement. You can make
the required settings in the BAMTEC options, Reinforcement
Parameters area.
The diameter you have specified in the option is taken into account
when you define the basic reinforcement.
When you create carpet reinforcement manually, the program checks

whether the maximum diameter currently set is observed before it
creates the carpet schedule and carpet file.
If this is not so, the program will issue a message and it will not
create the carpet schedule and carpet file.
Minimum Bar Length

Before the program creates the carpet schedule and carpet file, it
checks whether the minimum bar length (offset of mounting strip +
overlap of 2x 5 cm, measured from center of mounting strip) is
observed.
If this is not so, the program will issue a message. But the carpet
schedule and carpet file will be created nevertheless.
Default Setting for Panel Thickness

Now the program takes the panel thickness from the FEA calculation
you have selected and enters this values as the default setting in the
Create Reinforcement Automatically dialog box of the Reinforce
tool.
Dropdown Menus for Basic Reinforcement

To define the basic and additional reinforcement in the Reinforce
tool, you can select the diameter and spacing or the number and
spacing from dropdown menus on which all permitted values are
listed.
180 Reinforcement Schedules Allplan 2004
Reinforcement Schedules
Output to Drawing File
Now you can output reinforcing bar and mesh schedules to any
drawing files and modify them there. To output the modified
schedules, you can use the new Load Schedule from File tool on
the Create II toolbar in the Bar Reinforcement module.
You can also modify bending schedules in the reinforcement drawing
file or in any other drawing file at a later stage.
Optimized Display of Bending Shapes

The display of bending shapes and associated dimensioning in
bending and reinforcement schedules has been revised and optimized
so that everything is clearly visible.
New Mesh Schedule

A new mesh schedule for the output of stirrup meshes is available.
What’s New in other Modules?

You can also harness the advantages provided by the new features in
the modules of the Basic and Architecture families. You can find
more details in the corresponding chapters.
256 Colors
You can assign reinforcement elements one of the 265 colors
provided. To do this, click the Color button in the Bar Reinforcement
Options Lines.
OLE Objects
By inserting Excel tables as OLE objects, you can edit the data of a
solid you have created using the bridge and civil engineering
modeler and exported to Excel directly in Allplan.
Sequence of Elements
By defining the sequence of elements, you can place reinforcing bar
or mesh elements in the foreground.
Rotated Plan View

You can use this option to create shell and reinforcement drawings
of rotated building parts in a comfortable manner.
Blanking for Text and Dimension Lines

For example, you can apply this option to reinforcement contours or
elements so that text and dimension lines are clearly visible.
Retaining Layers, Section from below

Now you can use architectural data without restrictions and design
buildings and create shell drawings by consistently applying existing
layers of architectural sections and hidden line images to your design
and by displaying soffit views.
182 Importing FEA Data Allplan 2004
Finite Elements
Importing FEA Data
So that you can use HALFEN-DEHA’s HDB program in conjunction
with other FEA programs (for example, PLT developed by Friedrich &
Lochner GmbH or CEDRUS by Cubus AG) in the best way possible,
advanced options are available for importing FEA data.
Now the punching shear agent is able to read all information
required from a drawing file into which you have imported an *.asf
file.
Due to the advanced ASF version, the following output options are
now provided in Allplan 2004:
• System
• Contours - Reinforcement
• Section (for Contours – Reinforcement)
• Spring Reactions - Single Load Case
• Line Support Reactions - Single Load Case
• Numerical Reinforcement Required
• Numerical Results (for Spring Reactions - Single Load Case, Line
Support Reactions - Single Load Case and Design)
New Features in Allplan 2004 Finite Elements 183
Calculation in Accordance with DIN 1045-1

