Within 48 hrs of posting The Cobbler’s Workbench, I had a large list of additional sites to add to my ArchiCAD resources page. Thank you to everyone who shared their favorite sites with me. Below is a list of sites I’ve added to the original list. Included in this revision are three programs that extend the capabilities of ArchiCAD (from site documentation to collaboration to facilities management). I have to say, it’s impressive how much amazing ArchiCAD stuff is out there, if you know where to look! To know why I started this list, here’s an explanation. And if you think there’s a website I should include e-mail me.

OBJECTS

Dimensions Design Group, Inc.

Dimensions Design Group, Inc. makes Smart Parts. The various libraries include windows+doors, kitchen+bath, trim+stairs, various furniture and more. One of my coworkers still swears by his ArchiCAD 6.5 Smart Parts that he purchased over a decade ago.

Objects Online

Objects Online has one of the largest online collections of free and paid ArchiCAD-specific content. They are always looking to team with other object developers, big or small.

Rik Corporation

Rik Corporation has a really extensive landscaping and exteriors library. It looks like there are some pretty incredible features. The page I link to is in English, but the rest of the site is in Japanese. And unfortunately while my brother lives in Tokyo and is fluent in Japanese, I live in Minnesota and am essentially monolingual. However it looks like Rik Corporation might have some other ArchiCAD Add-ons and libraries.

ADD-ONs & Plug-ins

Micro Aided Design

Not only is M.A.D. the Graphisoft Reseller for Finland and the publisher of ArchiMag, they have also created some really cool Add-ONs like ArchiLogs, DoubleCheck, Zonematic, and Revisiomatic. Do yourself a favor and check out Zonematic.

INTEGRATED PROGRAMS

OrthoGraph

Orthograph makes a survey program that allows you to input measurements onsite via an iPad and then export native ArchiCAD objects directly to ArchiCAD. I’ve mentioned Orthograph a few times on the blog.

ShareYourDesign

From SyD’s website: “SyD™ cloud computing technology expands BIM collaboration environment to share and discuss designs between architects, engineers and clients. Share part of a floor plan, discuss a 3D view in a model or swap ideas on a specific object.”

vintoCON

A spin-off company from Graphisoft, vintoCON makes ArchiFM which extends ArchiCAD’s functionality into the realm of BIM based Facilities Management.

The post The Cobbler’s Workbench – Revision #1 appeared first on Shoegnome.

2012 is way more interesting than 2011

Are you familiar with Orthograph?

OrthoGraph Architect for iPad (which was only released Fall 2011) is getting an upgrade: the 3D preview. This will assist surveying with the ability to reach and change the properties of all graphical elements, so you will be able to switch between different object types, finishes, etc. directly from 3D. The new version is going to be released in about 2-3 weeks. All existing users will get this upgrade for free. There will also be other new features like PDF room book creation and direct file sending via email (in addition to a link to Dropbox).

Check out the video (make sure you at least watch from 1:15 on).

Bring on the Great Convergence

As I’ve mentioned before I don’t own an iPad, so I’m just an outsider looking in. Maybe by the end of this summer I’ll have enough excuses to buy one. But I’m excited about this Orthograph upgrade. There are a lot of survey programs for tablets out there, but I think with this release Orthograph has started to differentiate itself from the pack. Hopefully this is just the start of some huge advancements. How many more years (or months?!) before we can start designing in a full BIM environment on an iPad? Probably not too long now.

What do you think?

The post OrthoGraph gets +1 dimension appeared first on Shoegnome.

I will no longer listen to anyone bitch about how much it sucks that in ArchiCAD we can’t copy 3D elements in Sections or Elevations. I’m sure one day Graphisoft will give us this feature, though it’s not high on my personal list of needs or wants. Perhaps it’s because I’m used to not having it. Or that I’m working more and more in 3D, so it’s less necessary. Or (I’m willing to concede) it’s because I don’t know what I’m missing. That’s possible. Actually that’s PROBABLE. Well until the version of ArchiCAD with this function is released, just go give Miklós Groszeibl at Simple Addon $20 and quit complaining. Actually not even $20. Just $19.95. And you get NINE other add-ons as well. And who doesn’t want Zone Names to show up in Sections and to also be able to auto dimension Sections and Elevations (just to name two more of the add-ons).

Oh and there’s more.

Before you spend any money, you can download all TEN add-ons and try them out first.

What are you waiting for?

Go see how Copying 3D elements in Section and Elevation will revolutionize your use of ArchiCAD. Did I mention it’s crazy cheap (not even $2/Add-On)?

You might be thinking, hasn’t Jared told us this before? I have. But many of the issues Simple Add-Ons resolves were raised recently in various conversations and I thought it bears repeating. Plus, I’m a huge fan of supporting and spreading the word of all those GDL gurus out there giving us the tools to making our lives easier (both the ones who work for Graphisoft and the guys just doing it for the love of our community).

The post Simple Addon – seriously all of them for $19.95? appeared first on Shoegnome.

My ArchiCAD Resources Page is approaching its first birthday. To know why I started this list, here’s an explanation. And if you think there’s a website I should include e-mail me. Only two additions right now, but at least one of them is long over due. So with the launch of the second site (see below), I figured it was time.

Éptár Ltd.

Éptár Ltd. are longtime developers of ArchiCAD Add-Ons and GDL objects. Their site has a mixture of paid and free objects and Add-Ons. They have a tiling add-on and a Reinforcement add-on that both look really interesting. They also have a free roll-up door object that is quite nice.

