Did you know you can make magic in Archicad? Let me show you how Magic Wand can make you work easier and more efficient! What is the Magic Wand? The Magic Wand is a feature in Archicad that detects and traces shapes from existing elements or empty sp...
Did you know you can test different designs in Archicad without saving separate files or copying elements around? With Design Options, you can explore alternatives for facades, layouts, materials, and create combinations to find the best match. Here’...
Pickup Parameters in Archicad allow you to quickly transfer settings from one element to another, streamlining your workflow and ensuring consistency across your project. Here are some cool tips on the Pickup Parameters that will simplify your work i...
Do you ever get confused when designing stairs in Archicad? We know it's a super parametric tool, so... Let's break down the five key settings to help you design better! Baseline What is it? The baseline determines the reference line for your stairs....
The BIMmTool is an Archicad add-on designed specifically for importing, analyzing, modeling, controlling, and archiving point clouds, fully supporting Scan2BIM workflows. This tool is seamlessly integrated within the Archicad environment to facilitat...
Dynamic or movable facades have emerged as a captivating architectural element, enhancing both the visual appeal and functional efficiency of modern buildings. These adaptable designs introduce motion and versatility, contributing to energy efficienc...
In Teamwork, several users can work with Design Options, even if one has reserved the Design Options Manager. While this gives flexibility, it might also lead to conflicts if users have not received changes for a while. For example, one of your team ...
Archicad 27 introduces an innovative tool that will enhance the experience of architects and designers managing multiple design options, helping the decision-making process be more seamless and efficient. This article dives into the new feature of Ar...
I recently came across a project from my first year as an architecture student, and since the paper model I had is long gone, I thought of modelling it with Archicad so as to keep record of it for my portfolio. The building is a 2-story family house,...
For entering distances in Archicad the Tracker is used. Entering distances works the same way in 2D and in 3D. The Tracker appears during element input and it follows your mouse movements, constantly providing feedback about the distance and angle or...
There are many ways to create a ramp in ARCHICAD (e.g., Ramp Object), but in this article, we are going to show you how to create one with the help of the Stair Tool. Here is what you will need: a complex profile a Stair with stringers that's all Str...
How to use Accessories Add-on With the help of this Archicad Add-On, you can supplement the roof, slab, and wall elements with special objects. Make sure you add the Accessories Library to your project, using Library Manager. First, select an existin...
There are two ways to create a spiral stair using the new Stair Tool: using the Magic Wand using the 'Arc by Centerpoint' command from the Pet Palette during the input Using the Magic Wand Place a circle on the floor plan ( Guide Line Segment,Line To...
Grasshopper is a visual programming language and environment that runs within the Rhinoceros 3D for creating Parametric Designs. To ensure the interoperability between the software and have a smooth workflow, Archicad has the toolset: "Grasshopper - ...
The Opening Tool is more precise and flexible The Opening Tool is one of the most frequently used Archicad tools in any project for the modeling, information management, and documentation of openings. Prior to Archicad 26, openings automatically used...
A quick way of inserting the representation of the terrain to our model is using the point cloud import feature of Archicad. Point clouds are more and more popular since they can give the most detailed surveying results, however at the same time need...
Prepare the AutoCAD file Open Surveyor’s dwg file and check whether it is done as per local practice/standards, for example: Units = Meters Block or Point is used to represent each survey point and placed at a correct global coordinate (X,Y,Z) – Use ...
The MAC version of the Grasshopper-Archicad Live Connection has been released recently, so it was high time doing a test run on this platform as well. The following is not focusing on the performance and the features, the pure intention is to give so...
Note: This article was originally published on AsiaBIM and was written for Archicad 21 mainly for architects working on the Singaporean market.Some users like to have their own 2D representations created with lines and fills for the default window wi...
Welcome to our series of articles from the Snow Globe Challenge! We invited some of the designers who participated in the challenge to elaborate on their entries, share their workflows and tips&tricks. Enjoy and feel free to drop us a comment if you ...
Place a Ramp Object I felt it is good to share some software specific tips and tricks in between my posts focusing on interoperability. In this post I am sharing a tip on how to create guard walls (parapets) along the edge of a curved ramp using Morp...
