Understanding Clone Folders in Archicad: What They Are and When to Use Them

A Clone Folder is a folder in the View Map that replicates the structure of a particular part of the Project Map (e.g., Stories, Sections, Elevations). When you create a Clone Folder, Archicad automatically generates views for each element in the selected part of the Project Map, using the settings you specify.

What Can You Use a Clone Folder For?

1. Automating View Creation:

   • Automatically generate views for all stories, sections, elevations, or details, without manually creating them one by one.

   • If new elements (e.g., a new story or section) are added to the Project Map, corresponding views are automatically added to the Clone Folder.

2. Consistent View Settings:

   • Apply the same view settings (e.g., scale, layer combination, graphic overrides, model view options) to all views in the Clone Folder.

   • Maintain uniformity across multiple drawings.

3. Managing Changes Efficiently:

   • Update settings in the Clone Folder, and all views in the folder are updated automatically.

4. Documentation and Publishing:

   • Use Clone Folders to quickly organize views for publishing, ensuring the correct settings for all documentation.

5. Handling Revisions:

   • Clone Folders simplify the process of managing revisions by automatically updating views as new elements are added or settings change.

1. Open the View Map:

   • Go to the Navigator and open the View Map.

Choose the Source Folder:

• Select the part of the Project Map to clone (e.g., Stories, Sections, Elevations).

Set View Settings:

• Define the view settings for the Clone Folder, such as:
• Design Options 
• 2D/3D documents etc.

Click OK:  Archicad creates the Clone Folder and populates it with views for all the selected elements.

Clone Folders are shown as blue in the navigator.

Examples of Clone Folder Use

Plans for All Stories:  Automatically create views for all stories in a building with consistent settings (e.g., Floor Plans, Structural Plans).

Section or Elevation Sets:  Generate a set of views for all sections or elevations in the project.

Detail Drawings:  Clone a folder for detail drawings to quickly organize and update multiple detail views.

Coordination Views:  Create clone folders for views needed by other consultants, such as MEP or structural engineers.

• Set Up Templates: Save Clone Folders in your template file to standardize workflows across projects.

• Use with Publisher Sets: Combine Clone Folders with Publisher Sets for efficient documentation and output.

• Update Automatically: When new stories, sections, or details are added, views are automatically created in the Clone Folder.