Office changing to ArchiCAD from Autocad - Need some pointer

[Anonymous]

I'm taking over the reins of production in a small office with 3 production people, including myself, and was looking for some pointers. I'm one of those guys that has been on AutoCAD software since '92 and we are now switching to ArchiCAD 11. I'm the only one here with considerable CAD experience and got the task of setting up new standards for the office and to help streamline our swamped production. I would love to have any input from others on the best way to switch everyone over from your own experience or even tips and tricks that you can think of that will help out. Our basic building types are mainly hotels, with some small commercial, and some insitutional.

[Anonymous]

I have two main suggestions for you:

1 - Get some proper training. This is the best way to really get going in the right direction, and follow-up training, at a point where you know which questions to ask, is essential too. And be prepared to change your way of thinking.

2 - Search this forum. Use relevant keywords for whatever you are particularly interested in, eg. templates, teamwork, import / export, rendering, modelling. People's comments to pay special attention to include (in no particular order) Link, ~/archiben, Dwight, James Murray, Tom Waltz, Djordje, Karl Ottenstein.... and many more. These guys know their stuff, and all have slightly different areas of special expertise.

Dive on in, the water's fine.

[Anonymous]

We are having 3 days of training and then got a guy coming in once a week to help out. I have taken these last two days and started running around in archicad to get my bearings straight, so it should be good. I have also been looking at the forums and found some good ideas and info.

[Anonymous]

How's progress isaacrs? I'm curious as I personally took forever to make the logical leap from AutoCAD. I also tried to help a similar size office make use of their recent ArchiCAD purchases, with mixed results at the end.

Before my 'conversion' to ArchiCAD, an old boss used to trumpet the benefits. 'You draw the 2d info, and get the 3d for free!'

I found that it is in fact the opposite. After my long initial ACAD urge to make workarounds to draw everything right in 2d, I've now come to simply make it right in 3d so that the 2d / documentation can just tell it like it is.

Good luck in your efforts.

[Anonymous]

It's been slow, but steady. Once we get around the archicad interface, yell about the things we take in autocad for granted, and upgraded some pc's........its been pretty good. I'm finishing up my first project right now, so I wil let you know final numbers once I'm done.

[Anonymous]

The firm I am with transitioned in Feb. of this year. Our biggest mistake was having a trainer come in and train for 4 days, 2 days 1 week and 2 days the next and then not again. If we would have had a trainer come back a month later to provide even more tailored support we would have benefited that much more and lost less on the production side. My suggestion: Follow-up your 3 days of training with another day or 2 in a month after your people have had a fair chance to apply what they have learned and break it so to speak.