ALLPLAN 2020

New Features in Allplan 2020

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© ALLPLAN GmbH, Munich. All rights reserved.

1st edition, October 2019
Document no. 200eng01m01-1-TD1019
New Features in Allplan 2020 Contents i

Contents
ALLPLAN 2020 – raise your level! ......................................... 1

Elements ............................................................................................ 3
Stair modeler ................................................................................................................. 3
Roof modeler ................................................................................................................. 5
New tool: roof surface ......................................................................................................5
Relative height of roof covering .................................................................................5
Number of roof covering layers..................................................................................6

Columns .............................................................................................................................7
Oval columns and chamfered columns ................................................................... 7
Number of segments for round columns ............................................................. 8

Using planes ..................................................................................... 9

Offset planes ................................................................................................................. 9
Offset planes in the plane model ................................................................................9
How to copy components that are linked with an offset plane ............. 12
Changing offset planes ..................................................................................................13

More new features and requests ................................................................... 14

Linking converted user-defined architectural elements with
planes ........................................................................................................................................14
Extracting a reference surface from a plane model ..................................... 17
ii Contents Allplan 2020

Structural framing objects ...................................................... 19

Columns and beams ................................................................................................ 19
Modifying structural framing objects .......................................................... 23
More new features for structural framing objects ............................. 25

Labels ............................................................................................... 27
Associative dimensioning ....................................................................................27
Editing associative dimensioning ............................................................................30
Projects from earlier versions ...................................................................................31
Exceptions .............................................................................................................................31

More new features and requests ................................................................... 31

More tools in the Dimension task area..................................................................31
Labeling any objects .......................................................................................................32

Modeling and visualizing .......................................................... 33

Modeling......................................................................................................................... 33
New tool: copy along any path..................................................................................33
Working faster with 3D solids...................................................................................36

Real-time renderer with advanced features .......................................... 37

New light type for rendering perspective views of interiors......... 41
Panorama rendering .............................................................................................. 42

Bridge planning ............................................................................ 45

Allplan Bridge .............................................................................................................. 45
New Features in Allplan 2020 Contents iii

Attributes and annotations ................................................... 47

Native XLSX format for exporting attributes.........................................47
More new features and requests .................................................................. 49
Assigning attributes by means of the Properties palette ....................... 49
Transferring attributes ................................................................................................ 49
Unit and calculation mode ........................................................................................... 50
Report viewer updated ................................................................................................ 50
New option for analyzing areas in reports ..........................................................51
New report: floor area (round-off value) ............................................................51
Zooming in on and selecting elements in more reports .............................52
Editing reports with Visual Studio 2019 Community Edition ................. 54

Views and sections .................................................................... 55

Options ........................................................................................................................... 55
Axis grids in views and sections ..................................................................... 56
Clipping path and section identifier ................................................................57
Multiple modifications ........................................................................................... 59
More detail enhancements ................................................................................. 61

Visual scripting ............................................................................ 63

Visual scripting........................................................................................................... 63

Allplan international ................................................................... 65

Internationalization ................................................................................................. 65
New reinforcement legend .........................................................................................65
Exporting bar reinforcement .....................................................................................66
More attributes .................................................................................................................. 67
HRC elements for connections and anchorage ............................................. 68
iv Contents Allplan 2020

More new features and requests .................................................................. 70

Enhanced default settings for the US .................................................................. 70

User interface................................................................................ 71
New dialog box for keyboard shortcuts ......................................................71
Quick access toolbar ...............................................................................................72
More tools in the View drop-down list................................................................. 72
Tool: save and upload ..................................................................................................... 72

More new features and requests .................................................................. 73

Objects palette - transparency ............................................................................... 73
Properties palette for editing elements .............................................................. 74
Document size increased............................................................................................. 74
New path settings in the Options - Desktop environment ..................... 74

Exchanging data .......................................................................... 75

Interfaces ...................................................................................................................... 75
IFC attribute assignment ............................................................................................. 75
IFC ID........................................................................................................................................ 80
IFC export............................................................................................................................. 80
IFC import ..............................................................................................................................82

Attribute values from Bimplus .........................................................................84

UTM coordinate transformation ..................................................................... 85
Coordinate transformation (import only) ..........................................................86

Point clouds ................................................................................................................. 87

Installing the Scalypso plug-in .................................................................................. 87

More new features and requests ..................................................................88

CPIXML interface............................................................................................................. 88
Current SketchUp format .......................................................................................... 88
New Features in Allplan 2020 Contents v

Details and requests ................................................................. 89

Teamwork .................................................................................................................... 89
Working in network environments....................................................................... 89

Architecture ................................................................................................................ 90
New option for number of segments of component profiles................ 90
Room surfaces in RGB colors .....................................................................................91
Room enclosure (DIN 277) ...........................................................................................92
Programs of Valentin Software GmbH................................................................92

Engineering .................................................................................................................. 92
Label patterns.....................................................................................................................92

Basic features ............................................................................................................ 93

Axis grids with custom labels ....................................................................................93
Layout editor...................................................................................................................... 94

Index ................................................................................................. 95
vi Contents Allplan 2020
New Features in Allplan 2020 ALLPLAN 2020 – raise your level! 1

ALLPLAN 2020 – raise

your level!
Dear Sir or Madam,

With Allplan 2020, we offer you a future-oriented BIM

solution for architects and engineers. The software is
characterized by high performance, especially in the area
of cross-team collaboration, and thus contributes to
greater efficiency and productivity in day-to-day work.
The openBIM approach supports smooth, interdisciplinary
collaboration with project partners.
A highlight of the new version is visual scripting with a
wide range of possible applications: Model complex
shapes or create automated workflows by visually
arranging and connecting so-called nodes. Programming
knowledge is not required for this.
Allplan 2020 also offers architects efficient tools for
modeling stairs and roofs. For engineers there are
several enhancements for views and sections as well as
new features in steel construction and structural analysis
for bridge construction.
We wish you every success!
ALLPLAN GmbH
2 Allplan 2020
New Features in Allplan 2020 Elements 3

Elements
Stair modeler
Working even more productively with the stair modeler
New features have been added to the stair modeler introduced with
Allplan 2019 to further simplify operation and increase productivity.
You can directly select the basic stair shapes that are most
commonly used. Consequently, the stair geometry is already
predefined; you do not need to define it manually. You can select the
basic stair shape in the Shape area on the Settings tab:
4 Stair modeler Allplan 2020

In addition, you can design spiral stairs quickly and easily. Here, too,
you can find the predefined basic shape in the Shape area on the
Settings tab:

What’s more, it is now possible to check the headroom clearance of a

stair design quickly and easily:
New Features in Allplan 2020 Elements 5

Roof modeler
New tool: roof surface
The Roof task area contains the new Roof Surface tool. You can
use this tool to create a roof surface by entering any outline.
You enter the roof parameters in the Properties palette. You can
define how far the bottom level of the roof surface is from the
reference plane. To select the reference plane, you can use the
Relative height dialog box.
For each edge of the roof surface, you can define the horizontal or
vertical offset to the outline of the roof surface and the angle or
slope. By entering negative values for the angle or slope of the roof
surface, you can create butterfly roofs.
What’s more, you can modify roof surfaces without problem.

Relative height of roof covering

A roof covering can be based on a reference plane.

By using the Roof Covering tool (Roof task area), you can link
the bottom level of the roof covering to a reference plane at an
offset that you define. To do this, select the Relative height button
in the Roof Covering dialog box. This opens another dialog box,
where you can link the roof covering to a plane in the current plane
model or current drawing file. Here, too, you can define the offset of
the roof covering to the plane selected. This is the offset that
appears in the Roof Covering dialog box.
6 Roof modeler Allplan 2020

By selecting Match parameters in the Relative height dialog

box, you can take the height settings of the roof covering from
another architectural element (for example, an existing roof
covering).

Number of roof covering layers

The current trends in BIM modeling require models to be displayed in
greater detail. In other words, all physical layers of components must
be visible.
So that the Roof Covering (Roof task area) meets these
requirements, you can now create roof coverings that consist of up
to 20 layers (instead of 5).
New Features in Allplan 2020 Elements 7

Columns
Oval columns and chamfered columns
Oval columns are often used for parking garages or bridges, because
oval columns reduce damage due to accidents. When creating oval
columns in earlier versions, you had to use an outline that you saved
as a symbol beforehand. Now you can enter oval columns in the
same way as you enter rectangular columns. Allplan creates the oval
cross-section by filleting the corners. Select the fillet option and
define the radius and segments in circle.
Most rectangular columns are chamfered. To do this, select the
Chamfer option and define the chamfer width based on the radius.
The segments in circle setting is ignored.
Oval columns and chamfered columns are based on rectangular
columns. They are defined by the width and thickness; the
thickness is smaller than or equal to the width. The maximum fillet
radius is half the thickness (semicircle). When you reduce the
thickness, the radius adapts accordingly. The value for segments in
circle is based on a full circle; you can enter values between 20 and
40.
Reports, rooms and finishing surfaces calculate and analyze oval
columns and chamfered columns correctly. When you save oval
columns and chamfered columns as favorites, all dimensions and
settings will be included.

Note: Like other column types, oval columns and chamfered

columns can be modified quickly and easily. For example, when you
want to modify the dimensions and shape of an oval column, you no
longer need to save the new outline as a symbol and create a new
column from scratch. You can use Apply Archit. Component
Properties to turn any columns into oval columns or chamfered
columns.
8 Columns Allplan 2020

Figure: oval column and chamfered column; same radius

Number of segments for round columns

In earlier versions, round columns had a fixed number of segments,
which was 20. Columns with outlines saved as symbols, on the other
hand, were preset to 36 segments.
Now you can define the number of segments for round columns. To
do this, use the segments in circle setting: You can enter values
between 20 and 40; the default setting is 36. In some cases, it might
make sense to reduce the number of segments. For example, think
of large rooms with numerous columns, such as underground water
reservoirs.
New Features in Allplan 2020 Using planes 9

Using planes
Offset planes
Offset planes in the plane model
You create an offset plane in the plane model in the Planes palette.
To do this, you use the Offset plane tool on the toolbar of the
Planes palette. You also find this tool on the shortcut menu of a
story.
Offset planes make it easier for you to define components with
recurring heights, such as sill heights, opening heights, and so on.
Like default planes, offset planes stretch to infinity and apply to the
entire drawing file.
The offset plane is linked with a default plane at an offset you define.
When you change the linked plane, the offset plane adapts
automatically, including all components that take their height
settings from this offset plane. When defining the offset plane, you
can select the Applies to all floors option to apply this offset plane
to all stories of the plane model. When an offset plane applies to all
stories, you can see the chain symbol in the plane model.
Instead of defining the height of each component individually by
entering the offset to the top level or bottom level of the floor
(default planes), you simply insert an offset plane in the plane model
and assign this offset plane to the component. When you change the
default plane or offset plane, all components that take their height
settings from this plane adapt automatically. So, you can change the
model in a single step.
Think of a component that takes its height settings from an offset
plane that applies to all floors. When you copy this component to
another floor, the corresponding offset plane in the new floor applies
automatically. Consequently, the component is automatically at the
correct height. However, when the component takes its height
settings from an offset plane that applies to a single floor only and
you copy this component to another story, this link will be copied
10 Offset planes Allplan 2020

together with the component, which might not produce the effects
that you want to achieve. In these cases, you can change the height
settings of the component by defining an offset to a default plane.
Offset planes are highlighted in color in the preview of the plane
model.

