We value your input!
Please participate in Archicad 28 Home Screen and Tooltips/Quick Tutorials survey

Libraries & objects

Read articles about Archicad and BIMcloud libraries, their management and migration, objects and other library parts, etc.

Articles

Archicad Legacy Library

As Archicad evolves, certain older elements are phased out to make way for new features and improvements. However, some of these older elements from the Monolith Libraries are still necessary for specific regional standards, particularly for 2D drawi...

Global Libraries: Introduction

The traditional Archicad Library system, now being referred to as the "Monolith Library," was the standard for versions released prior to Archicad 28. This system was version-specific, providing all necessary objects and tools within a single, compre...

Modernized GDL Editor

The GDL Editor is essential to many users' workflows, allowing them to create objects customized for their project requirements. The GDL editor was modernized in Archicad 27, and it now includes a range of improvements that enhance the interface, nav...

BenjaminDani_0-1693408112817.png BenjaminDani_1-1693408112823.png BenjaminDani_2-1693408112824.png BenjaminDani_3-1693408112826.png

How to Simplify Floor Plan View of an Object

This article explains how you can simplify the 2D Symbol Floor Plan View of a custom Window Object in few steps. We have a custom Window placed in the project. The 2D Symbol (as it appears on the Floor Plan) of the custom GDL Objects is automatically...

wp-content_uploads_archicadwiki_howtosimplifyfloorplanview--picture11.png wp-content_uploads_archicadwiki_howtosimplifyfloorplanview--gdlmaster.png wp-content_uploads_archicadwiki_howtosimplifyfloorplanview--picture02.png wp-content_uploads_archicadwiki_howtosimplifyfloorplanview--picture03.png

How to create Custom Object Components

For an overview of the Custom Component feature, see Create Custom Components:Example Workflows ArchiTIPS on Facebook In this Tech Tip we will show how to create a custom object component, in this case a custom door panel for a Basin Cabinet We place...

wp-content_uploads_2021_07_Untitled.png wp-content_uploads_2021_07_Elevation-line-edited.png wp-content_uploads_2021_07_measure-3.png wp-content_uploads_2021_07_measure-2-2.png

Parametric Object Creation for Archicad with Grasshopper

GDL scripting has its beauties, but it’s definitely not for everyone and in general it would be nice to be able to create parametric objects in Archicad more easily. Grasshopper and the Live Connection can help with this up to a certain point by crea...

ghobject-lamp.png ghobject04.png ghobject02.png ghobject01-1.png

Snow Globe series: Happy New Year by Bart Cuppens

Welcome to our series of articles from the Snow Globe Challenge! We invited some of the participants of the challenge to elaborate on their entries, share their workflows and tips&tricks. Enjoy and feel free to drop us a comment if you have any quest...

Happy New Year.jpeg Picture 1.png Picture 2.png Picture 3.png

MEP Library migration issue in Archicad 25 NED

Affected versions: Archicad 25 NED | Severity: workaround applicable Issue When migrating from Archicad 24 NED to Archicad 25 NED or vice versa, users may find that the MEP Library is not migrated properly. Cause From Archicad 25 NED, the MEP Library...

wp-content_uploads_2021_07_MEP-lib-NED.png wp-content_uploads_2021_07_MEP-lib-NED-25.png wp-content_uploads_2021_07_MEP-lib-NED-24.png

BIMcomponents Frequently Asked Questions

About BIMcomponents.com https://youtu.be/qcvmK0AkXxE 1. What are the main objectives of BIMcomponents.com? Provide Full Visibility for Existing GDL Content Contrary to conventional wisdom GDL objects do exist in large bulks but they are spread all ov...

wp-content_uploads_archicadwiki_bimcomponents-faq--ipad.png Info_18x18.png wp-content_uploads_2021_05_Screenshot-2021-05-31-at-11.34.12.png wp-content_uploads_2021_05_Screenshot-2021-05-31-at-12.00.31.png

