Unleash ArchiCAD's Hidden Power for printing.key

28 Pages·2011·5.99 MB·English

by  Eric Bobrow

How to Unleash
ArchiCAD’s Hidden Power
Eric Bobrow
COPYRIGHT 2011 - ERIC BOBROW - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
ERIC BOBROW
About me
I’ve been using and teaching ArchiCAD since 1989
Former U.S. Reseller of the Year and Graphisoft Platinum VAR
My early careers: computer scientist and professional dancer
Married 23 years to dancer Kathleen, our musician son Ayden is 21
The turning point - 1989 - “I’m not an ArchiCAD expert” - “You will be”
21 years as reseller, trainer, tech support, author, speaker
Turning point - 2010 - focus on internet-based ArchiCAD training
COPYRIGHT 2011 - ERIC BOBROW - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
In this webinar...
About ArchiCAD - is there a problem?
My attempt at creating a solution
What are the 7 Keys to Best Practices for ArchiCAD?
Today I’m going to teach you what to do, and point you to
resources that will help you learn how to do it
COPYRIGHT 2011 - ERIC BOBROW - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
In this webinar...(continued)
How can you speed things up and win more projects?
16 methods to boost your productivity
8 tricks to enhance your presentations
5 mistakes that may be hurting you
18 great free resources to help you improve your skills
COPYRIGHT 2011 - ERIC BOBROW - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
In this webinar...(continued)
The most important steps you can take right now
Bonus: a great tool you can use for free to speed your learning
The Best Practices Course
My special offer to you
COPYRIGHT 2011 - ERIC BOBROW - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
What’s the problem?
ArchiCAD is very powerful
You can create a 3D model, automatically generate coordinated 2D drawings
It’s a visual, fluid, design tool - best in class
Plus, ArchiCAD can draft anything about as fast as other CAD programs
This is a flexible tool that can adjust to different styles and building types
COPYRIGHT 2011 - ERIC BOBROW - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
What do I hear from users?
I can’t get my arms around ArchiCAD - it’s too big and complex
“I felt like I was dancing with a refrigerator...” -- Mark Moscrip
There are so many settings you have to adjust
I can make it look good in 3D or 2D - but not both at the same time
I don’t have time to learn, I’ve just got to get the work done
The documentation teaches little pieces rather than the big picture
There isn’t a comprehensive guide to practice - you have to learn by doing
COPYRIGHT 2011 - ERIC BOBROW - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
My Attempt at a Solution:
The Best Practices Course
Taking my experience, skills and passion to fill the gap
An online training resource, with videos viewable on demand
A coaching program, regular webinar calls, recorded for reference
It is a community with a mentor
Does it work? How well? How much of a difference does it make?
What makes the difference? What are the key concepts?
This webinar is all about what ideas and methods makes the most difference
COPYRIGHT 2011 - ERIC BOBROW - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
The 7 Keys to Best Practices
1. Get Organized 5. Use ArchiCAD’s
Structure
2. Do It Once
6. Model Well, Draw Less
3. Save Your Settings
7. Keep It Safe
4. Work from the General
to the Specific
COPYRIGHT 2011 - ERIC BOBROW - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
2. Do It Once
Once is enough, if you’re smart
• Office Standard Template - keep your setup intact
1. Get Organized • Preserve attributes and structure - don’t reinvent each time 3. Save Your Settings
• Customize for different project types - made to fit the task
Make it Easy to Access Things • Create modules and custom library parts - Reuse what you can
• Standardized Project folder - duplicate each time • Favorites
• ArchiCAD Template TPL file - for starting new projects • Interactive Legends of Visual Favorites
• Office and Project Libraries - compile reusable objects • Room Configurations
• Standard notes and details - set up to use again • Schedule Settings
• Translators
The 7 Keys to Best Practices
7. Keep It Safe
Don’t risk losing your work! 4. Work from the General to the Specific
• Save often, don’t rely on Autosave How to Use ArchiCAD Most Effectively Record your design intent but keep your options open
• Develop a good backup strategy, include off-site copies
• Controlled migration to newer versions • Try massing models, blocking and stacking with zones - test against program requirements
Work Smarter! • Place generic walls with reference lines - later choose composite wall types
• Name materials by function (e.g. exterior wall default) - allows going from monochrome or
conceptual colors to specific materials and textures
• Use simple placeholders (e.g. basic windows & doors) with anchors to record design intent
(e.g. inserted by corner or center) - get specific later
• Anchor columns and beams to suit your structural grid - change sizes easily
• Use alignment and anchors for text notes - allows editing without moving them around
6. Model Well, Draw Less
5. Use ArchiCAD’s Structure
The better you do 3D, the less you need 2D
Go with the flow - use leverage and root causes
• Proper modeling leads to clean drawings - snap and align
• Learn how to keep sections and elevations “live” • Work “downhill”, use dependencies and relationships
• Use profiles, material hatching, accessories to gain mileage • Views depend on Layer Combinations, Model View Options, etc.
• Solid Element Operations - to define relationships and add detail • Drawing names depend on View names which are derived from Project Map or Marker names
• Composites, Materials can be leveraged
• Clone Folders create new Views automatically
Eric Bobrow © 2011 www.acbestpractices.com Download this cheat sheet at www.acbestpractices.com/7-keys-7-minutes