(A) Upper default plane

(B) Lower default plane
(C) Sill offset plane; linked with bottom level; distance 0.5 m
New Features in Allplan 2020 Using planes 11

Examples
Offset planes are very versatile:
• Think of a model with several stories: Sill heights and opening
heights repeat on each floor. In this case, it makes sense to use an
offset plane that applies to all stories and to link this offset plane
with the bottom level. Pay attention to the chain symbol; it tells
you that the offset plane is used by all stories. When you change
the height of the offset plane in one story, the new height applies
automatically to all other stories.
• You can use a single offset plane to define the height of an attic.
Add this offset plane to the topmost structural node or floor. So,
when it comes to changing the height of the attic, it is sufficient
to change the offset plane; you do not need to change the height
of each wall separately.
• You can use offset planes to define the height of the terrain or
finished floor.
• When you create multilayer walls, you can link individual layers
(for example, protruding insulation at the base) with a single
offset plane.
• Smart symbols can use offset planes; in the case of SmartParts,
the use of offset planes must be allowed.
12 Offset planes Allplan 2020

How to copy components that are linked with an offset plane

When you copy components across stories and these
components take their height settings from an offset plane, the
way these components behave depends on the type of offset
plane used:
• When you use the clipboard to copy components that take their
height settings from an offset plane that applies to all stories,
the components automatically adapt to the corresponding plane
in the other story or project. Consequently, the components
automatically take their height settings from the new plane.
• When you copy a component that takes its height settings from
an offset plane that applies to all stories to a structural level
where there are no offset planes (for example, foundation or
building), the offset plane remains in the height definition of the
component copied.
• When you use the clipboard to copy components that take their
height settings from a single offset plane to another story,
this link will be copied together with the components, which
might not produce the effects that you want to achieve. In these
cases, you can assign an offset plane that applies across stories
or change the height settings of the components by linking the
top levels with a default plane and entering offset values.
• When you use the clipboard to copy a drawing file with a single
offset plane from a building structure to another building
structure, you must assign the offset planes to the components
again.
• Think of a multilayer wall, where you define the insulation layer so
that the top level of this layer is linked with the bottom level of
the next story, thus skipping the slab. When you copy these walls
across stories, the top and bottom levels of this layer are based
on the same plane; consequently, the insulation layer is not
visible.
New Features in Allplan 2020 Using planes 13

Changing offset planes

You can use the Planes palette in Modification mode to change
offset planes in a plane model.
You can make the following changes directly in the Planes palette:
• Use the Height box to change the distance between the offset
plane and the bottom level or top level.
When the offset plane is used by all stories, the new distance
applies to all structural levels.
• Use the symbol between Height and Name to switch between
Link with bottom level and Link with top level.
• Click the Name to change it.
Select Modify offset plane on the shortcut menu of an offset plane
to open the Modify offset plane palette, which is the same as the
Insert offset plane palette. You can make the following changes in
this palette:
• Change the name, distance, and link with setting.
• Only in this palette can you change the Applies to all floors
option.
You can make the following changes in the workspace:
• Use the handles and entry boxes to directly modify the offset
plane.
14 More new features and requests Allplan 2020

More new features and requests

Linking converted user-defined architectural elements with planes
Based on the reference point, you can link converted user-defined
architectural elements with any reference surface or reference
plane in the drawing file or plane model. By default, Allplan uses
absolute height values.

Double-click a converted user-defined architectural element to

open the User-Defined Archit. Element palette.
You can find the new Reference height option in the Object
attributes area on the Element tab in the User-Defined Archit.
Element palette.
New Features in Allplan 2020 Using planes 15

• Reference height
This option is not selected by default. When you select this
option, you can see the Reference point and Height options and
the symbol for the selected Height reference. Based on the
reference point, you can link converted user-defined
architectural elements with a default plane, reference surface or
reference plane.
When you select Reference height, you can see more options:
• Change reference point
Click the Change button to display the reference point of the
converted user-defined architectural element as a symbol in
construction-line color. To change the reference point, enter
values in the dialog line or click in the workspace to define the
new reference point.

• Height
Enter the height of the reference point in accordance with the
Height reference selected.
16 More new features and requests Allplan 2020

• Relative height
You can see a symbol that indicates the current height reference.
Click this symbol to open the Relative height dialog box and
define the reference plane and height reference.

Note: The reference point of a converted user-defined architectural

element takes its height from an absolute value or a reference plane.
Unlike walls, converted user-defined architectural elements cannot
stretch between two reference planes. To define the height, you can
use the Relative to lower plane, Relative to upper plane and
Absolute value options.

Tip: You can also attach Note: If you have selected several converted user-defined
converted user-defined architectural elements, the Change button is not available.
architectural elements to Consequently, you cannot change the reference points. However,
the ceiling. To do this, move you can change the Height and Height reference; these changes
the reference point to the apply to the existing reference points.
upper edge of the element.
New Features in Allplan 2020 Using planes 17

Extracting a reference surface from a plane model

By using the Planes palette, you can extract a reference surface
from a plane model and insert this reference surface as a local
reference surface in the current drawing file. You can edit the
reference surface there. The changed local reference surface can
then be added to the plane model again; it can also replace an existing
reference surface.

To do this, open the Planes palette and turn on Modification

mode. Open the shortcut menu of the reference surface that you
want to extract and click Extract reference surface.

Reference surface in Properties palette

You can change the name and format properties of a local reference
surface in the Properties palette. It is also possible to assign
attributes.
Allplan displays a preview of the changes, applying them as soon as
you confirm.
18 Allplan 2020
New Features in Allplan 2020 Structural framing objects 19

Structural framing objects

You no longer need a separate steel solution to model simple steel
structures without connections (LOD 300). You can create and
modify supports and beams by using a modern user interface based
on property palettes and handles.

Columns and beams

Both the Architecture role and the Engineering role contain
the new Structural framing task with the Structural Framing
Objects task area. This task area contains the new axis grid that was
introduced with Allplan 2019 and the new Structural Framing
Column and Structural Framing Beam tools.

Structural framing column

On the Geometry tab, you can define the cross-section of the
column by choosing a rectangular or circular shape or taking any
profile from the library. Allplan rotates the cross-section about the
reference point. This is also the point that Allplan uses to create the
column.
You can define the height of the column in the familiar “Height” dialog
box.
To define the position of the reference point, you select the anchor
point and enter the distances between these two points in the x-
direction and y-direction. You can also choose to place the anchor
point in the center of gravity. After you have placed the column, you
can see the reference point in construction-line color at the lower
end of the column.
If you want, you can also display the axis in construction-line color in
the center of gravity of the cross-section.
20 Columns and beams Allplan 2020

On the two other tabs - Representation and Attributes - you can

define format properties, surface elements and settings for
analyzing structural framing objects as you would do this for
architectural elements.

By clicking Match parameters in the lower border of the palette,

you can take the parameters from an existing column. You can save
all the settings of the column by selecting Save as a favorite and
retrieve the settings by selecting Load favorite.
New Features in Allplan 2020 Structural framing objects 21

Structural framing beam

On the Geometry tab, you can define the cross-section of the beam
by choosing a rectangular shape or taking any profile from the
library. Allplan rotates the beam about the line that connects the
reference points. These are also the points that Allplan uses to
create the beam.
To define the construction method of the beam, you can choose
between horizontal and inclined. Horizontal beams and
inclined beams differ in the possible number of reference points and
how these reference points take their height settings from planes.
• In the case of horizontal beams, the reference point is the same
at the start and end; it takes its height from one plane. You can
define the height setting of the reference point in the “Relative
height” dialog box.
• In the case of inclined beams, the reference points at the start
and end can take their heights from different planes.
Furthermore, to place the beam correctly, you can define
different positions for the reference points relative to the cross-
section.
In this case, you use the “Height” dialog box only to define the
type of height setting. To define the actual heights of the
reference points, you enter coordinates or click existing points.
After having created the beam, Allplan enters the heights defined
into the “Height” dialog box so that you can modify the beam
later.
To define the position of a reference point, you select the anchor
point and enter the distances between these two points in the x-
direction and y-direction. You can also choose to place the anchor
point in the center of gravity. After you have placed the beam, you
can see the reference points in construction-line color at the start
and end of the beam.
For both ends of the beam, you can choose to create a perpendicular,
horizontal or vertical end. If you want, you can also display the axis in
construction-line color in the center of gravity of the cross-section.
22 Columns and beams Allplan 2020

On the two other tabs - Representation and Attributes - you can

define format properties, surface elements and settings for
analyzing structural framing objects as you would do this for
architectural elements.

By clicking Match parameters in the lower border of the palette,

you can take the parameters from an existing beam. You can save all
the settings of the beam by selecting Save as a favorite and
retrieve the settings by selecting Load favorite.
New Features in Allplan 2020 Structural framing objects 23

Modifying structural framing objects

Editing and changing the geometry
Click or use a selection rectangle to select structural framing objects,
which are then in edit mode. You can see the central move
handle and point handles at the start and end of the axis. In
addition, the reference points are marked with red crosses. Select a
tool in the Edit task area or use the tools on the handles’ shortcut
menus to move, copy, rotate or mirror the objects selected. To
position the objects exactly, you can use the dialog boxes for
entering lengths and angles.
Note: If you have selected a single column, the point handles are
not visible in plan view.
To change the positions of the reference points or the dimensions of
the objects, click the reference point or the point handle at the
end of the object that you want to modify. If the two points are
congruent, choose the point that you want to select. If you have
selected the end point of the object, you can modify the beam only in
the direction of the beam. In this case, the position of the reference
point does not change. To obtain exact values, you can use the dialog
boxes for entering lengths.
Note: You can also use the Stretch Entities tool for this
modification. Regardless of which points and how many points of the
cross-section you select, Allplan always changes the whole object
including the reference point. If the height is based on a plane, Allplan
does not modify the object in the z-direction. You can modify
objects in any view.

