Attaching spaces

Returned data

The analysis returns the following information:

• Gross floor area
• Gross measured (rentable) area
• A two-level hierarchical list of proposed spaces and subspaces
• A list of labels on the label layer that are not enclosed by any polyline on the space layer

Each proposed space includes:

• The polyline ID
• A list of subspaces
• The space area calculated by subtracting the area of all enclosed subspaces from the total polyline area.
  Note: This differs from CAD Integrator, which includes subspaces and holes in the total area of the parent polyline.
• A list of labels inside the space’s polyline but not inside any subspace
• A list of space class names (if available)
• The space name taken from the first label in the label list

Matching with existing spaces

Drawing Upload then attempts to match each proposed space with existing spaces on the floor:

• If an existing space has a triBIMGUIDTX property that matches the polyline ID of a proposed space, they are considered a match. All proposed spaces are compared against all existing spaces.
• For unmatched spaces, a match is attempted based on the space name, which may be updated using a name template.

The matched and proposed spaces are displayed in both the space list and directly on the floor plan.

Floor plan

The floor plan visually represents the status of each proposed space identified during the server-side analysis. Each space is filled with a specific color, shown on the right side of the drawing, to represent its current status.

Fill color indicators:

• Unattached Space: The space is not linked to the drawing. This occurs when no labels are found within the polyline boundary and no space name has been assigned—either manually or via a linked space. These spaces are not configured and cannot be attached.
• Unattached Subspace: Same as above, but the space is a sub-space. A sub-space can only be attached if its parent space is properly configured.
• Attached Space: The space is linked to the drawing and has a valid name. This name may come from a label within the polyline or be manually entered.
• Attached Subspace: Same as above, but the space is a subspace.
• Matched Space: The space is attached and matched to an existing space. The name may originate from an enclosed label, a linked space, or manual input.
• Matched Sub-space: Same as above, but the space is a subspace.

Border color indicators:

• Selected Space: Highlighted with a distinct border and a pin icon. Selecting a space on the floor plan also selects it in the Space List and scrolls to its entry.
• Duplicate Name Error: The border indicates a naming conflict due to non-unique space names.
  Note: Sub-space fill colors are displayed with 50% transparency. As a result, their appearance may vary depending on whether the dark or light theme is active.

Space name template

The space name template feature allows you to define space names with additional context, which may not be available directly from the drawing. This is especially helpful when aligning proposed spaces with existing ones.

• A name template is a string that includes the placeholder {name}.
• When proposed spaces are loaded from the server—or when the template is updated—each space with a selected label will have the label value substituted into the {name} placeholder to generate the final space name and attempts to match to existing spaces.

Example:

Bldg5 201 -
        Meeting

Space list

The space list displays all proposed spaces and sub-spaces in a hierarchical format, with sub-spaces nested under their parent spaces.

Each space is filled with a specific color, shown on the right side of the drawing, to represent its current status.

Indicators

Each space entry includes visual indicators that match the color-coding used in the floor plan:

• Unattached / Attached / Matched: Same as the corresponding floor plan colors.
• Duplicate Name: Indicates a non-unique space name (also shown with a special border in the floor plan).
• Multiple Labels: Indicates more than one label within the polyline—common in DXF files exported from Rev it.

• Drag and Drop:

  • Top-level spaces without sub-spaces can be dragged onto other top-level spaces to become sub-spaces.
  • Sub-spaces can be moved to other top-level spaces or to the floor level to become top-level spaces.
  • Hovering near the top or bottom of the list scrolls it automatically.

• Delete: Removes the selected space. If it’s a sub-space, its properties may be merged into the parent:

  • If the parent has no name, it inherits the deleted space’s name.
  • If the parent has no labels, it inherits the deleted space’s labels.
  • If the parent is not linked to an existing space but the deleted space was, the link is transferred.
  • The parent’s area is increased by the deleted space’s area.

• Edit: Opens the Edit Space dialog.

Space list actions:

• Reset: Re-runs the server analysis and resets all proposed spaces to their original state, discarding any changes made in steps 4 and 5.
• Flatten: Moves all sub-spaces to the top level. This option is only visible if sub-spaces exist.
• Consolidate: Available when unnamed top-level spaces have named sub-spaces.
  • When run, any unnamed, unlinked space with exactly one named sub-space will have that sub-space deleted and its properties merged into the parent.

Edit dialog

The Edit dialog allows you to configure the space name, assign labels, and link to existing spaces.

• Space Name: Editable field. If the proposed space is linked to an existing space, the name will update the existing record during publishing (step 7).
• Labels:
  • If labels exist within the polyline or are assigned from the unenclosed label list, they appear in the Labels tab.
  • Selecting a label updates the space name. If a name template is defined, it is applied to the label value.
  • Labels can be removed and returned to the unenclosed label list.
    Note: Some floor plan views use label positions for placing pins or report elements. Even if the label text is overridden, selecting a label is recommended
• Existing Spaces:
  • If existing spaces are available for the selected floor, the Existing Spaces tab is shown.
  • Selecting a space links it to the proposed space and updates the name.
  • If the existing space was previously linked, it is unlinked from the other proposed space.
  • If matched by polyline ID, the entry is read-only.
  • The list is searchable and can be filtered to show only unlinked spaces.
• Unenclosed Labels: If available, the Unenclosed Labels tab is shown. Selecting a label assigns it to the space and removes it from the unenclosed list.
• Unlink: Removes the link between the proposed and existing space, applies changes, and closes the dialog.

Hole-in-Middle handling

CAD Integrator does not support spaces with internal voids (e.g., donut-shaped spaces). In such cases, connecting lines must be drawn to form a single polyline that encloses all areas. Drawing Upload, however, supports multiple polylines:

• Each enclosed area can be treated as a separate sub-space.
• This eliminates the need for connecting lines.

Limitation:

If an enclosed area (e.g., a column) is not configured as a sub-space and attached, it will appear as a line rather than a filled shape allowing the parent space’s color to show through.

Legend

An optional Legend panel is available to display the color and icon key used in the floor plan and space list. To enable it, open the Settings dialog and use the Layout tab to assign a location for the legend.