I’m excited about version 14. I started using ArchiCAD on version 9, dabbled in 8.1, 10, 12, and 13, and have been using v11 since it was released. While working on my first project in v11 back in 2007, I discovered the joys of the complex profile in ArchiCAD. If you use ArchiCAD, but don’t use this tool to its breaking point…finish reading and then go spend as much time
We all have bad habits in ArchiCAD. Some of this is from how we were taught and some from the version we learned on. As the program evolves, we need to reevaluate how we work. Do we still need to hold down shift? Is it time to get used to the tracker? Are we still hanging on to old key commands from v8.1? Some are worth keeping. I want to
Whether you’re using the the coordinate box or the tracker, there are a lot of ways to write a number. Some are easier than others. A quick rule of thumb is that ArchiCAD recognizes fractions as inches, whole numbers and decimals as feet. So… a couple of ways to input three and a half inches: .2916667′ .2916667 0-3.5″ 0-3.5 3.5″ 3 1/2″ 3 1/2 3.5/1 3.5/ 7/2″ 7/2
Take a few minutes and check out the techniques mentioned on this post as well as this one on the ArchiCAD-Talk forum. I highly recommend setting up a keyboard shortcut for the command mentioned in the second post. I have set mine to ‘[‘. It’s fast, easy, and I can’t believe I lived without it all these years. I’ll talk more about my tangential comments within that second thread next week.
Below is an excerpt from a draft of a document I’m putting together for my role as CAD / BIM Manager at SALA Architects: Competencies: Outside of the office standards, users will not learn or use the program in an identical manner. As a result, tiers of users are differentiated by having competency in a certain quantity of skills within the program, rather than specific requirements. The intent is that
I love design. But I must admit I am obsessed with production. On Friday a coworker and I went to view the Bearden Place competition entries at the University of Minnesota Urban Research and Outreach/Engagement Center. (most of the entries can be viewed here) There were some great designs, but I found myself spending more time looking for clues on how the work was produced. Where there tell-tale signs of
