Help with the very basics

[Anonymous]

I have just installed and watched the ArchiCAD 12 tutorials. I need to create a 3D model of a house along with all the windows, doors and services for a University Portfolio.

Are there any books and help that I can get to help with the very basics and getting started, as the tutorials are all pre-loaded with configurations and favorites.

I would be very very grateful of any help given.

Thank you

NStocks

[Anonymous]

there are training materials for archicad

http://www.cadgarage.com/archicadbooks1.html


beside purchasing those materials,

I think this forum is an alternative for learning archicad

you may search(next to FAQ) around here, or ask any question that you are facing or confusion, the guys here would be pleased to help you as much as they could.

[Djordje]

Did you go through the Interactive Training Guide?

[Anonymous]

I went through the ArchiCAD essentials, and that helped me a little, but that was only because the videos showed you how to do each step, ad they were also aided with pre-loaded designs and favourites what had already being made.

[Dwight]

Are you an architect or a student?

With what you know now, what would be your steps to creating the building?

[Anonymous]

I am a student, and have had about 2 weeks working with AutoCAD at college.

If I wanted to create the building it would :

Create a slab, but I don't know how to input the specific measurements i.e. length and width.

Then I would use the wall tool, and double-click it so that I can add a specific height, then draw around the perimeter of the created slab.

i would copy and past this to the above story to create the second story and hope that the slab would be placed directly on top of the ground floor walls.

... this is probably the 'worst' way to do it, but I a unsure what to do. Next I would re watch the tutorials on crating open spaces for windows, doors and the staircase. Install the services by selecting the Line tool, as I don't know how or where the 3d elements are i.e. pipework.

NStocks

[Dwight]

I have a tear of bitter nostalgia in my eye to hear that you are so lost.

Is there no one who can take five minutes to show you the tricks?
I hear that Archicad users are easily seduced by free beers.
Not that i would know.

SO:
you can start with the walls, you can start with a slab.
you can start the roof, but that is not fab.

See "Magic Wand" to see how edges can be sought and voids filled automatically. [Wall seeking and tracing edge of slabs, for instance]

Here is why it is difficult to explain rather than demonstrate, since even the most basic of inputs prsents a series of infuriating pitfalls to the beginner:

To make a specific slab:

Set input coordinate method to "relative" not "Absolute"

1: Activate slab tool.
2: Choose rectangular slab option.
3: click [or numerically enter coordinates for] the slab start point,
4: input "x" [keyboard]
5: put in your x distance
6: input "y" [keyboard]
7: put in your y distance.
8: return

x
10
y
10
RETURN

You should now have a rectangular slab of some size.

If you use the polygon slab option, you can draw a series of edge segments with the series:

x
enter value
y
enter value
RETURN
x
enter value
y
enter value
RETURN

until you run out of nodes.

A second RETURN closes the polygon.


Keep playing.

[Anonymous]

Ok, first question, where can I find the input method ?

I need to create a 3d document, so what sort of document do I use... Document > 3D document > Create 3D document ?

Thanks

[Dwight]

input method see attached.

The 3D Document is a way of making a live 3D view that supports notes and dimensions.

You probably only need to save a 3D window view as an image file.

Keep playing.

[Dwight]

oops. input relative/absolute is here - a toggle