Advice on teaching REVIT users ArchiCAD

[JaredBanks]

Anyone have any advice on teaching REVIT users ArchiCAD? I've found that the sooner a new user starts focusing on using ArchiCAD as ArchiCAD and not trying to use it like a former drafting program, the better. This is much easier done when the previous program the user knew was AutoCAD. I find there's more resistance with REVIT. "Well in REVIT if I did this it'd work. Why can't this program function exactly like that?" I'm hoping that I can point out some things that happen in the early stages of modeling to help highlight the joys of working in ArchiCAD v11. So far some of the things I've mentioned haven't left this user that impressed...

Thoughts? Teaching techniques you've used?

Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Erika wrote:

Laura wrote:

Bricklyne wrote:
I especially agree with your assessment at the end regarding the perpetual need for 2D clean-up and patching in ArchiCAD versus the full 2D Docs-3D Model integration of Revit allowing one to go very fluently from modeling to straight documentation minus all the 2D doctoring and detailing.

I'm not sure that was what he was saying... nevertheless, I do agree that this is an AC weakness -- the need for (sometimes excessive) 2D embellishment in Views generated from the model (specifically elevations).

From what I saw demonstrated once, Revit s/e also require some tarting up.

Both programs are capable of producing documentation direct from the model with little or no 2D clean up. They also both require advanced skills to achieve this.

My clients and I have been producing models in ArchiCAD that are clean in plan and section to 1/4" or 1:50 scale for about 10 years. I have yet to produce a set of drawings in Revit but from what I've seen it doesn't seem any better overall than ArchiCAD. In this area as well I would say both have their strengths but ArchiCAD still has the advantage (assuming advanced users).

[Laura Yanoviak]

Matthew wrote:
My clients and I have been producing models in ArchiCAD that are clean in plan and section to 1/4" or 1:50 scale for about 10 years... ArchiCAD still has the advantage (assuming advanced users).

I've yet to resort to Patches, and since the introduction of Complex Profiles, our wall sections need very little 2D embellishment. Our greatest challenge (graphically) is elevations -- getting the line weights to read the way we want. Our standard settings give us a pretty good base to start with, but the need to "punch" lineweights is inevitable. Fussy, fussy architects need elevations to read "just so".

The Marked Distant Area helps a bit (I just wish you could specify a Pen for the Vectorial 3D Hatching -- we turn this off and have to manually add fills with a lighter pen weight), but if we could get more control without the need for the extra 2D linework, it would help immensely.

[Ben Cohen]

Laura wrote:
(I just wish you could specify a Pen for the Vectorial 3D Hatching.

But I think you can Laura, its in the material settings. Uncheck "Element Pen" and choose your desired pen for the vectorial hatch.

[Richard Morrison]

Laura wrote:
I just wish you could specify a Pen for the Vectorial 3D Hatching

Just checking to make sure you're aware that you CAN do this by material. (See Material Setting DBX>Vectorial Hatching)
EDIT: I seen Ben beat me to this. (I need to type faster....)

[Brett Brown]

Matthew wrote:

Both programs are capable of producing documentation direct from the model with little or no 2D clean up. They also both require advanced skills to achieve this.

Why is it that there are hundreds if not thousands of Blogs/Websites with tutorials etc, and 3 sites with hundreds of tutorial videos for Revit, and very few if any sites for Archicad tutorial training. (apart from Virtual Tutor which is the basics only).

Seems to me there is an opening on the web for people like Matthew to teach people like me,through videos, these "Advanced Skills", so I and others can get the very best out of Archicad.

[Mats_Knutsson]

Brett wrote:

Matthew wrote:

Both programs are capable of producing documentation direct from the model with little or no 2D clean up. They also both require advanced skills to achieve this.

Why is it that there are hundreds if not thousands of Blogs/Websites with tutorials etc, and 3 sites with hundreds of tutorial videos for Revit, and very few if any sites for Archicad tutorial training. (apart from Virtual Tutor which is the basics only).

Seems to me there is an opening on the web for people like Matthew to teach people like me,through videos, these "Advanced Skills", so I and others can get the very best out of Archicad.

My 2 cents is that there is a big army of opportunity-seeking people merely existing because of the fact that software is too hard to use... Hey, there are a few talented writers but no one can type...but I can type...$$$$...kind of.

ArchiCAD is actually quite easy both to start with and to use for regular projects. We have a situation where our customers don't take advanced training. They go for the basic training and then they manage well enough (obviously). That said we are within two weeks publishing our new support concept with a massive video back-up to ensure the ArchiCAD can will improve their skills on their own pace.

Being an architect is difficult having to dip a finger in every pot there is. (pot...hmm....bowl is better perhaps...hmmm.....). It's much easier being an engineer or "CAD-specialist" from a pure handle-your-cad-system-point-of-view. CAD-specialists, like the adesk ones you mention, emerge when the software is too hard for the user.

Come to think of I'm a little divided in the "free stuff" thing when it comes to a "BIM"-program. Of course you can learn features from vids but features are not as importants as the total workflow which takes about a basic training to learn for a BIM-program. Videos would then be a great add-on to basic training but those "advanced" vids often comes with a price.

Ouch 9.00...already...meeting...over and out.

Ciao,
Mats

[Brett Brown]

I wouldn't say the video's need to be free. The Revit video sites are all very reasonably priced. I am hoping that because you answered my query that your video's will be in english?

[Mats_Knutsson]

Brett wrote:
I wouldn't say the video's need to be free. The Revit video sites are all very reasonably priced. I am hoping that because you answered my query that your video's will be in english?

Haha...nope...swedish neutral accent. However the vids are not that hard to make actually. I think it would be the best if someone from UK or US with a clean accent did a universal video tutorial site....

[Laura Yanoviak]

Richard wrote:
Just checking to make sure you're aware that you CAN do this by material. (See Material Setting DBX>Vectorial Hatching)
EDIT: I seen Ben beat me to this. (I need to type faster....)

Guys -- I'm talking about differentiating between the 'standard' Vectorial 3D Hatching Pen and the Marked Distant Area Vectorial Hatching Pen. I believe that regardless of your Material settings, the Marked Distant Area Vectorial Hatching Pen is the same as the Marked Distant Area Uncut Contours Pen.

[Anonymous]

Laura wrote:
Guys -- I'm talking about differentiating between the 'standard' Vectorial 3D Hatching Pen and the Marked Distant Area Vectorial Hatching Pen. I believe that regardless of your Material settings, the Marked Distant Area Vectorial Hatching Pen is the same as the Marked Distant Area Uncut Contours Pen.

...except when in shadow, mine turns yellow (so I changed pen 81 in my layout book pen settings)