topic Re: Archicad 28 Library Update - Updating Library Packages to a BIMcloud in Installation & update

Archicad 28 Library Update - Updating Library Packages to a BIMcloud

Matthew Johnson — Tue, 04 Feb 2025 03:21:08 GMT

With the recently released update for the Archicad 28 Library how can we quickly identify which are the Library Packs that will need to be updated on our BIMcloud instances?

I don't want to have to go through each of the 70 libraries and try and update them to find out if there are any changes. Is there a bulk check for updates ability for the Manage BIMcloud Libraraies dialog?

Operating system used: Windows

Re: Archicad 28 Library Update - Updating Library Packages to a BIMcloud

Barry Kelly — Tue, 04 Feb 2025 04:27:38 GMT

Well that is a bit of a disappointment.

I thought these library packs were supposed to make updating simple.

I would have assumed that only those that needed to be updated would be, but every library pack has been updated.

The only way I can see to figure out what has changed is to keep a copy of the old library and then compare file sizes.

I don't know how BIMCloud works as I don't use it.

If the libraries are all on the local hard drive, there should be no real issue in updating.

But if you have them all loaded in BIMCloud, you may need to replace them all which might be a pain.

It could be possible that a library has changed but the file size remained the same size?

And now I have to figure out how to add the mapping values for the new parts to my template, or do I have to me-map all of the libraries?

Barry.

Re: Archicad 28 Library Update - Updating Library Packages to a BIMcloud

scottjm — Tue, 04 Feb 2025 07:29:04 GMT

I had the exact same thought when I saw the video for the update come in an installer.

We need two things:

1. A zip package of only the libpacks that have been updated

And/or

2. The ability to seamlessly update Bimcloud library libpacks with their updated version.

Still struggling to see the advantage that libpacks are bringing us other than the proported ease for the gshq gdl devs to release updates... It's now more complicated for users than the old monolithic library in so many ways....

Re: Archicad 28 Library Update - Updating Library Packages to a BIMcloud

Magdolna Marosvari — Wed, 05 Feb 2025 17:13:11 GMT

Hi @Matthew Johnson and All,

The following packages got updated in AC28 Library Update 1:

New features:
- Doors and Windows
- DW Macros
- Plants and Outdoor Accessorires
Bugfixes, small changes:
- Annotation Elements
- Doors and Windows DACH
- Doors and Windows JPN
- Doors and Windows SWE
- Doors and Windows USA
- Library Part Maker
- People
- Skylights
- Vertical Transportation Structures
Only translation changes:
- 2D Symbols SWE
- Accessories Library
- Annotation DACH
- Annotation JPN
- Annotation NOR
- Annotation RUS
- Appliances
- Basic Shapes and Special Constructions
- Beds
- Cabinets and Shelves
- Chairs
- Chimneys and Fireplaces
- Classical Architectural Elements
- Couches and Sofas
- Curtain Wall
- Decoration
- Electric Symbols SWE
- Electric Symbols
- Electrical Equipments JPN
- Escape and Rescue Symbols, Safety Notes
- Furniture Layouts
- Furniture Macros
- Furniture SWE
- Graphic Symbols
- Kitchen
- MEP Library
- Medical Equipment
- Object Macros
- Office and School Equipment
- Opening Symbols
- Plumbing Fixtures and Bathroom
- Roof Constructions
- Stair and Railing
- Steel Constructions
- Sun Protection
- Tables
- Transportation and Parking
- Turning Curves CHE
- Turning Curves
- Wall Ends and Wall Structures
- Wall Extras
- Wood Trusses

You can download these packages zipped here: https://graphisoft.sharefile.com/public/share/web-sbc814972751441b8a36eecbf036f8941

The Global Library workflow will be further developed in the upcoming versions to make it smooth both in Local and in BIMcloud environments.

AC28 Library Update 2 will be released together with AC28 UP1 and they will contain the following fixes:

Multi-selection possibility on BIMcloud libraries dialog
Dependency handling of libpacks on BIMcloud server
Possibility to load libpacks to any folder on TeamWork
Libpack name localization (Because of this item, in AC28 Lib Up 2 all libpack will change)

The smoother workflow in the future will include the possibility to set library defaults for good (there will be no need to use the mapping tables during updates). Being able to load only the changed libpacks is on our Roadmap too. We understand if you prefer to install the updates only when these improvements are done.

