Make Trace Reference Displayable in Views and Printable in Layouts

[nonpertutti]

Trace Reference is one of Archicad’s most powerful and distinctive tools. It allows for highly precise multi‑level and multi‑concept design by overlaying drawings from other stories, views, or layouts. The graphic clarity it offers in plan is exceptional.

However, the Trace Reference is currently non‑printable, which often feels like a missed opportunity.

Many times, I simply want to print or export exactly what I’m already seeing on screen—including the trace reference—without recreating its appearance via graphic overrides, custom fills, duplicated views, or complex workarounds.

I propose adding a simple option such as:

• “Apply Trace to View” → embeds the current trace as a visual layer in the active View,
• “Remove Trace from View” → reverts to standard behavior.

This would convert the trace from a temporary visual aid to a printable overlay—optionally with its current graphic settings (color, opacity, line type, etc.).

Why this is useful:

• Saves time by avoiding duplication or graphic tricks.
• Makes it easier to share and document comparative or layered information (e.g., old vs. new plans, regulation overlays, or conceptual studies).
• Enhances the value of a native Archicad feature that already works beautifully on screen.

[runxel]

But the Trace Reference is printable?

[Laszlo Nagy]

Yes, the Trace Reference is indeed printable and also publishable when publishing as PDF.

The only thing missing is the ability to specify that a Trace Reference along with its settings is optionally stored/not stored in the definition of saved Views.

[nonpertutti]

Thanks for the hint, I actually never noticed that as I never print straight from the View and I don’t see that dialog often.

Still I’d love very much to be allowed to save an overlay into a View, and use it as I wish. It would be so handy!

[Barry Kelly]

The setting to print the reference is there when you publish as well.

And each view will remember what you set as the reference.

Except for the plan views that will all be the same particular trace or can be set as storey above, storey below or previous story.

Barry.

[nonpertutti]

Thanks @Barry Kelly , you showed me another thing that I never used before.

However, I think I will keep the wish active anyway. The point is to save and store overlays in a view. That is the way to have things in order and under control, and have the possibility available for all the uses with full potential.

[Velocipede2022]

Or… what about being able to reference a drawing from inside archicad.  I can reference an autocad drawing and place in a view.  Wouldn’t it be great if I could simply place an archicad view as a drawing, send to back, within a view, just like a trace but more permanent than the trace….  Even if it is not a ‘ live ‘ view’ at first, but just a worksheet that can be cropped/ manipulated as if it was a sheet view…then make it a live view as u refine the archicad code…. 

[nonpertutti]

 I actually missed that possibility every now and then. It would be useful indeed. I don’t know if there are some technical issues preventing Graphisoft to do it.

My fascination for GO in this wish comes from the fact that they are a way to achieve quick visualization avoiding Views proliferation. I also like to manage transparency of the overlay, which is possible with GO. Fast and effective. Following your suggestion I would add that transparency should be added in general to the drawing tool visualization (even to linked pdfs of images) and that could work with your idea too. Maybe transparency deserves a separate wish 🤔