ConDoc Tags Overview

ConDoc Tags Overview

ConDoc Tags were created to solve a core limitation in SketchUp: you can only assign one tag to a given entity. In past workflows, this forced users to create deeply nested groups—each with a different tag—just to achieve flexible visibility control. It worked, but it was rigid, time-consuming, and hard to modify.

In ConDoc 5, we introduced a tagging system that lets you assign multiple tags to a single group or component. Visibility is still controlled through the SketchUp Tags dialog, but the tagging process is handled through the ConDoc Tags dialog. In practice, it feels like you’re assigning multiple SketchUp tags to one entity.  This was a game-changer for model organization and speed in SketchUp.

Multiple ConDoc tags can be assigned to one entity—no nested groups required.

Why Use ConDoc Tags?

Any designed space—interior, architectural, or landscape—can be described using four core attributes:

  • LEVEL (e.g., Level 1, Level 2)
  • ELEMENT (e.g., Wall, Door, Window)
  • LOCATION (e.g., Interior, Exterior)
  • CONDITION (e.g., Existing, New, Demo)

Assigning one tag from each category gives you total control over visibility. This allows you to:

  • Organize your model in a logical, searchable way
  • Quickly isolate geometry by type or design intent
  • Create precise viewports with different line weights
  • Generate clean, well-stacked drawings in LayOut
  • Speed up your modeling process with smart tag toggles
Notes
The good news is, ConDoc automates all of this. You don’t need to manage layers and visibility manually—this system does it for you.

Assigning Tags Using the ConDoc Tags Dialog

The ConDoc Tags dialog can be opened in several ways:

  • Click the ConDoc Tags button on the ConDoc Express Tools Toolbar
  • Click the ConDoc Tags icon in the ConDoc System HUD
  • Use the menu: Extensions > ConDoc > ConDoc System > ConDoc Tags


Once open:
  • Click a tag to assign it to the selected geometry
  • Click again to remove it
  • Assign one tag from each category (LEVEL, ELEMENT, LOCATION, CONDITION)

This gives you the most foolproof, consistent tagging method.

You can assign multiple ConDoc Tags to one entity.

How Visibility Works

Although you assign tags in the ConDoc Tags dialog, visibility is controlled through the SketchUp Tags dialog.

Within the SketchUp Tags dialog, you’ll find a tag folder called ConDocTools. All ConDoc Tags appear here. When you toggle visibility for a tag off in the SketchUp Tags dialog, any entity assigned that tag in ConDoc will be hidden.

Behind the scenes, the system uses SketchUp’s native hide function to achieve multi-tagging.

Tag visibility is controlled through the familiar SketchUp Tags dialog.

Best Practices for Tagging

  • Tags can only be assigned to groups or components. Edges and surfaces are not supported in the ConDoc Tags dialog. This limitation improves performance by avoiding tag scans on millions of small entities.
  • Always draw with “Untagged” as the active tag. This ensures that all edges and faces stay untagged.
  • After modeling geometry, group it, then assign tags at the group level.
  • Right click on a selection and choose "ConDoc Tags > Clear All" to remove all tags applied to selection.
Alert
If you switch the active tag to anything other than Untagged, you'll see a warning in the ConDoc System. Just click the Reset button to set Untagged as the active tag again—this keeps you on track and ensures proper tagging behavior.

ConDoc Tags vs SketchUp Tags

In essence, the ConDoc Tagging system sits on top of SketchUp’s native tag system. You’re using the ConDoc Tags dialog to assign multiple tags to a single object, and you’re using the SketchUp Tags dialog to control visibility.

This layered system makes complex organization effortless—while staying compatible with how SketchUp works under the hood.

ConDoc Category of Tags

In addition to the four core categories (LEVEL, ELEMENT, LOCATION, and CONDITION), ConDoc also includes a set of system-level tags that apply across all drawing sets. These tags are used for special visibility control and drawing automation. All of these tags begin with CONDOC_ and appear in the SketchUp Tags dialog.

  • CONDOC_2D Graphic and CONDOC_3D Object
    These tags work together to separate geometry by drawing type.
    • CONDOC_2D Graphic is used for geometry that should appear only in plan views. It is automatically hidden in sections, elevations, and perspectives.
    • CONDOC_3D Object is used for geometry that appears in section, elevation, and perspective views, but is hidden in plan views.
Warning
If you assign CONDOC_3D Object to an entity, you will usually also need to create a 2D version of that object with the CONDOC_2D Graphic tag. Otherwise, it won’t appear in plan views.
  • CONDOC_Visual Merge
    This tag is used to visually merge two groups that share a seam. For example, if a new wall intersects with an existing wall and you want to hide the seam between them, you can assign this tag to selected edges within the group. It’s typically applied directly through the SketchUp Tags dialog, not the ConDoc Tags dialog.
  • CONDOC_Always Off
    This tag hides geometry from all drawings. It’s helpful for storing alternate versions, rough sketches, or reference geometry in your model without having them appear in your drawing set output. You can always bring these elements back by toggling visibility in the SketchUp Tags dialog.
  • CONDOC_Vector and CONDOC_Raster
    These tags help determine whether a drawing is processed as a vector or raster in LayOut. These are mostly handled behind the scenes and don’t require manual assignment in most workflows.

FAQ

Why can’t I assign ConDoc Tags to faces and edges?

ConDoc Tags can only be applied to groups and components, not individual faces or edges. This design choice drastically improves performance by reducing the number of entities being scanned and tagged. For best results, always model with edges and faces set to Untagged, then group the geometry before assigning ConDoc Tags.

Why is geometry not appearing in my plan view?

Make sure your objects have the correct tag assignments. For plan views, entities must be tagged with CONDOC_2D Graphic to appear. If an entity only has the CONDOC_3D Object tag, it will not be visible in plan views. You may need to create a simplified 2D version and assign it the appropriate tag.

How do I hide geometry from all drawings without deleting it?

Use the CONDOC_Always Off tag. This hides the geometry from all drawing sets and scene generations, but the geometry remains in your model for future reference or iteration. You can toggle it back on via the SketchUp Tags dialog.

What’s the difference between CONDOC_2D Graphic and CONDOC_3D Object?

These tags help differentiate between how geometry should appear in different views:

  • CONDOC_2D Graphic is used for geometry that only appears in plan views.

  • CONDOC_3D Object is used for geometry that appears in sections, elevations, and perspectives, but is hidden in plans.

Often, both are needed: a 3D model of an object with a simplified 2D representation.

Why is there a visible seam between existing and new walls?

Use the CONDOC_Visual Merge tag to eliminate these seams. Apply this tag to the edges where two tagged groups meet (like a new wall joining an existing wall). This tag hides those edges, creating a seamless appearance between adjacent elements.

Can I control whether a drawing uses raster or vector rendering in LayOut?

Yes. Use the CONDOC_Vector or CONDOC_Raster tags to influence rendering mode. These are typically handled behind the scenes, but they give you advanced control for custom workflows, especially in hybrid rendering.

What happens if I don’t assign one tag from each category?

While the system doesn't break, assigning a Level, Element, Location, and Condition tag to each group/component ensures full compatibility with drawing sets, view stacking, and visibility control. It’s the most consistent and predictable way to structure your model.