Converting IFC files into GDL Objects

Using IFC content can be a great tool in building up a custom library. Follow the steps below to convert IFC content into GDL objects. Opening Content 1. Go to File > Open > Open. 2. Select the IFC file to import, check the box next to Launch a new i...

wp-content_uploads_2018_09_Screen-Shot-2018-09-12-at-1.32.24-PM.png wp-content_uploads_2018_09_Screen-Shot-2018-09-12-at-1.33.07-PM.png wp-content_uploads_2018_09_Screen-Shot-2018-09-12-at-1.35.01-PM-1.png wp-content_uploads_2018_09_Screen-Shot-2018-09-12-at-1.35.21-PM.png

Converting 3D DXF/DWG Files into GDL Objects

Using 3D DXF/DWG content can be a great tool in building up a custom library. Follow the steps below to convert 3D DXF/DWG content into GDL objects. 1. Go to File > Libraries and Objects > Import Blocks from DXF/DWG. 2. Select the DWG file to import ...

wp-content_uploads_2018_09_Screen-Shot-2018-09-12-at-11.20.41-AM.png wp-content_uploads_2018_09_Screen-Shot-2018-09-12-at-11.21.43-AM.png wp-content_uploads_2018_09_Screen-Shot-2018-09-12-at-11.30.35-AM.png

Converting SketchUp files into GDL Objects

Using SketchUp content can be a great tool in building up a custom library. Follow the steps below to convert SketchUp content into GDL objects. Opening Content 1. Go to File > Open > Open. 2. Select the SketchUp file to import, check the box next to...

wp-content_uploads_2018_09_Screen-Shot-2018-09-10-at-2.51.12-PM.png wp-content_uploads_2018_09_Screen-Shot-2018-09-10-at-3.03.16-PM.png wp-content_uploads_2018_09_Screen-Shot-2018-09-10-at-3.03.41-PM-1.png

Converting STL files into GDL Objects

Using STL (StereoLithography File) content can be a great tool in building up a custom library. Follow the steps below to convert STL content into GDL objects. Opening Content 1. Go to File > Open > Open. 2. Select the STL file to import, check the b...

wp-content_uploads_2018_09_Screen-Shot-2018-09-10-at-1.42.25-PM.png wp-content_uploads_2018_09_Screen-Shot-2018-09-10-at-1.17.42-PM.png wp-content_uploads_2018_09_Screen-Shot-2018-09-10-at-1.50.15-PM.png wp-content_uploads_2018_09_Screen-Shot-2018-09-10-at-1.53.15-PM.png

Adding Content to the Embedded Library

The Embedded Library is a place to store project specific content within an ArchiCAD project. Textures and objects that are going to be used again in other projects should be stored in an external library. Follow the steps below embed content into th...

wp-content_uploads_2018_09_Screen-Shot-2018-09-10-at-1.04.32-PM.png wp-content_uploads_2018_09_Screen-Shot-2018-09-10-at-1.04.32-PM-1.png wp-content_uploads_2018_09_Screen-Shot-2018-09-10-at-1.05.55-PM.png wp-content_uploads_2018_09_Screen-Shot-2018-09-10-at-11.07.03-AM.png

Exporting Content from the Embedded Library

Many times textures and imported objects get added to the Embedded Library. To make sure that this content can be used in the future, it is recommended that it be exported to an office library. Follow the steps below to go this. Note: Objects that ar...

wp-content_uploads_2018_09_Screen-Shot-2018-09-10-at-10.38.01-AM.png wp-content_uploads_2018_09_Screen-Shot-2018-09-10-at-10.38.04-AM.png wp-content_uploads_2018_09_Screen-Shot-2018-09-10-at-10.38.49-AM-1.png wp-content_uploads_2018_09_Screen-Shot-2018-09-10-at-11.07.03-AM.png

How to create a Library Container File (LCF)

In certain situations having a full library in an LCF is more useful than having the library in its original hierarchical folder structure form on your hard drive. Such situations are: Library Parts are not modified or not to be modified. Let us say ...

wp-content_uploads_2012_09_1.jpg wp-content_uploads_2012_09_2.jpg Info_18x18.png wp-content_uploads_2012_09_6.jpg

