Looking for quick answers on ArchiCAD's limitations

[Anonymous]

I'm attempting to compare another software package with ArchiCAD. I've come across several functions that I'm relatively sure ArchiCAD can do but I haven't found any evidence of it yet and I have a time limit. I would appreciate confimation for or against these functions and a brief description of how to do it if it is possible. Any help with even one would be appreciated.

1.) Is there a way to view inside the model without using the marquee tool and still be able to pan, zoom and rotate?

2.) Can an entire model be easily reversed or flipped? i.e. they want the garage moved from the right side to the left side and the entire model needs to flip with the garage.

3.) Can specific composite wall layers be edited separately? You have a composite exterior wall with siding on a 2x4 stud with sheathing, can you make the siding have a 4" overhang?

4.) Once you've created some parametric objects for a specific contract can you lock the parameters so the general drafters under you can't change the size but still retain the ability as the manager to make further changes down the road?

5.) When you are working in 3d can you "open" a wall so you have a 2d vertical image of the face of a wall, edit each layer of the wall manually, "close" the wall and have the changes you made in 2d reflected on your 3d model? (similar to the "Edit in place" command for walls in Architectural Desktop)

6.) Can ArchiCAD turn on a selection filter in 2d so you can't select certain elements like walls or roofs or where you can only select certain elements like windows?


Sorry this is so lengthy but again I appreciate any input you can give.
Thanks

[Anonymous]

Thanks for all of the responses and especially for the clear directions on how to accomplish these tasks. So far ArchiCAD is really giving Vertex BD a run for its money in my eyes. Vertex BD seems to be a more user friendly software package on usability but I've only found 2 significant categories that Vertex wins hands down on and both of those (optioning and the direct 2d wall edits) sound like you CAN accomplish it in ArchiCAD but not without a good deal of struggle. Vertex also seems like a more complete package out of the box whereas ArchiCAD needs alot of add-ons/plug-ins to get similar functionality. At the same time its easier to add functionality to ArchiCAD than Vertex because of that same add-on availability. For me the more powerful software is still up for grabs.

[Laura Yanoviak]

Saraphim -- what do you mean by "optioning"?

Seraphim wrote:
Vertex also seems like a more complete package out of the box whereas ArchiCAD needs alot of add-ons/plug-ins to get similar functionality.

Like what, for instance?

BTW -- sorry if my previous responses were too brief, but you did ask for "quick answers"

[Karl Ottenstein]

Laura wrote:
Saraphim -- what do you mean by "optioning"?

Hi Laura,

I talked with her offline about the discontinued Options Manager and the potential use of Markups for representing different options - say to stock homes in a subdivision.

I didn't mention (offline) TeamWork drafts or alternate hotlinked modules as other methods - so maybe someone else would address those.

Thanks,
Karl

[Anonymous]

Vertex BD is a rather expensive building/architectural piece of software. the initial cost of one seat is roughly 4 times the cost of 1 seat of AC 11. It's number 1 feature that makes people willing to pay so much is the ability to create one base house and then create various options for it pretty much to your hearts content. We regularly have models with between 4 and 9 different front elevations. We've had projects (based off 1 base house) that have as many as 80-90 different options. Almost all of the projects we work with will have multiple options that interact with each other as well as the various elevations. We also have the ability to create as many sub-options as necessary. Some examples might be as little as a bump out at the back of the house, a different size dishwasher in the kitchen, an optional fireplace in the living room or they might be as big as 2 garages on the same house that increase from holding 3 cars to holding 5, the entire front elevation changing not only wall types, windows, trims and roof design but even the basic foot print, or having an optional second flr.

Once an optioned house is complete the client can select the options they want and usually within 1 hour we can return a complete construction set showing only the options they selected ready to go to the field.

The flexibility Vertex offers with optioning allows us to make updates or changes once and have it effect all occasions when that option is chosen.

As far as the "out of the box features" the base Vertex product includes framing, panelization, ability to create new objects either by modeling in 3d or by writing script and has the same parametric abilities as AC, and a wide library of most components used on a model from various exterior trims, appliances, mechanical, electrical, to fancy windows and doors and furnishing. It has built in commands allowing you to select one or more doors and windows select from a list of trims and trim is automatically placed. Same for roofs, select one or all of the roof slabs and select a trim and it is automatically placed or the user can place it one piece at a time. It also has wide selection of roofing techniques allowing very quick creation of complex roofs.

I could go on but this is already way more info than you were probably looking for. Here's a url if you want to know more.
http://www.argos.com/products/about_vertex.htm

Sorry for the long post, I have not met anyone on this forum who seems to have even heard about Vertex BD. I could probably write an equally long post singing the praises of ArchiCAD which says alot since I have about 12 days of AC11 trial version under my belt. (The two-weeks using 8.0 doesn't really count )

[Laura Yanoviak]

Karl wrote:
...potential use of Markups for representing different options... TeamWork drafts or alternate hotlinked modules as other methods - so maybe someone else would address those.

Ah -- I would have made the same suggestions. I have never heard of Vertex BD, either -- interesting, because I read A LOT of press on BIM. It appears to be very powerful; although "optioning" is totally possible with AC, it appears the ease of "optioning" with Vertex is unmatched.

[Anonymous]

VertexBD are a software made for smallhouse industry with a specific standard. (or it was when I looked at it for 6 years ago). It is a very nice cad-software if you are building alot of houses because you get bills of materials, cuttinglists for CNC and so on.
But VertexBD isnt a software for an architecture office, too much money and too small flexibility. But it's a really great software for the industry.

[Thomas Holm]

I completely agree with Turboglider. Vertex BD and packages like it (we have more of them here) are custom-made for the industry that delivers prefabricated one-family homes for the domestic market. It's not very well suited for a general-practitioner architect.

[Anonymous]

@Thomas

Is that software Vertex BD well known in Sweden?

[Anonymous]

Back in 2001 ArchiCAD was called "Vertex BD's biggest competitor in Finland." But as far as Sweden today goes I'm not sure.

[Thomas Holm]

Archi wrote:
@Thomas

Is that software Vertex BD well known in Sweden?

No. I just happen to have heard of it. We're neighbors to Finland you know!

I do think other solutions for the home manufacturing industry is more widespread here, but I'm not sure about that.

What I do know is that I haven't heard of even one architect outside of that industry that's using this package. But I have no scientific data to that effect

I'd also like to add that if you have the best part of your work in related areas, you may find the program suits your style of work.

Maybe one of our Finnish colleagues can spread some light?