When working with multiple design schemes in Archicad 27, it can be difficult to find clear, step‑by‑step guidance on setting up and managing Design Options. This article collects a structured series of Design Options video tutorials by longtime Archicad user @JaredBanks, showing how to use Design Options from the basics through templates, site context, and Hotlink Modules. The aim is to make these resources easier to discover and to support more confident use of Design Options in everyday design work.
Issue description
In Archicad 27, architects and designers often need to test and present several design variants within a single project file while keeping the model organized and decisions traceable. Without a clear learning path, the behavior of Design Options, their relationship to templates, site modeling, and Hotlink Modules, and their effect on project organization can remain unclear, which may lead to duplicated files and inconsistent option setups.
Solutions
Basics of Design Options in Archicad 27
- Design Options Manager and terminology
- Design Options Palette usage, features, and techniques
- Design Option Sets logic
Templates and Design Options examples
- Design Option Combinations & Views and using a default Design Option Combination for all views
- Paddle Board Tangent
- Design Option Combinations and Schedules
- Design Option Examples (both big and small)
- Notes Design Option
- Object Creation Primitives Design Option
- As Built Reference Design Option
Site modeling, site context, fade environment
- Existing Conditions and Site Cuts
- Extra Site Context (Neighbor's House)
- Extra Site Context (The Puget Sound)
- Proposed Design Option Combination (recap/reminder)
- Roof Form Options
- Old vs New (Existing Volume)
- Fade Environment
Hotlink Modules
- Creating some Design Options
- Saving Modules that include Design Options
- Placing Modules that include Design Options
- Working with placed Modules that include Design Options
- Updating and revising Modules
- Multiple instances of a single Module
- Design Option Combinations vs Selected Options
- Doors, Walls, and dealing with the Main Model
- Table and furniture layouts
Result
After following the selected videos, Archicad 27 users can better understand how to set up, manage, and present Design Options in a structured way. Typical results include more efficient handling of design variants within one file, improved consistency when using templates and Hotlink Modules, and clearer communication of alternatives to clients and collaborators. Comments and questions can be shared under the related community post, supporting ongoing knowledge exchange around these workflows.
Note: additional Archicad‑related resources, templates, and setups created by Jared Banks and his practice can be found on the Shoegnome Architects website.
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.
