How - Company standard Details

[Anonymous]

Hi,

So, we have just recently started using Archicad, and are going to the process from Revit to Archicad.

One of the bigger things that we need to start working on is our detail library.

In Revit we had 1 project file that contained all our std details, a few 50-60 different details not that many and it was anyways time for an upgrade. So instead of importing them via pdf/DWG we figured it would be best to start over and do it right the first time around.

However, we are a little unsure on what the best way to go around this in Archiad.
Should we divide this up in smaller project files, or is it better to still have 1 major detail project file with all our details stored?

I might add eventually this might be in the hundreds (hopefully, or not ) Not sure how Archicad handles that many different details in one file? Would it eventually be unmanageable?

Either way, we figured it would be best to get a tip from someone who has been there before?

[Lingwisyer]

Have not done this before, but just wondering, would these details be 2D or 3D?



Ling.

[Anonymous]

Only 2D.

[A_ Smith]

You can just save 2D_details or 3D_details as an object (an embedded library) and export them to a folder whenever you want. Just name them properly. If you save objects to some folder you'll be able to load them into the project directly (.pln file). If you save details/objects in 1 file it's not convenient to open a new AC window just to copy that detail.

save object - link 1
save object - link 2
embedded library - export objects from her to folder

Edit: The only problem - it's impossible to make changes or new ones based on them. Plus hotspots won't be saved. You'll have only 5 hotspots (balck dots) - 4 at the cornes and 1 at the center...

[Barry Kelly]

A. wrote:
Edit: The only problem - it's impossible to make changes or new ones based on them. Plus hotspots won't be saved. You'll have only 5 hotspots (balck dots) - 4 at the cornes and 1 at the center...

You can explode an object and then work on the individual lines and fills.
You can place your own hotspots exactly where you want them before you save it as an object.
Then you will have more than just the default 5 hotspots.

Barry.

[Richard Morrison]

I think there are a couple of approaches that have promise. But first, I'd suggest that any approach should have all details & elements on the "Archicad" layer. Otherwise, you run the risk of having a layer turned off in Layout and you'll be missing data. Also, Archicad can handle lots of 2D data, so I really recommend having all standard details in a single detail file, with each detail in its own Detail window with its own named View. Personally, I like sort them with Uniformat numbers. Then send each detail to Layout with each Layout page as a Uniformat category, which produces a very nice catalog of details. So, here are two approaches that have worked for me:

1) If you have the Office Std. detail file in each project folder, you can have both your project file and your detail library file open at the same time. If each detail has its own View, you can have the Organizer window open with BOTH files. You have a Layout sheet open in one column for the project file, and the other has the View Map open for the detail file in the other column. (Make sure to include the previews for the details). Then, it is simply a matter of drag and dropping from the View Map column onto the layout sheets. VERY fast! The only downside is that you really need to have both files open at the same time when you are updating layout sheets, otherwise it is very slow to update.

2) You can have a Publisher Set for the Detail file to PUBLISH PMK files. In this case, you drag and drop selected details from the detail View Map to the Publisher in Organizer in the same file. Then publish the PMKs as a group to a folder in the Project folder. You can group select the PMKs and drag them onto the Project Layout and they will all suddenly appear labeled and with the correct scale. This is probably the fastest to update afterwards.

Hopefully, all that's clear.

[Erwin Edel]

If it's just a matter of having them appear in output (layout): have one master file and publish the details to .PMK files. You can link these as drawings on layouts in your projects.

If it is a matter of having them exist inside details in your projects: have one master file and publish them to module files and hotlink these in unlinked details. Link the details on your layout.

If they are a starting point and require modification, you can break the module and thus unlink it from the 'standard'.

First and foremost though: get a good company standard template and stick to that in terms of attributes across project. I would recommend basing it on whatever template your version of archicad shipped with. This will ensure it works well with the standard libraries and should (hopefully) future proof it, as things should more or less stay the same with version updates.

[David Shorter]

What sort of projects? Would materially affect the solution.

[Anonymous]

I would probably save them in one or multiple worksheets if you can group them into categories (footing, doors&windows, etc...) All in one worksheet should also work but it would me more tedious looking for the right one if you have 50 to 100 details.

I'd be curious to understand the reason for the move from RVT to AC.