Managing snap points when working with point clouds in Archicad

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When point clouds are used as a reference in a project, the high density of points can make it harder to place and edit elements accurately. This article describes several ways to reduce visual clutter, manage snap behavior, and keep point clouds usable as a reference while modeling.

Issue description

The dense structure of point clouds creates many snap points, which can clutter the workspace and make it difficult to select, place, or align elements with precision. Many users look for a way to turn off snapping specifically for point clouds, but current tools are designed to manage snap interactions more broadly across the model.

Solution

Method 1: adjust snap settings in Input Constraints and Guides

The Input Constraints and Guides settings control snapping and cursor behavior in Archicad. These settings do not turn off point cloud snapping, but they help refine how snap points appear and how the cursor interacts with them.

To open this dialog, go to Options > Work Environment > Input Constraints and Guides.

The key settings available in this panel are: 

• Snap Guides & Points: controls the appearance and behavior of snap guides and reference points.

• Snap Reference Angles: allows the definition of specific angles for snapping, supporting precise alignment.

• Autohide Snap Points: reduces visual clutter by displaying snap points only when needed.

• Guide Line Options: adjusts how guide lines appear and function during modeling.

• Cursor Behavior Settings: customizes how the cursor responds to snap elements.
  

key settings in Input Constraints and Guides

Method 2: Snap Point options

Snapping behavior along element edges and segments can be further refined through Snap Point Options, found under View > Snap Point Options. These options control how snap points are distributed along geometry.

Available options include:

• Half: Divides an edge into two equal parts.

• Divisions: Divides an edge into a specified number of equal segments (range: 3–100).

• Percent: Divides an edge into two parts according to the specified percentage.

• Distance: Divides an edge into segments that are the specified distance apart.

• Best Division by Distance: Divides an edge into equal parts that are as close as possible to the specified distance.

Note: preferred values for divisions, percentage, and distance are defined in theSnap Point Valuesdialog box.

These settings apply at the segment level, offering flexibility in how snapping behaves when modeling. Further details on snap points can be found in the Archicad Help topic on Snap Points.

Snap Point Options available settings

Method 3: Snap Point options

Visibility of the point cloud can be controlled without affecting other elements by placing it into a passive Design Option. In this way, the point cloud remains available as a reference but can be quickly shown or hidden during modeling.

1. Open the Design Options palette via Design > Design Options.
   If the palette is not visible, it can be enabled under Window > Palettes > Design Options.
   
   

2. Create a new Design Option set by clicking New Option Set, then add a New Option. 
   
   Create New Option in Design Option palette
3. Move the point cloud to New Option 
   • Select the point cloud in your model. 
   • In the Design Options palette, assign it to the New Option by right-clicking on it and selecting “Link Selected Elements”. 
     
     
4. Toggle the point cloud on/off 

   • When the option is turned off, the point cloud is hidden without affecting other elements. 

   • Since the Design Options palette is non-modal, it stays open, making toggling quick. 
     
     Ative ou desative facilmente a nuvem de pontos com as Opções de Projeto.

      

Fading and locking the point cloud for better visibility 

Use the Fade Environment option to fade the Point Cloud, reducing its visual impact while modeling new elements. This helps maintain reference visibility without it dominating the view. 

To prevent accidental selection while keeping the Point Cloud visible for reference, use the Lock command by selecting the Point Cloud and go to Edit > Locking > Lock. This keeps the Point Cloud in place while allowing snap points to remain active.

This method supports a smoother smoother by highlighting relevant elements and locking references such as a point cloud (similarly to the Trace Reference feature) 

Additional methods for controlling snap point visibility when working with complex geometries

While Design Options provide the greatest flexibility for controlling visibility and locking reference elements, Graphic Overrides and Layer Combinations can also be applied to achieve similar results.

• Graphic Overrides: Adjust the appearance of the point cloud by modifying its color or level of transparency 
  
  
• Layer Combinations: Toggle the visibility of the Point Cloud by placing it on a dedicated layer and switching between predefined layer combinations. 
  

Outcome

By applying these methods, a cleaner and more efficient modeling environment can be maintained even when dense point clouds are present. Adjusted snap settings, controlled visibility, and the use of Design Options help prevent snap points from overwhelming the workspace, while point cloud data remains available as a reference. This leads to a smoother workflow, fewer errors, and more accurate modeling.

Como usar o Dissipar Ambiente.

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

If you want to learn more about how to work with point clouds, you can also check out this guide here. 

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.