Allplan
Allplan
Allplan
Manual
Installation, Basics
This documentation has been produced with the utmost care.
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Contents
Welcome ............................................................................................. 1
Introduction .................................................................................................................... 2
Sources of information............................................................................................ 3
Documentation .....................................................................................................................3
Additional help ...................................................................................................................... 4
Installation ........................................................................................ 7
Read the following before installing .................................................................7
Installation documentation ............................................................................................ 7
System requirements for Allplan 2019 .................................................................. 8
Installing ............................................................................................................................11
First-time installation on a stand-alone workstation .................................. 11
First-time network installation .................................................................................14
Structure ...............................................................................................................................26
Actionbar - role, tasks, task areas ......................................................................... 27
Actionbar - task area, group of tools, tool .........................................................28
Actionbar - find ..................................................................................................................29
Actionbar Configurator .................................................................................................30
Palettes .......................................................................................................................... 33
Arranging palettes ...........................................................................................................34
The palettes in detail .......................................................................................................36
Viewports ..................................................................................................................... 66
Viewport toolbar ...............................................................................................................68
Tools for arranging viewports ................................................................................... 71
Setting up viewports...................................................................................................... 72
Floating viewports freely ............................................................................................ 73
Placing viewports in front of or behind the Allplan application
window ................................................................................................................................... 73
Docking viewports to Allplan application window......................................... 74
Dialog line....................................................................................................................... 87
Status bar .....................................................................................................................88
Input options ...............................................................................................................88
Extension..............................................................................................................................151
Orthogonal Track Lines...............................................................................................152
Polar Track Lines.............................................................................................................152
Perpendicular ....................................................................................................................153
Parallel Line.........................................................................................................................153
Assumed point of intersection ...............................................................................154
Welcome
Welcome to Allplan 2019, the high-performance CAD
program for architects and civil engineers.
In this manual, you will familiarize yourself with the user
interface and the basic tools provided in Allplan 2019.
This way, you will quickly learn how to use Allplan 2019,
and you will find that within a short time you will be in a
position to carry out common operations with ease in
order to accomplish your daily tasks.
This chapter covers the following:
Contents of this manual
Documentation for Allplan 2019
Additional help on Allplan 2019
Where to turn for training, coaching and project sup-
port
2 Introduction Allplan 2019
Introduction
This manual consists of two parts:
• The installation of Allplan 2019
• An introduction to the basic concepts of and navigation in Allplan
2019.
This manual assumes that you have a working knowledge of Mi-
crosoft Windows programs Basic CAD knowledge is helpful; howev-
er, this manual will provide both the experienced CAD user as well as
newcomers to CAD with a solid foundation in the methods employed
by Allplan 2019.
Installation, Basics Welcome 3
Sources of information
Documentation
Documentation for Allplan consists of the following parts:
• The help is the main source of information for learning about and
working with Allplan.
While you work with Allplan, you can get help on the current tool
by pressing the F1 key, or activate What’s This in the Help
dropdown list (title bar on the right) and click the icon on which
you require help.
• The Manual consists of two parts. The first part shows how to
install Allplan. The second part is designed to provide an overview
of basic concepts and terms in Allplan and introduce approaches
for entering data in Allplan.
• The Basics Tutorial guides you step by step through the most
important tools for designing and modifying elements in Allplan.
• The Architecture Tutorial guides you step by step through the
process of designing a building. In addition, you will learn how to
analyze the building data using reports and to print the results.
• The Engineering Tutorial guides you step by step through the
process of creating key plans, general arrangement drawings
and reinforcement drawings and shows you how to print the re-
sults.
• New Features in Allplan 2019 provide information on what's
new in the latest version.
• Each volume in the Step-by-Step series deals with a specific
concept or series of tools or modules in Allplan in detail. The areas
covered include data exchange, system administration, geodesy,
presentation, 3D modeling and so on. As a Serviceplus member,
you can download these guides as PDF files from the Training -
Documentation area of Allplan Connect
(http://connect.allplan.com).
• You can also find numerous publications on social networks.
4 Sources of information Allplan 2019
Additional help
Tips for efficient usage
The Help dropdown list (title bar on the right) provides Tips for
Efficient Usage. This topic includes practical tips and tricks showing
you how to use Allplan efficiently and how to carry out operations
with ease.
Documentation
ALLPLAN GmbH
Werinherstr. 79, Eingang 32 d
81829 Munich, Germany
Email: [email protected]
Installation, Basics Installation 7
Installation
Read the following before installing
Installation documentation
You can find documentation on installing Allplan 2019 in a number
of places:
• The manual describes the procedure for a first-time installation
at a stand-alone workstation and covers the essentials for first-
time installation on a network.
• While installing, you can open the help by pressing F1. The instal-
lation help provides additional, up-to-date and detailed infor-
mation on installing Allplan for the first time and upgrading Allplan
on stand-alone workstations and on networks.
This help is also available online
(http://help.allplan.com/Allplan/2019-
0/1033/Allplan/85122.htm).
• The Allplan 2019 DVD includes the install.chm help file, which
you can find in the
programs\x64\Allplan\HelpFiles\English\ folder.
8 Read the following before installing Allplan 2019
Further information
allplan.info/info/sys2019
• offers further information, such as the system test tool.
10 Read the following before installing Allplan 2019
Prior to installing, decide on the folders where you want to install the
program. If you need to change this later, you usually have to unin-
stall the program and then re-install it again. It is a good idea to keep
the data files and program files in two separate, central locations.
This will facilitate backup operations later.
By default, Allplan 2019 is installed to the following folders:
• Program files: C:\Program Files\Allplan\
• Central file storage: C:\Data\Allplan\
• Local file storage: C:\Local Data\Allplan\
Installation, Basics Installation 11
Installing
First-time installation on a stand-alone workstation
This section shows how to install Allplan 2019 on a stand-alone
workstation. Any existing Allplan installations will not be affected.
folder of the workgroup. Please read the notes on the central file
storage folder with network installations.
Local file storage folder: This folder is used to synchronize the
data of the central file storage folder and the data of online pro-
jects. If you do not specify a folder, the program synchronizes the
data of online projects with the LocalData folder, which is a
subfolder of the central file storage folder. You must specify a lo-
cal file storage folder on the local computer if you want to access
Allplan online projects from a mobile computer (for example,
when you work from home or as a freelancer). It is not absolutely
necessary to do this if you use a stationary computer with per-
manent access to the central file storage folder.
11 Select a setup type in the Setup type dialog box. Click Next.
Default: Installs the program with the most commonly used op-
tions. Recommended for most users.
Minimum: Installs the program with minimum options.
Custom: Installs the files you specify. You can deactivate the
components you do not want to install in the Select Features
dialog box.
12 Check the settings in the Ready to install Allplan dialog box. If
the settings are correct, click Next to start the installation.
13 After installation, the system may prompt you to restart the
computer. Log on as the administrator for the local machine or as
a user with administrator privileges.
14 Installing Allplan 2019
Welcome Screen
The welcome screen combines tools you require frequently when
you start Allplan.
New
Use this to create a new project.
You can find more information in the Allplan Help; see "Creating a
new project".
Open
Use this to open a project.
You can find more information in the Allplan Help; see "Selecting the
current project".
Copy
Use this to create a new project as a copy of an existing project. The
contents, structure and settings of the existing project will be copied
to the new project.
You can find more information in the Allplan Help; see "Creating a
new project as a copy".
Installation, Basics Allplan's user interface 17
You can see the most recent projects you have worked on.
Specify whether you want to open the project in design mode or in
layout mode by clicking the corresponding symbol. Double-clicking
the project name opens the project in the mode you used last.
Updates - Settings
Use this to open the Allplan Update Settings dialog box. You can
find more information in the Allplan Help; see "Allplan update".
18 Welcome Screen Allplan 2019
Internet
Allplan Connect
This takes you to the website of Allplan Connect, the service portal
of Allplan.
Allplan Exchange
This takes you to the website of Allplan Exchange, the tool for dis-
tributing electronic documents over the Internet.
Bimplus
This takes you to the website of Bimplus, the openBIM platform
developed by ALLPLAN GmbH for exchanging everything all building
data between all disciplines.
Social media
This takes you to the Allplan areas of the most important social net-
works.
You can open the welcome screen at any time by clicking Wel-
come Screen ( Help dropdown list, title bar on the right).
Information on Allplan
You can see information on the Allplan version, customer number
and seat.
About Allplan ( Help dropdown list, title bar on the right) provides
advanced information.
Installation, Basics Allplan's user interface 19
Default configurations
Allplan comes with several default configurations for the user inter-
face.
The Actionbar configuration is set by default. This configuration
consists of the Actionbar structured by role, task and task area.
The title bar of Allplan’s application window provides more tools (All-
plan icon, Quick Access Toolbar, Bimplus Login and Help). In
addition, this configuration comes with the Properties, Wizards,
Library, Objects, Task Board, Connect and Layers palettes.
Apart from this configuration, the Default Configuration - Classic,
Palette Configuration (see "Palettes" on page 33) and Basic Con-
figuration are also available. To switch to a different configuration,
open the View menu, point to Default Configurations and select the
configuration you want to use.
Working area
The working area is the part of Allplan’s application window where
you can place the Allplan controls docked to the application window.
This illustration shows Allplan’s application window after you have
floated all controls. All that is left is the empty working area (gray
area):
20 Working area Allplan 2019
You have the following options to arrange the Allplan controls in the
working area:
• You can dock the Actionbar (on page 25) to the top of the work-
ing area.
• You can also dock the Palettes (on page 33) to any edge of the
working area. There, you can lock them into position or configure
the program to show and hide them automatically.
• You can place the Viewports (on page 66) in the remaining, emp-
ty space of the working area. In addition, you can move, arrange
and resize them as you like (provided you have not maximized a
viewport).
• You can dock the Dialog line to the top or bottom of the working
area.
• The Status bar is always at the bottom of the working area. It is
the bottom line in Allplan’s application window. You can show or
hide the status bar, but you cannot float it.
Installation, Basics Allplan's user interface 21
Title bar
You can see the current project, fileset, building structure and docu-
ment in the middle of the title bar of Allplan's application window.
You can find the Bimplus Login on the right. To visit the Allplan Shop,
click the Open Allplan Shop icon. Click the Help icon to open a
dropdown menu, where you can activate the Allplan help and get
information on the Allplan version installed.
Click the Allplan icon on the left to open important tools such as
save, copy, import and export.
Furthermore, you can show a Quick Access Toolbar (on page 21),
which provides frequently used tools. Using a dropdown list, you can
switch these tools on or off or arrange these tools in the sequence
you need. Furthermore, you can show or hide the menu bar. Click
Customize User Interface... to open the Customize dialog box.
Tool Use
New Project, Open Project You can use this tool to open the New Project, Open Project dialog box,
where you can select a project, create new projects, assign attributes to
projects and change the path setting for the resources (office-specific or
project-specific).
Open on a Project- You can use this tool to open a dialog box where you can change the status
Specific Basis of drawing files and create fileset structures and building structures, for
example.
Save You can use this tool to save the current drawing file and the files open in
edit mode or the current layout. If the current viewport is an NDW file, the
program only saves this file.
Print Preview You can use this tool to open print preview. The printout will be an exact
match of what you see in print preview. You can define printer settings and
margins, set the scale, add headers and footers and specify how the ele-
ments look. In addition, you can change the paper size and orientation of the
page.
Undo You can use this tool to undo one or more actions. You cannot undo chang-
es in dialog boxes.
Redo You can use this tool to redo actions you have undone.
Repeat You can use this tool to repeat the last tool you selected or one of the tools
you selected most recently.
View You can use this tool to open a dropdown list with tools for controlling
what’s on your screen.
Installation, Basics Allplan's user interface 23
Tool Use
Window You can use this tool to open a dropdown list with tools for using and ar-
ranging viewports (on page 66).
Edit You can use this tool to open a dropdown list with general edit tools you
know from other Windows applications.
Default Settings You can use this tool to open a dropdown list with tools for defining office
standards and default settings for your daily work with Allplan.
Customize Quick Access You can use this tool to open a dropdown list for arranging the tools
Toolbar on the Quick Access Toolbar (on page 21).
In addition, you can customize the user interface or show and hide the
menu bar all the time. Remember: You can use the ALT key to show the
menu bar for a short time.
24 Menus Allplan 2019
Menus
If the configuration you use is not the Actionbar configuration, you
can find the menus in the top border of Allplan’s application window.
When you install for the first time or work with the Actionbar Con-
figuration, the menu bar is hidden by default. You can show or hide
the menu bar using the Quick Access Toolbar (on page 21). Pressing
the ALT KEY shows the menu bar for a short time.
All the tools can be activated via the menus, regardless of the role or
task you are working on.
Actionbar
You can find the Actionbar above the workspace (see "Working
area" on page 19).
The Actionbar includes all Allplan tools in groups of tools. The groups
of tools are combined into task areas, which are combined into tasks.
You can find the tasks required for each discipline in a role.
To see the Actionbar, you must select the Actionbar Configuration.
You can show or hide the Actionbar at any time
Note: To find out which tools are included in the task areas, tasks and
roles, see Orientation in the program – the tasks and their task areas
in the Allplan Help.
26 Actionbar Allplan 2019
Structure
The Actionbar is docked to the top of the working area. If you want,
you can drag the Actionbar to the bottom of the workspace and
dock it there. You can also make the Actionbar float anywhere on
your screen. By double-clicking the left mouse button, you can dock
it to the place where it was docked last.
7- Actionbar Configurator
The role is the area where you can find the tasks to be worked on.
The dropdown list includes all the roles that are available to you (both
the roles you purchased and the roles you configured yourself).
The tasks that are available to you change with the selected role. To
open a task, click the corresponding tab. Each task is subdivided into
appropriate areas. You can find areas in different colors, indicating
varying (blue) and fixed task areas (gray). The varying task areas
change with the selected task, such as the Components task area of
the Elements task. The fixed task areas are always included in all
roles and tasks, such as the Work Environment and Filter task are-
as. The Quick Access task area includes tasks with frequently used
tools.
The first time you open Allplan the task areas are collapsed. To open
the flyout menu of the tools displayed, click the downward arrow.
You can then see all the tools in the collapsed area.
When you point to the name line of a task area, the cursor changes
to .
You can maximize or minimize a task area by double-clicking the left
mouse button within the name line of a task area. A maximized task
area shows more tools, which can also have flyout menus.
28 Actionbar Allplan 2019
Note: You can expand or collapse all task areas of the task currently
selected by pressing CTRL while double-clicking the left mouse but-
ton within the name line of a task area.
You can expand or collapse all areas across tasks and roles by
pressing CTRL+SHIFT while double-clicking the left mouse button
within the name line of a task area.
The width of the Allplan window defines how many task areas can be
expanded. If the window is not wide enough, Allplan starts on the left,
expanding as many task areas as possible.
1 - Task area
2 - Create group of tools
3 - Create in context group of tools
4 - Modify in context group of tools
5 - Tool
The first tool of the flyout menu is always visible on the Actionbar.
When you select a different tool on the flyout menu, this tool is visi-
ble on the Actionbar until you close this tool again.
