The latest version of the Shoegnome Open Template came out a little later than expected because I was waiting for the first Library Update to Archicad 29, it was a busy end to 2025, and I prioritized taking a vacation with my family. If you are using my Archicad 29 template, make sure you’ve updated your Archicad 29 Global Libraries to at least update 1. If you want to jump right to the download link, click here.
In their infinite wisdom, GRAPHISOFT stopped including the Archicad Legacy Objects USA.Icf in the Archicad USA basic installation. This isn’t a problem for people who have Archicad 28 installed on their machine (and either have the USA version or downloaded the LCF). But for new users and people skipping Archicad 28, this omission creates an additional stumbling block. Fortunately one of my favorite GRAPHISOFT employees fought to mitigate this problem and got a few critical Archicad Objects added to the Annotation USA.libpack that comes with every installation of Archicad 29. These additions were included in the Archicad 29 Library Update 1 (hence the delay and why you need to update your libraries). Beyond the Objects added to this libpack, the only other Object my template needs from the Archicad Legacy Objects USA.lcf is DET_Stud.gsm. I’ve added that to my embedded library in a folder labeled “Archicad Legacy Objects USA”. If you need additional legacy objects, add them to that folder or load the Archicad Legacy Objects USA.lcf and delete that embedded folder. If I realize I’m missing additional legacy objects, I’ll add them to that folder as well.
Beyond the Legacy Objects hassle (for templates and new projects), when migrating a template or existing project to Archicad 29 from Archicad 28 make sure Archicad 29 sees the Archicad 29 Global Libraries rather than continuing to reference the Archicad 28 Global Libraries and remove unnecessary Linked Markers (if you have Renovation Filters that hide the Existing Status). I cover both of these topics in the videos below.
With all that out of the way, what’s new in the template? A lot of quality of life improvements. Over the past year I’ve been tracking all the small tweaks that I do when placing elements. Do I shift a modifier (when placing a rim joist) or elevate the whole element (baseboards) or mess with handles (every cabinet ever since Archicad 24)? I revised a whole bunch of Favorites and Complex Profiles to reduce those initial placement tasks. Similarly, I renamed a bunch of things (schedules) and removed/reorganized items in the template to improve navigation (schedules again). I think the only untested concept I added was the Keynotes folder ‘Template Advice’. My plan there is to write out workflows that I use regularly, but not enough to have memorized. The only example I have in there currently is how to make beams show up highlighted in structural plans. When I do preliminary structural plans I like to have certain elements standout to help explain my ideas to my engineer. Every time I do this, I’m always fussing with the beam settings (fixed in my Favorites) and having to remind myself which order to do a few changes (listed in the Keynote). We’ll see if I add more workflows in there or if this is a good idea without much practical use.
Speaking of workflows, I also added an additional keyboard shortcut to my Archicad 29 Work Environment. I assigned \ to Origin Display. Turns out I want the origin on most of the time, but it’s nice to have a quick way to turn it off.
Ready to download the template? Click the big support button or go to the template page. As always the template is free; clicking the PayPal support button (below or on the template page) is optional. Every time PayPal sends me an email notification that someone clicked the support button—whether it’s for $5 or $300—it brightens my day. 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. The PayPal button below will take you to the latest version of the Shoegnome Open Template.
Shoegnome Open Template v29 changes:
- Libraries (Removed) – Archicad Legacy Objects USA.lcf
- Libraries (Revised) – Updated template to point to Archicad 29 Global Libraries, not Archicad 28 Global Libraries
- Embedded Library (Added) – DET_Stud.gsm (added from the Archicad Legacy Objects USA.lcf)
- Project Map (Revised) – Consolidated About Shoegnome Open Template and Project Start Up Checklist Worksheets
- View Map (Revised) – DWG Export and Structural Plans set to Renovation Filter: 5 | Planned Status
- View Map (New) – A Schematic Plans through E Schematic Plans set to Scheme A through E Design Option Combinations
- View Map (Removed) – Project Notes, I was never using it and Keynotes is a better location for anything I’d put here
- Layout Book (Revised) – All views with titles updated to use NCS Drawing Title 2 USA
- Layout Book (Revised) – Updated title block to show XX/XX/2026 – Issue Description
