Very old projects

Going forward this should be less of an issue, but if you have a really old project, all the old libraries have been downloaded for your use:
S:\05 Project Resources\05.100 Archicad Support\05.101 Archicad Libraries

BIM Objects APP for ArchiCAD

If you are interested, there is another source of objects...

http://info.bimobject.com/archi-cad/21892/Page

The BIMobject® app for ArchiCAD is easy to install and will create a new tool bar (menu tab), where you can reach all of the real BIM objects from real manufacturers in a easy and convenient way.

The APP lets you quickly and easily browse the BIMobject® cloud database online and filter among all objects from building- and interior manufacturers. A simple click on download and the BIM objects appears in the ArchiCAD users project and ready for placement and further configuration.
Newly added content is visible immediately from within the ArchiCAD application.

The installation file has been placed in
05 Project Resources\05.100 Archicad Support\05.102 Archicad Reference\AC17\2 Add-ons\1Copy to desktop and Run these installers as administrator\WIN OS

The following page guides you  through registration and installation.
http://info.bimobject.com/archicad-help

Remember to Copy  the install file to your desktop, right-click on the file and select "Run as Administrator".
(You will need to have registered at BIM Object so that you have an API key ready when you next use ArchiCAD, as outlined on the help pages).

Note that the code you are given is unique to you, and that it can also be used in other software such as  Artlantis, Revit, SketchUp and so on!

Publishing large sets of drawings

When publishing large sets of drawings, updating the title block and filling out revisions can take a considerable amount of time.

Often this process is slowed by a layout refreshing all views when it is opened, and for elevations and sections this can be slow.

A simple technique to use time more wisely:

• Go to layout view
• Open Publisher and create a publisher set of all layouts as PDFs
• Publish this to a folder on your PC which you can delete later. 
• Do something else while the set is  published (or schedule during a break).
• Then go through layouts updating titleblock, revisions etc. 

This method means you don't wait for content to update as you open each layout.

Note: of course you must not leave layouts and open a view, or ArchiCAD will think you have changed something in the model and begin refreshing the layouts again…

Addressing Library loading reports

Do those red items on the Library Loading report bug you? Here is a good article that might help...
http://blog.cadimage.com/2013/04/why-am-i-getting-a-library-loading-report/

Publisher

The CAD manual asks that all Publisher sets are set to theRecord Issued folder of that project.


Please do not set to your desktop

or to a date specific folder

CAD Standards Suggestions/Comments part 1

ArchiCAD 16 has officially been launched, but it will be a little while before we roll it out as it is not yet shipping here in Australia.

With the corresponding update to the template (and CAD manual) there is an opportunity to review/correct/update the template and standards. 

Here is a running list of suggestions as they are submitted - check back from time to time to see more.

• General text – 2mm not 2.5mm
• Add 0 and 0.13 width black pens to pen set (0 will print the finest possible line on the printer)
• When we are working collaboratively we should use the GBA CAD standard as a base – and have  a departure list for that project for any job specific issues – rather than creating whole new documents for every time.

Libraries

Introduction

• Only libraries that correspond with the version of Archicad must be used. A 15 project must not have 14 libraries loading.
• Only BIM server libraries should be used, even for standalone files. This way you can be sure you are up to date. There should be no entries under 'linked libraries'.
• For teamwork files only BIM server libraries can be used (and embedded parts of course).
• For jobs with one PLN file there is no need for a job specific library. All job specific parts must be embedded. (Embedded parts can be exported later - if so desired).
• Migration libraries are available and should only be used where a file is migrated between different AC versions (refer notes below).

The BIM server libraries available at GBA are as follows:

Libraries for AC15:

ArchiCAD Library 15

• Default ArchiCAD library - also includes Cadimage parts.

GBA AC15 Library

• Custom Library
• GBA Textures Template
• Street & Traffic Library
• Transportation Library
• ArchiCAD Nov 2010.lcf
• Australian Essential Library 15.lcf

Libraries for AC14:

ArchiCAD Library 14

• Default ArchiCAD library - also includes Cadimage parts.