Actionbar - find
Using the Find tool in the top right corner of the Actionbar, you
can find tools across tasks and roles on the Actionbar.
Enter the name of the tool or parts thereof in the Find: box. If you
want, you can select options and define the search direction. Click
Continue. If Allplan has found the text you entered in the box in the
name of a tool, you can see the result in the lower part of the Find...
dialog box. At the same time, the Actionbar opens the role and task
that include this tool and highlights the tool. Click Continue to find
more tools whose names contain the text entered. Once again, the
Actionbar opens the role and task that include the tool, highlighting
the tool.
30 Actionbar Allplan 2019
You can access the tool found straight from the Find... dialog box by
clicking the icon of the tool. Of course, you can also click the tool on
the Actionbar.
Actionbar Configurator
You can find Actionbar Configurator on the right side of the
Actionbar.
Using Actionbar Configurator, you can customize the Actionbar to
suit your needs and requirements or set up a new Actionbar. You can
also export and import Actionbar configurations.
Click to open the Actionbar Configuration dialog box.
Installation, Basics Allplan's user interface 31
Use the Configure tab to specify whether you want to create a new
role or select and modify a role you have already configured.
Click Create new role to open the Create new role dialog box.
You can choose between creating the new role based on a template
(in line with the roles coming with the program) or clicking Empty
template to get an empty role you can design yourself.
To design the role, you can move, delete or add elements using drag-
and-drop operations. By double-clicking a task or task area, you can
change the name of this task or task area. You can also create flyout
menus. To do this, left-click a tool on the Actionbar or in the right
column of the table, keep the left mouse button held down and drag
the icon of the tool onto another tool. Then release the mouse but-
ton. This results in a flyout menu containing the moved tool.
Finally, save the new role. Without prompting you, Allplan saves all
roles available in Actionbar Configurator as a configura-
tion.actb file in the \Usr\Local\Actionbar folder. The Ac-
tionbar Configuration dialog box closes. You can now select the
new role in the dropdown list of the roles on the left side of the Ac-
tionbar.
To avoid this, save the role in a folder of your choice. You can export
and import roles. To do this, use the Manage roles tab of the Action-
bar Configuration dialog box.
32 Actionbar Allplan 2019
To save the selected role in any folder, click the Export button. After
you have selected the folder, Allplan saves the role as an *.actb file
in this folder. You can also export several roles in a single step. Allplan
saves these roles together in a configuration file in *.actb format.
To import roles to the Actionbar, you can use the Open file button in
Actionbar Configurator. After having imported the required file (in
*.actb or Actionbar_*.xml format), you can see the contents
in the Import roles area. So that the imported roles are available on
the Actionbar when you exit Actionbar Configurator, you must
drag the roles from the Import roles area into the My roles area.
Of course, you can also customize imported roles to suit your needs
and requirements. To do this, switch to the Configure tab, select the
role you want to change in the My roles area and modify the role.
You can find more information on how to use Actionbar Configura-
tor in the Allplan Help - "Actionbar Configurator".
Installation, Basics Allplan's user interface 33
Palettes
Palettes are important controls of Allplan, making the user interface
simple and easy to use.
The following palettes are available in each configuration:
• Properties palette (see "‘Properties’ palette" on page 36) to
modify the properties of elements.
• Wizards palette (on page 39) to select and manage wizards.
• Library palette (see "‘Library’ palette" on page 41) to select and
manage symbols, smart symbols and SmartParts.
• Connect palette (see "‘Connect’ palette" on page 49) to directly
access content provided by Allplan Connect.
• Layers palette (see "‘Layers’ palette" on page 49) to keep sight
of the layer status and to quickly change it.
• Objects palette (see "‘Objects’ palette" on page 53) to quickly
check your design by showing or hiding elements or element
groups.
• Planes palette (see "‘Planes’ palette" on page 58) to check and
edit the plane models of the current building structure.
• Task Board palette (see "‘Task Board’ palette" on page 61) to
check and edit the tasks of Bimplus projects directly in Allplan.
If the configuration you use is not the Actionbar configuration, the
following two palettes are also available:
• Modules palette (see "‘Modules’ palette" on page 64) to quickly
switch between task areas.
• Tools palette (see "‘Tools’ palette" on page 64) to quickly acti-
vate tools.
By default, Allplan displays the palettes as tabs in a separate window
- the palette window. But you can float or dock each palette individ-
ually.
In addition, you can arrange the palette window or individual, free-
floating palettes around the edge of the working area (on page 19) or
make them float anywhere on your screen. You can even configure
34 Palettes Allplan 2019
Arranging palettes
Displaying palettes
You can use shortcut keys to bring the palettes to the front. For
example, you can assign the following shortcut keys:
A (Wizards palette)
B (Library palette)
C (Connect palette)
E (Properties palette)
F (Tools palette)
L (Layers palette)
M (Modules palette)
O (Objects palette)
T (Task Board palette)
Palettes that are already on top close when you press the relevant
shortcut key.
Note: The Planes palette has no predefined shortcut key. You can
assign a shortcut key to the Planes palette using Customize User
Interface ... - Customize tab - More tools with icons. You can also
use this tool to change the shortcut keys of palettes.
Installation, Basics Allplan's user interface 35
You can use the and icons on the title bar of a palette to speci-
fy how the palette behaves:
As long as you keep the mouse button held down, you can move the
palette or palette window freely in the working area. This is indicated
by a transparent preview. The palette or palette window will dock to
its current position as soon as you release the mouse button. To
minimize the palette, click Hide automatically. To float the pal-
ette or palette window again, deactivate Hide automatically.
36 Palettes Allplan 2019
Note: You can arrange a single palette or the entire palette window
around the edge of the working area or make it float anywhere on
your screen.
Properties
Document
The Document area displays the number and name of the drawing
file or the path and file name of the custom NDW file including the
elements selected.
Description
Match parameters
Applies the properties of the element clicked to the current selection
(if this is possible).
Load favorite:
Loads the properties from a favorite file (*.prop).
Save as a favorite
Saves the current properties as a favorite file (*.prop).
40 Palettes Allplan 2019
Wizards palette
The Wizards palette has the following areas:
List box
You can choose a wizard group in the list box at the top. You can use
the shortcut menu to create new groups, add existing groups to the
palette, rename the current group and remove it from the palette.
Tabs
The tabs show the wizards in the current wizard group. You can use
the shortcut menu to add wizards and to remove, replace and re-
name tabs.
Installation, Basics Allplan's user interface 41
Workspace
‘Library’ palette
The Library palette includes library elements of the following types:
• Symbols (see "Using symbols" on page 191)
• Smart symbols (see "Using Smart Symbols" on page 193)
• SmartParts (see "Using SmartParts" on page 197)
• PythonParts (see "Using PythonParts" on page 202)
This palette has the following areas:
Navigation field
The navigation field at the top shows the open folder in the library.
Back takes you up one level in the hierarchy.
You can use Find to find library elements in the current folder and
all subordinate folders. The program then lists all elements with
names matching the letters you entered. When you point to one of
the elements found, you can see a ToolTip with information on the
name, the date the file was saved, the element type and the folder
where the file was saved. You can open this folder using the short-
cut menu.
Installation, Basics Allplan's user interface 43
Using Filter, you can show or hide specific types of library ele-
ments (symbols, smart symbols, SmartParts, PythonParts).
Using Sort criterion, you can sort the library elements alphabeti-
cally or by date in ascending or descending order.
Using Hide empty folders, you can hide folders without library
elements. When selected, the icon changes to and appears
pressed in.
Using Show active project only, you can display the active pro-
ject, hiding all the other projects. When selected, the icon changes to
and appears pressed in.
Library
This is where you open the libraries in the Default, Office, Project,
Private and External paths and navigate to the required folder.
As soon as you select a folder, you can see the library elements in
this folder. A folder can include Symbols, Smart symbols,
SmartParts and PythonParts.
44 Palettes Allplan 2019
Just look at the small symbol indicating the type of library element:
• Symbol or Symbol with resources
• Smart symbol or Smart symbol with resources
• SmartPart
• PythonPart
Installation, Basics Allplan's user interface 45
Preview area
You can see a preview of the selected element. You can set the
View and View type (Wireframe, Hidden, Animation).
Except for fixtures, you can see the Dimensions of the library ele-
ment. The program calculates the dimensions from the min-max box
of the library element.
Selection area
You can see illustrations of the library elements in the selected fold-
er. You can set a View for 3D elements. 2D symbols are only dis-
played in plan view.
To select an element, double-click it or drag it into the workspace
and place it there. To place the element, use the tools in the input
options.
The Selection area provides a shortcut menu you can use to define
the size of the illustrations. You can even hide them by selecting the
Text only option. Clicking an entry displays the illustration in the
Preview area.
Clicking Customize User Interface... opens the Customize dialog
box, where you can customize the palettes to suit your needs. To do
this, open the Palettes tab.
46 Palettes Allplan 2019
The icon appears when you point to folders and library elements.
• Copy
Copies the folder to the clipboard; you can then insert the folder
into a different path (except the Default path).
• Smart symbols create an opening of the type
Assigns an opening type to each smart symbol in the folder.
• Smart symbols consider room finish surfaces in animation,
sections
Defines how each smart symbol in the folder adapts to room fin-
ishing surfaces.
Modifiable folders offer the following additional options:
• Delete
Deletes the selected folder.
• Rename
Renames the folder.
• Paste
Pastes a folder from the clipboard into the selected folder.
• Cut
Copies the selected folder to the clipboard and deletes the folder.
Installation, Basics Allplan's user interface 47
• Copy
Copies the library element to the clipboard; you can then paste
the library element into a folder you created yourself (this folder
must not be in the Default path).
• Open file path
Opens the folder with the library element in Windows Explorer.
Library elements you created yourself (in the office, project and
private folders) offer the following additional options:
• Delete
Deletes the selected library element.
• Rename
Renames the library element.
• Paste
Pastes a library element from the clipboard into the selected
folder.
• Cut
Copies the selected library element to the clipboard and deletes
the library element.
• Replace
Replaces the selected library element with a new one selected by
you.
• Resources included (symbols and smart symbols only)
Defines whether Allplan is to save the resources together with
the library element or take the resources from the current pro-
ject. When you select this option, Allplan saves the current re-
sources with the library element. As a result, the library element
will always look the same even if you use it in other projects.
48 Palettes Allplan 2019
Depending on the path and folder, the toolbar at the bottom offers
more tools.
New group
Creates a new group in the selected folder.
Insert element
Saves library elements to the current library folder and adds library
elements placed in the workspace to the current library folder.
• Insert symbol
Saves a new symbol to the current library folder.
• insert SmartPart
Adds a SmartPart placed in the workspace to the current folder.
• Insert PythonPart
Adds a PythonPart placed in the workspace to the current folder.
Add path
Creates a path in the External path folder so that you can access
more files with library elements.
Installation, Basics Allplan's user interface 49
‘Connect’ palette
Using the Connect palette, you can access content provided by
Allplan Connect straight from Allplan. You can enter the user name
and password directly in the palette. However, these entries will be
lost as soon as you close Allplan. If you want to keep the entries,
open the dropdown list on the Quick Access Toolbar and select Cus-
tomize User Interface... - Customize dialog box - Palettes tab. As
an alternative, show the menu bar and click Tools - Customize User
Interface... - Palettes.
‘Layers’ palette
The Layers palette displays the entire layer hierarchy. You can se-
lect the current layer and define the visibility and status of layers.
The Layers palette has the following areas:
List box
First Then
Current Modifiable
Find
Opens the Find... dialog box, where you can find short or full names
of layers or parts thereof.
Installation, Basics Allplan's user interface 51
Layers
Shortcut menu
Customize...
Opens the Customize dialog box, Palettes tab. You can choose to
display the upper and lower structural levels of the layer hierarchy
and define the layer properties (short name, full name, combined
format properties, pen, line, color) you want to display. You can also
use the shortcut menu of the table head to specify which properties
you want to display.
Load favorite
You can retrieve layer settings you have saved as favorite files.
Installation, Basics Allplan's user interface 53
Save favorite
You can save the current layer setting as a favorite file (*.lfa).
>> Expand
Opens the Layer dialog box (see "'Layer' dialog box" on page 242).
54 Palettes Allplan 2019
‘Objects’ palette
The Objects palette lists all objects in the currently open drawing
files (current or open in edit mode or open in reference mode). You
can sort these objects according to certain criteria. It is possible to
show or hide selected objects. You can also activate or deactivate
objects in the Objects palette.
The Objects palette has the following areas:
Custom or Predefined
Click this icon to change the sort sequence. You can choose from
different categories for each sorting criterion.
Sort by layer
The layers are at the top level in the hierarchy. If an object (for ex-
ample, a window opening) consists of several elements (for example,
sill and window SmartPart) that are assigned to different layers, you
can find this object in the *varied* list.
Sort by material
The materials assigned to the objects are at the top level in the hier-
archy. Objects or elements without Material attributes can be found
in the *not defined* list.
Sort by trade
The trades assigned to the objects are at the top level in the hierar-
chy. If an object does not have a trade attribute, you can find this
object in the *not defined* list.
Sort by attribute
The attributes assigned to the objects are at the top level in the hier-
archy. If an object does not have an attribute, you can find this ob-
ject in the *not defined* list.
‘Control’ buttons
Refresh palette
Refreshes the contents displayed in palette.
Invert visibility
Inverts the visibility set.
56 Palettes Allplan 2019
Objects
Depending on the sorting criterion selected, this section lists all ob-
jects in the currently open drawing files (current or open in edit
mode or open in reference mode).
You can change the visibility and selection of objects listed in each
row. Use the following icons:
Settings
Opens the Options - Object navigator. You can specify how you
want to list rooms within the Objects palette. You can choose be-
tween Object name, Name and Function.
You can switch on and off the six sorting criteria and the two cate-
gories (group and type) as you need. At least one entry remains
selected on the shortcut menu.
Note: You can save custom sorting ( Save favorites for sorting)
and load a sorting favorite ( Load favorites for sorting).
58 Palettes Allplan 2019
‘Planes’ palette
The Planes palette includes the plane models of the current building
structure. Each plane model has its own tab. While creating compo-
nents, you can keep track of the default planes and all other objects
on which the heights of the components can be based.
Using the Planes palette, you can create new plane models, modify
plane models and insert or replace roofscapes. These tasks are simi-
lar to those provided by the Floor Manager dialog box of the
building structure. But if you want to insert reference surfaces in a
plane model, you must use the palette.
When Modification mode is on, the planes of the plane model are
visible in all viewports. When you point to or select an entry of the
plane model in the tree structure, this entry is highlighted in the de-
tection color in all viewports. So, you can immediately check the
position of the plane and see the effects of changes.
The Planes palette has the following areas:
Toolbar
Update model
Updates the plane model displayed in the palette so that the plane
model is up to date.
plane model in the tree structure, this entry is also highlighted in the
detection color in all viewports. You can also find this tool on the
shortcut menu.
New model
Opens the New model palette, where you can create a new plane
model.
Modify model
Opens the Modify model palette, where you can modify the plane
model on the current tab. You can also find this tool on the shortcut
menu.
