What I am trying to figure out is how most firms around our size work in ArchiCAD. Do you do all 3D, or a combination of 2D and 3D? I will explain how we work and you can tell me how far behind the times we are...
We do all our floorplans the standard way, using wall composites, library parts, etc., but we do some lines on the floorplans to show ceiling lines, wall type markers, etc. (I think this is a given). We do make sure wall heights, slab/roof heights, etc. are all correct so we can show clients a nice 3D model, so for the most part we have tight, accurate 3D models.
I think where we are "behind the times" is when we get to elevations and sections. These we do all as line drawings. We use the model as a backdrop to make sure we are on track and walls, etc are where they are supposed to be, but due to the level of detail our principals like to see, we find that making line drawings with fills are more detailed than anything else we know how to do.
I know we should look into the complex profiles/profile manager tool, I admit that we are usually too busy and the principals don't allow much time to further our knowledge in ArchiCAD, just enough time to do the project. We have explained that we can increase productivity by learning more, and now we have a few hours a week dedicated to "messing around" in the program. We don't add footings to basement walls, for example, because we just draw them in 2D in the sections.
So summarizing the questions:
1) How you do work? All 3D sections/elevation? Line?
2) What tools do you use?
3) What tools/methods would you recommend using to be more 3D (thus more efficient)?
I model 90% of the building, so when I have to make changes it is faster.
Plans have some lines for rooflines and stairs, as both roofs and stairs don't show correctly on plan. All fills are fills, because slabs with coverfills show their fills in Trace&Reference.
Elevations are generated from the model, I only draw a white fill /it's first in my favourites too!
/ for the terrain and a thick terrain line.
Sections are exploded, as AC still can't show correct wall/slab intersections. All fills are redrawn by hand.
Details are all 2D.
Plans have some lines for rooflines and stairs, as both roofs and stairs don't show correctly on plan. All fills are fills, because slabs with coverfills show their fills in Trace&Reference.
Elevations are generated from the model, I only draw a white fill /it's first in my favourites too!
/ for the terrain and a thick terrain line.Sections are exploded, as AC still can't show correct wall/slab intersections. All fills are redrawn by hand.
Details are all 2D.
Rick wrote:My (2 person firm) approach is to keep elevations live with a little bit of 2D line work.
Basically, with a few additives:) This is an auto generated section, and the only things added are white fills for the plates and rim joist in section.. and some, but not all, insulation fill.
For sections, I change the status to drawing, copy the model 100' to the side. Then change the status to manual rebuild-model. The "drawing" is edited in 2D and when changes occur, I "manually" update the model and then use a trace reference of the model, to update the "drawing".
Now that I have the free time
I may work on my template/composites etc. to go more live with my sections.I like using the "DET_Lumber 12" object to delineate plates/rims, where you say, your using a fill.
Do I win anything for finding typos in your section?
