topic Archicad 29 - How to query interface mode (light / dark) in Archicad C++ API

Archicad 29 - How to query interface mode (light / dark)

J_Studanski — Wed, 17 Sep 2025 17:57:09 GMT

Heya,

With the introduction of dark mode on macOS—how can we query if the CAD is in light or dark mode so we can adjust icons, for example? I didn't find any info about that so far, and also no new API function that sounded like it could serve this purpose.
Is it even possible to reload a plugin UI or a different set of icons for it at runtime when the CAD switches from dark to light mode or vice versa?

Cheers,

Johann

Re: Archicad 29 - How to query interface mode (light / dark)

Ralph Wessel — Mon, 22 Sep 2025 07:38:39 GMT

AppearanceManager::GetMode() will tell you if it's dark/light mode.

The API will build 2 sets of icons (light/dark) and switch between them for you - no need for extra code.

Text colour also dynamically changes to suit dark/light mode - so very little required on your part.

Re: Archicad 29 - How to query interface mode (light / dark)

J_Studanski — Mon, 22 Sep 2025 09:37:49 GMT

Thank you!

We do have our own icons for our toolbar—a handcrafted set for light and dark themes, and we compiler our own resources, so no auto-switching of icons takes place. But I already implemented a way for us to support both themes.

~~Do you also know if we get some kind of event when the user switches the mode during runtime?~~ I see there's an event class next to it. ~~Or can Archicad only switch its own mode with a restart of the application?~~