ArchiCad and 2D

[Anonymous]

Hi,

I am currently an AutoCad user, hate it but it's what I am trained in and what my employers use.
I have just decided to make the switch from pc to mac at home and am seriously thinking of moving from ACAD 2009 to ArchiCad 12.
My main question is, a lot of the work I will do is mainly 2d plans, elevations and details. Do you guys think moving over to Archicad is a good move and does it produce reasonable results in 2d.
Are there are any examples of work online?

I do carry out a lot of 3d work for which I use SketchUp, but being able to produce 3d in Archicad would be fantastic.

[Laszlo Nagy]

Dylan wrote:
Hi,

I am currently an AutoCad user, hate it but it's what I am trained in and what my employers use.
I have just decided to make the switch from pc to mac at home and am seriously thinking of moving from ACAD 2009 to ArchiCad 12.
My main question is, a lot of the work I will do is mainly 2d plans, elevations and details. Do you guys think moving over to Archicad is a good move and does it produce reasonable results in 2d.
Are there are any examples of work online?

I do carry out a lot of 3d work for which I use SketchUp, but being able to produce 3d in Archicad would be fantastic.

There is also a book called ArchiCAD for AutoCAD users which you may find useful in your transition. It has just been updated

[Anonymous]

kliment wrote:
Archicad has excellent 2D capabilities and is far superior to Autocad's 2D.

Agree

kliment wrote:
Up to AC8 we used to draw all our elevations and sections as 2D, like in Autocad.

You are kidding right? I have never been recreating elevations. Proper model, and maybe corrections from time to time. FYI I started with AC 4.55.

[Anonymous]

Miki wrote:
I have never been recreating elevations. Proper model, and maybe corrections from time to time. FYI I started with AC 4.55.

That makes me wonder, how did you document your sections and elevations in previous versions? Mostly the same pen weight used?
Setting up the 3D model is not that hard. Full control of pen weights (drawing conventions) on the other hand, even with AC12 improvements, is still not possible... FYI, because it involves doors and windows, I need corrections e-v-e-r-y time

[Anonymous]

Well we tend to overuse some of the features that computers/software gives use, even though there is no real added value. In my practice I found that 2-3 pen thicknesses is perfectly good enough. Setting your elevations that way is not difficult. Of course you have to have office standards, but once you have them you are good to go. Sections are totally different thing. I also still use a lot of drafting, but in reality only to add things that either cannot be done in 3D or are more time consuming to do. Always think about "Time versus Value" rule. Adding 10% of additional value at expence of 50% time is never a good math, especially in business.

[David Shorter]

Miki, I agree and disagree with you. Whatever we used to do I now use the Complex profile to 'detail' in section. The profile informs the model and the model informs the drawings. No extra linework. Really the only 'stuff' required is any annotation, dims and the like

[owen]

I would in no way discourage you from moving to ArchiCAD, but it seems OSX and AutoCAD may not be destined to remain strangers.