How to show door clear opening width in Archicad

[#1]

Project documentation often needs to display the clear opening width of doors to satisfy planning and accessibility requirements, but this value is not always available by default in Archicad. This article presents two practical, community‑proven ways to annotate and measure door clear openings on plans so that documentation remains compliant and easy to read.

Issue description

In many projects, architects and designers must document the clear opening width of doors rather than just the nominal door size. This clear opening value is not always exposed directly in standard door markers or schedules, which can make it harder to verify that designs comply with accessibility or planning rules. The following workflows allow users to show clear opening widths directly on plans, either as a dedicated marker or by using dimensions.

Solution

Two methods are available to display clear door opening widths in Archicad plans:

• Using a custom door marker that automatically calculates and shows the clear opening width.

• Adding hotspots to the door object so that the Dimension tool can measure the clear opening directly between hotspots.

Solution 1: use a custom door marker that shows clear opening width

A Community‑created door marker can calculate and display the clear opening width on floor plans. After downloading the marker object, users can load it into the project library and apply it to doors in the model. The clear opening value then appears as part of the marker, based on the parameters of each door.

1. Download the marker object and add it to the project library.

2. In the door settings, select the downloaded marker as the marker type.

3. Place or update doors so that the marker shows the calculated clear opening width next to each door symbol.

Solution 2: add hotspots to the door object and dimension the clear opening 

If users prefer to work with dimensions instead of a marker, the door object can be edited so that hotspots mark the clear opening width. The Dimension tool can then be used to measure between these hotspots. This method works with existing Archicad door objects by adding a short GDL code snippet to the 2D script.

1. Click a placed door in the project, go to File > Libraries and Objects > Open Object (shortcut Ctrl + Shift + O on Windows or Cmd + Shift + O on macOS). 
   
   
   
2. In the Object Editor, open the 2D Script panel. The additional code will create hotspots that represent the clear opening. 
   
   
   
3. Copy and paste the following code into the 2D script. If the script is empty, paste the code as is; if there is existing code, add the lines without deleting anything.
   • Single door: 

   HOTSPOT2 A/2 - gs_frame_width + gs_rebate_width - gs_leaf_thk, 0 
   
   HOTSPOT2 A/2 - gs_frame_width + gs_rebate_width - gs_leaf_thk, gs_leaf_panel_width

   •  Double door: 

   HOTSPOT2 A/2 - gs_frame_width + gs_rebate_width - gs_leaf_thk, 0 
   
   HOTSPOT2 A/2 - gs_frame_width + gs_rebate_width - gs_leaf_thk, gs_SecondLeaf_w 
   
   HOTSPOT2 -A/2 + gs_frame_width - gs_rebate_width + gs_leaf_thk, 0 
   
   HOTSPOT2 -A/2 + gs_frame_width - gs_rebate_width + gs_leaf_thk, gs_leaf_panel_width - gs_SecondLeaf_w

     

4. Save the changes (Ctrl + S for Windows and Cmd + S for macOS). When the door is selected again in the plan, the new hotspots appear at the clear opening positions and can be used as references for dimensions.

 Outcome

Both methods make it possible to show clear opening widths of doors clearly within project documentation. Users can choose between an automated marker or manual dimensioning based on hotspots, depending on office standards and personal preference. These workflows help ensure that drawings communicate door clearance information accurately for approvals and coordination.

---

These techniques were originally shared by Community members @neilmcallister and @Yves. If you’d like to explore the original discussion, click here to read the full thread!

This article is part of the ‘Tip of the Month’ series on Graphisoft Insights, highlighting valuable community-driven solutions for modeling challenges. Try these methods in your next project and experience the difference in model quality and efficiency.