Note: Using the Insert Pair of Planes dialog box of Floor Manag-
er in the building structure, you can also take the default planes from
a drawing file or an NDW file.
Displays all components of the plane models. Each plane model has
its own tab.
Installation, Basics Allplan's user interface 61
When Modification mode is on, you can change all height set-
tings by clicking in the palette. As an alternative, you can use the
handles or boxes in all viewports, views and sections. Using the Ad-
just height of planes dialog box, you can define how the planes
above and below behave:
• Move up / down: The height settings of the planes above / be-
low change so that the distance between the planes stays the
same.
• Retain height: The height settings of the planes above / below
do not change; the slab thickness changes. If this resulted in
overlapping pairs of planes, the Retain height option would not
be available.
You can find these tools, which you can select by clicking or by click-
ing symbols, on the shortcut menu of the tree structure too.
Load favorite
Loads a setting saved as a favorite.
Save
Saves the current setting as a favorite.
Apply
Saves all the changes and updates the plane model in the active
drawing files. Modification mode is still on. After you have
changed the height of a plane, the Behavior of drawing files dialog
box opens.
Note: See Handling projects using Allplan Bimplus in the Allplan Help
for more information on handling projects in a BIM-compliant man-
ner using Bimplus, the web service offered by ALLPLAN GmbH.
Preview
Displays a preview of the view of the building model saved for a task.
Go to the Tasks area and click within the Name column of a task to
display the view of the building model for this task in the preview and
in the current viewport.
By selecting Set view or clicking within the preview, you can set
the view saved for the task in the current viewport while editing the
building model in Allplan.
You can see spots in the preview. These spots are markers, visually
linking tasks and objects.
Tasks
New Task
Creates a new task on Bimplus for the project you are currently
editing in Allplan. Use the Details palette to enter detailed infor-
mation about this task.
The new task is then available to all those involved in the project.
They can use Allplan or Bimplus to access this new task.
Installation, Basics Allplan's user interface 63
Clear Selection
Removes element marking you defined in the Details palette.
Task list
Displays the tasks of the project you are currently editing in Allplan,
automatically synchronizing the tasks with the tasks on Bimplus.
Click within the Name column of a task to display the view of the
building model for this task in the Preview and in the current view-
port.
The Priority column of the task list indicates the priority rating of
each task. You can define the priority rating in the Details palette,
where you can also find and edit all other details of a task.
Click within the right column of a task or double-click a task to open
the Details palette, where you can see, enter or edit the details of
this task.
Settings
Opens the Settings for ... dialog box, which provides information on
the Bimplus project linked with the current Allplan project.
64 Palettes Allplan 2019
‘Modules’ palette
If the configuration you use is not the Actionbar configuration, you
can use the Modules palette to switch between task areas.
‘Tools’ palette
If the configuration you use is not the Actionbar configuration, you
can select most tools directly in the Tools palette.
The Tools palette has the following areas:
List box
You can use Browse... to find a tool by entering its name or a part
thereof. When the Scan text in status lines option is active, the
program also scans the text displayed for each tool in the status line.
If the program finds a tool, you can activate this tool straight from
the Browse dialog box.
Installation, Basics Allplan's user interface 65
Tabs
You can use the tabs to select a task area in the current family. You
can use Customize... on the shortcut menu to define the position of
the tabs. In addition, you can specify whether the tabs are to be dis-
played with or without text.
Tools
The Tools area includes the tools of the currently selected task area.
You can use Customize... on the shortcut menu to define the size of
the icons. In addition, you can specify whether the icons are to be
displayed with or without text
The tools that are displayed in this palette are the same as those in
the Create, Create II and Change toolbars. By changing these
toolbars, you can also change the contents of the Tools palette.
66 Viewports Allplan 2019
Viewports
You edit your model in viewports. Here, you create or modify the
design entities you need. While doing so, you identify distinctive
points and set the view type and view appropriate to the current
status of your work.
To maximize the workspace, you can float all viewports freely. If you
have a second monitor, you can leave Allplan’s application window on
one monitor, using it as a "toolbox", while editing your model in the
independent viewports you place on the second monitor.
By opening several viewports in parallel and arranging them as you
need, you can display your model using different views, scales and
view types. You can set a different view in each viewport. For exam-
ple, you can display a section, the entire design or an isometric view.
Installation, Basics Allplan's user interface 67
You can find the tools for using and arranging viewports in the
Window (see "Tools for arranging viewports" on page 71)
dropdown list on the Quick Access Toolbar (on page 21). You can
also select one of the standard viewport arrangements provided and
then modify this arrangement to suit your needs.
With the Connected option, you can specify how the viewports
interact when they are docked to Allplan’s application window.
• If this option is active, the viewports are connected: As soon as
you change the size of a viewport, all the other viewports adapt
automatically; new viewports will be fitted into the arrangement.
• If this option is not active, you can place and resize the viewports
independently of each other within Allplan’s application window.
68 Viewports Allplan 2019
Viewport toolbar
You can find the viewport toolbar at the bottom of the viewport.
When you work with multiple viewports, each viewport has its own
viewport toolbar.
You cannot see the viewport toolbar until you move the cursor to
the bottom of the viewport, guaranteeing as large a workspace as
possible.
Tool Use
Note: If you have loaded a view using Save, Load View, you can only
see this view.
Zoom Section You can use this tool to zoom in on a section. To do this, press and hold
down the left mouse button and enclose the elements you want to zoom in
a selection rectangle.
Navigation Mode You can use this tool to enable or disable navigation mode (see "Design
mode and navigation mode" on page 104) in the current viewport. In this
mode, you can use the mouse to view a 3D model.
Note: You can navigate in sphere mode or in camera mode (keep the CTRL
KEY pressed down).
Previous View You can use this tool to restore the previous view or display scale set (pro-
vided you had selected a different view or scale before you selected the
current setting).
Next View You can use this tool to restore the next view or display scale set (provided
you have already selected a subsequent view or scale).
Save, Load View You can use this tool to save the current view under a name of your choice
or retrieve a view you saved beforehand.
3D View You can use this tool to display 3D models in three-dimensional space in a
perspective view by entering an eye point (observer) and a target point.
You can also use this tool to create a view based on the building structure.
Element Selection You can use this tool to select the design entities you want to display in the
current viewport. The program temporarily hides all the other design enti-
ties.
Drawing File Selection You can use this tool to temporarily hide drawing files that are currently
visible in the active viewport.
70 Viewports Allplan 2019
Tool Use
Always on Top You can use this tool to place the viewport so that it is always on top (i.e., in
front of) the other ones.
or You can only use this tool if you have not selected the Connected option
and the viewport is not maximized.
The display scale governs the ratio between the model as displayed on the
screen and its real-life dimensions. The scale therefore changes automati-
cally if you change the size of sections displayed on screen. The current
display scale is shown on the viewport toolbar (on page 68) in the lower
border of a viewport.
View Type You can use this list box to select one of the predefined view types
(Wireframe, Hidden, Animation, Sketch or RTRender) for the current
viewport. Of course, you can also select a view type you defined yourself.
Click to modify various settings of the view types. The settings apply to
all the viewports using this view type. Click New view type... to define and
save your own view types.
When Layout Editor is open, you can switch between Design view and
Print view (= preview of resulting printout).
Installation, Basics Allplan's user interface 71
Tool Use
Full Screen You can use this tool to hide screen elements such as toolbars (except
custom toolbars), the menu bar and the border of the viewport. This maxi-
mizes your workspace.
New Viewport You can use this tool to open a new viewport for the current document.
Animation Window You can use this tool to open a new viewport displaying your 3D model in
Animation. Navigation mode (see "Design mode and navigation mode" on
page 104) is active by default.
1 Viewport You can use this tool to divide the workspace into a number of different
preset viewports. For instance, you might have three viewports, each
2 Viewport showing a different view of the design.
3 Viewport
4 Viewports (1)
4 Viewports (2)
2 + 1 Animation Window You can use this tool to divide the workspace into three viewports. The
viewport at top left automatically shows the Animation view type.
Arrangement - To the left, You can use this tool to define where the viewports are arranged when you
right select one of these Arrangements. You can choose between To
the left or To the right.
Save, Load Arrangement You can use this tool to save the current arrangement or load an arrange-
ment you saved beforehand.
Arrange Icons You can use this tool to arrange the icons of minimized viewports at the
bottom of the viewport.
Tile Horizontally You can use this tool to show all open viewports stacked. All viewports are
the same size. If more than three viewports are open, the program arrang-
es the viewports in several columns.
Note: You can only select this tool when Connected is not selected.
72 Viewports Allplan 2019
Tool Use
Tile Vertically You can use this tool to show all open viewports side by side. All viewports
are the same size. If more than three viewports are open, the program
arranges the viewports in several rows.
Note: You can only select this tool when Connected is not selected.
Connected Using Connected, you connect all open viewports, displaying boundary
lines between the viewports. When you change the size of a viewport, all
the other viewports adapt automatically. New viewports will be fitted into
the arrangement.
List of viewports Lists the currently open viewports. If ten or more viewports are open, you
can use More Viewports to access those viewports.
Setting up viewports
To set up viewports
1 Click Window on the Quick Access Toolbar (on page 21).
2 Click one of the standard viewport arrangements.
Or:
Open a new viewport by clicking New Viewport or Animation
Window.
Installation, Basics Allplan's user interface 73
Note: When you exit Allplan, the program closes all viewports, in-
cluding the free-floating ones.
To float a viewport
1 Point to the title of the viewport you want to float.
2 Press and hold down the left mouse button.
3 Drag the viewport to its new position outside the Allplan applica-
tion window. Then release the mouse button.
Note: It is the position of the cursor that is important. To float a
viewport, you must position the cursor outside the working area
(on page 19).
5 Use the TAB KEY to select the viewport you want to bring to the
front.
6 Release the ALT KEY.
Shortcut menu
When you right-click, the shortcut menu opens where you clicked.
Depending on where you click (in the empty workspace, on a design
entity, within a palette and so on) and what you are currently doing,
the shortcut menu offers the tools you need for the task at hand.
The tools on the shortcut menu differ depending on the following
criteria:
• Clicking within a palette:
If you right-click within a palette, you can define how the palettes
and the icons therein look. In addition, you can set further palet-
te-specific parameters.
• Clicking within the Actionbar or in the application window
somewhere beyond the workspace:
If you right-click within the Actionbar or in the Allplan application
window somewhere beyond the workspace, you can control how
the toolbars look and what they include.
• Clicking within a viewport:
- In Design Mode (see "Design mode and navigation mode"
on page 104) ( Navigation Mode is off):
If you right-click in the empty workspace without having se-
lected a tool, you can choose from a wide range of edit tools
and a number of frequently used general tools.
But if you right-click a design element, the shortcut menu
presents relevant edit tools (see "Shortcut menu in design
mode (on page 77)").
If you have selected a tool which expects you to enter a point,
right-clicking opens the shortcut menu for entering points (on
page 81).
- In Navigation Mode (see "Design mode and navigation
mode" on page 104) ( Navigation Mode is on):
Regardless of where you click, the shortcut menu provides
tools you can use to present the 3D model (see "Shortcut
menu in navigation mode (on page 79)").
In navigation mode, you cannot click or select design entities.
76 Shortcut menu Allplan 2019
Initial situation:
• Navigation mode on
• Cursor in viewport
Set Surface
Element Selection
Using Element Selection, you can select the design entities you
want to display in the current viewport. The program temporarily
hides all the other design entities.
Export 3D Data
• Send to Cinema 4D
• Export 3D PDF
Set View
• Starting position
• Align horizontally
• Previous camera position
• Next camera position
• Enlarge viewing angle
• Reduce viewing angle
Note: The first four tools apply to the current camera path (see
Setting the camera path)! If you have not defined a camera path,
these tools have no effect.
Surroundings
Sets artificial light sources for the 3D model. These light sources can
be both inside and outside the model.
Defines camera positions, thus creating the story board for a movie.
You can play back this movie immediately or later. If you want, you
can also record it.
Render
Record Movie
Figure: Identify the midpoint of an existing line by opening the shortcut menu directly
on the element
Installation, Basics Allplan's user interface 83
Last point
Uses the last point entered.
Additional point for offset
The point snapped is fixed; the offset values entered in the x-
direction, y-direction and z-direction apply to this point even
if the crosshairs snap to other points.
Lock coordinate
Uses the current coordinate as the fixed coordinate. You can
select the x-coordinate, y-coordinate or z-coordinate or a
combination thereof on a submenu.
Point of intersection
Finds the point of intersection of two elements like lines, cir-
cles, and ellipses. This tool also finds virtual points of intersec-
tion between elements obtained by extending the elements.
Midpoint
Finds the midpoint of an element or a line that you enter.
Center of arc
Finds the midpoint of an arc, circle or curve.
Division point
Uses temporary markers to divide an element (or a line that
you enter) into an equal number of sections and snaps to
these points.
Base of perpendicular
Snaps to the base of a perpendicular on an element by drop-
ping a perpendicular from a point onto the element or the
extension of the element. The element can be a line, polyline,
splines, circle, ellipse, etc.
Reference point
Places a point on an element that is at a precise distance from
a reference point. The reference point can be the end point of
an element or a point that you enter.
Offset by radius
Finds a point obtained from the point of intersection of two
new circles that you enter.
track/extension point
Places a track point.
Installation, Basics Allplan's user interface 85
Dialog line
The dialog line below the workspace is where the program prompts
you to enter values. Alternatives are indicated by commas or the
word ‘or’.
Note: You can also do basic calculations in the dialog line. In addition,
you can transfer values obtained with Measure directly to the
dialog line. Using CTRL+C and CTRL+V, you can copy and paste text
into the dialog line.
88 Status bar Allplan 2019
Status bar
The status bar is the bottom line in the Allplan application window.
You can hide it on the View menu - Toolbars - Status Bar. Various
types of information on the current drawing file are displayed here –
e.g., the reference scale and unit of length. You can also modify these
values by clicking them.
Overview of elements on the status bar:
Coordinate Tracking Shows the coordinates of the crosshairs in the x-direction, y-direction and
z-direction and the absolute distance to the last point entered. You can show
and hide coordinate tracking when you open the shortcut menu in the Allplan
application window somewhere beyond the workspace.
Country Shows the country set for the current project.
Drawing type Shows the current drawing type.
Scale Shows the current reference scale. You can change the scale by clicking.
Length Shows the current unit of length. You can change the unit by clicking.
Angle Shows the current system angle and the current unit of angle. By clicking the
angle displayed, you can set the system angle to predefined default values.
To specify any angle, click Define and enter the value you need. You can
change the unit by clicking.
% Shows how much of the memory reserved for documents has already been
allocated (as a percentage).
Input options
The toolbar with the input options appears when a function offers
several implementation options. You can dock the input options at
the top or bottom of the window.
Basic Approach
Using the mouse
The functions of the three mouse buttons change with the task at
hand in Allplan. There are three different states:
Right Click element Displays the shortcut menu for the element clicked. The shortcut menu
offers general tools and edit tools that are specific to the element in ques-
tion.
