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Where do you draw in ArchiCAD?

toman311
Enthusiast
Where do you think the best place is to draw in ArchiCAD?

1. Project Map.
With this, what has been drawn is controlled through the Quick Options, Layer Combinations choice.

2. View Map.
With this, what has been drawn is controlled by the chosen window setting.

3. Another way I am not thinking of?

Does anything happen when one person is drawings in the View Map at one moment, then another person draws in the Project Map at another time? What I think happens is that the Layer Combinations get messed up and changes the Layer Combinations to Custom when a person draws in the View Map, so a person drawings in the Project Map would have to correct this when they draw if this is the case, but I could be wrong.

Eventually, the View Map needs to be used since this can change the pen weights, which is required for MEP drawings, but the drawings can still be done under the Project Map. The View Map is for getting those MEP drawing line weights for plotting.
>ArchiCAD 23, 7000 USA FULL

>iMac, 27-inch, 2020, Processor: 3.8 GHz 8-Core Intel Core i7, Memory: 64 GB 2667 MHz DDR4, Graphics: AMD Radeon Pro 5500 XT 8 GB
9 REPLIES 9
Anonymous
Not applicable
They are still the same place, but different ways of looking at a viewpoint. I always navigate with the View Map saved views, because then I know I have the right Layer Combination, Renovation Filter and Model View Options etc. to produce the output I want. I very rarely use the Project Map, except to create new independent details.
Drawing?!

There is nothing to draw in an ArchiCAD project. Everything is modeled so perfectly that there is no need for drawing

ArchiCAD 25 7000 USA - Windows 10 Pro 64x - Dell 7720 64 GB 2400MHz ECC - Xeon E3 1535M v6 4.20GHz - (2) 1TB M.2 PCIe Class 50 SSD's - 17.3" UHD IPS (3840x2160) - Nvidia Quadro P5000 16GB GDDR5 - Maxwell Studio/Render 5.2.1.49- Multilight 2 - Adobe Acrobat Pro - ArchiCAD 6 -25

toman311
Enthusiast
I draw in 2D in ArchiCAD, but I am in the process of switching over to 3D. I am working on a template to make the 3D modeling easier. Self taught ArchiCAD user here,:wink: but I guess that is the only way to go. That and the ArchiCAD forums. There are some okay help articles on ArchiCAD, but mostly it is just trial and error in learning, then questioning the forums for help as a last resort.
>ArchiCAD 23, 7000 USA FULL

>iMac, 27-inch, 2020, Processor: 3.8 GHz 8-Core Intel Core i7, Memory: 64 GB 2667 MHz DDR4, Graphics: AMD Radeon Pro 5500 XT 8 GB
toman311 wrote:
I draw in 2D in ArchiCAD, but I am in the process of switching over to 3D. I am working on a template to make the 3D modeling easier. Self taught ArchiCAD user here,:wink: but I guess that is the only way to go. That and the ArchiCAD forums. There are some okay help articles on ArchiCAD, but mostly it is just trial and error in learning, then questioning the forums for help as a last resort.
I was just kidding about no drawing in ArchiCAD. That is the theoretical idea but is it not always the case. However, you might be surprised how few things do need to be drawn, and how few lines need to be left in a view.

This is especially true when you are modeling for the sake of schedules, thermal analysis, etc...

The two biggest helpers in getting rid of things you draw are the use of Complex Profiles, and SEO.

ArchiCAD 25 7000 USA - Windows 10 Pro 64x - Dell 7720 64 GB 2400MHz ECC - Xeon E3 1535M v6 4.20GHz - (2) 1TB M.2 PCIe Class 50 SSD's - 17.3" UHD IPS (3840x2160) - Nvidia Quadro P5000 16GB GDDR5 - Maxwell Studio/Render 5.2.1.49- Multilight 2 - Adobe Acrobat Pro - ArchiCAD 6 -25

Anonymous
Not applicable
toman311 wrote:
I draw in 2D in ArchiCAD, but I am in the process of switching over to 3D. I am working on a template to make the 3D modeling easier. Self taught ArchiCAD user here,:wink: ..,..
I would say that only about 10% of any plan, section or elevation I produce in ARCHICAD is drawn, and only for things that help the drawing read better but have no information (eg outline of building more than 1 storey below). For details this changes as they are 'drawn', till ARCHICAD allows us to 'explode' elements so multiple elements that are sandwiched together can graphically read and annotated correctly eg labelling each component of a composite wall with individual labels that are still linked to the building material
Scott
Erika Epstein
Booster
Check out on Graphisoft 's Youtube channel the many videos which should be of help.
Erika
Architect, Consultant
MacBook Pro Retina, 15-inch Yosemite 2.8 GHz Intel Core i7 16 GB 1600 MHz DDR3
Mac OSX 10.11.1
AC5-18
Onuma System

"Implementing Successful Building Information Modeling"
DGSketcher
Legend
I sometimes find jumping into the PROJECT MAP from the VIEW MAP useful as the layers etc don't change which can help with bits of modelling e.g. if you only have walls displayed you can then look at them from the various base views without having to reset your layers etc to isolate what you are working on. I don't think you can favour one over the other, they are both essential in the design workflow and you should take advantage according to your needs. Your layout drawings should always come from saved VIEWS if you want consistent publisher output!
Apple iMac Intel i9 / macOS Sonoma / AC27UKI (most recent builds.. if they work)
toman311
Enthusiast
sboydturner wrote:
I would say that only about 10% of any plan, section or elevation I produce in ARCHICAD is drawn, and only for things that help the drawing read better but have no information (eg outline of building more than 1 storey below). For details this changes as they are 'drawn', till ARCHICAD allows us to 'explode' elements so multiple elements that are sandwiched together can graphically read and annotated correctly eg labelling each component of a composite wall with individual labels that are still linked to the building material
Scott
What kind of drawings do you make with ArchiCAD?
>ArchiCAD 23, 7000 USA FULL

>iMac, 27-inch, 2020, Processor: 3.8 GHz 8-Core Intel Core i7, Memory: 64 GB 2667 MHz DDR4, Graphics: AMD Radeon Pro 5500 XT 8 GB
Anonymous
Not applicable
All types of architectural drawings from sketch design through, documentation through to as built
Scott