Archicad

Make sure you have the things listed below before starting:

• Archicad 20 or higher (please refer to the relevant Archicad plugin version for guidance)
• One Click LCA account and license with Business features to be able to import data

Choose Archicad Integration

Users have access to a set of tools for integrating Archicad with the One Click LCA platform. The specific tools available vary based on the version of Archicad you are using.

• One Click LCA Archicad 27 Plugin.
• One Click LCA Archicad 26 Plugin.
• Exporting a Schedule for Excel Import For Archicad 20-25.

One Click LCA Archicad 27 Plugin.

How do you set up the Archicad 27 integration? 

Make sure you have the things listed below before starting:

• One Click LCA user account
• Archicad version 27 installed 
• If you want to upload data to your own project in One Click LCA, ensure you have already created one in the user account with a valid license
• This plugin is available for Windows and Mac Apple Silicon version only. It is not available for Mac Intel-based version.

Where can I download the installer?

Download the Archicad plugin installer relevant version from the attachments at the bottom of the page.

How do I install it?

The plugin installs seamlessly without options. Close Archicad before installing the plugin. The plugin is digitally signed by One Click LCA, however, your operating system may ask you to confirm if you wish to proceed with the installation. In such a case, choose Allow/Yes, as applicable.

How to use the Archicad 27 integration?

Step 1: Once you have the plugin installed, open the 3D view for your project in Archicad. Please mind that it is not possible to export data when you are viewing a schedule.

Step 2: Look for the One Click LCA® plugin for Archicad from the menu bar and click it

Step 3: Proceed to select ”LCA in Cloud”

You will be taken to the One Click LCA cloud service to continue the import process.

How does the Archicad 27 integration work?

• The plugin only exports the Bill of Materials from the 3D view currently open in the project's tab. The export will include only those elements that are visible in the 3D view (see the Known Limitations) at the time of export. Users have the flexibility to initiate the export process from any 2D model content view, however only opened 3D view content will be exported. The process can not be started from a schedule view.
• For design options in the 3D view leave visible only the one you wish to export and hide the rest. It is strongly recommended in such cases to relink the objects from the relevant design option to the Main model. Please see the Known Limitations section for more information.
• The exported data include all visible materials independently of their renovation status. This is different from Archicad 26 plugin that exported only materials with renovation status "New"
• For most objects, the exported quantities for area and volume are based on Projected Component area and Composite Volume.
• Exported area quantities aim to represent the area of the “face” of the element so that the quantities are aligned with the common definitions of the environmental data in One Click LCA.
• Important note for performance & large models: Please note that the export can take up to a few minutes for bigger models. This is similar to the generation of larger material schedules that have multiple columns.
• If clicking “LCA in Cloud” does not launch One Click LCA import process in a new tab on your browser:
  • Users can access the generated Excel file with the bill of materials. The URL location of the excel file will be present in a pop-up windows once user click 'LCA in Cloud' plugin button. Users can upload the excel file manually to One Click LCA with the standard import workflow (see relevant guidance in “Step 2” here).
  • This issue relates to the plugin not being able to connect to the One Click LCA server, and it can also relate to some technical issues on the user’s side. If this issue occurs, users can contact the Customer Success team.

New features in Archicad 27 integration

• 3D View Export: The plugin facilitates the export of elements directly from the 3D view currently open in the project's tab in Archicad. It's important to note that only elements visible in the 3D view will be exported to the One Click LCA platform.
• The plugin no longer includes renovation status export filtering. The exported data include all visible materials independently of their renovation status. This is different from Archicad 26 that exported only materials with renovation status "New"
• The plugin now incorporates renovation status information into the exported bill of materials, allowing users to conveniently group materials based on their renovation status.
• Enhanced accessibility to the generated bill of materials Excel file is now available. The file is retained after generation, ensuring users can easily access it whenever needed.
  -For Windows version, the excel files are saved at: C:\Users\{Username}\AppData\Roaming\Graphisoft\OneClickLCA
  -For Mac Apple Silicon version, the the excel files are saved at: /Users/{Username}/Library/ApplicationSupport/Graphisoft/OneClickLCA
• The collection of volume quantities for stairs has been enhanced, resulting in improved accuracy and efficiency.
• Skylights are now imported into the "Windows and doors" section of the "Building materials" query, and the default quantity is switched to area for higher accuracy and easier mapping to environmental profiles.
• Railing classification has been refined to "Internal walls and non-bearing structures", enhancing its categorization within the system.
• Thickness for composite shell layers has been added.

Known Limitations 

Exporting Design Options Could Result in Quantity Discrepancies. 

When exporting bill of materials from Design Options in Archicad 27, the plugin encounters limitations due to the Archicad API, which Graphisoft is actively working to enhance. Specifically, when exporting objects that have openings such as walls with doors & windows, the software currently does not deduct the area and volume occupied by the openings (e.g. windows, doors) from the area and volume of the objects that have the openings (e.g. from wall area). This issue extends to other elements that can have openings such as slabs and roofs. As a result, users may notice discrepancies in the exported area and volume quantities of objects with openings. We recommend to relink the elements from the relevant Design Option to the Main Model before exporting to get accurate quantities in such cases.

Proxy server user is blocked to export bill of materials to One Click LCA platform

If your organization uses a proxy server and you encounter a "Timeout error" while trying to export a BoM using a plugin, you need to configure the integration's proxy settings. You can do this by editing the proxyConfig.txt file located in the plugin installation folder.

