I’ve updated my Shoegnome Work Environment for Archicad 30, for both macOS and PC. Thanks to my own improved XML editing skills, AI, and a couple of helpful PC users, I was able to migrate and test the Work Environment on a PC. I’m hopeful that I’ll be able to repeat this process in the coming years and once again regularly share my Work Environment on PC as well as on macOS (though I imagine only the macOS version will get any updates between Archicad releases). Overall the Work Environment is very similar to the previous version. I tweaked my primary toolbar, dealt with some small changes between Archicad 29 and 30, and updated/added some keyboard shortcuts. My favorite new keyboard shortcut is: Link Drawing to… (⌘+⌥+`) on Mac and (Shift+CTRL+’) on PC. This allows you to change which PDF a placed PDF is linked to, which is a great shortcut to have when you’re updating consultant drawings. It’s a nice compliment to: Replace Page… which I have set to (`) on both Mac and PC. If you want a full list of my customized keyboard shortcuts, send me an email or look back at my Archicad 29 Work Environment post.
In addition to setting up your Work Environment when you jump to a new version of Archicad, it’s also worthwhile to install any Add-Ons you will be regularly using. Graphisoft has an updated Add-ons download page which is worth checking out. I highly recommend downloading Goodies and at least installing the Polygon Counting Tool. The Mesh to Roof Tool is nice as well. If you’re a former CI Tools user, or interested in them now that they are available for all Archicad users (depending on subscription level), download the ProKit. Beyond those, there’s a number of other nice add-ons, depending on the other programs you use, and a bunch of additional BIM Content and Utilities that you should look over when you’re setting up Archicad 30.
To get the Shoegnome Work Environment for ARCHICAD 30 click on the PayPal button (which will take you to all my Work Environments) or use the download links right below the button. If you aren’t sure how to import a Work Environment into Archicad, this video will show you how.
Download my Archicad 30 Work Environment:
Migration Advice
While the migration from Archicad 28 or 29 to Archicad 30 is simple, there are a few things to be aware of.
- Archicad 30 will open Archicad 28 and 29 files and keep them linked to the previous version’s Global Libraries. This video explains what’s going on and the easy solution.
- Projects migrated to Archicad 30 might have missing Walls. They’re not actually missing, just invisible. This video explains what’s going on and the easy solution.
- If you want to migrate multiple projects from a previous BIMcloud to an Archicad 30 BIMcloud, check out the Teamwork Multiproject Migration Tool (TMMT).
- If you’re migrating a project from Archicad 27 or earlier, don’t migrate the libraries to the Global Libraries. Just keep the old ones. If you are determined to swap out the libraries, I did a video on the process. I don’t recommend doing it.