- Layout Book (Revised) – Updated energy code information on sheet A001
- Layout Book (Revised) – Schedules shown and layout on A011
- Master Layouts (Revised) – Added Hotspots at quarter points horizontally and third points vertically for drawing alignment
- Publisher (Revised) – Updated 1 | Layouts to PDF , 3 | 3D Views to JPG, 4 | Layouts to DWG, and 5 | Views to DWG (Model Space) file name to be 2026_XXXX – Project Address
- Main Story (Revised) – Revised front/rear yard setbacks to align with new Seattle zoning standards
- Schedules (Reordered) – set up ID convention for organization 1 (typically used), 2 (element quantities), 3 (area calculations), 4 (more detailed options), 5 (other)
- Schedules (Renamed) – Types – Window
- Schedules (Renamed) – Types – Door
- Schedules (Renamed) – Door and Window schedule – Interior
- Schedules (Renamed) – Door and Window schedule – Exterior
- Schedules (Revised) – Set IDs and Notes in Types – Window and Types – Door to wrap text and cell height to .45 in
- Schedules (Deleted) – Removed unnecessary Schedules
- Design Option Combinations (New) – Scheme A through E Design Option Combinations
- Graphic Override (New) – Dimensions – Gray
- Graphic Override (New) – Grayscale (Electrical) (HVAC)
- Graphic Override (Renamed) – Fills and Zones group renamed Color by Element
- Graphic Override Combination (Revised) – 2 | Grayscale (Structural) added Diagram colors for highlighting beams and such
- Graphic Override Combination (Revised) – 2 | Grayscale (Electrical) added Grayscale (Electrical) (HVAC)
- Model View Options (Revised) – some minor tweaks I didn’t bother tracking
- Layer Combinations (Revised) – Removed 5 | Structural – Trusses from 2 | Interior Elevation
- Composite (Renamed) – 5 | Roof Finish – Membrane Roofing (w/ protection board) to 5 | Roof Finish – Membrane Roofing, coverboard
- Composite (New) – 5 | Roof Finish – Membrane Roofing, coverboard, 5/8″ Plywood Sheathing
- Complex Profile (Renamed/Revised) – 2 | Siding – 6″ Lap over 1″ exterior insulation to 2 | Siding – 6″ Lap over exterior insulation
- Complex Profile (Revised) – 2 | Siding – 6″ Lap, set height to 30′ and turned on vertical stretch to make resizing easier
- Complex Profile (Revised) – All Rim Joist Complex Profiles
- Complex Profile (New) – 5 | Rim Joist – 2x and 5 | TJI – rim joist w/ 2×4 plate
- Favorite (Reorganized) – Moved all Dimensions and all Labels into new, centralized folder(s)
- Favorite (Revised) – Drawing (By View + Title Block) updated to use NCS Drawing Title 2 USA
- Favorite (Revised) – Detail Marker updated to use NCS Section Part Marker USA
- Favorite (Revised) – Detail Marker – No tail updated to use NCS Section Part Marker USA
- Favorite (Revised) – Structural Detail Marker updated to use NCS Section Part Marker USA
- Favorite (Revised) – Structural Detail Marker – No tail updated to use NCS Section Part Marker USA
- Favorite (Revised) – Water Heater – Tankless, gas changed layer to 2 | Plumbing.On Plan
- Favorite (Revised) – Water Heater – Tank, gas changed layer to 2 | Plumbing.On Plan
- Favorite (Revised) – Updated all structural beams to be ready to show color on structural plans, if needed
- Favorite (Revised) – Baseboard – Wood and Baseboard – Tile updated height above home story to 3/4″
- Favorite (Revised) – Toilet – high & Toilet – low, revised minimal space dimensions
- Favorite (Revised) – Towel Ring was set to toilet paper holder
- Favorite (Revised) – Thermostat – heated floor set to 3D Detail Level Simplified
- Favorite (Revised) – Stair (Simple Concrete) and Stair (Simple Wood)
- Favorite (Revised) – Wall Oven
- Favorite (New) – Full Height Cabinet – Wall Oven
- Favorite (Revised) – All cabinet Favorites
- Favorite (Revised) – All Rim Joist Complex Profiles
- Favorite (Revised) – (C) – Light – under cabinet
- Favorite (Renamed/Revised) – Renamed and revised IDs for various lights
- Favorite (Renamed/Revised/New) – (J) – Lighted Mirror, Mirror – Rectangular, and Mirror – Oval
- Favorite (Renamed) – Ductless mini-split ceiling unit (small) to Ductless mini-split ceiling unit
- Favorite (Deleted) – Ductless mini-split ceiling unit (large)
- Favorite (Deleted) – Stair Walk line – Circle and Stair Walk line – Arrow
- Favorite (New) – Stair Walk line
- Favorite (New) – Path to Primary Entrance Label
- Keynote (New) – Template Advice Folder (folder for workflow advice)
- Keynote (New) – T 01 Highlighted Beams on Structural (keynote describing workflow)
- Keynote (Revised/New) – Revised and added additional basic assembly notes
- Other – I’m certain I made some other minor tweaks to Attributes and other items that weren’t worth recording.
What are you waiting for?
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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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