ArchiCAD 6.0 is CAD software for use by architects
and building designers. David Sutherland examines how ArchiCAD 6.0 might be
used to assist in the design and documentation of a typical building project
through a practical example. Building up an ArchiCAD model of the building,
the tools and processes used are described. It is important to note that
this document ignores or touches only lightly on many of the capabilities of
ArchiCAD.
Part II
Design Development Phase
Plans
Finding and selecting elements After the ‘first pass through’, we are less likely to be adding
new elements, and more likely to be amending or adding detail to existing
elements. One of the more useful tools in ArchiCAD is the Find/Select tool,
which allows us to find and select elements in the building model, using a
variety of criteria. Typical of ArchiCAD, this tool is graphic and
interactive in the way it is used.
Adding internal walls, columns and fixtures As part of the development of our design, we are going to add
further detail to our building plans. Using the wall tool, we will be adding
internal walls to our apartments. In those walls we will insert doors using
the doors tool and, using the Column tool, we will be adding structural
elements. Fitout information, including fittings and fixtures, will be added
through the use of library objects. These objects will also form the basis
of any internal elevations required for documentation of the project. Those
elevations can be generated automatically using the section/elevation tool.
It is now time to replace the schematic presentation type of
wall hatch with representation of real construction. If the appropriate
hatch pattern is not available in the software, we will create that pattern
simply using the Composite structures command. We then select our walls
using the find/select tool, and choose the new hatch pattern.
We may add further dimensions by selecting existing
dimension lines and clicking on the building elements to be dimensioned.
By selecting window and door library objects we are able to
display additional dimensional information that is intrinsic to those
elements.
As we have been adding additional information, the
underlying database has been continually updating itself with additional
information. We are now able to produce the basis for door and window
schedules from our database.
Using layer groups As more detail is added to the building model, grouping of the
layers becomes of greater importance. We have the facility within the
software to store combinations of layers so that those combinations may be
recalled with the click of a mouse. These groupings of layers are
effectively used in conjunction with the Quickviews command (see below).
Reflected ceiling plans Basic reflected ceiling plans may be quickly constructed by turning
off the display of window and door information in the Display Options
command, and selecting the appropriate layer group (see below). We may then
finish those drawings by adding further 3D or 2D information.
Using Quickviews At first glance, the Quickviews command appears to be merely a
device to navigate around the virtual desktop—and indeed, in earlier
releases of ArchiCAD, that was its primary function. In version 6.0,
however, we are now provided with the ability to store drawing scale,
display options and layering combinations when we save a quickview. This
command now allows us, with the click of a mouse, to switch between
different types of drawings at different scales: plans and reflected ceiling
plans, details, construction drawings and presentation drawings.
Documentation Phase
Plans
Adding further constructional detail As we enter the documentation phase of the project, we need to
expand and finalize the information on the drawings.
Window and door numbers need to be added. As we have already
inserted our doors and windows, this is now merely a matter of highlighting
each window and door in turn, switching on the number marker, and ascribing
a number. If we wish, door width and height information can be turned on as
well.
Notation may be added using the large variety of 2D graphic
symbols in the ArchiCAD library, together with the 2D graphic and text
tools.
Element notation may be added using the Label command. This
command may be invoked automatically or individually for elements. The label
is connected to the wall. If the wall moves, the label moves; if the wall is
deleted, the label is deleted.
The documentation phase adding dimensions, annotations, hatching &
symbols.
Sections and elevations
Adding further detail—3D or 2D? At some point in the documentation process, we are going to have to
decide whether it is more effective to continue building a 3D model to
explain the construction of the building, or whether we should finish the
drawings using the 2D drawing tools.
ArchiCAD allows us to separate our sections and elevations
from the 3D model. That separation means that changes in the 3D elements in
the plan do not result in further changes to the sections and elevations.
If we change the building dramatically, the
section/elevation may be linked back to the building model and upgraded.
Patches Patches are parametrically customizable 2D graphics, which we can
place over 3D-based and 2D-based drawings. The patches automatically move to
the front of all elements. We can use patches to transform, for example, an
automatically generated section into detail documentation by providing the
necessary level of information. As library parts, they can be used on
multiple projects.