One kind of a recurring issue is how to create the frameless corner windows, using just a mitered glass connection as below: Switching to the Custom Corner… tab page of the Window settings however doesn’t allow us to choose Glass, but Frame or Corner...
Adding new nodes to a Wall when editing it via the Pet palette eventually creates segments which cannot be joined again using an inverse command or such. Though it is not something you could not solve by deleting one of the segments and edit the rema...
In this article I will be focusing on a simple example to demonstrate RH-GH-AC live connection, another wonderful OPEN BIM workflow from Graphisoft. We will start with an input from a Archicad (AC) file and based on that input a set of balconies will...
Recently came accross a situation where the Design Architect need to exchange Archicad model with their project partners. The Main Contractor was using REVIT for their BIM process. So, there was a need for conversion of Archicad model to REVIT model ...
Archicad Meshes can be created in many different ways – by creating level ridges based on external drawings, by importing point clouds and modeling the terrain based on it or importing text files with the coordinates and then let Archicad automatical...
Creating custom components from scratch using the default tools and saving them as objects is a relatively simple way to extend the content libraries thanks to the File/Libraries and Objects…/Save Selection as… command. However this menu doesn’t list...
There seems to be a clash between design sketch models (typically coming from SketchUp or Rhino, but even if they are created with Archicad) and models created for proper BIM use when we need to convert one to the other since they are built with comp...
Archicad approaches the design workflows strongly level-based – it is of great significance to which story the elements belong. As a consequence of that, the planning of buildings with split levels may be slightly more difficult in certain cases. Thi...
Welcome to our series of articles from the Snow Globe Challenge! We invited some of the designers who participated in the challenge to elaborate on their entries, share their workflows and tips&tricks. Enjoy and feel free to drop us a comment if you ...
Welcome to our series of articles from the Snow Globe Challenge! We invited some of the participants of the challenge to elaborate on their entries, share their workflows and tips&tricks. Enjoy and feel free to drop us a comment if you have any quest...
Welcome to our series of articles from the Snow Globe Challenge! We invited some of the designers who participated in the challenge to elaborate on their entries, share their workflows and tips&tricks. Enjoy and feel free to drop us a comment if you ...
Architects often receive the surveyor's data in the form of a 2D linework with height values. Follow the steps below to model the terrain based on the 2D linework. Create a mesh using the Mesh Tool, following the outer contour of the linework Select ...
This article presents you with the detailed process of modeling a prefabricated reinforced concrete column with the new Column Tool of ARCHICAD 23. Prefabricated columns are often used in the case of industrial halls. The easiest way to represent the...
Marc's tip on using the Element Information Palette for measuring Exit Travel Distances! "To measure exit travel distances.... trace the path with a polyline (turn on a ghost layer if the path covers two floors). Open "element information" Window > P...
Follow the steps below to create a railing with evenly spaced posts that follows the contour of a mesh. 1. Create a poly line where the railing will be. 2. Open the Set Snap Point Values dialogue box. 3. In the Snap Point Values dialogue box, set the...
The new Stair and Railing Tool include GDL sub-elements. Many of them are pre-defined and available by default, through the element and component settings dialogs. To create your own sub-element, you can create and customise an element and save it as...
In order to efficiently model a basement stair and bulkhead door (i.e. not creating extra cutting bodies) elements need to be created and cut in a specific order. These steps are listed below 1. Make sure that a mesh has been placed around the outsid...
Creating and editing stairs requires to handle and consider multiple- many time contradicting- requirements. Ensuring all these factors across the design changes is challenging task for all architects. Archicad 25 brings improvements to the Stair Too...
This original article is written by Chidam and can be found at ASIABIM: https://asiabim.wordpress.com/2017/02/15/editable-topography-from-archicad-to-revit/ Occasionally, the Designer needs to exchange BIM models with other project partners. If each ...
MEP Modeler Add-On has become the core part of Archicad 24 as an integrated design tool. The second update of Archicad 24 includes major MEP improvements primarily for increasing effectiveness. This article describes a new feature and further enhance...