Changing parameters
Double-click a structural framing object or select Properties on the
shortcut menu of an object to see its properties in the palette. The
structural framing object is then in modification mode. To select
more structural framing objects of the same type for modification,
click the objects one after the other or use a selection rectangle.
Click to exclude objects already selected from modification.
Any changes that you make in the palette are immediately visible in
the workspace. When you change the anchor point itself or the
distances defined for the anchor point, the object moves
24 Modifying structural framing objects Allplan 2020

accordingly. The position of the reference point does not change.

If you have selected several structural framing objects for
modification, you can only make changes to the cross-section on
the Geometry tab. Furthermore, you cannot assign attributes,
Match parameters or work with favorites.
If settings differ, the check boxes of the varying parameters are
filled, and you can see the entry *varied*. If the shapes of the cross-
sections differ, no button is selected.

Changing the construction method of a beam

You can change the construction method of a beam without creating
the beam from scratch.

• When you switch the construction method from horizontal

to inclined, Allplan uses the defined reference point and height
for the starting point and end point. As a result, you get a beam
that is not inclined; this beam has identical reference points at the
start and end. You can then enter the required height in the
Height dialog box and define different reference points at the
start and end.

• When you switch the construction method from inclined to

horizontal, Allplan uses the reference point and height at the
start of the beam for the whole beam. As a result, you get a
horizontal beam that starts in the same position.
New Features in Allplan 2020 Structural framing objects 25

More new features for structural framing

objects
Filter
To edit the new structural framing objects quickly and easily, you can
use the new Filter by structural framing object tool, which you
can find in the filter.

Attributes
To label and analyze the new structural framing objects, you can use
a wide range of new attributes. You can find these new attributes in
the Profiles group in the Attribute Selection dialog box. This group
includes all attributes that are required for defining the geometries
of all profiles in the Nemetschek profile catalog. Being used as
attributes of structural framing objects, these attributes cannot be
edited.
Note: When you transfer data of structural framing objects via
Bimplus to SCIA, the program identifies the profiles by reading out
the name of structural cross-section attribute.

Reports
To analyze the new structural framing objects, you can find the new
Structural framing folder in the Reports tool. This folder
contains two bills of materials: an imperial one and a metric one.
26 Allplan 2020
New Features in Allplan 2020 Labels 27

Labels
Associative dimensioning
Dimensioning in Allplan has already been associative to a certain
extent: Reference point and dimension line point were linked. When
you selected the reference point while changing an element or
component, Allplan also updated the dimension line. By selecting
Match, you could take the height from an opening and add this
height to the dimension line. When the opening height changed, you
had to use Modify Component Height, Additional Text to add
the new height to the dimension line.
The new type of associative dimensioning is linked directly with the
dimensioned object. When you change the object, the dimension line
adapts immediately without you having to pay attention to
reference points.
The following tools use the new type of associative
dimensioning:

• Dimension Line (horizontal, vertical, angle or direct)

• Block Dimension Line

• Elevation Point

• Pegging Out

• Reference Line Dimensioning

To turn on associative dimensioning in Allplan, open a tool that
creates dimension lines and select the Associative check box on the
Dimension Line Context toolbar.
28 Associative dimensioning Allplan 2020

Dimension the element or component as usual; some special

features make your work easier:
• The reference point is linked with the element or component and
the dimension line point.

Tip: To see the reference points all the time, open the Options
on the Dimension line page, go to the Representation area and
select the Highlight reference points option.

Figure: reference points with associative dimensioning (A) and without associative
dimensioning (B)

• Point to a point that you want to dimension.

• If the point is unique, click it.
• When you point to a component edge or wall corner, Allplan might
find several points that can be dimensioned. In this case, a ToolTip
lists the possible points.
New Features in Allplan 2020 Labels 29

• Select Shift while clicking to open a list, where you can click the
required point.

• When you dimension an opening and click the first point, Allplan
reads the sill height and opening height from the model,
displaying these values as a preview in the dimension line. Use the
context toolbar to define whether you want to display these
values. Allplan inserts these values in the dimension line when
you click the second point of the opening.
• When a room adjoins the component, Allplan considers the height
of the finish floor surface when calculating the sill height and
opening height. Room and model can be in different drawing files;
the drawing files can even be open in reference mode. The only
requirement is that the Consider floor surfaces of rooms when
calculating the sill height option is selected in the Associativity
area on the Dimension Line page in the Options.

Note: The Consider floor surfaces of rooms when calculating

the sill height option applies to the current project.
• A door opening belongs to the room to which the opening
direction points (door swing symbol). This is particularly
important for rooms with different floor structures.
• Dimension line and component can be in different drawing files.
The components that you want to dimension can even be in
reference drawing files.
• Whenever you change the geometry of the component and
opening, Allplan updates the dimension line immediately even if
the dimension line is in a reference drawing file.
30 Associative dimensioning Allplan 2020

Editing associative dimensioning

To edit associative dimensioning, you can use almost all familiar tools
and the Properties palette. However, you cannot edit associative
dimension lines with the following tools: Change Ref Points,
Modify Component Height, Additional Text, Split Dimension
Line, and Join Dimension Lines.

Note: By clearing the Associative in relation to reference points

option in the Properties palette, you turn an associative dimension
line into a nonassociative dimension line. This cannot be undone. You
must create the dimension line from scratch.
New Features in Allplan 2020 Labels 31

Projects from earlier versions

Dimension lines in projects from earlier versions are not associative.
If you want to use associative dimensioning, you must dimension the
components again.

Tip: Make the reference points visible by selecting the Highlight

reference points option in the Representation area on the
Dimension line page in the Options. The reference points help
you click the points to be dimensioned.

Exceptions
You cannot use associative dimensioning at all times. In the following
cases, Allplan automatically changes associative dimension lines into
nonassociative dimension lines:
• You save objects with associative dimension lines as symbols or
smart symbols.
• You save a drawing file with associative dimensioning as a
custom NDW file.
• You convert Allplan data with associative dimensioning to an
earlier version.

More new features and requests

More tools in the Dimension task area
As requested, we added the following tools from the Elements task
- Components task area to the Label task - Dimension task area:

• Dimension Walls

• Sill Height

• Elevation Point
32 More new features and requests Allplan 2020

Labeling any objects

You can use the Label tool to label any objects without attributes.
For example, this applies to 2D elements like polylines, circles, splines
and surface elements like hatching or 3D lines or 3D splines. In earlier
versions, you had to use workarounds. For example, you could
assign an attribute to such an object and delete the attribute again.

You can now find the Label tool on the shortcut menus of these
objects too.

To label any objects, click Label and select the object or right-
click the object and select Label on the shortcut menu.
The contents of the label vary depending on the object and label type
selected:

• Use Default label to display the object type.

• Use Label style to select a label style.

• Use Object label to display the default attributes that are part
of each object (object name; length; Allright component ID;
component ID; unit, calculation mode). In addition, you can label
the object as you would do this in the Attributes task area.
Use the input options to place the label.
New Features in Allplan 2020 Modeling and visualizing 33

Modeling and visualizing

Modeling
New tool: copy along any path
The fixed Edit task area contains the new Copy Along Any Path
tool.
You can use this tool to copy one or more 2D and 3D objects along
any 3D paths (3D lines, 3D splines, edges of 3D solids or walls). You
can use a part of the path, define a starting offset and end offset and
enter the distance between the elements or the number of
elements. In addition, you can rotate the elements relative to the
path or z-axis.
You can copy any 2D elements such as labels and 3D elements such
as lines, surfaces, solids, components, converted user-defined
architectural elements, SmartParts, PythonParts or smart symbols.
The way components behave when you copy them depends on how
their heights are defined. Components that are linked with a plane
(for example, default plane, offset plane, reference surface, roof
surface) retain this link; the heights do not change.

When you copy components that are based on an absolute value,

Allplan adjusts the heights of the copies to the path.

You cannot rotate components about the z-axis; they are always
vertical, regardless of what you select for object rotation.
Converted user-defined architectural elements are exceptions;
they behave like 3D solids and can be rotated freely.

Tip: You can use this tool to Although you can use the Copy Along Element tool to copy 3D
copy 3D outlines along a 3D objects, the path must be a 2D element. With the new Copy
spline and use the outlines Along Any Path tool, you can use any 3D paths.
and the spline as a basis for
Sweep Path.
34 Modeling Allplan 2020

• You can first select the elements you want to copy and click
Copy Along Ayn Path afterward, or you click Copy Along
Ayn Path first and select the elements afterward.

• To copy several elements, use the Brackets.

Tip: If you work with • Define the reference point of the elements that you want to
complex 3D objects and copy. Allplan uses this reference point to distribute the copies.
numerous copies, it is a Allplan places the elements with the reference point at the
good idea to save smart starting point of the path. You can see a preview of the copies;
symbols of the objects this preview is based on the current settings.
beforehand. One foil is Note: A preview for architectural components is not available
usually sufficient. This helps yet, but it is in development.
you save data, because
regardless of how many • The path can consist of several 3D elements such as 3D lines or
times you actually place a 3D curves. However, the path must be continuous; select it by
smart symbol, only the using the Brackets.
hard-drive space for a
• After having selected the path, you can see the Copy Along Any
single instance is required.
Path input options and a preview of the result based on the
current settings.

