In brief
- Model View Options combinations can be applied to views for different purposes, such as a floor plan or site plan.
- A saved view also stores the Model View Options combination that was active at the time.
- Combinations can be exported as XML files and imported into another project.
- On-Screen View Options changes affect only the on-screen display; they do not change the output.
Graphisoft’s Archicad 29 help documentation describes two separate groups of tools for managing model display and on-screen editing aids. Model View Options combinations determine which model display settings are used for a view’s intended purpose; On-Screen View Options toggle editing aids and certain display preferences while you work. This distinction is important for avoiding confusion between what appears on screen and what will be delivered when working on plans, layouts, and the model.
1. Use Model View Options combinations for their intended purpose
In Archicad 29, predefined Model View Options combinations are available from Document > Model View > Model View Options. These combinations can be applied to individual views according to their purpose, such as a floor plan or site plan. The active combination is also displayed in the Quick Options Bar at the bottom of the model window.
To apply a combination to the active view, use the MVO Combinations drop-down in the Quick Options Bar or the Document > Model View menu. Alternatively, make a selection in the View Settings window. For more detailed management, open Document > Model View > Model View Options and choose one of the saved combinations in the upper panel.
Determine the purpose of the view you’re working on; a floor plan and a site plan, for example, may require different combinations.
Select the combination that suits this purpose from the Model View Options list.
Check that the correct combination is shown as active in the Quick Options Bar.
If the setting should apply only to the current view, apply it through View Settings.
The combinations’ visibility control panel lets you choose which Model View Options panels are displayed and edited. This allows you to hide panels you don’t need while working, but it does not replace using view combinations according to their intended purpose.
2. Check settings in saved views
When a view is saved from a model window, the Model View Options combination active at that moment is stored with it. The view’s name or location in the project alone may not tell you which display settings are saved. If you want to use the view with a different combination, make the change through View Settings.
View Settings and Storing Options under the Project Map section of the Organizer can also be used to apply saved view settings. In the Navigator Palette’s Properties section, you can also select a combination from the drop-down list, when available. These options are useful, especially when you maintain multiple views of the same model for different presentation or drawing needs.
Check the active combination before saving a view.
If you need a different display in a previously saved view, open View Settings.
When working with multiple views, verify that each one has a combination suited to its intended purpose.
3. Share combinations between teams using XML
Model View Options combinations can be exported as an XML file and imported into another project. To do this, select the relevant combination in the Model View Options Combinations panel, then click Export to save the file. In the other project, use Import in the same panel to locate the available XML file.
In the source project, open
Document > Model View > Model View Options.Select the combination to transfer, click Export, and save the XML file.
In the target project, open the same panel and select Import.
Locate the available XML file and import it into the project.
Use the New button to create a new combination. This creates a copy of the selected combination under a new name, giving you a starting copy rather than directly changing the current selection. Delete removes the selected combination, and according to Graphisoft’s documentation, this action cannot be undone. It’s therefore important to check that the correct combination is selected before deleting it.
4. Keep on-screen aids separate from output settings
On-Screen View Options are available from the View > On-Screen View Options menu. These commands toggle drawing aids, reference lines, and certain display modes on screen. Most of these options affect only the Floor Plan display. For quick access, you can enable the Window > Toolbars > On-Screen View Options toolbar.
The list includes options such as clean intersections for walls and beams, switching between reference lines and contour lines, roof pivot lines, stair lines, railing reference lines, and opening reference planes. Marker Range and source marker highlights are also among the items whose on-screen display can be toggled.
When True Weight is turned off, lines are displayed as Hairline. This on-screen preference is not the same as using Hairline in a print or plot output; for output, use the Hairline checkbox in the Print or Plot window. The documentation also states that the Bold Cut Lines option does not apply when True Weight is off. Similarly, True Fill Appearance changes how fill patterns look on screen; when turned off, fills are displayed using bitmap patterns.
Impact on architecture, interior design, and archviz workflows
Architecture teams can use Model View Options combinations to produce views for different purposes from the same model. Because a saved view also stores its combination, view settings are easier to manage consistently within a project. XML export and import also make it possible to use saved combinations in other projects.
In interior design and archviz workflows, on-screen guide lines, handles, or reference elements can make work easier to follow; however, their visibility should not be confused with visibility in the output. In particular, keep in mind that On-Screen View Options settings do not affect output. The documentation does not mention any change to hardware requirements or render speed; these tools are for managing model and on-screen display. Follow the menu paths in the Archicad 29 documentation for the project you’re using, and if you share XML files within your team, check that the file belongs to the correct combination.
Common mistakes
Assuming that turning on the Hairline display on screen will also make the printed output Hairline. For output, use the relevant checkbox in the Print or Plot window.
Failing to check the active Model View Options combination when saving a view. The combination is stored with the view.
Assuming that Model View Options combinations and On-Screen View Options are the same settings. The former manage view combinations; the latter manage on-screen display preferences.
Assuming that a combination deleted with Delete can be restored. According to Graphisoft’s documentation, deletion cannot be undone.
Sources
2 sourcesSource texts are not republished; short quotes are marked, everything else is our own summary and commentary.
In offices, keeping these two setting groups separate can reduce unnecessary review rounds, especially when preparing plans and elevations for different purposes from the same project. Because a saved view also stores its active combination, view organization within the team becomes more predictable.
For teams in Turkey, XML import and export is a practical way to move shared combinations between projects; however, they should check that the correct file and combination have been selected. The documentation provides no hardware benefits or cost information for these features. The main thing to keep in mind is not to assume that an on-screen change will also appear in the output.
Frequently asked questions
Where are Model View Options in Archicad 29?
You can access Model View Options from `Document > Model View > Model View Options`. To apply a combination to the active view, you can also use the MVO Combinations menu in the Quick Options Bar.
Do On-Screen View Options settings affect output?
No. These options affect only the on-screen display. To use Hairline in the output, use the Hairline checkbox in the Print or Plot window.
Can a Model View Options combination be transferred to another Archicad project?
Yes. A combination can be exported as an XML file and imported into another project using the Import option in the Model View Options Combinations panel.