Click in workspace Displays the general-purpose shortcut menu.
CTRL + click an Opens the shortcut menu for selecting elements.
element or in work-
space
Double-click ele- Opens the tool that was used to create the element and adopts all the
ment parameters of the element.
Double-click in Opens the Layer dialog box.
workspace
Middle Double-click Sets the display scale so that all the visible elements are displayed in their
entirety.
Click and drag Pans in the current viewport.
SHIFT + click and Pans in the current viewport.
drag
CTRL + click and Zooms in.
drag
ALT + click and drag Zooms dynamically (cursor = center). Move the cursor up to zoom
in; move the cursor down to zoom out.
92 Using the mouse Allplan 2019
Right Click in workspace Opens the shortcut menu for entering points.
Confirms the entry when requested in the dialog line: <confirm>.
Click a toolbar Quits a tool (= ESC key).
Middle Double-click Sets the display scale so that all the visible elements are displayed in their
entirety.
Click and drag Pans in the current viewport.
SHIFT + Pans in the current viewport.
click and drag
CTRL + click and Zooms in.
drag
Right Click in workspace Depends on the setting in the Options, Desktop environment - Mouse
and crosshairs page: Opens and closes the brackets, or opens the
shortcut menu for selecting elements.
CTRL + click in Opens the shortcut menu for selecting elements.
workspace
Confirms the entry when requested in the dialog line: <confirm>.
Click a toolbar Quits a tool (= ESC key).
Installation, Basics Basic Approach 93
Middle- Click in workspace Enables the selection rectangle. Use the left mouse button to enclose the
Right with middle and then desired elements in a selection rectangle.
right mouse button
Activating tools
• You can click the relevant icon.
• You can double-click the element with the right mouse button.
This activates the tool that was used to create the element,
adopting all settings and parameters of the element you clicked.
• You can activate tools using shortcut keys. To get a list of all pre-
defined shortcuts, click Shortcut Keys in the Help dropdown
list (title bar on the right). In addition, the shortcut key for tools
where one has been defined is shown in the ToolTip.
• You can use the shortcut menu.
• You can activate tools on the menu bar.
Executing tools
Instructions are provided in the dialog line after you have clicked a
tool. For example:
Quitting tools
• Press ESC on the keyboard.
• Right-click the Actionbar or a toolbar.
• Activate a different tool.
Installation, Basics Basic Approach 95
Correcting errors
When you make an error in Allplan, you can use Undo (Quick Ac-
cess toolbar) to correct the error. The number of undo steps is un-
limited. For example, if you inadvertently moved an element, you can
annul the move. You can go back (undo) as many steps as you want,
as far back as the last time the data were saved.
Note that certain actions, such as switching between drawing files or
switching to Layout Editor, make Allplan save the data automatical-
ly.
Tip: If you inadvertently You can undo several steps in one go. Click the arrow beside the
deleted elements, you can Undo icon, keep the mouse button held down and drag the cursor
quickly restore them by over all the steps you want to undo. Then release the mouse button.
immediately right-clicking in
the workspace twice (the
Delete tool must still be
active).
Note: You can also activate Undo while another tool is active. The
tool in question will close and all the entries you made while it was
active are undone.
96 Saving your work Allplan 2019
you have deleted are still in the memory so that you can redo the
deleted data even after saving. Use Save and Compress to
compress the data when you save manually. All the other actions
that save data also compress the data.
• When you delete drawing files and layouts using Delete Doc-
ument....
• When you delete the contents of drawing files and layouts in the
Open on a project-specific basis: drawing files from
fileset/building structure or layouts dialog box.
Note: You cannot use the Clipboard when you define patterns and
fonts.
Allplan features
You can use the Clipboard in Allplan just as you would in any other
Windows application. Note, however, that there are some special
elements and properties:
• Layer: Elements retain their layers. Elements on frozen layers
(visible and hidden) will not be copied.
• Default reference planes: You can only select default planes
with CTRL+A. See also Behavior of default planes when copying
or moving elements between documents in the Allplan help.
• Group number: Elements get new group numbers when you
place them. Elements that had the same group numbers still have
the same group numbers.
• File size: The program will issue an error message if the file size is
too large after you have inserted elements.
• Text: If the application from which you have copied text to the
Clipboard is an OLE server (such as Microsoft Word or Microsoft
Excel), the contents of the Clipboard will be pasted as an OLE ob-
ject into Allplan. To paste the contents of the Clipboard as normal
text, use Paste Contents – Unformatted (Unicode) Text. Text
of this kind gets the text parameters currently set.
• FEA and Allfa elements: FEA and Allfa elements cannot be cop-
ied to the Clipboard.
100 Using the Clipboard Allplan 2019
Copy
Use this tool to copy selected elements and put them on the Clip-
board. You can then paste these elements from the Clipboard as
often as you need using Paste and Paste to Original Position. The
elements can also be pasted into other applications. This command is
not available when no element is selected.
Cut
Use this tool to cut selected elements and put them on the Clipboard.
You can then paste these elements from the Clipboard as often as
you need using Paste and Paste to Original Position. The elements
can also be pasted into other applications. This command is not avail-
able when no element is selected.
Paste
You can paste Allplan elements, text (for example, from a word pro-
cessing program) and bitmaps from the Clipboard into Allplan. This
tool is only available in plan view. This command is not available if the
Clipboard is empty or contains elements that cannot be pasted into
Allplan.
If the application from which you have copied text to the Clipboard is
an OLE server (such as Microsoft Word or Microsoft Excel), the con-
tents of the Clipboard will be pasted as an OLE object into Allplan. Use
Paste Contents to paste the contents of the Clipboard as normal
text.
Note: Allplan elements can only be pasted from the Clipboard into
the same type of document from which they were copied to the
Clipboard. The contents of the Clipboard will always be pasted into
the active document even if the data were copied from a file open in
edit mode.
rameters apply. You can also insert bitmaps using the Clipboard. The
following settings are used:
• Color depth: several colors
• Transparency: off; color: black.
• Width: 100 pixels = 1000 mm
The Clipboard supports the following bitmap formats: DIB (or BMP)
and WMF.
Note: If you insert these elements in the same document, they exist
twice at the same position.
Paste Contents
You can use this tool to specify which element on the Clipboard you
want to paste into Allplan. You can use this tool when the Clipboard
contains several formats supported by Allplan (for example, bitmap
and pure text).
102 Allplan 2019
Installation, Basics Controlling what’s on your screen 103
F2 Render
F4 Opens a new viewport of the Anima-
tion view type
F5, double-click with middle Zoom All
mouse button
SHIFT + F5 Zoom All in All Viewports
F6, CTRL + middle mouse button Zoom Section
ALT + LEFT ARROW Takes you back to the previous view
ALT + RIGHT ARROW Takes you to the next view
SHIFT + CTRL + S Saves the contents of the viewport as
a bitmap
LEFT ARROW, RIGHT ARROW, Rotates the view about the target point
UP ARROW, DOWN ARROW
BACKSPACE Takes you back to the previous view
SHIFT + BACKSPACE Takes you to the next view
CTRL Switches camera movement
from sphere mode to camera mode
(as long as you hold down the key)
CTRL++ (on the number pad) Enlarge View
CTRL+- (on the number pad) Reduce View
CTRL + F4 Closes the current viewport (animation
window and design viewport)
CTRL + F6 Switches between current viewport
CTRL + TAB and viewport(s) in the background (e.g.
between animation window and view-
port in which you are drawing)
Double-click element in Opens the Properties dialog box of the
animation window element. You can modify the properties
of the element.
CTRL + double-click element in Opens the Format Properties dialog
animation window box of the element. You can modify the
element’s format properties (pen thick-
ness, line type, color, layer).
Installation, Basics Controlling what’s on your screen 107
1 Color for elements in refer- Options - Display - Drawing file and NDW window
ence drawing files
2 Color for elements on frozen Select, Set Layers -
layers Select Layer/Visibility tab
3 Construction line color and Options - Display - Drawing file and NDW window
line type
4 Use color 1 for all elements Show/Hide
5 Color stands for pen Show/Hide
6 Default pen, color (for hatch- Defaults - Pen Thickness + Format QuickSelect
ing, patterns, fonts)
7 Text height defines pen Options - Text
thickness (for Allplan fonts)
8 Pen, line, color from layer Select, Set Layers
9 Format properties Properties palette or Format toolbar
of the element
Installation, Basics Controlling what’s on your screen 109
1 Document status Elements in the current document or in documents open in edit mode
are always displayed in front of elements in reference drawing files.
2 Show/Hide, Surface When this option is selected, surface elements (hatching, pattern, fill)
elements in background are placed behind other elements.
option
3 Sequence element pro- See Sequence property (see "'Sequence' property" on page 109)
perty
4 Time of creati- Elements that were created/modified later are placed in front of other
on/modification elements.
Note: For more information on the sequence in the layout, see “Se-
quence in which elements print (on page 286)”
'Sequence' property
By default, elements are displayed in the sequence in which they
were created or modified. This way, the element you created or
modified last is always on top. Allplan provides several settings for
changing the sequence so that you can prevent fills from hiding all
the elements below, for example.
The Sequence property is saved as a number between -15 and +16.
The elements are displayed on screen in accordance with the value
set: The greater the value, the further up the element. In other
words, the element with the greatest value is on top of all the other
elements. When two elements have the same value, the element
you created last is displayed on top of the other one. New elements
get a fixed default value, which depends on the element type. More
110 Sequence in which elements are displayed Allplan 2019
information can be found in the Allplan help; see "Values for the dis-
play sequence (see "Values defining the display sequence" on page
110)".
Design entities
Normal design entities (lines, circles, ...) 0
Dimension lines/text without fill +10
Dimension lines/text with fill +14
OLE objects +11
XRefs 0
Fills -7
Bitmap areas, bitmaps -5
Style areas -4
Hatching, patterns -3
Architectural elements, bar reinforcement
Lines of architectural components +7
Note: So that the layers of multi-layer walls do not over-
lap, the lines of every other, even wall layer are automat-
ically given the value +8.
Surface elements of architectural components +6
Note: You cannot set the value for surface elements. It is
automatically the value of the associated line minus 1.
The surface elements of every other, even wall layer are
automatically given the value +7.
Lines of rooms, stories, areas -1
Surface elements of rooms, stories, areas -8
Bar reinforcement +9
Notes:
Bring to front Moves the element to the top. This element is assigned a priority value of
+16.
Send to back Moves the element to the bottom. This element is assigned a priority
value of -15.
One level to the front Moves the element up one level. The priority value of this element is in-
creased by a factor of 1.
One level to the back Moves the element down one level. The priority value of this element is
reduced by a factor of 1.
In front of another element Moves the element in front of another element. Compared with the se-
lected element, the priority value of the modified element is increased by a
factor of 1.
Behind another element Moves the element behind another element. Compared with the selected
element, the priority value of the modified element is reduced by a factor
of 1.
Installation, Basics Using Format Properties 113
Note: There are some particular issues to bear in mind when you
assign pen thickness and line color to text and dimension text.
please refer to the chapters Pen thickness and line color of text and
Pen thickness, line type and line color of dimension lines and text in
the Allplan Help.
Installation, Basics Using Format Properties 115
Using colors
Allplan provides 256 colors. An element you are drawing either gets
the current color or it takes the color from the current layer. For
more information, see Defining format properties using layers (on
page 118).
When the Color stands for pen option is switched on, the color of
elements is defined by their pen thickness. Thus, the color displayed
on screen is not the color of the element but the color assigned to
the respective pen thickness. You can assign colors to pens using
Tools – Defaults – Pen Thickness. Fills are always displayed using
their own colors.
When printing, you can assign a color to each of Allplan's 256 basic
colors in the Pen and Color Assignment dialog box (Print Layouts
tool, Print profile tab, Pen and color assignments...).
For more information on color layouts, see Printing color layouts (on
page 289).
116 Basics Allplan 2019
In the Options - Text page, you can configure the pen (and thus
the color when Color stands for pen is active) used for text to de-
pend on the text height. For example, you can have text that is be-
tween 2.15 mm and 3 mm high be drawn with pen 1 and text that is
between 3.00 mm and 4.25 mm high be drawn with pen 2.
Installation, Basics Using Format Properties 117
Pen thickness and line type of dimension lines and dimension text
Dimension text and other dimension line texts in Allplan fonts
The pen thickness used for dimension text and other dimension line
texts in Allplan fonts is defined in the same way as the pen thickness
used for normal text in Allplan fonts. In other words, dimension text
uses the pen thickness of the font set or the font height.
If both features are off, Allplan uses the settings currently defined in
the Properties of the dimension line.
The pen thickness and line type used to display dimension text
depend on the following factors:
• Defaults - Fonts: You can specify that text always uses the pen
thickness set in the font defaults. Consequently, Allplan ignores
all the settings described below.
To access the font defaults, go to the Tools menu, click Defaults
and then Fonts.
• Options - Text: You can specify that the pen thickness of text
depends on the font height by selecting the Text relative to
character height - Use fixed pen option.
To access the options for Text, go to the Quick Access toolbar,
click Options and then Text.
Note: When working with pen thickness and line color of text as well
as pen thickness, line type and line color of dimension lines and di-
mension text, you have to take into account special conditions that
control the assignment of pen thickness and line color and that over-
ride the ‘From layer’ property.
The format properties (pen, line, color) you define for a layer can be
saved in a named line style. Elements can then assume the format
properties of this layer. You can define different line styles for vari-
ous scale ranges or drawing types so that the look of elements on
screen and in printouts changes with the reference scale or drawing
type set.
The program comes with a several predefined line styles that are
based on DIN 1356-1.
120 Basics Allplan 2019
Line styles are project resources. When creating a project, you can
thus specify whether you want to use the line styles in the office
standard or project-specific line styles.
You can also apply the As construction lines setting to a scale range
or drawing type. Elements with this layer are then displayed using
the line type and color of construction lines. However, these ele-
ments are not ‘real’ construction lines and they are not found by the
Construction Line Format filter.
Line styles cannot be set to hidden. To hide a line style, you must
hide the layer. But, for example, you can define a print set with the
same name as a line style. You can then use this print set to hide the
corresponding layers.
Important: Working with line styles and different settings for vari-
ous scale ranges and drawing types requires a well-thought-out
approach!
Installation, Basics Selecting Elements 121
Selecting Elements
Selecting elements, overview
In order to edit elements, you must select the elements. In Allplan
you usually select the edit tool (e.g., copy) first and then the ele-
ments to which you want to apply this tool. This also works the other
way round in most edit tools: Select the elements first and then the
tool.
Tip: When you right-click an You can select elements either by clicking them or by defining a re-
element and select an edit gion around the elements you want to select. The tools in the Work
tool on the shortcut menu, Environment area of the Actionbar, the selection shortcut menu
Allplan selects the element and the Filter Assistant toolbar help you select elements.
automatically.
122 Selecting elements, overview Allplan 2019
To do this Do this
Click Fence and enter the points defining the outline of the fence.
Select all elements. Some tools (e.g. Export) let you select all the elements in the current docu-
ment by clicking All in the input options. This also selects elements that are
not visible such as default reference planes. See also "Behavior of default
planes when copying or moving elements between documents" in the All-
plan help.
