Undocumented (under-advertised) Improvements in ArchiCAD 17

[JaredBanks]

I'm continuing a tradition that Link started back in 2011. Maybe someone did this for earlier versions, and I apologize if someone already started this for 17…

2011: Link started a thread highlighting all the undocumented (or under-documented) changes to the then latest version of ArchiCAD (which was 15). Here's that thread:
http://archicad-talk.graphisoft.com/viewtopic.php?t=36880


2012: I wrote a blog post about the undocumented changes to ArchiCAD 16 over on my blog. Here's that post:
http://www.shoegnome.com/2012/07/30/all-the-changes-in-archicad-16-that-we-love-but-wont-be-advertis...


2013: We now have ArchiCAD 17. I've written a post for GSNA's blog about the unadvertised changes and wanted to link it to the forum. Here's that post (with two other under-advertised changes):
http://blog.graphisoftus.com/archicad-education/tips-and-tricks/all-the-changes-in-archicad-17-that-...

And here are some of the little changes that one of the developers sent me… enjoy!

* Log Wall now has a checkbox to turn on/off
* Profiles, now need to name Profile when creating
* New Project Picture UI
* Project Info, clicking on headings will cycle through 3 sorting methods of group – also the comma has been removed when using complete address auto text
* Zone name no longer limited to 31 characters
* Section cuts now have the same options as 3DD
* Replace Attribute command (hidden from interface) - for advanced users
* Energy Evaluation, will now indicate the Profile Name but still requires overriding (new dialogue to choose Bmat or Composite)
* Project Location, now has a popup to choose Time Zone (no longer a text field)
* IFC Import Conversion Table – updated UI, edit in the list now (no longer separate Edit dialogue) and correct column sorting
* Energy Evaluation Report, can now customise appearance like colours, font etc. also can add an image as a header
* Composites support all line types – even Symbol Line Type
* Layer popup in Infobox now uses a smaller font to fit more characters in
* UI update to Layer Settings in GDL 2D Symbol


Now what else? What other little tweaks are flying under the radar? Or what big changes are you very excited to have. Reading through this list I think Symbol Line Types is going to be amazing. I'll do some thinking and record some videos. Get ready for some awesomeness.

[JaredBanks]

For more on Symbol Line types and composites, here's two posts:

http://blog.graphisoftus.com/archicad-education/tips-and-tricks/symbol-line-types-in-all-composites

http://www.shoegnome.com/2013/08/07/symbol-line-type-creation-and-symbol-line-types-in-composites/

[Barry Kelly]

Not sure if this is undocumented or not - can't find it in the Help Cetre - that is hopeless trying to use that!

There is now another way to "Merge" your published documents without having to tick the "Merge" box in the publisher sets.

Barry.

[Barry Kelly]

Seems this "create single file" is undocumented.
This is what is in the 17 reference PDF.
I'm still having no luck with the Help Centre.
Searching for anything there just doesn't work.
Well it does - it just takes a VERY long time.
That shows the same as the reference PDF (i.e. how it was in 16).
Barry.

[Link]

Not sure if a new undocumented features list has been created for ArchiCAD 17, but I noticed that the Library Manager gives direct access to the ArchiCAD 17 Library (and recently used objects by the look of it). Subtle but a nice touch!

Cheers,
Link.

[Link]

Anyone else found new undocumented features in ArchiCAD 17?

Cheers,
Link.

[Anonymous]

Has it listed somewhere yet???

The option to change color of cut surfaces moved from 3D Cutting Planes (Ctr+Shift+Y) to Filter & Cut Element in 3D (Ctrl+Alt+A), which more make sence to me.

[Link]

Yes that is a welcome change that's been a long time coming. Great to see this dialog finally updated. Although I thought Graphisoft may have made 'Use Element Attributes' the default to show off the power of automatic junctions.

Nevertheless these 3D Cutaways are so user friendly now, I am thinking of activating them by default in my template!

Cheers,
Link.

[David Maudlin]

Link wrote:
Anyone else found new undocumented features in ArchiCAD 17?

[Moderator edit: was a link to this thread... merged new topic with this topic. Thanks David!]

David

[Link]

Thanks for that David. Not sure how I missed the original topic.

Reading through it, I noticed that the Project Info mentioned that is available in the Mac OS Info dialog and the Windows Properties dialog also appears when you create a BIMx Docs file.

Nice to see this info in more places where it's needed.

Cheers,
Link.

[Scott Bulmer]

Offset Edge - Fixed Area (fills only)

Is very useful when planning buildings that have to retain a fixed area but may take multiple shapes. I used this new feature while site planning a recent project. See attached screenshot.