General
At the end of 2004 the new DIN 1045-1 standard is to replace the
still valid (old) DIN 1045 standard.
Taking the following items into account, you have been able to use
Allplan’s finite elements program to calculate and design plates and
discs in accordance with DIN 1045-1 since version 16:
• When the program analyzes the shear force and bond in plates, it
uses the longitudinal reinforcement required for structural reasons
as the basis as the actual longitudinal reinforcement is not
available during the design.
For plate zones in which shear reinforcement is required, you
should use the actual longitudinal reinforcement to determine the
load capacity according to equation 70 or 72 of the DIN 1045-1
standard and then compare the load capacity with the maximum
(minimum) shear force from the load case combination.
• If an action group consists of several load cases which form the
main action, a value of 1.50 has to be set for the two partial
safety factors of these load cases.
Connection to Friedrich + Lochner

Now you can also use the finite elements programs developed by
Friedrich + Lochner GmbH as an alternative to Allplan’s finite
elements program.
Two new modules have been integrated in the Engineering family:
F+L Plates and

F+L Discs
These two modules use the new DIN 1045-1 standard to calculate
plates.
You can transfer architectural components to the finite elements
programs starting automatically. Based on the architectural
components, the program automatically detects the system and the
supports.
184 Calculation in Accordance with DIN 1045-1 Allplan 2004
When you have finished working in the finite elements programs,

you select the drawing file into which you want to import the results.
Then you can display contour lines and output graphical data in
Allplan.
If architectural components are not available, you can start the finite
elements programs directly by clicking Start PLT or Start
SC71. In this case, export the results so that you can import them as
an *.asf file using Import FEA Files.
PLT program: plates with finite elements
The graphics-oriented PLT program allows you to calculate and

design reinforced concrete slabs with beams. You can define complex
support conditions and loads.
Without design, any homogeneous or even anisotropic material can
be applied to the system.
The implemented network generator works according to the
“Advancing Front Method” principle. It is suitable for meshing two-
dimensional areas of any shape. You can create triangular and four
sided meshes as well as combinations of these two types.
New Features in Allplan 2004 Finite Elements 185
The program uses matrices based on hybrid formulations to calculate

elements. The major advantage of hybrid elements is that they are
very precise in conjunction with thin slabs. This also results in a very
accurate calculation of shear forces.
Alternatively, you can use elements according to the Kirchhoff-
Mindlin theory to calculate thick slabs.
For the creation of reinforcement, the program applies an approach
according to Baumann. A plate element serves as the model.
New: You can define uniaxial statical structures to be used for
precast slabs, prestressed hollow core elements etc.
You can also adjust the architectural data to the static system. To do
this, the CAD Static tool is provided on the Edit menu.
When you select this function, free slab edges are moved to support
lines, thus avoiding unfavorable meshes in the region in question.
For more information, have a look at:

www.frilo.de/programme/PLT_Platten_mit_finiten_Elementen.pdf
186 Calculation in Accordance with DIN 1045-1 Allplan 2004
SC7 program: discs with finite elements
The SC7 program allows you to calculate disc structures and to

design them as reinforced concrete discs based on the approach
according to Baumann. You can use the program to calculate the
following disc systems:
• Custom-delimited discs with a maximum of 30 recesses. The
program idealizes inclined edges by applying benching to the
rectangular elements.
• Up to 40 point or line supports
• Any point and line loads in the disc plane
• The maximum permitted number of elements is 35 x 70 at the
moment
The program calculates the elements based on theory of elasticity
according to the finite elements method. Reinforced concrete discs
are designed based on the approach according to Baumann (for
rectangular reinforcement meshes). The static calculation of a
reinforced concrete disc is based on the condition I and the elasticity
values of the concrete are used.
For more information, have a look at:
www.frilo.de/programme/SC7_Scheiben%20mit%20finiten%20Eleme
nten.pdf
New Features in Allplan 2004 Index 187
Index
2 B
256 colors 38 background color 6
256 element colors BAMTEC
assigning surfaces 128 basic reinforcement 178
checking the maximum
3 diameter 178
3D modeling 137 checking the minimum bar
length 179
A Bauteilauswahl
animation FF-Bewehrung 172
hiding finish specifications bitmap
131 using Nemetschek drivers 71
Animation 125 bitmap areas 45
animation window blanking for dim. text 57
creating modifying elements bonus tools 137
31 brick grid 75
display logic 29 enabling 75
utensils 30 making settings 75
animation windows 29 using 77
Ansichten und Schnitte bridge and civil engineering
automatische Bemaßung 171 modeler 158
applying architectural component creating routes 160
properties 124 cross-section as ellipse 161
architectural elements defining height curvature 165
changing layer assignment 94 deleting cross-sections 162
architectural section 78 importing a route profile 164
background color 78 local and global 163
from below 79 modifying cross-sections 162
layers 78 modifying solids 166
sequence 78 saving cross-sections 163
Architecture module 75 smoothing corners 162
assigning attributes 103 transferring cross-sections
associative views from Allplan 161
advanced options 141
availability 141 C
deleting 142 C4U 134
format properties 143 calculation directive 115
function scope 141 change archit. properties 94
general information 140 checking a computer in/out 13
Automatic Calculation of Offset CINEMA 4D export 133
Value 176 CINEMA update 134
city planning
188 Index Allplan 2004
new lists/schedules 156 Dropdown Menus for Basic

