Dimension Section Elevation tool only measures from zero elevation

[Anonymous]

I am adding elevation benchmarks to my elevation of small house. For permit reasons, I need to show the structure's height as measured from grade. When I add the elevation markers they measure between grade and zero (set at top of ground floor structure), and zero to the top of the structure.

As a result the dimension indicated at the top of the ridge of the roof is two feet less than it should be because the ground floor top of structure (zero elevation) is two feet above grade. Grade shows -2' instead of zero.

Can someone tell me how I can use the dimension tool to measure between any points without interruption from level zero? Can I override it or do I need to use a different tool?

Thanks
Archicad 24

[Podolsky]

You can use additional reference level: Options / Project Preferences / Reference Levels
Here you can set additional two levels.

In dimension tool you can choose then different reference.

[Anonymous]

Thank you. This works in the situation of this small project, but it would not in a larger project where there may be any number of places that I would want to show extra dimensions in this way. Two extra reference levels would not be enough.

I discovered that I can override the dimension by right clicking on the dimension text then setting a custom dimension, but this of course is not dynamic.

[DGSketcher · Accepted solution]

LOUTRO wrote:
I discovered that I can override the dimension by right clicking on the dimension text then setting a custom dimension, but this of course is not dynamic.

And definitely not good practice! Archicad has a way to do what you want using the User Origin. Go to your section / elevation, add your required elevation level dimensions. Place the user origin at the required height, then select the level dimensions you want to change and in the drop down for the Dimension Origin select Current User Origin. The selected elevation dimension levels will now be displayed relative to that point.

These are the relevant links to AC help files ...
https://help.graphisoft.com/AC/24/INT/#t=_AC24_Help%2F030_Interaction%2F030_Interaction-23.htm&rhsea...

https://help.graphisoft.com/AC/24/INT/#t=_AC24_Help%2F070_Documentation%2F070_Documentation-46.htm&r...

[Anonymous]

Thank you, this is helpful!