topic Re: Best Approach to Cover Concrete Structure with Aluminum Cladding? in Modeling

Best Approach to Cover Concrete Structure with Aluminum Cladding?

Heftor — Mon, 16 Jun 2025 14:49:10 GMT

Hi,

I’m working on a project where I need to cover a concrete structure with aluminum plates (similar to the reference building in the attached image).

I tried using the Wall Tool, but it interacts with the concrete structure in unwanted ways (see screenshot).

Questions:

Is there a way to detach the aluminum cladding from the concrete so they don’t interact ?
Would another tool be better for this non-structural cladding?
Any tips for modeling thin metal plates with realistic joints/fasteners?

I’d appreciate any workflow suggestions or examples!

Thanks in advance!

Operating system used: Windows

Re: Best Approach to Cover Concrete Structure with Aluminum Cladding?

alemanda — Mon, 16 Jun 2025 15:14:03 GMT

1. Yes, put the cladding onto a different layer with an intersection number different from the layer where you put the concrete structure.

2. The most controllable way is to use the modeling tools (walls, slabs, roofs) but in some cases using CW is very helpful ...generally depends on the geometry of the claddings

3. you can find some fasteners for archicad (for example in bimcomponents.com) but usually if youhave many fasteners the model is slowed down a bit.

Re: Best Approach to Cover Concrete Structure with Aluminum Cladding?

Sefa Yakut — Mon, 16 Jun 2025 20:58:02 GMT

Hi,

Just put it onto a different layer and change the layer's intersection number it will solve the intersection problem

Re: Best Approach to Cover Concrete Structure with Aluminum Cladding?

Heftor — Tue, 17 Jun 2025 07:25:41 GMT

Thanks @Sefa Yakut and @alemanda,

I will try the change layer and intersection number solution.

I will post late the results.

Thanks for the help 🙌

Re: Best Approach to Cover Concrete Structure with Aluminum Cladding?

Heftor — Sat, 21 Jun 2025 10:10:39 GMT

Hi @Sefa Yakut and @alemanda,

Here you have the result.

Thanks again for the help, it ended quite nicely

Re: Best Approach to Cover Concrete Structure with Aluminum Cladding?

Sefa Yakut — Sat, 21 Jun 2025 10:11:48 GMT

Hi, @Heftor

You are welcome. I want to add one more thing. If you open 3D Antialiasing, you can see your 3D model more smoothly. To do that, go to Work environment > Advanced Redraw Options and select 3D antialiasing and click okay. After that, close your 3D tab and open it again. You will see the difference.

Re: Best Approach to Cover Concrete Structure with Aluminum Cladding?

Lingwisyer — Thu, 19 Jun 2025 01:39:30 GMT

Remember to change the Intersection Group in all relevant Layer Combinations, not just the layer itself.