Catching design issues early is crucial to preventing costly mistakes down the line. Archicad's Graphic Overrides are a powerful tool for quality assurance (QA), allowing you to visually audit your model by highlighting elements based on their specific properties and classifications.
A common QA task is checking for static dimensions, which are fixed measurements not linked to the model. Unlike dynamic (associative) dimensions that update automatically with design changes, static dimensions can lead to inaccuracies if the model is modified. This guide shows you how to use Graphic Overrides to instantly spot them.
Create a Graphic Override Combination
First, you need to create a dedicated combination for your QA check.
Navigate to Document > Graphic Overrides > Graphic Override Combinations.
Click New to create a new combination, or duplicate an existing one.
Name it something descriptive, such as "Static Dimensions Check".
Create a New Rule
Next, you will define the rule that finds the static dimensions.
In the Graphic Override Combinations dialog, click Manage Rules.
Click New, give your rule a name (e.g., "Highlight Static Dimensions"), and then click Edit.
Under the Criteria panel, set the conditions to identify the target elements. Set the criteria as:
Element Type is Dimension.
AND
Dimension State is Static.
Define the Override Style
Now, specify how you want the identified elements to appear.
In the Override Style panel, check the boxes for the attributes you want to change.
For high visibility, override the Line Type and select a distinct Line Pen color, such as bright red.
Click OK to save the rule.
Apply the Rule and Activate
Finally, add the new rule to your combination and activate it in your view.
Back in the Graphic Override Combinations dialog, click Add and select your newly created rule ("Highlight Static Dimensions").
Click OK to close the dialog.
Select your "Static Dimensions Check" combination from the Graphic Override menu at the bottom of your workspace to see all static dimensions instantly change color.
This same principle can be used for countless other QA checks, such as verifying fire-resistance ratings, checking element layers, or identifying load-bearing structures.
