I have many wishes, but one that I think is critical is improving the DETAIL WORKFLOW. We have all of these object types (Plans, Sections, Elevations, Worksheets, DETAILS, etc.), but they mostly work the same in the Navigator. DETAILS should be different... they don't need Views at all! Each Detail IS a 2D View, and I would argue that, once set, they NEVER change their Scale, Model View, Pens, Dimension Type, Renovation Filter, or Layer Combination. Heck, they don't even need Layers (arguably)!
Currently, using Office Standard or Template details from an archived collection (something I think ALL architects do) involves creating a new Independent Detail, opening a new ArchiCAD instance, copying and pasting the elements, setting up the View (Scale, Layers, etc.), place on a layout, and create a call-out marker. That's if everything goes well. Then repeat many times. TOO MANY STEPS for a common activity.
Linking is easier, but can be cumbersome, cause slow updates, and result in broken links as files get moved. Placing all detail collections in the Project Template is messy, resulting in huge templates that are cumbersome for small projects. PDFs and PMKs are restricting, and can't be updated in a pinch. Some use the pre-Detail Tool method of making several underground stories to show different scales of details.
I recommend the following:
A. Use the Organizer to copy Details from one PLN to another. Perhaps have a preview window. Or, better yet, allow drag-and-drop from two open instances or ARCHICAD.
B. Create an option to EMBED a Detail instead of Linking it. Perhaps just add an "Unlink" button to the context menu, which automates creation of an Independent Detail.
C. Fuse Details in the Project Map with a single View Setting. Maybe they don't show up in both. If the Scale, etc., is changed at all, it changes the View permanently.
D. Allow this to happen with multiple Details at once. Batch copy!
E. Make sure the ID, Name, and View Settings transfer over.
F. Simplify the editing window as much as possible. Hide modeling tools I don't need, and highlight the drafting tools I do.
G. Work on the Detailer objects to make a robust detailing environment. Look back at the MSA Detailer system that used to come with ArchiCAD.
H. Create a quicker way to jump to the reference marker(s), wherever it may be. This may be a window that shows a list of all locations that the current Detail is referenced. Perhaps a Palette, or just a context menu item.
I will likely create a new wishlist item, but I'd like to hear feedback. How do YOU DO DETAILS?
Chuck Kottka
Orcutt Winslow
Phoenix, Arizona, USA
ArchiCAD 25 (since 4.5)
Macbook Pro 15" Touchbar OSX 10.15 Core i7 2.9GHz/16GB RAM/Radeon Pro560 4GB