code page 19 Reinforcement 176
color systems 50 dynamic object list 147
color transition (fill) 47
colors 38
E
animation 40 edit bitmap 125
architectural elements 39 Einbauteile
filter 39 Neue Funktionen 167
manufacturer color systems engineering 157
50 Engineering
shadow 40 country-specific settings 168
component axis 87 entity-based walls
component modeler 137 rise 100
converting 3D elements to
architectural elements 124
F
custom surfaces 128 favorites 26
component-specific 27
D opening 26
data coding 19 saving 26
Default Setting for Panel FF Reinforcement
Thickness 176, 179 New Bending Shapes 174
defining, modifying user-defined New Components 172
elements 124 FF-Bewehrung
dialog line Bewehrung mit Matten 173
with/without function names Treppenkonfiguration 173
8 fills
digital terrain model color in reference files 42
drawing file status when subdivision 70
computing cut and fill 154 with color transition,
improved cut and fill transparency 47
calculation 154 finish 109
moving DTM text 154 height settings 110
point labels 155 modifying surfaces 116
taking layers into account 154 finite elements
dimension line options 56 connection to Friedrich +
dimension lines 56 Lochner 183
project-specific font 56 importing FEA data 182
dimension walls fixed color 56
layers 56 fixing toolbars 7
display of layout according to fixtures
drawing type 71 hidden line image 167
display opaque text 52 working in isometric view 167
draft 45 floor space regulations 112
drawing files fraction 57
color for reference files 42 Freely Definable Text in Custom
drawing precision 44 Dialog Box 175
drawing types 36 French Ddor 100
G meshes displayinschemas 177

Meshes, Fold Line 177
Geo 153 modify display parameters 145
H modules in the basic family 45
more layouts 18
hiding finish specifications
movie model
(animation) 131
data format 127
hiding function names 8
hotinfo 40 N
I Nemetschek Office Suite Project
9
import file
installing 10
preview 60
new features in the text editor
intelligent symbols 3
52
interfaces 58
new mesh schedule 180
preview for import file 60
new shortcuts 29
quick import/export 58
intersect timber, steel elements O
with archit. components 123 object list
L dynamic 147
object manager 147
label styles
OLE objects 21, 62
converting 116
open string table 52
label styles converting 116
opening modeler
labeling 99
adjusting smart symbol 95
large coordinates 43
Output of Cutting Diagrams 177
layer
output of reinforcement
architectural elements 94
schedules to drawing file 180
layers 33
applying format properties 34 P
displaying the ‘FromLayer’ placing smart symbols with
format property 35 frozen layers 146
layer sets and user groups 35 placing symbols with frozen
modifying visibility of element layers 146
layers 33 plot layout
taking layer visibility from subdivision of fills 70
design group 35 point entry
using drawing types 36 advanced point entry 32
layout elements advanced shortcut menu 32
a single function 72, 74 brick grid 32, 75
lintel/header 124 point entry 2003 32
lists 117 polygonal wall 93
M presentation 125
print preview 42
manufacturer color systems 50
project-specific font for
measure 41
dimension lines 56
meshes
Pulldown-Menüs für
circular mark border 177
Grundbewehrung
placement in plan 177
BAMTEC 179
Q several smart symbols at the

