ArchiCAD Tutorial | Make 2D Symbols Parametric - Simple GDL Editing (part 2 of 3)

This ArchiCAD training is the second in a three part series on creating custom objects for the ArchiCAD library. It is an excerpt from my comprehensive Best Practices Course ArchiCAD training - www.acbestpract....
In this 15 minute video, we look at how to make a 2D symbol more flexible by adding a parameter to control the size of the text and doing some simple editing of the GDL script. The result is a symbol that can be used with different font sizes depending on the context.
The text size is specified within the GDL script in units of millimeters. The common standard (in the U.S. and some other parts of the world) is to specify font sizes in points.
Here's how you can convert points to mm:
There are 72 points in an inch
25.4 mm = 1 inch
Example: 7 point text = 7/72 inch = 7/72 * 25.4 mm = 2.47 (mm)
Formula: text size in mm = (text size in points) / 72 * 25.4
A variation of the 2D symbol is created with two lines of text. The break between the lines is caused by hitting the Return or Enter key on the keyboard, which actually creates a "paragraph break". When the new object is saved, you will see that each "line" of text is actually a separate paragraph within the GDL script.
Separate parameters can be set up for each line (paragraph) of text, as well as for the text size in mm (or in points, as long as the script is set up with the formula above). Note that each text parameter (each line or paragraph) may be up to 256 characters in length -- which should be more than enough for basic 2D symbols.

[@hagithpopper]

What an excellent tutorial! simple to understand most helpful. Thanks Eric. AGAIN

[@C2Architect]

Great work Eric! As always......

[@twistoffate292]

Watching this in 2018, God bless you XD

[@pmg1180]

I watched your steps and I still cannot figure out where you used the drawing to work on the text itself. Did you used the Library Object open for GDL Coding drawing itself or the main drawing itself? I am trying to figure out why my text is not readable at 90 degree. It makes no sense when I created the lines and text. I had to make sure the text itself is readable and try to keep it locked. But, when I test rotating and the angle tool from GDL coding seems not function at all. I was able to read from left to right or right to left or normal reading but not for top and it is upside down. Is the Parameters connects to text readable or is it angle rotating issue?

[@kazparas]

Hey, thx for awesome video!!
Is there somwhere for part 1 and 3?
Really interested in basic GDL scripting, searching for info

[@castroyances]

Gracias por tan buenos tutoriales.

[@Shoegnome]

Great video!

[@getyourmotorrunning...]

Awesome video. Thank you.

[@rafaelmartorano6844]

How can I rotate the text? Can you tell me that ?

[@petrakleyn8273]

Good day Eric,Do you possibly have a video discussing text paper size and model size?I am struggling with the best way to deal with text with different viewport scales eg between the same text on a site plan and on a floor plan?

[@vikki5091]

hi Eric, let say I have numbering in this 2D symbol, I would like it can automatic list by sequence... any tutorial I can refer too?

[@GuillermoRaulGimenezEspinola]

Hello Eric
, i have one question.. How can i make the text rotate parametrically?. Because when i rotate the object, the text is down. Thank u

[@jeandebeer7921]

great video

[@msanleon]

Hi Eric, quick question, is it possible that the text (or any other symbol part) within the symbol could be independently moved? Thanks a lot!

[@msanleon]

Thanks a lot Eric! I'm just begining to work with custom GDL, the learning curve it's quite high, but the benefits are worthy. Looking forward to those master classes.

[@arq.abrahamgrajeda9143]

Hi Eric, Great work with your tutorial series, after watching this, i'm trying, without success, to make a symbol containing lines, circles and text in witch i could scale the lines and circles but still maintain the text size to the value entered in the parameters. my problem is the text is scaling along the rest of the symbol.
i made a symbol witch is a circle with a horizontal line in the middle with a letter on their side, i managed to create the symbol and adding the parameters for the text size, but if i scale the symbol, the text scales too and the number in the parameters for the text size maintains its value.
any recomendations??
Thanks

[@martinjelinek4127]

How do I open script in ARCHICAD 20 please?