Graphisoft Community

I would like to see the option to preserve SEO (solid element operations) when copying any elements. And also when duplicating design options. The function could be called "duplicate" or "clone".

The wish point is clear - it is very difficult and time-consuming to re-do multiple SEOs for a copied elements.

Regarding design options, I know that now SEO links between elements are now preserved within one duplicated design option, but links between different ones are not preserved (typically for example, terrain is in the base layer and SEO links with us are canceled when duplicating the option).

When I'm copying elements between files/design options, I want the ability to select "copy to active Design Option." 

When I'm copying from project A to project B and those elements are on a Design Option that doesn't exist in project B, project B creates the missing Design Option—and keeps it hidden.

I want the option to create the design option AND show it, create the design option AND keep it hidden, OR paste elements to the active Design Option.

Hi everyone!

Element ID Manager can be extremly helpful, but its potential feels limited by the fact that it can only use Library Part Parameters as criteria.
If Properties could also be used for filtering and assignment, it would unlock a much smoother and more flexible workflow, especially in larger projects.

Is this something to consider?

Summary

The symbolic tree objects placed in plan should show a corresponding symbolic side view in elevation. 

Explanation

The tree objects all have various compromises when viewing in elevation. 

To my mind, the most appropriate visually are the type as below:

However, these 2D side views can only be placed in elevation, not on the model, and can only appear behind or in front of all the 3D elements. This means that if you have trees which should be in different planes (so, behind one wall but in front of another) this can't be represented. 

Annoyingly these objects, when placed on the model with a 2D symbolic plan view, have a height represented in the elevation view as highlighted below, but only as a rectangle:

It would be extremely useful to have this as being the 2D symbolic side view, aligned parallel to the elevation line. Especially as the options for the side view cover an acceptable amount of tree types for typical use. 

Alternatives

With the Detailed Tree, when the settings are high enough to look good, the elevation drawing PDFs end up being large files. With certain submissions via websites having upload limits (namely, planning) file sizes need to be kept to a reasonable size (not to mention it being just plain inefficient!).

The Simple Tree model is certainly better for file sizes, but the 'layers' which decrease in size to give the tree depth don't look particularly good, especially the ones perpendicular to the view just giving vertical lines. 

One solution I have taken to is importing a 2D DWG tree elevation, tracing it with the morph tool, then placing it in the correct position in the model to give the desired effect, then using a different layer for the trees in plan view. Whilst an archaic process for a BIM software, it does provide the drawing I want to see. 

After moving the origin or direction of a 2D Cover Fill on a slab or roof, the origin/direction of the corresponding Surface texture image in 3D should also update.

For example, modeling an acoustic ceiling grid or floor tile pattern, setting the 2D Cover Fill origin and direction in plan should also set the origin and direction of the 3D texture, so that the model view and plan view match.
Currently, one has to manually align the 3D textures in the 3D window, which is an extra, and time consuming, step.

For the Norwegian (and other scandinavian/cold countries) it would be handy to have the ability to assign outside and inside areas of a roof.

We tend to have a lot of insulation, but there is no need for insulation on the outside. If the roof tool had an extra feature where you could draw a fill/area to designate a separate zone for a separate composite, the roof tool would be much more useful. As it is, using two separate roof objects is suboptimal.

When you duplicate a building material, the duplicate is selected in the list but if you change the name the original gets changed. 

This is illogical and gives a lot of trouble if you don't notice it.

It would be great to angle section and elevation markers so that you can flatten out an elevation, for example a faceted corner with the two returns. Currently we have to place separate markers and then splice the separate views together on the layout.

Back from AC18 a title bar for layouts was available with a built in north point.  I kept this in my template since then, but now in AC29 it doesn't work anymore.  I think resurrecting it would be a great idea, as it is a neat way to supply the north point in drawings.

'Release All' should revoke previous requests by the user.  The current system allows staff to have elements reserved even though they have released all and closed Archicad.

Example Scenario:

A has the layer settings reserved.

B requests the layer settings, but gets no response (maybe A says they fixed the issue)

B finishes for the day, releases all and closes Archicad.

A finishes for the day, releases all and closes Archicad.

C needs the layer settings, but now it's reserved by B.

At present, a demolished window or door leaves no trace in the proposed view, but in reality it needs to be infilled with new construction (which may differ from the make up of the original wall).

Using a renovation filter to 'show' the removed windows would mean showing everything else too, and perhaps in an undesirable representation.

At present we insert a 'New' empty opening in place of the Demolished element, in order to have a hole that can be filled with a new wall.  This works ok, but seems like a workaround rather than a reflection of reality, more steps than should be necessary, requires workarounds in schedules so the 'new' openings don't show, and is non-associative to the dimensions and position of the original window, should they need to be amended.

Please could there be a setting to allow demolished opening objects to remain 'visible' but replaced with the Empty Opening? 

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.

The first - and most important - step to Make Modules Great Agaain is to make it possible to create and edit modules in place.

What does it mean:

Imagine an apartment complex that consists of several identical apartment types.

These apartments consist of a few bathroom / kitchen / laundry etc types.

These projects (just like Hotels / Hospitals / Prisons / etc) typically can be imagined as Lego. Each module is a Lego piece that you put together smartly.

