Masonry modelling

[gavinNZz]

Does Archicad provide a tool for modelling masonry walls? Not just a composite wall but actually modelling the blocks and mortar along with opening rebated blocks etc? If not it seems to be quite an omission given the amount of blockwork used in construction.

Funny how a quick search in revit addons provides the exact tool

https://www.angelusblock.com/bim-tools/masonry-iq-revit-add-in-layout-analysis.cfm

[Laszlo Nagy]

 You may try to use the Curtain Wall to do that. But be aware, this level of detail creates a very high number of polygons in 3D.

Another possible way would be to use the Archicad-Grasshopper Connection to generate the bricks and mortar based on the geometry of Walls, and it could also be updated if the source Wall geometry changes. 

[gavinNZz]

Given the amount of workarounds needed to create standard building elements in AC I can understand why so may users are switching to other software. I will press GS on it and see if there is even any interest in providing such a tool. It is such a core building element, it really does baffle me why they don't provide an accurate BIM solution.

[Kristian Bursell]

There are multiple Revit add-ons for almost everything because Revit on its own is useless, hence the 3rd Party Add-on and Library community get a lot of support from the users. The case is almost the opposite in Archicad. It is a very capable tool on its own and the users generally have an aversion to supporting 3rd Part Add-ons and libraries.

Now to the solution; Archicad Wall Accessories. These are some of the easiest GDL elements to create and can result in adding or removing anything from the wall element. So you could very easily have the accessory replace your external block skin of your wall composite with an array of blocks and mortar. This includes treatments (details) around openings and at corners and edges.

It is so easy to script this content that I gave a presentation on it in 2019 at BiLT conferences in Australia and Scotland titled "Create Archicad Accessories in 10 minutes".

The benefit of creating this yourself is it gives you the power to not only create your own rules for the geometry but also define what you want to extrapolate from the model by scheduling the accessories; you set the parameters and how they are formulated.

[Jan Vlach]

I would be very interested in that presentation, is there anywhere I could watch it? Thank you.

[Erwin Edel]

I'm trying to wrap my head around the need to model this amount of detail.

The bricklayer in the field will not look at the model.

For quantity take off we have cost estimates for material use per m².

In case of CS elements: I would get a IFC from the distributor to clash with my model.

It might just be the Dutch market, but I've never missed this in 16 years of working with Archicad.

[SenecaDesignLLC]

My wall covering can do this.

[DGSketcher]

I would agree. The only time I have ever done anything like this was to clarify a complex 3D waterproofing detail, and that was quickly formed with Morphs and complex beam profiles.

[Brett Brown]

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@Kristian Bursell wrote:

There are multiple Revit add-ons for almost everything because Revit on its own is useless, hence the 3rd Party Add-on and Library community get a lot of support from the users. The case is almost the opposite in Archicad. It is a very capable tool on its own and the users generally have an aversion to supporting 3rd Part Add-ons and libraries.

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Had a bad day Kristian? Where would you be without writing the very Add-ons that Archicad lacks that you are bagging. I can say that Archicad on its own is useless to and that's why some of us have to purchase add-ons to get the job done quickly and without a hassle. If it wasn't for Archicad's pathetic set of tools you and all the other Addon makers would be out of business.

Why start you answer with bagging the opposition?

Anyhow this might answer a few questions for some of you. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-KCaNJDSypI

[SenecaDesignLLC]

@Brett Brown This seems really hostile for no reason.

What you meant is that in your opinion? 

You could have easily just posted the YouTube link so we could all do without what ever drama you seem to have.