• Handles indicate the starting and end points and the direction of
the path.
New Features in Allplan 2020 Modeling and visualizing 35

• Click the arrow handle to change the direction of the path. This
places the elements with the reference point at the new starting
point of the path. This also affects how the 3D objects rotate.
• To use only a part of the path, click one of the point handles. Then,
click the path or enter the distance in the dialog line, thus defining
the starting and end points of the path. All subsequent entries
apply to the path length defined.
• You have the following options to distribute the copies:

- By offset

- By offset and number

- By number
• You have the following options for object rotation:

- No rotation

- Local

- Default

- z-axis
• 2D objects like labels retain their reference points; 2D objects do
not rotate or they rotate in the xy-plane only.
• When you are satisfied with the settings, select Esc to create the
copies along the path.
36 Modeling Allplan 2020

Working faster with 3D solids

Many modeling tools in the 3D Objects task area create general 3D
objects, regardless of whether the source or result is delimited by
curves. However, when it comes to complex, polygonal objects
consisting of countless small surfaces that are planar, it does not
make sense to create BREPS (surface models) or NURBS objects.
So that you can work faster with complex 3D objects, Allplan creates
general 3D objects only when these objects are required. When the
initial solids and paths consist of polyhedrons and polygons, the
modeling tools create polygonal 3D solids, if this is possible, or Allplan
automatically converts the results to polygonal 3D solids.
The following tools create polygonal 3D solids if this is possible:
• General polygonal 3D objects will be converted automatically to
polygonal 3D solids; this also applies to user-defined
architectural elements that were converted from these objects.

• Extrude
(when extruding or cutting out general polygonal 3D objects)
• Boolean functions

- Union

- Subtract and Retain Solid

- Subtract and Remove Solid

- Create 3rd Solid from Common Volume of 2 Solids

- Create Volume from Intersection

- Remove Common Volume

• Extrude Along Path

• Loft

• Sweep Path

• Rotate
New Features in Allplan 2020 Modeling and visualizing 37

Real-time renderer with advanced

features
With the enhanced real-time renderer in Allplan 2020, you can not
only choose any resolution for the image but also define different
light temperatures. You can use tone mapping to achieve a warmer,
neutral or cold appearance. White balance corrects the color
temperature of natural light sources such as sky and sun. And
thanks to the two-point perspective, you can eliminate distortions in
no time at all.
You can find these new options in the View type palette of the
Rt_render rendering method.

Advanced maximum resolution

The maximum resolution for a rendered image is 16,000 x 16,000
pixels. For example, you can thus print HQ posters directly from the
rendering result without problem.

Any image resolution

In earlier versions, the resolution of a rendered image of the
RTRender view type was dynamically linked with the size of the
viewport. In other words, to change the resolution, you had to
change the size of the viewport. So, this made it difficult for users to
resize images exactly to obtain a certain resolution.
Now you can define the required image resolution directly. To do this,
you can enter any resolution in a range between dx = 100 and 16,000
pixels and dy = 5 and 10,000 pixels.
This is particularly important for rendering spherical panoramas,
because they require an image resolution at a ratio of 2:1.

Tone mapping and white balance

Think of scenes with great differences in brightness, for example.
When you rendered such scenes in earlier versions, bright areas
illuminated directly were often overexposed.
38 Real-time renderer with advanced features Allplan 2020

To eliminate this effect, you can use two new post-process settings:
Tone mapping:
When you render scenes with great differences in brightness, you
can readjust overexposed areas by reducing the dynamic range. This
is particularly useful for scenes that contain both bright areas
illuminated directly and shaded areas.

Comparison of rendered images of perspective views of interiors with different

settings for tone mapping: 0 (top), 30 (middle), and 60 (bottom)
New Features in Allplan 2020 Modeling and visualizing 39

White balance:
You can readjust the color temperature of the rendered image to the
lighting of the rendered scene. You can use values between 1,000
and 10,000 Kelvin.

Comparison of rendered images of perspective views of interiors with different

settings for white balance: 3.200 K (left), 5.500 K (middle), and 7.500 K (right)

Two-point perspective
You can use the new two-point perspective to eliminate distortions.
Vertical edges always appear vertical.

Comparison of rendered images of perspective views in central perspective (left) and

two-point perspective (right)
40 Real-time renderer with advanced features Allplan 2020

New method for noise reduction

To enhance rendering results, Allplan comes with a new noise filter
for noise reduction.
The former noise filter tended to blur the rendered image, which was
particularly true when you rendered surfaces with textures:
• For example, “white noise” in perspective views of interiors or
• with images in the background (for example, sky with clouds).
The new noise filter produces rendering results that do not blur even
when you render surfaces with textures.

Comparison of rendered images with different settings for noise reduction: filter off
(upper left), medium (upper right), high (lower left), and aggressive (lower right)
New Features in Allplan 2020 Modeling and visualizing 41

Faster resizing of viewports

When you change the size of a viewport in which Allplan is rendering
an image, Allplan is now faster to recalculate the image, adjusting it
automatically to the new size.
When you changed the size of a viewport of the RTRender view
type, earlier versions rendered the scene from scratch. This was
quite time-consuming, especially when rendering large or complex
scenes.
When you resize the viewport now, Allplan adapts the image it is
rendering, not stopping the current calculation.

New light type for rendering perspective

views of interiors
To speed up the process of rendering perspective views of interiors,
you can use a new light type: sky light.
In earlier versions, the process of rendering perspective views of
interiors was very time-consuming, in particular in conjunction with
noise reduction and light that came from the outside, shining through
window openings. The new light type not only eliminates noise and
reduces computing time but also produces better rendering results.

When you define lights by using the Set Project Light tool, you
can select the new light type exclusively for the Area type of light.
To use the new light type, select the Sky light option.
42 Panorama rendering Allplan 2020

Panorama rendering
Convincing project presentations with panorama rendering
Use the new panorama rendering to create spherical images from
defined camera positions.
You can render not only full 360° views or panorama views but also
spherical panoramas that can be controlled interactively. Unlike a
horizontal panorama view of 360°, a spherical panorama can have a
viewing angle of -180° to +180° to the horizontal, which produces the
effect of a full 360° view in all directions.
Panorama rendering is available for both the RTRender view type
and the Render tool.

With all other tools that use CineRender ( Record Movie ->
From camera path / Sun study / Rotate camera by 360°
/ Orbit camera by 360°), you can even create a virtual project
inspection in the form of a movie for your client, which can be played
back on many end devices without additional investment
From the RTRender view type:
• Select the position of the eye point, the viewing angle, and the
focal length.
• Open the View type palette for the RTRender view type. Go to
the General settings area and switch the Projection type to
Spherical.
• Render the scene and save the result in JPG format or TIF format
by selecting Save Contents of the Viewport as a Bitmap on the
shortcut menu in navigation mode.
• Edit the spherical panorama with appropriate tools and load it into
an appropriate viewer.
New Features in Allplan 2020 Modeling and visualizing 43

By using Render:
• Select the central perspective (Perspective view option in the
3D View palette) and select the position of the eye point, the
viewing angle, and the focal length.

• Open the Render tool, go to the Camera settings area and

select the Spherical option. For the Mode, select Latitude,
longitude to obtain spherical panoramas or Cuboid (cross) to
obtain 360° views or panorama views.
• Render the scene and save the result in JPG format or TIF format
by selecting the Save as a bitmap button.
• Edit the (spherical) panorama with appropriate tools and load it
into an appropriate viewer.

Spherical panorama of a perspective view of an interior rendered by the Render

tool (image resolution: 850 x 425 pixels = ratio of 2:1; mapping mode: latitude,
longitude)
44 Allplan 2020
New Features in Allplan 2020 Bridge planning 45

Bridge planning
Allplan Bridge
New: structural analyses of bridges
After parametric modeling, prestressing and construction sequence,
the Allplan Bridge 2020 bridge construction solution now also
supports structural analysis. This includes the definition of loads and
the calculation of internal forces, deflections, stresses and the
effects of creep and shrinkage in consideration of the construction
progress. Allplan Bridge 2020 automatically derives the static model
from the parametric bridge model. This makes Allplan Bridge 2020
the world's first fully integrated solution that uses a common
parametric model for both static calculation and design. This
approach greatly accelerates bridge design processes. Due to the
minimal time required for changes or variant comparisons, an almost
optimal design can be developed with iterative improvements.
46 Allplan 2020
New Features in Allplan 2020 Attributes and annotations 47

Attributes and
annotations
Native XLSX format for exporting
attributes
Earlier versions exported attributes and quantity data in XCA
format, which is separated by commas. The XCA data was
converted to XAC and opened in Microsoft Excel for modification.
Room numbers such as 1.02 might have been interpreted as date
formats.
Now you can use the native Excel format (*.xlsx) directly for
export and import; the undesired formatting results no longer occur.
The NEVARIS format (*.xcax) can also be used.

Note: If Microsoft Excel is not installed on the computer, the XLSX

format is not available, and you will see a message.

Export
You can use the XLSX format when you export data with the
Export Attributes and Export Quantities Data tools.

The Export Attributes tool no longer opens the dialog box for
selecting the path and file name right away. Instead, click
Settings: Export Attributes to open a dialog box, where you can
define not only the report and follow-up program but also the file
format, path, and file name: In addition to Allplan BCM (.xca), you can
also select NEVARIS (.xcax) and Excel file (.xlsx).
48 Native XLSX format for exporting attributes Allplan 2020

The Export Quantities Data tool also opens a dialog box, where
you can select the report, follow-up program, file format, path, and
file name. Click to set the settings in the dialog box back to their
defaults.

Import
When you import data with the Import Attributes and Import
Quantities Data tools, you can also choose between Allplan BCM
(.xca), NEVARIS (.xcax), and Excel file (.xlsx). Allplan presents all
possible formats for selection; you can also filter by format.
New Features in Allplan 2020 Attributes and annotations 49

More new features and requests

Assigning attributes by means of the Properties palette
You usually assign attributes to components and objects by using
special tools such as Modify Attributes, Assign Attributes to
Elements or other tools in the fixed Attributes task area.
Lately, the Properties palette has become more and more
important for editing properties of architectural elements. This also
applies to assigning attributes.

Assigning a new attribute to several selected objects

In earlier versions, you could not use the Properties palette to
assign a new attribute to all selected components. Now this requires
only one step: Click Assign new attribute to the right of
Attributes. The Attribute Selection dialog box opens. Select the
new attribute and click OK to confirm - that’s all.

Attributes of SmartParts and 3D objects

You can assign attributes to SmartParts and 3D objects and edit
these attributes in the Properties palette.

Attributes of smart symbols

You can assign attributes to instances of smart symbols and edit
these attributes in the Properties palette.

Attributes of reference surfaces

You can assign attributes to local reference surfaces in the drawing
file and edit these attributes in the Properties palette.

