Each month there are one or more coaching calls; this is a recording of the session on April 24, 2014January – June 2014
ArchiCAD Training – Coaching Call – April 24, 2014
| 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 |
ArchiCAD Training Session Notes
| QUESTION | ANSWER SUMMARY AND NOTES | START TIME |
| Using files when switching computers. Missing objects or duplicates. | A pln file will include everything about your project, but will not include your library. If you are transferring a file from one computer to the next and both have the same version of AC then you can simply save and move your pln file. If you’ve created custom library parts they will have to go with the file. You can save as an archive file pla band it will include any library parts in use, but not the rest of the library. The issue with this is it will only have the small number of parts that are in use saved with it. This is useful when you are putting a project on hold for a year or longer and it will save its parts in use including custom parts. If you create custom parts and save them as objects you can save them to the Embedded Library and they will go with your pln file. If you have additional libraries you will want to make sure you have a copy of those library folders on your other computer. PLA wont bring certain elements, so the best way to work on two computers is to have all your library files that you use on both computers you use and embed any custom parts into your file. If your library files are in the same location on your other computer then AC will find it automatically, but it will say the files are missing if it is saved in a different location. Simply go to the Library Manager, select Add, then find the file and add it. | 0:00:35 |
| Using files when switching computers and external content. | Managed in File>External Content. There are hotlinks, external drawings, and Xrefs. Each has a manager that shows all of it’s information including its links. If you have files that are placed as pdf or jpgs you can either ignore that it can’t find them or you can make sure to have a copy of those linked files on your other computer. The only time this really matters if the attached file has changed. In general you should store the drawing in the project file so if it is moved or deleted AC and still find it, so make sure to check the box to Store Drawing in the Project File in Drawing Selection Settings. Xrefs and Hotlinks are similar to external drawings. Hotlinks are always embedded in the file but they do have a link outside that AC will check if it is up to date. If you are not updating the external files then all you have to do is make sure they are stored in the project file. | 0:11:18 |
| Using files when switching computers and work environments. | Options>Work Environments is one computer verses another such as keyboard shortcuts. This is distinct from the Project Preferences that go with a file. Your Work Environment schemes can be saved and exported to a file to share with another computer or you can save and export your entire Work Environment Profile as a New Profile and with multiple files within it. If you are upgrading your operating system or AC then you would want to import your Work Environment Profile. | 0:17:12 |
| Code Meter Key when you transfer software from one computer to another. | When you install AC on another computer you need to bring the key with you and plug it in if you want to be able to run AC in normal mode. When you are upgrading operating systems you may or may not need to reinstall AC, but it will probably need the key to be reinstalled. You can go to Graphisoft and download the driver. | 0:22:07 |
| Saving formats for visuals. | Document>Creative Imaging>Photo Rendering Settings. If you are rendering an image in AC there are sizes in Resolution called dpi (dots per inch) but what really counts are the number of pixels (how many dots are being created) so the resolution is less important than the amount of information or data there is. The rendering time goes up as you increase the pixels. It will also be affected by the anti-aliasing. | 0:26:14 |
| Do Hotlinks embedded in a file increase the file size? | Yes. If the contents of any external file are embedded into a file they do increase the file size, but it doesn’t usually cause a problem because they are not that large. Unlinking them does not change the file size it just wont update but the data is all there. If you delete the linked files then the file will go down in size somewhat, but what keeps the file sizes larger in Master Template are the number of views. If there are views you aren’t using you can delete those to save file size. | 0:32:44 |
| Discussion about file size, storing files, and drive options or Cloud for saving. | ||
| Associated label formatting. | Sometimes the preview mode can be buggy or there can be complications when the plan is rotated. There are differences between standard labels and associated labels. The associated label has a vertical line that can not be turned off but you can change the line color to white and then manually draw in the line you want. There is no other current solution from AC. | 0:44:00 |
ArchiCAD Training – Coaching Call – April 24, 2014
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