For Windows: C:\Program Files\Graphisoft\Archicad 27\Add-Ons\OneClickLCA

Please open the proxyConfig.txt file with Notepad, provide the following information and save:

1. Proxy Address: If not available, leave this field unchanged.
2. Username: If not available, leave this field unchanged.
3. Password: If not available, leave this field unchanged.

Note: You may need to contact your IT administrator to obtain the required information.

The Integration ignores "Partial Structure Display (3D)" filtering for bill of materials export

When exporting the Bill of Materials from the active 3D view, the integration ignores any "Partial Structure Display (3D)" filters applied by the user. By default, the export option is set to "Entire model." However, filters applied within "Layers" and "Elements in 3D View" are taken into account.

The One Click LCA Archicad 27 integration for Mac Apple Silicon installer is not supported on all versions

As a workaround, manual installation of the plugin is advised. Please delete any previous versions of the One Click LCA Archicad integration before proceeding with the manual installation. Download the manual installer from the attachments at the bottom of this page and unpack the file. Follow the steps below to complete the integration installation:

Option 1. Manually copy files:

• After unpacking the installer file, open the folder.
• Place the "OneClickLCA" folder into the "Add-Ons" folder within the Archicad 27 installation directory (the folder name may vary based on localization).
• Open Archicad, and the integration should now be active.

Option 2. Use Archicad Add-On Manager:

• In Archicad, click the "Options" tab.
• Select "Add-On Manager."
• In the section: "EDIT LIST OF AVAILABLE ADD-ONS" click the "Add..." button.
• Locate the "OneClickLCA" folder and select "OneClickLCA.bundle".
• The integration should be active.

One Click LCA Archicad 26 Plugin.

How do you set up the Archicad 26 integration? 

Make sure you have the things listed below before starting:

• One Click LCA user account
• Archicad version 26 installed 
• If you want to upload data to your own project in One Click LCA, ensure you have already created one in the user account with a valid license
• This plugin is available for Windows ONLY

Where can I download the installer?

Download the Archicad plugin installer from the attachments 'One Click LCA® plug-in v1.0.3 for Archi-CAD 26.msi' (can be found at the bottom of the page)

How do I install it?

The plugin installs seamlessly without options. Close Archicad before installing the plugin. The plugin is digitally signed by One Click LCA, however, your operating system may ask you to confirm if you wish to proceed with the installation. In such a case, choose Allow/Yes, as applicable.

How to use the Archicad 26 integration?

Step 1: Once you have the plugin installed, open the 3D view for your project in Archicad. Please mind that it is not possible to export data when you are viewing a schedule.

Step 2: Look for the One Click LCA® plugin for Archicad from the menu bar and click it

Step 3: Proceed to select ”LCA in Cloud”

You will be taken to the One Click LCA cloud service to continue the import process.

How does the Archicad 26 integration work?

• The plugin will export the Bill of Materials from the open Archicad model. For this user needs to have 3D view open.
• The exported data include only materials with “Renovation status: New”
• For most objects, the exported quantities for area and volume are based on Projected Component area and Composite Volume.
• Exported area quantities aim to represent the area of the “face” of the element so that the quantities are aligned with the common definitions of the environmental data in One Click LCA.
• Important note for performance & large models: Please note that the export can take up to a few minutes for bigger models. This is similar to the generation of larger material schedules that have multiple columns.
• If clicking “LCA in Cloud” does not launch One Click LCA import process in a new tab on your browser:
  Users can access the generated Excel file with the bill of materials by following these steps:
  • Upon clicking the export button, a pop-up message will promptly appear in Archicad, providing information about the temporary location of the Excel file.
  • The file will be temporarily stored at: C:\temp{number}, for example: C:\temp1707473243.It is advised to refrain from clicking 'OK' until the Excel file has been successfully copied from the temporary location.
  • Once the user clicks 'OK', the temporary Excel file will be automatically deleted.
  • Users can upload the excel file manually to One Click LCA with the standard import workflow (see relevant guidance in “Step 2” here).
  • This issue relates to the plugin not being able to connect to the One Click LCA server, and it can also relate to some technical issues on the user’s side. If this issue occurs, users can contact the Customer Success team.

 

Exporting a schedule for Excel import  for Archicad 20-25

Step 1: Choose the Schedule you want to export from the navigator on the right side.

Once you have the schedule open navigate to File > Save As, then choose Excel workbook as the file type to be exported. Make sure to uncheck the “Show Headline” checkbox from the Style navigator on the left for easier moving of data later.

Step 2: Download the One Click LCA sample Excel import form

Get the form (European, metric) from the attachments 'OCL_import_form_Building_Metric_v1_7', which can be found at the bottom of the article.  

Step 3: Open both the One Click LCA sample Excel and the Excel downloaded from Archicad.

Copy the content from the exported Excel into One Click LCA sample Excel. Match the column headings in the Excel as shown in the table below.

Archicad schedule	One Click LCA Excel column heading	Instruction
-	CLASS	Choose the most appropriate from the One Click LCA sample Excel, if unsure choose OTHER
Name	IFCMATERIAL	Will be used for matching to One Click LCA database
Volume [m3]	QUANTITY	Paste the quantities
-	QTY_TYPE	Mark as m3
Thickness [m]	THICKNESS_MM	Paste the content from Thickness and convert to mm by multiplying by 1000
Element ID	COMMENT	Not mandatory but can be used for tracing back elements

Step 4: Upload the Excel to One Click LCA. You can fill in any other columns if the information is available.

More info about Excel import you can find at 'Import from Excel file'.

Need help?

If you have any questions related to the plugins, please leave a message on our community. 

• One Click LCA Community - Archicad

Attachments