topic Re: Timber Framers using Archicad? in Modeling

Timber Framers using Archicad?

Anonymous — Wed, 24 May 2023 17:27:49 GMT

I am involved in residential design, specifically with timber framed houses. To clarify for the international members here, this means using timber larger than 6x6's (8x8, 8x10, 6x8 etc) and not 2x4's which seems to be the nomenclature outside of North America. I have googled and searched for examples of timber framers using Archicad but have found very little. I know that log home builders like Archicad (possibly because of ArchiLog). I presently use a combination of Autocad, SketchUp and Cadwork. Cadwork is an timber specific program (generates CNC code etc) but I don't really like it for the architectural development and presentation side.
My questions are-
1) Do any of you know of good examples of Archicad being used for timber design?
2) Is native Archicad the tool for timber design? I am aware of Framewright but this seems over kill for what I'm looking for. Objective looks quite useful but is it being supplanted by the morph tool?
3) I need an acis (sat) file at the end of my design process in order to bring the design into Cadwork. Is there an easy process from Archicad?

Kris

Re: Timber Framers using Archicad?

Karl Ottenstein — Fri, 21 Mar 2014 03:25:28 GMT

There are some, but for some reason I don't see them on these forums wearing that hat.

Encina in the UK created a timber framing add-on for AC some years back that had a light and a full version. Now that Cadimage bought them, it seems they only produce the Pro version - and it is not clear how long they will continue to do so. See:

http://www.cadimage.com/Products/Tools/Framewright

Here are the search results for posts that mention this add-on:
http://www.archicadwiki.com/results.html?q=framewright

If you do not need to schedule and dimension individual timbers or send out CNC code - e.g., visual and erect timbers (elevations/sections) are good enough, then you can shape things with complex profiles and.or morphs.

Re: Timber Framers using Archicad?

Anonymous — Fri, 21 Mar 2014 15:45:06 GMT

Karl,

Thanks for your comments. Hopefully the timber framers are too busy to visit the forum.
Do you have anything to offer re: Objective vs morphs. I would at least like to get some kind of object list with timber sizing and length. I understand that Objective has some attributes which morphs don't. Am I correct here?
Do you have any comments on achieving a sat export?

Kris

Re: Timber Framers using Archicad?

Dave Seabury — Fri, 21 Mar 2014 17:26:28 GMT

Kris

Not a timber framer, But I do a lot of houses with timber framing in them.
I have worked out the following process for coordination w/ the timber framers. I group timbers and put them on their own layer ie Timbers-Entry,
Timbers Kitchen, Timbers Living Room etc. When I have every thing modeled I export out a 3d dwg or dxf and they import that in to there software. the layers are exported as well so they can isolate specific areas
to work on. They will quite often use my layouts for there shop drawings as well. I prefer objective for modeling the timbers as you can rotate the objects easily as will as cut them and change lengths/sizes etc.

David

Re: Timber Framers using Archicad?

Anonymous — Fri, 21 Mar 2014 17:34:11 GMT

Dave,

Thanks for your answer. Do you know if the timber objects come into dwg as a 3d solid. Don't know if dxf does this. I realize that Achicad isn't a solid modeler (and there in lies the conversion problem tp programs which generally generate CNC code) but if I have a reliable and not too onerous method of conversion to sat format, that will be good.

Kris

Re: Timber Framers using Archicad?

Dave Seabury — Fri, 21 Mar 2014 17:48:40 GMT

Kris

I called one of the timber framers I work with and they import my file into ashlar vellums 3d program and convert the objects to solids, from ashlar they can export files for cnc processing. So I guess it can be done just not directly out of AC.

David

Re: Timber Framers using Archicad?

Anonymous — Fri, 21 Mar 2014 18:01:44 GMT

David,
Thanks for investigating. I do a similar thing now but use a program called ViaCad which has an acis kernel. This method works quite nicely. I can see a workflow coming together. By the way, I like your entry. I am a carpenter by trade and am definitely a wood guy.
Kris

Re: Timber Framers using Archicad?

NCornia — Sat, 22 Mar 2014 00:09:27 GMT

Kris,

At the GRAPHISOFT North American User Conference in October 2013 there was a great presentation about a timber frame construction designed by one of our users. He used the model to go to CNC process. I will contact the user and see if he can add more to the conversation.

Best regards,

Re: Timber Framers using Archicad?

MrC — Sun, 23 Mar 2014 23:17:23 GMT

Hi KrisM. We use archicad exclusively for our timber frame designs. Very flexible. Haven't found anything we weren't able to model ….. SEO's and Morphs used a lot,especially for knee braces and arched beams.

