This blog is about using BIM on a day to day basis. I cover ArchiCAD tips and tricks, BIM and management thoughts, and occasionally how this all relates to the Minnesota ArchiCAD Usergroup (which I started in 2009). The specifics are about ArchiCAD—that’s the software I use and sell—but the overall themes are relevant regardless of your software. Programs are just tools. BIM is a mentality.
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.
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 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 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.
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.
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.
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.”
The Interactive ArchiCAD Practice Manual came from the realization that, although there are numerous books on teaching ArchiCAD users how to use the tools and navigate around projects, there is not much guidance on how to apply this software in the most efficient manner in an everyday office environment. ArchiCAD is both user friendly and customizable, giving users the freedom to work in the software in countless ways. The price to be paid for this flexibility is that, in an office with many staff and no basic guidelines, the wheel is constantly re-invented. Over 10 years of training ArchiCAD users, I have also noticed that new features are not being applied in a structured format. Many users work with the latest software, but neglect the newer tools and workflows.
The standards in the Interactive ArchiCAD Practice Manual aim to provide solutions to setting up Projects that are easily adaptable through phases of Planning, Tender, Construction, Interiors and As-Built drawings, and have been developed over the years. This book refers to ArchiCAD version 14, however, it is possible to adapt the standards to suit older versions as well. I am hoping that the Interactive ArchiCAD Practice Manual together with standard templates and example files available for download will be a starting point to assist offices in creating the foundations for a structured Practice. It is my hope that every ArchiCAD user will find this book beneficial to their practice.
It is my intention to continue working with newer versions of ArchiCAD and to keep updating these standards. I also offer consultancy services to ArchiCAD users, such as Tailoring Custom Office Templates, Creating Translator Files, Training, Technical Support, Creating Library Parts, etc.
It’s been a while, so let’s get together and talk ArchiCAD…
Date:
Monday January 30, 2011 | 6:30PM – 8:30 PM |
Location:
Wilkus Architects
11487 Valley View Rd
Eden Prarie, MN
Many of us have been using ArchiCAD 15 for half a year now. I’m sure we’ll talk about what we’ve learned and how we’ve been liking it. Does anyone have any projects they’d like to share? I know I have a few. And over the past few months I’ve learned a bunch of new tricks –both productivity and modeling techniques. So I’ll share as many of those as I can. As always feel free to bring anything you want to share and any questions you might have. We’ll have a projector and at least one machine with AC11-15. If there’s anything specific you’d like to learn about, or you want more information, feel free to e-mail me before hand.
Since the release of ArchiCAD 15 I’ve enjoyed using the shell tool–more for it’s ability to be reshaped in 3D, plan, section, and elevation than its crazy form-making opportunities. BIMES has created a 4 minute video that highlights how impressive and versatile the shell tool is and I am just blown away. Enjoy.
This video originally came from a blog post by BIMES that explains the origin and reasoning behind this interesting form. It’s worth a read.
One additional thing worth mentioning that’s not covered in the video. Once the shell is created, it can be saved (like anything else) as an object for ease of replication in the project. Any time you need to have multiple copies of a form created by the shell tool, it’s worth thinking about creating an object. Since currently a shell can’t have multiple instances that link back to a master element, if you have 100 identical forms they couldn’t all be redefined with a few simple clicks. But saving the shell as an embedded object fixes that and is very easy. Refine the shell, resave the object and the updates are propagated to all the placed objects. Fast and easy. I’ve got a video on my to do list that shows how that process works more clearly.
Thanks BIMES for the awesome video. Can’t wait for more!
I officially entered the building design realm through the Architecture and Environmental Design course at the University of Canberra. After constantly being told that my ideals were that of a dreamer I became unsure of myself and decided the safe option was to follow the notions of friends, family and university Lecturer’s on “what life is”. However I felt nothing when I reached the milestones they said would bring fulfilment; and in the space of two weeks all I was told to aim for crumbled, and I found myself in a deep dark hole. So I threw their notions to the wind, clawed my way out of the hole and began beating my own path. Lesson 1; follow your heart not your head, because others will fill it with rubbish that does not apply to you.
Within my first year in the industry I had taught myself ArchiCAD and was already much faster than the experienced ArchiCAD users around me. My deeper understanding of the program meant that I was relied upon for maintaining and developing ArchiCAD systems within every company I worked for.
While delving into the capabilities of ArchiCAD I began to explore the wonderful world of parametric objects. I then began teaching myself all the nuances of ArchiCAD’s GDL scripting language. GDL, at its peak, is a very well organized series of geometric equations with a maze of variables. I discovered that creating parametric GDL objects gave me a great deal of satisfaction.
There is something very fulfilling about seeing parametric 3D objects come to life through mathematical equations. Perhaps it’s that overwhelming urge to create and understand form that many of us from the non-child-bearing gender experience. Whatever it is, I knew I had found my calling.
When I moved to Brisbane the head and the heart battled again; I was running out of money and my head was telling me to take one of the many jobs I was offered, but my heart, for no apparent reason, was set on working for Cottee Parker Architects. A couple days before my funds ran dry the call from CPA finally came and I was hired before the job interview was over.
My heart new best; the 3 years I worked for CPA was the best opportunity I could have to develop my skills. I spent the first year in CPA’s Brisbane office assisting with the development of their impeccable ArchiCAD template. Working on large scale projects taught me more about exploiting ArchiCAD’s full potential. I was also relied on to develop a series of intelligent parametric GDL library parts.
Being a small town boy at heart, one year in the big smoke was all I could bear. Also, my ArchiCAD development work for CPA was still only, at best, 50% of my workload; my speed made me far too useful as a documenter. These two factors prompted me to move from Brisbane back to a small coastal town. However, when I discussed this with Robert Cottee he asked me to continue doing ArchiCAD development work for CPA from wherever I planned to move to. I jump at the opportunity and for the next two years I worked as a remote ArchiCAD manager, developer and trainer for CPA.
Two solid years of GDL scripting was a great opportunity to learn what is possible with ArchiCAD library parts. It helped me to isolate the best scripting methods to ensure the parts I create are of the highest standard. When my role with CPA was terminated in October 2008 due to the Global Financial Crisis, I began working on my advanced set of GDL Library Parts.
Swift Joinery
Swift Gutter Plus
In the last few years I have consulted to a large number of small, medium and large architectural firms, optimizing their ArchiCAD systems. I have discovered that the majority of people, and companies, do not use ArchiCAD very well.
My goal with ArchiCAD is the same as it was in the beginning; to automate as many processes as possible simply by modelling building elements. The only way to do this effectively is through GDL Library Parts. You are not working efficiently if you use a tool to model an element and then have to add in lines and text and other manual 2D information to complete the representation of that element in all views and schedules. Modelling will be tedious if you have to use a boring parameter list to configure each aspect of the modeled element. With moveable hotspots in 2D and 3D and polished user interfaces, my library parts bring joy and speed back into modelling.
The idea of BIM is information in a model, the idea of Swift library parts is enjoying modelling every building element and having ALL required information in the modeled element. I will continue to develop intelligent design tools through GDL and help everyone enjoy the BIM process as much as possible. Visit CADSwift to learn more.
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.
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, 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.
Wisdom from the Crowd