Transferring attributes
The Transfer Attributes tool and similar tools such as Apply
Archit. Component Properties and Conversion for Building
Alteration Work come with new, clear names for handling
attributes: replace attributes (instead of new attributes) and add
attributes ( as usual).
50 More new features and requests Allplan 2020

Transferring attributes of 3D objects

Earlier versions strictly differentiated between 3D objects with
attributes and 3D objects without attributes; therefore, you could
not transfer attributes of a 3D object to another 3D object that did
not have any attributes.

Now you can do this by means of the Transfer Attributes tool.

Unit and calculation mode

In Allplan 2019 and earlier versions, the unit attribute was linked with
the calculation mode attribute but not vice versa. Allplan 2020
combines the unit and calculation mode attributes.

Report viewer updated

Report Viewer has been updated; content and handling have not
changed.
Click the ? symbol in the upper-right corner of Report Viewer to
display information on the current version of Microsoft Report
Viewer and Microsoft SQL Server Type.
New Features in Allplan 2020 Attributes and annotations 51

New option for analyzing areas in reports

The Determine results of areas from precise values or displayed
values option ( Options - Reports and quantity calculations
page) works just like the Determine results of partial areas from
precise values or displayed values option.
You can define whether Allplan calculates the result of areas, which
is the sum of the results of partial areas, from the values displayed
for the results of partial areas or from the precise values. When you
choose precise values, the program adds these values and rounds
the result off to the number of decimal places. As a result, the sum
that you see might seem to be added incorrectly.

Note: The Determine results of areas from values option affects

only reports and label styles that use quantitative attributes that
result from “clear quantity calculations" (TAI too).

Note: Changes you make to Number of decimal places and

Determine results of partial areas from precise values or
displayed values or Determine results of areas from precise
values or displayed values on the Reports and quantity
calculations page in the Options do not affect labels in the
drawing file at first. To apply the changes, you must use the
Update Labels tool.

New report: floor area (round-off value)

The Area Calculation, Application tool (Floor area folder)
provides the new Floor area (round-off value).rdlc report.
This new report is the only report that analyzes the new Determine
results of areas from precise values or displayed values option,
which you can find in the Options on the Reports and quantity
calculations page.
52 More new features and requests Allplan 2020

In addition, you can define the number of decimal places in subtotals

and totals in this report. Only the individual partial areas of the rooms
will be listed with the number of decimal places defined in the
Options on the Reports and quantity calculations page.
After Allplan has calculated the report, you can find the Sum format
parameter in Report Viewer - Parameters palette - Allplan
System Parameters. Open the drop-down menu to the right of this
parameter and define the number of decimal places. You can choose
between F1 (one decimal place) and F4 (four decimal places).

Zooming in on and selecting elements in more reports

Earlier versions provided only a few reports in which you could click a
graphic or the unique 14-digit component ID to zoom in on and select
the element in the workspace or current view.

This is possible only in edit mode. Therefore, make sure that Print
Preview is not selected.

Tip: Point to a graphic, Now you can do this in the following reports:
unique component ID or • Rooms, surfaces, stories - DIN277 folder
name in the report. The
cursor changes to a hand if - Gross floor area, dimensions.rdlc
there is a connection - Gross room volume, dimensions.rdlc
between the report and the
element in the workspace. • Rooms, surfaces, stories - DIN277 2016 folder
- Gross floor area, dimensions.rdlc
- Gross room volume, dimensions.rdlc
• Rooms, surfaces, stories - rooms folder
- Proportionate window area.rdlc
- Proportionate glazing area.rdlc
- Concept, room groups.rdlc
- Room, base area.rdlc
- Room.rdlc
- Room geometry.rdlc
- Room volume incl. calculation.rdlc
New Features in Allplan 2020 Attributes and annotations 53

• Rooms, surfaces, stories - floor areas folder

- Room groups.rdlc
- Room groups, overview.rdlc
- Living space, overview.rdlc
- Living and secondary space (with dimensions).rdlc
- Living and secondary space.rdlc
- Floor area (round-off value).rdlc
- Floor area (tabular).rdlc
- Living space, name.rdlc
- Living space, text.rdlc
- Living space.rdlc
• Unfinished structure folder
- Roof covering.rdlc
- Slabs.rdlc
- Foundation.rdlc
- User-defined archit. elements.rdlc
- Roller shutter housing.rdlc
- Chimney.rdlc
- Lintels, headers.rdlc
- Columns.rdlc
- Downstand beams.rdlc
- Walls by calculation mode.rdlc
- Walls.rdlc
54 More new features and requests Allplan 2020

Editing reports with Visual Studio 2019 Community Edition

If you want to edit and convert your own reports or customized
reports in RDLC format in Allplan 2020, you need a version of
Microsoft Visual Studio; Microsoft Visual Web Developer 2008 is
no longer available.
You can use the current Microsoft Visual Studio 2019 Community
Edition, which is free. Although you need only an editor, which is
Microsoft Report Designer, you must install various parts of this
development environment on the computer.
You need the following components:
• Microsoft Visual Studio 2019 Community Edition
• An empty Visual Studio Project
• Report Viewer as a NuGet Package
• Report Designer as an extension (VSIX setup)
You can find detailed information on how to download, install and
configure Visual Studio 2019 Community Edition on Allplan
Connect (https://connect.allplan.com); go to the Training -
Documents area. You can also download a guide showing how to
create and edit user-defined reports.

Note: You can still use existing reports that you created yourself.
New Features in Allplan 2020 Views and sections 55

Views and sections

Views and sections come with numerous detail enhancements. For
example, you can now adjust the properties of multiple views or
sections simultaneously. This optimizes workflows.

Options
Most but not all options of reinforcement views apply to views and
sections too. To make this clear, we renamed the Reinforcement
views page in the Options. Its new name is Views. In addition, we
rearranged the settings on this page.
56 Axis grids in views and sections Allplan 2020

Axis grids in views and sections

Axis grids that were created with the new Axis Grid tool can be
displayed in views and sections. If at least one point where the axes
intersect is in the area of the view or section, you can click to define
the height of the axis label after you have placed the view or section.
You can use the input options to define whether you want to create
the gridlines from the top or from the bottom.

To add or remove axes later, you can use the Remove/Add

Axes tool. You can use this tool to display axes in views and sections
that you saved in a different drawing file or created by means of the
building structure. To do this, select the drawing file with the view or
section and the drawing file with the axis grid.
You can find this new tool in the Sections task area and on the
shortcut menu of a view or section, where it replaces the Auto-
Display Axes in Views tool.

To display a 2D Axis Grid in views and sections, you can use the
Auto-Display Axes in Views tool. In Allplan 2020, you can find
this tool only in the More tools with icons category on the
Customize tab of the Customize: Default dialog box.
New Features in Allplan 2020 Views and sections 57

Clipping path and section identifier

Preview of clipping path
When you choose to display the clipping line when you create the
clipping path, you can see a preview of the clipping path with the
arrows when you define the viewing direction.

Height for a section created from a view or section

When you define the clipping path within an existing view or section,
Allplan always takes the height values that are perpendicular to the
workspace from the view or section clicked. These are the values
indicating the top level and bottom level. However, these values
match the actual heights in the z-direction only when you click a plan
view.
When you create a section from a view or section that is in the x-
direction and y-direction, you must define the clipping path before
Allplan can determine the top level and bottom level. Therefore,
these parameters are no longer available after you have clicked the
view or section. Furthermore, the Height from elements parameter
is hidden by default.
58 Clipping path and section identifier Allplan 2020

Drawing file for clipping path

When you select the clipping path in the Generate Section palette,
you can see the section identifier followed by the number of the
drawing file that contains the clipping path, which is in parentheses.
Thus, you can clearly identify the clipping path when identical section
identifiers are in different drawing files.

Soffit for modification

The Soffit parameter is also available for modifying clipping paths
that you created by using the Advanced method.

Section identifier when copying clipping paths

When you copy clipping paths, Allplan automatically increments the
section identifier, using the value that comes after the greatest
section identifier.

Rearranging section identifiers

You can use the new Rearrange Section Identifiers tool in the
Sections task area to change the identifiers of all sections in the
current document and in drawing files open in edit mode.
After you have selected this tool, enter the first identifier in the
dialog line. Starting with this identifier, Allplan renames all sections.
As soon as you confirm, Allplan changes all section identifiers, closing
the tool automatically.

When you use letters and numbers in combination, Allplan always

increments the last digit. 0 comes after 9 and A after Z.
New Features in Allplan 2020 Views and sections 59

Multiple modifications
After you have selected the Modify View, Section tool in the
Sections task area, you can select several views and sections
together by enclosing them in a selection rectangle or by means of
the brackets. You can then modify the parameters in a single step.
If the selected views and sections have different settings, this is
indicated by the entry “varied”. You can also change different
settings into a new common setting.
60 Multiple modifications Allplan 2020

Special feature for source drawing files

The source drawing files always include all reference drawing files of
the views and sections selected. Here, you cannot see the entry
“varied”. To find out whether a drawing file is used by all views and
sections, have a look at the Select drawing file dialog box. The
check boxes of drawing files that are not assigned to all views and
sections are filled.

Different layers
If the selected views and sections do not use the same layers, the
Layer filter dialog box looks like this:

If, on the other hand, the selected views and sections use the same
layers but the visibility settings of these layers differ, layers that are
not visible in all views and sections get the following symbol:
New Features in Allplan 2020 Views and sections 61

More detail enhancements

Reference drawing files on the shortcut menu
You can list the reference drawing files for drawing files that contain
views and sections as you can do this for reinforcement views.

Tools do not close automatically

When you create views by using the Create View tool, the
Generate View palette no longer closes automatically after you
have placed the view and defined the axis labels. Thus, you can
immediately create another view.

When you create sections by using the Create Section tool, the
Generate Section palette opens again after you have placed the
section and defined the axis labels. Thus, you can immediately create
another section.
When you have created the section within an existing view or
section, Allplan also creates any other clipping paths within this view
or section until you select ESC. After this, you have the following
options:
• You create another clipping path in the model data.
• You select another view or section and create another clipping
path in this view or section.
• You close the tool by selecting ESC.
62 More detail enhancements Allplan 2020

Creating a section by means of the shortcut menu

If the selected drawing files contain a clipping path that you want to
use to create a section, you can select the Create Section tool
also on the shortcut menu of the clipping path. In this case, the
Generate Section palette opens immediately. After you have placed
the section, Allplan closes the tool automatically.

