ArchiCAD to Timberline

[Anonymous]

Does anyone have any experience with getting useful estimating information out of Timberline using a ArchiCAD 8.1 model. We are looking at new accounting/estimating software, and I am hoping to get a handle on how much effort is involved in getting numbers that mean anything. Is it easier than writing property scripts for everything I want estimated?

Or, are there any other really good options out there?

Any help with this would be great.

Thanks,
Joe

ArchiCAD 8.1v2 MacOS 10.2.8

[Link]

Sorry about my dealy Karl!

This was all in place before I got there, but I think you are correct - I think the RCC Uniformat Database must be purchased from RCC.

Tell me, won't all this be redundant with Graphisoft Estimator 2005?

http://www.graphisoft.com/company/press_zone/constructionpr.html

Looking forward to reading your reply mate.

Cheers,
Link.

[Karl Ottenstein]

No problems, Link. Thanks for getting back to me.

Link wrote:
Tell me, won't all this be redundant with Graphisoft Estimator 2005?

The details are sketchy yet, but, no, I'm not sure that Estimator will be the answer for ArchiCAD users requiring cost estimates from the way I read the pre-release information.

I think that the Calculate menu concept with property object association, components, descriptors, etc. was a clever concept that was unfortunately implemented in a way only a geek could love. Richard Morrison was kind enough to share his experience (offline) with generating information from Chief Architect, and the interface sounds like such a breath of fresh air after the Calculate menu that I've downloaded the demo to get a better look (but haven't had time to look at it yet).

I think AC still needs the ability to generate BOM and financial information, but in a way that is MUCH simpler than now, and much simpler than it appears will be the case with Estimator.

Going a little off the Timberline topic... 😉 But, the Calc menu has driven me crazy from day one when I realized that composites were simply a bunch of fills, and had no other inherent information associated with each skin.

Karl

[Link]

But, the Calc menu has driven me crazy from day one when I realized that composites were simply a bunch of fills, and had no other inherent information associated with each skin.

Me too! ........ plus it added to the confusion that surrounds the entire menu!

Cheers,
Link.

[Anonymous]

Hey there everyone...thanks for all the replies! Unfortunately, the boss decided that "automated" estimating was a luxury that we didn't need. But the talk about the Timberline dealers not knowing about the CAD integrator is right. My sales guy came out and we did manage to do a take-off on a 10'x10' house. The only problem I saw, besides a TON of set-up, both in ArchiCAD and Timberline, was that roofs came through as flat slabs, so taking off shingles didn't look like it was working.

As for the comment about the Architect not/shouldn't do estimates...we are also the general contractor on all our projects...so for us it is kind of important to have an idea of how much it's going to cost.

I would say that the way Timberline and ArchiCad work together right now...in my rather uninformed opinion, it seems easier to just set up properties for all the model elements and pull a quantity take-off. Then throw that in an excel spreadsheet or some such thing. Of course, I am the kind of geek that has all ready figured out the Calculations menu. For me it's more likely I will stop upgrading ArchiCAD when they change the Calc menu so none of my current properties work

[Erika Epstein]

About a year ago I saw at my resellers a preview of a cost estimator add-on(?) by Ferenc Lazar. If I am not mistaken he was targeting smaller buildings/projects. It looked really good.

Ferenc?

[Anonymous]

Is there anyone out there actually using the RCC template and the IFC with Timberline?