Creating layouts in Archicad: Master Layouts, Autotexts, graphics, and more

[Andrea Polgar]

Composing clear, professional layouts is key to quality architectural documentation in Archicad. By combining master layouts, AutoText, lines, fills, and images, you can build drawing sheets that are both attractive and consistent. Below is a complete guide for creating effective layouts, with practical tips and benefits explained.

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The concept of Master Layouts

Master layouts in Archicad act as reusable templates for your project’s drawing sheets. They define page size, title block, frames, standard graphics, and key information so every layout appears professional and uniform. Any changes you make to a master layout update all child layouts instantly, saving time and keeping your project consistent.

• Flexible sizes: Choose from standard paper sizes (A4, A3, A2, A1, A0) or set a custom page size for special requirements. Projects can have several master layouts for different types of drawings (plans, details, covers).
• Quick format changes: Any layout can switch its master at any time, making format changes simple mid-project.
• Using lines and fills for layout graphics: Lines and fills help visually organize information, frame the title block, separate drawing areas, and add subtle backgrounds—improving both clarity and overall presentation.
• Autotexts for dynamic content changes: Autotext fields are dynamic text elements that auto-fill with project or sheet data—like project name, drawing number, author, or dates—pulled directly from your model’s info or layout settings.

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Defining paper size

• Click the New Master Layout icon in the Navigator or the Organizer.
• Name: Enter a name for the Master Layout.
• Size: Select a standard or custom size; fields show horizontal and vertical dimensions (based on Layout Working Units).
• Margins: Set the four margins.
• Orientation: Choose Portrait or Landscape.
• Printable Area: Displays the area available after applying size and margins.
• Anchor Point: Select one of nine anchor points for the layout.

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Auto-arranging drawings

When several items are placed at once, Archicad arranges them according to the Drawing Placement rules defined in the Master Layout Settings.​

The Master Layout in Archicad offers two arrangement methods for positioning multiple drawings automatically on a layout:

1. Auto Arrange New Drawings:

   • Drawings are placed horizontally (left to right) until the row width is filled, then continue on the next row. This method is ideal for organizing drawings like plans or elevations in tidy horizontal sequences.

   • Drawings are stacked vertically (top to bottom) until the column height is filled, then continue in the next column. This setup works best for sections or detail drawings arranged in vertical order.

2. Align and Assign Drawings to a Grid: This method is commonly used for details, wall sections, and similar drawing types where a structured grid layout is preferred. When this option is selected, drawings are placed in predefined grid cells rather than flowing sequentially.

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Adding company logo

• Place your company logo or other images onto the master layout for consistent branding. Use drag-and-drop
• or Place External Drawing to insert vector (PDF/SVG) or high-res PNG images:
  
  • Activate the Drawing tool, then click on Master Layout.
  • Choose “local file system”, then browse.

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Adding fills and lines

Add 2D drawing elements to create frames title blocks and to compose your company's layout style.

On‑Screen vs Published Colors:

The appearance of lines, fills, and text may differ between the layout editing window and the final PDF/print output in Archicad. Uniform colors are used during editing to help distinguish Master Layout content from regular layout elements, but the final published file always uses the assigned pen set for colors and graphics

To change the on-screen uniform color, go to Options > Work Environment > On-Screen Options.

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Adding Autotext

 

• Place a text field in your title block, then insert Autotext tags (like ProjectName  or LayoutID).
• When the information changes in “Project Info” or elsewhere, every instance of that Autotext updates automatically—saving effort and preventing errors.
• Examples of valuable Autotext fields:
  • Project Name, Project Number, Client, Site Address
  • Layout Name/Title, Layout Number, Sheet/Page Number, Page Count
  • Scale, Date, Author, Revision, Issue Status
• Benefits:
  • No need to update details by hand; everything is live and always current
  • Prevents typos, inconsistencies, and missing project info
  • Simple to update entire projects from one place

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Composing a Layout

 

• Use the Navigator to create new layouts based on the desired master
• Layouts inherit all master elements automatically
• In the Drawing Selection Settings add drawing title and frame
• Add Keynote legends
• Add Revision History

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Good practices & tips

• Keep the title block design simple but consistent with your office’s branding.
• Use Autotext for anything likely to change during the project’s life—project name, phase, revision etc.
• Lock important graphics (like your logo or frames) on the master to prevent accidental edits.
• Maintain a small, clear set of master layouts for different sheet types to simplify management.