Reselect the elements that were Click Reselect (Actionbar – Work Environment area or Filter Assis-
selected last. tant toolbar).
Select elements Click one of the elements in the group with the middle and then left mouse
with the same group number. button. Alternatively, press and hold down the SHIFT key.
Installation, Basics Selecting Elements 123
Fully bounded Selects the elements that are fully bounded by the selection rectangle
only.
Fully bounded and intersec- Selects the elements that are fully bounded or intersected by the selection
ted rectangle.
Intersected only Selects the elements that are intersected by the selection rectangle only.
Select elements based on Selection depends on the direction in which you enter the selection rectan-
direction gle:
• From right to left - selects the elements that are fully bounded or
intersected by the selection rectangle. With this method, the se-
lection rectangle is shown as dashed lines.
• From left to right - only selects the elements that are fully
bounded by the selection rectangle.
Selection option for ambigu- Lets you select the element to be activated if there are congruent ele-
ous elements on/off ments. When this option is not selected, the program always selects the
element that was created first (that is, the older one).
Reselect / Undo Reselects the elements that were selected last or restores elements you
have deleted (provided the Delete tool is still active).
Fence on/off Lets you enter a selection fence. Click the first point again to close the
polyline.
Brackets Opens the brackets. All the elements you select after opening the brack-
ets, whether selected in a rectangle, fence or individually, will be added to
the selection. Click the brackets again to close them.
Note: You can also find the tools for selecting elements on the Filter
Assistant toolbar or in the Work Environment task area of the Ac-
tionbar.
124 Selecting elements, overview Allplan 2019
Note: You can set the color, type and scope of Selection preview
and Element info in the Options on the Selection page.
Installation, Basics Selecting Elements 127
Filter Step by Step Applies a filter to elements you have already selected or filtered; you can
specify additional filter criteria. For more information, see Filtering step by
step.
Match Matches all or specific properties of an element and uses these as the filter
criteria.
Show Pixel’s RGB Color Info Shows a pixel’s r(ed) g(reen) and b(lue) values and determines the precise
values of a color.
128 Working with filters Allplan 2019
Color Filters the elements by color. You can choose from 256 colors.
Layer Filters the elements by layer. All layers in the active document and in the
drawing files open in edit mode are available.
Pattern line property Filters the elements by pattern line property and a pattern with a specific
number.
Fill Filters the elements by fill or advanced fill (with color gradient, transparen-
cy and shading).
Style area number Filters the elements by style area with a specific number.
Point symbol number Filters the elements by point symbol with a specific number.
Element Filters the elements by element, such as lines, hatching, smart symbol.
DTM Filters the elements by element created with the tools of the Terrain
Model task area.
Urban planning, landscaping Filters the elements by element created with the tools of the Site Plan
task area and Urban Planning task.
Layout element Filters the elements by layout element. In addition, you can filter by scale
and drop-in angle.
Installation, Basics Selecting Elements 129
Architecture Filters the elements by architectural element. You can define the type of
architectural element, thickness and material. For more information, see
Filtering by architectural component.
Alteration category Filters the elements by architectural element with the As-built, Demoli-
tion and New building attributes.
Delete condition Filter Step by Step only: Deletes the filter condition you defined last.
Most recent filters Retrieves filter settings you have already used.
Find Elements Finds objects and architectural elements in the loaded documents based on
criteria you specify. The elements found are highlighted and can be edited.
130 Allplan 2019
Installation, Basics Precision Drawing 131
Precision Drawing
Basics
Overview
With Allplan, you can quickly create precise and exact designs with-
out even knowing the coordinates of points or the lengths of ele-
ments and without having to create complex designs in construction
line format. You can match length values and coordinates from ex-
isting elements. In addition, you can do calculations in the dialog line
or use the measuring tools and then transfer the results you obtain
into the dialog line.
132 Basics Allplan 2019
You can use to copy the result to the Clipboard and paste it into
other Windows applications (CTRL+V).
Installation, Basics Precision Drawing 133
No icon pressed in The line can be drawn at any angle. This is the default setting.
Enter at right angles The line can only be drawn at right angles to the current system angle.
15.00 Cursor snap angle Define the cursor snap angle here (only possible when is switched on).
134 Basics Allplan 2019
Point snap
When you place a point with the left mouse button, you can snap to
points on existing elements as you do so. You can snap to the fol-
lowing types of points: end points, midpoints, division points and
points of intersection. You do not need to know the coordinates of
these points, nor is it necessary to work with construction lines.
When CursorTips are activated, a symbol (known as a CursorTip) is
displayed at the center of the crosshairs. The CursorTip shows the
kind of point that has been detected in the snap radius. Using the
Options, Desktop environment, Point snap, you can set the
types of points the system is to snap and whether the system is to
scan active, edit or reference drawing files for points.
By means of linear snap, you can align points exactly with existing
points. Here, too, visual aids are provided to facilitate the process.
Note: If you have set a cursor snap angle, then this will have priority
over any point snap settings you have made, as well as any other
options you have selected on the shortcut menu. This means that
only points in alignment with one of the set cursor snap angles will be
snapped.
Installation, Basics Precision Drawing 135
Using CursorTips
When CursorTips are activated, CursorTips are displayed at the cen-
ter of the crosshairs before you set points. These CursorTips indi-
cate the type of point detected within the snap radius. CursorTips
are displayed when you have activated a drawing tool (the Line tool,
for example) and you move the crosshairs across the workspace.
You can specify which types of points the system is to look for in
Point snap options on the shortcut menu.
Allplan uses the following CursorTips to indicate different types
of points:
Icon Meaning
Free point: There is no defined point within the snap radius. The circle repre-
sents the size of the snap radius.
End point: Snaps to the nearest element endpoint. This option cannot be
deactivated.
Intersection: Snaps to the point of intersection between two elements
within the snap radius.
Midpoint: Snaps to the nearest midpoint of a line or polygon within the snap
radius.
Tangential point: Snaps to the nearest tangential point of an arc, circle or
ellipse.
Quadrant point: Snaps to the nearest quadrant point on an arc, circle or
ellipse.
Grid point: Snaps to the nearest grid point within the snap radius. The grid is
defined with Grid Settings. The grid is only visible when Grid on/off
(View menu or Special toolbar) is active. Grid points are snapped even when
the grid is not visible.
Reference point of dimension lines: Snaps to existing reference points
when you draw dimension lines.
Linear snap using CTRL + left mouse button: Snaps to the nearest point
within the snap radius while you are placing points. This way, you can quickly
draw mutually perpendicular lines. This option cannot be switched off.
Element: Snaps to the nearest point on an element within the snap radius.
136 Basics Allplan 2019
(A) Crosshairs
(B) Snap radius
(1) The program snaps to the coordinates of this point as it is within the snap radius.
Linear snap
Linear snap lets you place points so that they are in direct alignment
with existing points. To do this, use CTRL + left mouse button. If the
program finds a point within the snap radius, it places the point in
such a manner that it is exactly aligned with the nearest point found
inside the snap radius.
Alignment is based on the selected system angle.
If the Display CursorTips - Linear snap option is selected in the
Point snap representation area of the Point snap options, the
program highlights the points that are in perpendicular alignment
before you press a button and creates temporary construction lines
stretching to the point. This provides a better visual check when you
use the linear snap tool.
(A) Crosshairs
(B) Snap radius
(1) Linear snap
(2) Point snapped
138 Basics Allplan 2019
Note: Grid points are snapped even when the grid is not visible.
You can show and hide the grid with Grid on/off. Use Grid
Settings (View menu or Special toolbar) to define the spacing be-
tween grid points in the x-direction and y-direction. When drawing
the grid, the program takes into account the current system angle.
Installation, Basics Precision Drawing 139
Additional point for The point snapped is fixed; the offset values entered in the x-direction, y-
offset direction and z-direction apply to this point even if the crosshairs snap to
other points.
Lock coordinate Uses the current coordinate as the fixed coordinate. You can select the x-
coordinate, y-coordinate or z-coordinate or a combination thereof on a
submenu.
Fixed X All the point entries you make (in the dialog line or using the cursor) apply to
the x-coordinate snapped. This way, you can place points in exact align-
ment with existing points.
Fixed Y All the point entries you make (in the dialog line or using the cursor) apply to
the y-coordinate snapped. This way, you can place points in exact align-
ment with existing points.
Fixed Z All the point entries you make (in the dialog line or using the cursor) apply to
the z-coordinate snapped. This way, you can place points in exact align-
ment with existing points.
Use coordinates Uses the coordinates of the next point you click (only available if Global
point is selected).
Midpoint Finds the midpoint of an element (e.g., a line) or a line that you enter. When
you apply this tool to circles and ellipses, the centers of these elements are
snapped.
Center of arc Finds the midpoint of an arc, ellipse, part of an ellipse or spline.
140 Basics Allplan 2019
Division point Divides a line that you enter or an element into an arbitrary number of seg-
ments. The division points can be addressed by clicking or entering a num-
ber.
Base of perpendicu- Finds the point on an element that is obtained by dropping a perpendicular
lar line from an arbitrary point onto the element.
Reference point Places a point on an element that is at a specific distance from a (reference)
point. The reference point is displayed as a direction symbol and is located
at either the start or the end of the element, depending on which is nearest
to the point you clicked. The distance between the displayed reference
point and the contact point is displayed in the dialog line.
Offset by radius Finds a point obtained from the point of intersection of two new circles that
you enter.
Track/ Places a point on a track line.
extension point
Delete track points Deletes all the track points placed; the track lines will be recalculated.
Point snap options Opens the Options dialog box, displaying the Point snap page. You can
specify snap options and make settings for point snap and CursorTips.
Track tracing options Opens the Options dialog box, displaying the Track tracing page. You can
turn track tracing on and off. In addition, you can define (display) settings
for track tracing.
Global point Lets you enter absolute coordinates in the dialog line. These coordinates
are relative to the origin (= global point) of the CAD system (0, 0, 0). You can
also get the coordinates of an existing point by clicking it or entering its
point number.
Global x-coordinate Finds a point based on its global x-coordinate (relative to the origin (= global
point) of the CAD system (0, 0, 0)).
Global y-coordinate Finds a point based on its global y-coordinate (relative to the origin (= global
point) of the CAD system (0, 0, 0)).
Global z-coordinate Finds a point based on its global z-coordinate (relative to the origin (= global
point) of the CAD system (0, 0, 0)).
Delta point Lets you enter relative coordinates in the dialog line. You can place a point
based on its offset relative to the point currently snapped or the last point
entered.
Installation, Basics Precision Drawing 141
Area detection Switches automatic detection of closed, delimited areas on and off.
on/off
Track line Switches track lines on and off. As an alternative, you can also press the F11
key.
Rasterize length Clicking this icon places the reference point exactly on points of a grid you
define by entering the grid length and value. The current coordinates rela-
tive to the last point entered are displayed in a ToolTip attached to the
crosshairs.
0.125 Grid length Here you enter the value for 'Rasterize length'.
This setting also applies to track lines.
The following icons only appear when you have activated a tool for creating
elements (for example, Line):
Enter at right angles The line can only be drawn at right angles to the current system angle.
15.00 Cursor snap angle Define the cursor snap angle here (only possible when is switched on).
142 Basics Allplan 2019
Precision drawing
Allplan provides a wide range of options to assist you in the process
of entering points. Placing points can be precise - based on values
that you enter at the keyboard - or it can be intuitive by moving the
crosshairs across the workspace.
During input, the preview of an element changes constantly as you
move the crosshairs across the workspace. The element you are
entering is always displayed in the preview as it will actually be
placed in the workspace later, which means that the position of the
element displayed in the preview adapts to the point snapped by the
crosshairs. Elements which can be snapped are displayed in the se-
lection color.
These options facilitate creative design work as you can enter points
quickly, which enables you to edit very complex drawings consisting
of countless points in a comfortable and easy manner.
You can also find the z-direction wherever the third dimension is
required, for example in Modeling:
Installation, Basics Precision Drawing 143
All the entries you make in the dialog line apply to the point snapped.
Use the TAB/PAGE UP key or SHIFT+TAB/PAGE DOWN key to tog-
gle between the data entry boxes. You can also calculate.
When you press ENTER or click in the workspace, the point you have
just entered serves as the start point for the new element (line in
this example) or as the reference point for modification tools.
Figure: Press ENTER or click in the workspace to place the point; the line is attached to
the crosshairs.
Installation, Basics Precision Drawing 145
Before you place the point, you can also point to another point using
the crosshairs: the offset you enter in the dialog line refers to the
new point snapped.
Tool Use
Horizontal offset
Click two points; the horizontal distance between these
two points is transferred to the data entry box.
Vertical offset
Click two points; the vertical distance between these two
points is transferred to the data entry box.
Offset
Click two points; the distance between these two points is
transferred to the data entry box.
Angle
Specify the angle by clicking two direction points or a
direction line; the value of this angle is transferred to the
data entry box.
Installation, Basics Precision Drawing 147
• Right-click the box for the grid length to open a shortcut menu
with tools for entering values:
Installation, Basics Precision Drawing 149
1 Basic dimensions
2 Outside dimensions -
3 Opening dimensions +
You can place the end point of the rectangular wall only in the select-
ed grid.
Tip: Track points snapped Instead of pointing to an element and waiting for the track lines to
are marked by rectangles appear, you can also place a track point directly by selecting
appearing around the track Track point on the shortcut menu. Using Delete track points,
point or point snap symbol. you can delete all track points and start again.
Perpendicular
After activating a design tool, point to an existing element roughly
where the perpendicular is to be dropped. Wait until the program
displays the appropriate symbol. When you move the crosshairs
along the extension of the perpendicular, a track line appears. You
can now click a point on the element or track line or enter the length
of the perpendicular in the dialog line.
Parallel Line
After activating a design tool, move the crosshairs to a linear ele-
ment and position the cursor somewhere between the element's
midpoint and end point. Wait until the program activates the track
tracing feature (you can define a time limit in the Point Entry Op-
tions, Track Tracing tab) and shows the appropriate symbol; in oth-
er words, the program displays a parallel track line. Now you can click
a point on the track line or enter the length of the element in the
dialog line.
154 Possible Track Lines, Overview Allplan 2019
You can also use track tracing in conjunction with 3D solids. The fol-
lowing illustration shows a truncated cone whose edges are extend-
ed to the virtual vertex.
Installation, Basics Drawing with Track Lines 155
Modifying Objects
Directly
Allplan offers a wide number of options for editing existing design
entities. The most important editing options found on the Actionbar,
menus or toolbars can also be accessed straight from the elements.
Using direct object modification, you can move, rotate, mirror and
copy elements immediately after you have selected them. In addi-
tion, you can modify the element geometry and change other ob-
ject-specific properties.
Basically, you need to differentiate between two different objec-
tives: On the one hand, you want to edit an element generally: For
example, move, rotate, mirror or copy the entire element, which
means that the element itself remains unchanged. On the other
hand, you want to edit an element individually: For example, resize
the element, which means that its geometry or properties change.