World of BIM

One of the newest entrants to the realm of BIM object dissemination (as of this writing at least) is World of BIM. I’m not sure if they’ll have their own content or not, but the goal of this site is to create a centralized store for small sellers of BIM content (tools, add-ons, objects, etc.). While their initial release is focusing on ArchiCAD, they plan on branching out into other platforms (Revit, Allplan, Vectorworks, Microstation…). A centralized access point for BIM sellers is partially why I started my own list of ArchiCAD Resources. And at one point I was even toying with the idea of doing something similar to World of BIM. But then I thought about the time and effort required (time and effort that I was already using up elsewhere) and shelved the idea. I’m thrilled that someone else is trying this concept. SO… if you have ArchiCAD objects or add-ons to sell, perhaps selling through World of BIM will be a good fit for you; visit the main ArchiCAD page here: www.archicad.worldofbim.com (oh and they’re non-exclusive, so you can sell your stuff elsewhere too).

The post Cobbler’s Workbench Revision #3 appeared first on Shoegnome.

There are a few websites now that offer free BIM content from manufacturers

But there has never been a central point where architects, engineers and construction related professionals can access commercial BIM content through a flexible platform. It is for this reason World of BIM was created.

I am a great believer and supporter of manufacturers providing their own BIM content free to the community. However there will always be a world of Building Information Modelling commercial content being developed that will never be replaced by manufacturer content. These include add-ons, tools and highly parametric components that can greatly improve workflow efficiencies by dealing with time consuming processes, complex tasks and complex assemblies of different manufacturer content.

As a director of World of BIM, my BIM background comes largely through the use of ArchiCAD. I have spent much time creating GDL objects both as a BIM Manager for over 8 years at an architectural practice and as an independent developer, and using those objects as a Architect for over 13 years. Most BIM content available today is created by independent developers but the options for developers to market this content is very limited and restrictive. Available platforms either have a standard shopfront that offers limited flexibility to show your products or developers find themselves having to start-up their own website and manage all the website coding, security and marketing themselves.

World of BIM aims to provide a cohesive network of BIM shopfronts

Customers will be able to browse content while developers will have a flexible shopfront to display and manage products. Flexibility not only covers how the product appears and the conditions under which it is sold but also allows developers to manage their own shopfront, with their own web address, in combination with displaying their content on the main World of BIM main software specific sites for all major CAD/BIM platforms. We have had some people say it is like eBay for BIM where everything is ‘buy now’. Although it is nice to be compared to such a fantastically successfully website we recognize that we still have some time to go before we get to eBay’s level. However, we would like to think we are providing an even more flexible selling platform while maintaining an equally simple browsing mechanism for professionals seeking BIM content.

From the customers perspective they are able to view BIM content by visiting the specific software store they are searching for or they can visit the developers shopfront and see products from the developers for all platforms. All these shopfronts are linked into one network. Developers that provide the best content and service will find good traffic flowing from our main sites to their shopfronts. World of BIM will eventually become a network of stores, all interlinked to deliver rich BIM content to professionals.

After signing up to World of BIM as a seller, developers will be able to login to their own backend or administration portal where they are able to manipulate the product graphics and their content on the storefronts. Advertising banners and various modules can also be customized on their website to best display features of their products. Products can be uploaded together with images and the editor allows developers to have great control over the appearance and content of the produc’ts description. Pricing can be controlled through providing specials, upgrades and quantity discounts in addition to the desirable standard price. When a product is enabled, it not only appears on the developers own website but also appears on any of World of BIM’s main stores relevant to the specific software the product is available in. When a product is sold, it immediately appears on the developers private dashboard.

World of BIM takes care of all the technical website issues

Developers can concentrate on developing content rather than spending time managing websites. Any support issues related to products will be via direct communication between you and the customer. See how easy it is to setup a store here.

Whilst we have many features aimed at developers without an established shopfront we also provide a great service for established developers wishing to expand their market reach. If developers have their own shopfront, World of BIM can display the content on our main software specific shopfronts without the need to create another shopfront in our network. When an item is sold developers have the option to allow customers to download from our site or be notified of the sale with the customers contact details which can be subsequently used to provide access to their own website for downloads. By keeping downloads on your own website you will be able to control one access point.

So what content can be sold?

All BIM related material can be sold–such as tools, objects, add-ons, training manuals, publications and components. Of particular interest to World of BIM is all the components and tools that many architectural, engineering and creative professionals have sitting on their internal hard-drives, created for in-house use. Little do many people know that money can be made by reselling these components as individuals or for the business.

We encourage all creators of BIM content to share on World of BIM by uploading their hard-earned work for sale

As we are new, we are looking for some of the first developers to upload their content. To provide encouragement we are offering 90% royalties on all sales until June 2013. This means we will only receive 10% commission on all sales to cover our costs. It is free to signup, free to setup your store and there are no obligations to exclusively sell your content on World of BIM. You are free to remove your products at any time should you choose but we think once you try our services you won’t want to leave. We hope to see you there and welcome any queries at: www.worldofbim.com

Mark Beauman
Director at World of BIM
bimadmin@worldofbim.com

The post Guest Blogger Mark Beauman: World of BIM appeared first on Shoegnome.

Creating wall and floor tiling plans in ArchiCAD

Creating wall and floor tiling plans in ArchiCAD can be a troublesome task. The abilities of built-in elements and textures of ArchiCAD are limited when it comes to modelling and arranging tiles. In order to make these tasks easier, you could choose to download and use [eptar]’s wall and floor tiling application for ArchiCAD. This application will not only help you draw your room tiling plan and create a 3D model at the same time, but will also make sure you get an exact calculation from the necessary components.

