How Easy Is it To Learn ArchiCAD

[Anonymous]

How Easy Is it To Learn ArchiCAD?
Is it a Modeling Software only?
Would I be able to Draft on My Section Views?

Total Newbee

[Anonymous]

letmethinking wrote:
How Easy Is it To Learn ArchiCAD?
Is it a Modeling Software only?
Would I be able to Draft on My Section Views?

Total Newbee

Go see your nearest ArchiCAD or ARCHIcad or Archicad dealer right away !!

Good luck !

Naftali

Archicad user Not Revit user

[Anonymous]

letmethinking wrote:
How Easy Is it To Learn ArchiCAD?
Is it a Modeling Software only?
Would I be able to Draft on My Section Views?

1. Easy
2. No
3. Yes

good luck.

[March_ Bruce]

ArchiCAD seems to have transformed from what used to be a mac-only program focussed on being easier to use & more intuitive than the competition to now being an extremely sophisticated & higher performance solution for larger firms with dedicated CAD specialists...

Increasingly ArchiCAD is a program requiring a substantial investment in knowledgable & strategic (increased overhead) setup resulting in increased efficiency for repetitive tasks ie reduced billable time.

Given that overhead needs to be paid for somehow, I am contemplating the benefits a client might receive (qualitative) due to the increasing overhead operating under merely the illusion of increased efficiency at the 'back end'...

In contrast I find the reuse of information I develop (details, lib parts) has been becoming increasingly difficult as migration of existing data forward becomes more complex, with numerous library, material, fill & pen issues - the current 'migration guide' for moving a v9 project into v10 is 118 pages long!

The quantity module is a classic example of how 'featuritis' (?) made it so complex it became a specialty tool requiring so much setup that, for smaller projects it seems too inefficient for 'one off' use...

[Anonymous]

March, wrote:
Increasingly ArchiCAD is a program requiring a substantial investment in knowledgable & strategic (increased overhead) setup resulting in increased efficiency for repetitive tasks ie reduced billable time.

perhaps billable time should factor in part of the set up time (templates, standard details, etc..)

working in an office of mainly Autocad users I have often heard fears that if they switch to AC their increased efficiency will escort them out of a job! I would like to think it would actually raise work standards, raise client’s expectations, and in turn – hopefully- raise the fees.

[TomWaltz]

Hassanen wrote:
working in an office of mainly Autocad users I have often heard fears that if they switch to AC their increased efficiency will escort them out of a job! I would like to think it would actually raise work standards, raise client’s expectations, and in turn – hopefully- raise the fees.

I often discuss the increased efficiency and capabilities like this:
If your goal is to be a professional draftsperson focusing on drafting every single line and making revisions to every drawing one at a time, be afraid. Your role will be very limited, doing mostly late-project detail work (much of which may be standardized in an office).
If your goal is to be an Architect and focus on design, then be excited. You will still do some 2D/Drawing-type work, but it will be greatly reduced. You are now working at Pixar, so have fun with your building.

[Thomas Holm]

March, wrote:
Increasingly ArchiCAD is a program requiring a substantial investment in knowledgable & strategic (increased overhead) setup resulting in increased efficiency for repetitive tasks ie reduced billable time.

Man, I use Archicad because it makes me get more done faster - and thus I might even get the work done within the hours I get paid!

Of course if you don't re-use any work at all, then it's a waste - I'm saying if you're just gonna do one plan drawing once, then draw by hand, it beats all other methods.

But if you re-use just one little bit - say for example this wall is used both in a preliminary sketch, then in a another second stage, in a plan, a section, and a facade, for the building permit drawings, and then the CDs, and even in a calculation - and perhaps even in the structural drawing, and two other sections as well, along with a line perspective, and even a photorendering - it starts to add up. Just do your math. You don't get paid for hours to sit on your ass, (or at least I don't), I get paid for documents I produce!

[Anonymous]

ArchiCAD can be very intimidating once you sit down and try to use it for the first time. However; once you become accustomed to using ArchiCAD, you productivity doesn't just increase, it goes through the roof. Graphisoft has given us an environment that allows us to change a window size on ANY view, and have those changes propogated to all and any referenced drawing of that window. I would curly up and cry in the fetal position if anyone took ArchiCAD away from me.

I started with AutoC(rap)ad on version 12, and jumped ship when they released ArchiCAD 8, and I haven't even had the notion of looking back. I view ACAD as a hammer and slate, and ArchiCAD as brush and canvas. I'd suggest checking with peers in your area about an ArchiCAD users group of sorts, they might be able to help you out in getting started as well. I'd be more than happy to help you out as well.