topic Re: Organic Modelling in ArchiCAD in Collaboration with other software

Organic Modelling in ArchiCAD

Anonymous — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 22:44:00 GMT

I have been using Cinema 4D to enhance my rendering skills, and decided to explore 'unconventional' building forms at the same time.

My first observation was the inability to dimension or control the C4D model with the 'architectural' predictability that AC allows.

My second observation was the crippling effect the 3DS model has on AC once imported.

This prompted me to begin the following discussion:

Problem:
AC doesn't natively model organic forms

Solution:
Use Cinema 4D to create form and import to AC

Result:
C4D does not allow dimensioning or have a workflow that is easily understood by architects.

Option:
Solidworks 2009 : Able to add dimension tags AND model hardware (custom if necessary) that can be included in material take-offs schedules

Competition:
Vectorworks 2009 seems to include modelling abilities natively now... is this the default app for those working in organic forms?

Question:
What is the best solution for ArchiCAD users who need to model AND document 'unconventional' building forms?

Re: Organic Modelling in ArchiCAD

Djordje — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 13:06:45 GMT

You missed "none of the above" so I will add it.

I use ArchiCAD 9 with GDL Toolbox ...

Re: Organic Modelling in ArchiCAD

Shivang Rajvir — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 13:26:07 GMT

I use ArchiCAD 10 with GDL.

Re: Organic Modelling in ArchiCAD

Anonymous — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 16:55:10 GMT

Is there a way that I can modify the poll to include ArchiCAD with GDL?

Re: Organic Modelling in ArchiCAD

Rakela Raul — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 19:02:33 GMT

does GDL toolbox exist for 11 or 12 ?? I dont think so

Re: Organic Modelling in ArchiCAD

Anonymous — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 20:13:00 GMT

Rakela wrote:
does GDL toolbox exist for 11 or 12 ?? I dont think so

If that's the case, then I won't modify the poll, as GS is clearly not supporting GDL Toolbox going forward. Is this reasonable to assume?

Re: Organic Modelling in ArchiCAD

Rakela Raul — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 20:36:46 GMT

"A wonderful treat for AC9 was the free release of GDL Toolbox.

Unfortunately it was never updated to run under AC10.

Now we are at AC11, and still no such capability exists in the basic ArchiCAD product. By that I mean basic visual 3d modelling tools.
Compared with 3D modellers it was very agricultural, but it did really extend what was possible in ArchiCAD.

Couldn't GS pull this under its umbrella - at the least - or introduce something like it?"

Re: Organic Modelling in ArchiCAD

Djordje — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 07:24:14 GMT

LINZ wrote:
Is there a way that I can modify the poll to include ArchiCAD with GDL?

Yes, but you can't vote again.

Re: Organic Modelling in ArchiCAD

stefan — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 08:13:06 GMT

GDL toolbox was interesting, but not updating plug-ins effectively kills them...

I use none of these applications, as I'm not into free-form modeling with ArchiCAD. If I do this kind of modeling, it usually does not end up in ArchiCAD anyway...

Cinema4D is nice, but the freeform models do not integrate nicely with the BIM model.

Revit has some advantages here over ArchiCAD 😉

Re: Organic Modelling in ArchiCAD

Anonymous — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 17:38:19 GMT

So what are these "Other" programs that people are using? It would be worth it to start a new thread with a poll that includes these things.

Re: Organic Modelling in ArchiCAD

Anonymous — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 18:00:29 GMT

How about ArchiForma 2?...
and ArchiWall 2?...
Just below our nose...

Re: Organic Modelling in ArchiCAD

Anonymous — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 18:47:32 GMT

The GDL toolbox seems to have been ruthlessly scrubbed from the internet, so I can't find it even to work with on AC9. I heard that it was updated for AC10 but only in Hungarian.

If anyone knows of an english version please point me in the right direction. Failing that Objective looks like a possible option:

http://www.encina.co.uk/objective.html

There's another topic on the board with some rave reviews.

Re: Organic Modelling in ArchiCAD

Anonymous — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 01:38:00 GMT

I use Sketchup very much for modeling purposes and some times I even finish a complete project in design phase and some presentations only on Sketchup, but it's frustrating that AC12 still doesn't have a add on for it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I will like to make 3d ojects in Sketchup and import the to AC12 because is so easy to model in sketchup.
Sketchup is a great modeling tool and so easy to use, I hope AC people do something about thisASAP because I'm sure that out there are a lot of architects like my self that wish we could do this.
Thanks!
Mario Igartua

Re: Organic Modelling in ArchiCAD

Anonymous — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 11:51:17 GMT

Something from 2005 :
http://archicad-talk.graphisoft.com/viewtopic.php?t=5734&postdays=0&postorder=desc&&start=10

Re: Organic Modelling in ArchiCAD

Anonymous — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 05:34:12 GMT

Modo 302

Re: Organic Modelling in ArchiCAD

Anonymous — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 08:21:09 GMT

Daniel wrote:
Modo 302

Can you something more about modo workflow? Do you do the comunication throuht cinema or what?

Re: Organic Modelling in ArchiCAD

Anonymous — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 15:40:02 GMT

workflow is one way at the moment. Unfortunately ArchiCAD can only import 3ds files and they never come in well. But you can export as wavefront OBJ and do additional modeling, sculpting, rendering and animation from inside Modo. Great value.

Re: Organic Modelling in ArchiCAD

Dwight — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 17:53:43 GMT

Just as an aside, opening 3Ds files in Cinema 4D FIRST, re-saving, and THEN opening in Archicad seems to improve speed and smoothness.

Re: Organic Modelling in ArchiCAD

Anonymous — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 19:09:13 GMT

Dwight wrote:
Just as an aside, opening 3Ds files in Cinema 4D FIRST, re-saving, and THEN opening in Archicad seems to improve speed and smoothness.

I like this approach.
I've been struggling with havy 3ds files before.
As you mention, I too first open in f.e. SketchUp, do some clean up and re-save as 3ds before importing in ArchiCAD. It works.