topic Re: Multi-story dimension object in General discussions

Multi-story dimension object

danielk — Sun, 08 Jun 2025 17:42:38 GMT

Hello everyone!

I’m back to share another one of my tools with you!

When designing taller buildings, structural grids and footprints repeat across multiple stories. However, the dimensions on these elements can’t be repeated, so we either waste time re-dimensioning them on each story or find complex workarounds.

To solve this, I created a multi-story dimension object. You place the dimension on a single story, select the stories you want it visible on, and it instantly appears on all 40 stories of your model.

You can find the object on my website:

https://kadsolutions.co.uk/webshop/p/multi-story-dimension-tool-26-28

Re: Multi-story dimension object

jl_lt — Sat, 07 Jun 2025 21:23:19 GMT

just take my money.

by the way, would it be possible that the dimension object detects objects aumatically? similar to what the section tool does, but with dimensions so that everything is anotated automatically according to criteria.

thanks!

Re: Multi-story dimension object

Alison_007 — Sat, 07 Jun 2025 22:10:53 GMT

Incredible. Something simple but very useful, I have often had to do something like this.

Re: Multi-story dimension object

Mahmoud Qenawi — Sun, 08 Jun 2025 05:50:58 GMT

Yes pls, it can be like dimension tool in Chief Architect, so smart.

https://www.chiefarchitect.com/videos/watch/5488/dimensioning-basics.html

Re: Multi-story dimension object

MitchD — Mon, 09 Jun 2025 01:43:32 GMT

This is fantastic, much better than the current dimension object i use.

May i suggest individual witness line lengths, and individal text offsets if possible? this is the one i use below, it's just quite clunky.

Re: Multi-story dimension object

jl_lt — Tue, 10 Jun 2025 00:54:40 GMT

basically, all our posts for the past 2 years revolve around an imaginary new dimension tool that would solve at least 95% of all dimensioning issues posted here.

Re: Multi-story dimension object

danielk — Wed, 11 Jun 2025 11:10:26 GMT

This looks great! I've never even heard of Chief Architect before, but now I will have to check out what else they do different!

I am sure Graphisoft could do something like this, but little old me only have limited access to what Archicad can do through the API and GDL. 😕

But even like this, this tool was still a great quality of life improvement in everyday work for me.

Would be cool though!

Re: Multi-story dimension object

danielk — Wed, 11 Jun 2025 11:13:34 GMT

Hi,

Yeah, it should be possible for sure! I will put that on my backlog.

The way I use it, I didn't need that kind of customization, so I never added it, but when I have time to spend on this again, I will add those options for sure.

Re: Multi-story dimension object

josephkane — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 19:18:33 GMT

Hey danielk,

Your multi-story dimension object sounds like a game-changer for tall buildings! 😎 No more re-dimensioning every floor—placing it once and having it show up on all 40 stories is a huge time-saver. I checked out your site, and it looks super handy.

On jl_lt’s idea about auto-detecting objects like the section tool, that’d be next-level, kinda like Chief Architect’s smart dimensioning (Mahmoud’s link). I get you’re limited by ArchiCAD’s API and GDL, but maybe Graphisoft could take inspiration for a future update? For now, your tool’s already a big win. MitchD’s suggestion for custom witness line lengths and text offsets could make it even slicker—good call adding that to your backlog!

Have you tested it on super complex models yet, or is there a specific project type it shines on?

Re: Multi-story dimension object

danielk — Thu, 19 Jun 2025 08:58:53 GMT

Hi,

Thanks for the kind words, I am glad it is useful for others as well!

I don't think project complexity is a factor for this object, it is pretty self-contained. But the more stories you have, the more of a help it is.

We work on projects that have anywhere between 1 - 50 stories, and the 50 story buildings were the ones that made me finally develop this object. 😄

Re: Multi-story dimension object

karinamdp — Tue, 28 Oct 2025 15:43:39 GMT

The site is down 😞

How can the Archicad community lose a wonder like this one?!

Re: Multi-story dimension object

mthd — Thu, 30 Oct 2025 02:01:50 GMT

Interesting and I have been using CA from 1999 with V6 onwards up to 2018 X10. They do have some quite fast automated systems working in their software.

Realistically in Archicad with distance guides bringing up automatic element locations etc. They could easily create a dimensioning tool resulting from distance guides feedback. I am not code literate so I couldn’t write a patch for a new updated Automatic Dimensioning tool that locates all elements automatically.

Maybe another repetitive task for AI to take up ? 😆

Re: Multi-story dimension object

jl_lt — Thu, 30 Oct 2025 03:00:02 GMT

It actually was the first thing i ever asked an AI to do. it spitted out a lot of code but didnt implement any of it (you know, for the still not-completely-dispelled fear of AI world domination).

The main purpose for such tribulations was to get a tool that worked like the section tool but for dimensions, with a lot of adjustable parameters and options.

Because there is such an incredible gap between the 3d capabilities of Archicad (which are great) and its dimensioning and anotation capabilities (which are deficient to say the least).

Re: Multi-story dimension object

mthd — Thu, 30 Oct 2025 03:08:19 GMT

I just accept the limitations of the code in any CAD software until they hopefully bring it up to scratch for the modern AI era.

Re: Multi-story dimension object

JeffH — Mon, 03 Nov 2025 14:23:24 GMT

the link to this dimension object no longer works

Re: Multi-story dimension object

jl_lt — Wed, 26 Nov 2025 06:48:53 GMT

I dont. Im going to keep posting about that theoretical tool at every chance, until one of the following happens:

-another software appears that includes that functionality

-the AI comes up with a better dimensioning tool

-GS actually makes the tool

-either I (using AI) or @danielk make the tool

-GS or the community ban me from this forum, in which case, i might or might not reappear as lj_tl in an indeterminate future

Re: Multi-story dimension object

MERLO — Wed, 26 Nov 2025 07:39:30 GMT

I think the new website is this :
https://archibites.tech/product/multi-story-dimension/