Many times we want to show a slab or a mesh on a story above or below its home position. To control which story a slab or mesh is displayed, there are some presets that can be found under Slab/Mesh Settings dialog: Floor Plan and Section > Floor Plan...
The volume of soil excavation for a project can be calculated in many ways. However, this process can be automated, making the workflow easier and faster by using the Opening Tool. The Opening geometry is measured relative to its associated element a...
The BIM collaboration between architectural, structural and MEP engineering disciplines needs software solutions that aid this collaboration. It is becoming more usual for engineers to take part in the design process and work with architects starting...
What is algorithmic design? If you are not yet familiar with this term, watch this video below: Rhino – Grasshopper – ARCHICAD Toolset Rhino – Grasshopper – ARCHICAD Toolset connects the best design tools for the different design stages on both Mac a...
In certain cases when users are modelling open or closed stringer stairs, the corner stringer piece does not get created, or gets created but the geometry of it is faulty. The reason behind such issues always lies in some kind of geometrical controve...
With the Grasshopper - ARCHICAD Live Connection, you can enhance your BIM model with complex shapes that can not be defined easily with the default ARCHICAD tools. In order to be able to properly represent and document these shapes, while keeping the...
With the Grasshopper - ARCHICAD Connection tool, you can enhance your BIM model with complicated shapes that can not be defined easily with the default ARCHICAD tools. To be able to properly represent and document these shapes, while keeping the geom...
We released the newest Grasshopper - ARCHICAD Live Connection Add-on on October 3 2019 with many new features and improvements. Please read the article to learn more. New Features: Upgraded Performance: Element updating in ARCHICAD is now even smooth...
Parameter transfer, also known as the eye-dropper and syringe, is the easiest way to pick up the parameters of one element and transfer them to another element of the same type. Simple usage of these tools allows you to speed up your pace while drawi...
This exercise is about creating a prefabricated concrete double-pitch beam used for building industrial halls. Due to the renewed, multi-segmented Beam and Column tools it is much easier to create such structures in ARCHICAD 23. The shape of the beam...
In ARCHICAD 22 and before all columns were cut horizontally at the bottom and at the top and all beams were cut vertically at both ends. As of ARCHICAD 23 beam and column ends can be cut both horizontally and vertically and also at any custom angle. ...
What is a Segment? Beam (or Column) Segments are good for defining different materials and geometries along the Beam (and Column) reference axis. The result: expanded geometric freedom for BIM elements representing reinforced concrete, steel, timber,...
It’s important to have cooperation between other design disciplines and architecture. Therefore, ARCHICAD 23 offers you an easy workflow for importing files as an IFC model. Import IFC ‘Provision for Void’ Architects receive Provisions for Voids from...
The Opening Tool is one of the new features of ARCHICAD 23, a must-have BIM design tool for the modeling, information management and documentation of openings. Use the new Opening Tool to create holes and recesses/niches that penetrate any number of ...
In Archicad the flexibility is given for just sketching up the building without having to numerically specify the correct size or location of an element, but if it's coming to a proper design process, you have to place the elements with a certain siz...
The Wood Ceiling add-on allows users to apply 3D wainscoting to an existing roof. Before Starting 1. Download and install the Goodies package here. 2. Add the Accessories Library to the project library. It is located under the ArchiCAD version folder...
The Roof Surfacer add-on allows users to apply 3D cladding to an existing roof. Before Starting 1. Download and install the Goodies package here. 2. Add the Accessories Library to the project library. It is located under the ArchiCAD version folder u...
If you drag an element in a section or in 3D to a different story, the Home Story of the element won't be adjusted. So, it can happen, that an element is located on e.g the 1st story but it has a different Home Story. (To avoid issues like that use '...
Trim function helps you to edit the existing elements quickly and easily in 2D and 3D. This is done by CTRL-clicking (on Windows) / CMD-clicking (on Mac OS) elements on the Floor Plan. One can cut off unneeded portions of Walls, Lines, Arcs etc., spl...
When using magic wand to place a morph, it will become polygonal instead of a proper circle. Why? It's easy to come across this phenomenon. We place a circle and then use the Magic Wand to place a Morph surface within. You will notice, that the segme...