Using [eptar] Tiling ˝Accessories˝ Add-On

With the help of [eptar] Tiling application you will be able to create complete wall and floor tiling plans. Your tiling plan can be attached to walls and slabs by using ArchiCAD’s ˝Accessories˝ Add-On. The advantage of this method is, that your tiling plan will follow the changes of the walls and slabs. The program will create holes for your existing and newly made windows and doors in your tiling plan, too.

Tiling of window and door edges is simple. You can easily define these edges by using the moving hotspots around the openings on the geometric view of the wall.

It is also possible to create extra holes in wall and floor tiling plans. These holes are usually required behind and under bathtubs and other plumbing fixtures, and are used to create holes solely on the tiles not the walls or the slabs. Extra holes therefore can be rectangular on walls, but they can be rotated, dragged and shaped with less restraints on the floor.

Editing individual tiles and rows

You can edit your existing tiling plan any time you want to. Changes can be made in the Object Default Settings window or on the layout by using moving hotspots.

If you want to change the outlines of your tiling plan, you should use the Geometry View Mode on the layout. This view appears on the layout automatically together with wall tiling plans, but not with floor tiling plans. You can adjust this view mode in the Object Default Settings window, under the General Settings site. Extra holes, window, door and wall edges can be edited in this view mode as well.

If you want to adjust the texture of individual tiles or rows, the offset of tiles or the height of certain rows, you will need to use the Tile View Mode. You may also rotate the tiles or move the origin of your tiling plan.

Placing individual polygons and rectangles

The ArchiCAD ˝Accessories˝ Add-On can not handle the tiling of curved, slanted or double slanted walls. You can however use individual poligonal or rectangular tiling objects to be able to create tiling plans for these wall segments too.

Individual polygons and rectangles can be used for tiling both walls and floors. All the adjustments mentioned in the Editing individual tiles and rows section above can be applied to these individual objects as well.

Tiling palette

You can use tiles of different textures and sizes on your tiling plan. The pattern for tiles can be selected from the tiling palette on your layout. This palette can be found next to the Tile view mode. You can adjust the settings of the tiles of the palette in the Object Default Settings window. Individual textures can be defined by typing the file name of the pattern into the Texture Name box. The application can only call the textures from the textures folder in the eptar_Tiling_library folder. If you want to use your own patterns or textures, copy them into the textures folder mentioned above.

You can change the tiling palette globally in the Eptar Tiling Settings panel, that can be found under Document> Set Model View> Model View Options.

Component list

Component lists can be made by using the built in lisiting by ArchiCAD. Quantity of tiling elements can be calculated in gross or net square meters or in pieces, according to your wishes and settings.

Making elevation plans

Although [eptar] Tiling application was initially designed to make tiling plans, it can be used to draw and edit elevation plans for different modular wall facade systems. Tiling can be applied for both sides of the wall, and textures and size of tiling elements can be adjusted without restraint, therefore any modular cladding element can be represented by it.

The DEMO version of [eptar] Tiling and other useful tools can be downloaded from the eptar website: www.eptar.hu/cadsupport.php.

This application can be used if the eptar_Tiling_Library is added to the linked libraries in ArchiCAD. The Tiling application needs ArchiCAD ˝Accessories˝ Add-On to function fully, however individual elements will work without the Add-On. The ˝Accessories˝ Add-On is free to download from the Graphisoft website.

The post Guest Blogger Kata Danis: [eptar] Tiling Accessory for ArchiCAD appeared first on Shoegnome.

ArchiCAD is considered to be a modeling program for architects only. We at Eptar Ltd. however do not think that is the case. We believe that ArchiCAD can be made capable of handling not only architects’ but other designers’ preferences as well.

The [eptar] Reinforcement solution was developed to make sure that architects and structural engineers can work together in ArchiCAD on the same BIM model. While developing the solution we were mainly thinking about medium size architectural firms where architectural and structural planning goes hand in hand. But the [eptar] Reinforcement could be useful for anyone who has to draw and model reinforcing of buildings. Our aim was to build a cheap and easy-to-use tool, which can help with this problem and complement ArchiCAD.

The basic working method of Reinforcement is not complicated. The solution consists of two parts: an object library and an Add-On.

ArchiCAD users are already used to elements and objects that can be defined by giving them parameters in the settings window. Elements of the Reinforcement solution are no exceptions. Individual elements such as rebars, meshes, and stirrups can be found in the Objects category, and be set and placed as any regular ArchiCAD object. Users can define the type, diameter, quality, measures of the steel elements, choose their position and set different display options and labels in the settings window. Placed objects appear in both 2D and 3D views at the same time, and most features can be adjusted in these views as well. The basic and most used rebar shapes are prepared in the library, but users also have the opportunity to use the polygonal form, where edges can be added and altered with the help of moving hotspots on the plan, and therefore make almost any shape they want. In fact, almost any reinforcement plan could be modeled with the use of individual elements only; however there are a few more options in [eptar] Reinforcement, which can make your work easier.

If you have got the free-to-download ArchiCAD Accessories Add-On, you will be able to place rebar and mesh elements into slabs of any shape automatically. This feature is really useful if you have a slab that has slanted or arched contours; there is no need to adjust the rebars one-by-one as the Add-On accomplishes it in one easy step.

It could also be useful to define the structural elements that are used several times in the same plan. We have special commands in the Reinforcement menu, which link the rebars, stirrups and concrete elements together and make complex elements (column, beam and crowning) as a result, and those can be placed as coherent items.