Removing or adding elements

When you work with the discrete Remove/Add Elements tool,
Allplan immediately removes the selected elements from the
selected view or section or displays them in the selected view or
section.
But when you use this tool in the Generate, Modify View palette or
the Generate, Modify Section palette, you still need to right-click in
the workspace to confirm the selection.

Matching views
When you work with the Create View and Modify View tools,
you can match the view from a viewport by clicking Match
parameters in the lower border of the 3D View palette and then
clicking the viewport whose view you want to use.

Specifications for labeling and displaying views and sections

with reinforcement
When you create views and sections with reinforcement, you can
use the options in the Reinforcement area of the Label palette to
tell Allplan to consider the specifications for labeling and displaying
reinforcement that are defined in the Options on the Views -
Representation and Views - Label pages. Just select the required
option.
New Features in Allplan 2020 Visual scripting 63

Visual scripting
Visual scripting
Allplan 2019 introduced visual scripting as a technical preview. Visual
scripting is a tool for graphically scripting (programming) certain
objects. It is ideal for parametric modeling of complex shapes,
creating frequently used custom objects, and automating
workflows.
• Visual scripting, which is an application within Allplan, runs in its
own window; Allplan stays open in the background.
• You place predefined program codes (nodes) in the workspace of
the visual scripting window and connect these nodes at
predefined docking places.
• The script is open; so is the palette with the necessary
parameters. You can change the parameters in the palette,
directly in the node or by means of handles.
• The model adapts immediately to the changes.
• Finally, you save the script. The result is a PythonPart, which you
can save in the library.
• By double-clicking a finished object placed in the drawing file, you
open the Properties palette, where you can change the
parameters of the object and save the object again.
• The “Getting Started” guide provides a quick and practical
introduction to visual scripting so that you can get started
immediately. To open this guide, start Allplan Visual Scripting and
click Help - Getting started on the toolbar of the visual
scripting window.
• The library includes more than 30 examples of predefined scripts.
To see these examples, click Open on the toolbar of the visual
scripting window and select the Examples folder on the left side
of the Open dialog box.
64 Visual scripting Allplan 2020

In addition to advanced functionality, Allplan 2020 comes with a

redesigned user interface, various new nodes and lots more.
• NEW: The library contains more nodes that you can use to create
scripts.
• NEW: If Allplan Visual Scripting cannot run a script, you get
information on how to correct the script.
• NEW: In Allplan 2020, you can find visual scripting by default on
the Actionbar in the User-Defined Objects task: Allplan
Visual Scripting
New Features in Allplan 2020 Allplan international 65

Allplan international
Internationalization
In order to better support US standard projects, Allplan 2020 comes
with extensive additions specifically in the area of reinforcement:
You can now find standardized and user-defined bar shapes,
adapted reinforcement legends and interfaces for the reinforcement
manufacturers aSa and Soulé. In addition, Allplan 2020 supports
reinforcement products of the manufacturer HRC.

New reinforcement legend

You can find the new Bar schedule - ACI legend in the Reinfor-
cing Bar Legend tool. This legend contains all bar marks in
accordance with shape codes; bending shapes are not included. The
lengths are in imperial units.
66 Internationalization Allplan 2020

Exporting bar reinforcement

You can find two new tools in the Bar Reinforcement task area of
the Reinforcement task. These tools transfer steel quantities and
bending information to the aSa fabrication software and Soule
software for further editing.

After having selected the Export aSa or Export Soule tool,

you can define further information and the folder and name of the
export file in a dialog box. Some entries are predefined and cannot be
changed.

When you confirm the dialog box, Allplan creates a TEK or XML file
with the most important parameters. Bar reinforcement placed in
polygon and mesh reinforcement are not yet included.
New Features in Allplan 2020 Allplan international 67

More attributes
To transfer the required parameters for the new export tools and to
create legends for selected bending shapes, you can use the
following new engineering attributes:
• Impact load
• Coating
• Reinforcement item, reinforcement name, special component
for reinforcement, and reinforcement version
• Bending dimensions ACI [a-r] and all individual bending
dimensions from bending dimensions ACI [a] to [r]
• Bar overlap
• Shape
• Load
• Exposed concrete class
• Bending shape key ACI
68 Internationalization Allplan 2020

HRC elements for connections and anchorage

The Coupler, Thread, Connecting Bar tool in the Bar
Reinforcement task area provides the new HRC manufacturer. In
addition to elements for the US, the article catalog contains
elements of the product ranges for Europe and Canada. Except for
the elements of the HRC 670 series, all products are manufactured
by a friction-forging process and delivered as finished reinforcing
elements to the construction site. For production, you must always
specify the length of the reinforcing bar including the HRC element.
Standard couplers and position couplers of the HRC 400 series and
T-headed bars of the HRC 100 series are available in all product
ranges.
In addition, the product range for Europe contains the HRC 220
elements of the HRC 200 series and steel-concrete fixing of the
HRC 700 series. When it comes to the product range for the US, you
can also find T-heads of the HRC 670 series and headed rebars of
the HRC 555 series.
New Features in Allplan 2020 Allplan international 69

Note that the heads might be rotated to each other (with the rebar
as the rotation axis). If the position of the heads is important, select
one or two circular T-heads (HRC 150) to control positions of both
heads.

Notes on installing
When you select the Custom setup type for upgrading, the
manufacturer catalogs will not be selected automatically; therefore,
they will not be updated either. Although new manufacturers will be
entered, their data will not be copied. To get the current catalog data
when upgrading with the Custom setup type, scroll down to
Manufacturer-specific office data when you see the Select
features dialog box and select the HRC entry.
70 More new features and requests Allplan 2020

More new features and requests

Enhanced default settings for the US
By popular request from our customers, Allplan 2020 comes with
enhanced default settings for the US. So, you no longer need to
make tedious and time-consuming settings after you have started
the program for the first time.
For example, this applies to the following default settings:
• Crosshairs
• Texts and dimension lines
• Finish elements
• Concrete strength grade
• Bar length, bar spacing
• Mesh length, mesh width, placement limit for excess mesh
• BAMTEC bar length, carpet weight
• ...
New Features in Allplan 2020 User interface 71

User interface
New dialog box for keyboard shortcuts
A new shortcut dialog has been developed for faster access to
frequently used tools. The Quick Access Toolbar - Default
Settings drop-down list contains the new Shortcuts tool. This
opens the Keyboard Shortcuts dialog box, where you can define
keyboard shortcuts or modify the predefined keyboard shortcuts.

The area on the left lists the task areas of the Actionbar; the area on
the right lists the tools of the selected task area and the shortcuts
that have already been defined. You can find general tools without
icons or tools that do not belong to a task area in the More tools or
More tools without icons group.
The upper area of the Keyboard Shortcuts dialog box contains a
Search box. You can use this Search box to find tools across task
areas.
When you can see the tool to which you want to assign a keyboard
shortcut in the table on the right side, click in this line in the
Shortcuts column and enter the required keyboard shortcut. If this
keyboard shortcut is already in use, you will see a message.
72 Quick access toolbar Allplan 2020

Buttons in the dialog box

• Use Export to save the defined keyboard shortcuts as a *.shc
file in any folder.
• Use Import to load a *.shc file. The tools then display the
keyboard shortcuts imported.
• Use Reset to undo all changes, thus restoring the default
settings.
• Use Save to save these user-specific settings to the registry.

Quick access toolbar

The Quick Access Toolbar contains more tools that you use
frequently.

More tools in the View drop-down list

The View drop-down list contains the Define Grid Settings,
Grid on/off and Show Coordinate System tools, which used
to be only in the Work Environment task area.

Tool: save and upload

You need the Save and Upload tool when you work with Allplan
Share. You can now access this tool straight from the Quick Access
Toolbar:
New Features in Allplan 2020 User interface 73

More new features and requests

Objects palette - transparency
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. Allplan 2020
provides a new criterion for sorting objects - transparency.
Note: The transparency setting affects the animation view type
only. Make sure the Use OpenGL for all viewports option is selected
in the Hardware acceleration - graphics area on the Desktop
environment - Display page in the Options.
You can now make objects transparent. You can do this for all
objects in one go or for each object individually in each list row. Use
the following buttons:

= from 0% to 100% (by steps of 20%)

Point to the symbol to select the degree of transparency.
indicates that this hierarchical level includes both objects with
transparency and objects without transparency.
indicates that all objects of this hierarchical level have
transparency settings of 100%, which means that these objects are
not visible in animation.
When you point to objects that cannot be made transparent (for
example, 2D objects), you can see the following note: Transparency
not available for these objects.
Note: Some 3D objects (for example, SmartParts for opening
elements) cannot be made transparent for the time being. When you
make a component (for example, a wall) transparent and this
component contains such objects, Allplan hides these objects (for
example, SmartParts for opening elements). As soon as you turn
transparency off, all objects are visible again.
These settings apply to the animation view type only.
74 More new features and requests Allplan 2020

Properties palette for editing elements

The Properties palette provides more options for modifying
elements. In addition, you can now edit the following elements:
• 3D splines (spline type, degree, closed, control points and
interpolated points)

Document size increased

You can use the docsize hotline tool (Services application - Service
- Hotline Tools) to adjust the amount of memory that Allplan reser-
ves for all loaded documents to the hardware of your computer.
You can select a maximum document size of 2048 MB. We
recommend that you use this setting only with very large volumes
of data and above-average hardware (fast processor; 16 GB of
RAM).

New path settings in the Options - Desktop environment

You can define the folder for more file types by clicking the Path
settings button in the Options - Desktop environment:
• Export loaded drawing files, layout with resources
• Import loaded drawing files, layout with resources
• View scheme
The last path you selected is the default setting.

Path setting for PDF export

The default setting for PDF Export has changed: Instead of the
project, the last path you selected is the default setting.
New Features in Allplan 2020 Exchanging data 75

Exchanging data
Interfaces
The IFC interface is continuously being further developed. The full
support of NURBS during import enhances the exchange of free-
form geometry. In addition, you can assign different attributes
during import and export.
Some enhancements were implemented in parallel for Allplan 2020
and Allplan 2019-1 (and later). This section does not mention new
features that were already included in hotfixes for Allplan 2019.
The SketchUp interface now supports the 2018 format; the CPIXML
export has been updated to version 1.7.

