topic Re: Hide or show a specific element by its GUID using the Archicad C++ API? in Archicad C++ API

Hide or show a specific element by its GUID using the Archicad C++ API?

LokiTrna — Sat, 27 Jun 2026 09:49:08 GMT

Hi everyone,

Is there a direct way to hide or show a specific element by its GUID using the Archicad C++ API?

Does a native function or an efficient workaround exist for this in the DevKit?

Thanks,

Re: Hide or show a specific element by its GUID using the Archicad C++ API?

Ralph Wessel — Mon, 29 Jun 2026 08:35:29 GMT

In general, the API can only echo the things a user can do. There is no direct way to hide an individual element that I'm aware of – only general mechanisms like hiding a layer (which might affect other elements). So I doubt there is any way to do this.

Re: Hide or show a specific element by its GUID using the Archicad C++ API?

Laszlo Nagy — Mon, 29 Jun 2026 14:42:12 GMT

I would amend this slightly: a user CAN hide selected element(s) in the 3D Viewpoint (but not in any other Viewpoint type). But I don't know if the API gives access to this feature or not.

Re: Hide or show a specific element by its GUID using the Archicad C++ API?

BerndSchwarzenbacher — Mon, 29 Jun 2026 14:45:39 GMT

Hi LokiTrna,

In 3D you can use `ACAPI_View_ShowSelectionIn3D()`.
So first setup the selection to contain only the elements to show and then use this API function.

Or you could also use `ACAPI_UserInput_SetElementHighlight()` and set other elements to transparent.

Hope that helps,
Bernd

Re: Hide or show a specific element by its GUID using the Archicad C++ API?

Laszlo Nagy — Mon, 29 Jun 2026 14:52:28 GMT

If someone uses your second suggested method, will those elements still be there in the 3D Viewpoint, only invisible?

In that case, would surface/edge detection still work on them? Could they still be selected (even though they are invisible)?

Knowing these may help@LokiTrnadecide which method to use.

Re: Hide or show a specific element by its GUID using the Archicad C++ API?

BerndSchwarzenbacher — Mon, 29 Jun 2026 15:08:32 GMT

Very good questions Laszlo!
Don't have time to try it out right now, but should be a relative easy test (maybe for @LokiTrna themselve to try).
Please report back whoever gives it a try 🙂

Re: Hide or show a specific element by its GUID using the Archicad C++ API?

Ralph Wessel — Mon, 29 Jun 2026 16:33:40 GMT

No, the 3D model view is a temporary database built on demand. If you rebuild the view based on a selection it will only contain the selected elements.