Since the release of ArchiCAD 15 I’ve enjoyed using the shell tool–more for it’s ability to be reshaped in 3D, plan, section, and elevation than its crazy form-making opportunities. BIMES has created a 4 minute video that highlights how impressive and versatile the shell tool is and I am just blown away. Enjoy.

This video originally came from a blog post by BIMES that explains the origin and reasoning behind this interesting form. It’s worth a read.

One additional thing worth mentioning that’s not covered in the video. Once the shell is created, it can be saved (like anything else) as an object for ease of replication in the project. Any time you need to have multiple copies of a form created by the shell tool, it’s worth thinking about creating an object. Since currently a shell can’t have multiple instances that link back to a master element, if you have 100 identical forms they couldn’t all be redefined with a few simple clicks. But saving the shell as an embedded object fixes that and is very easy. Refine the shell, resave the object and the updates are propagated to all the placed objects. Fast and easy. I’ve got a video on my to do list that shows how that process works more clearly.

Thanks BIMES for the awesome video. Can’t wait for more!