A feature of the newest version of the Reinforcement tool is that stirrups and meshes can be rotated in three directions of space. That enables users to adapt to the different needs of architects and be able to draw even the wildest reinforcement constructions.

The solution also lends a hand with the final step of the reinforcement design. Cutting lists can easily be generated from the placed steel elements. The “Generate cutting list” command not only lists and counts length, overlapping, weight data, and sums weight by quality, but also ensures there is no mistake in the numbering of different steel elements; if two rebars have got the same ID number, [eptar] Reinforcement renumbers one of them. Data from cutting list can be exported into tabulated TXT format, so different programs can handle them.

We often get the question if our solution supports local standards. Reinforcement is designed to be a general solution. Weight data and diameters can be set generally, so anyone could modify them according to local needs. Shapes that differ from the preset ones could be defined with polygon option. We have also got many requests for different display options and are working on integrating them into the solution. We also accept suggestions from our users on how to make the solution even better, and provide quick and efficient technical support.

To sum up, our aim is to create a really useful tool, which can transform ArchiCAD into a great program for drawing reinforcement plans. If you are interested in the program come to our web shop and try the DEMO version. The newest version came out just two weeks ago, so if you have tried the solution before, check it out once more, you may find some interesting improvements.

There are also videos on our Youtube channel that show the functionality of [eptar] Reinforcement.

If you’re not familiar with [eptar], you should also check out their Tiling Accessory for ArchiCAD. Did you enjoy this post? Follow Shoegnome on Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube for more…

The post Guest Blogger Kata Danis: Reinforcement plans in ArchiCAD appeared first on Shoegnome.

Thanks to Rob Jackson of Bond Bryan Architects for sharing this with me.

“The UK has developed a protocol document designed for use with BIM projects, known as the AEC (UK) BIM Protocols. The set of documents builds on the guidelines and frameworks defined by the UK standards documents, including BS1192:2007 and PAS1192-2:2013 alongside proven best practice procedures, providing a clear, concise path to implementation for BIM authoring software.

The documents are made up of a central document which forms the “hub” of a complete software-based solution. The “hub” document contains the protocols that are common to all software solutions and this is then supplemented by additional documents for each specific software solution.

In the case of GRAPHISOFT ArchiCAD, Version 1 was published in March 2013 and contains the specific protocols for use on projects using GRAPHISOFT ArchiCAD, along with additional documentation that supports working with ArchiCAD as a BIM tool. Additional documentation includes model validation checklists for both import and export along with a checklist for template creation. Documents can be found here.

The first version was assembled by a committee made up of UK ArchiCAD users, including both architects and contractors, along with representatives from Graphisoft UK. The committee is chaired by Rob Jackson of Bond Bryan Architects. Any comments or feedback on the documentation can be made on the AEC (UK) CAD and BIM Standards site.”

Other updates in Cobbler’s Workbench Revision #4

BIM Protocols – ArchiCAD: Is anyone aware of any other BIM Protocols out there for ArchiCAD? If so, please let me know so that I can add them to the list. Also it should be noted that even if you’re not in the UK, the above BIM Protocols are worth a read. Some really good and valuable stuff in there.

dRofus 1.6 beta: The latest addition to my list of programs that integrate directly with ArchiCAD. Here’s the blurb from their website:

“For several years we have offered a flexible bi-directional plug-in for Revit users. Now we are happy to announce that our first edition of ArchiCAD Add On is out in BETA for testing. This first release focuses on linking and synchronizing rooms, areas and room parameters, making the daily workflow for ArchiCAD users more flexible and effective when working with dRofus.” Download the Beta here.

For all of my ArchiCAD resources, check the ArchiCAD Resources page.

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This is great news from last week. Now you can start using OrthoGraph on the iPad with direct, NATIVE export to ArchiCAD for under about 150 euros. Note, you’ll need both OrthoGraph ArchiCAD Import Module SE (99 euros) and Orthograph Architect for iPad (39.99 euros).

OrthoGraph ArchiCAD Import Module SE lets you import 50 rooms per file from the iPad directly to ArchiCAD–which is bigger than any house I’ve ever measured.

If you’re not familiar with OrthoGraph Architect for iPad, you can read more about it and watch some cool videos here.

Now I just need a couple hundred extra dollars to buy an iPad…

The post OrthoGraph ArchiCAD Import Module SE has launched appeared first on Shoegnome.

Visit Shoegnome’s ArchiCAD Resource Page Version 1.3

So I had an idea a few weeks ago. I’d create a second website. It’d have a comprehensive list of websites that had ArchiCAD content on them –objects, add-ons, templates, tutorials, etc. It’d be great. Maybe eventually I could become a reseller for some of the products, create a one-stop shop for paid and free content, and turn the second website into an ArchiCAD mall. I had a great name for the site: The Cobbler’s Workbench. In my weird world of bizarre names it fits perfectly. Shoegnome is about improving process. The Cobbler’s Workbench would be about getting access to better tools. I love the expansion of my mis-remembered Brother’s Grimm Mythos.

But then I started doing research and compiling lists. There is a LOT of ArchiCAD content out there. Some is new and current, some is stagnant or a few years old. Much of it is in English, but a lot isn’t. All together it is WAY too much for me to organize and manage. And I’m not the first person to try something like this.

So instead I’m going to do something smaller. I’ve created a curated list of 20 or so websites that have objects, tutorials, templates, add-ons, etc. that I think have high value to the community. Most of it is stuff you have to pay for, but within each site is some free content. And there are at least two sites which are completely free.

