We value your input! Please participate in Archicad 28 Home Screen and Tooltips/Quick Tutorials survey
2019-07-11 05:46 PM - last edited on 2023-05-22 11:53 PM by Gordana Radonic
2019-07-19 07:31 PM
2019-07-22 10:58 AM
2019-07-23 06:32 PM
2019-07-28 05:56 AM
2019-07-28 12:28 PM
2021-09-18 10:57 AM
The main problem is that dimensions in Archicad just aren’t prominent enough. Take Solidworks for example, it’s dimensioning and ease of use of the dimension tool takes pride and place, everything you do revolves around it, as it should in a cad / 3D modeler. Archicad’s dimensions are barely visible, and very difficult to change / track after you have set them. They’re pretty terrible tbh and quite obscure, which is bad considering that everything should be focused around the dimensions. And so, it forces this sloppyness from the user making it someone else’s problem later on. It’s the one thing about Archicad that needs a serious overhaul IMO.
Anyone can model a house, but designing one that is dimensionally sound and ready to build is the mark of a true architect. I really want to love Archicad but I keep going back to Solidworks based on the dimensioning alone.
2021-09-18 12:01 PM
I don't think this is just a software issue, it is an education issue for users. I have to work from various architects drawings and there is a clear division between those who understand the construction process and those who just happily click on their drawings to add dimensions they think might be useful. The latest one to cross my desk had external perimeter dimensions and internal dimensions but the external wall thicknesses were not defined so there was no way to tie the inside to outside. 🤔 There needs to be a shift towards producing drawings dimensioning the core/structural/grid elements which will help identify continuity of load lines and fix the building layout. This isn't structural design, it is common sense to explain to the engineer/builder how the designer thinks the building structure should function.
2021-09-18 02:44 PM
@DGSketcher wrote:
As a simple example, a chain of dimensions 50.3mm + 50.3mm will illustrate to the millimetre as 50mm + 50mm BUT if you then dimension the overall line length which would be 100.6mm it will be rounded up to 101mm. So you then have to explain why 50 + 50 = 101 to the end user. OK there are many fixes, but some of them fall into the categories which are considered bad practice that started this thread in the first place.
How would you suggest such a rounding situation should be handled by Archicad?
2021-09-18 02:47 PM
@Wookie wrote:
The main problem is that dimensions in Archicad just aren’t prominent enough. Take Solidworks for example, it’s dimensioning and ease of use of the dimension tool takes pride and place, everything you do revolves around it, as it should in a cad / 3D modeler.
Could you show a few examples of why you think Solidworks dimensions are much better?
I do not know Solidworks at all, so this I am genuinely interested in the answer.
2021-09-18 04:47 PM
@Laszlo Nagy Professionally! 😉
I don't think AC is wrong, I was pointing out what can happen with detailed dimensions. This really is a case of user education and judgement. If the 100.6mm is correct, the dimension display settings should reflect this. Basically, we should be modelling to the displayable dimension tolerance. This is why we have decimals & extra accuracy display options in the Project Preferences>Dimension Settings.