Since the last time I updated the template (only a month ago), I’ve been very busy. I’ve taken four small projects from the start of SD to pricing, continued to develop the model and design of a giant remodel, and worked on a whole bunch of other projects. I was actively working on eight projects in October, all of which were in either my Archicad 24 or Archicad 23 template (migrated to 24). Every time I came across an error in the template or something I was doing that wasn’t in the template, but should be, I added it to my list. As I’m about to start a new project-a remodel of a historic farmhouse in Gig Harbor, Washington-I decided it was once again time to pause and update the template.

The theme of this update is speed. Pretty much everything in the list below are tweaks to save me time. The new Objects and Favorites are all things I was continuously remaking or stealing from other projects. The align Object was developed by a good friend of mine, Geoff Briggs. It’s awesome. The other new Objects are my own creations. They’re both about 80% to where I want them; maybe in a future update I’ll learn enough about GDL to add the remaining features I want them to have. But perfect is the enemy of good, and those two Objects are doing everything I need of them.

Make sure to check out item #25: the new Favorite Stair – Complex (Example). The Beam tool is pretty amazing and it’s how I’m going to make stairs for the foreseeable future. A similar technique of complex profile fixed segments in a beam can also be used to make really nice railings. I am still experimenting with that. Once I’m happy enough with it, I’ll add a beam as railing example to the template as well.

If you come across any issues or ideas for the template, please don’t hesitate to share. Comment below or email me.

