ArchiCAD Basic Training – Module 7
7-3. Schedules and Indexes

ArchiCAD Training  (Quick Start Course – 7-3)

This 26 minute lesson shows how to create and work with schedules (lists of elements in your project such as doors and windows) and indexes (lists of layout sheets or drawings).

Thank you for visiting the Best Practices Course website. The video lessons are available for members only. If you are an active member and would like to watch the ArchiCAD training video on this page, please login to the website. If you are not currently a member, please visit the following pages for more information and to sign up for the Best Practices Course, the QuickStart Course or for the Best Practices ArchiCAD Coaching Program. Eric Bobrow, Creator of the Best Practices Course
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ArchiCAD Training: Schedules and Indexes

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  1. Avatar photo
    BryanEnterprise
    8 years ago

    Eric,
    Really good instruction on how to use the mesh tool. I tried to figure it out by myself and it was just crazy. Saved me a ton of time.

    My question is this. After I created the mesh I drew some circles with the arc/circle tool. After that it would not let me create any new ridges. What are your thoughts?


    • Eric Bobrow
      8 years ago

      Bryan – In general, to create contours within a mesh, you’ll need to have the Mesh tool active in the Toolbox plus have the actual mesh element selected, THEN click inside the mesh to start a new contour. Perhaps after you drew the circles, you did not switch back to the Mesh tool in the Toolbox?
      Eric


  2. ToddFulmer
    10 years ago

    Eric, this video was very helpful in making schedules easier for me. One quick question though. I noticed that door sizes that end in zero do not show up, such as 3′-0″ comes in as 3′. Can you format a cell to make it show the zero inches?


    • Eric Bobrow
      10 years ago

      Hi Todd –

      The formatting for schedules is controlled by the Options menu > Project Preferences > Dimensions settings, which are recorded as part of the View showing that schedule in the View Map.

      Open up these Dimensions preferences, and you’ll see the options near the bottom that specify how elements with 0 inches are shown. Change the setting as you wish, and click the Store as… button to save this revision as a new Dimension preset – you’ll need to type in the name manually.

      After you have done this, click OK to confirm the new preset. Then find the View showing that schedule in your View Map (or create one) and click the Settings button for the View. Change the View Settings to use your new Dimensions preset that you created, and you’ll see the schedule update to use the new preference.

      Eric


  3. PaulPanson
    11 years ago

    Hi, around 1:40 the layout sheet looks like a stack of sheets, never noticed that before… usually it just looks like one sheet with a drop shadow… could you enlighten me? Have I missed something?
    Regards


    • Eric Bobrow
      11 years ago

      Hi Paul –
      There is a Drawing Settings option that gives this appearance to the Layout border. Unique to Schedules and Indexes, when you choose Fit Frame to Drawing there is an additional checkbox to Split Drawing among Multiple Layouts. This allows a long schedule or index to automatically flow onto additional layouts when it is too long to fit on the page.
      Eric


      • Paul Panson
        11 years ago

        Thanks Eric, cool feature… Would’ve taken me ages to find it!!

        Using F1; Virtual Building > ArchiCAD Model Views > Interactive Schedule > Split Schedule into Multiple Layouts


  4. DouglasTeiger
    11 years ago

    Hi Eric,

    I am having problems with formatting the actual schedule box!! In your tutorial, you have the header “Frame” and underneath it there is “material elevation glazing detail etc.”
    On my screen i have the header “Frame” with the Head Jamb and Sill details under it, BUT the Material Elevation and Glazing are not under the “Frame” Header. How can I get these to fall under “Frame”??
    Thanks for your help!!


    • Eric Bobrow
      11 years ago

      You can change the format of the schedule box after opening up the schedule (double-click the schedule in your Project Map or View Map). Click the Frame header cell, then use the Header Options popup menu to “Delete selected cell”. Then click on any of the items you want to group under the Frame header, and shift-click each of the other cells you want to group so that they are all selected; use the Header Options menu and choose “Insert header cell above”. ArchiCAD will then create a new header cell, which you can rename to be “Frame”. Now you will have all of the cells grouped under one header.
      Eric


      • FelixFukui
        11 years ago

        This was helpful advice, as I’m trying to build a schedule to match a corporate standard. Can you tell me if there’s a way to rotate text 90 degrees within a header cell?


        • Eric Bobrow
          11 years ago

          Felix –
          Unfortunately, there is no simple way to rotate text 90 degrees within a header cell. The best advice I can give you is to set up the schedule with the header turned off, or perhaps some of the cells in the header covered up, and then manually place text rotated 90 degrees over the top. If you do this carefully, the schedule can still be “live” and automatically update, while you maintain the custom graphics as a manual overlay. It’s not ideal, but it will work.
          Eric


  5. DouglasTeiger
    11 years ago

    Hi Eric,

    I need a bit more help with the Scale of schedules. Under the schedule settings I set the scale to 1/4″ but when I “Place Layout” on the sheet, it comes in at 1′ = 1′-0″; so the 2d doors in the scale do not match the floor plan. I tried changing the scale to 1/8″ and other scales, but regardless it still comes in as 1′ = 1′-0″.
    So…how can I scale the schedule?
    Thank you!


  6. JackHebert
    12 years ago

    This is a nice overview of the Schedule features. I was wondering if you could point me towards a little more info on developing a Zone/Finish Schedule. It’d be helpful to have an itemized and automated list of all the different rooms/zones, while still able to add in custom notes and categories (like paint type, wainscot materials etc etc)

    Thanks!

