Transition to true BIM

[Alex C]

I have been using ArchiCAD for about 4 years at a small office that does very high end custom residential work. With the exception of plans everything is "drafted" using linework and fills. 3D work is often done on an as needed basis, and is sometimes even a separate file or model from actual working drawings.

Prior to coming here my only other professional experience was 8 years of Revit. I had become very accustomed to working with a model. Now that I've had a couple project under my belt with ArchiCAD I voiced to the principals that I think we would benefit from actually using ArchiCAD as it was intended, at least for new construction projects. surprisingly (most) of them were open to the idea.

There are a couple areas that I don't really know how I'm going to handle.. hoping someone with similar experience can point me in the right direction. The out of the box doors and windows seem like they will always be a limiting factor. It's not always possible to get them to match the specific dimensions of a manufacturers window. We specify tons of different windows; wood, wood clad, aluminum, steel. It seems like a tremendous undertaking to create our own office standard windows. I have patched together some GDL but windows and doors seem like they are on a whole other level.

Generally all the built-ins and millwork scope falls to us so we do lots of interior elevations, usually in a presentation style using image fills. This might be one area that I fold and just let everyone continue to draft using 2D Linework. Again there are limitations in the out of the box casework objects and profiles are always changing, I don't know that it would be faster to model.

I don't have any ArchiCAD experience outside my current job. It would be great to connect with anyone that does similar work.

Operating system used: Mac Apple Silicon macOS Sonoma

[runxel]

I don’t know where you are based, but it sounds very North American. The US library has never been as detailed as some of the other libs out there, especially from DACH. So it might worth checking out these libpacks.

In the end I can only say: bite the bullet and dive into GDL and make your own stuff. In the long run it’s worth it. There are also great 3rd party options from external developers, but I don’t know any that are catering the US market specifically. Maybe look at CADswift? Kristian is based in Australia but his objects still might work for you.

Another tip is to gradually find your way and ease into new work methods. I think the worst way of dealing with this is to wait until everything is perfect (it never will be). Instead maybe just make GDL backed linework in the meantime. Smart objects, even if they are just 2D for the moment, but e.g. they are already schedule-able, searchable, etc. 

So my advice is to go and grab these benefits early one and make your life a little bit more comfortable and have your colleagues get used to it. Then later on you can add more and more stuff.

[Alex C]

Thanks we are indeed North American. I have begun using the INT doors and windows for some project they are certainly a step up from the USA doors and windows. CADswift looks like it could be promising, I have also checked out CI tools before. I'm a little worried that any additional subscription fees on top of our licenses will scare everyone away...

I have built some very mediocre 2D objects as a stop gap for our weird 2D version of ArchiCAD. I guess I'll have to just get started on a window and see how it goes, I am working through the GDL cookbook and Barking Dog BIM videos. I have a test project that I am planning to slowly convert from linework to model while seeing how I may have to adjust our graphic standards.