topic Re: Global Variables in Archicad C++ API

Global Variables

poco2013 — Wed, 12 Jul 2023 18:52:00 GMT

Just wondering if it would be possible to create a series of global variables or properties which could be accessible by any other ADD-Ons and exist for the life of the Plan?

If so, could those same global properties be used to reference that info within a standard schedule?

The purpose of such "global" properties would be to accumulate such plan wide information such as area analysis , quantities, costs. etc. etc.

Re: Global Variables

Ralph Wessel — Tue, 18 Apr 2017 17:44:36 GMT

poco2013 wrote:
Just wondering if it would be possible to create a series of global variables or properties which could be accessible by any other ADD-Ons and exist for the life of the Plan?

If so, could those same global properties be used to reference that info within a standard schedule?

The purpose of such "global" properties would be to accumulate such plan wide information such as area analysis , quantities, costs. etc. etc.

I don't think it's possible for an add-on to create project-based data that can be directly accessed by other add-ons. And it wouldn't be safe for multiple add-ons to modify that data without a common mechanism to manage it.

An add-on could provide access to the data via an external command or service, i.e. other add-ons could call it to get/set data if it provided a published command set.

However, I don't see any way for that data to interact directly with ARCHICAD's scheduling. There is no API to inject schedule content (to my knowledge).

Re: Global Variables

poco2013 — Tue, 18 Apr 2017 20:58:55 GMT

Thanks Ralph

That's somewhat what I expected. But I found it useful in other programs, but -- yes- it can be a disaster if the user is not aware, particularly if multiple plans are open at the same time.

Still think it would solve a number of problems if used with caution.

Re: Global Variables

Akos Somorjai — Fri, 21 Apr 2017 07:45:41 GMT

poco2013 wrote:
Just wondering if it would be possible to create a series of global variables or properties which could be accessible by any other ADD-Ons and exist for the life of the Plan?

If so, could those same global properties be used to reference that info within a standard schedule?

The purpose of such "global" properties would be to accumulate such plan wide information such as area analysis , quantities, costs. etc. etc.

If you aim for model element specific properties, then please take a look at the Properties API (new in ARCHICAD 20). These are accessible from all add-ons, can be created by one add-on, or put directly by a BIM Manager into the company template. Also, you can show them in schedules, export and import them to/from Excel, etc.

Regards, Akos

Re: Global Variables

poco2013 — Fri, 21 Apr 2017 10:31:30 GMT

Thanks Akos

Yes --using properties, I am able to accumulate cost data for various object and summarize the same within schedules. Simply by following and a sight modification of the Property_test example in the API examples.

And by using "phantom" objects with their properties used as accumulators i am am to achieve the same. But, I think, user read/write GLOB variables would still be a more direct and understandable approach.