    Corey


    • Eric Bobrow
      12 years ago

      Corey –
      I will be covering interactive schedules in a later course lesson. In the meantime you may want to consult the ArchiCAD Help menu. Note that MasterTemplate (the office standard product that my company created – http://www.actemplate.com) has a built-in Finish Schedule similar to what you’re looking for (that can be customized), while the standard ArchiCAD template does not.
      Eric


  7. LukaszMol
    12 years ago

    Hi

    What about direct link to video (how to quickly number doors and windows) mentioned in the end of 7.3 clip ?

    When will be BPC 100% ready. There are 11 weeks available for now, correct ? BPC outline shows schedule for 29 weeks. Could you share info about that ?

    Thanks for the QSC. I like it very much although I would like to get more… Therefore I will join BPC quite soon 🙂

    REGARDS

    LUKE


    • Eric Bobrow
      12 years ago

      Luke –

      Here is a link to the video for renumbering doors and windows quickly:
      http://www.bobrow.com/archicad-tutorial-video-tip-how-to-set-door-window-ids-quickly/

      I will be resuming production of BPC materials shortly, and will focus on this over the next couple of months to fill in the rest of the planned outline.

      I’m glad that you like the QuickStart Course…I’m sure you’ll enjoy the Best Practices Course even more.

      Eric


      • LukaszMol
        12 years ago

        Thanks for info about BPC! I placed my under 5.5 movie by mistake and it`s not answered….anyway, is there a way to simultaneously select group of items (same parameters – doors, windows) and change their paramateres in a single operation ?


        • Eric Bobrow
          12 years ago

          Luke –

          I just answered your question in the original location (under the 5.5 movie), but repeat the answer here for convenience:

          You can select a group of items of the same type easily using two methods:

          1) Activate a tool (such as the Window tool) in the Toolbox, then use the Edit menu > Select All command – it will select all Windows (in this case) visible in the current view (the floor plan, or in 3D or section etc.). You can also draw a marquee, and it will select all Windows within the marqueed area.

          2) Use the Edit menu > Find and Select, and add criteria to be selective about these items. For example, you can specify Windows and add a criteria for width or height or both; then click the + sign and you’ll select all matching Windows with that width and/or height.

          Eric


  8. JohnCassel
    12 years ago

    Thanks Eric,
    After years of working with ArchiCAD i’m learning lots of nuances, shortcuts and previous unknown features of ArchiCAD. Thanks very much for helping to unlock the mystery.
    Now I’m off to start your Best Practices Course.
    Mahalo,
    John


    • Eric Bobrow
      12 years ago

      John –
      Thanks for your kind words – I’m so glad the QuickStart Course has been useful for you!
      Eric


  9. HagithPopper
    12 years ago

    Hi Eric,
    Each time I read what is written about your excellent courses and lectures and I feel that you succeeded in uniting all of us in that huge sense of gratitude and appreciation. When a video is over I wish there were more. The main thing, for me, is ridding me from the desperate emotion of helplessness. Nowadays when I start to struggle with an operation that wouldn’t respond, I have the tools to rethink my actions based on a whole different understanding of the logic of ArchiCad. Not fighting with my program but using it with a growing familiarity.
    You are a blessed talented teacher with deep thorough knowledge of AC. Your students have access to clear systematic tutorials that no other matches.
    Indeed a priceless time saving deal!
    I want to express my gratitude of your ever quick and attentive response to my questions and your immediate online help.
    Hagit


    • Eric Bobrow
      12 years ago

      Thank you Hagit! I appreciate that you have taken the time to post your comments, and am very glad to know that the course is helping you so much with using ArchiCAD.
      Eric


  10. Eric Bobrow
    12 years ago

    Thank you all for your kind comments about the QuickStart Course. I’m so glad that it has helped you to get more clear on ArchiCAD’s essential concepts and methods, so that you can better appreciate the Best Practices Course itself.
    Eric


  11. RossCahill-OBrien
    12 years ago

    Hi Eric, Great set of videos, hopefully my coligue Dan Coyle will sign up for your quick start series, I really enjoyed the series and the time and pace that you took to explain everything. i feel much more prepared to tackle the best practices course. Thank you, Well done … Ross

  12. Avatar photo
    MariyaLilith
    13 years ago

    Hi Eric,

    This is another great video.

    I just want to say how much I’ve enjoyed watching the Quick Start videos. I learned ArchiCAD a few years ago and really like the software, but found myself struggling with it at times. I’m enrolled in the regular AC Best Practices course, and it’s great, but I think that I’ll get more out of that course after reviewing with this course.

    I finally feel like I have a really good handle on the ‘Basics’ and look forward to continuing with the regular AC Best Practices course.

    I agree with Kenneth Andrews. You will be one of the few teachers I’ll always remember.

    Thank you,

    Mariya

  13. Avatar photo
    KENNETHANDREWS
    13 years ago

    ERIC:
    EVEN AFTER USING ARCHICAD FOR TWO AND A HALF YEARS, THE QUICK START COURSE HAS GIVEN ME AN EVEN GREATER INSIGHT ON HOW TO USE THE SOFTWARE MORE EFFICIENTLY AND WITH GREATER EASE. WHILE ALOT OF THE MATERIAL WAS A RE-CAP THERE ARE SOME VERY GOOD SHORT CUTS AND REASONS WHY THINGS WORK THE WAY THEY DO THAT HAS HELPED TREMENDOUSLY.
    LIKE I SAID BEFORE THERE HAVE BEEN ONLY A FEW TEACHERS IN MY LIFE THAT HAVE REALLY MADE A DIFFERENCE AND I FEEL IN A VERY SHORT TIME YOU HAVE MADE THAT LIST.
    THANKS AGAIN FOR YOU TEACHINGS, THE COURSE AND BEING A MENTOR.
    KENNETH ANDREWS