IFC attribute assignment

When working on a BIM project, users often need to assign some
attributes to a specific property set. Since Allplan 2017, you have
been able to assign attributes for importing and exporting IFC data
by editing different files for IFC 2x3 and IFC 4.

When you use the Import IFC Data and Export IFC Data tools
(new interface), you can assign attributes by means of an editor.
Allplan 2020 no longer differentiates between IFC versions;
therefore, you no longer need to include the version in the header.
If the BIM execution plan includes guidelines for assigning attributes,
you can assemble the attributes directly in the table in the editor.
• You can load the configuration files with the assigned attributes
from any path.
• You can load and edit existing attribute assignments that you
created yourself.
76 Interfaces Allplan 2020

Selecting the configuration file for IFC attribute assignment

Earlier versions selected user-defined configuration files
automatically if these files had certain names and were saved in the
USR/local folder. These restrictions apply only to the old interface.
When you use the new interface, you can select the user-defined
configuration file directly in the IFC Export, Import Settings dialog
box when you export or import IFC data. To open this dialog box,
click Settings.
The Exchange profiles tab - Attribute assignment area provides
the configuration files that you have already used. Click Find... to
select other files; click New... to create a new configuration file.
indicates the file that the program currently uses to export or
import data.
New Features in Allplan 2020 Exchanging data 77

Editor for attribute assignment

You have the following options to open the editor for attribute
assignment in the IFC Export, Import Settings dialog box:
• Go to the Attribute assignment area, click Find..., select the
folder and file containing the attribute assignment and add this
file to the selection. Then, double-click the attribute assignment.
• Double-click an attribute assignment that has already been
added to the selection.
• Select an attribute assignment that has already been added to
the selection and click Edit.
• Click New..., define the folder and name for the new attribute
assignment and click Save.
78 Interfaces Allplan 2020

The editor has two areas:

• For import, the area on the left is sorted by property set; for
export, it is sorted by Allplan object. General attribute
assignments apply to all property sets or objects. In addition, you
can create specific assignments that are superordinate to the
respective general assignments.
- For import, you enter the names of the property sets
manually.
- For export, you select the Allplan object in the list box by
clicking . The following objects are predefined: Beam,
BuildingElementProxy, Chimney, Column, Covering,
CurtainWall, Door, ElementAssembly, Footing, Furniture,
Member, Opening, Pile, Plate, Railing, Ramp, Roof,
ShadingDevice, Slab, Space, Stair, Wall, Window
- You can enter more Allplan object names manually in the box.
You can enter up to 20 free object names below the dividing
line. When you enter more than 20 object names, the first
entry will be deleted from the list.
- When you select an object that can consist of several layers,
use to add a layer below. The following objects are
multilayer Allplan objects: covering, opening, roof, and wall.
• Select the objects to which you want to assign attributes in the
area on the left.
• Assign the attributes to the property sets or Allplan objects in the
area on the right:
- When you import an IFC file to Allplan, you assign an Allplan
attribute to an IFC attribute (IFC property).
- When you export IFC data, you assign an IFC attribute (IFC
property) together with a property set to an Allplan attribute.

• The controls of the editor are familiar to you: Click to delete

property sets, objects or attributes assigned; click to enter
new property sets, objects or attributes. Click to open the
Attribute Selection dialog box and select an Allplan attribute.
New Features in Allplan 2020 Exchanging data 79

• If notes are available for an attribute assignment, this is indicated

by the or symbol. You can find further information in the
symbol’s ToolTip in the Annotations column. You cannot save
the attribute assignment if it includes assignments that are
empty or not valid.
You can find detailed information on the editor in the Allplan Help.

New option: transfer assigned attributes only

By selecting the Transfer assigned attributes only option in the IFC
Export, Import Settings dialog box, you no longer need to transfer
all Allplan attributes of an object; instead, you can limit the transfer to
the special attributes of the object.

Priorities of attribute assignments

• High priority: a user-specific attribute assignment selected in the
IFC Export, Import Settings dialog box or an attribute
assignment in the ...\USR\Local folder.
• Medium priority: a user-specific attribute assignment in the
office standard (...\STD\Ifc)
• Low priority: the default attribute assignment in the
...\ETC\Ifc folder

Attribute assignment and exchange profile

The exchange profile also includes the current attribute assignment.
When you select an exchange profile, Allplan loads the associated
attribute assignment automatically.
80 Interfaces Allplan 2020

IFC ID
Allplan provides an independent IFC ID, transferring this ID when you
export and import IFC data. The IFC ID uniquely identifies an object.
Allplan and IFC viewers display this IFC ID, making it easier for you to
find components in Allplan and the viewer.

IFC export
IFC 2x3 export of floor slabs, roofs and openings
When you use the new interface to export floor slabs, roofs, and
openings to the IFC 2x3 format, be sure to note the following
changes in the QuantitySets:
The quantities (geometric data and quantity data) of floor slabs,
which used to be in the SlabBaseQuantities QuantitySet, are now in
the AllplanQuantities PropertySet. These quantities are not
included in the IFC standard; they are additionally provided by Allplan.
The quantities of the IFC standard are still included in the
SlabQuantities QuantitySet.
So that the names of the QuantitySets are more consistent,
RoofQuantities replaces RoofBaseQuantities for roofs, and
OpeningElementQuantities replaces
OpeningElementBaseQuantities for openings.
New Features in Allplan 2020 Exchanging data 81

More new features for IFC export

When you use the Import IFC Data and Export IFC Data tools
(new interface), you can assign attributes by means of an editor.
Allplan 2020 no longer differentiates between IFC versions;
therefore, you no longer need to include the version in the header.

Export IFC Data (new interface) provides more new features:

• When you export IFC data, Allplan transfers openings in specific
components only. This applies to the following components:
- Wall (IfcWall)
- Downstand beam, upstand beam (IfcBeam)
- Column (IfcColumn)
- Slab (IfcSlab)
- Roof (IfcRoof)
- Foundation (IfcFooting)
- BuildingElementProxy
When you assign a different IfcObjectType to the component
(for example, IfcPlate instead of IfcSlab), openings will not be
transferred.
• When you assign an IfcObjectType to an Allplan object, this object
will be transferred as a BRep. If the IfcObjectType assigned
matches the native Allplan element type, the program ignores
the assignment, trying to transfer the element not as a BRep.
This prevents loss of quality during IFC export.
• IFC export transfers structural framing objects as objects
created by extrusion. You can create these objects by using the
Structural Framing Column and Structural Framing
Beam tools.
82 Interfaces Allplan 2020

• When you export IFC data, Allplan transfers the following objects
that you created with tools in the Landscaping and Urban
Planning tasks:
- plants, plots and drawing as IfcGeographicElement
- paths as IfcCivilElement
- buildings as IfcBuildingElementProxy
• Allplan transfers the labels of most architectural components.
• When you export data of doors and windows, the
AllplanAttributes PropertySet gets a suffix in parentheses (for
example, for smart window symbols, roller blind housings or
window sills), which can cause problems. When exporting data to
the IFC4 format, Allplan no longer adds the suffix when the
Combine smart opening symbols option is not selected in the
IFC Export, Import Settings.

IFC import
The new IFC interface provides many new features, which you can
find in the most recent hotfixes for Allplan 2019 and in Allplan 2020.
As a result, you can use the new IFC interface as the default not only
for IFC export but also for IFC import.

When you select the Import IFC Data tool, Allplan uses the new
interface for import too. In earlier versions, you had to use the
Import IFC 4 Data tool. When you drag IFC files from File Explorer
into the workspace or double-click an IFC file, Allplan uses the new
interface to import the data.
Allplan 2020 still provides the conventional interface; you can open
it by selecting the Import IFC 2x3 Data tool. This tool will no longer
be available in future Allplan versions.
New Features in Allplan 2020 Exchanging data 83

Importing IFC ZIP files directly

You can use the new interface to import files of the IFC ZIP format
directly without having to unzip the files beforehand. You can select
the following formats for import: IFC 4, IFC XML 4, IFC 2x3, IFC XML
2x3, XML, and IFC ZIP.

More new features for IFC import

Import IFC Data (new interface) provides more new features:

• When importing IFC data, you can find the new Import all
components as user-defined archit. Elements option in the
Advanced options in the IFC Export, Import Settings dialog
box. Use this option if your work requires only the geometries of
the components without any attributes. This option is not
selected by default.
• Allplan no longer imports components grouped as an
IfcElementAssembly (such as IfcReinforcingBars) as user-
defined architectural elements but as an element group of
original elements. When the Import all components as user-
defined archit. elements option is selected, Allplan transfers the
grouped components as an element group of user-defined
architectural elements.
• Allplan imports the following profile types: IfcIShapeProfile and
IfcAsymmetricIShapeProfile.
• Allplan imports sweep solids or sweep surfaces of which the
profiles are defined as IfcTrapeziumProfileDef.
84 Attribute values from Bimplus Allplan 2020

Attribute values from Bimplus

Importing attribute values of 3D solids from Bimplus
In earlier versions, you could import only attributes of Allplan
architectural components (wall, slab, column, and so on) from
Bimplus projects to Allplan.
Now you can also import attribute values of any 3D solids. Thus,
users can easily synchronize the attributes of projects across
disciplines, which contributes to greater efficiency.

Use the Import Attribute Values from Bimplus tool as usual. You
can find this tool in the Bimplus task area of the Teamwork task.
You can find further information in the Allplan Help; see “Planning
projects with standardized Bimplus property sets“.
New Features in Allplan 2020 Exchanging data 85

UTM coordinate transformation

Earlier versions handled UTM, Gauss-Krüger or Swissgrid
coordinates as offset coordinates. When you Import AutoCAD
and MicroStation data, you can now use the Coordinate
transformation area in the Settings to define how to transform
data in the UTM coordinate system into data of a Gauss-Krüger
coordinate system.
86 UTM coordinate transformation Allplan 2020

Coordinate transformation (import only)

You can define how to transform data in the UTM coordinate system
into data of a Gauss-Krüger coordinate system. You can see the
current assignment. The log file lists the source system, destination
system, and NTv2 grid file.

Click to open the Export, Import Settings dialog box for selecting
the coordinate systems:

Country
Select the country and region or federal state.

NTv2 file
Select the required grid file.

Source system
Select the coordinate system of the source data. According to
INSPIRE, this is a UTM coordinate system.

Destination system
Select the required Gauss-Krüger coordinate system.

