CAD Standards the Rules....

[fuzzytnth3]

The following rules apply to any CAD package be it 2d only or full BIM (well ok some of em are ArchiCAD specific)

1
Never leave anything on the ArchiCAD or Zero layer. This is punishable by having the fingers on your right hand chopped off in most offices I have worked. I know staff who were sacked for doing just this. You have been told!

2
Xrefs (and modules) always go on an Xref layer eg A-0-Xref for our Xrefs and G-9-Xref for topographic survey xrefs. Never put an xref on the ArchiCAD layer as you then loose the ability to switch off an xref without having to switch off all it’s layers. Also see the first rule above.

3
When copying and pasting always check periodically that you haven’t duplicated a pile of stuff by using the Check Duplicates command in the Edit menu of ArchiCAD. I have seen files that had so much duplicated crap in them that once I purged it, the file size was halved and as a result was much faster to save and open.

4
Never have duplicate text to use at different scales. As the scale of the drawing gets bigger make use of Worksheets and the Detail windows to “drill down” to the level of textual information you need to impart.

5
Only 3d model elements that will appear in more than one View. Anything else can be represented by a line or a fill.

For example a stair is best 3d modelled as it will appear in Plan Elevation and Section.

Whereas showing at what height is 2.0m above FFL only shows up in the Plan view so is easier drawn as a Polyline or better still use ArchiCAD’s built-in command!

6
Don’t draw iddy biddy bits of Elevations or Sections or even worse Details on Storey Plan Views. Use the tools provided by ArchiCAD ie Elevations go in an Elevation window, Sections in a Section Window and obviously Details go in a Detail Window. Its not rocket science!

If it is just part of an Elevation you want then place a Worksheet marker over the part of the Elevation you want and use that. Even if all you want is 2d lines and Fills but with the Worksheet associated to the 3d Model then you can use trace reference to check back to the Model to see what you need to update.

7
Have a Backup strategy. Files always become corrupted at the most crucial times. At the very least use Teamworks as it keeps a number of backups. But you also need to be able to recover quickly from a hard disk failure scenario. Possibly this should be rule number one!

Any more suggestions?

[Anonymous]

A good list. Agree wholeheartedly with all of them.

I would like to add a couple.

8. Don't put in Custom Dimension text unless absolutely necessary, or if drawing is "Not to Scale". If you absolutely must change a dimension number change the colour to something that is different to the standard (it can still print black in your layout pen sets) so people working on your file know you have modified it, and when they stretch things the number is not going to change.

9. (Maybe me being a bit A-R, but...) When you exit a file save it from a general Plan view, NOT a detail window or a worksheet, elevation or section. When I open a file I like to know where I am starting from.

[fuzzytnth3]

Ah number 8 is a good one. Such reprehensible behaviour I had forgotten that folks do such things!

Number 9 is borderline but I feel your pain

[Anonymous]

10, Never trust an onsite backup. The whole building could disappear.

[fuzzytnth3]

Just thought of one but specific to ArchiCAD

When saving a new View using a named Layer Set and named MVO is I feel much more preferable than saving a View with "Custom".

While I know you can modify a "Custom" layer set via the View settings dialogue I feel it is worth the small amount of time it takes to create a Layer Set and MVO to make it easier and clearer to any new Team Members joining the Project what is being used for what.

So if I could I would disable the right click "Save View and Place on Layout" command. Actually maybe it is possible I just haven't tried to tweak the Work Environment, Shall give it a try when I have a mo

[David Maudlin]

fuzzytnth3 wrote:
1
Never leave anything on the ArchiCAD or Zero layer.

I think almost any item on Layouts are an exception to this. (Exception that proves the rule? )

David

[Anonymous]

David wrote:

fuzzytnth3 wrote:
1
Never leave anything on the ArchiCAD or Zero layer.

I think almost any item on Layouts are an exception to this. (Exception that proves the rule? )

David

Agreed.

[Link]

Matthew wrote:

David wrote:

fuzzytnth3 wrote:
1
Never leave anything on the ArchiCAD or Zero layer.

I think almost any item on Layouts are an exception to this. (Exception that proves the rule? )

David

Agreed.

Not here I'm afraid. Layers may be as useful in the layout book as they are in the modeling environment. All of our drawings go on a DRAWINGS.L layer, titleblock info on a TITLEBLOCK.L layer, amendments on an AMENDMENTS.L layer, etc. All of these layers can be used to show different layout setups.

One of my biggest gripes is also the custom view storing options.

Cheers,
Link.

[Erwin Edel]

Don't alter attributes that are part of (company) template, to ensure that copy/paste between different projects based on the same template give proper results. For example altering a material to have a different coverfill. Instead make a new material.

ArchiCAD specific, but one I feel is quite important if you're in the habit of re-using bits of old work.

[Anonymous]

Erwin wrote:
Don't alter attributes that are part of (company) template, to ensure that copy/paste between different projects based on the same template give proper results. For example altering a material to have a different coverfill. Instead make a new material.

ArchiCAD specific, but one I feel is quite important if you're in the habit of re-using bits of old work.

Yes. This is important. I always set up clear naming conventions for company standard attributes (which are to remain unchanged) and project specific ones which obviously may be freely adapted to the needs of the project.

For example: Materials on project #1234 by XYZ Architects...

! 1234 EXTR stucco TYPE-1
! 1234 INTR wall finish TYPE-2

! XYZ STUCCO smooth WHITE
! XYZ BRICK running bond TERRA-COTTA

The "! " puts the materials at the top of the list and the project numbers precede the company name/abbreviation

This also conveys my typical distinction between specification - "STUCCO smooth WHITE", and application - "EXTR stucco TYPE-1"