Introduction and Implementation

Ongoing Projects

It is not really a good idea to introduce ArchiCAD in the middle of a running project just because your client requires perspective images and walk-through movies of the design. Even if many new users come to terms with the software incredibly fast - CADliterate users are comfortable in a day or two - ArchiCAD does require training. Jumping into ArchiCAD head over heels when pressed by deadlines may cause fatal dissatisfaction. Consider outsourcing the job to an ArchiCAD service bureau or a freelance ArchiCAD contractor. Use the opportunity to gather further information, get some training, and start using ArchiCAD on the next project.

We do recommend, however, to start using ArchiCAD on an already running project complementary to your current CAD package under favorable circumstances. Ensure that the operators to be retrained are not under pressure of deadlines and use ArchiCAD to make the project documentation more accurate and complete. Even a quick ArchiCAD 3D model can help you check the integrity of the documentation. Perspective views and flythrough movies rendered with one of ArchiCAD's artistic graphic engines surely increase customer satisfaction.

Learning by Tracing

You can start implementing ArchiCAD by opening CAD drawings - practically floor plans in DXF, DWG or DGN format - of a project in ArchiCAD. For the time being, you don't need to worry too much about fonts or layers. Select the proper drawing unit carefully when you import the file.

ArchiCAD is very smart in snapping to existing drawing and construction elements. Customize the settings of ArchiCAD construction tools - wall attributes, slab settings, roof pitch and materials - in accordance with your project, then you can easily trace the imported drawing with the tools.

Browse the ArchiCAD Library for doors and windows to be inserted in walls and furniture and other objects to be placed in rooms. From the quick model you can automatically generate a number of external and internal perspective views, elevations and sections, even element lists. These documents can assist you in finalizing some design features and checking for errors in drawing files and schedules. Perspectives, movies and panoramas nicely complement or even replace the cardboard model of the running project.

The learning-by-tracing approach is especially useful in making users of drafting software fully understand the different aspects of the ArchiCAD Virtual Building, how the documents relate to each other and the building model. It also makes learning easier when the user can start with a familiar document rather than an empty worksheet which scares most novices.

New Projects

While most CAD training courses involve project-independent tasks and simple hypothetical projects, ArchiCAD is probably best to implement and learn on a not too complex new project. A healthy pressure supplied by reality helps you to take things seriously. The features of the software are easiest to explore parallel with the development of the project, starting with site assessment and schematics followed by design development, project documentation and detail drawings.

From the Ground Up

Novice users are often frightened or perplexed by an empty worksheet in front of them. It is true even if they are competent in using another system. Some constraints such as an imported survey file make the first steps easier and more to the point.

The survey file of the site can be imported into ArchiCAD if the surveyor can provide you with a CAD drawing in DXF, DWG or DGN format. Ask the surveyor what drawing unit is used in the file, and make sure the same unit is set when importing it; otherwise you will end up with improper dimensions. As ArchiCAD imports Model Space and Paper Space data separately, you may have to open the file twice with different settings, and save both files in ArchiCAD format to get the entire content of the survey file. Either file can be merged into the other one so that you end up with one ArchiCAD survey file.

If the file also includes a 3D site model, import it as Binary 3D in an ArchiCAD Library Part.

We do not recommend that you continue working on the imported file because it has a layer structure and attributes you may not want to use in ArchiCAD. Create a new layer in the file called Surveyor's Data or similar and transfer all drawing elements to the new layer. If a 3D site model was also imported, put that on a separate layer called Site Binary 3D or something appropriate. Delete all other imported layers from the file.

Set up a new ArchiCAD project file with the factory defaults (New and Reset), and merge the survey file into it. The one or two layers of survey data will be inserted into the project file, and can be hidden or deleted when they are not needed any more. Keep the original survey files and the converted version for reference.

Survey files may contain drawing data referenced to a remote survey origin. When importing the file, ArchiCAD locates the remote origin and places the elements to their proper position. Nevertheless, the remote origin may be totally irrelevant for the project. Drag the drawing elements of the survey to the project origin so that you don't have to work with five-digit coordinate values.

Construction Basics

If the survey file contains 2D information only, use the Mesh tool of ArchiCAD to create a 3D site model by tracing the contour lines. Add existing site features - roads, walkways, simple building blocks and trees, lampposts - using the Slab, Wall and Roof tools and Library Parts. Learn to use the drawing tools of ArchiCAD marking the site with auxiliary construction lines. Generate perspective views, sections and elevations to explore all aspects of the Virtual Building database. These simple tasks give you a good overview of the most basic drawing and construction features of ArchiCAD.

As external 3D data is difficult to edit in ArchiCAD, remodeling the site is recommended even if a 3D site model was imported with the survey file. Even if landscaping is not involved in the project, survey models are usually surface only, and give you little help in creating sections views. Cutting through a solid site model, the section contour and site feature contours can easily be distinguished.

When you feel somewhat comfortable in the ArchiCAD environment, you can start building a schematic model of your design. If you normally sketch plans on paper, you can try scanning your drawings and merging them in your project file. Stretch the merged drawings to match ArchiCAD's drawing scale, and use them as a rough footprint that you can trace with the Slab and Wall tools. Alternatively, build your model from scratch using the auxiliary construction lines. If your site allows, start with a base slab that you dimension immediately. Because dimension lines are associative, you can freely change the slab's contour and get instant feedback on changes as dimension lines update automatically. Trace the slab with other construction tools to complete your initial design.

Using the sketch model you can prepare your first ArchiCAD presentation to your client, and make the necessary modifications after the presentation. Keep refining your ArchiCAD expertise as the project develops towards completion.

Project Teams

Apart from the methodological advantages, there are also operational benefits of introducing ArchiCAD team by team. The rest of the staff can continue working on other jobs using the current office software, uninterrupted. The "early birds" of the ArchiCAD team can develop their expertise quietly, somewhat isolated from the regular life of the office. Having proven the software's worth in one team, the firm can select the next team and a suitable new project to continue the ArchiCAD development.

It is especially important that the selected project team establishes ArchiCAD-like procedures rather than trying to force the software into a workflow where it cannot be used to the firm's best advantage. When one or two ArchiCAD licenses are installed in an existing drafting CAD environment without any implementation concept, they often end up as modeling service stations. Though ArchiCAD gives excellent performance as a modelling/ presentation package, using the software for such tasks only is purely wasting its full range of capabilities.

Initially, the ArchiCAD project team should comprise only designers using ArchiCAD. Later when initial documentation is finalized, the team may include draftspeople using AutoCAD, MicroStation or whatever drafting CAD software is used in the office. Even if project documentation can be completed in ArchiCAD, managers may not want to completely phase out drafting workstations, and ArchiCAD is used in tandem with the current drafting software as the design front-end.