Space settings

Parameter

Description

Style

From the Resource Selector, double-click a resource to activate it, or click Unstyled. If a styled object is converted to unstyled, the current values are retained, but all parameters are set to By Instance to allow editing.

By Style/Instance

A graphic indicates whether each parameter is set to By Style and given a fixed value or set to By Instance and editable in the dialog box. An object style may have a combination of both settings, to balance the need for consistency and flexibility.

By Style/Instance settings are established by the style and cannot be changed from the settings dialog box.

To edit the object style, see Editing plug-in object styles; editing the style modifies all plug-in objects in the file that use the style.

Space Area previews

The right pane of the dialog box displays previews of the space's schematic plan and schematic volume. Specify in Space Area whether to display the gross or net area schematics. The previews display common subarea object types, such as niches and columns, but do not represent an actual space.

Parameter

Description

Space Number

Displays the space number based on the current settings on the pane and cannot be edited

Space Number Type

Specifies the type of numbering to use on space objects.

Label Text: The text in the Label Text field is the space number.

Incrementing Value: Automatically assigns the next available number, according to the Incrementing Value settings.

Custom combinations: The space number is a combination of items, and can include an incrementing value, space-related variables, and/or static text. Combinations you create display below the Incrementing Value option on the list.

Edit Combinations: Opens a dialog box to create or edit combination number types; see Custom number types.

Label Text

Label Text functionality depends on the Space Number Type setting:

Label Text: Specifies text to be stored as both the space number label text and space number; the text can be edited from the Object Info palette or worksheets

Incrementing Value: The space number is a simple incrementing value, so the Label Text field is not available

Combination type: Specifies text that can be used in a space number combination

Incrementing Value

These can be integers (1, 2, 3 ...), or upper or lower case letters (A, B ... Z, AA, AB, AC ...). When editing a space, you can set this value directly. When setting space preferences, specify the following:

Start Value: Value to assign to the first new space

Increment: Amount to increment the value of each new space

Next Value: Value to assign to the next new space that is created

Manage

When editing a space, opens a dialog box to adjust the automatic space numbers; see Manage Sequence dialog box

Parameter

Description

Space Type

Identifies a space as either Normal (for example, a room) or Full Floor (the entire floor of a building)

Space Name

Specifies the space name; the spaces in an adjacency matrix are listed by space name, and the space name can also be used in space labels. Select a name from the list, or select Custom and enter a name.

The list displays all available space names, compiled from lists in the Vectorworks program folder, your user folder, and your designated workgroup folder.

To customize a space name list, click Edit List to open the Edit Space - Space Name List dialog box. See Editing lists of space names and occupant organizations. 

Occupant Type

Specifies the occupant type (owner, tenant, lessee, and so on). Select a type from the list, or select USERDEFINED and enter a name in the field below the pull-down list.

Occup. Organization

Specifies the organization associated with the occupant; the spaces in the stacking diagram are grouped by the organization name.

This field is very similar to the Space Name field above. Select a name from the list, or select Custom and enter a name in the field below the pull-down list.

To customize an occupant organization list, select Edit List open the Edit Space - Occ Organization List dialog box.

Occupant Name

Specifies the individual occupant name

Proposed Area

Specifies the programmed area for the space

Assign Zones

Click the column to the left of a zone name to select it. Up to five zones of different types can be assigned to a space; only one zone can be assigned from each zone type (HVAC, Preservation, Security, and so on).

When you edit a space from the Object Info palette, click the Assign Zones button to open a dialog box with the same zone information that displays on the Occupancy pane.

To customize the zones list, click New to open the Create Zone dialog box.

To add a zone to an existing zone type, select the Zone Type, enter the Zone Name.

To create a new zone type, select Add New Zone Type from the Zone Type list, enter a name.

To delete a zone, click the zone name, and click Delete to remove the zone from the list.

GSA Occupancy

If Enable GSA is selected (Advanced Settings pane), opens the GSA Occupancy dialog box to enter the data required for GSA projects (see GSA data). When the drawing is complete, select File > Export > Export IFC Project to save the file in IFC format.

