Reference Levels (Non-Story Levels for Better Mode... - Page 2

Pedro Melo · ‎2025-04-06

It would be extremely helpful to introduce the concept of Reference Levels in Archicad — similar to Revit’s Levels — which are non-structural, non-story markers used to define key vertical positions in a model (e.g. ceiling heights, parapets, window datum lines, etc.).

These levels would not function as actual stories, and would not be exported as separate floors in IFC, but would provide a consistent and visible reference for modeling and coordination.

Proposed Implementation:

Add a new category of levels in the Story Settings dialog, called Reference Levels
Reference Levels would:
- Appear in Section/Elevation views with custom markers
- Be usable as snapping and alignment guides
- Be selectable in element settings (e.g. set top of wall or beam to “Ceiling RL +2.7m”)
- Not generate story markers or impact IFC story structure
- Have their own layer or visibility control

Optional extras:

Reference Levels could be grouped (e.g., Ceiling Levels, Façade Datums)
Could be color-coded or styled differently from real stories

Why This Is Important:

Improved Coordination: Ceiling levels, bulkhead lines, parapet heights, etc., can be defined and referenced clearly, without cluttering the Story structure or requiring dummy stories.
Cleaner IFC Export: No need for fake stories that confuse consultants or clash with structural models.
More Accurate Modeling: Allows modeling elements like walls, ceilings, and beams in relation to a defined height, not just the nearest story or manual height input.
Industry-Standard Workflow: This aligns with how many multidisciplinary teams work — especially when integrating with Revit-based consultants.

Example Use Case:

In a commercial building:

Ground Floor is at 0.00
Ceiling RL at +3.200
Bulkhead RL at +2.600

These are critical modeling guides, but don't warrant actual stories. Currently, workarounds like 2D lines or fake stories are used, which are not robust or parametric.

Christian Muntean · ‎2025-05-14

Hi @SeaGeoff, thank you for the reply! I totally agree with you, although I´m not quite sure how to implement that. Maybe you could set a specific RefrenceLevel Type? Like having a dedicated parameter for each Refrence level to toggle if it is just an abstract Reference (your usecase) or an actual reference (controlling heights of Elements)

Or I could also suggest the introduction of vertical "Grid Elements" for this case that can be linked to a specific Reference Level and also have an offset.

Those should provide consistent, vertically placed "Grid Elements" that are not part of the Story-structure within Buildings.

Christian Muntean · ‎2025-05-14

Also to note that this system provides compatibility with models that drawn inside Archicad 28 or before. Because if you would open up a Project from Archicad 28 in this new system, Archicad would only need to add a Site, a Building, keep the Storys, add for each Story one main Reference Level with the absolute height that has been previously set on the story itself.

SeaGeoff · ‎2025-05-14

Or I could also suggest the introduction of vertical "Grid Elements" for this case that can be linked to a specific Reference Level and also have an offset. Those should provide consistent, vertically placed "Grid Elements" that are not part of the Story-structure within Buildings.

That is how I would do it. Some Reference Levels will serve both purposes, i.e. be a vertical control and need a graphic indicator. Stories are the most obvious example, but there are others like window sill height.*

* Reminder that Reference Levels should be available as door and window anchor point.

Christian Muntean · ‎2025-05-14

That is how I would do it. Some Reference Levels will serve both purposes, i.e. be a vertical control and need a graphic indicator. Stories are the most obvious example, but there are others like window sill height.*

Totally agree. I also prefer the vertical Grid Elements. That would be a dedicated feature tho that will build on top of this new Story feature.

Reminder that Reference Levels should be available as door and window anchor point.

Definetly, a must have!

Pedro Melo · ‎2025-05-14

Thanks for the detailed follow-up, @Christian Muntean — that clears up my concern nicely.

I really like the idea of the fallback to a default “Active Building” for 3D makes sense. It feels like a good balance between adding structure for those who need it and not overloading smaller, simpler projects.

The fact that users who want zero complexity could just have one site/one building and never interact with this extra structure — that’s the key. Optional power without mandatory steps is always a good design principle.

Also, the dropdown at the bottom of views for switching active building — yes, that’s the kind of lightweight UI I could see working well. It reminds me of the Trace Reference toggle — out of the way, but available when needed.

Thanks again for investing this level of thought — I hope Graphisoft is watching this thread closely.

Quick question for you (and others with more IFC experience):
If we model multiple buildings within one site using this system, would the correct approach be for Archicad to export one IFC file per building, in order to respect the IFC hierarchy (Site → Building → Storey → Element)? Otherwise, wouldn't all the buildings get grouped into one IFC "Building", which would flatten the structure?

Rve · ‎2025-05-15

If Archicad could implement this, it wouldn’t just be a step forward — it would be a significant leap. It’s important that this becomes a high priority for Graphisoft, which means it needs a lot of votes. I would like to encourage all members of this group to ask their colleagues (and/or other interested parties) to vote on this topic. That is the only way to make this happen. Let's go for it!

Christian Muntean · ‎2025-05-15

Also, the dropdown at the bottom of views for switching active building — yes, that’s the kind of lightweight UI I could see working well. It reminds me of the Trace Reference toggle — out of the way, but available when needed.

Me too in some way. But it reminds me more of the new DesignOptions-Manager. Depending on which DesignOption you currently have selected, you only draw within that one, pretty much the same concept!

Thanks again for investing this level of thought — I hope Graphisoft is watching this thread closely.

No problem, glad I could help! 😄

I hope too that this won´t go unnoticed! Really important concept to implement within Archicad.

If we model multiple buildings within one site using this system, would the correct approach be for Archicad to export one IFC file per building, in order to respect the IFC hierarchy (Site → Building → Storey → Element)? Otherwise, wouldn't all the buildings get grouped into one IFC "Building", which would flatten the structure?

The correct approach for Archicad woul be to map those Elements exactly to the ifc Structure within one IFC File. One IfcProject can have multiple IfcSite, one IfcSite can have multiple IfcBuildings, one IfcBuilding can have multiple Stories. It would look like this:

IfcProject
- IfcSite
  - IfcBuilding
  - IfcBuilding
  - ...
- IfcSite
  - IfcBuilding
  - IfcBuilding
  - ...
- ...

Each IfcBuilding can have multiple Stories then. So yes, one IFC File, but only one. Not one IFC File for each Building, no.

Christian Muntean · ‎2025-05-15

I would like to encourage all members of this group to ask their colleagues (and/or other interested parties) to vote on this topic. That is the only way to make this happen. Let's go for it!

Definetly! Also share with your local Archicad-Distributor for added support!

hmartell · ‎2025-07-09

@Christian Muntean

This is a great and logical illustration. Archicad should adopt your implementation.

Thanks!

Botonis

Indigo Figs story marker is something I am using for years.

It lets you create additional floor levels for each section without the need to add extra stories in the model.

It has several extra options.

This is something that Archicad should be able to provide since the beginning but Palawat (the creator) filled this gap with the most optimized way.

Once you use it you can't live without!!!

https://www.indigofigs.com/story-marker/

Ask for trial or get it right away and all your problems realted to story settings will be solved right away.

This is not an object that you move around but a 100% marker synced with stories and all the section/elevation settings available!!!!!!!

Reference Levels (Non-Story Levels for Better Model Control)