Issue Description
I placed an object in Archicad, or modelled a new element and when I try to find it in 3D or open a new View the element is gone!
Solution
Here are some possible causes to this issue, and what steps you can take to find your missing elements:
1. Hidden Layer (click to expand)
The layer that your element is placed onto, could be hidden in some layer combinations.
You can test this by
Change the element’s layer or turn the visibility to other layer combinations. You can do this by going to the Layer Settings and ensuring the relevant layers are visible.
Go to Document > Layers > Layers (Model Views)...
Another way to verify if your object is hidden is to toggle between the View's Layer combinations.
You can change the Layer combination in the Quick Options Bar
TIPS:
- Avoid having Views with Layer Combinations set to Custom.
- The Element's Layer could be set to Wireframe.
2. Accidental Element Hiding (click to expand)
You might’ve accidentally used the Hide selection command in 3D.
- Go to View > Elements in 3D > Show all.
OR
- Right click while on the 3D Window and select Show All Elements.
OR
- Use the default shortcut (Windows: Ctrl +F5 or MAC: Cmnd + F5).
TIP: It is also possible that your model is simply out of focus:
Use Right click > Fit in window to bring the camera focus back to the model.
3. Renovation Filter (click to expand)
Depending on the current Renovation Filter applied to the view, some elements could be hidden based on their status, for example on Demolition plan, elements with the Renovation status to be Demolished are set to be hidden as they are... demolished.
You can correct this by:
A. Changing the View's Renovation Filter (From the Quick Options bar or the View Settings)
OR
B. Changing editing the Renovation Filter's settings:
You can do this via Document > Renovation > Renovation Filter Settings.
OR
C. Changing the element's Renovation status in the Renovation Palette.
Window > Palettes > Renovation
TIP: Check this related article out - Demolition objects are not displayed
4. Design Options (click to expand)
If you’ve placed it in a Design Option that is hidden in the current Design Option Combination.
- Go to Window > Palettes > Design Options... to open the Design Options Palette
- Toggle the eye icon between the Design option in the palette to verify if your object appears.
- Open the Design Options Manager and toggle the eye icon to turn on the visibility of the Design Option.
- Make sure to update the corresponding Design Options Combination.
TIP: Avoid leaving Views with Design Options Combination set to Custom.
5. 3D Cutaway Plane (click to expand)
A 3D cutaway plane could be on, which might be keeping the element out of sight.
Go to View > Elements in 3D View > 3D Cutaway.
If the command is highlighted in blue in the dropdown menu, it means it is active, click on it to toggle the setting.
TIP: When a 3D Cutaway is active, the area hidden by the cutaway will look faint on Floor Plan Views.
6. 3D Filtering Options (click to expand)
The 3D window could be filtering some element categories. You can check and adjust the 3D filter settings to make sure the element is visible.
1. Go to View > Elements in 3D View > Filter and Cut Elements in 3D...
2. Under Element Types in 3D activate the checkbox of the element categories you want show, or click on All Types.
3. Click Ok.
TIP: 3D View story range can also be changed from this window.
7. Model View Options (click to expand)
Some element types have additional Model View Options Settings that could be hiding them.
To view the Settings of the different Model View Options Combinations:
Document > Model View > Model View Options...
Expand the Tab of your Element's category to view the available settings.
These articles show some examples of how the Model View Options an make elements disappear:
Door Knob/Handle Missing in 3D
Both Window and Door handles are missing on plan
Door and or window markers are missing on plan
Zone stamps are missing in the Plan window
8. Floorplan display settings - (click to expand)
If the object is not visible on a plan view, but you can see it in 3D or the section, the issue could be caused by its Floorplan Display Settings.1. Open the Element's selection settings from a View were it is visible.
2. Expand the Floorplan and Section Tab.
3. Under Floorplan Display watch out for these settings:
- Show on stories - Defines what stories the element's symbol will be visible on.
- Floor Plan Display - type of projection the element's symbol will have.
- Show Projection - this defines the vertical range that will be considered when creating the projection of the element on plan.
TIP: Your element could be linked to the wrong home story if you modelled it in the 3D window. Check its Home Story in the Element's Selection Settings.
OR
Use the command Edit > Element Settings > Relink Home Story.
9. Floorplan cut plane settings (click to expand)
Your element could be out of the Floor Plan Cut Plane's range.Go to Document > Floor Plan Cut Plane...
10. Missing Libraries (click to expand)
If instead of seeing the element you see a black dot, or you open an existing project and all windows/doors and furniture are replaced with black dots, this is caused by a missing Library file/pack.
- Go to File > Library and Objects > Library Manager
- Click Add and select the library pack/folder/.lcf.
- Use the Reload & Apply button.
This related article goes over the process: Black dots are being shown instead of library objects.
TIPS:
Still stuck? Here are some related articles that can help you resolve your issue:
Dimension lines are missing on the layout
Dimensions go missing when I switch partial structure display
Grid Elements are missing in 3D
Check out this video for a quick visual demonstration of the solutions explained above:
Did this not resolve your issue?
By following these steps, you should be able to locate and display the missing elements in your Archicad project. If the issue persists, consider consulting the Archicad help documentation or contact Technical Support for further assistance.