ArchiCAD Training (Best Practices Lesson 1-3)

This 16 minute segment is the third and final part of the 7 Keys to Best Practices for ArchiCAD.

It covers keys 6 and 7:

Model Well, Draw Less
Keep It Safe

Please add your comments below.

Eric

Want to download this video, pause or resume playback, jump to a specific point or watch this video in a larger window? Click here for Video Playback and Download Notes...	Select +
While you watch this ArchiCAD training video, the player controls will disappear. To make them reappear, move your mouse over the playing area. Pause and resume the video by clicking anywhere inside the playing area. This recording was made at a resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels but is displayed in a smaller viewing area. While playing the video you may switch to full screen by clicking the little button at the far right of the controls. To return to the smaller size, hit the Escape key on your keyboard. You may download the video as an MP4 file from the Course Downloads page. After downloading, you may open file in QuickTime Player or any compatible media player to watch at full native resolution.

Want to download this video, pause or resume playback, jump to a specific point or watch this video in a larger window? Click here for Video Playback and Download Notes...

Your Downloads

You may need to right-click the following links and select Save Link As to download the file to your computer

Your Downloads

You may need to right-click the following links and select Save Link As to download the file to your computer

Audio Version

Click here to see the transcript of this ArchiCAD training lesson...	Select +
Best Practices Course – Week 1 Part 3 – © copyright 2011 by Eric Bobrow BEST PRACTICES COURSE – WEEK 1 – The 7 Keys to Best Practices PART 3 – In Depth: Keys 6 & 7

ArchiCAD Training: In Depth: Keys 6 & 7

Add your comments and questions here.

Let us know how you feel... (30 comments so far)

You must be logged in to post a comment.

PamelaGoode
11 years ago

I viewed this video after 8 months of using ArchiCAD and I have to say I was reminded of things I should be doing on a regular basis.
Thanks,
pam
GarethUnderwood
12 years ago

I think this will be the first of many ‘thank you’ messages

….I hope you don’t tire of them.

I am looking forward to working my way through the series.

Thank you

Gareth
PengLee
13 years ago

Eric, very logical structure. So I look forward to following the best practice course for weeks 2 and onwards. Thanks Peng
JohnWalker
13 years ago

It would have been nice to see some “real time” comparisons vs the ongoing head shot as it related to the discussion about advantages using solid element operations vs the trim roof option on cutting wall tops…
- Eric Bobrow
  13 years ago
  
  John –
  
  Good idea. Thanks for your suggestion. I’ll see if I can integrate this into the presentation when I go back through to rework and improve the training materials later this year.
  
  In the meantime, you may be interested in my article on Solid Element Operations in ArchiCAD at
  http://www.bobrow.com/archicad-tutorial-solid-element-operations-archicad-10/
  as well as my video on Terrain Modeling using Solid Element Operations at
  http://www.bobrow.com/archicad-tutorial-video-tip-terrain-modeling-using-solid-element-operations/
  
  Eric
Tyler Buffett
14 years ago

Nice!
Marshall Rossiter
14 years ago

Eric…thanks again as I feel that I’m off to a good start by viewing your sample video’s today
Marshall
Cliff Gilmore
14 years ago

You should have done this years ago. – but better now than never.
I’m glad you have decided to offer your expertise in this format.
I think you might want to consider finding a way to use the background as a screen
to display and reference what you are discussing.

I hope this course brings you much success for the opportunities of successful use of Archicad you are offering to those who want to use the program to build their business skill set.

Best regards and Happy New Year!!!
Cliff
- Eric
  14 years ago
  
  Cliff –
  Thanks for your good wishes and encouragement. In some ways I wish I had done this a long time ago, but I was too busy with the demands of running a business as an ArchiCAD reseller to really focus on developing a comprehensive training course. Now that I am able to devote the time to it, this seems quite natural and I love what I’m doing.
  Eric
Al Campbell
14 years ago

I can use three words to describe the first week’s presentation;
soothing
steady
sober
Also, much of the advice given can be applied to several applications. This can be seen as enticement for users of other apps to migrate.
- Eric
  14 years ago
  
  Al –
  I’m glad you found the presentation soothing – I hope you are able to apply some of the ideas in your work.
  Eric
RUBEN PRADO
14 years ago

TODO ESTA EXCELENTE.
PERO HAY UN PROBLEMITA QUE YO NO SE INGLES,
TODO LOS EJEMPLOS GRAFICOS LOS ENTIENDO MUY BIEN, NO SE SI PUEDAN MANDAR LOS VIDEOS CON SUBTITULOS EN ESPAÑOL.

MUCHISIMAS GRACIAS.
RUBEN PRADO CAMACHO
- Eric
  14 years ago
  
  Ruben –
  I only speak a little Spanish, but I understand that you would like subtitles in Spanish to help you understand the videos. I will consider adding these at a later date if there is enough interest. Thanks for your comment.
  Eric
Dimitrios Kargiotis
14 years ago

Great overview, I have been using ArchiCAD since V4 and I’m always looking for tips to help speedup and organize our practice. Thanks Eric
paulo
14 years ago

Thank you.
Albert Van Ee
14 years ago

Thank you so much for doing this best practices course. Just reviewing the seven step introduction will save me a lot of work. I did not know that I could set the placement of doors and windows, and know that if the window changed it would still originate from the same position.

