When I introduce my coworkers to ArchiCAD 15, I show them three new things and then say “get to work, we’ll cover the rest as it comes up”. I know that’s not the best way to learn a new version, but everyone using ArchiCAD 15 at SALA Architects happens to be on projects with tight deadlines. So they get the short, short version of my upgrade speech. Half of the speech is about Teamwork 2 (which is the reason the projects are on ArchiCAD 15–the rest of the office is still on ArchiCAD 11). The rest of my introduction mainly covers a few big changes: 3D editing planes, enhanced SEO features, and guidelines. I also talk about the shell tool, but mainly so that my coworkers know that it exists and that they should ask me when they really need to understand it. I’m sure there’s something else I tell them, but this is Labor Day and my 5 month old hasn’t slept much all weekend (hence neither have I).

When my next coworker jumps to ArchiCAD 15, I’m going to cut out the part about guidelines. Instead I’m going to have my coworker watch the video Eric Bobrow (of MasterTemplate fame) has created explaining the new Guide Lines in ArchiCAD 15. While the video doesn’t cover EVERYTHING, it’s an awesome introduction and classic clear Bobrow style. I imagine his ArchiCAD Best Practices Course is full of nice explanations like this one.

To learn about some of the other guide line tricks Eric doesn’t cover (like guide lines in 3D), check out the videos on the ArchiCADwiki page on Guide Lines. And for even more Eric Bobrow videos, visit his youtube channel.