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Post your wishes about Graphisoft products: Archicad, BIMx, BIMcloud, and DDScad.

Automation via Record and Playback

Hobbesnb
Booster
Forgive me if this is a repeat or an Add-on already exists (though i have not been able to find anything on it).

For those lacking anything more than basic GDL programming skills (like myself), this would be an excellent feature or add-on.

Adobe Photoshop has a sub-routine that allows the user to "record" a series of commands executed upon an image, and then save that series of commands and play it back upon a different image (or batch of images even). The whole process is very user-friendly.

Can this be done in ArchiCAD?

My most immediate problem relates to a monotonous task of importing DWG details from vendors and our old DWG library and then correctly formatting them for our current ArchiCAD settings (though I'd imagine this could have limitless applications).

The capabilities of the DWG-DXF translator are limited in this respect. I can import them, but then have to go thru the task of changing layers, changing pens, changing fonts, etc. ( because the DWGs come from many different places, setting up Translators for each isn't realistic, nor are they capable of doing what i need to do). All this is simply done via Find and Select Tool, but must be done manually. An Add-on that would let me save that routine (among other monotonous tasks), would be greatly beneficial.

Sample work flow (after opening a DWG file):

1. F&S > All Text > Convert to office standards, place on correct layer
2. F&S > All Dimensions > Convert to office standards, place on correct layer
3. F&S > 2D types with Pen 'x' > Change pen, place on correct layer
(Repeat for as many pens as required)

This is easy enough for faster users, but it gets cumbersome even for me after 5 or so. When I'm importing a series of 20-30 details from the same manufacturer, or converting our old office detail library to the new standards, a feature like this would make life a breeze, and limit the amount of 'pollution' unsuspecting users could introduce into a project file.
Scott Graham, AIA LEED BD+C

Principal | BIM Manager

Muhlenberg Greene Architects, Ltd.

Wyomissing, PA 19610



V6.5-26.0
3 REPLIES 3
Laszlo Nagy
Community Admin
Community Admin
This is a good wish in my opinion so I support it.

Meanwhile you may try some keyboard/mouse macro program that works with all applications. It will record you keystrokes and mouse movements and click then play it back for you. It should work.
Loving Archicad since 1995 - Find Archicad Tips at x.com/laszlonagy
AMD Ryzen9 5900X CPU, 64 GB RAM 3600 MHz, Nvidia GTX 1060 6GB, 500 GB NVMe SSD
2x28" (2560x1440), Windows 10 PRO ENG, Ac20-Ac27
Hobbesnb
Booster
Thanks Laszlo!

I'll look into a program of the type you're suggesting. I may run it by some Add-on specialists to see if it's plausible.

I do hope this wish finds its way into ArchiCAD sometime soon.

It might even make for a great selling point to firms that have large detail libraries to convert over to AC!
Scott Graham, AIA LEED BD+C

Principal | BIM Manager

Muhlenberg Greene Architects, Ltd.

Wyomissing, PA 19610



V6.5-26.0
Laszlo Nagy
Community Admin
Community Admin
Yes, I think this would make a great Add-On. It would probably have access to all tools and all commands the API allows. It could record and perform every action, every click you can do in ArchiCAD.
Would be great.
Loving Archicad since 1995 - Find Archicad Tips at x.com/laszlonagy
AMD Ryzen9 5900X CPU, 64 GB RAM 3600 MHz, Nvidia GTX 1060 6GB, 500 GB NVMe SSD
2x28" (2560x1440), Windows 10 PRO ENG, Ac20-Ac27

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