You can use this option to define the top level of the foundation by matching the bottom level of an existing component (a wall above a strip foundation, for example).

Do the following:

• Click .
  The Properties dialog box closes.
• Click the component whose bottom level you want to match.

The building trade assigned here is used later by the system to generate lists, schedules and analyze the building data.

To assign a building trade, click on an entry.

The priority rating governs the way components of the same group behave when they intersect. A wall with a priority rating of 200, for instance, will run straight through a wall with a priority rating of 100 as its rating is higher.

One instance of element interaction is walls which cross each other’s path. A ‘hole’ is created in the first wall. The hole extends along the entire height of the wall. This is called element interaction. You can determine which wall has a section (hole) removed from it by setting a different priority rating for each wall. Walls with a higher priority rating have precedence over walls with a lower priority rating.
This interaction always occurs with elements of the same component group. But they do not interact with components belonging to a different group.

(1) A 'hole' is 'cut' in this wall

Component groups, overview

The computation mode has a bearing on subsequent lists and schedules.

You might, for instance, list elements differently depending on the computation mode set here i.e., show the area of walls more than 4’’ thick and show the volume of walls more than 10’’ thick.

To specify a computation mode, select one of the modes (volume, area, linear) listed in the dialog box.

To assign a hatching style, click the box next to Hatching and assign a style.
If a background color is to be applied to the hatching, click the box next to Fill and select a color.

To disable hatching, deactivate the Hatching check box.

To assign a pattern, click the box next to Pattern and select a style.
If a background color is to be applied to the pattern, click the box next to Fill and select a color.

To disable the pattern, disable the check box next to Pattern.

To assign a fill, click the box next to Fill and select a color.
In addition to a fill, you can also select a hatching style or pattern; the pattern is then used for thebackground color.

To disable the fill, deactivate the Fill check box.

To assign a bitmap area, click the box beside Bitmap area and select a file.

To disable the bitmap area, deactivate the Bitmap area check box.

To assign an area style, click the box beside Area style and select a style.

Area styles must already be defined.

To disable the area style, deactivate the Area style check box.