Multi-story dimension object

[danielk]

Hello everyone!

I’m back to share another one of my tools with you!

When designing taller buildings, structural grids and footprints repeat across multiple stories. However, the dimensions on these elements can’t be repeated, so we either waste time re-dimensioning them on each story or find complex workarounds.

To solve this, I created a multi-story dimension object. You place the dimension on a single story, select the stories you want it visible on, and it instantly appears on all 40 stories of your model.

You can find the object on my website:

https://kadsolutions.co.uk/webshop/p/multi-story-dimension-tool-26-28

[jl_lt]

just take my money.

by the way, would it be possible that the dimension object detects objects aumatically?  similar to what the section tool does, but with dimensions so that everything is anotated automatically according to criteria.

thanks!

[Mahmoud Qenawi]

Yes pls, it can be like dimension tool in Chief Architect, so smart.

https://www.chiefarchitect.com/videos/watch/5488/dimensioning-basics.html

[danielk]

This looks great! I've never even heard of Chief Architect before, but now I will have to check out what else they do different!

I am sure Graphisoft could do something like this, but little old me only have limited access to what Archicad can do through the API and GDL. 😕

But even like this, this tool was still a great quality of life improvement in everyday work for me.

Would be cool though!

[Alison_007]

Incredible. Something simple but very useful, I have often had to do something like this.

[MitchD]

This is fantastic, much better than the current dimension object i use.

May i suggest individual witness line lengths, and individal text offsets if possible? this is the one i use below, it's just quite clunky.

[danielk]

Hi,

Yeah, it should be possible for sure! I will put that on my backlog.

The way I use it, I didn't need that kind of customization, so I never added it, but when I have time to spend on this again, I will add those options for sure.

[jl_lt]

basically, all our posts for the past 2 years revolve around an imaginary new dimension tool that would solve at least 95% of all dimensioning issues posted here.

[josephkane]

Hey danielk,

Your multi-story dimension object sounds like a game-changer for tall buildings! 😎 No more re-dimensioning every floor—placing it once and having it show up on all 40 stories is a huge time-saver. I checked out your site, and it looks super handy.

On jl_lt’s idea about auto-detecting objects like the section tool, that’d be next-level, kinda like Chief Architect’s smart dimensioning (Mahmoud’s link). I get you’re limited by ArchiCAD’s API and GDL, but maybe Graphisoft could take inspiration for a future update? For now, your tool’s already a big win. MitchD’s suggestion for custom witness line lengths and text offsets could make it even slicker—good call adding that to your backlog!

Have you tested it on super complex models yet, or is there a specific project type it shines on?

[danielk]

Hi,

Thanks for the kind words, I am glad it is useful for others as well!

I don't think project complexity is a factor for this object, it is pretty self-contained. But the more stories you have, the more of a help it is.

We work on projects that have anywhere between 1 - 50 stories, and the 50 story buildings were the ones that made me finally develop this object. 😄

[karinamdp]

The site is down 😞

How can the Archicad community lose a wonder like this one?!

[mthd]

Interesting and I have been using CA from 1999 with V6 onwards up to 2018 X10. They do have some quite fast automated systems working in their software.

Realistically in Archicad with distance guides bringing up automatic element locations etc. They could easily create a dimensioning tool resulting from distance guides feedback. I am not code literate so I couldn’t write a patch for a new updated Automatic Dimensioning tool that locates all elements automatically. 

Maybe another repetitive task for AI to take up ? 😆 

[jl_lt]

It actually was the first thing i ever asked an AI to do. it spitted out a lot of code but didnt implement any of it (you know, for the still not-completely-dispelled fear of AI world domination). 

The main purpose for such tribulations was to get a tool that worked like the section tool but for dimensions, with a lot of adjustable parameters and options. 

Because there is such an incredible gap between the 3d capabilities of Archicad (which are great) and its dimensioning and anotation capabilities (which are deficient to say the least). 

[mthd]

I just accept the limitations of the code in any CAD software until they hopefully bring it up to scratch for the modern AI era.