topic Re: Layer Name Simplification in Documentation

Layer Name Simplification

Zdenko — Mon, 03 Jun 2024 19:51:14 GMT

is there a way i can globally modify layer names? for example i find the A - Annotations..... layers way to long in characters and would like to shorten/abbreviate and would like to eliminate all of the "-" in between words.

Operating system used: Mac Intel-based Sonoma 14.4.1

Re: Layer Name Simplification

Barry Kelly — Tue, 04 Jun 2024 01:37:37 GMT

Globally edit a list of layers - no.

You have to amend each layer name individually.

Barry.

Re: Layer Name Simplification

Xandros — Tue, 04 Jun 2024 07:02:32 GMT

You could try exporting it via the Attribute Manager by Index and do a search and replace in editor / notepad ++ for example and reimport it by Index again.

Re: Layer Name Simplification

Barry Kelly — Tue, 04 Jun 2024 08:55:34 GMT

Good thinking Xandros, that does work.

You just have to be very careful with the find & replace that you are only editing the layer name in the XML file.

The '-' for example is also used in the GUID numbers.

But if you are searching for ' - ' (space - space), then it should be easier to find just in the layer name.

Barry.

Re: Layer Name Simplification

Xandros — Tue, 04 Jun 2024 09:10:50 GMT

I'd love to do so in Excel since it can handle xml-files and it would definitely be safer (not changing things that doesnt need to be changed) and there are more tools at hand to do systematic replace of text, but haven't figured out a way of saving it back to an xml that is still readable for ArchiCAD.

Re: Layer Name Simplification

Ahmed_K — Tue, 04 Jun 2024 12:09:58 GMT

Archicad XML files use complex XML mapping tables, that can be read by excel , but it can't be exported back to XML

you need to use Notepad ++ or some advanced coding skills with python

Re: Layer Name Simplification

Zdenko — Tue, 04 Jun 2024 14:16:53 GMT

thanks Xandros and Barry! I am very comfortable with Excel and XML, will give it a try here shortly on my TPL file.

Re: Layer Name Simplification

Zdenko — Tue, 04 Jun 2024 15:06:11 GMT

bouhmidage - should have read your message before trying! does not work in XML which s..ks... will try Notepad

Re: Layer Name Simplification

Zdenko — Tue, 04 Jun 2024 15:19:05 GMT

well i am SOL? Notepad++ is Windows based and requires too much brain damage to get it running on OS, if i come across anything will chime back in.

Re: Layer Name Simplification

Ahmed_K — Tue, 04 Jun 2024 15:59:40 GMT

Try this,

Easy XML Editor - XML Software (edit-xml.com)

Re: Layer Name Simplification

Zdenko — Tue, 04 Jun 2024 16:11:28 GMT

cool!