3.2.7 How to automatically add traits to new elements

The settings for new elements are usually governed by the Settings dialog for the relevant tool. The ARCHICAD Info and CI Tools Metadata palettes also provide an interactive view on those settings, but these settings are never shared by multiple tools using base ARCHICAD features.

However, the Metadata palette can apply traits to new elements of any type. Any traits displayed in the palette will be added to every new element irrespective of type, but the data in the Settings dialog remains unchanged. This feature is beneficial when a series of elements must share certain traits or values because it removes the need to open multiple Settings dialogs to repeatedly make the same change.

For example, a project may have a classification system targeting different construction stages and/or building features. The correct classification can be automatically applied to everything drawn (with any tool) simply by activating classification injection and picking the appropriate classification.

The palette headings for properties and classifications are buttons that toggles the injection feature on and off:

 

Traits will be injected into new elements when these buttons are toggled on whether Live Edit is on or off. Any properties or classifications to be injected are highlighted in green. Note that injecting a different classification will automatically inject any additional properties associated with that classification (also highlighted in green).

Note that any classifications and properties to be automatically injected can be edited at any time by switching off Live Edit. Otherwise, these traits remain constant irrespective of editing carries out in with Live Edit active. Any property values associated with injected properties are also constant unless they are explicitly edited.

Note that the settings viewed in ARCHICAD’s standard tool settings dialogs are never changed by this feature. Therefore, injection can be toggled on and off at need without disturbing any other settings.