Shoegnome Open Template v24.2 changes

1. Building Material (Revised): Vapor Barrier fill pens changed to 199 and 218 (to be green in plan/section)
2. Building Material (Revised): Decking Surface changed to 09 | Decking
3. Surface (Revised): 09 | Decking vectorial hatching changed to Parallel – 06 Inch – Horizontal
4. Surface (Revised): 32 | Grass and 32 | Grass – 3D removed vectorial hatching
5. Surface (Revised): 06 Wood – Millwork – Pine – Vertical and 06 Wood – Millwork – Pine – Horizontal change Texture to Wood -39 c.jpg, dimensions of Texture to 6′ x 6′, and update Cinerender to match
6. Composite (Revised): 5 | Floor Finish – Tile changed to be 3/4″ thick to match other finish floors
7. Composite (Revised): 7 | Roof Finish – Asphalt Shingles changed to be 1/4″ thick
8. Composite (New): 0 | Insulation – Batt – 19.1″ (R-49)
9. Project Map (Revised): changed property lines and text on Main Level plan to be existing rather than newProject Map (Revised) – in 1 Building Section I have added a bunch of standard notes I typically need on every project I permit in Seattle. This stuff probably doesn’t belong in the template, but it’s super useful for me and after all this template is primarily for my needs!
10. View Map (Revised): updated Roof plan to 1/8″ and changed Layer Combination to 1 | Roof Plan
11. Layer Combination (Revised):1 | Roof Plan, removed all Marker layers.
12. Layer Combination (Revised): 1 | Floor Plan layer combination, added 6 | Electrical – Fans.
13. Master Layouts (Revised): Added manual text to title block area: “XX/XX/2020 – Issue Description”
14. Layout Book: A006 Existing Lower Level Plan updated to link to Existing Lower Level Plan (was linked to Lower Level Demolition Plan)
15. Object (New): Align object
16. Object (New): Roof slope object
17. Object (New): Parking space object
18. Favorite (New): Insulation with vent space (Roof Tool)
19. Favorite (New): Insulation (Slab Tool)
20. Favorite (New): Zone favorites for typical rooms
21. Favorite (New): Nightstand
22. Favorite (New): Dresser
23. Favorite (New): Wardrobe
24. Favorite (New): Bookshelf – built-in
25. Favorite (New): Stair – Complex (Example)
26. Favorite (New): Align symbol
27. Favorite (New): Roof slope symbol
28. Favorite (New): Parking Space Symbol
29. Favorite (Revised): Table – Rectangular turned on chairs on both sides and revised dimensions to match my own dining room table size.
30. Favorite (Revised): Shower Header favorite changed insertion height to 6′-6″
31. Favorite (Revised): Electrical Switching Line set arrow to be correct type and pen if turned on
32. Favorite (Revised): Exterior Deck Finish changed layer to Stairs.On Plan and changed composite to 0 | 1″ Decking
33. Favorite (Revised): changed all interior door and window trim to 3/4″ thick
34. Favorite (Revised): Baseboard – Wood changed thickness to 1/2″
35. Favorite (Revised): Millwork Object Favorites elevated to start at +3/4″ rather than at 0″.
36. Favorite (Revised): Appliance Object Favorites elevated to start at +3/4″ rather than at 0″ and other minor tweaks
37. Favorite (Revised): Dishwasher changed to 2′-1″ deep with a 1″ overhang.
38. Favorite (Revised): exterior trim Favorites (3) changed Fiber Cement Board Building Material.
39. Favorite (Revised): Furniture favorites, changed wood surface to 06 Wood – Millwork – Pine – Horizontal
40. Favorite (Renamed and Revised): Stair – Simple (Example)
41. Complex Profile (Revised): 2 | Trim – Fascia changed to Fiber Cement Board Building Material.
42. Complex Profile (Revised): 2 | Trim – Baseboard changed thickness to 1/2″ and turned on Width and Height Stretch
43. Complex Profile (Revised): 2 | Trim – Baseboard (tile) turned on Width and Height Stretch
44. Schedule (Revised): Skylight Schedule, Solid Door Schedule (conditioned), Solid Door Schedule (unconditioned), Vertical Glazing Window and Door Schedule (conditioned space), and Vertical Glazing Window and Door Schedule (unconditioned space) changed the manufacturer field to Product Info – Facilities Management – Manufacturer.
45. Schedule (Revised): Lighting Schedule changed third field to Schedule Note and headline of field to ‘Description’
46. Graphic Override Rules (Revised), added 11/5/2020: 2 | Uniform – Line Weight Graphic Override rule had the ‘ands’ and ‘ors’ mixed up so the rule wasn’t working properly. It’s fixed now. Probably no one cares but me. But I feel better. And less annoyed. If you’ve already downloaded my 24.2 template, just edit the rule to match the image below.
47. Composite (Revised), added 11/8/2020: 1 | Exterior Wall – Existing (4 7/8″) – wrong skin labeled as core
48. Composite (Revised), added 11/8/2020: 1 | Exterior Wall – Existing (5 1/4″) – wrong skin labeled as core
49. Project Map (Revised), added 11/10/2020: 2 Building Section deleted random lines that shouldn’t have been there.
50. Favorite (Revised/new), added 11/10/2020: Rim Joist – 9 1/2″ TJI w/ 2×6 plate
51. Favorite (Revised/new), added 11/10/2020: Rim Joist – 11 7/8″ TJI
52. Favorite (Revised/new), added 11/10/2020: Rim Joist – 2×8 w/ 2×6 plate
53. Favorite (Revised/new), added 11/10/2020: Rim Joist – 2×10 w/ 2×6 plate
54. Complex Profile (Revised/new), added 11/10/2020: 5 | Framing – 2x rim joist w/ 2×4 plate
55. Complex Profile (Revised/new), added 11/10/2020: 5 | Framing – 2x rim joist w/ 2×6 plate
56. Complex Profile (Revised/new), added 11/10/2020: 5 | TJI – rim joist
57. Complex Profile (Revised/new), added 11/10/2020: 5 | TJI – rim joist w/ 2×6 plate
58. Complex Profile (Revised/new), added 11/10/2020: 5 | TJI
59. Favorite (New), added 11/20/2020: Light – Under Cabinet
60. Object (Revised), added 11/20/2020: Roof slope object

Shoegnome Work Environment 24 Changes

1. Keyboard Shortcut (New): cmd+opt+K for label selected elements.

This Work Environment change doesn’t get its own blog post, but it’s been a fantastic addition. Simply select the label you want, select the items you want to label, then click cmd+opt+K, and you’re done. Label selected elements has been amazing for labeling windows and doors on elevations. I recommend either downloading the latest version of my Work Environment or just updating your own We with that keyboard shortcut.

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Time to download the template!

As always the template is free; clicking the PayPal support button (below or on the template page) is optional. If you support my template with a contribution of $100 or more and send me an email with your address, I’ll ship you an 8 oz tumbler as a thank you.

What are you waiting for?

Go download the Shoegnome Open Template for Archicad 24! 

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If you aren’t using the current version of Archicad, you can download older versions of my template. If you use my template, I highly recommend you use my Work Environment as well. The two work together well and the Work Environment is designed to reinforce the best practices of the template. You can download my Work Environment here.

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