Is there a way to check polycount in Archicad?

Issue description

You need to determine the number of 3D polygons in your Archicad model but cannot locate a built-in tool or method to view this information. You may be experiencing performance issues with your 3D model and suspect that high polygon counts could be affecting navigation speed or file size.

Solution

Archicad provides an out-of-the-box polygon counting solution through the PolyCount add-on, available as part of the free Archicad Goodies package. Once installed, this tool enables detailed polygon analysis, helping users identify high-polygon elements and optimize model performance as part of their workflow.

Installing the PolyCount tool

1. Download the Archicad Goodies package from the official Graphisoft downloads page
2. Run the installer and select PolyCount from the available add-ons during installation
3. Restart Archicad to activate the add-on

Accessing the PolyCount palette

1. Navigate to Window > Palettes > PolyCount
2. The palette will open and automatically calculate polygon counts for visible elements
3. The palette is lockable and resizable like other Archicad palettes

The tool is particularly useful for identifying imported objects that may contain excessive detail, such as manufacturer content or objects from external libraries like SketchUp or Revit families.