ArchiCad Viewer for non-users?????

[Anonymous]

Is there a "viewer" only software for non-users? All I want to do is view a set of drawings sent to me for reference. I don't need to modify or edit them. Can they be opened in AutoCad????

If Graphisoft offers one, it might be a good idea to put a link on their home page. I've been seaching here for an hour now!!!!

If they do not offer a viewer, where can I get a freeware viewer for the ".PLN" file extension. I do need zoom capabilities as I am not going to plot these drawings.

[James Murray]

Millard wrote:

Nuge wrote:
I think you should have a look at this, download the demo and have a look

http://www.zermatt.se/index.html


Cheers Nuge

Looks interesting, but I would like to give the viewer the option to marquee an area and look areas with a greater detail than just a walkthru.

There are already "viewing" options if we're talking about a walkthrough. When I think of the builder viewing the project, I want them to be able to interrogate the model the same way I would if they called and asked for a dimension, or a 3D view of a detail, or another section to be cut. So they don't have to call so much.

When they're building it's about numbers and geometry, not imagery. Project Reviewer is a start, but since it's 2D only, it's really just a more accurate way of scaling the plans, it can't generate new views of geometry that's already in there.

I like Millard's idea. Unfortunately the EULA is pretty clear in this area. Commercial application of the demo version is explicitly prohibited. Pretty easy for GS to fix, way easier than developing Project Reviewer 3D™.

Yes, if you're going to hand your PLN over to the contractor your model has to be really good. But does anyone doubt that this is where we'll end up? The only question is whether it will be with GS or someone else.

PS, here's the wish.

[Anonymous]

James wrote:
Unfortunately the EULA is pretty clear in this area. Commercial application of the demo version is explicitly prohibited. Pretty easy for GS to fix, way easier than developing Project Reviewer 3D™.

Well I guess that answers that question.
Thanks for the link. I had forgotten about that wish. My only hope is that if Graphisoft develops a 3D viewer that it will include the marquee option as this allows you to see areas that would be impossible with a normal 3D view.

[Anonymous]

I registered just to reply.

I received a .PLN file. Looking for a viewer, I came here, since the .pln file type shows to be an Archicad filetype.

After seeing the original posters sucess, I opened this file in IrfranView (v3.97) and it said it was a Tiff file with an incorrect extension and would I like to rename it.

While viewing the file, the time/date/filepath stamp on the drawing said it was a .dwg file!

I have called the engineer to find out just how this file was created.

[Djordje]

freeviewer111 wrote:
I received a .PLN file. Looking for a viewer, I came here, since the .pln file type shows to be an Archicad filetype.

It is.

The only way that you can look at it is to install a demo version of ArchiCAD - just ask for one at the Graphisoft Web site, you will get the CD.

If you should VIEW, your engineer should send you a VRML, Zermatt, VR ... many options ... that (s)he probably does not know about.

[Thomas Holm]

The Archicad Demo is HUGE. It's the same as the "real" program. Not what I'd recommend my clients to install, unless they aim to invest in it.

To view a PLN file means viewing a database. You have to know what you're looking for, and will probably see and misinterprete a lot of redundant or irrelevant info.

If you want the client to walk through a 3D model:

Zermatt is Windows-only, expensive (not for the client, but for you), and poorly supported as it seems.

I recommend saving a 3D view from Archicad (with the layers you want visible) to DWG or 3DS format, sending that file to the client, and tell him/her to download and install the Sketchup Viewer from www.sketchup.com . It is free, cross-platform, and will let the client navigate around and look at your model from any angle, out- and inside.