Some Disclaimer Language

I’m not including blogs or ArchiCAD websites without downloadable content as a main feature. Graphisoft has a list of ArchiCAD blogs here. If I included your site, but you’d rather I describe what you offer in a different manner, or if you think there’s a site I should include, e-mail me. This list is a work in progress and my intent is not to fuss about perfection. It’s a labor of love, like the rest of this site. Perhaps a future version of the page will have pictures, reviews, lots of fancy stuff.

I don’t have any official connection to any of these sites, except as follows: like many ArchiCAD resellers, agents, and content providers, I’m an affiliate of Bobrow Consulting. This means if you click on one of my Bobrow links and then buy one of his products I get credit. It’s a nice little perk for me and doesn’t effect your cost. As of 02/19/12 I’m also an affiliate for Vaneshrie Sullivan’s book as well.

You’ll notice that I now have an Amazon Affiliate widget on the site. I’m trying this out for two reasons. First, I’d like to share books that influence and compliment what I’m writing about. Perhaps it’s a book on leadership that’s informing some blog posts about how to manage elements in an ArchiCAD file or maybe it’s a book on videogame critic that got me thinking about why some people succeed at ArchiCAD and others don’t. Additionally there are a handful (not enough in my opinion) of ArchiCAD books and resources that you can buy on Amazon. And much like the resource page, I want to help share them. So that’s the altruistic reason. Point Two is this: towards the end of 2011 and the beginning of 2012, I’ve been thinking a lot about how to monetize the blog in non-annoying ways. Having Amazon Affiliate links is one experiment. If you click on one of the Amazon links and then buy that book, or anything else on that visit to Amazon, I get a referral commission. That’s great for me and, like my links to Eric Bobrow’s products and Vaneshrie Sullivan’s book, has no material effect on you. Hopefully it’ll generate some income and free up some more time for me to add even more content to the blog.

The post The Cobbler’s Workbench appeared first on Shoegnome.

A bit more exciting news about OrthoGraph, from their blog:

Many of our users have asked and we listened. The beta version of OrthoGraph ArchiCAD Import Module has just been released, a dedicated application for extending ArchiCAD to read OrthoGraph Architect’s native “.srvd” file format.

The current beta version supports the conversions of up to 5 rooms with full functionality from drawings made using the iPad version of OrthoGraph. This limitation can be turned off in the final release by purchasing a licence for the fraction of the price of OrthoGraph Survey, for about €400/$500.

For those users, who don’t need this professional unlimited functionality the 5 rooms limit and the merge function of ArchiCAD is also supported to do their measures step by step for an unlimited time.

For further details please read the OrthoGraph ArchiCAD Import Module’s product page.

The post OrthoGraph ArchiCAD Import Module has been unleashed appeared first on Shoegnome.

Building Collaboration Format simplifies BIM collaboration

Eindhoven, October 10, 2013 – KUBUS takes BIM collaboration to the next level with the release of BCF Managers for both Revit and ArchiCAD. Building Collaboration Format (BCF) allows issues found by model checking software to be easily displayed in ArchiCAD or Revit. BCF enables an efficient collaboration workflow for model quality assurance and quality control, and is supported by Solibri, BIMsight, Tekla Structures and DDS-CAD.

Besides information about selected objects and viewpoints, BCF contains information about issue status and the team member assigned to solve it. Processed issues can be marked ‘completed’ and comments can be added, which means that only active issues and not the entire BIM model need to be communicated between team members. This capability enables a powerful and open collaboration between all parties during the design and building process.

“Team members who want to inform each other on issues that need to be addressed, currently send each other Excel schemas or complete models including notes. Such a workflow is time-consuming, fragile, or doesn’t even work at all when working with different BIM softwares. BCF is an intelligent way of communicating issues between BIM software applications and is rapidly evolving into the standard for today’s construction industry.” Says Erik Pijnenburg, general director of KUBUS BV

Using BCF results in a more efficient and accurate workflow because communication within a project, and between team members is improved. Initial results shows that the use of BCF provides a much-improved workflow as well as eliminating the need to transfer large BIM files over the Internet. BCF focuses on the process and how to cooperate with different BIM software, instead of just addressing the features of one specific tool. Solibri, Inc., and Tekla Corporation developed the BCF concept, and they have transferred ownership and rights of the BCF schema to BuildingSMART for adoption as an open standard for the benefit of the whole industry.

Some useful BCF Links:

BCF Manager
What is BCF?
Buy now

About KUBUS

KUBUS offers BIM for Design & Build firms. And as an exclusive distributor for Graphisoft and Solibri, Inc. (within the Benelux), KUBUS promotes OpenBIM and IFC workflow solutions. KUBUS also develops the following software: Building Specifications for Dutch standards, cost-calculations and eco-cost material analysis based on BIM. From offices in Eindhoven, Amsterdam, and Belgrade, KUBUS services over 2.000 customers within the construction industry of the Benelux. www.kubusinfo.com

Press contact: Rosa van Tour | marketing@kubusinfo.com | T. +31 (0) 40 213 1950

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I learned how easy importing files from SketchUp to ArchiCAD 17 is today. So I recorded a quick video to show you. First off I apologize that I’m talking a little fast in this video; I’m trying to be more aware of that. I was excited, my coffee to food ratio is off today, and it’s been a long week so I’m tired (put those three together and I get a little spastic). Don’t worry. The steps are all very clear and so so easy. Insanely easy. So insanely easy that you have no excuse to not start using the SketchUp warehouse as an ArchiCAD Object repository. Oh and this trick works for any SketchUp file. So if you’re bringing in an entire building or some file your coworker created: same process.