GBA AC14 Library

• Custom Library
• GBA Textures Template
• Street & Traffic Library
• Transportation Library
• ArchiCAD Nov 2010.lcf
• Australian Essential Library 14.lcf

Libraries for specific jobs:

These are only created on an "as-needs" basis for projects where multiple files need to access common customized library parts.

• XXXX (project name) Library YY where XXX=Job number, YY =AC version

Migration

Libraries for Migration are installed on your C: drive. These must be used only when moving a file between versions. Read ArchiWiki article here on how to do this:

http://www.archicadwiki.com/LibraryMigration

Especially note the section in STEP 3 - embedding placed objects. When this process is properly completed only placed objects from the migration libraries are embedded in the file, hence the migration libraries are NOT available on the BIM server.

Sharing a file & library management

When a standalone file is to be shared via teamwork, please ensure it is only using BIM server libraries prior to sharing it. 

Note

Although the contents of the GBA AC14 Library and GBA AC15 Library appear the same they are not. The libraries are upgraded between versions.

Project Notes

File>Info>Project Notes

Project Notes is a little known and used tool, but from a QA point of view, invaluable.

Have you spent time referencing standards to determine car park numbers, or such?

What do you do with your notes?

Consider using Project Info – which conveniently date stamps your new entry as you open the Project Info window. Paste or type into there any notes, instructions from client/ consultants etc.- very useful if you need to revisit such info at a future date.

Please note that only raw text is accepted (“wish list”- Project Notes accept images!).

Procedure for Updating Standard Details on GBA Teamworkfile

Categories for details:

SC secure categories

Procedure for updating standard details:

a.       Log in to teamwork file in Brisbane (Brisbane BIM server)

                                                               i.      Open ArchiCAD 15

                                                             ii.      Go to open…Open/join teamwork project

                                                            iii.      Click on ‘Choose BIM Server’ and select the Brisbane server (Melbourne users must have Z: drive mapped. When browsing for server go to Z:\05 Project Resources\05.100 Archicad Support\05.102 Archicad Reference\Link to BIM server BNE for the link. Once connected remember that the first time a file is opened it will be slow, so leave overnight - NEVER try this during the day).

                                                           iv.      Log in  with your credentials

                                                             v.      Then you can pick the ‘GBA Standard Details’ file and work on it.

b.      Process for adding details

                                                               i.      Note: This will be a separate instance of ArchiCAD – note that if you are using different versions of ArchiCAD you will be using two licences – occasionally this might be a problem if all available network licences are in use. If so you must open and close files one at a time.

                                                             ii.      In the source file select all the elements of a detail.

                                                            iii.      Press ‘Alt+Shift+T’ and in the dialog box select ‘ArchiCAD layer’ (this puts everything on ArchiCAD layer – best for details. Don’t save when you Exit this file)

                                                           iv.      Without deselecting then copy the elements

                                                             v.      In the target file (BIM server file as listed above) go the ‘Navigator-Project Map’ and create a new detail*. (Right click on ‘Details’ and select ‘New Independent Detail’).

                                                           vi.      Reference ID of detail is to include a code that  conforms to folders in view map, e.g. an internal wall detail will be WI- followed by a unique number that is sequential to the last detail created under that code. The name is to be descriptive of the detail (e.g. plan/ section detail etc). See below for numbering system.

                                                          vii.      Set the scale of the detail window to suit your detail, and then Paste copied detail into the view.

                                                        viii.      Go to the ‘Navigator-View Map’ and save the view into the appropriate folder, in numerical sequence

                                                           ix.      Now tidy up detail for future re-use:

1.       Copy and paste from an existing detail the bold reference text box and edit to suit new detail – this aids referencing of the detail when printed etc.

2.       Font generally should be Arial Narrow 2.5mm as per latest GBA standard. Also check that there is NO distortion to text spacing, height etc - all should be on 100%).

3.       Check library parts are OK – if used some may not ‘translate’ from older ArchiCAD versions and may need to be replaced with parts from the BIM server 15 library.

4.       Tidy text so text boxes align (TIP – use the adjust command on labels and it will align the text box edges to the guide you draw – you can do this with multiple labels selected)and are of a consistent width (50mm wide when printed to scale on layout. TIP- Show A3 layout as trace and you can check width matches 50mm spaced lines on that layout).