Parameter

Description

Standard Space Areas

Standard space area list

The net and gross areas of the space are listed; you can select options in each list column to determine how these areas display

By Style

For a styled space, click in this column to control the visibility by space style. If deselected, the space instance settings determine the visibility.

Create

Click in this column to display the polygon that defines the space boundary in the drawing area; both net and gross boundary polygons can be shown at the same time

Area Definition

Select which definition to use for the gross space boundary/polygon and gross area calculations

Edit

Depending which list row is selected, opens the Standard Net Area Settings dialog box or the Standard Gross Area Settings dialog box; see below

Duplicate to Detailed Space Areas

Converts the selected space area to a detailed area, and adds it to the Detailed Space Area (document-wide) list below

Detailed Space Areas

Detailed Space Area (document wide) list

 Lists all available detailed space areas in the active file

New/Edit

Creates a new detailed space area in the file or edits the selected space area; see Detailed space area settings

Export

Exports the selected detailed space area to the user folder and/or selected workgroup folder

Space Area Library Manager

Opens the Space Area Manager dialog box to manage space areas available in the active file or in the space area library; see Space Area Manager

Add>>

Adds the detailed space area that's available in the file to the current space object

<<Remove

Removes the detailed space area from the space

Detailed Space Area (in space object) list

Lists the detailed space areas added to the current space object

Room Dimensions

Calculate room dimensions

Automatically calculates the Length and Width dimensions of the space object; when deselected, the Length and Width can be entered manually

Length/Width

Displays the dimensions of the space; when Calculate room dimensions is deselected, the Length and Width can be entered manually. Manual changes affect the display of the length and width values, but do not change the actual dimensions of the space object.

Window-to-Space and Glass-to-Space Area Ratio

When editing a space, select whether to use the net or gross area to calculate the glazing area ratio for all spaces in the file

Parameter

Description

Space Volume 1 (IFC Net)/Space Volume 2 (IFC Gross)

Displays the IFC net (space volume 1) and/or IFC gross (space volume 2) space volume and enables the associated settings; the actual net or gross volume depends on the height boundary selections and any offsets

Based on Space Area

Select which space area is used to build the volume

Height

Directly sets the desired net or gross height of the space. When the space height is determined manually by this method, the Top Bound property of the space is automatically set to Layer Elevation, and the Top Offset value is modified accordingly.

When the top of the space is bound by the layer wall height value or by a story level, the space height displays automatically.

Top Bound

Sets the vertical reference that determines the top of the space.

The Layer Wall Height value is set by the design layer (see Setting design layer properties). 

Alternatively, for the Architect and Landmark products, the top of the space can be bound by one of the story levels defined for the story or the story above it. By setting the top of the space to a level type, if the elevation of the associated story changes, the height of the space changes automatically to match.

Top Offset

Sets the offset of the top of the space from its specified top bound height

Uses constrained objects for top

If the top of the space object was clipped so that it is no longer horizontal (using the command Fit Top of Space to Objects), the Height, Top Bound, and Top Offset fields are disabled. Click Remove to change the top of the space to a horizontal edge.

Bottom Bound

Sets the vertical reference that determines the bottom of the space. Alternatively, for the Architect and Landmark products, the bottom of the space can be bound by one of the story levels defined for the story or the story below it. By setting the bottom of the space to a level type, if the elevation of the associated story changes, the height of the space changes automatically to match.

Bottom Offset

For the bottom of the space, sets the offset from its specified bottom bound height

Uses constrained objects for bottom

If the bottom of the space object was clipped so that it is no longer horizontal (using the command Fit Bottom of Space to Objects), the Height, Bottom Bound, and Bottom Offset fields are disabled. Click Remove to change the bottom of the space to a horizontal edge.

Parameter

Description

Data Tags for this Space

Lists the data tag styles assigned to the space.

You can also use the Data Tag tool to apply a tag to a space; manually applied tags are not listed here.

By Style

If the space is styled, specifies whether the data tag's visibility is controlled by style or by instance. In the drawing, a selected data tag has an icon to indicate the current setting.

The left tag can only be made invisible if the space's style is changed. To make the right tag invisible, click the Visible setting, or delete the tag.

Visible

Specifies whether the data tag is visible in the drawing. If the visibility is controlled by instance, you can also delete a tag from the drawing to make it invisible; change the setting here to make the tag visible again.

