In brief
- Panels can be added or removed in the Pattern Editor using the plus and minus signs.
- Panel position can be adjusted with vertical offsets relative to segments or rails, and horizontal offsets relative to inner posts.
- You can choose one, two or three posts per node; soft connections support automatic or manual positioning.
- You can choose whether the same pattern restarts at a node or continues seamlessly across adjacent segments.
This guide covers the Railing Tool’s panel and node settings described in Graphisoft’s Archicad 29 help documentation. These settings control how panels are positioned in a railing pattern and how segments connect at nodes. When editing railing geometry in an architectural model, consider the options in relation to the drawing’s divisions and the desired connection type.
1. Add and position panels in the Pattern Editor
Add or remove a panel from the pattern. In the Pattern Editor section of the railing settings, use the plus sign to add a panel and the minus sign to remove one. A panel can be added to the space between two inner posts or rails. However, you cannot add a panel to a location that already contains a baluster. Check for this component conflict before changing the layout to help identify why the pattern is not appearing as expected.
Select the panel component. In the panel settings, choose a GDL component from the drop-down list. You can also save a custom component as a panel, in addition to using the supplied content. The selected GDL component’s own parameters can be edited in the panel component settings. This lets you define the panel not only by its position in the railing pattern, but also through the component’s own options.
Adjust the panel’s vertical and horizontal position. Top and bottom offsets can be set relative to the top or bottom of the segment; if the pattern includes a rail, you can also use the rail as a reference. Left and right offsets are defined relative to the inner posts. Positive offset values reduce the panel’s size. The horizontal offset shifts the panel sideways. When changing offsets, check which element is being used as the reference: the same value can result in a different placement depending on the reference.
| Setting | Suggested value | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Posts per node | Options documented: one, two or three posts at a node | Determines the post arrangement around the node. |
| Panel top and bottom offset | Set according to project geometry; the documentation does not suggest a fixed value | Positions the panel relative to the segment or, if present, the rails. |
| Panel left and right offset | Set according to project geometry; positive values reduce the panel | Adjusts the panel size relative to the inner posts. |
| Pattern continuity | Restart at the node or continue seamlessly | Determines how the pattern proceeds across adjacent segments. |
The table summarizes the controls documented by Graphisoft; the documentation does not provide recommended numerical dimensions that apply to every project. Rather than choosing a universal offset value, make a decision based on the relationships between the segments, rails and posts in the model.
2. Adjust the panel’s 2D display and fixings
Check 2D symbol visibility. The default visibility of panel components in 2D views is set in Model View Options. If necessary, you can customize panel visibility through the Railing Settings. If a panel looks different than expected in plan view, check both the general model view preferences and the railing-specific visibility settings. You can also choose the panel’s 2D symbol type in the 2D Representation tab of the panel component settings.
Review options that depend on the fixing type. Fixing settings are available in the Style and Dimensions tab of the panel component settings. Depending on the fixing type, options are available for type, dimensions, profile, Building Material and quantity. The controls vary according to whether you select Brackets, Point fixings or Channel fixing. Choose the fixing type first, then adjust the relevant settings; do not assume that every type provides the same controls.
3. Configure posts and segment connections at nodes
Set the number and position of posts at a node. Nodes are the points that separate railing segments, and each node can have one or more posts. On the Node page, you can select a single post at the node, two posts on either side of it, or all three posts. When using multiple posts, you can also adjust the distance of the posts on either side from the node. These options let you adapt the post arrangement at segment junctions to the corners and divisions in the model.
Choose post behavior at soft connections. For a post where two segments meet tangentially, you can choose automatic or manual positioning. With the automatic option, the post moves to its new position automatically; with the manual option, the user enters the offset. You can also specify whether the connection post is vertical or inclined. In the node settings, vertical offset is available only in Edit Mode and applies to static nodes.
Control angled connections between segments of different heights. The non-soft connection option is intended for cases where two segments of different heights meet at an angle at a node. The segments can be left stepped at the node, or their geometry can be adjusted so they meet at a point beyond the node. Choose the option that matches the desired connection in the model; this setting affects the geometry of both segments around the node.
Adjust the end offset and pattern continuity. An optional end-node offset shifts the railing at both ends of its reference line. If adjacent segments use the same pattern, you can choose whether the pattern ends and restarts at the node or continues without a break. In long, divided or repeated railings, check this setting to control how the pattern behaves at segment boundaries.
Impact on architectural and visualization workflows
These settings are particularly useful for architects and interior designers who need to coordinate railing geometry in both plan and model views. Adjusting panel size relative to the inner posts, controlling 2D visibility and defining the connection at a node make component relationships in the model easier to manage. When preparing visualizations, you can also start by checking these controls if posts or patterns behave unexpectedly where segments meet.
Graphisoft’s documentation does not specify hardware requirements, render performance or licensing conditions for these settings. This information is based on the Archicad 29 help documentation; do not assume that the interface and options are identical in other versions. If project teams use files across different Archicad versions, they should consult the relevant help documentation for their version.
Common mistakes
Editing a pattern without checking whether the intended panel area already contains a baluster.
Assuming that a positive left or right panel offset enlarges the panel; the documentation states that these values reduce its size.
Overlooking the offset of side posts when more than one post is selected at a node.
Assuming the same settings remain available after changing the fixing type; the options depend on the selected type.
Failing to check whether the pattern restarts at a node or continues seamlessly across adjacent segments.
Sources
2 sourcesSource texts are not republished; short quotes are marked, everything else is our own summary and commentary.
For offices in Turkey, the practical value of these settings lies in managing railing patterns and node connections through parameters, rather than modeling each one individually. In projects where different segments meet, checking pattern continuity, post count and connection type early can make the modeling process more predictable.
That said, the documentation does not recommend specific dimensions or promise performance gains; the right offset depends on the project geometry. It is important to follow the names and options in the Archicad 29 documentation, check version compatibility and review 2D visibility separately. The sources provide no specific information about hardware, licensing or costs.
Frequently asked questions
How do you add a railing panel in Archicad 29?
In the Pattern Editor, the plus sign adds a panel and the minus sign removes one. You can add a panel to the space between two inner posts or rails, but not to a location that already contains a baluster.
What do Archicad railing panel offsets do?
Top and bottom offsets position the panel relative to the segment or, if present, the rail; left and right offsets position it relative to the inner posts. Positive left and right offset values reduce the panel’s size.
Can a pattern continue seamlessly through a railing node?
Yes. If adjacent segments use the same pattern, you can choose whether it restarts at the node or continues seamlessly.