Whichever approach you take, the benefits are the same:
• The options provided by direct object modification make sure
that the most important edit tools are always close at hand.
• You can change the most important geometric parameters of an
element without palettes or dialog boxes.
• The optimized workflow reduces the number of mouse clicks and
the distance covered by the mouse to a minimum.
• Direct object modification works in both 2D and 3D.
158 Basics Allplan 2019
Basics
Selecting direct object modification
Direct object modification must be switched on if you want to edit
elements using this feature.
Selecting elements
Elements you want to edit using direct object modification must be
selected first. You can select elements either by clicking them or by
enclosing them in a selection rectangle.
The table below gives you a brief overview of the most important
options for selecting elements:
No tool is selected.
To do this Do this
Handles
Handles are colored symbols that appear at specific points of select-
ed elements. Handles are context-sensitive and interactive. By
clicking these handles, you can modify the geometric properties of
elements. The shape and color of a handle indicate what you can do
with this handle.
This list includes some examples showing you what you can do
with handles:
You have selected elements; handles are visible.
To do this Do this
Move elements Click the Central move handle of the selected elements and place
them where you want in the workspace.
Resize elements Click one of the Geometry handles of the selected elements and resize
them as you need.
Move element points Click one of the Point handles of the selected elements and place the
point where you want in the workspace.
Delete elements Press the DEL KEY.
Types of handles
The shape of a handle indicates what you can do with this handle.
Handle To do this
Geometry handle, uni- Change the geometric properties of a single axis (for example, length or
axial width)
Geometry handle, multi- Change the geometric properties of several axes (for example, length and
axial width and height)
Central move handle Move or - while keeping the CTRL KEY held down - copy element(s)
Note: You can specify the handle size using Options - Desktop
environment - Direct object modification - Handles.
Installation, Basics Modifying Objects Directly 161
Colors of handles
Handles assume different colors depending on what you are doing.
You can specify colors using the Options - Desktop environ-
ment - Direct object modification - Handles. You can also define
the transparency of handles there.
Handles in general:
All handles you can use with the selected elements are displayed in
the color you have specified for the default color.
Selected handles:
The handles to which the subsequent editing option applies are dis-
played in the color you have specified for the selection color.
Toggle buttons
Toggle buttons, which are always close to data entry boxes, are only
displayed when you select a single element.
Changing angles
You can edit circular elements based on the segment angle or the
opening angle:
: Segment angle
: Opening angle
To switch from the segment angle to the opening angle and vice
versa, click the or Change angle of segment or opening toggle
button.
Locking or unlocking the angle
When editing inclined elements, you can choose to lock or unlock the
inclination angle relative to the horizontal.
Angle locked (value cannot be edited):
The inclination angle of the element remains constant. The program
automatically calculates the delta values resulting from changes in
values.
Angle unlocked (value can be edited):
You can change the inclination angle of the element relative to the
horizontal. To do this, you can enter values directly or have the pro-
gram calculate the values automatically from changes in the x, y and
z values.
Context toolbar
The context toolbar exists in two forms:
• When you move the crosshairs to a selected element, the con-
text toolbar provides the tools that are familiar to you from the
Actionbar - Edit area: Move, Copy, Rotate, Copy
and Mirror and Rotate 3D Elements.
Using Wizards
A wizard is a window that is displayed in the Wizards palette (on
page 39); it includes a pictogram-like legend representing frequently
used tools. In addition, you can use wizards to work with predefined
content. You can match all attributes and parameters of elements
from the wizard. You do not need to define any element properties.
Right-clicking an element opens a shortcut menu with the
following options:
• The tool that was used to create the element is at the top of the
shortcut menu. The element gets the most recent properties; it
does not take the parameters and attributes from the wizard.
• By clicking Match, you open the tool that was used to create
the element. In addition, you take all the parameters and attrib-
utes from the wizard.
This is equivalent to double-clicking the element with the right
mouse button.
Organizing wizards
Wizards are combined in groups. The wizards in a group are dis-
played as tabs in the Wizards palette. You can select a wizard group
by clicking in the list box at the top of the Wizards palette.
Wizard groups are saved to a *.nagd file. You can use Add group...
on the shortcut menu to select an existing *.nagd file and add this
file to the palette (when you want to use a wizard group of a col-
league, for example).
A wizard group file is a text file, containing references to the wizard
files (*.nas). The path saved is a relative path.
You can use the shortcut menu of a tab to add, remove, replace and
rename tabs. You can arrange the tabs using drag-and-drop opera-
tions. The ToolTip of a tab shows the path and file name of the asso-
ciated wizard file.
- Copy opens the tool that was used to create the element
and takes all the parameters and attributes from the wizard.
• Double-click an element with the right mouse button. This se-
lects the relevant tool and matches the element's parameters.
• Copy elements from the wizard and place them in the workspace
(using drag-and-drop operations or CTRL+C and CTRL+V).
Note: Wizards assume the drawing type of the active viewport.
170 Allplan 2019
Installation, Basics Entering Polylines and Areas 171
Tip: The easiest way to You can enter the polyline from scratch using the drawing aids in the
enter a rectangle is to click dialog line or on the shortcut menu. As an alternative, you can use
two diagonally opposite existing outlines or elements.
points and press ESC.
172 Basic polyline entry rules Allplan 2019
Entering areas
Single
Use this to create single, discrete areas.
Multi
Use this to create areas composed of several polygons. Hatching,
patterns or fills get the same group number; rooms are handled as a
single entity. This way, you can define separate rooms, which Allplan
then analyzes as a single room.
Plus, Minus
If you select Multi, you can use Plus and Minus in the input
options to specify whether each new polygon you enter will be add-
ed to or subtracted from the overall area.
174 Input options for entering polylines, overview Allplan 2019
Area detection
You can use Area detection to automatically detect the outlines
of closed polygons. You can use closed areas delimited by design
entities of any kind as an outline polygon simply by clicking any-
where within the area. Allplan automatically detects and polygonizes
the entire outline. The boundary elements can have points in com-
mon; they can intersect and they can touch. You can turn this auto-
mation feature on and off at any time.
You can only use these tools together with Area detection using
additional point and Area detection.
176 Input options for entering polylines, overview Allplan 2019
Number of segments
The polygonization value is interpreted as the number of segments.
The value for Number of segments defines the number of seg-
ments used to approximate a curve. In the case of a circle, for exam-
ple, a value of 120 means that a full circle is approximated by a 120-
sided polygon. The higher the degree of accuracy you require or the
larger the radius, the higher the number of segments should be used
to approximate a circle. You can enter a value between 36 and 360.
Rise
The polygonization value is interpreted as the rise. The value you
enter for Rise defines the maximum rise of the secant relative to
the arc (in mm). As a result, the curve is polygonized so that the
maximum offset of the polyline's segment to the curve is less than
or equal to the value your specified. This setting produces more ac-
curate results than the number of segments.
Element filter
Element filter
Ignore plan lines of architectural elements
Ignore 2D surface elements (hatching, patterns, fills, bitmap are-
as, smart fit placements)
when using area detection
When you select the Element filter, Allplan ignores lines of archi-
tectural elements and 2D surface elements when you use Area
detection or Area detection using additional point. Use this
option if you want to automatically apply surface elements like
hatching, patterns and so on to adjacent outlines that are separated
by arcs, splines or curves.
Here is some background information: Allplan polygonizes curves
based on the number of segments specified.
When you enter a second (third...) area, Area detection may take a
long time or produce incorrect results because Allplan detects both
the outline of the surface (2D line) and the boundary line of the pol-
yline of the first area.
Back, Help
Back
This undoes the last point you entered.
Applying Surface
Elements
Hatching, pattern, fill, bitmap area and
style area
You can apply hatching, patterns or fills to areas in order to define
different materials or to visually highlight areas. In addition, you can
apply bitmaps to areas or use architectural area styles for 2D areas
(we will use the term ‘surface element’ to refer to the wide range of
options provided by Allplan).
The library of hatching styles that ships with Allplan includes a wide
range of hatching styles and patterns. However, you can also define
your own hatching styles and patterns (click Defaults on the Tools
menu) or modify those that come with the program. You can display
the boundary of hatching, patterns and fills as a construction line by
setting the appropriate option in Show/Hide.
You are advised to use the polyline entry tools to enter areas to
which you want to apply a surface element, such as hatching, pat-
tern, fill.
180 Hatching, pattern, fill, bitmap area and style area Allplan 2019
Fill You can use this tool to apply a color fill to an area.
Bitmap Area You can use this tool to apply bitmaps to areas.
Style Area You can use this tool to apply architectural area styles to 2D areas.
Reshape Surface You can use this tool to add areas to hatching, patterns, fills, bitmaps or
Element, Architectural architectural elements (slabs, rooms, net stories, floors, ceilings, roof cov-
Area ering) or remove such areas.
Split Surface Ele- You can use this tool to split hatching, patterns, fills, bitmaps and architec-
ments, Archit. Ele- tural elements (walls, columns, slabs, beams, upstands, rooms, net stories,
ments floors, ceilings) into two parts. This can be useful if you need to split up the
3D plan while creating the layout.
Merge Surface Ele- You can use this tool to merge areas of hatching, patterns, fills, bitmaps and
ments, Archit. Ele- architectural elements (walls, slabs, beams, upstands, rooms, net stories,
ments floors and ceilings) to form a single element.
Convert Surface Ele- You can use this tool to convert surface elements (hatching, patterns, fills
ment or bitmaps) to surface elements of the same or different type. You can also
use the tool simply to modify the properties of a surface element.
Stretch Entities You can use this tool to modify the outline of filled areas.
Installation, Basics Applying Surface Elements 181
Note: Changing the defaults changes all the areas with this
hatching style.
182 Hatching and scale Allplan 2019
Display in layout
The spacing between the hatching lines is the same at 1:50 as at
1:100, but the number of lines doubles. The spacing is based on the
value entered for the line spacing in the hatching defaults (regard-
less of the scale).
Display in document
As the number of hatching lines doubles, the way hatching looks in
documents changes dynamically with the reference scale.
Installation, Basics Applying Surface Elements 183
Display in layout
The spacing between the hatching lines is twice as large at 1:50 as at
1:100, but the number of lines remains constant. The spacing is based
on the value entered for the line spacing in the hatching defaults and
on the reference scale.
Example: You are using hatching 1 with the following settings: Line
spacing is 3 mm and the ‘Reference scale for adjusting line spacing so
that it is true to scale’ is set to 1:100. Using the Adjust to scale in
layout setting, you create hatching in the document and place the
hatching in the layout at a scale of 1:50. Allplan calculates the spacing
between the hatching lines in the layout as follows: Line spacing
(from defaults): reference scale x scale of layout; i.e. in this example:
3mm : 1/100 x 1/50 = 6mm. This produces a line spacing of 3 mm at a
layout scale of 1:100.
184 Hatching and scale Allplan 2019
Display in document
As the number of hatching lines remains constant, the way hatching
looks in documents does not change even when you change the
reference scale.
• The values for the height and width factor of the pattern. You can
also enter these values in the pattern parameters.
Display in layout
The size of the pattern elements is the same at 1:50 as at 1:100, but
the number of pattern elements doubles. The size is based on the
value entered in the pattern defaults and on the width/height factor,
which is defined in the pattern parameters.
Example: You are using pattern 301 and the height of one pattern
element should be 10 mm in the layout. In the pattern defaults, a
height of 100 mm is defined for pattern 301. You therefore need to
enter a factor of 0.10 in the pattern parameters (pattern height x
factor = height of one pattern element in the layout). This yields a
height of 10 mm (100 mm x 10), regardless of the scale set.
Display in document
As the number of pattern elements doubles, the display in docu-
ments changes dynamically with the reference scale.
Display in layout
The size of the pattern elements is twice as large at 1:50 as at 1:100,
but the number of pattern elements remains constant. The size of a
single pattern element depends on the following settings: the value
set in the pattern defaults, the height/width factor specified in the
pattern parameters and the scale at which the layout element was
placed.
Example: You are using pattern 301 and the height of one pattern
element should be 10 mm in the layout. In the pattern defaults, a
height of 100 mm is defined for pattern 301. You therefore need to
enter a factor of 10 in the pattern parameters (height of a pattern
element in the layout = pattern height defined in the defaults x factor
x layout scale). At a scale of 1:100, the height is 10mm (100mm x 10 x
1/100); at a scale of 1:50, the height is 20mm.
Display in document
As the number of pattern elements remains constant, the way the
pattern looks in documents does not change even when you change
the reference scale.
Note: Walls are always displayed with one pattern element per layer,
regardless of their width and the size of a pattern element.
188 Allplan 2019
Installation, Basics Using Libraries and Styles 189
Click to remove values. You can only delete values you defined
yourself.
190 Saving and loading favorites of parameter settings Allplan 2019
Note: The layer currently set is also saved. When you retrieve fa-
vorite files later, this layer is automatically set as the current layer.
Using Save as a favorite, you can save the complete set of pa-
rameter settings as a favorite file. Favorite files are given element-
specific or component-specific filename extensions.
Using symbols
A symbol is essentially a file consisting of any number of design enti-
ties. Symbols can be used repeatedly within a drawing. The size of a
symbol is practically unlimited. You can even save an entire drawing
file as a symbol.
You can save and retrieve symbols using the Library palette.
Allplan ships with libraries including symbols. But you can also create
your own symbols.
Symbols provide the following advantages:
• You can create a library of symbols that contains frequently used
components in your office standard. Instead of drawing the com-
ponent from scratch each time, just retrieve the symbol from the
library.
• Symbols are placed as an entity group. This means that they can
be addressed (click with the middle and left mouse buttons or use
SHIFT + click) and modified as a single entity. But you can also
modify each individual element separately.
• You can access the symbols in the libraries that come with All-
plan.
Symbols automatically adapt to the reference scale. If your symbols
include text, you can also configure these symbols to change with
the reference scale.
192 Using symbols Allplan 2019
(A) 3D view
(B) 2D view (for a scale range of 1:1 to 1:99) consists of two foils as the profiles remain
constant while the glass surface is resized.
(C) 2D view for a scale range of 1:100 to 1:500
196 Using Smart Symbols Allplan 2019
(A) Foil 1
Installation, Basics Using Libraries and Styles 197
(B) Foil 2
(C) Foil 3
Using SmartParts
What are SmartParts?
A SmartPart is a parametric Allplan CAD object that acts according
to its own logic, which is independent of the CAD system.
Using simple, parametric descriptions you can turn complex geome-
tries of basic elements into new, independent and intelligent objects.
These objects are worked out in great detail, including all Allplan re-
sources that are available by default (line, pen, color, layer, and so
on). To model SmartParts, you can use all general options provided.
For example, you can join SmartParts, slice them or subtract them
from each other. However, you need to define these options in the
relevant objects beforehand. Depending on the scripting method
used, the objects include 2D and 3D information.
198 Using SmartParts Allplan 2019
The SmartPart objects and tools are integrated in Allplan. You can
find them in the Architecture, Engineering, Draft and Bridge Con-
struction roles - User-defined Objects task. For example, you can
use the Insert SmartPart tool to open the dialog box for select-
ing a SmartPart file. You can also find the appropriate modification
options on the shortcut menu of the SmartParts.