Re: Timber Framers using Archicad?

Anonymous — Mon, 24 Mar 2014 14:39:26 GMT

MrC,
Thanks for the image. Nice. Are you just using the native Morph tool? Are you familiar with Objective? What about outputting a material list?
Kris

Re: Timber Framers using Archicad?

MrC — Mon, 24 Mar 2014 16:26:21 GMT

Kris We looked at objective ,and were tempted,but the morph tool takes care of any customizing we need to do to the standard beam/column tools in archicad.(very useful for modelling steel plates for example;engineers,in our seismic zone like steel…!) As most jointing is limited to a standard range (mortised/dovetail/timberlinx…) in our shop,I model without showing jointing details (scarf and decorative excepted) Keeping all timber frame elements on their own layer makes it easy to publish shop drawings using section or elevation tools. We would not built without archicad,very useful with our clients from concept to finish,material lists etc,. We don't do CNC as the cost of trucking timbers doesn't make sense,and anyway, we like using sharp chisels ...

Any other timber frame Co's out there using archicad?

Off-topic Query:

Stress Co_ — Mon, 24 Mar 2014 19:36:24 GMT

Off-topic Query:
Dave-
Did you create a custom vectorial hatching for your timbers or is that something you found online?
It's nice.

Re: Timber Framers using Archicad?

Dave Seabury — Mon, 24 Mar 2014 22:36:56 GMT

Marc

Thanks, it is one I made. If I can figure out how (or if someone can tell me) I'll up load it.

David

Re: Timber Framers using Archicad?

Stress Co_ — Mon, 24 Mar 2014 23:31:40 GMT

I think it's:
Attribute Manager > Fills> Select the fill> Append>> Save as…

And THANK YOU

Re: Timber Framers using Archicad?

Anonymous — Tue, 25 Mar 2014 00:37:16 GMT

Dave wrote:
Marc

Thanks, it is one I made. If I can figure out how (or if someone can tell me) I'll up load it.

David

Hello Dave
I've made a simple one before, but yours certainly out does anything I've made and as you found out the AC one doesn't cut it.
Yours is impressive, looks like real pencil drawing.
I looked in the GRAPHISOFTs BIM Components but did not find it.
Maybe you haven't uploaded it yet?
If your not going upload to Bim Components, could I also have a copy?
You can PM me and I'll give you my email.
Thanks
lec

Re: Timber Framers using Archicad?

David Maudlin — Tue, 25 Mar 2014 13:48:17 GMT

lec1212 wrote:
I looked in the GRAPHISOFTs BIM Components but did not find it.

Dave Seabury's signature shows that he is on AC15, which won't work with Bim Components. The simplest may be to save the .att file (as per Marc Corney), zip the file, then attach the file to a post in this thread.

David

Re: Timber Framers using Archicad?

Anonymous — Tue, 25 Mar 2014 14:10:56 GMT

Hey Kris:

Nick asked me to chime in on this discussion. My name is Mark Christopher. I've used ArchiCad since version 3.14 back in 1988 and have wrapped my entire practice around its power. One of the project types I do is facilities for Christian ranches, camps, conference centers and the like. They tend to be in wilderness locations which seems to call for heavy timber construction, in some cases timber frame construction. I designed an open air dining pavilion for JH Ranch a few years ago, intending that the timber frame would be built the old fashioned way by a craftsmen in Montana. In the end, the owner's representative identified a log home builder in Tennessee who uses CadCam and a CNC process to produce their projects, as to turns out, at half the going cost of the hand crafted alternative. I used ArchiCad to fully develop and detail every timber, bolt, plate, and the like. I exported an IFC file, which HearthStone imported, tuned up, created shop drawings, and fed to their CNC machines. I believe they used something like CadWorks to bridge between my files and their equipment. The project turned out to be a complete success at a considerable savings to the owner. Let me know if I can help further.

Re: Timber Framers using Archicad?

Dave Seabury — Tue, 25 Mar 2014 14:53:53 GMT

David

I guess a profile isn't much good if you don't keep it up to date!

Here is it fill pattern. Originally created for logs, it works well for timbers.

Enjoy.

David

Re: Timber Framers using Archicad?

Anonymous — Tue, 25 Mar 2014 17:42:21 GMT

Thanks everyone!
And special thanks to you Dave!
lec

Re: Timber Framers using Archicad?

Anonymous — Tue, 25 Mar 2014 18:28:09 GMT

Mark,

Thanks for your answer.Sounds like a reasonable workflow judging from your project and my own experience. Do you have any images?

Kris