# Missing ability to automate quantities of custom added materials **URL:** \ **Category:** Features and Ideas\ **Created:** [April 16, 2024, 9:20am UTC](https://community.realtimelca.com/t/missing-ability-to-automate-quantities-of-custom-added-materials/68 "2024-04-16T09:20:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Julian3000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Julian3000](https://community.realtimelca.com/u/Julian3000)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2024, 9:20am UTC](https://community.realtimelca.com/t/missing-ability-to-automate-quantities-of-custom-added-materials/68/1 "2024-04-16T09:20:26Z")
I would like to have ability to use = (equal) “another material” quantities. In example below I need to add Paint and Putty over gypsum boards. Quantities of paint+putty (m²) would always equal gypsum boards (m²). Obviiously I could have created layers in Revit before export, but this would overcomplicate the usual Revit workflow for the team. ![image](https://europe1.discourse-cdn.com/flex005/uploads/realtimelca/original/1X/e9f0857a31a6548d19c0abf9004559717aae240f.png) ---
**Author:** ![Inga](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/flex005/user_avatar/community.realtimelca.com/inga/32/36_2.png) [@Inga](https://community.realtimelca.com/u/Inga)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2024, 8:58am UTC](https://community.realtimelca.com/t/missing-ability-to-automate-quantities-of-custom-added-materials/68/2 "2024-04-17T08:58:34Z")
Hi Julian, This can already be archived by creating constructions. Here is a link to our guide to create your own construction: [https://realtimelca.dk/en-us/resources/instructions/#constructions](https://realtimelca.dk/en-us/resources/instructions/#constructions) 😉 If anything is unclear, feel free to reach out! Best Regards, Inga ---
**Author:** ![Vibeke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/53a042/32.png) [@Vibeke](https://community.realtimelca.com/u/Vibeke)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2024, 11:48am UTC](https://community.realtimelca.com/t/missing-ability-to-automate-quantities-of-custom-added-materials/68/3 "2024-06-25T11:48:53Z")
Hi Inga I agree with Julian. It would be nice to be able to adopt an amount from quantities from the model. In case you need to change the material later on in the process it is easier not to work in constructions. ---
**Author:** ![MarkLabrosse](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/flex005/user_avatar/community.realtimelca.com/marklabrosse/32/206_2.png) [@MarkLabrosse](https://community.realtimelca.com/u/MarkLabrosse)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2026, 10:45am UTC](https://community.realtimelca.com/t/missing-ability-to-automate-quantities-of-custom-added-materials/68/4 "2026-01-19T10:45:03Z")
I would also love this feature. Yes, in some cases, making a construction in your library with e.g. gypsum and paint (according to Julian’s example) is an option, but this requires A LOT of custom constructions. You need a different construction if the is 1, 2 or 3 layers of gypsum, as you only need paint on one of those sides. And then you need to make this, for every type of gypsum in the library. That’s a lot of work. So in many cases, adding a custom layer, and assigning the quantity to the quantity of another layer is often more feasible 🤔 On top of that, it would be nice to make an equation, such as > Quantity = `_Gips`/3. This would be very nice for adding reinforcement to concrete. Reinforcement usually have the units kg/m2 or kg/m3. So using the example below, you would be able to calculate 5,2 kg reinforcement pr. m3 concrete as > Quantity = `AI_BIPS-BETON INSITU_VÆG`\*5,2 ![image](https://europe1.discourse-cdn.com/flex005/uploads/realtimelca/original/1X/865db9869518a1ca7a1a5016a83d0d56543b37a1.png) This is especially useful next time I update the LCA, where the architect or engineer might have changed the area of the wall in question. It is then important to know, if I’m referencing the volume or the area of the host layer 😅