The Curtain Wall tool has been renewed as a powerful design tool allowing also the creation and use of custom frames and custom panels. In the previous versions the user was able to toggle between a main and a distinct panel and also manually change ...
With the new Curtain Wall tool, released on ARCHICAD 22 Version, it is possible to create many different Panel Classes straight from the Curtain Wall Setting Dialog. You can even create a Cladding Panel using the new GDL Panel Type called CW Composit...
Use the Scheme page of Curtain Wall Settings to set up a Grid Pattern for the Curtain Wall. The best way to start a custom grid is deleting any existing grid. For that click on the Clear Pattern button on top right side of the scheme preview window. ...
Before the revamped Curtain Wall Tool was released in ARCHICAD 22, intersection priorities were taken in count when creating a Curtain Wall, but not used as a creative tool. Boundary, Mullion and Transom frames did have a priority, but these were fix...
We're famous for having Tools that can be used for more than their original function. Profiles are used in Walls, Beams, and Columns to create custom elements tailored to the project. Use the parametric profiles to create design alternatives and cust...
After the redesign of the Curtain Wall Tool in ARCHICAD 22, it can have different projection modes on a floor plan view (found under Floor Plan and Section in the element's Settings dialog). These can be set for Uncut, Cut and Overhead components, si...
As a newly introduced feature in ARCHICAD 22, the parametricity of profiles can be used for multiple purposes. One of them is to create adjustable fireproofing/insulation for beam or column elements. Later, the thickness can be adjusted by element, l...
A Wall element can be a simple wall and it can also use composites or profiles. Composite structures can be used with Shell, Roof, and Slab elements as well, and can have up to 48 skins with individual skin separator lines However, since with ARCHICA...
With parametric profiles being introduced in ARCHICAD 22, came new attributes to manage, the offset modifiers. With the help of the Modifiers, you can create more intelligent Profiles for Walls, Beams, and Columns, by defining the edges parametricall...
You may experience the following whilst working with Curtain Wall in ARCHICAD 22: Working with Large Curtain Walls may cause some slowdowns Curtain wall may be faster in ARCHICAD 21 than in ARCHICAD 22 Working with Large Curtain Walls may cause some ...
Step 1: Set Project Location in Project Preferences This will be the place in the real world where your Project Origin is Set the height above Sea Level. You can reconfirm the location by clicking on "Show in Google Maps…" button. Step 2: Add an Aeri...
Turning stairs can be constructed in 2 different methods: using turning type method or segment type method. Let's have a quick look at the main aspects of those two types. Turning Type Turning type can be used in 3 ways: Landing Winder with Equal Ang...
In a previous Article we have explained how Stair Segments and Turnings work in General. In this article we will show you 2 examples of how to use them to create Stairs that have winders with Equal Goings/Runs. About Winder Options You can open the w...
In a previous Article we have explained how Stair Segments and Turnings work in General. In this article we will show you 2 examples of how to use them to create Stairs with Equal Angle winders, and explain how this winder type works in general. How ...
The new Stair and Railing Tools use GDL sub-elements (such as posts, rails, etc.). Many of them are pre-defined and available by default through the element and component settings dialogs. You can find several default objects in the stock ARCHICAD li...
I am working on developing a new 4 story building. The column locations are constantly changing and I'm finding it difficult to constantly change column locations on all the floor levels. Is there a way when I move a column on floor the corresponding...
This article shows general examples of how to create Metal Plate and Metal Pan Stairs. The two types are very similar to each other in structure, so the way to create them is similar as well: We will use a cantilevered structure, with profiled string...
This article explains methods of enhancing the appearance of connections of floors and walls in model section views. Description of the floating floor screed edge detail In most cases the solution for floors to match soundproofing requirements is to ...
The Stair Tool in ARCHICAD 21 works with Treads and Risers that are stored and handled as separate GDL elements. This means that the lines between them will appear on Elevations even if they are made of the same building material. These lines are eli...
Creating Favorites hasn't changed with the Stair and Railing Tool. Since it is a hierarchical element, it is a very similar method creating Favorites for a Curtain Wall and its sub-elements. Favorites for Stairs Stair: Structures and Finishes Once yo...