Want More? Here’s FOUR posts you should be aware of. The first two posts contain videos that talk more about Object creation and augmentation. The third post talks more about stealing from SketchUp. And the fourth post covers the PolyCount Add-On, which you should be knowledgeable about. If you are going to be pulling in lots of external content, then you need to be aware of polygons in ArchiCAD. The speed of your model depends on it.

Like this video? Follow Shoegnome on Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube for more…

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Modify Wall Reference Line in ArchiCAD 17

Now that everyone is using ArchiCAD 17 and familiar with its new workflows (ok maybe not everyone has upgraded), I’d like to talk about some of the smaller features and enhancements I helped with in this version and explain things in a little bit more detail. To start I want to share some insight into the redesigned Modify Wall Reference Line dialogue, which supports the new references line locations and therefore replaces the previous “Wall Extras”, which modifies and removes some of the previous needed workarounds.

As the reference line is so important in ArchiCAD, for wall stretching, clean up and editing, we weren’t able to integrate the moving of the reference line within the element itself. We considered an additional pet palette option to graphically move the reference line, however the Modify Wall Structure dialogue can modify any number of Walls at once which graphical editing wouldn’t have been able to do.

AC16 “Modify Wall Structure” > AC17 dialogue removed

In ArchiCAD 16 and before, this dialogue was used as a workaround to switch the structure in selected Walls to another structure, whilst keeping the original core position intact. The result correctly moved those Walls but only calculated the appropriate reference line offset—semi-automating a manual process, but really just faking it. If the structure changed again, the process would need to be repeated, which wasn’t very intuitive compared to changing the structure directly in the tool settings and Info Box. In ArchiCAD 17, the newly integrated Wall reference line locations negated the need for this dialogue and workaround, so it was an easy decision to retire the dialogue completely.

AC16 “Modify Wall Reference Line” > AC17 dialogue rebuilt

Before rebuilding and integrating this dialogue into ArchiCAD 17 (side note: when I started working on this project, I learned that the dialogue was previously an add-on), we had to investigate the existing warnings and potential model errors resulting from issuing the command. For example, there were a number of Wall types that were not supported and therefore would give the user a warning message and cancel the operation (which wasn’t very useful is many situations). These non-supported situations included: no Walls in the selection, no editable Walls in the selection, Walls with a Center reference line, Profiled, Trapezoid and Polygon Walls. Some of these situations still remain, while others have been updated, or are now supported.

Whilst (for a number of technical reasons) Trapezoid and Polygon Walls are still not supported by this dialogue in ArchiCAD 17, if these types are in the selection the dialogue will still open but now provide a warning that those types will be ignored (instead of cancelling the operation as it previously did). Center and Profiled Walls are now supported but provide warning icons on the dialogue interface with tooltips to indicate they are not supported for those particular commands—like Offset for Center Walls or Reference Line Locations for Profiled Walls. If there is a missing Composite attribute in the selection this will also throw up a warning after the user clicks OK on the dialogue, indicating that the operation cannot be performed for those Walls. Whilst many of these cases may be rare, it was still important to address them.

As for the user interface overhaul of the dialogue, along with the new reference line locations, it allowed us to simplify and add a couple of additional features. With the left/right logic of ArchiCAD 16 and before replaced with Outside/Inside Face and flip, the previous “no change/left/right/invert all sides” radio buttons was replaced with “Mirror Walls in Place” checkbox regardless of the reference line locations in the selection. “Mirror Doors and Windows” was added to maintain the previous behaviour of Wall flip not affecting openings, and to simplify the previous workaround of using rotate and mirror on every opening. The previously faked offset was changed to relocating the reference line to one of the new locations with the option of an additional offset.

That was all maybe a little more technical than it perhaps needed to be, but basically we investigated the existing behaviour of the ArchiCAD 16 dialogues and used that as the basis of the new dialogue—as we couldn’t really reuse the previous add-on. For some Wall types like Trapezoid the dialogue would have provided very limited functionality so we decided not to add support for it (keeping it as per ArchiCAD 16, and avoiding more warning icons on the interface). Where possibly we tried to improve functionality and accessibility to various Wall types and with multi-selection. And I think no one will miss the old Modify Wall Structure dialogue, RIP.

Previously James wrote a guest post on ArchiCAD and Urban Design, you should read that next.

Want more ArchiCAD inspiration and help? Follow Shoegnome on Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube for more… AND while you’re at it, you can follow James on Twitter to: @JRPBadcock. You know he’s worth following when his first two followers on Twitter were me and Rob Jackson from Bond Bryan Architects.

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OrthoGraph ArchiCAD Import Module SE lets you import 50 rooms per file from the iPad directly to ArchiCAD–which is bigger than any house I’ve ever measured.

If you’re not familiar with OrthoGraph Architect for iPad, you can read more about it and watch some cool videos here.

Now I just need a couple hundred extra dollars to buy an iPad…

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Modelport by AECobjects.com

From my ArchiCAD resources page:

AECobjects (a division of ARCHIVISTA, inc) has Modelport, which is an add-on that will import OBJ, FBX, DAE, and 3DS files into ArchiCAD as Objects. “MODELPORT uses the Autodesk FBX SDK, which is the same code used by Autodesk to create a bridge between their popular 3D software: Maya, Softimage XSI, 3DStudio MAX, etc.”

