July – December 2012
ArchiCAD Training – Coaching Call – September 19, 2012
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 Session Notes

QUESTION ANSWER SUMMARY AND NOTES START TIME
ArchiCAD updates How to install ArchiCAD updates. Note: if you are in an office that uses the BIM server, then everybody has to upgrade at the same time. 0:00:00
Internet marketing course Eric says he is re-opening the course in October, if anybody is interested in taking the course contact Eric. The course is about teaching architects how to market their business more effectively. 0:05:50
The specifics of exporting to dwg. format The caller is sending ArchiCAD files to a consultant who is using AutoCAD. The consultant intends to edit the file, and then send it back to the ArchiCAD user. 0:07:58
  Eric explains the settings in the translator in great detail. I would recommend that all but the most experienced ArchiCAD users view this. A caller gives a tip: Which is when exporting/converting dwg. files, always include a dimension (or object scale bar) so a measurement test can be done. Another caller says the exported files don’t always scale correctly when opened in AutoCAD, so double check your info, or get the receiver to double check when he/she receives the file. An option for an ArchiCAD user who doesn’t own a copy of AutoCAD, but wants to double check the scale is correct, is to get a copy of the free AutoCAD viewer from Autodesk. 0:12:40
How to draw a barrel vault roof that is continuous and not segmented There is a different process to drawing a roof in ArchiCAD 15 and higher. Eric, demonstrates both the old (ArchiCAD 14 and below) and new way (ArchiCAD 15 and above) of drawing roofs. First of all Eric demonstrates ArchiCAD 14 and below method – here the number of pieces in the segmented roof is determined by the magic wand settings – options>magic wand settings>segments along arc 0:32:32
  The ArchiCAD 15 and above method of drawing a barrel vault roof involves using the shell tool as there is no vault shaped rib in the roof tool. The settings required in the shell tool are simple extrusions (the first option on the left that looks a bit like a roof tile) and the construction method is also simple (again the first option on the left that looks like a tunnel). The first two clicks define the direction, and the third click defines how wide it is going to be (all the other settings e.g. the height etc. are found in the info box palette). Eric goes through the process of drawing the barrel vault and then shows how to make alterations to it. 0:38:00
Question on clone folders The caller has created a clone folder to save his details in, and he wants to save the detail in a different place on his hard drive as part of a detail library. 0:44:00
  Eric explains the differences between a linked and independent detail. One is linked to a source marker, and the other is independent, so you can draw what you want. 0:46:00
  Eric goes through saving as a module and creating a hotlink. He describes, where you would typically use them, and how they differ from each other. You could also save the details as a copy of the pln or tpl file, and just delete the building (don’t forget to unlink the details first); the advantage of doing it this way is everything is set up ready. 0:49:00
Is there a way of making markers respond to the filters in the renovation tool? Eric doesn’t think that this is possible 1:11:25
Caller having trouble editing a custom drawing title Eric first demonstrates how to bring in a custom drawing title onto a layout. Because it has been saved as an object, Eric says it can’t be easily edited. So Eric shows how to explode it (cutom drawing title), re-work it (using autotext, and possibly the 2d line and circle tools), and then save it as a drawing title. File>libraries and objects>save selection as>drawing title. 1:13:24
  The caller then asks how to edit the custom drawing title gsm source file. Eric says there are two main ways to do this – 1) He would save the reworked, “drawing title” somewhere so that you can always tweak it and make another version of your title. 2) The other method is to open the object, file>libraries and objects>open object. From here open “2d symbol”, set the scale to 1/1 (this is because a title is an object intended to be placed on paper, so it is actual size and not scaled), make your necessary changes and save it. 1:24:15
Discussion about creating your building with very intricate construction details (built into the model itself) in 3d using complex profiles. These details would then show up everywhere accross the project. (MUST SEE) After the discussion the caller says that he had a question – His wall complex profile worked out fine and he found that windows cut into it etc., but unfortunately there is no ability to make a roof complex profile, so the caller got around this by using a wall complex profile to make the roof. But doing it this way meant that the roof didn’t show up very well on plan or elevation. So the caller faked the roof a bit by putting a roof plane in as well and he put fills in the roof planes. The caller would like to know is this the best way of doing it, or is it better to draw everything as individual elements. Eric doesn’t have an answer other than doing such intricate complex profiles can bog your project down due to the number of polygons. This segment wasn’t so much answering a question – think of it more as opening your mind to the possibilities that are achievable in ArchiCAD. 1:31:30

ArchiCAD Training – Coaching Call – September 19, 2012

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    AndrewPolkinghorne
    11 years ago

    You said it in one word, Eric – Inspiring Coaching call!