Page 1276 - Chief Architect Reference Manual

Materials List Formulas

Materials List Formulas

Calculations in the Materials List are based 5. When multiple identical items are listed
on the properties of the objects in the model as a single line item:
and the materials assigned to those objects. • Select Apply Formula to Line
See “Define Material Dialog” on page 1028.
Item to apply the specified formula
If the default calculations do not meet your to the current row. When this option is
needs, you can replace them with custom selected, values in the other cells in the
formulas. Materials List formulas use Ruby same row can be accessed, but not the
syntax, which allows you to use both basic properties of the object(s) themselves.
arithmetic as well as construct more complex • Select Apply Formula to Source
macros. See “Text Macros” on page 522.
Object to apply the specified for-
mula to each individual object and dis-
To insert a custom Materials List formula
play the total in the current cell. When
1. Double-click in any editable cell in the this option is selected, the object(s)’
Materials List. properties can be used.
• The cells in some columns allow you to Fields with custom macros report values with
choose an item from a drop-down list. accuracy of up to two decimal points, even in
• Most cells are editable text fields. columns that report whole numbers when
2. In the inline text field, you can: calculated automatically.
• Type the desired custom text that you
need. The resulting text does not per- Custom Formula Macros
form calculations and is static. You can create custom macros in the Edit
• Press the = key, then type or insert the Text Macro dialog and then insert them into
desired custom formula. The = charac- the inline text field. See “Edit Text Macro
ter at the beginning tells the formula to Dialog” on page 527.
treat the text that follows as a formula • Macros created for use in Materials List
instead of regular text.
formulas need to have Evaluate checked
3. If the cell has been previously edited, in the Edit Text Macro dialog.

you can click the Revert to Default • Formulas that reference the object’s prop-
button to restore the original, automati- erties need to have “Owner Object”
cally generated content. selected as the Context.
4. Click the Insert Macro button to • Formulas that reference information in
insert one or more User Defined text other cells in the current row need to have
macros and/or Materials List column “Materials List Line Item” selected as the
macros into the inline text field. Context.

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