Using SmartParts
SmartParts are intelligent objects, because they know their pa-
rameter values - the object properties. Parametric information is
controlled by a script, which is attached directly to the object.
You can edit SmartParts using handles (graphic modification) or a
dialog box (alphanumeric modification). These two tools can be se-
lected separately on the SmartPart shortcut menu. It is also possible
to use handles and dialog box in combination. Allplan displays any
changes you make to an object in real time. Of course, you can save
the changes.
Installation, Basics Using Libraries and Styles 199
Using PythonParts
What are PythonParts?
PythonParts are parametric objects based on the Python scripting
language.
You can find more infor- Allplan comes with the Python API programming interface. Using
mation on the Python pro- Python scripts, you can access Allplan features, thus adding new
gramming interface functions and objects to Allplan. If you want, you can even include
(http://pythonparts.allplan. reinforcement in these objects. These PythonParts have their own
com/) on the Internet. workflow and user interface with property palettes and handles.
You can even change a finished PythonPart with just a few clicks.
Apart from creating parametric objects and scripts, you can also
automate repeating steps so that you do not need to enter every-
thing from scratch. This increases productivity, prevents planning
errors and supports the BIM approach.
Placing a PythonPart
To place a SmartPart
1 Open the Library palette (see "‘Library’ palette" on page 41).
If you want to see only PythonParts, click Filter and hide
Symbols, Smart symbols and SmartParts.
2 Double-click the preview or drag the symbol into the workspace.
3 Click in the workspace to place the PythonPart.
You can use the palette or handles to change the properties of
PythonParts.
If the Format Properties are not defined in the PythonPart itself,
Allplan uses the settings defined in the Properties palette.
4 Press ESC to finish.
Installation, Basics Using Libraries and Styles 203
Paths
When saving or retrieving favorites or standard components, the
system will open a dialog box and prompt you to specify a path for
the files in question. You take a similar approach when saving and
retrieving symbols and smart symbols. You start by navigating to
the corresponding folder in the Library palette.
The distinction between the Office, Private and Project paths is
particularly important in a network environment. However, you can
also structure your data if you are using a standalone version.
204 Using and importing content Allplan 2019
Path Meaning
Default The files in this folder come with Allplan. You cannot edit or
save data in this folder.
Office The files in this folder are available to all users on the net-
work. By using an office standard, you ensure that the
plans in your office have a uniform appearance. The office
standard can only be modified by the system administra-
tor.
Project The files in this folder are only available in one specific
project.
Private The files in this folder are only available to one specific
user.
External path The files in this path are for backing up or exchanging data.
Note: You can use the Folders for saving option in the Options,
desktop environment, save area to specify which Allplan file type is
saved to which folder. These folders are automatically presented in
the Save dialog box of the relevant file type and can be changed at
any time.
Using the Connect palette, you can register for and directly log on to
Allplan Connect (http://connect.allplan.com) and thus use the ex-
tensive selection of objects provided. You can download and install
content or simply drag individual objects into the workspace.
Import instructions
You can find short descriptions for importing the most important
data provided in Content in the help and when you download data
from Allplan Connect (http://connect.allplan.com).
206 Allplan 2019
Installation, Basics Using OLE Objects 207
Linking objects
When objects are linked with Allplan, a link between the Allplan doc-
ument and the object in question is established. When the object
changes, the link in Allplan can be updated manually. Double-clicking
the linked object in Allplan opens it in its original application and you
can edit it as usual. When objects are linked with Allplan, the paths to
the source document and to the original application must be re-
tained. When you rename one of these two, you have to establish
the link again.
Embedding objects
When objects are embedded in Allplan, a copy of the source docu-
ment is placed in the Allplan document. After you have inserted this
copy, it is no longer linked to the source document; in other words,
the Allplan document cannot be updated to reflect any changes you
make to the source document. Embedded objects can be edited
either in Allplan or in their original application; but any changes you
make to the object have no effect on the source document.
Using XRefs
Using XRefs
You can place a document (drawing file or NDW-format file) as an
XRef in a document as often as you need. This way, you do not have
to enter the same elements again and again, such as the furniture of
hotel rooms. All you need to do is create the elements once in a doc-
ument. Then you can insert this document as an XRef as often as
you want. Changes to the original data only need to be done once -
all associated XRefs will update dynamically. XRefs can be inserted
at any scale and angle. Please note that you cannot insert empty
documents as XRefs.
XRefs can be placed as normal or advanced XRefs. For more infor-
mation, see Comparison between normal and advanced XRefs in the
Allplan help.
An XRef is always placed so that its size matches that of the ele-
ments in the document. If the size changes later, you can update the
extents using Update All XRefs on the shortcut menu. XRefs can be
clipped. However, this is only possible when you modify XRefs. You
cannot clip them when you place them.
Editing XRefs
You can edit XRefs using the following Allplan tools: Delete, Copy,
Move and Rotate. You can use Modify Format Properties to
change the format properties of XRefs (e.g. layers). Other Allplan
tools cannot be applied to XRefs.
The scale and the angle at which an XRef is inserted can be modified
later. You can also change the clip region later. Click to replace the
document. The program replaces the document so that the mid-
points of the two min-max boxes are identical.
XRefs can only be modified and edited as a single entity; you cannot
modify individual elements of an XRef. You can use Edit Reference
Drawing File on the shortcut menu of an XRef to open the drawing
file which has been inserted as an XRef.
The shortcut menu only includes this tool if the Show fileset
structure option is active in the Settings of the Open on a pro-
ject-specific basis: drawing files from fileset/building structure
dialog box. After having carried out this tool, you can switch to the
fileset structure for further editing.
Changing the display sequence of XRefs always affects the entire
contents of the XRef file.
Installation, Basics Using XRefs 213
Note: When you insert advanced XRefs, the required disk space
increases by the data volume of the document contained in the
XRef, as these data are also stored in the memory. Normal XRefs do
not increase the data volume.
214 Special features relevant to normal XRefs Allplan 2019
Note: Always use a separate document (drawing file or NDW file) for
each story, regardless of whether you work with projects or docu-
ments.
you’re finished with the design. Each project can contain up to 9,999
layouts.
To find out how to handle projects, filesets, drawing files, layers and
layouts, see "Structuring and managing data (on page 215)".
Tip: To check the current The dialog box has two tabs:
drawing file status: Unless • Building structure tab: This is where you create and modify the
you change the drawing file building structure, assign drawing files to structural levels and
status, you can close the select active, edit and reference drawing files by changing the
dialog box pressing ESC. drawing file status. For more information see Working with the
building structure (on page 223).
• Fileset structure tab: This is where you create, modify and de-
lete filesets, assign drawing files to filesets and select active, edit
and reference drawing files by changing the drawing file status.
For more information see Working with the fileset structure.
220 Working with Drawing Files Allplan 2019
1 Current The current or active drawing file is the one in which you draw. There must
always be one current or active drawing file.
2 Open in edit mode Elements in drawing files open in edit mode are visible and can be modified.
Up to 128 drawing files can be open simultaneously (regardless of whether
they are current, in edit or reference mode).
3 Open in reference Elements in drawing files open in reference mode are visible, but cannot be
mode modified. You can configure the program to use the same color for all ele-
ments in reference drawing files. To do this, select the Options, click
Desktop environment and open the Display page. You cannot open emp-
ty drawing files in reference mode.
4 Not selected Elements in inactive drawing files are not visible.
5 Empty Empty drawing files have no data type icon.
6 Assigned tempora- The drawing file is assigned temporarily to the fileset. Allplan clears this
rily assignment as soon as you switch to a different fileset.
7 Passive The drawing file has been opened by another user in the workgroup envi-
ronment.
8 Passive The drawing file has been opened by another user in the workgroup envi-
ronment; the color red indicates that the drawing file has changed. You can
apply the changes by selecting Update drawing file on the shortcut menu.
Using the Options, Desktop environment page, you can configure the
program to inform you of changes in reference drawing files.
9 Update locked Using the shortcut menu, you can prevent Allplan from updating drawing
files with views and sections for objects derived from the building struc-
ture. You cannot update the result until you unlock the drawing file in ques-
tion. But you can create a new view or section in such a drawing file after
you have confirmed a prompt.
222 Working with Drawing Files Allplan 2019
Information Meaning
Memory allocation This shows how much of the memory reserved for a
file has already been allocated (as a percentage).
Background information: A certain amount of
memory is reserved for files.
Document This shows the number of the current file. You can
also find the number in the title bar of the Allplan
application window.
Document type This shows the file type, which corresponds to the
data type icon in the status bar.
Max. size This shows the maximum amount of memory avail-
able for the file in kilobytes.
Min. values, max. This shows the minimum and maximum coordinates
values in the file.
Installation, Basics Structuring and Managing Data 223
In the dialog box, a red cross indicates invalid structural levels and
drawing file assignments.
Structural level is selected Structural level is not selected Only subordinate structural lev-
el(s) are selected
• Clicking a check box activates the relevant structural level and all
subordinate levels.
• Clicking a check box while pressing the CTRL key only activates
this structural level. Subordinate levels are not selected.
• If subordinate structural levels are selected, a fill is applied to the
check box of the superordinate structural level.
Installation, Basics Structuring and Managing Data 229
• Topology_structure
• Topology_any_structural_level
• Topology_building
• Topology_story
• Topology_substory
• Topology_entire_hierarchy
• Topology_site
Installation, Basics Structuring and Managing Data 231
CTRL + click Check box (structural level) Select (clicked structural level only)
ALT + drag Structural level, drawing file Move within structural level
Click + open selection rectangle Structural level Select similar structural levels
Click + open selection rectangle Drawing file Select similar drawing files
Drag outside the dialog box Structural level, drawing file Remove from structure
CTRL+ ALT + drag Structural level, drawing file Copy within structural level
F2 Anything Rename
ToolTip
Point to drawing file name Drawing file Shows the complete drawing file
name if it does not fit in the column
Installation, Basics Structuring and Managing Data 233
While creating components, you can keep track of the default planes
and all other objects on which the heights of the components can be
based. With Modification mode on, you can change the plane
model at any time without opening the building structure.
Installation, Basics Structuring and Managing Data 237
•
• It is often faster to modify the layer of an element than to modify
the drawing file of an element.
• You can quickly create layers that are not included in your layer
structure and then use these layers in all the drawing files of a
project.
• As a project can contain more layers (approximately 65,000)
than drawing files (9,999), layers allow you to distinguish more
precisely between the individual design entities.
• You can display and edit 65,000 layers at once whereas the num-
ber of drawing files that you can have open simultaneously is 128.
• You can show and hide layers very quickly (for example, using
print sets, layer favorites, the Layers palette or the Objects pal-
ette - Sort by layer criterion).
• You can change the format properties of a layer later. All the ele-
ments of this layer that were drawn using the From layer, line
style setting will adapt automatically. This way, you do not need
to modify them separately.
• You can copy format properties including layers by double-
clicking with the right mouse button. This method also works
with wizards. Similarly, you can use Copy Format to quickly
copy the format properties of an element and apply them to oth-
er elements.
If you find that you often require the same combination of visible and
hidden layers (for dimensioning or labeling at certain scales, for ex-
ample), then it is best to define what is known as a print set. You can
also use this print set when you assemble your layout later. This
way, you make sure that only the visible layers print.
The Objects palette - Sort by layer criterion shows the layers in the
loaded documents. The tree structure lists all layers with their ele-
ments sorted by element group.
When you point to the icon indicating the layer status in the list, All-
plan opens a flyout where you can change the status of the layer.
Here, too, you can change access to layers. You can switch between
Current, Modifiable, Visible, frozen and Hidden, frozen.
Layer access rights also depend on the privilege set to which a user
belongs. Therefore, you cannot assign a higher status to layers (for
example, set hidden layers to modifiable) when you belong to a privi-
lege set that is not granted full access rights to the relevant layers.
User interface
Installation, Basics Structuring and Managing Data 247
Preview (C)
A preview of the currently selected document (drawing file, layout)
is displayed in the preview area. To move the preview, click it with
the middle mouse button and drag. To zoom in on an area in the pre-
view, open a selection rectangle using the left mouse button. Dou-
ble-clicking with the middle mouse button restores the preview to
its original size. Alternatively, press the * key on the number pad.
To display an isometric view, use the number keys on the number
pad. Check that the Num Lock key is active as you do so.
248 Managing data with ProjectPilot Allplan 2019
To find documents
1 Right-click a folder and select Search on the shortcut menu.
The Define search criteria dialog box opens.
2 Under Attributes select the attribute you want to search for.
3 Under Operators select the logical operators.
Note: Only those operators that are appropriate to the selected
attribute are displayed.
4 Under Value enter the condition that the attribute is to fulfill.
5 Click Add line.
6 If you want to enter more conditions, define the next condition,
specify how the conditions are to be linked and click Add line
again.
7 When you have finished defining criteria, click Search.
A temporary folder - Search results - is created in the tree view
and the objects found are displayed in the document window.
Installation, Basics Structuring and Managing Data 249
Sorted in ascending order (arrow points up- Sorted in descending order (arrow points
wards) by drawing file name downwards) by drawing file number
Selecting documents
To edit several documents in a single operation (to copy or move
them, for example), you need to select the documents first.
The following methods are available for selecting documents:
• To select a single document, click it.
• To select a series of non-adjacent documents, press and hold
down the CTRL key and click the documents.
250 Managing data with ProjectPilot Allplan 2019
Tip: You can also use key Copying and moving using drag-and-drop operations
combinations to select doc-
uments. For example, you Instead of using the shortcut menu, you can also use drag-and-drop
can quickly select all the operations to move or copy selected documents. Select the docu-
entries in a list by selecting ments, left-click within the selection, keep the mouse button
the first document in the list pressed down and then drag. You can tell whether this is possible by
and then pressing the shape of the cursor when the mouse pointer is positioned over
SHIFT+CTRL+END. the target area.
Cursor Meaning
To convert files
1 Click Import to start the import.
2 In the Open dialog box, select a file type, folder and the file(s) you
want to convert.
3 Click Open.
Allplan starts the automatic assignment.
Note: Here, offset means that Allplan moves the data during
import; the values by which the data are moved will automati-
cally be written to the project. This offset applies to the entire
project. Setting an offset changes the coordinates of the
drawing files in this project.
- Select the Adjust center of gravity to: Origin option. This
moves the center of the data to the origin of the Allplan coor-
dinate system.
• During import you can specify an Additional offset in the
Settings. This offset is used in addition to the offset set in the
Project Settings. Pay attention to the direction of conversion
when you set an offset:
- Negative values for import
- Positive values for export
256 DWG, DXF, DGN interfaces Allplan 2019
• Import the data and move the data towards the origin using the
Move tool in Allplan.
• Specify offset coordinates in the Project Settings. Allplan auto-
matically includes the offset set when you export and import da-
ta.
Unit
Depending on whether your colleague is using m, cm or mm, they will
enter 1.0, 100.0 or 1000.0 when drawing a one-meter line. With the
Unit parameter, you indicate to the program whether the value is to
be interpreted as mm, cm, dm, etc.