I also like the practice of saving a project by date. It would be helpful to see an example of this in practice.

Overall very well done as usuall;
Thanks Eric.
- CatherineRoha
  13 years ago
  
  Every time I re-open a project I rename it and save it with today’s date (ProjectName – year-month-day — so they appear in chronological order in my file list). Sometimes I’ll use letters beyond that to indicate various alternative schemes, or DR for Design Review submission, BP for building permit sets, BP rev1, etc. It makes it easier to go back and find the right version, if ever needed!
Robert Hill
14 years ago

Only now have I had time to view all parts of Week #1. I was pleased to find it a huge improvement over the sneak preview I saw in November. I liked the short modules, and the images were a great addition.

At my age, memory can be a problem (mine, not the computer’s). It would be useful if I could make copies of the text outlines presented in the videos. They could trigger my memory of what I saw and heard in the videos. I could add them to the AMT documentation that I consult when I have questions or need a refresher.

I found the viewer comments interesting and helpful; a welcome supplement to the video presentations. Thank you Bob and viewers.
RJ Dial
14 years ago

I’ve never had luck saving older version projects (8.5, 10, 11) in newer versions of AC. Everything from library elements to attributes get wonky, and it is even more complicated if using Cadimage tools. Converters don’t quite convert Archived files too well. Is that others experience?
- Eric
  14 years ago
  
  We’ll be covering this in the section on Library Management. There are some basic strategies that make this work fairly simply, although adding third party components (e.g. Cadimage Tools) can make it more complicated.
RJ Dial
14 years ago

From Master Template to some online Consulting over an ArchiCad issue, Eric’s information has always been able to apply usability to the AC application. Looking forward to the course to take it even further down that path.
Earl Applegate
14 years ago

The 7 keys concept is terrific. It reduces a very comprehensive, and complex, software program into logical (understandable) steps. I found the Week One / Part One video to be an excellent introduction, describing the 7 keys as a series of logical steps to using ArchiCad in a productive manner. It is a concise explanation of the 7 keys approach.

The more detailed information provided in the Week One / Part Two video provides content in support of the first 5 keys. It is, also, a great overall presentation. The use of examples to supplement the lecture is very helpful; providing visual support, as well as demonstrating the use of steps to complete a particular task.

The Week One / Part Three video is focused on Keys 5 & 6. The examples provided for modeling are excellent, and demonstrate the value of the ArchiCad program. Key #7 is well done, but one that we will not pay enough attention to until the actual crash.

I particularly like the ability to replay the videos. Every time I re-do them I learn a bit more, and find things that did not actually register in previous sessions; this Sesame Street approach is, for me, helpful. I am looking forward to future lessons, as well as the question & answer sessions.

Thanks, Earl
Ewelll Davenport
14 years ago

I like the suggestion to save versions of a file with a date extension. I have been just adding A,B,C etc. and have found myself opening several of them to go back to a point in time that a date extension would have pinpointed.

On saving, when I first went from the drafting table to cad (yes, some of us have been around that long) I learned to keep at least 2 backup copies. 1 on site and 1 off site. To do this I now copy the files I have worked on each day to a thumbdirve which I take home with me. I occasionally transfer those files to a computer at home. That computer has the same file structure, etc. as the office so gives me a complete back up.

I am pleased with the first weeks instruction and look forward to what is coming.

Thanks Eric

Ewell
Jamie Strong
14 years ago

Nice work, Eric. Although I have used Archicad for about 4 years, I am largely self taught and therefore have already picked up some handy tips from week 1. Looking forward to next week.

I also use dropbox and find it to be very useful and stable.

Regards,
Paul
Marek Stoklosa
14 years ago

Flash drives are also good for storing a project. You basically have it on you all the time. I use it often. Also I can do some work at home so there are two hard copies of the project (office and home) plus a flash drive. Quite inexpensive and fun way to keep things safe.
I look forward to the next session
Marek
Pleasanton , California
Takis Apostolides
14 years ago

Eric, the downloaded file crushes at 10:20
Takis
- admin
  14 years ago
  
  Takis –
  I downloaded the file myself to check it out, and it works fine. Perhaps there was a problem with your original file transfer. I suggest you try downloading it again and let us know whether the second time works better.
  Eric
  - Eric
    14 years ago
    
    Takis –
    I’m glad to hear (as you posted on another page of Week 1) that after re-downloading the files, that everything is working well.
    Eric
Chris Sinkinson
14 years ago

Having lost files in the past through disk failure I can underline what you are saying about file safety and backup. It is sickening to lose a days (or even a weeks) work, through not thinking of this inevitable situation – it will eventually happen to you!!!
I have found that some of the on line companies are useful for saving default projects.
The likes of Dropbox (www.dropbox.com) give you 2 GB of free storage, which is ample for the main default files and libraries to be kept safe.
Makes it easier to get the files when you are out of the office as well.
Plus it has an excellent facility which speeds up file tranfer between computers on the same office network
Chris Sinkinson UK
- admin
  14 years ago
  
  Chris –
  Thanks for your comments and the suggestion of Dropbox.
  Eric