Line Categories in ArchiCAD

ArchiCAD allows you to assign categories to your lines. (Use the Tags and Categories Settings panel of the Line Settings dialog box.) You can then use line categories to fine-tune model view options and export settings for lines depending on their category.

ArchiCAD has three line categories:

Drafting line: Simple 2D drafting line. Lines drawn with the Line tool will be in this category by default.

Cut line: Contour line of a 3D element on a cutting plane.

Note: You can choose to display lines in the Cut line category in boldface: In View > On-Screen View Options, choose Bold Cut Lines.

Skin Separator Line: Separator line between skins of composite structures, including walls, columns, slabs and roofs.

Line categories can be useful if, for example, you have exploded a composite wall into its constituent lines and fills. By default, in the Line Tool’s Tags and Categories Panel, all the contour lines are put into the “Cut line” category, while all the skin separator lines are put into the “Skin Separator” category.

All other lines are placed into the Drafting category by default. However, if you draw lines by hand into a Detail Window, Worksheet, Patch, Section/Elevation/IE or 3D Document window, you can assign categories to these lines according to their function in the plan. This way, when assigning a model view option, even hand-drawn lines can be considered Cut lines or Skin Separator lines.

Assigning line categories can also be useful if you save your file in DXF/DWG format: the DXF/DWG Translation Setup dialog box allows you to define a separate layer onto which Skin Separator lines can be exported.