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Item If/Then Example

You might be familiar with if/then formulas if you have ever built complex rules in Excel. The syntax of IF-THEN is = IF (logic text, value if true, value if false). The first argument tells the function what to do if the comparison is valid. The second argument tells the function what to do if the comparison is false. A quick search on the internet will result in several examples of this concept. In our example, we will use several rules to pull from item data to inform some results. If you have ever tried to determine Door Calculations, you will want to bookmark this page and impress your office. Our team in Australia came up with this idea, and we all think it’s a great example of using item data to inform other decisions.

Here are the results of using the fields in blue (Item Data) to inform the results in red (Calculated Attributes).

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Here is how each calculated attribute (in red) is determined and the formulas used.

Let’s start at the bottom and work our way up. Each wants to be grouped under Door Calculations, so they all use that Group label.

Structural Height is defined using simple addition. The Reveal Height is added to the Frame architrave. But where is the Reveal Height coming from? That is another calculated attribute. Yes, you can build formulas on top of other formulas.

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Structural Width is also defined by our first If/then formulas using Reveal Height. The rule is if the Panel B width equals zero, meaning it has no width (or there is no second panel), then combine the Revel width with the Frame architrave, AND if there is a Panel B width, add the Frame architrave twice to gain the additional width needed for both panels including the Panel B width.

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The following explains each example:

Clear Opening combines subtractions with if/then formula to determine the clear width available for any person or object to pass through when the door is fully open. The calculation considers the differing calculations if identified as a single or double door.

We begin with the Panel A and B widths; if Panel A is zero, we are not concerned about the door as the required dimension have not yet been nominated. Then, if Panel B width is zero, we assume the door is a single door; the calculation then subtracts the Panel thickness, Frame Stop, and Hinge Allowance from Panel A. Finally, if Panel B is not zero, we assume it is a double door, Panel A and B are added together, followed by the Panel thickness and Hinge Allowance being subtracted twice.

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Clear opening width is often dictated by compliance standards involving accessibility; this example has the potential to identify non-compliant doors during the planning and design stages.

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When scheduling frames for ordering, the Panel size is often not the key information, instead Reveal Height and Width are required; therefore, the following two examples could be helpful:

Reveal Height is the simple addition of Panel height and the Floor finish allowance; if necessary, panel undercut and Floor finish allowance could be incorporated separately.

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Reveal Width is also an if/then formula and incorporates the rules of the panel width and the panel width clearance from the Item Data. This is an if/then within an if/then formula where the first rules are checked, followed by a second set of rules. If Panel A is zero, then the reveal width is zero. If the Panel A width is not zero a second, If/then is checked to see the condition of Panel B. If Panel B is zero, then add Panel A to the Panel width clearance, and If Panel B is not zero, then add Panel A to Panel B plus two Panel width clearances.

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Reveal Height is simply a combination of the Panel height and the floor finish allowance.

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So far, These examples have helped define the Structural and Reveal requirements, which would be helpful to define in either a drawing set or for additional team members doing these types of calculations outside of dRofus. The best part is that this effort is automatically defined by filling in the item data.

Clear Opening is an example of taking values away from other fields to determine the space between an open door and the other side of the door and an important value when determining what equipment can fit during construction or during occupancy. In this example, we have another nested if/then formula. If Panel A is zero, we are not concerned about the opening since there is no door. If there is no width for Panel B, we subtract the Panel thickness, Frame Stop, and Hinge from Panel A. If Panel B is included, we add Panel B to Panel A and subtract the Panel thickness and Frame Stop twice to get a clear open when there are two panels.

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The goal behind these examples is When doors are retrofitted or hosted in masonry walls, the structural opening size is required, the following two examples are a good examples of using a Calculated Attribute as a field:

Structural Height is defined using simple addition. The Reveal Height is added to the Frame architrave. But where is the Reveal Height coming from? That is another calculated attribute. Yes, you can build formulas on top of other formulas.

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Structural Width is also defined by our first If/then formulas using Reveal Height. The rule is if the Panel B width equals zero, meaning it has no width (or there is no second panel), then combine the Revel width with the Frame architrave, AND if there is a Panel B width, add the Frame architrave twice to gain the additional width needed for both panels including the Panel B width.

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These examples show how important project calculations can be provided to all users while simultaneously ensuring the calculations are performed.

These examples aim to give you a sense of what is possible using items and examples. There are several different item calculations.

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Explore how to do this with Occurrence Calculated Attributes.