Managing levels

General

In the case of structures composed of several floors, it may be interesting to subdivide the model into levels, each level being composed of all the elements situated between two successive levels. In Diamonds the horizontal slabs consistently belong to the same level as the elements that support them (walls, beams, columns, etc.). So, a level physically contains the ceiling slabs but the level slabs belong to the level underneath.

As for the definition of levels, it offers a number of advantages, including the possibility to visualize:

• The model can be constructed layer by layer in a plane view.
  The buttons and allow you to draw the columns and walls (see Drawing structure elements).
• In a top view, switch between the levels by selecting the desired level from the pulldown list.
  You can only select the elements that belong to this level. The objects that belong to other levels are locked in this display mode.
• It is possible to hide entire levels (see further).

Under this drop-down menu, the level and the height of the active level appears. The position of the given level is measured according to the global plane XZ.

Turn off the level manager by unchecking the selection box .

Window ‘Level Manager’

Click on to open the level manager. The following dialogue box will appear:

• You’ll find a list of all defined levels in the project.
• In the last two columns the position and height of the active level are shown. The position is measured according to the global XZ plane.
• The active level is preceded by the icon .
  • This level always corresponds to the level indicated in the drop-down menu.
  • You can activate another level by selecting the relevant pencil icon.
• Set a level visible or invisible with the icons and .
  When the level is set invisible, it will be drawn in grey or be completely hidden (according to your Configuration settings).
  The active level can never be put in the hidden mode.
• This dialogue box also shows the name, the position (in relation to the ground) and the height of each level.
  In order to modify this data, just click a proper field. Remember that the position of the levels is automatically recalculated when you choose to adjust its height and vice-versa. In the case of a lower level (foundation), you can only introduce a position when the height automatically equals zero.

You can add new levels, and copy or delete the existing ones.

• The button adds a new level.
  By default, the height of the new level is 2m70.
  In the dialogue window that appears, you can specify the name of the new level, modify its height, and, using the drop-down menu, indicate above which level you want to create a new one.
  It is also possible to create a level underneath the foundation.

• In order to split a level, click . In the drop-down menu, point out the level in question and specify at which level (in relation to the ground) you want to split it. A new level is created at the plane of section you indicated.

• In order to copy a level, click . In the drop-down menu, select the level to be copied. Then, specify the number of copies you want to make. Specify the level above which this/ these level(s) should be inserted.
  You can only copy a level above an existing level. It is not allowed to copy a level below the foundation. 

• Click to delete the selected level.
• It is also possible to move (translate) the levels or to copy the data from one level to another one by simply dragging the level with the use of a mouse.