ArchiCAD Python possibilities

[peter_94941]

Hey guys,

I just started to look into Python for ArchiCAD recently, and I guess I'm trying to grasp what can be achieved with it. My understanding is basically you can use it to manipulate different properties of an element, maybe in connection to an excel sheet, which can then be imported back into AC.

But I'm wondering if for example, can I use it to manipulate attributes as well? For example, would it be possible to code a script, which would generate all the RAL colors into an AC project file as surfaces?

Or could I use an Excel table to fill in all the information under Project->Info...

So I guess I would like to know how far can you reach with a Python script, what parts of a project can be manipulated with it, or is it "just" a tool to take lists and schedules outside of AC to for example Excel and then import it back, and so on...

Thank you, and have a great day!

Peter

[Mathias Jonathan]

The official Python API is not actively developped by Archicad, but there is an opensource alternative that is working on opening more command to the JSON/Python API: https://github.com/ENZYME-APD/tapir-archicad-automation

You can find the supported commands here:

https://enzyme-apd.github.io/tapir-archicad-automation/archicad-addon/

-I created a wish for surface creation

-The info command exists in Tapir.

There is a discord server : https://discord.gg/NAnSennmpY 

[vlahtinen]

AFAIK, the official Python API doesn't provide commands to create attributes. The full list of commands can be seen here: https://archicadapi.graphisoft.com/archicadPythonPackage/modules.html

It's possible to create layers, composites, and building materials with Tapir (https://www.archicad-api.com/), a free add-in for Archicad. The full list of commands of Tapir can be seen here: https://enzyme-apd.github.io/tapir-archicad-automation/archicad-addon/

With surfaces you're out of luck with both. Maybe your best option is to create an attribute XML that follows the import/export schema of Archicad and import the needed attributes that way.

There was a goodie that was able to import RAL colors to Archicad, but I don't know if the add-in is still available.

[BerndSchwarzenbacher]

The RAL colors Add-On can still be downloaded and is linked here: https://community.graphisoft.com/t5/Project-data-BIM/RAL-Color-System-Add-On/ta-p/303650

[peter_94941]

Thank you Mathias!

I will check out Tapir and the Discord server, sounds interesting! 

[peter_94941]

Thank you vlahtinen!

I will look into XMLs. The RAL add-on is still available, but most of the colours are much darker than it should be...

[peter_94941]

Thank you Bernd!

We installed the add-on, but unfortunately the colours are dark, for example the RAL9010 off white in the model is more like an in-the-middle gray tone, thats why I thought to generate all the colors based on their RGB values. Anyway, I will dig a bit deeper, and see where the road takes us!

[runxel]

Peter, try playing with the sun settings.

It's a known issue that the colors are perceived as too dark in the 3D window in most cases. I dialed in a pretty high number for the sun to light the scene more.