This isn’t new; it’s been out for a few months. But I’m so far behind. I kept putting this post off because I wanted to test the add-on out myself. I knew exactly what I’d download. I’d find an OBJ or FBX of the Noguchi coffee table and import it into ArchiCAD. If you’ve downloaded my template, you might have noticed there’s a 2D symbol for the Noguchi coffee table in the embedded library. The only coffee table I show in plans is that table. The only coffee table I want to show in 3D views is that table. It is perfection in coffee table form. It’s the only coffee table I’ll ever own (I’ve had two—my first got damaged in the move from Boston to Seattle; I was pissed). Alas, I’m so far behind on everything that spending some time playing with this add-on keeps getting put off. Eventually I’ll get to it and then write a post about the experience. Unless…anyone have time to experiment with this add-on? If someone wants to write a guest post, that’d be awesome. Maybe you could write about importing the Noguchi Coffee table?????? E-mail me.

The great thing about an add-on like this is that it helps push rendering farther. With the CineRender rendering engine in ArchiCAD 18, we finally have the capability (for non-Lightworks geniuses) to make really good renderings directly out of ArchiCAD. I’ve done a few and I’ve been very pleased with the results. Mostly I’ve just stuck with the defaults—I love Graphisoft’s analogy of using an automatic camera vs actually using all the settings manually. I’m happy to use the automatic scenes, with some subtle tweaks. Okay a few more tweaks each time…which is the way we become masters, right? Baby steps.

We can now make great renderings, but what ArchiCAD lacks is an endless supply of entourage: the perfect couch, the right teapot on the counter, the client’s favorite flowers or sports car, all the stuff that takes a rendering from very good to very special. Modelport offers one solution: access to millions of OBJ, FBX, DAE, and 3DS files imported directly into ArchiCAD.

Last minute update: for more on Modelport, check out AECObject’s webinar on demand.

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We have our next Seattle ArchiCAD User Group scheduled. Please notice that we are now meeting in a non-downtown location at a slightly later time (like we did in February). Everyone liked February’s location and time so much that I think this will become our new normal. Here are the details:

Date:

Thursday April 30, 2015
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Location:

DeForest Architects
1148 NW Leary Way
Seattle, WA 98107

Host:

Jesse Gallanar, GSNA’s sales manager for Washington, Oregon, and Alaska

Special Thanks:

Geoff Briggs, John DeForest and the whole team at DeForest Architects for letting us congregate in their new space.

What’s Happening:

When you register, you’ll see the official topics of discussion. After the last user group in February, there was a consensus that a great topic would be BIMx Pro, add-ons, 3rd party Objects, and all the things that don’t come out of the box when you buy ArchiCAD—not that anyone actually gets a box anymore. So that’s what we’re going to discuss. If you use a particular add-on or Object, think about bringing your laptop to share. We’ll have Geoff’s machine and mine, but that definitely won’t cover the full gambit of add-ons. I’m going to use the meeting as the final excuse I need to buy Modelport. That also means I hope to have some renderings to share that contain Objects I created via Modelport.

Of course as anyone who’s ever been to a user group that I’ve run knows, lengthy lectures aren’t the goal. The official topics are just a starting point. What I want to see—and what I hope the topics will facilitate—is a two hour discussion about ArchiCAD that continues afterwards at a local bar**. So if you don’t care about 3rd party stuff, don’t worry. Show up and change the subject. Sound good? Bring whatever you need: questions, a project, a printout, a gripe, a coworker, a friend, a disgruntled Revit user, a prospective user. I don’t care. I just want to get a big bunch of passionate ArchiCAD and BIM users together to talk about what’s important. You in? ALSO…if you have a question or topic you’d like to have discussed, please e-mail me ahead of time. I can’t promise we’ll cover it (especially if you ask about EcoDesigner STAR), but we’ll do our best.

Please share this post and e-mail it to all your coworkers. I know not everyone gets the official e-mails about user groups—especially new and/or quieter employees.

**100% yes we will be having an after-party ArchiCAD nerdfest at a nearby bar. Geoff tells me there are a lot of great places to go close to their new office. And I assume, as with the previous meetings, Jesse will be feeding us.

Seattle Area ArchiCAD User Mailing List

I’m creating a mailing list for ArchiCAD users in the Seattle Area (or people interested in Seattle Area ArchiCAD events). If that describes you, sign up by clicking here.

A Big Link to Register for the User Group

In case you missed the link above, here it is again: REGISTER HERE!

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BUDAPEST, April 30, 2015 — GRAPHISOFT®, the leading Building Information Modeling (BIM) architectural software developer, has announced a Rhino® connection for ArchiCAD. The connection enables ArchiCAD users on both the Mac and Windows platforms to import Rhino models into ArchiCAD as GDL objects.

Guggenheim Helsinki Design Competition Entry by Nikken Sekkei

The Rhino-ArchiCAD link converts a Rhino model into ArchiCAD geometry. The container of the Rhino-based model is GDL, which is ArchiCAD’s generic object format. For larger and complex models, GRAPHISOFT has introduced the option to convert a Rhino model into a set of (smaller) GDL objects. This process enables the user to retain separate logical parts within the same model while providing a functionality to monitor and easily update the imported Rhino models in ArchiCAD. The LCF option is also advised to enable ArchiCAD’s performance optimization algorithm to work seamlessly on an imported large Rhino model.

“We welcome Rhinoceros into the ArchiCAD community,” said László Vértesi, GRAPHISOFT Vice President of Product Development. “Rhino provides a robust modeling capability that nicely compliments the ArchiCAD BIM solution.”

