topic ArchiCad and 2D in Modeling

ArchiCad and 2D

Anonymous — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 15:59:29 GMT

Hi,

I am currently an AutoCad user, hate it but it's what I am trained in and what my employers use.
I have just decided to make the switch from pc to mac at home and am seriously thinking of moving from ACAD 2009 to ArchiCad 12.
My main question is, a lot of the work I will do is mainly 2d plans, elevations and details. Do you guys think moving over to Archicad is a good move and does it produce reasonable results in 2d.
Are there are any examples of work online?

I do carry out a lot of 3d work for which I use SketchUp, but being able to produce 3d in Archicad would be fantastic.

Re: ArchiCad and 2D

Erika Epstein — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 16:06:44 GMT

Dylan,
In archicad we model. The "2D" elevations,plans and sections aree byproducts of the model. They are automatically produced by how you view the model.

Check out Graphisofts website. There are many examples. There are also free tutorials which you can do to familiarize yourself with the program. You might also find out who your local reseller is. He/she might have a user group near you where you can meet and see the work of other archibuddies.

Your experience with sketchup and 3Dmodeling will be helpful. Yes, there are differences in the two programs. There is an add-on which allows you to bring in sketchup models.

Re: ArchiCad and 2D

Thomas Holm — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 18:29:42 GMT

We do a lot of refurbishments, alteration work on existing buildings. Seldom time to model everything there. But 2D is excellently produced in Archicad as well.

And since Archicad simplifies doing the documentation, a lot of time is saved there too. The Save View - place on Layout - Publish Layout Book routine works fine, and lets you integrate drawing views with scanned hand sketches, PDFs, DWGs, photos and other images from external sources in an easy way. No need for layout programs like Indesign anymore.

Re: ArchiCad and 2D

Erich — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 21:03:56 GMT

Dylan,

Having recently made a similar transition, I feel it is worth the effort. But beware that there is certainly effort involved. Changes will no longer be as simple as adding a line to an elevation or section, instead you must model the change, but the trade-off is that all your drawings end up better coordinated. Also, despite the fact that I am self-taught, i would also recommend getting training to ease your transition.

Lastly, Erika, mentioned the Sketch-up add-on which is a free extension for the program. You should be aware that this option currently does not exist for the Mac platform for reasons that are somewhat unclear (everyone seems to be pointing fingers as everyone else). You can still use this but you need to use a windows machine or Boot-Camp on the Mac.

HTH

Re: ArchiCad and 2D

Erika Epstein — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 21:09:36 GMT

Erich wrote:
Dylan,
Changes will no longer be as simple as adding a line to an elevation or section, instead you must model the change,
HTH

Aah, Erich, I think you have this backwards. Model it/the change once and all other views are updated. Far less work.
With 3D modeling programs there is a more of the work done up-front but farless to do when changes happen.

Re: ArchiCad and 2D

Erich — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 21:27:43 GMT

Erika,

I agree, it is better long term and your drawings end up much better coordinated. But when the boss is standing at your shoulder and wondering why that simple elevation change is not done yet... "after all, I only want another line in that door or window or roof or whatever...

Just an observation of differences. I would die before going back though.

Re: ArchiCad and 2D

Rakela Raul — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 21:40:10 GMT

http://www.archvista.com/pageview.aspx?id=18098#t

online sample (thanks to Erich)

Re: ArchiCad and 2D

Anonymous — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 03:48:42 GMT

Dylan,

I know of many ArchiCAD users in my area doing all plan views with walls, windows, doors, slabs, fills, lines, etc. and have a (perfect) 3D visualization at the end. Most of them agree this is comprehensive and not difficult to achieve... Once Sections and Elevations are involved, many skip the 3D model and continue with drawings (Auto-rebuild > Drawing or Worksheets) because of to much effort / time / ... to keep the 3D model alive, especially with refurbishments of existing buildings which do have a lot of 2D adds.
Even then, IMHO, productivity is still higher then plain 2D because of the powerful documentation tools and Trace of ArchiCAD. I do not think this working method is inferior, it all depends on the building and the organisation in the office.
10 years ago I started drawing in ArchiCAD (=2D) and I discovered it was far more fun then ACAD and Microstation. Soon ArchiCAD was too tempting to learn full 3D documentation, step by step, but with complete control of my output. Since then I build in AC! When needed, I just draw... no harm done

Re: ArchiCad and 2D

Erika Epstein — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 05:03:04 GMT

Erich wrote:
But when the boss is standing at your shoulder

She'll learn

Model it once, not draw it in every view it shows.

Re: ArchiCad and 2D

Anonymous — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 08:49:16 GMT

Archicad has excellent 2D capabilities and is far superior to Autocad's 2D.

Up to AC8 we used to draw all our elevations and sections as 2D, like in Autocad. Now it's even better!

Re: ArchiCad and 2D

Laszlo Nagy — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 10:05:04 GMT

Dylan wrote:
Hi,

I am currently an AutoCad user, hate it but it's what I am trained in and what my employers use.
I have just decided to make the switch from pc to mac at home and am seriously thinking of moving from ACAD 2009 to ArchiCad 12.
My main question is, a lot of the work I will do is mainly 2d plans, elevations and details. Do you guys think moving over to Archicad is a good move and does it produce reasonable results in 2d.
Are there are any examples of work online?

I do carry out a lot of 3d work for which I use SketchUp, but being able to produce 3d in Archicad would be fantastic.

There is also a book called ArchiCAD for AutoCAD users which you may find useful in your transition. It has just been updated

Re: ArchiCad and 2D

Anonymous — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 16:49:56 GMT

kliment wrote:
Archicad has excellent 2D capabilities and is far superior to Autocad's 2D.

Agree

kliment wrote:
Up to AC8 we used to draw all our elevations and sections as 2D, like in Autocad.

You are kidding right? I have never been recreating elevations. Proper model, and maybe corrections from time to time. FYI I started with AC 4.55.

Re: ArchiCad and 2D

Anonymous — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 20:22:10 GMT

Miki wrote:
I have never been recreating elevations. Proper model, and maybe corrections from time to time. FYI I started with AC 4.55.

That makes me wonder, how did you document your sections and elevations in previous versions? Mostly the same pen weight used?
Setting up the 3D model is not that hard. Full control of pen weights (drawing conventions) on the other hand, even with AC12 improvements, is still not possible... FYI, because it involves doors and windows, I need corrections e-v-e-r-y time

Re: ArchiCad and 2D

Anonymous — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 01:42:53 GMT

Well we tend to overuse some of the features that computers/software gives use, even though there is no real added value. In my practice I found that 2-3 pen thicknesses is perfectly good enough. Setting your elevations that way is not difficult. Of course you have to have office standards, but once you have them you are good to go. Sections are totally different thing. I also still use a lot of drafting, but in reality only to add things that either cannot be done in 3D or are more time consuming to do. Always think about "Time versus Value" rule. Adding 10% of additional value at expence of 50% time is never a good math, especially in business.

Re: ArchiCad and 2D

David Shorter — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 10:46:27 GMT

Miki, I agree and disagree with you. Whatever we used to do I now use the Complex profile to 'detail' in section. The profile informs the model and the model informs the drawings. No extra linework. Really the only 'stuff' required is any annotation, dims and the like

Re: ArchiCad and 2D

owen — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 14:13:13 GMT

I would in no way discourage you from moving to ArchiCAD, but it seems OSX and AutoCAD may not be destined to remain strangers.