Hide 3D elements and layers in BIMx

[Roland Szabo]

Element hide features are available in BIMx as of October 2, 2024 — initially on iPhones and iPads and later on other platforms.
Interactive 3D models with element filtering enhance communication efficiency during architectural, engineering, and construction workflows.

Faster project revision

Detect documentation or modeling issues using the project’s layer system. Create BCF-based issues and send them directly to Archicad’s Issue Organizer.

Enriched presentations

Hide multiple elements with layers and use the same 3D model to create various filtered views.

 

This simple example presentation highlights element hide capabilities using a single 3D model. You can further improve your presentations by integrating different 3D models, 2D-3D transitions, layouts,  sun settings, shading options, etc. Read more: How to present with BIMx.

Who can access it?

Professionals, such as architects, engineers, and other stakeholders working on the design automatically access element hide features if their company owns a service or product subscription. As a Pro feature, it is available only for company members after signing in with Graphisoft ID. Read more: BIMx Licensing.
Also, anyone can try out all Pro features in the built-in demo model.

Hide elements

Available in all 3D models

The Hide element function has been added to the revamped element context menu, which now opens more easily with a long tap.

The Hidden elements label counts the number of hidden elements in the 3D window’s top left corner. The label disappears when presenting favorites.

Open the Hidden elements palette from the label to list hidden elements in ABC order based on their ID used in Archicad. The “Element ID” property is usually displayed, but it can differ depending on your Classification system.

• Unhide elements by tapping on their ID. The blue element highlight helps you identify the proper element before unhide.
• Unhide all to revert element hide interactions.
• The Invert view function allows quickly isolating one or more elements.

BIMx stores each interaction. Use the Back function to undo steps. 

The Hide selection function has been added to the Selection palette. Select elements and hide them at once. You can combine selection with the Invert view function to isolate multiple elements.

 

Did you know?
Multiselection is automatic when opening the model from an interactive element schedule with the Show all in 3D function.

Layers

Available in Hyper-models exported from Archicad 28 or later

To utilize the Archicad project's layer system, tick the “Use Layers in BIMx” checkbox in Publisher Set Properties before export. This option is available as of version 28 and is enabled by default.

Layer functions appear in BIMx’s navigation bar at the top and in the element context menu only if the necessary conditions are met (latest Archicad version, Use Layers checkbox, Pro account).

The Layers palette lists the Archicad project’s layer structure. Layers and layer folders without 3D elements in the current model are filtered out from the palette.

• Use the eye icon to hide or unhide layers and layer folders.
• Tap on the layer name to activate the blue element highlight on all the layer’s elements. This helps identify them without changing their visibility.
• Expand and collapse folders, subfolders, or even the complete layer structure by tapping on their name.

Use the Hide layer function in the element context menu to hide all the elements on the associated layer.

The Hidden layers label in the top left corner counts the number of layers hidden (either with the Layers palette or from the element context menu).

The Hidden layers palette opened from the label also includes the Unhide all and Invert view functions. Inverting the view of hidden layers is useful for quickly isolating multiple elements on the same layer(s).

Layer Combinations  are available from the top-right corner of the Layers palette:

Select another layer combination to rapidly hide multiple layers and layer folders. Unlike Archicad, selecting another layer combination in BIMx will not reveal elements that are not included in the original 3D model. The content of the BIMx Hyper-model must be defined before publishing.

Optimize the Publisher Set

Exporting different 3D models is no longer required to hide, e.g., the environment or show only the structure, interior furniture, or MEP elements.
Now, you have the option to prepare these views for yourself in BIMx instead of Archicad. Simplifying the BIMx Publisher Set results in more consistent documentation, faster export, and smaller file sizes.

 

Saving different 3D models is still useful for sharing the predefined 3D Views with externals. It is also needed to show different Design options, Graphic Overrides and Renovation statuses  —  when the intersection of elements changes. Read more: 3D Model Switch.

Any feedback or questions about element hide features? Feel free to open a discussion on Graphisoft Community's BIMx Forum or contact us at bimx@graphisoft.com.