“Our users always want better integration with the other tools that they use,” said Robert McNeel, CEO, Robert McNeel & Associates. “We are delighted to be working with GRAPHISOFT to meet our users’ demands,” he added.

This technology has been developed as part of an ongoing collaboration between GRAPHISOFT and Nikken Sekkei that aims to develop future technologies for architectural design.

For more information and to download the Rhino add-on for ArchiCAD, please visit http://www.graphisoft.com/downloads/addons/interoperability/rhino.html.

About Rhino

About Nikken Sekkei

One of the world’s largest architectural design firms with over 2,400 professional staff, Nikken Sekkei and its eight Group companies offer comprehensive design, engineering, management, consulting and R&D services. Established in 1900, the company’s portfolio consists of over 20,000 projects in 40 countries. Its activities cover a wide spectrum of sustainable public and private endeavors including: new city design, high-density/mixed-use transit-oriented developments, super high-rise buildings, business parks, offices and facilities for commercial, cultural, educational and healthcare use. Nikken Sekkei is headquartered in Tokyo and maintains branch offices in Singapore, China, Korea, Vietnam and the UAE. In growing to its present position, the company has constantly focused on development of new methods and technologies that redefine design for current needs and priorities.

About GRAPHISOFT

GRAPHISOFT® ignited the BIM revolution in 1984 with ArchiCAD®, the industry-first BIM software for architects. GRAPHISOFT continues to lead the industry with innovative solutions such as its revolutionary BIMcloud®, the world’s first real-time BIM collaboration environment, EcoDesigner™, the world’s first fully BIM-integrated “GREEN” design solution and BIMx®, the world’s leading mobile app for BIM visualization. GRAPHISOFT has been a part of the Nemetschek Group since its acquisition in 2007. Visit archicad.com to see the most important milestones in ArchiCAD’s 30-year history.

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If you already purchased Modelport for ARCHICAD 16-18:

For those of us with a license of Modelport already, AECobjects has recently released the add-on for ARCHICAD 19, which we get as a free upgrade. You can download it here. As far as I can tell, there are no changes to the previous ARCHICAD 18 version, other than that it now works in ARCHICAD 19. I’d of course love more features, but just having the add-on for 19 makes me happy—especially because I have some rendering to do over the next two weeks.

If you don’t own Modelport or don’t know what I’m talking about:

Here’s a link to a post I wrote a few months ago.

If you don’t know what Modelport is and want to know the ultra basics:

From my ArchiCAD resources page:

AECobjects (a division of ARCHIVISTA, inc) has Modelport, which is an add-on that will import OBJ, FBX, DAE, and 3DS files into ArchiCAD as Objects. “MODELPORT uses the Autodesk FBX SDK, which is the same code used by Autodesk to create a bridge between their popular 3D software: Maya, Softimage XSI, 3DStudio MAX, etc.”

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BUDAPEST, September 15, 2015 – GRAPHISOFT®, the leading Building Information Modeling (BIM) software developer for architects and designers, has announced the public beta version of its Rhino–Grasshopper–ARCHICAD connection. Industry-first, bidirectional “real-time” connection allows architects and designers to use their favorite algorithmic design tool (Grasshopper) in combination with professional BIM software (ARCHICAD) through a best-in-class iterative design workflow.

The Rhino-Grasshopper-ARCHICAD connection offers a unique design workflow, helping to explore a large number of design variations, and create and fine-tune building details and structures using algorithms without exchanging files. It complements GRAPHISOFT’s native file format support for Rhinoceros that enables designers to open and save Rhino project files of any size or complexity with ARCHICAD. By extending the existing natural link between Rhino and Grasshopper, the new tool empowers architects to start and modify their designs in any of the three design environments — Rhino, Grasshopper or ARCHICAD. “In addition to a standard BIM design approach that is based on assembling building elements, the Rhino–Grasshopper–ARCHICAD connection will bring the benefits of using BIM at the early design phase, when buildings elements are still undifferentiated,” said Tomohiko Yamanashi, Executive Officer and Deputy Head of Architectural Design Department at Nikken Sekkei. ”This connection will also help align the traditional design process with the computational design approach. I am looking forward to seeing BIM become a friendlier design tool for architects.”

For more information, to sign-up for our public beta (beginning on September 28) or to register for our free, online webinar on October 6, please visit http://www.graphisoft.com/rhino-grasshopper/

About Nikken Sekkei

About Rhinoceros and Grasshopper

Rhinoceros® 5.0, developed by Robert McNeel & Associates, is the market leader in industrial design modeling software. Highly complicated shapes can be directly modeled or acquired through 3D digitizers. With its powerful NURBS based engine Rhinoceros® 5.0 can create, edit, analyze, and translate curves, surfaces, and solids. There are no limits on complexity, degree, or size. For designers who are exploring new shapes using generative algorithms, Grasshopper® is a graphical algorithm editor tightly integrated with Rhino’s 3D modeling tools. Grasshopper requires no knowledge of programming or scripting, but still allows designers to build form generators from the simple to the awe-inspiring.

About GRAPHISOFT

GRAPHISOFT® ignited the BIM revolution in 1984 with ARCHICAD®, the industry-first BIM software for architects. GRAPHISOFT continues to lead the industry with innovative solutions such as its revolutionary BIMcloud®, the world’s first real-time BIM collaboration environment, EcoDesigner™, the world’s first fully BIM-integrated “GREEN” design solution and BIMx®, the world’s leading mobile app for BIM visualization. GRAPHISOFT has been a part of the Nemetschek Group since its acquisition in 2007.

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