IntCad

By Jim Mahoney   Share

Gravity was introduced about 8 versions of ArchiCAD ago, and while it is still in there it
seems to be a well kept secret. This tip will show a couple typical uses for Gravity. First to
use Gravity, you need to know where it is. It is found on the Standard Toolbar. Go to the
Window Menu>>Toolbars>>Standard to activate the Standard Toolbar. On the Standard
Toolbar the Gravity button looks like a rubber stamp. Clicking on the little down arrow to
the right of the Gravity button brings up a menu you must set to use Gravity in
conjunction with one of three tools. Gravity works with Roofs, Slabs or Meshes.

So what is a practical use for this tool? I probably use it the most together with Meshes to
show the levels of contour lines or spot elevations. Turn on Gravity to Mesh and then click
on a contour line to add the elevation of that contour. Clicking anywhere in open space
will give the spot elevation of that point.

If you look at the plan above you will see a couple circles representing 2D/3D tree
objects. By having gravity on when you place objects, the insertion point will be placed at
the exactly correct elevation above the mesh. The picture on the right above shows the
trees correctly placed on the steep hill. Note: If the objects elevation is set to something
other than 0, say 3’, the object will then be placed +3’ above the mesh at your insertion
point. So check the insertion elevation of your objects before placing.

Another common use I find for Gravity is to dimension levels in a parking garage for the
various levels and ramps. In the example above I am showing a handicapped ramp using
slabs & a roof. I used the Level Dimension tool in conjunction with Gravity to Slab &
Gravity to Roof to place the spot elevations. I’ve labelled which Gravity settings I used to
get the results. Just remember to turn Gravity on or the Level Dimension tool will show the
same elevation everywhere which will represent the level of the story you are working on.

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