New Tab to link External Manual/Document

[NILAM]

I am working on updating an existing Archicad File we use as a Template (pln file).  I have created a Bim Manual document and was hoping to add a tab in Archicad, so users can quickly get to the manual directly from Archicad.   The Manual is in Google Docs, so I could use a weblink or I could PDF it and link it.   I know there is a way to do this, but can't find any reference of how to start.

Operating system used: Mac Apple Silicon 14.2.1 Sonoma

[Barry Kelly · Accepted solution]

In your Archicad program folder you will find a folder called "Documentation" where you can place PDFs and another called "WWWLinks" where you can place web links.

Of course you need to place these PDFs or links to those folders on every computer you use.

Otherwise in your template, you could place each page of the PDF.

If the PDF is on a shared network drive that everyone has access to, you can keep that PDF updated and it will update in your template as well.

Place the PDF pages in a worksheet and you can open that worksheet as a tab.

Barry.

[NILAM]

Thanks Barry. 

Is there a way to use a .webloc file in lieu of a URL file in the WWWlinks folder?  I can't seem to get the google doc file to convert to a URL file on a mac.

[Barry Kelly]

As far as I know they have to be URL addresses.

Not that I know what a '.weblock' file is.

Can you save the google doc as a PDF?

Barry.

[Davor P]

Is there an analogue of bat file for Mac?
If so you might be able to create a silent installer for your office that can install Archicad, apply latest update, install goodies, and copy files to users device such as work environment, pdfs and links.
Nowadays you can ask chatGPT to write you code for bat files.

[NILAM · Accepted solution]

Thanks for the ChatGPT suggestion!  I asked how to do this and was able to find the directions I needed.  For others reference:

On a Mac, the default behavior for dragging a website to a folder creates a .webloc file, which is specific to macOS. If you need a .url file instead, you can create one manually. Here’s how:

1. Open TextEdit (or any text editor).

2. Create a new document and switch to plain text format (in TextEdit, go to Format > Make Plain Text).

3. Enter the following text in the document:

   [InternetShortcut] URL=your_website_url_here

   Replace your_website_url_here with the actual URL of the website.

4. Save the file:

   • Go to File > Save.
   • In the "Save As" dialog, enter your desired filename with a .url extension (e.g., MyWebsite.url).
   • Choose a location to save it and click Save.

Now you’ll have a .url file that can be used on systems that recognize that format.

[NILAM]

I needed this to be a document that can be updated easily without having to go to everyone's computer and relink the pdf each time.   ChatGPT helped me figure this out.