Modules are a great productivity tool to manage repetitive complex elements in Archicad, however the current Hotlink Module technology is extremely outdated and thus Archicad is lagging behind all other BIM authoring tools.
One of the key problems with modules is Attribute Management.
Currently modules carry all attributes with them and when they are placed in the host, they often create a duplicate, which then leads to documentation, and ultimately costly construction errors.
The problem:
Imagine any project type that consists of repetitive components (eg: apartment types, bathroom types, room types, kitchen types, facade types etc)
Say for example that you use the Iceberg method, mostly to try mitigate the Attribute management problems, but still, yow will encounter problems like below:
- You published your modules some time ago
- You realise that a composite had a spelling error.
- You fix the spelling error
- You, or someone else in your team updates the one module, without re publishing modules to capture the composite name change
All of a sudden, you have 2 versions of the composite. One with the incorrect spelling and one with the fixed spelling
- The team does not immediately recognise the spelling fix and the duplicate
- Someone makes changes to the composites buildup
Now you have 2 different composites with slightly different name and different buildup
If the problem is not captured immediately, you will have elements using both composites and at that point it will be very hard to tell which is the right composite.
Solution:
Option 1: Central Attribute Manager
- An attribute manager app that is independent of all project files and is capable to push attribute settings into all connected project files.
This was supposed to happen in Archicad 26, but it did not. The improvements implemented to attributes that time are wery welcome,
but without the promissed improvements and introduction of Central Attribute Management, the whole thing was a 3 legged dog.
Option 2: In place Module Management
- Modules are handled fully and instantly within the host file, without relying on externally saved .mod files
This way all attributes are fully managed in the host file, eliminating potential attribute (and library) mess.
Also refer to:
Modules: required improvements
Make Modules Great Again - 1: In Place Module Management
Make Modules Great Again - 2: Embedded Library Management
Make Modules Great Again - 4.0: Schedule Modules
Make Modules Great Again - 4.1: Schedule Mirrored Modules
Make Modules Great Again - 5: Modules Source Storey
Make Modules Great Again - 6: Labels in Mirrored Modules
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