Until then what you can do on BIMcloud to use the libpacks:

Open the "Manage BIMcloud Libraries" dialog.
Select all libpacks on the server (use Ctrl/Cmd+A) and delete them.
Create a new project using the AC28 template.
Share the project to BIMcloud; this will upload all the newer libpacks to the server.

Best regards,

Magdolna

Re: Archicad 28 Library Update - Updating Library Packages to a BIMcloud

Eduardo Rolon — Wed, 05 Feb 2025 20:56:03 GMT

AC28 Library Update 2 will be released together with AC28 UP1 and they will contain the following fixes:

Libpack name localization (Because of this item, in AC28 Lib Up 2 all libpack will change)…

Can you expand on what are the implications of this change? Do we need to redefine everything again?

Re: Archicad 28 Library Update - Updating Library Packages to a BIMcloud

Matthew Johnson — Wed, 05 Feb 2025 23:00:45 GMT

@Magdolna Marosvari wrote:

Until then what you can do on BIMcloud to use the libpacks:

Open the "Manage BIMcloud Libraries" dialog.

Select all libpacks on the server (use Ctrl/Cmd+A) and delete them.

Unfortunately mulitple slection in the Manage BIMcloud Libraries dialog does not work currently. You can only select one library at a time.

To delete multiple libraries you need to use the BIMcloud Manager.

This is not a good workaround.

Re: Archicad 28 Library Update - Updating Library Packages to a BIMcloud

Eduardo Rolon — Thu, 06 Feb 2025 19:36:18 GMT

Hmm:

Check Updates:

Install

----

So which one is it?

Re: Archicad 28 Library Update - Updating Library Packages to a BIMcloud

SeaGeoff — Fri, 07 Feb 2025 05:56:11 GMT

Same thing happened to me:

No update alert when launching AC. I heard about it from a friend.
DL'd and ran the updater.
After the update Check for Updates still says Update Available but the installer says I'm already updated.

This is just a regular update inside AC. I switched to Collaborate so I too want the BIMcloud updates to be easy and automatic. For now I am sticking with the MonoLibs since the GlobLib system is clearly not finished.

Re: Archicad 28 Library Update - Updating Library Packages to a BIMcloud

SeaGeoff — Sun, 23 Feb 2025 19:35:54 GMT

@Magdolna Marosvari wrote:
The Global Library workflow will be further developed in the upcoming versions to make it smooth both in Local and in BIMcloud environments.

AC28 Library Update 2 will be released together with AC28 UP1 and they will contain the following fixes:

Multi-selection possibility on BIMcloud libraries dialog

Dependency handling of libpacks on BIMcloud server

Possibility to load libpacks to any folder on TeamWork

Libpack name localization (Because of this item, in AC28 Lib Up 2 all libpack will change)

The smoother workflow in the future will include the possibility to set library defaults for good (there will be no need to use the mapping tables during updates). Being able to load only the changed libpacks is on our Roadmap too. We understand if you prefer to install the updates only when these improvements are done.

Hello @Magdolna Marosvari.

I am happy to see some improvements coming to the Global Library system. In addition to what you mention, the most requested feature during the beta and tech preview stages is the ability to load (or link to) a folder that contains multiple libpacks, like we have always been able to do with monolith libraries. Is this on your roadmap? If not please consider it.

Another thing that was promised in the testing phases was better utilities to manage the added complexities of the global libraries, along with more thorough documentation. Specifically:

We need a tool for editing mapping tables, which is nightmarish to perform in a text editor. Such a tool should enable us to modify the defaults of multiple objects simultaneously when they share the same parameters, like changing a surface in all doors and windows. And ideally it could pickup parameters of a placed instance or favorite and apply those to all similar objects.
There is no documentation I can find about the virtual folder hierarchy, how it is set, and how to merge our office libraries with the chosen localization.

I look forward to your insights. Thanks.

Re: Archicad 28 Library Update - Updating Library Packages to a BIMcloud

Magdolna Marosvari — Tue, 25 Feb 2025 15:14:30 GMT

Hi @SeaGeoff ,

Thank you for your feedback.

Indeed the Mapping Tool is a much needed development and it has high priority. Setting the defaults for multiple objects simultaneously and the parameter picker are really good ideas, thank you for sharing them. They are definitely considered. The tool itself can be expected after AC29.

