New user/new project

[Anonymous]

I received a call from a long time client last night. He asked me to do a tiny project for him. It involves doing nothing more than drawing out a single room building with a pair of doors in one end. The building is to house a large water softener for a correctional facility.
Nothing could be more easily done.
And yet, I don't dare try to do it in Archicad.
Why?
Because, even though I have been working with it for over a month and have drawn up very decent reasonably complex (for me) projects, I am totally unable to find anything that lets me figure out how to lay out and print out stuff for real. I can't figure out how to insert my title block, truly place interior view points, etc. Everything looks cartoonish at best.
The result was that I turned the project out in less than an hour using DataCAD, including sections and a couple of miscellaneous details as requested by the owner.
And all the while, was slightly depressed because I wasn't using Archicad.
Seems like something is less than intuitive when the main object of the whole process ends up being the only reason for not using the program.
I'm happy with Archicad in a sad sort of way,
ORWoody

[Anonymous]

You're struggling with some really basic concepts. I think you could benefit greatly from some proper training before you pass final judgment on the software.

[vistasp]

Dom is right - you could use some basic training because if (like me) you're self-taught, it will take a while. It was much more than a month before I was comfortable enough with AC to be doing quick projects in it (kept reverting to 2D when a deadline loomed). But once you are familiar with what AC can do and get your workflow in order, it will make you way more productive than you ever were. Stick with it!

[Laszlo Nagy]

The free Interactive Training Guides can be of great help in familiarizing yourself with those basic concepts:

http://www.graphisoft.com/education/training_guides/

[Anonymous]

I really appreciate the comments.
Much of what I see (at my current level) in Archicad, I like. Some of what I see is like any other program, it is what it is so must be accepted.
It is just what I don't see, meaning hidden in so many obscure sub-menus, that is frustrating beyond comprehension.
From my first experiments with desk-top computing almost twenty five years ago, I have always loved learning new programs. It is the digging in and finding the jewels in each that makes me work late hours, wake up and go into the office early (this morning at 3:30 a.m.), and devote much of my time off puttering with computers.
It's the lumps of coal that I keep discovering while trying to use Archicad that make me glad when it's time to turn off the computer and to do something else. That is just not how I like to work.
I'm assuming that "professional grade" training is necessary, but that is just another investment that hurts my bottom line. I purchased Archicad personally in order to evaluate it for use in our office. I'm not sure how I could realistically recommend moving to Archicad from our very efficient 2D program. I can't see most members of our production staff putting in anywhere near the time nor effort at learning the program as compared to what I am willing to do.
Even though my messages seem negative, my outlook for Archicad isn't. I keep discovering things that I appreciate so believe that eventually, I'll actually begin to like it more and more.
Thank you for your notes in response and for the encouragement.
I certainly need it,
Woody

[KeesW]

My first thought was 'O dear'. Then, I realised how unjust this attitude was because I, and perhaps many others, have gone through the same thing. I came from being a fairly proficient Autocad user and took a year to shake this off. Like you, my first jobs took much longer in Archicad than what I had gotten used to because I tried the product as a fully functioning demo - without training. Bad mistake - sent my copy back after 3 months! When I did buy, about 6 months later, I made sure that it included some hand-on training and this made all the difference.

I think that some basic training is the answer. Your Archicad reseller should be able to help - if he wants to sell his product. You certainly shouldn't need professional level training to get going, although this will help later. The training guides are OK but having someone sitting with you to show the basics is much more efficient. Don't you have some friendly users in your area who are prepared to give you some time if your reseller is unable to help? I've always found the Archicad community a very friendly lot.