How to detect and clear missing Library Parts

Also see: Example for detecting missing Library Parts in Archicad Why My Library Parts Are Missing? In Archicad, you can store objects and textures inside the project (Embedded Library) or in external locations (Linked library). To check and manage t...

wp-content_uploads_2018_07_Screen-Shot-2018-07-04-at-15.48.23.png wp-content_uploads_2018_07_LibraryLoadingReport.png wp-content_uploads_2018_07_Screen-Shot-2018-07-04-at-14.34.38.png Info_18x18.png

How to create Text-shaped Holes

There is an easy way to create text shaped holes in any construction elements with the following steps: Step 1: Open Text Object Select "3D Text Object" from the ARCHICAD Library in Object Settings dialog. It can be found in ARCHICAD version's Basic ...

wp-content_uploads_2018_01_3D-object-Text-971x1024.png
mtron Graphisoft
  • 4487 Views
  • 0 comments
  • 0 likes

GDL Object Downloads for ARCHICAD

Objects on BIMcomponents.com ARCHICAD’s modeling capabilities, connected with the cloud-based BIM Component database allows you to create, search, upload, and download custom BIM components of your choice. The fully-integrated web portal makes sharin...

wp-content_uploads_archicadwiki_linkcollection-gdlobjectdownloads--bim_components.jpg

Creating a Property Object

This description will take you through an example of assigning a property object to a wall. The property object can have one or more properties and these properties can be programmed, linked to a database and used for material takeoffs. The same conc...

wp-content_uploads_archicadwiki_propertyobject--diagram3.png wp-content_uploads_archicadwiki_propertyobject--01.png wp-content_uploads_archicadwiki_propertyobject--02.png wp-content_uploads_archicadwiki_propertyobject--03.png

How to use BIM Components

There are thousands of generic and manufacturer-specific objects available with the cloud-based BIMcomponents.com database.Architects and designers can share, upload, and download their objects, and members can discuss and rate the content of the por...

wp-content_uploads_archicadwiki_bimcomponents--bimcomponents.jpg
automata Graphisoft
  • 5354 Views
  • 0 comments
  • 0 likes

How to extract Library Parts from the ARCHICAD Library LCF

You may wish to modify a Library Part of a library included in an LCF (Library Container File). You may wish to do so with the ARCHICAD default library LCF or with an LCF from a library developer. One option is to place the object you wish to modify,...

wp-content_uploads_archicadwiki_extractlcflibrary--extractlcf-01.png wp-content_uploads_archicadwiki_extractlcflibrary--extractlcf-02.png wp-content_uploads_archicadwiki_extractlcflibrary--extractlcf-03.png wp-content_uploads_archicadwiki_extractlcflibrary--extractlcf-04.png
automata Graphisoft
  • 10852 Views
  • 0 comments
  • 0 likes

Where are all the Library Objects

Where are all the Library Objects? Many years ago Library Parts of ARCHICAD were by default located in folder structures. The program shipped with a Library folder (e.g. ARCHICAD Library 6.5) and in this folder was located a complete folder structure...

wp-content_uploads_archicadwiki_libraryobjectlocation--lcf-01.png wp-content_uploads_archicadwiki_libraryobjectlocation--lcf-02.png wp-content_uploads_archicadwiki_libraryobjectlocation--lcf-03.png
automata Graphisoft
  • 8295 Views
  • 0 comments
  • 0 likes

How to know what the exact GUID of a Library Object is

With the growing complexity of object libraries, a method of tracking Library parts and their revised versions was developed for ARCHICAD 8. In short, two GUIDs - internally coded 16-byte numbers -, in combination with the object (file) name, identif...

wp-content_uploads_archicadwiki_guid--guid.jpg wp-content_uploads_archicadwiki_guid--1.jpg wp-content_uploads_archicadwiki_guid--2.jpg wp-content_uploads_archicadwiki_guid--libpartselectsubtypedialog-2.png
automata Graphisoft
  • 5564 Views
  • 0 comments
  • 0 likes