Regarding the documentation about virtual folder hierarchy:

You can find Global Library Documentation here: https://graphisoft.com/resources-and-support/downloads?section=bim-content

and if you search for the 'path name table' section, you can find this description: https://gdl.graphisoft.com/tips-and-tricks/creating-pathnametable-json

I hope it helps.

Regarding loading multiple libpacks: I hope that the multi-selection possibility (coming with Archicad 28 Up 1) will make library management significantly easier. But further usability improvements can be expected later too. Let us know any specific wishes.

Best regards,

Magdolna

Re: Archicad 28 Library Update - Updating Library Packages to a BIMcloud

SeaGeoff — Tue, 25 Feb 2025 18:48:53 GMT

Hello @Magdolna Marosvari,

Thank you for the timely response. I am happy to hear about the mapping tool. Delivering this with AC29 would be very welcome as many of us want to move to Global Libraries but are waiting to have more resources in place to take advantage of the new features. I'd like to think I could make the switch when I upgrade to AC29.

@Magdolna Marosvari wrote:
Regarding the documentation about virtual folder hierarchy:

You can find Global Library Documentation here: https://graphisoft.com/resources-and-support/downloads?section=bim-content

and if you search for the 'path name table' section, you can find this description: https://gdl.graphisoft.com/tips-and-tricks/creating-pathnametable-json

I hope it helps.

Yes it does. I knew about the first link but not the second. Thanks.

Regarding loading multiple libpacks: I hope that the multi-selection possibility (coming with Archicad 28 Up 1) will make library management significantly easier. But further usability improvements can be expected later too. Let us know any specific wishes.

Multiple selection will certainly be an improvement. But the ability to load a folder full of Libpacks would greatly ease how we manage libraries across projects and across teams. Similarly, being able to link a BIMcloud library folder to a folder on the local network would be very useful. And speaking of BIMcloud, it would be great if Check for Updates worked directly on the server without needing to be managed through Archicad.

Re: Archicad 28 Library Update - Updating Library Packages to a BIMcloud

soo — Wed, 30 Apr 2025 02:30:12 GMT

Dear Magdolna,

Thank you for the update and the detailed information regarding the new Global Library system in Archicad 28.

I would like to kindly raise two suggestions regarding the current limitations we're experiencing in Teamwork projects:

Library Updates in Teamwork
Currently, it seems that the new Global Library updates and management options are not fully supported or applicable within Teamwork environments. It would be incredibly helpful if the same level of flexibility and functionality could be extended to Teamwork projects to ensure consistency and efficiency in collaborative workflows.
Mapping Tool Support for Default Objects (like column, wall etc..)
Another challenge we're encountering is that the mapping tool does not currently support default Archicad library objects. Being able to remap or update default objects would significantly ease migration and template adjustments, especially in large-scale or long-term projects.

We believe these enhancements would greatly improve usability and workflow continuity. I appreciate your consideration, and thank you for your continued support and development of Archicad.

Best regards,

Soo

Re: Archicad 28 Library Update - Updating Library Packages to a BIMcloud

SeaGeoff — Sun, 28 Dec 2025 20:32:30 GMT

I'm building our AC29 so I decided to re-read some old posts about global libraries and BIMcloud. Back in February @Magdolna Marosvari wrote this:

Regarding loading multiple libpacks: I hope that the multi-selection possibility (coming with Archicad 28 Up 1) will make library management significantly easier. But further usability improvements can be expected later too. Let us know any specific wishes.

I see that multiple libpacks can indeed be selected, but in the Manage BIMcloud Libraries dialog when you select more than one libpack the Update button goes gray. Is there a way to update multiple libpacks on BIMcloud at the same time? Otherwise it's a giant PITA. Thanks.

Re: Archicad 28 Library Update - Updating Library Packages to a BIMcloud

Davor P — Sun, 28 Dec 2025 22:55:45 GMT

I think Graphisoft needs to get someone like Bruce Walker @Bruce to create a video on how to manage the transition to libpacks or if we should hold off until workflows are smoother.
Like some have already mentioned here on forum, I am also still to be convinced of what benefits do the libpacks bring to us as users - so far it seems that they require more time to manage then the old libraries and we are told that if they are slow to load, we should weed out the international objects. Was this not marketed for years as a benefit of the libpacks?
Maybe this purge is something between Graphisoft and the local distributors to deliver.
If anyone is seriously interested in a tool that could update libraries on BIMcloud via API - talk to us - it might be possible to develop it - we have already developed BIMcloud SaaS backup tool, even though GS claimed no such thing is possible.