same time 95
Quantity Takeoff 109 smart window and door symbols
quick export 58 101
quick import 58 converting 106
R door swing 107
from Wizard 107
rabbet
modifying 104
traversing several layers 98
muntins and sashes 101
rafter design 123
pen, color of elements 102
render 127
plan view 103
rise for entity-based walls 100
replacing 107
roller blind housing 124
surface for frame 102
roof
stair design 120
merging roofs 119
double quarter landing 120
Roof 119
stairs with double quarter landing
room 109
120
rotated plan view 28
styles 26
Rundstahlbewehrung
surfaces
Vorschlag für geklappte
saving on a project-specific
Eisendarstellung 175
basis 130
S system angle 28
same name for folder and project T
18
text 51
scan 4
text and fills 38
schedules 117
text with numbering 51
second calculation directive 115
transparency (fill) 47
section 78
background color 78 U
from below 79 Unicode characters 53, 62
layers 78 Unicode preview 52
sequence 78 unlinking smart symbols
selecting components layers 145
component modeler 137 up to 70 characters for name of
sequence 22 drawing 18
services 11
information 12 V
paths with blanks 12 viewport
selecting folder 12 display logic 29
viewport 11 utensils 30
shadow 136 viewports 29
as bitmap 136
Shell:display 170 W
site plan wall 80
side on which parallel lines are component axis 87
created 153 interaction 85
smart symbols 144 layer per construction layer
84
new dialog box 80 X

preview 84
Walls, Openings, Components 80 XP user interface 6
WoFlV 112 XRefs 19, 61

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Allplan 2004

New Features in Allplan 2004

2nd edition, February 2004

Document No. 04eng01m01-2-PSMRHG0204

New Features across Modules................................................... 3

Modules in the Basic Family....................................................45

Modules in the Architecture Family ......................................75

Finite Elements .........................................................................182

Munich, February 2004

New Features across

Advanced User Interface

User-definable Background Color

You can define the background color in the Global Options,

The background color is set using the Windows Color Selection

Hiding Names of Function in Dialog Line

This setting is particular useful for experienced Allplan users who do

New Features in Project and Data

Installing Nemetschek Office Suite Project

Folder selection with search tool

Paths with blanks

Project Administration for Workgroup

Checking a computer in/out

To check out a computer

Operations in Nemetschek workgroup manager

To do this ... Do this ...

Check out a computer Click computer and select Check Out.

Icons used in Nemetschek workgroup manager

Your own computer in the network

Local computer which is checked out

Network computer which is checked out

Project on computer which is checked out

Same Name for Folder and Project

When applying to existing projects: Click Open Project on the File

Up to 70 Characters for Name of Drawing

Up to 3,000 Layouts per Project

Windows-compliant Data Coding

Inserting Drawing Files as XRefs

Inserting a drawing file as a XRef

To insert a drawing file as a XRef

Drawing file no.

Drop-in point (relative to an Congruent ON Congruent OFF (custom)

Within the XRef Congruent At the position clicked

Creating new OLE objects

Linking OLE objects

Editing OLE objects

Transparency of OLE objects

Sequence In which Elements Are Displayed

In the case of elements consisting of subordinate elements (such as

Default values for the sequence in which elements are

Default values for new elements

Default values for new elements

Element Default value

Dimension lines/text with fill +16

• When you convert a surface element to another one using

• When you have enabled the die Surface elements in background

When converting data from V2003 to V2004

Always on Top property +12

When converting data from V2004 to V2003

Priority in V2004 Property in V2003

Priority > 5 Always on Top property

Priority ≤ 5 Without Always on Top property

Modifying sequence in which elements are displayed

• Select Modify Format Properties (Basic Tools toolbar or