Add

Opens the Choose Data Tag Style dialog box to select a data tag for the space

Replace

Opens the Choose Data Tag Style dialog box to select a data tag to replace the selected tag

Delete

Deletes the selected data tag from the list

Parameter

Description

Space Object Class

To control appearance and visibility, select a class for the entire space object from the list of classes present in the drawing, or create a new class

Graphic Attributes

Lists all geometry that has graphic attributes settings.

The class and graphic attributes of each part of the object are displayed. Double-click a line to set attributes for the part; see The Attributes palette.

To control appearance and visibility, select a class from the list of classes present in the drawing, or create a new class. Select <Object Class> to place the category in the same class as the space object.

When you set the default preferences for the Space tool, the attributes for the 2D area are not available, because they are determined by the Attributes palette. When you edit a space using the Settings button from the Object Info palette, all of the 2D boundary parameters are available.

Make All Attributes by Class

Sets all fill, pen, and texture attributes by class

Remove All by Class Settings

Removes all by class settings for fill, pen, and texture attributes

Parameter

Description

Include on room finish schedule

Includes the space object in the Room Finish Schedule; if enabled, select the desired finishes for the space object.

Alternatively, select the desired space and click Assign Room Finish from the Object Info palette. This opens the Assign Room Finishes dialog box, which has the same functionality as the Room Finishes pane.

Surfaces

Floor, baseboard, ceiling, and wall surfaces are listed. The wall surfaces available depend on the Document Finish Mode setting in the Room Finish Manager dialog box; see Room Finish Manager.

Select an item from the Surfaces list to view or edit its finishes in the Surface Finishes list below.

By Style: If you're creating or editing a space style, you can specify whether this surface's finishes are set by style or by instance.

#: For an unstyled space using NESW Document Finish Mode, you can drag the marker in this column to move the wall to another group. For example, you might move a wall from North to East.

Tag ID: If desired, enter an ID in this column to display on the room finish data tag.

Use Finish From: Select a surface from this column to copy its finishes to this surface.

Surface Finishes

Sets up to five finishes for the item selected in the Surfaces list.

Click a row's Finish column and select a finish from the list of those available in the document. Enter a Coverage percentage to indicate how much of the surface will be covered with that finish. For example, a wall might have 100% gypsum board as its base finish, along with 65% paint and 35% wood paneling as its top finish.

In NESW mode, enter wall finishes for the North, East, South, and West surfaces only.

To remove a finish, select <No finish> from the Finish column.

Remarks

Enter additional remarks about the finishes for this space as needed

Room Finish Manager

Opens a dialog box to edit the finish list; see Room Finish Manager

Parameter

Description

Fields list

You can attach data to the space object and display the information in a data tag or worksheet. All available fields display in a list, along with any data that has been entered for the fields.

For most fields, you can either enter a Value directly, or use the Insert Variable list to build a formula from the variables available, similar to the way you define fields for a data tag. To attach data that is not available on the list, you can use up to ten Additional Info fields; click Rename User Fields to name these fields.

Rename User Fields

If you entered data for any of the Additional Info fields, click this button to open the Rename User Fields dialog box and enter names for the fields.

When you click OK, a message displays that the change will be applied to all space objects that use that field.

Parameter

Description

Include in calculations

When selected, the space is eligible to be included in energy calculations, depending on the energy analysis settings for layer/class, element inclusion, and so on

Area Measurement Defined By

Select how to measure the space's area. Net Area and Gross Area are automatically calculated based on the settings in the Space settings: Space Area pane. Custom uses the Custom Area entered. 

Area Factor

If needed, an additional factor can be included in the floor area calculation

Volume measurement defined by

Select how to measure the space's volume. Net Volume and Gross Volume are automatically calculated based on the settings in the Space settings: Space Volume pane. Custom uses the Custom Volume entered.

Advanced

For a finer level of detail about the spaces, click Advanced. The Advanced Settings dialog box opens. Specify advanced settings.

Extract Air Room: When the space requires a special air extraction mechanism (for example, a bathroom fan), select the type of system. For a custom flow rate, click Custom. The Extract Air Room dialog box opens to specify the air flow rate.

