two plan views of the same project?

[Anonymous]

hi,

Can I have two views (windows) of the same plan? One zoomed in close and another a little further out? And then work from one to the other?

Thanks,
H

[SeaGeoff]

Not as simply as opening two S/E windows, but there are ways. First, what version of ArchiCAD you are using and what's your hardware config? Put it in your sig so it's always available to those who might help (profile link at top of page).

[Anonymous]

AC 10, WIN XP, P4 2.8Ghz 1Gig RAM

[SeaGeoff]

ArchiCAD can currently only open one plan (Story) window at a time, and can only display one layer combination across all the open model windows. There have been a lot of requests to change this situation and surely the future will bring some improvements.

But that doesn't mean you cannot use existing ArchiCAD features to do almost what you want. Since you're only looking to change the zoom level and since you want to work in both places (as opposed to working in one and just looking at the other) all your options involve manipulating the single floor plan window:

1. Save a view of each in your Working Views folder.
2. Use the Previous & Next view buttons/commands (assign shortcuts if you haven't) to simply toggle between the two zooms.
3. Use the often overlooked Home View along with Previous/Next, 100%, or Zoom Extents.

Hope that helps.

[Anonymous]

Geoff,

What I really want is to start a dimension in a zoomed view and finish the dimension in another zoomed view.

I suppose that's asking a bit much?

Thanks,
Henry

[Karl Ottenstein]

Henry wrote:
What I really want is to start a dimension in a zoomed view and finish the dimension in another zoomed view.

Learn to use the Project Preview window/palette. (With dual monitors, make it a decent size on your second monitor. A small docked on on a single monitor is still "OK".)

Zoom in as close as you need and notice the rectangle in the Preview window...drag the rectangle to quickly jump to where you want to end your wall, dimension, etc.

Not the same as split windows or multiple windows/views of the same workspace, but maybe it helps?

Karl