This article covers ARCHICAD tools that are available in the Grasshopper - ARCHICAD Live connection and their necessary Grasshopper reference geometries complemented with tips & tricks for the different tools. Wall Necessary input: planar 2D curve (l...
In this article we are going to create an Open Stringer Stair. To achieve this type of Stair structure, we will choose 'Beam' structure for the flight (and landing). For the opposite edge of the Stair add Stringer by ticking the box, optional 'String...
In this article we will show you how to create a traditional cast iron Railing from Custom Panels. (If you are interested how to model the stair is used in that example, click here). Draw the two following shapes from Morph – Surface, and then extrud...
In this article we will show you how to create a cantilevered stair with wedge-shaped steps. First a cantilevered, spiral stair will be placed. Then a Custom Tread will be created for having wedge-shaped steps. Draw two concentric circles, d1=1600, d...
To place a stair you need to draw its Baseline (blue line), which is basically a polyline. So the input and the connected Pet Palette options are similar to placing the polyline in ARCHICAD. The Stair 'Input Method' (Upward / Downward) defines wherev...
This article provides a step-by-step description for creating a metal spiral stair having a column in the middle. The unique thing in this example is that the structure of the staircase is part of the tread. To see how to place a general spiral stair...
You can easily create frameless corner windows in ARCHICAD the way described below: You can use the simple Window Tool instead of the Corner Window Tool, however not all Window objects are suitable for this. In this example I used the Horizontal Mult...
With the help of the new Stair Tool we can create a unique Bullnose Stair. In the following we will describe, how to make a Railing for it. In order to make the Railing associative, we have to add an extra Node for the Railing to relate to. To do so,...
The new Stair Tool has the feature to add landing automatically during creation of the stair. Landing length can be defined in the Stair Settings under Rules & Standards: Automatic landing can be placed with one click during Stair creation. Start wit...
In our example we will use a simple, one-flight stair and the Basic Railing to go through the required settings. Place the railing on a one-flight stair and follow the instructions below: Select the Railing and enter Railing Selection Settings dialog...
This option can be useful for creating different Patterns in a Railing Segment. By default in one Segment one Pattern is repeated (A Segment is the part of the Railing between two Nodes). 'Converting Pattern to Segment Length' makes it possible to ed...
Introduction In the Railing Tool settings a Pattern can be defined. Toprail, Handrail, Rails, Inner Posts, Balusters, Panels can be added to the Pattern, which can be repeated within the Railing Segment. This article describes the distribution logic ...
Introduction This article presents how to create a glass panel railing with posts. We used an L-shaped staircase where the Riser Offset is set to 0. In this case only one post will be added by the intersection point of the two flights. Let's start Ac...
It is possible to save elements as Library Object which can be used as custom Treads. Any ARCHICAD element can be turned into a custom Tread Library Object. This article describes you how to create a custom Tread using the Morph Tool. Activate the St...
This article outlines how to model a stair with bullnose steps. To see how to place a traditional railing on it, click here. Activate the Stair Tool and place any Stair of choice (Bullnose stairs are mostly made of wood). Navigate to the floor plan a...
Let's place a U-shape stair: Activate the Stair Tool. Open the 'Stair Default Settings' and make sure that the following settings are used (Story height: 3000 mm): Click ok. Click on the floor plan to begin inputting the Stair. Start drawing the stai...
This article presents you a step-by-step description for modelling a custom stair (designed by Építész Stúdió). It shows how to model the staircase using the new Stair Tool. Things needs to be known about the staircase: Story height is 3400 mm. This ...
Let's say you want to distribute trees along a given path. From ARCHICAD 21 and up, you have the option in the Multiply dialogue to do just that. Let's see how. Distribute Elements along a Path Before you start, make sure you have a path placed. This...
Irregular "free-form" shapes can be modeled using the mesh tool. These items can be converted to roofs with this Add-On. The new "Create Roofs from Mesh" command will appear in the "Design/Design Extras" menu by default. How to use "Mesh To Roof" Add...
