topic Turn layers on/off in real time? in Archicad C++ API

Turn layers on/off in real time?

Mats_Knutsson — Mon, 07 Aug 2023 09:21:40 GMT

Is it possible you clever developers? I figure a box with the layer list where one could turn on/off layers in real time so that the model view updates accordingly. Purpose is to show different alternatives very easily and quickly.
Yes or No?

Re: Turn layers on/off in real time?

TomWaltz — Wed, 21 Jun 2006 19:41:40 GMT

I'm sure you could write an add-on to do so.

Re: Turn layers on/off in real time?

Mats_Knutsson — Wed, 21 Jun 2006 19:48:02 GMT

TomWaltz wrote:
I'm sure you could write an add-on to do so.

You=someone... I will attend GDL seminars at Nottingham this fall so that's a beginning at least.
Thank you for the encouragement!

Re: Turn layers on/off in real time?

TomWaltz — Wed, 21 Jun 2006 20:40:02 GMT

GDL is a great method of developing in Archicad.

Just keep in mind you will need to learn to program in C and/or C++ to write the type of add-on you are asking about.

Re: Turn layers on/off in real time?

Dwight — Wed, 21 Jun 2006 21:58:29 GMT

Let's see. You think that want a box to directly switch layers to show design alternatives.

Except you really need to have a quick switch between later SETS, because anyone who actually produces a building DESIGN knows that multiple layers is better than one. And we sort of already have this in the layer sets list buried at the third level beneath the document menu dropdown. Some planning of the layer sets gets you a straight-forward presentation set....

What if, using the customizing tools already present in ArchiCAD, and without any gobbledigook programming, we could get a layer set list to appear in the menu list bar at the top of the screen? Would that do it? [This is a great way to promote anything that can't be shortcut any other way]

Using the Menus options under Work Environment we can create this list. See the attached. Yes, it does need to be pulled down, but it is very direct.

Likewise, if you can at all organize your design alternatives, and save the views, there are many view options in the organizer/ navigator listings. So there they are, right next to the drawing layout.....

Or have I missed the point?

Re: Turn layers on/off in real time?

Dwight — Wed, 21 Jun 2006 22:31:18 GMT

And here I am yammering on about layer sets when you want to switch individual layers on and off, but I found a "Quick Options" thingy that also lets you switch layer sets quickly.

if not off-topic, let's call it half-topic.

Re: Turn layers on/off in real time?

Anonymous — Wed, 21 Jun 2006 23:04:33 GMT

It's already there, in AC9 anyway, just one more step than yours, Dwight.

Options>Layer Combinations>

Re: Turn layers on/off in real time?

Dwight — Wed, 21 Jun 2006 23:17:01 GMT

I'm not saying that it is new, just a way to get close to what the colleague needed as an Add-on.

Re: Turn layers on/off in real time?

Link — Wed, 21 Jun 2006 23:57:43 GMT

but I found a "Quick Options" thingy that also lets you switch layer sets quickly

Yep - Quick Options (in AC10) is the closest thing so far. At least you can switch between layer combos. It's a good idea IMHO to always have at least one Modeling & Drafting layer combo, not to assign to a view, but just to use when modeling and drafting.

Cheers,
Link.

Re: Turn layers on/off in real time?

__archiben — Thu, 22 Jun 2006 04:39:39 GMT

Link wrote:
Yep - Quick Options (in AC10) is the closest thing so far. At least you can switch between layer combos. It's a good idea IMHO to always have at least one Modeling & Drafting layer combo, not to assign to a view, but just to use when modeling and drafting.

i have the 'show/hide quick options palette' assigned to a single key shortcut (Q), which pops it up right in the middle of the screen and closes it again when i'm done . . . works well.

~/archiben

Re: Turn layers on/off in real time?

Mats_Knutsson — Thu, 22 Jun 2006 06:49:47 GMT

Dwight wrote:
Let's see. You think that want a box to directly switch layers to show design alternatives.

Except you really need to have a quick switch between later SETS, because anyone who actually produces a building DESIGN knows that multiple layers is better than one. And we sort of already have this in the layer sets list buried at the third level beneath the document menu dropdown. Some planning of the layer sets gets you a straight-forward presentation set....

What if, using the customizing tools already present in ArchiCAD, and without any gobbledigook programming, we could get a layer set list to appear in the menu list bar at the top of the screen? Would that do it? [This is a great way to promote anything that can't be shortcut any other way]

Using the Menus options under Work Environment we can create this list. See the attached. Yes, it does need to be pulled down, but it is very direct.

Likewise, if you can at all organize your design alternatives, and save the views, there are many view options in the organizer/ navigator listings. So there they are, right next to the drawing layout.....

Or have I missed the point?

Not actually. I'm well aware of how to reach layer combos and such. The question I posed is actually from one of our most skillful customers. They have loads of kitchen interiors linked as modules into the main model and these modules are connected to appropriate layers. It's a possibility to create a layer combo for each layer but now I think you understand why I asked for layers.
The thing is to replace powerpoint for a customer presentation...AC in fullscreen mode, hide all tolbars and such except from the layers on/off, and you can do a swell presentation with the best piece of fine art there is!
Cheers,
Mats

Re: Turn layers on/off in real time?

Laszlo Nagy — Thu, 22 Jun 2006 15:58:24 GMT

~/archiben wrote:
Link wrote:
Yep - Quick Options (in AC10) is the closest thing so far. At least you can switch between layer combos. It's a good idea IMHO to always have at least one Modeling & Drafting layer combo, not to assign to a view, but just to use when modeling and drafting.
i have the 'show/hide quick options palette' assigned to a single key shortcut (Q), which pops it up right in the middle of the screen and closes it again when i'm done . . . works well.

~/archiben

Good Tip. I did not realize that this, too, has a keyboard shortcut.
Thanks for mentioning.