Currently the most effective method to use Modules is the so called Iceberg Method.

In this method we create a module in a negative storey, then we publish these modules to .mod files and then assemble the building using the .mod-s.

While this method was smart 10 years ago, today users would expect to be able to

- select a bunch of elements in plan or 3D,

- call it a module and

- start placing the modules in plan or 3D as needed.

If something needs to change, users would expect to just

- select any of the placed modules, unwrap it,

- make the changes and instantly update all placed instances of that module.

This is how it's done in the competitor tools, so Archicad must adopt this technology before it's too late.

In fact, pls GS learn from others and make Archicad work better!

Note:
Modules are not necessarily used as whole building elements.

I often use modules for complex furniture or furniture assembly, complex, repetitive facade arrangement, repetitive window arrangement etc.

Also refer to:

Modules: required improvements 

Make Modules Great Again - 2: Embedded Library Management 

Make Modules Great Again - 3: Attribute 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 

As discussed in this post  we would like password protected object to be used in library packs. It is silly to have to even ask for it.

I think the complete orientation of windows and views should be upgraded.

In the working window, the orientation function is limited to compile the last different orientations set during the drawing session.

but for it to be efficient at the least it should be possible to name and save an orientation as a reference in the project. Look in the image, in my project 2 orientations differ of 0,03°. Which one is the good one? If I draw walls locked on X and Y but using those 2 orientations from time to time my connection wouldn't be perfectly 90° which can be cumbersome when dimensioning things later.

I should be able to set a "north wing" orientation and a "east wing" orientation  set once and for all through the project. This could also used in views in the sheets where I can set a plan to orient itself from one of those named views.

I used Revit for more than 10 years and this feature (crop box) is build in since the birth of this very good tool. I'm using Archicad now and happy with it now. I don't want to light up a discussion detailing the pro and cons between those two very good software. But for a so basic function in a building modeling software like the one we use each day, this have to be implemented ! Please.

Hi all,

I would like to request an improvement regarding the way measurement units are assigned and controlled in Schedules in Archicad. At the moment, Schedules are entirely dependent on the global project settings, namely Dimensions and Calculation Units defined in Project Preferences. While Dimension Units can be partially controlled through View Settings, Calculation Units cannot, which creates a major limitation in real quantity take-off workflows.

Because of this restriction, in many practical situations we are forced to keep certain schedules on Manual Update, and every time a schedule needs to be refreshed—which happens very frequently during design development—we must first go into Calculation Units in Project Preferences, change the unit system there, and only then update the schedule. This process is repetitive, inefficient, and very prone to human error, especially in larger projects with multiple schedules requiring different unit systems.

At the very least, it should be possible to define the measurement units independently per Schedule. If unit control per individual element or field inside a schedule is not technically feasible at this moment, then a minimum solution would be to introduce a Calculation Units override inside View Settings, similar to how Dimension Units are handled. This would allow each schedule view to operate with its own unit system, without forcing destructive changes at the global project level.

Thank you,

Victor

Currently properties are identified by archicad by a GUID, which is what is referenced by labels and schedules. However, in different files identical properties have different GUID, unless they are all created from the same mother-file. When using hotlinks with exported .mod-files (and break links checked) the properties in the .mod-files always gets different GUID. This makes it impossible to place labels pointing to a property in a module file, because when placing that module in another file the GUID has changed and the label no longer has anything to point to, resulting in "---".

The GUID is not visible (except when it is missing or by using custom GDL objects especially for this purpose) and it is not editable. It would be better if properties were identified by name, or by an index number like other attributes, with an index changer function included.

Ceiling Tool + Extended Zone

For a while now, there has been a need for a dedicated ceiling tool. I will use the example of a suspended ceiling below, but that is only one part of it.

Yes, we have all kinds of third-party add-ons but they tend to be extremely complex and, of course, only limited to the products from a specific supplier.

Off the top of my head we need the following functionality:

Want to be able to draw the suspended ceiling as a polygon/rectangle, but also be able to connect to a zone (accessory?)

There is also no possibility to add a value for ceiling height to a zone or similar. This is quite important and should work similar to subfloor thickness. The zone should then be modeled from top-of-slab to underside-slab. A new parameter is needed to identify ceiling height (FinishCeilingHeight) - similar how we can set subfloor thickness (FinishFloorHeight).

For the actual Ceiling Tool (which is the primary scope of this wish)

We need to be able to control the following:

• Ceiling grid
  • Grid profile (including edge profiles)
  • Color
  • Mounting type (direct stick, suspended etc.)
  • Headroom clearance above support structure (important for MEP installation and servicing)
• "Void fill"
  • Ceiling tile
    • Tile size
    • Tile type (including swing tile type
    • Edge type
    • Color
  • Installations (could be placeholder items only)
    • Lighting?
    • HVAC?
    • Sprinkler?
    • Speakers?
    • Access panel?
• Must work with RenovationStatus
• Must work with DesignOptions
• Must be able to quantify on component level.
• Desirable to be able to control via MVO
  • LOD - a bit like Stairs or CW, which parts should be visible

Im sure there is more - but let's start here and see what gets added on by others.