Change transformation direction

Select the system that you want to use for coordinate
transformation.

Info
You can see further information. This also includes sources of supply
for grid files, which Allplan is not allowed to provide.
New Features in Allplan 2020 Exchanging data 87

Point clouds
In cooperation with Scalypso, a plug-in was developed for
processing point clouds in Allplan. With the converter included in the
plug-in, you can import scan data in various formats, both from the
manufacturer-neutral ASTM E57 format and from the
manufacturer-specific formats of Faro, Leica, Riegl, Topcon, Trimble
and Zoller+Fröhlich as well as from ASCII formats. You can then
transfer selected 3D points to your Allplan project. For more
intensive use, there is an extended version tailored to individual
requirements. For example, you can thus calculate horizontal
sections automatically and derive precise floor plans or building
models from these sections in no time at all.

Installing the Scalypso plug-in

You can download the installation data for the Scalypso plug-in
from Allplan Connect (https://connect.allplan.com). The Services
application takes you straight to the relevant page: Service -
Scalypso plug-in.
You can find the Scan Converter and Scan Modeler tools on the
Actionbar - Teamwork task - Import task area. Run the Scalypso
setup to use these tools.
88 More new features and requests Allplan 2020

More new features and requests

CPIXML interface
Current format
You can select the file type for the Export CPIXML Data tool.
The current format is CPIXML file 2017 (*.CPIXML); the former
CPIXML file 2.3 (*.CPIXML) format is still available to ensure
compatibility.

Conditions for finish specifications

CPIXML export considers finish specifications with conditions when
you use the CPIXML file 2017 (*.CPIXML) format.

Current SketchUp format

You can use the current SketchUp format 2018 when you Import
SketchUp Data and Export SketchUp Data. Import detects the
format automatically; you can select the format for export:
New Features in Allplan 2020 Details and requests 89

Details and requests

Again, we were able to put a great number of your
requests and ideas into practice, making Allplan more
efficient and easier to use. The following pages present
some examples from various areas, making your daily
work easier.

Teamwork
Working in network environments
Allplan Share Project Explorer
With Allplan Share Project Explorer, the project administrator can
use the shortcut menu to upload files to Allplan Share or download
files from Allplan Share to the local Allplan TMP folder. Allplan Share
Project Explorer cannot be used for uploading drawing files or
layouts.
To access Allplan Share Project Explorer, open the New Project,
Open Project dialog box and click Manage project files on the
shortcut menu of an Allplan Share project. You can then use the
shortcut menu to upload, download, edit, and delete files.

Backing up drawing files and layouts automatically

Allplan creates a backup copy of each drawing file and layout that
you change and upload, saving these backup copies in the local file
storage folder in backup\Ndw (drawing files) and in
backup\Layout (layouts). Allplan saves the last three versions of
each drawing file and layout, naming the files according to the
following pattern: [file name]_[yyymmdd]_[hhmm].
90 Architecture Allplan 2020

Allplan Performance Diagnostics

The Allplan Performance Diagnostics support tool provides the
following new features:
• Shows computers that have been added to the workgroup later.
• Shows servers with Linux file systems.

Architecture
New option for number of segments of component profiles
When you enter a component - such as a Slab - by using the
polyline entry tools, you can define the number of segments. In
earlier versions, this setting also applied to components with outlines
saved as symbols, such as Column, Downstand Beam,
Upstand Beam, Recess, Opening in Slab, Strip Foundation
or Beam in the Roof task area.
You can now define the number of segments for polylines
independently of the setting for components. Allplan manages the
number of segments for components in the Component profile area
on the Components and architecture page in the Options.

The new Number of segments option controls the segmentation

and thus the data volume when you select a profile saved as a
symbol for the components mentioned. Allplan uses this setting
whenever you create these components. You can change this
setting at any time.
So that you can define the number of segments when you enter
these components, you can now find the options for component
profile directly in the Properties dialog box. When you click this
symbol, Allplan takes you straight to the Component profile area in
New Features in Allplan 2020 Details and requests 91

the Options so that you can define the number of segments by

entering a value between 8 and 360; the default setting is 36.

Note: The number of segments apply when you create a

component. You cannot change the number of segments in a
component later.

Room surfaces in RGB colors

Fills that you created by using the Assign Surface Elements to
Rooms, Surfaces, Stories tool were limited to 256 colors in earlier
versions. Now you can select from all RGB colors.
When you open the Assign Surface Elements to Rooms, ... dialog
box, you can find the button to the right of the drop-down list for
selecting the Fill color. Click this button to open the Select RGB
Color dialog box. Allplan adds the selected RGB color to the end of
the drop-down list. Click to match any RGB color from the
drawing file.
This option is particularly useful if the client requires you to use a
color code for rooms which is not covered by the 256 Allplan colors.
92 Engineering Allplan 2020

Room enclosure (DIN 277)

When you create rooms, open the DIN 277, Floor Area tab:
Enclosure type was renamed room enclosure; this is the term used
in DIN 277.

Programs of Valentin Software GmbH

Allplan 2020 no longer provides the tools for accessing the PVSOL
Expert, TSOL Pro and GeoTSOL programs of Valentin Software
GmbH. These tools used to be in the Energy Consulting task area of
the Energy task.

Engineering
Label patterns
In Allplan 2018 and earlier versions, you could find the tools for
exporting and importing label patterns in the Concrete
Construction module. Now you can find these tools again in the
Reinforcement Tools.
You can use these tools for views and sections of the Sections and
Reinforcement Views task areas.
New Features in Allplan 2020 Details and requests 93

Basic features
Axis grids with custom labels
When you work with the Axis Grid tool, you can now use custom
labels for the axes. To do this, select Custom text for the
Numbering parameter. The Label box appears. You can now enter
the labels of the gridlines; use semicolons to separate the labels.
When you switch from default numbering to custom text, Allplan
uses the numbering defined until you change it.

If you enter more or fewer labels than there are gridlines, Allplan
corrects the entry automatically. If there is no text between two
semicolons, Allplan does not create a label for the corresponding
gridline.
When you switch from custom text to default numbering, you can
see a message telling you that the custom text will be lost.
94 Basic features Allplan 2020

When you use default numbering, Allplan updates the labels when
you change or delete axes. But when you use custom text, the
labels remain unchanged, that is, Allplan does not label axes that you
add later.
You can change the labels of the axes in the palette or by using
Modify Axis Label on the shortcut menu of the point handle.
As the semicolon separates axis labels, you cannot use it within a
label.

Layout editor
NDW layout element
When you work with the Actionbar configuration, you can no longer
find the NDW Layout Element tool on the flyout menu of the
Export Layouts tool but on the flyout menu of the Layout
Element tool.

User-defined attributes
By means of property manager, you can expand the 20 default
layout user attributes to include up to 100 layout user attributes.
Contact your sales partner for more information.

Advanced layout attributes

You can use more characters for the following layout attributes:
• Layout name (127 characters)
• Index note (254 characters)
• Note general (> 254 characters)
New Features in Allplan 2020 Index 95

Index
columns 7, 8
3 component profiles, number of
360° panorama 42 segments 90
3D solids 36 components linked with offset
attribute values from Bimplus planes 12
84 converted user-defined
architectural elements 14
A
copy along any path 33
advanced layout attributes 94 CPIXML interface 88
Allplan Bridge 45 custom label for axis grid 93
Allplan Performance Diagnostics
90 D
Allplan Share dimension task area 31
save and upload 72 dimensioning, associative 27
assigning surface elements to editing dimensioning 30
rooms, surfaces, stories 91 projects from earlier versions
associative dimensioning 27 31
editing dimensioning 30 document size 74
exceptions 31
projects from earlier versions E
31 extracting a reference surface 17
attributes 49, 50
advanced layout attributes 94
H
assigning attributes by means height for section created from
of the properties palette 49 view or section 57
attribute values, Bimplus HRC elements for connections
import 84 and anchorage 68
export in XLSX format 47
I
for structural framing objects
25 IFC 2x3 export 80
new feature in engineering 67 IFC attribute assignment 75
transferring attributes 49 IFC export 80, 81
unit, calculation mode 50 IFC import 82, 83
axis grid 93 IFC ID 80
in views and sections 56 IFC ZIP 83
with custom labels 93 Importieren
attribute values, 3D solids 84
B
L
bridge construction 45
label patterns 92
C labeling 32
CineRender 42 labeling objects 32
96 Index Allplan 2020

layout user attributes 94 report viewer 50

report, floor area (round-off
M value) 51
modeling 33 results of areas in reports 51
more attributes in engineering 67 Visual Studio 2019 Community
Edition 54
N
results of areas in reports 51
new reinforcement legend 65 roof surface (tool) 5
number of roof covering layers 6 room enclosure (DIN 277) 92
number of segments for round room surfaces in RGB colors 91
columns 8 RT-Render
number of segments of image resolution, custom 37
component profiles 90 noise reduction, new 37
O resolution, maximum 37
sky light 41
objects palette - transparency spherical panorama 42
73 tone mapping 37
offset planes 9 two-point perspective 37
options - desktop environment viewport, resizing 37
74 white balance 37
P S
panorama 42 save to 74
panorama, spherical 42 Scalypso plug-in, installing 87
path settings, options - desktop shortcuts (tool) 71
environment 74 SketchUp format 88
point clouds 87 sky light 41
Scalypso plug-in, installing 87 spherical panorama 42
programs of Valentin Software stair modeler 3
GmbH 92 structural framing objects 19
properties palette 49 annotations 25
assigning attributes 49 attributes 25
editing splines 74 filter 25
Q modification 23
structural framing beam 19
quick access, toolbar 72
structural framing column 19
R T
rearrange section identifier 57
task area, dimension 31
reference surface in properties
tone mapping 37
palette 17
reinforcement export 66 U
relative height of roof covering 5 US default settings 70
reports 50, 51, 52, 54 using planes 9
editing reports 54 UTM coordinate transformation
for structural framing objects 85, 86
25
New Features in Allplan 2020 Index 97

V
view drop-down list, more tools
72
views and sections 55
axis grids 56
clipping path 57
matching views 61
multiple modifications 59
options 55
reference drawing files 61
remove/add elements 61
section by means of shortcut
menu 61
section identifier 57
specifications for labeling and
displaying reinforcement 61
visual scripting 63
Visual Studio 2019 Community
Edition 54
W
white balance 37
X
XSLX format for exporting
attributes 47