topic Re: Properties window disappearing when selecting object in FormIt Forum

Properties window disappearing when selecting object

abbeyalexander — Wed, 04 Oct 2023 18:22:38 GMT

When I go to select a building, all the information under the properties window disappears, so I cannot add levels to the buildings. Is there a reason for this and how do I fix it?

^ When the building is un-highlighted/selected

^ After I've selected the building

Thanks

Re: Properties window disappearing when selecting object

josh.goldstein — Wed, 04 Oct 2023 19:25:31 GMT

Hi @abbeyalexander!

The Properties panel only supports showing properties for one object at a time, unfortunately.

Instead, you can use a shortcut to add levels to multiple objects. In this case, it's shortcut UL once you have your buildings selected. (The filterable list of shortcuts is available in Edit > Preferences > Shortcuts.)

It's always best to work in groups, so you might consider putting these buildings into groups before adding levels. You can select each and hit shortcut G, or select them both, and hit G to put them into one group if you prefer. Then you can add levels to the group instances instead of the raw geometry using the shortcut or the Properties panel if one-at-a-time.

One of many benefits of using groups here: as you add to the building, levels from the instance will always cascade down onto all geometry, even if it's physically separate. Groups also allow hiding and showing the context via shortcut H while editing inside a group. Groups also help keep geometry separate and organized. and allow for nested geometric relationships.

Hope this helps!

Re: Properties window disappearing when selecting object

abbeyalexander — Wed, 04 Oct 2023 19:38:25 GMT

Thank you so much!!

Re: Properties window disappearing when selecting object

abbeyalexander — Wed, 04 Oct 2023 19:46:05 GMT

Would grouping it make it not run insight? When I try to run Insight it says "At least one visible, manifold, solid object with Levels applied is required to run Energy Analysis." Usually, I check for watertight issues, and that's usually the problem, but there aren't any.

Re: Properties window disappearing when selecting object

josh.goldstein — Wed, 04 Oct 2023 19:48:51 GMT

Insight should still work with groups. 🤔

One thing to note, if you had levels on the raw geometry, then group it, you'll have to apply levels to the group as the levels are no longer present.

Would you mind attaching your model here if you're sure the group has levels and Insight won't run?

Re: Properties window disappearing when selecting object

abbeyalexander — Wed, 04 Oct 2023 19:52:32 GMT

Here it is! Thank you for your help

Re: Properties window disappearing when selecting object

josh.goldstein — Wed, 04 Oct 2023 20:02:18 GMT

No problem! I didn't get that message, which should happen immediately, and Insight appears to be running for me.

It's a strange question maybe, but did you save the model and then try running Insight? Or have you tried opening the model again and running Insight? I wonder if the changes weren't picked up and Insight thought there were no levels applied.

Re: Properties window disappearing when selecting object

abbeyalexander — Wed, 04 Oct 2023 20:05:53 GMT

So, I just closed out of it and reopened it, to try running insight again. Yet, still nothing 😞

Re: Properties window disappearing when selecting object

josh.goldstein — Wed, 04 Oct 2023 20:08:05 GMT

So strange! It worked for me:

What version of FormIt are you running?

Re: Properties window disappearing when selecting object

abbeyalexander — Wed, 04 Oct 2023 20:09:08 GMT

I'm running FormitPro 2024.1.0

Re: Properties window disappearing when selecting object

josh.goldstein — Wed, 04 Oct 2023 20:21:49 GMT

I was actually using FormIt 2023 for my test, and it's working there, but not working in 2024.1.

For now, I guess, try ungrouping the buildings. 😄 That really shouldn't be a factor, and wasn't in 2023.x, but apparently is now. Sorry about that.

If you're not using Insight, groups are still a good practice! 😅

Re: Properties window disappearing when selecting object

abbeyalexander — Wed, 04 Oct 2023 20:27:44 GMT

The problem is that when I ungroup the models, it won't let me put in levels 😞

Re: Properties window disappearing when selecting object

josh.goldstein — Wed, 04 Oct 2023 20:34:04 GMT

How so? You should be able to select a single building, and choose Use Levels in the Properties panel, or select both and use shortcut UL. Neither of those work for you?

Re: Properties window disappearing when selecting object

abbeyalexander — Wed, 04 Oct 2023 20:37:40 GMT

Neither work 😅 I just made it in Rhino and imported that into formit and that worked, actually. So, I suppose I have the issue resolved. Thank you so much for your help!

Re: Properties window disappearing when selecting object

josh.goldstein — Wed, 04 Oct 2023 22:14:55 GMT

I have a suspicion about why the Properties panel doesn't allow you to add levels.

In FormIt, you can double-click on an object, like this building, and it will select only that object. But if you window- or area-select the solid, you'll actually get more than just the solid building, which is two objects, and the Properties panel won't be helpful.

There's a great plugin I built called Properties Plus. You can find it in the Plugin Manager, if you search for Properties:

That plugin will illustrate exactly what you've got selected. It turns out, there's another piece of geometry somewhere in the building, a LineMesh. Properties Plus tells you this if you window- or area-select the building:

So, a couple of options, if you run into this again:

Select only the solid (body) by double-clicking it
Or use window- or area selection, and use Properties Plus to unselect the LineMesh or other object by clicking on the (-) button to remove it from the selection.
- Alternatively, deselect the Body, keeping only the LineMesh selected, and delete that for cleanup.

Hopefully this helps a bit more. Properties Plus is a great plugin and worth using! More helpful than a blank panel in this case. 😁

Re: Properties window disappearing when selecting object

abbeyalexander — Thu, 05 Oct 2023 00:12:58 GMT

Thank you! If I ever run into this problem I will try that. Thanks again for all your help.