5.   All abbreviations should conform to latest office standard. By using a standard set of abbreviations we can confidently reuse details between projects

c.       Remember to release all when you sign out!

Numbering system for Standard details.

All relevant details can be saved in one view per detail type, i.e. steel window details, steel door details, joinery details, UA cell vanity details, secure grille details. (Note that all the details need to be at the same scale).
As a result, when publishing modules we do not need to publish multiple modules per detail type, instead we publish one MOD. file that includes all relevant details for that type.

Having multiple details in one view makes the file easier to manage and copy across into the project file.
Details that are relevant to each other are all located within in one view/module file.
Within each view, each detail must be numbered with the following tag:

#DrgID-01. (#DrgID -AUTOTEXT) - 01(02,03,04…) sequential number of the detail in this view - Drawing ID BOLD
DOOR FRAME SECTION Name of detail BOLD
TO CAVITY BLOCKWORK EXTERNAL DOOR SWING Detail description
1:###. Scale set as (AUTOTEXT) BOLD

Details from one view may be spread across multiple layouts so that they can be published on A3 sheets for review. Please ensure that when cross referencing details to use the detail tag number nominated in the view rather than the layout ID/title.

The layout ID and Title must reference the detail numbers on the sheet and the view/module file title. (EX: SC-D1008-1,2,7,8,10 DOOR DETAILS)

Using Standard details

a.       A publisher set will be maintained of all  details, creating PDF and MOD files of each detail

b.      To browse details either open Teamwork file or PDFs in the relevant folder located at: 05.102 Archicad Reference\AC15\7 Reference

c.       To use a detail drag and drop the relevant MOD file from Windows Explorer straight into the ArchiCAD file where you wish to use it. As all items are on ArchiCAD layer and from a detail window (i.e.2D only)  it will not corrupt your target file, and as it is native ArchiCAD components you can edit it easily to suit your project, if required.



_____________________________________________________________________


* - for those who are interested:

Archicad - Worksheet vs. Detail ~ the difference?

While creating a Worksheet based on the source model is similar to creating a model-based Detail, the Worksheet is optimized for creating partial floor plans and partial sections.

Unlike the Detail tool, the Worksheet tool has a single-click “capture” geometry method which reproduces the entire contents of the current window as 2D elements in the Worksheet viewpoint.

Consequently, when transferring all or part of a source model view to a Worksheet window:

·         Annotation elements and dimensions will, by default, appear in the resulting Worksheet, in addition to construction elements exploded into 2D components. (In contrast, a Detail viewpoint created from the model will - by default - contain the 2D-only copies of construction elements only, without the source model’s annotation/dimension elements.)

·         The resulting Worksheet will have the same scale as the source. (In contrast, a Detail is created, by default, at half the scale of the original.)

iPad apps

Click on the link for a list of architecture, engineering and construction project management software apps for contractors, project managers and architects. 


http://www.softwareadvice.com/articles/construction/the-best-construction-management-apps-for-the-iphone-and-ipad-1082510/

Purge unused layers - and others

Accidentally (or intentionally) got a whole heap of layers in your file that you want to get rid of, but are just not sure whether they contain something? There is a purge command that can delete all those empty layers for you:

Open Attribute Manager (Use menu or toolbar button - highlighted)


Then in the 'Layers' tab you can select 'Purge Unused'

Those highlighted tick (or check) marks indicate that that layer is the current default layer for one of your ArchiCAD tools - a useful check (that you can ignore if you so desire) before you delete those unused layers...

And when you do hit that 'Purge Unused' button, and then 'OK', you do get a 'Confirm changes' dialog that gives you the opportunity to confirm exactly which layers it is that you are removing....and the ability to skip those ones you know you still need even if they are empty at the moment!
Finally, it is worth noting it may not just be layers that are bothering you; line types, fills, materials etc can all be purged via their corresponding tab in 'Attribute Manager'.

PS: You can also import these elements (layers, pen sets, line types etc) from other files using the 'Attribute Manager'. Just load up the reference file on the right pane, select what you want to bring in and then you can append or overwrite (be warned about overwriting...).

Thanks Emir for the question, Kav for a link to Arkitalk topic- Layer purge