The Plug-in was created to allow ArchiCAD users to transform the perfect lines of computer-generated images into the softer, irregular lines of hand-sketched drawings. ArchiSketchy opens the road to creativity, allowing projects to be created that resemble drawings done with a pencil and pen, but without smudges or imperfections.

Working with ArchiSketchy is simple. Just select the drawing to be transformed, either from the Floor Plan, the Section/Elevation Windows or the 3D Window, and then choose the transformation command from the ArchiSketchy menu.

A single dialog window is displayed, from which one of seven different types of transformations can be selected. Each of these can be customised by the user in terms of pens, lines, fills and text.

The dialog window also allows options to be set regarding the types of elements to convert, the minimum length of lines to consider for transformation, the layer on which the output drawing should be placed and a number of other settings that, once customised, can be saved and used again at any time.

Pen Conversion Settings

Line Type Conversion Settings

Fill Conversion Settings

Font Conversion Settings

To make the transformation even more unique and customisable, ArchiSketchy allows backgrounds to be chosen that resemble different paper textures.

Once the transformation type has been set, the user can decide whether the output should be directed to the window of origin or to an independent window, from which it can be printed or saved in PMK format.

The drawing can also be converted into an Object, allowing it to be resized or used in multiple projects at the same time. It should also be noted that drawings created with ArchiSketchy are vector based, meaning that they can be easily modified at any time.