topic Re: Drafting in 90 secs in Documentation

Drafting in 90 secs

Fez1974 — Fri, 07 Feb 2025 13:36:07 GMT

Hi Guys,

I received an email from a local Archicad distributor today (Applecore) showing how they can do drawings in 90 seconds. Whilst we all realise that archicad can draft quickly we know that in reality of the drawing office this isn't really possible when you factor in design, setting out etc.
Obviously their use of predefined favourites vastly speeds up the process but yes we get the point.

However, my reason for posting here is, can anyone explain how they get what appears to be an interactive fill that they seem to use to show the beam and block floor? Its at 52seconds in.

Link is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILZszIpDJuU

Regards

Re: Drafting in 90 secs

Anonymous — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 16:34:01 GMT

Hi Fez1974,
It seems like a custom GDL object created for the UK market.
If you have the spare time and stamina, these can actually be programmed rather easily with GDL and not too much prior knowledge.
Make a hunt for David Nicholson Cole's GDL cookbook, I think I
saw it online - worth every second - now that you saw what could be done with 2D GDL!
Also, check out CadImage - they have a similar set of tools, if
not the exact same one shown in the video.
🙂
Gil

Re: Drafting in 90 secs

Fez1974 — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 17:43:17 GMT

Thanks for your reply Gil.

I have purchased CADImages GDL book and its a bit long winded and not good nighttime reading (yawn) even thinking about it makes me tired after a long day of work. I tried just doing 2D symbols (ie. the north point tutorial of Graphisofts just this weekend as it happens) and it never works properly. (ie. the fills don't appear after I save the object and try to insert it again). Another story for another thread I think.

Back to the point - I think its a bit naughty of Applecore to advertise a product which whilst not an independent add on it does rely on programming expertise which the majority of archicad users will never venture into.

However, what they and you have done is reignited my interest in GDL. Now where was that book?

Re: Drafting in 90 secs

Anonymous — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 18:59:13 GMT

Hi again -
As to the demonstration, yeah, we call that cheating
round here, and the topic of "why don't GS have these
out of the box" has come and gone over the years.
But then again, many Autolisp stuff doesn't ship with
Autocad...
Fact is I just ordered the CADimage GDL book 30 minutes
ago, but I was hoping it would fall in between the GDL
cookbook and the cryptic GDL manual.
Here is the topic for the cookbook 4, though I think the link is broken:
http://archicad-talk.graphisoft.com/viewtopic.php?t=23839
Do a Google for it!
The cookbook leads you through very simple examples and then
starts building up to some pretty cool stuff, though as a reference
I found it a bit all-over-the-place, hence the many post-its sticking
out of it...
As to the demo, it just shows how powerfull setting up in advance can get with AC - Favorites, Good GDL, Layer & View setups, composites etc.
Also look into the tips by Eric Bobrow. Archicad is a powerhouse
once you set it up to go!

Re: Drafting in 90 secs

Karl Ottenstein — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 19:05:58 GMT

What a bogus video - completely misleading about ArchiCAD usage.

The presenter had the Info Box turned off, so we could not observe what was actually being done at any point. All of the objects (and Favorites), of course, are not standard things. They appear to be simply 2D stamps, which makes it offensive that the narrator calls this "modeling" ... All of that detail CAN be done with actual modeling using complex profiles in which case it will be present in ALL section cuts, as it should be.

IMHO such a video hurts ArchiCAD sales more than it helps, as anyone who learns what is really happening will feel cheated.

Re: Drafting in 90 secs

Fez1974 — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 19:26:24 GMT

Karl wrote:
What a bogus video - completely misleading about ArchiCAD usage.

The presenter had the Info Box turned off, so we could not observe what was actually being done at any point. All of the objects (and Favorites), of course, are not standard things. They appear to be simply 2D stamps, which makes it offensive that the narrator calls this "modeling" ... All of that detail CAN be done with actual modeling using complex profiles in which case it will be present in ALL section cuts, as it should be.

IMHO such a video hurts ArchiCAD sales more than it helps, as anyone who learns what is really happening will feel cheated.

I agree and surely this method of drawing wouldn't be fully parametric? In the sense that should the designer change the floor level they would need to visit the section to move their 2D object. I'm not an advocate of modelling everything (ie. lintels, drainage, etc as I do them as 2D lines in my sections) but items like floors I think should be modelled properly. However, I did like the way that the 2D object in the video could have its individual layers stretched to overlap the wall.

Re: Drafting in 90 secs

NCornia — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 22:32:40 GMT

Karl wrote:

What a bogus video - completely misleading about ArchiCAD usage.

I agree that the video is misleading and that the benefits of BIM are negated in this method. I do however see some powerful use of ArchiCAD here, even if it is 2D. I have liked Apple Core's videos in the past and if they would add an explanation at the beginning of what is going on in this video, then I would have no problem with it. But I could see someone thinking that this is all out of the box and that it is all being modeled in 3D and that would lead to some disappointment down the road.

If ArchiCAD was this magic out of the box and it was all 3D, my favorite part would be the automatic annotation already magically typed in for me.

Re: Drafting in 90 secs

Anonymous — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 08:06:10 GMT

Fez

It appears that you can download the custom 2D librart parts at http://store.applecoredownloads.com/index.php?_a=viewCat&catId=2

Re: Drafting in 90 secs

Fez1974 — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 10:45:55 GMT

NCornia wrote:
Karl wrote:
What a bogus video - completely misleading about ArchiCAD usage.
If ArchiCAD was this magic out of the box and it was all 3D, my favorite part would be the automatic annotation already magically typed in for me.

Indeed, along with the pre-designed composite walls, window & floor construction. Infact....who needs architects...we're all doomed.

Re: Drafting in 90 secs

Fez1974 — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 10:51:15 GMT

Lennox wrote:
Fez

It appears that you can download the custom 2D library parts at http://store.applecoredownloads.com/index.php?_a=viewCat&catId=2

Well found, not that I'll be paying for one though. Seems a bit of a rip off, £6 for a break line?

Re: Drafting in 90 secs

Anonymous — Tue, 24 May 2011 19:58:19 GMT

The objects that you are referring to in your post, were provided to me as an MES Member of Applecore, although I understand they are chargeable for those not on support.

I have used the beam and block floor and tile object on a number of projects to help with our 2D documentation. What the video does not show you is the flexibility in each object.

I spoke to the technical team at Applecore recently and they informed me that the videos are part of a marketing exercise designed to get people talking. It seems to be working, in my AutoCAD days this would have taken me 15-20 mins to draw!

It is also worth keeping an eye on their youtube channel , this renovation movie was posted this week and cannot wait for Archicad 15

http://www.youtube.com/user/ADLAAC#p/a/u/0/xMsHTVUyxoY

Re: Drafting in 90 secs

Barry Kelly — Wed, 25 May 2011 01:52:36 GMT

Fez1974 wrote:
Seems a bit of a rip off, £6 for a break line?

Especially when there are a couple for free in the object depository.

http://archicad-talk.graphisoft.com/object_depository.php?mode=d&id=448

http://archicad-talk.graphisoft.com/object_depository.php?mode=d&id=237

Barry.