!Restored: Success = getting new customers

[Anonymous]

I saw some documents to compare between Revit and AC.
I study Revit from own website.
It is just copy from AC!!

I used to work with AC (and very satisfied, and like many friends from AC-forum).
As AC-user I hope, AC must be better than Revit for Architects.

I have not used Revit, but just seen from Website.
The web-site from Revit is so nice, that I must believe, Revit should be better than AC.

I like to know your opinions and also opinions from GS.

Thanks

[Anonymous]

Ignacio wrote:
SketchUp is the computer equivalent of the napkin sketch, ...
I am curious as to whether anybody uses the much discussed Sketchup-import ability

I've found that in AC9 the SketchUP plug-in was rather useless for importing as buildings, but in importing components and materials, it was great for creating objects of complexity for rendering purposes that are not vital to the building design (in my case, I was designing an aquatic center that had a 20 ft waterslide and SketchUp was much easier for creating the waterslide and then placing it into the AC9 model.

As for Revit, I tried it once-- it crashed my computer--- I'm back to AC!

[Anonymous]

so get this.
i've been hired on a contract basis to do a test run with Revit. I havent used Revit before, and im a bit nervous, as i think AC10 is far and away the better product - if only based on the ability of AC 10 to handle construction documents so well.

so, does anyone have any 'heads up' advice before i explore the 'dark side'?

to get things started....from what i've read, Revit is slower in 3D, does not handle CD well, has a limited library of parametric objects, and cannot export anything in feet and inches...

discuss...

[Scott Davis]

LINZ wrote:
to get things started....from what i've read, Revit is slower in 3D, does not handle CD well, has a limited library of parametric objects, and cannot export anything in feet and inches...

discuss...

lesson one: learn not to believe everything you read.

I think I've heard it all now.....first, Revit doesn't do CD's well...then I've heard Revit is good at CD's, but not at modeling. Then I've heard Revit is good at modeling, but not at "organic" modeling. You know, if Revit really had a problem with any of these things, I don't think there would have been 15,000 new users in the last 3 months.

But, you know what? It happens here too. I've read stuff here that says AC is good at CD's, while other posts that state that it's nearly impossible to get a set of CD's out of AC without a plethora of work-arounds.

Now this is the best one ever: Revit can't export in feet and inches! WHAT?? Where the he|| did you hear that? I export Revit projects to DWG almost every week to send to consultants....in feet and inches!

Anyways, good luck with your trial. If you are really open-minded to the whole process, I bet you really come to enjoy using Revit, but somehow I doubt that will happen.

[Anonymous]

You should always be open-minded, but never so much that your brain falls out.

[Anonymous]

I am coming at this from the opposite side. I know Revit very well, but have changed firms and am now trying to get up to speed with ArchiCAD. Once you understood how families work (how to create custom objects that you can then reuse) and how to set up parameter settings, Revit was fairly intuitive to use. There are many features I miss - and am hoping I just haven't found them yet with ArchiCAD. In fact, that was why I visited this forum in the first place... I am trying to find out how to do the following:

1. Set up design options so I can study multiple design solutions within the same model.
2. How to lock elements together (for example, if I move an exterior wall, I want the floor slab to go with it, if I increase the Floor-to-Floor height, I want items that I have locked to those levels move with it.

It is too early for me to say which program I like better... I am still in the frustrating early learning curve phase with ArchiCAD!

Anyhow - back to my searching!

[Anonymous]

Karin wrote:
1. Set up design options so I can study multiple design solutions within the same model.

There are quite a few ways to do this and the choice depends on the circumstances (design phase, scope of alternates, size of project, etc.). I know this has been discussed so some searching may prove useful.

2. How to lock elements together (for example, if I move an exterior wall, I want the floor slab to go with it, if I increase the Floor-to-Floor height, I want items that I have locked to those levels move with it.

ArchiCAD does not share Revit's ability to establish relationships between elements. There are some ways to do this such as with SEOs, but you should largely assume that establishing and maintaining these relationships is up to you as the architect. Fortunately this is fairly easy with the right techniques and tools (such as the marquee).

There is a general agreement that some relationships are a good thing, but that too many can become a problem. I have heard of projects done in Revit where things were moved by the program that shouldn't have been. Presumably this can be prevented with good practice standards, but I am always uncomfortable when software does things automatically (like Word and Excel) especially when these changes can be on elements that are out of sight.

It is too early for me to say which program I like better... I am still in the frustrating early learning curve phase with ArchiCAD!

Starting with any new and complex program will be frustrating at first, especially when you are already proficient at another. Good luck.

[Rakela Raul]

the 'accessories' in archicad is also an example of 'relashipnship'...there are 'addons' for archicad from 'cadimage' , specially the footing tool that is also a type of relashionship, or that 'move' and -'reshape itselft' as you modify the element.
i support the relashionship thing as long as i have control over it

[Anonymous]

Thank you both for your help...

And you are both right. If you aren't judicious in what you lock together, that 'feature' can become a liability.

With regards to studying different design options within the same model - any pointers? I have searched this forum for entries related to 'design options', 'alternates', and 'schemes' but haven't hit on what I am looking for. Any suggestions?

Still having fun learning ArchiCAD... 'course my first deadline is rapidly approaching so hopefully that won't change!

[Anonymous]

Karin wrote:
...With regards to studying different design options within the same model - any pointers? I have searched this forum for entries related to 'design options', 'alternates', and 'schemes' but haven't hit on what I am looking for. Any suggestions?...

Karin,

The answer you're looking for is an add-on called Options Manager...this add-on does exactly what you need. You can find out more about it at the following link:

http://aec.cadalyst.com/aec/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=174821

UNFORTUNATELY ... I don't know if is available for version 10 yet or if it will ever be ...Graphisoft has not done a very good job implementing this technology or even communicating what's going on with its development.

To Graphisoft or anyone in the know:
Will you please let us know what's going on with Options Manager?

Dan K

[Anonymous]

Thanks, Dan. That is exactly what I was looking for... now to see if I can implement it!