topic Re: Commercial projects from residential in Libraries & objects

Commercial projects from residential

Anonymous — Fri, 26 May 2023 10:21:25 GMT

I've done some searches but couldn't find anything on this.

I'm currently doing all residential additions and renovations and want to get into commercial. I have commercial experience prior on autocad about 5 years ago. I'm just wondering about how ArchiCad works with the industry in the commercial world.

Has any one made this jump recently ?

Are there any potential issues to think about in advance ?

Any huge conflicts with consultants ? Did you have to redo a template file to have more commercial layering system ?

Do I need autocad in the office just to work with consultants ? (seems redundant but I'm just asking)

Is it not as different as I might think ?

I'm planning on submitting for some RFP's to get the projects, and I want to prep the office in advance as much as I can. I was thinking of redoing a new template for the commercial projects, new layers, maybe some new favorites with commercial windows and doors.

Re: Commercial projects from residential

Anonymous — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 20:11:37 GMT

Tan,

I'm a sole proprietor doing about 90% small commercial, 10% residential. I've been at this balance since I opened my own office 6 years ago.

My observations:

Most contractors I work with are happy to get electronic drawings in .pdf. Most don't use .dwg/.dxf.
The ability to explain a complex condition in a 3D drawing makes communication easier, which improves project outcomes.
The commercial side needs many more layers. My layering system is based on the National Cad Standards. I have nearly 200, but I really need to prune the list.
I use storefront systems a lot. The new curtain wall system in 12 doesn't work all that well for storefront, so I'm tied to using the AC 11 migration library for the storefront doors and windows.
I have AutoCad LT to double check export files before I send them to consultants. I haven't had any real problems with consultants.

It's not really that different, (except there's no marriage counseling). Best of luck.

Re: Commercial projects from residential

John Dunham — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 01:53:04 GMT

"Peter Van Erp" wrote:
Tan,

I have AutoCad LT to double check export files before I send them to consultants. I haven't had any real problems with consultants.

You can also use 'eDrawings' - which is free - to check your DXF/DWG export files instead of AutoCad LT.

Re: Commercial projects from residential

Link — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 02:05:59 GMT

John wrote:

I have AutoCad LT to double check export files before I send them to consultants. I haven't had any real problems with consultants.

You can also use 'eDrawings' - which is free - to check your DXF/DWG export files instead of AutoCad LT.

What's wrong with checking them in ArchiCAD?

Cheers,
Link.

Re: Commercial projects from residential

__archiben — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 06:04:18 GMT

Link wrote:
What's wrong with checking them in ArchiCAD?

you'd never see what it stuffed up this time you've exported . . .

Re: Commercial projects from residential

Laszlo Nagy — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 09:29:56 GMT

Peter wrote:
I use storefront systems a lot. The new curtain wall system in 12 doesn't work all that well for storefront, so I'm tied to using the AC 11 migration library for the storefront doors and windows.

Peter,
Would you mind sharing your experiences about AC12 Curtain Walls for storefronts? I am sure Graphisoft would be much interested in hearing it. AC12 just came out so I guess this is a good time to give fast feedback so they can consider them for future version, and who know, they may enhance the Curtain Wall Tool in the future.

Re: Commercial projects from residential

Karl Ottenstein — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 16:29:47 GMT

AutoCAD offers the free DWG TrueView program (Windows) that lets you see what your exported dwgs look like as well. It has layer control, etc.

http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/index?id=6703438%26siteID=123112

Karl

Re: Commercial projects from residential

Anonymous — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 18:31:08 GMT

Thanks for the input. Can you tell me what that National Cad Standard is or where to see that ?

How do you use ArchiCad 11 migration library, or what does that mean ? Is that a setting I have to do in 12 or what is that ?

I'm looking forward to less marriage counseling !

Re: Commercial projects from residential

matthewjj — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 07:19:19 GMT

eDrawings is fantastic! We use it at our office all the time. It is great when you need to quickly open up multiple dwgs for viewing purposes. Otherwise opening up a half-dozen dwgs in archicad will open up a half-dozen instances of archicad and t h a t c a n t a k e a w h i l e. There is even an eDrawings Pro version that has markup tools, measurement tools, and a few other useful features. Free version works for me though.

http://www.solidworks.com/pages/products/edrawings/eDrawings.html

Re: Commercial projects from residential

Karl Ottenstein — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 16:10:03 GMT

Matt,

Thanks for the link to eDrawings, which has a free Mac viewer. Nice to not have to fire up Parallels/XP for a quick dwg check. Even though I pointed eDrawings to the same SHX font file folder that DWG TrueView uses, text appeared slightly different in each program...nothing major though. Scroll wheel zooms the opposite of most othe software.

Steve,

The dwg capability of Acrobat is limited to Windows, as I recall. Just a heads up for others, since I banged my head trying to figure out why it worked for Steve and not me earlier this summer. 😉

Cheers,
Karl

Re: Commercial projects from residential

Djordje — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 14:22:22 GMT

laszlonagy wrote:
Peter,
Would you mind sharing your experiences about AC12 Curtain Walls for storefronts? I am sure Graphisoft would be much interested in hearing it. AC12 just came out so I guess this is a good time to give fast feedback so they can consider them for future version, and who know, they may enhance the Curtain Wall Tool in the future.

1. Does not punch a hole in the wall (is not a window/door)

2. Too complicated to set up for a double glazed door with two sidelights and one transom

You don't start a power saw to cut a paper in half. Scissors are usually enough.

I had extensive discussions with the Powers that be during the Beta testing and could not believe the final decision to completely remove the storefronts from the library.

Maybe they will listen to you?

Re: Commercial projects from residential

Anonymous — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 20:28:01 GMT

Peter,
Would you mind sharing your experiences about AC12 Curtain Walls for storefronts? I am sure Graphisoft would be much interested in hearing it. AC12 just came out so I guess this is a good time to give fast feedback so they can consider them for future version, and who know, they may enhance the Curtain Wall Tool in the future.

In the US, the storefront system is often used as window in a wall system, so the curtain wall should be able to act like a window.
When I try to merge two curtain walls with the common frame tool, the common frame shows in 3D, but in 2D the two original frames are shown overlapped.
I have been unable to edit the overall length of the storefront once originally placed.
The doors do not allow for different hardware on inside vs. outside. Most doors in the US and Italy have different push/pull hardware.
In my work (small commercial) I do a lot of fast food restaurants with drive-through windows. Attached is a partial shot. I would like to be able to insert a custom window into the curtain wall.

I'm sure I'll come up with some more soon.