During import: This is where you set the unit with which the file being
converted (the source file) was created.
During export: This is where you set the unit with which the export-
ed file (the target file) is to be further edited.
Contact the person with whom you are exchanging data to find out
which unit they are using in their files. The reason for this is that in
the case of coordinate entries and length entries, only the figure is
present and not the unit. In DWG/DXF files, the elements can be
stored in any unit.
Note: In some systems, the unit in which lengths and coordinates are
saved is predefined and must therefore not be altered here. In All-
plan, lengths and coordinates are always saved as mm, regardless
which unit was used when the data were entered. To account for
different units, use the Resizing factor parameter (see below).
Note: The unit the target system saves in is always predefined and
is based on the target system in question. For conversions to Allplan,
for example, data are always saved using the unit mm; for conver-
sions to AutoCAD the unit is always m.
258 DWG, DXF, DGN interfaces Allplan 2019
Layout scale
This is where you set the reference scale with which the file being
converted was created. The layout scale controls text size, text
spacing, the size of point symbols, line type definitions and hatching
definitions.
Resizing factor
You can use this to enlarge (>1) or reduce (<1) coordinates and length
values in the data being converted. This parameter is always availa-
ble. For more information, see Resizing factors.
Note: Bitmap files can only be exported to .dgn when they are ex-
ploded, which means that you cannot export scanned images.
IFC interface
IFC stands for Industry Foundation Classes. IFC define an object-
oriented data model for all those involved in the building process. It
can be used by all applications that support IFC. It facilitates the ac-
curate exchange of data between these applications. IFC are defined
and developed by the IAI.
IFC provide an intelligent description of building elements: In addition
to the building topology being transferred to the building structure,
the IFC interface imports the associated components with all associ-
ated data and information (type, geometry, material properties, lay-
out properties and element attributes).
The IFC model exported from Allplan supports the intelligent de-
scription of Allplan's architectural elements. In addition to the building
topology derived from the building structure, the IFC interface ex-
ports the associated components including all data and information
(geometry, material properties, layout properties and attributes
managed in the Attributes area).
Allplan provides the following tools for exchanging IFC data.
Import
You can import 2D and 3D PDF data to Allplan by selecting Import in
the dropdown list of the Allplan icon or on the File menu.
This tool transfers lines, text, bitmap areas, layers and 3D objects.
Detailed information on importing PDF data is provided in the
Allplan help.
Export
You can save Allplan data as PDF files in various places:
• Export in the dropdown list of the Allplan icon or on the File menu
Detailed information on exporting PDF data is provided in the
Allplan help.
DXF, DWG, AutoCAD data .dxf, .dwg, .dwt, .dxb Up to version 2019, including ACIS
support
XML .xml
Coordinate values, location line values, curve .re1, .reb, .re2, .asc, lin Including lines with attributes
values
FEM data (FRILO Software GmbH, SCIA *) .asf Like InfoGraph GmbH, Cubus AG,
mb AEC Software GmbH, Tornow-
Software, PCAE GmbH (4H-ALFA),
Graitec, Autodesk, SCAD
Reinforcement data .a
DXF, DWG, AutoCAD data .dxf, .dwg, .dwt, .dxb Versions 12 to 2018, including
ACIS support
DWF – AutoCAD data dwf Versions 6 to 7
SVG .svg
PDF .pdf
Coordinate values, location line values, curve .re1, .reb, .re2, .asc, lin Including lines with attributes
values
BMP .bmp
EPS .eps
TGA .tga
PCT .pct
PCX .pcx
PNG .png
PSD .psd
Installation, Basics Exchanging data with other programs 269
Printing Layouts
Output options
Allplan 2019 provides two options for printing data:
• You can use Print and Quick Print to print results at any
time. Often, you want to have the current edit status on paper
without having to assemble a layout first. This way, you can also
print details or sections of floor plans.
Print Preview
You can use this tool to open print preview. The printout will be an
exact match of what you see in print preview. You can define printer
settings and margins, set the scale, add headers and footers and
specify how the elements look. In addition, you can change the paper
size and orientation of the page.
This tool works with all printers for which you have installed and
configured a Windows printer driver.
Note: When you open the palette, the program uses the most recent
*.ppv file.
Settings
You can select and set up the printer. When you open print preview
for first time, the program automatically uses the Windows default
printer.
274 Print Preview Allplan 2019
Printer
Select the output device in the list box. Click the Settings icon to
specify the properties (for example, paper and color options) of the
selected output device or the raster driver set.
Format
Select the paper size in the list box. The program reads the values of
the printable area from the driver, displaying them for information.
Number of copies
Specify the number of copies.
Orientation
Choose the orientation: Portrait or Landscape.
Depending on the orientation you select, the program reads the
minimum values for the margins from the driver and corrects the
values if this is necessary.
In order to calculate the maximum printable area, the program sub-
tracts the width of the margins and the width of the header and
footer from the printable area you define by choosing the Format.
Margins
Define the width of the margins and the width of the header and
footer. You can also drag the margins to the width you need.
Header, Footer
Define the width of the header and footer from the margin.
Reset
With this button, you can reset the margins back to their defaults.
The default values of the margins depend on the printer specified.
The default value for the header is 10 mm and that for the footer is
20 mm.
Installation, Basics Printing Layouts 275
Display of elements
Define how the elements of print preview look in the final printout
and specify the contents of the header and footer. In addition, you
can define where the elements are displayed in print preview after
you have started it.
Scale
Define the scale. You can use any scale. Just click in the box, type in
the scale and press ENTER to confirm.
Thick line
Select the Thick line check box to print lines with their actual width.
Otherwise, the program uses the same, thin line for all the lines in the
printout.
Show margins
Select this check box to display and print a border that indicates the
margins and the area for the header and footer.
Default position
Specify where you want to display the screen contents in print pre-
view after you have started it.
• Bottom left
You can see the screen contents at bottom left.
• Centered
You can see the screen contents in the middle.
• Current view
The view in print preview matches that in Allplan.
Click Save as a favorite and specify the name of the file and
the folder.
The program saves the settings in the Margins and Display of
elements areas to the *.ppv file.
278 Assembling and outputting layouts Allplan 2019
General approach:
1 Select the Layout Editor task or click Layout Editor to switch
to Layout Editor.
2 Use Set Up Page to specify the format, orientation and the
margins of the page. Start with the properties of the page and
select the layout border, title block and background.
The layout border matches the size of the page. You can specify
the distance between the title block and the layout border. When
you change the page, the size of the layout border and the posi-
tion of the title block adapt automatically.
Note: As an alternative, you can also place the layout border and
title block as discrete layout elements (see steps 3 and 4). In this
case, Allplan updates neither the layout border nor the title block
to reflect any changes you make to the page orientation or the
page format.
Installation, Basics Printing Layouts 279
3 If you have not selected the layout border along with the page,
place it now using Layout Border. In this case, you can place a
layout border of any size on the page. If you want to include the
outer boundary of the layout border in the printout, you need to
position the layout border within the printable area of the page
(page format minus margins).
4 If you have not selected the title block along with the page, you
can use the Label or Legend, Title Block tool to label the
layout.
5 Use Layout Element or NDW Layout Element to place
documents and filesets within the layout border.
6 Place text, dimension lines and primitives in the layout. (This is
optional.)
7 Use Print Layouts to print the layout.
You can specify the output device, its printable area (printable ar-
ea minus device margins) and a print profile.
8 If you have not yet created a PDF file of the layout using Print
Layouts, you can do this now by clicking Export PDF Data.
Note: Save the label at a reference scale of 1:1.
ments and elements that are within the printable area of the page
and output device are included in the printout.
corner coincides with the bottom left corner of the single sheet. If
a layout border is defined along with the page, the device margins
may prevent the outer border from being printed.
Note: The values you enter for the margins appear red if they are
smaller than the associated values of the output device. When
you close the tool, the program automatically corrects the mar-
gins.
Windows drivers
If you use Windows drivers, you can access any printer that has
been configured under Windows just as you would from any other
Windows program. You can select the output devices straight from
Allplan and make printer and document settings.
If you want to print complex, large-format layouts, you can use ras-
ter drivers for HP DesignJets and compatible printers.
As OLE objects, bitmap areas, fills with gradients and transparency
are being used increasingly, Windows drivers are becoming more
and more important.
Output channels
If you work with Allplan vector drivers, you can use the output chan-
nels defined in the Services application. At least one output channel
needs to have been defined in the Services application.
Allplan vector drivers are very useful if you want to use old printers
for which Windows drivers are no longer available.
282 Allplan raster drivers Allplan 2019
Note: Both an RTL driver and a RasterLib driver are available for
some devices. You can generally use either driver; however, output
can differ due to the color profiles used. You should therefore always
use the same driver for a project.
When you have selected a raster driver, the Windows printer driver
is no longer used to create the output data for the printer. But it is
still used to query the properties of the printer. These include paper
size, print resolution, print quality and hardware interfaces.
Installation, Basics Printing Layouts 283
Note: You can do this only with devices of the same type. For exam-
ple, you can connect an ”HP DesignJet 800 42” Windows driver with
the Allplan ”HP-RTL DesignJet 500/800” or "HP-RasterLib
DesignJet 800 42” raster driver. However, it would be useless to
connect an Epson Stylus Windows driver with the Allplan ”HP-RTL
DesignJet 500/800” raster driver.
Components of a layout
Page and printable area Layout border Text in layout
The page represents the area of the layout. The border You can choose from You can add text, dimension
displays the printable area and the margins of the cur- several predefined lines and design entities to
rent output device. The documents and elements that layout borders or layouts. These elements are
are within the printable area of the page and output define your own ones. only displayed in the rele-
device are included in the printout. vant layout.
You can use the tools in the Crop Layout task area to "cut" the
oversize layout into a number of smaller sections.
Use this option if
• You want to create layouts in addition to the original one.
• You do not want the section to be perpendicular to the layout.
• You want to create a site plan-specific layout border.
286 Sequence in which elements print Allplan 2019
Tip: To bring an element to • Display sequence: You can define the sequence in which ele-
the top: Move the element ments are displayed by entering a value between -15 and +16.
and specify the same point The elements are displayed on screen in accordance with the val-
for from point and to point. ue set: The greater the value, the further up the element. In other
Allplan then "re-creates" words, the element with the greatest value is on top of all the
the element, placing it on other elements. If several elements have the same value, they
top of the other elements. are displayed based on the sequence in which they were created
or modified. You can generally place surface elements in the
background.
New elements are given fixed default values, which you can de-
fine using the Options, Desktop environment page, General
area, Sequence defaults button. You can modify these values.
To do this, right-click an element and choose Format Properties
- Sequence on the shortcut menu. As an alternative, go to the
Edit area or menu and select Modify Format Properties -
Sequence.
Elements from V2003 with the Always on Top format property
get the value +12.
• Surface elements (hatching, patterns, fills, bitmap areas, OLE
elements, XRefs): You can specify whether surface elements be-
have like other elements (i.e. printing based on creation sequence
or display sequence) or whether they are to stay in the back-
ground.
In the latter case, the creation sequence or display sequence de-
fined only controls the sequence in which the surface elements
Installation, Basics Printing Layouts 287
• You can use the List Layout Elements tool to change the
document sequence later. Documents that appear at the top of
the dialog box hide those below.
Note: Display on screen and PDF export take into account the dis-
play sequence of elements. Documents placed are given a value of -
13, which cannot be modified. Consequently, documents placed in a
layout cover elements with a display sequence of -14 and 15, which
are placed directly in the layout. The Surface elements in back-
ground and Surface elements in background of each document
options do not affect elements placed directly in layouts.
Tip: The Export HPGL File, Bitmap File tool provides a comforta-
ble way of creating print files, as you do not need to define printers
or output channels for this tool.
Installation, Basics Printing Layouts 291
Note: You can also use the Print Preview tool to output contents
of layouts in PDF format.
Notes:
With unnamed layouts and the Use prefix option being active,
the names of all PDF files get the prefix Plan followed by the
number of the layout. Otherwise, the program uses the layout
number for the file name.
Using the Print Layouts tool, the Allplan administrator can create
print profiles for the entire office. The program comes with a default
configuration (standard.npp), which you can use as the basis. In
the Open on a project-specific basis: layouts dialog box, you can
use the shortcut menu to assign a print profile from any path to sev-
eral selected layouts.
When printing layouts, you can select a print profile for every layout
or you can choose not to use print profiles at all. This setting is saved
with the layout and applies the next time you load the layout.
You can temporarily change the settings of the print profile for a
single print operation. The next time you load the layout, the settings
saved to the print profile will be used again.
When printing in batch mode, you can use a fixed print profile for all
the layouts or you can use the print profiles saved with the individual
layouts. In this case, you can make temporary changes in the print
profile of the current layout. Allplan uses the global settings for lay-
outs without print profiles.
The print profile you select in the Export PDF Data tool has a
higher priority rating than the print profiles saved with the layouts;
therefore, this print profile is used for all the PDF files that are creat-
294 Printing in batch mode Allplan 2019
ed in batch mode. Allplan saves the print profile set to the favorite file
so that you can also use the print profile in Allplan Exchange
Layout Distribution.
4 Specify the output device, paper format and print profile in the
Output multiple times area.
5 If you want to write all the layouts to a print file and you have not
explicitly installed the driver using the FILE option, select the
Print to file option in the Output mode area.
6 Select the file type and specify the path where you want to save
the print files. (Allplan proposes the folder set in the Options
on the Desktop environment page, Save/load area, Folders for
saving option; you can accept this folder.)
7 Enter a file name and click Save to confirm.
Allplan uses the specified name plus the start number 0001 for
the first unnamed layout. The program creates the names for
other unnamed layouts using numbers in ascending order. For
example, the name of the print file is Layout. So the first un-
296 Printing in batch mode Allplan 2019
Index
export 260
. bitmap area 179
.bak files 97 export 260
bracket feature for selecting
A
elements 125
access rights 241 building lists
to layers 244 create building structure 225
Actionbar (user interface) 25
Actionbar - find 29 C
Actionbar - role, tasks, task clipboard 99
areas 27 color 115
Actionbar - task area 28 color output of layouts 289
structure 26 COM navigation 85
activate and quit tools 94 components of a layout 284
activate, select 121 configuration file 259
elements 121 use 259
elements by enclosing them in controlling the display on screen
a selection rectangle 124 103
select elements by clicking convert 254
124 coordinates
selection preview 126 coordinate dialog 165
align 137 enter 132
Allplan 15 lock coordinate (shortcut
Allplan vector drivers 281 menu when entering points)
angle 133 82
area use coordinate 82
surface element 179 copyright 2
array length 147 correct errors 95
assignments 258 create similar elements with
save to configuration files 259 shortcut menu 86
attributes creating print files 290
objects palette 54 cursor snap symbols 135
auxiliary point for offset customize
(shortcut menu when entering units and lengths for
points) 82 conversion 256
B D
batch mode 294 data exchange 253
behavior of overlapping elements exchange favorites 259
286 use configuration files 259
bitmap use prototype files 260
298 Index Allplan 2019