Space Use Pattern: Select the typical usage pattern for the space for energy analysis calculations. The system list can be modified; see Specifying system sets.

Lighting Control: Select the method of turning the lights on and off.

Installed Lighting Power: Specify the power requirements for lighting.

Lighting Full Load Hours: Enter the average number of hours that full lighting is necessary in the space, overriding the automatically calculated value.

Motion Detector: Select this option if the lighting in the space is activated by a motion detector.

Parameter

Description

Enable GSA

Includes the GSA data for the space object when the file is saved in IFC format; click GSA Occupancy (on the Occupancy pane) to assign the GSA Occupancy information for the space. See GSA data.

Make picked up attributes the default

When the Pick Up mode of the Space tool is used, the attributes selected in the Eyedropper Transfer Properties list are set as the default for new spaces. If the 2D Boundary Attributes are selected, the picked up attributes will be set as the default in the Attributes palette. This allows you to create new spaces with the same attributes as an existing space.

Eyedropper Transfer Properties

Specifies which properties of a space object will be transferred when the Pick Up and Apply modes of the Space tool are used. The available attributes display in the Attribute column, grouped by category. To see the attributes in a category, click the disclosure arrow to the left of the attribute name.

Click the Use column next to an item to select it; if the item is a category heading, such as Finishes, all items in the category are selected.

Space Properties on Object Info Palette

Specifies which properties of a space object will be displayed for editing from the Object Info palette. The available properties display in the Property column, grouped by category. To see the properties in a category, click the disclosure arrow to the left of the property name.

Click the Show column next to an item to select it; if the item is a category heading, such as Occupancy, all items in the category are selected.

Restore Default Properties

Resets the space properties on the Object Info palette to the default settings

Parameter

Description

Style

Replace, edit, or remove the current style, or (for unstyled objects only) create a new plug-in style (see Custom plug-in object styles without catalog options).

Editing a style changes all instances in the file that use the style.

Hide style parameters

Hides the parameters that are set by style; these cannot be edited from the Object Info palette

Bounding

(Space Area section)

Specifies whether the space object is associated with a set of walls, or whether its boundaries were created manually. For an auto-bounded space, if the walls are edited (whether moved, reshaped, or replaced, or due to a change in the wall style, the wall thickness, or the wall components), the space edge path updates automatically. See Editing space boundaries.

Update Boundary

(Space Area section)

Available only if Auto-Bounded is enabled.

Updates the boundary of the space to match the surrounding walls after visible walls are added, deleted, or moved; also updates the boundary if a custom space boundary definition is changed (for example, if the space boundary is offset from the walls).

Net/Gross Area Class

(Space Area section)

To control appearance and visibility, select a class from the list of classes present in the drawing, or create a new class. Select <Space Class> to place the net area in the same class as the space object.

Net/Gross Area

(Space Area section)

Displays the space's positive or negative net/gross area based on the value in Area Modifier Net (%)

Subtraction Value

(Space Area section)

Displays the area subtracted under low ceilings

Measured Net Area

(Space Area section)

Displays the net area minus the subtraction value

Area Modifier Gross

(Space Area section)

Displays the positive or negative gross area of any modifiers applied to the space

Select Space Area

(Space Area section)

Select a detailed space area to apply

Edit Selected Space Area

(Space Area section)

Opens the Detailed Space Area Settings dialog box for the selected space area, to edit the settings; see Detailed space area settings

Volume 1 (Net) /2 (Gross) Class

(Space Volume section)

To control appearance and visibility, select a class from the list of classes present in the drawing, or create a new class. Select <Space Class> to place the net area in the same class as the space object.

Volume 1 (Net) /2 (Gross)

(Space Volume section)

Displays the space area's volumes

Assign Room Finish

(Room Finishes section)

Available only if Include on room finish schedule is enabled; opens the Assign Room Finishes dialog box, which has the same functionality as the Room Finishes pane of the Space Settings dialog box

Tag Room Finishes

Available only if Include on room finish schedule is enabled; activates the Data Tag tool so that you can tag the space with its assigned finishes

Matrix Order

(Additional Data section; Architect or Landmark required)

Specifies the location of the space object in the adjacency matrix