Structural design with ArchiCAD, and its integration with structural software

A building’s architectural design and its physical structure are closely interrelated: on the one hand, the architectural design of the building defines the structure; on the other hand, the structural design of a building reflects the overall architectural design. As structure became a visual and aesthetic part of the design in modern architecture, structures must be as light as possible while maintaining complete integrity. Also, the structure must be optimized for performance and price.

ArchiCAD® is Graphisoft's purpose-built virtual modeling solution that allows architects to create a 3D model of their design, effectively creating a Virtual Building ™. This White Paper details how ArchiCAD (AC) supports key aspects of structural design and the optimized workflow between the two disciplines. Architectural and structural design use the same Virtual Building model from the earliest sketches through to CNC machine production of building elements, using the appropriate software solution for every phase.

Standards for structural design
The standards set by authorities and developed over the course of decades are traditionally different for every material (RC, Steel, Wood etc.) in every country or region (e.g. DIN in Germany and Central Europe; BS in the UK; AISC in US). Lately, there has been a trend to unify these into a common standard - at least across regional economies, like the EU’s Eurocode.

Structural analysis and production
ArchiCAD provides sophisticated design information along with the necessary level of model detail. This information can be directly imported and exported in the native format of the structural software or through IFC and used for structural analysis by specialized software. These import/export Add-Ons fully integrate structural design and analysis simulation programs that dramatically improve the simulation of whole-building approaches in design, planning, production and construction. This opens new doors for cost savings and structural optimization and performance.

Using ArchiCAD with these tools provides great benefits to both architects and structural engineers. Because the structural analysis tool can directly access ArchiCAD Virtual Building models, feedback on the structural design of the building can be obtained at any time during the design process. And ongoing changes to the design do not result in laborious (and duplicated) reworking in both separate applications - manually adjusting the geometry of the building to keep up with the alterations - because the essence of a 3D model means that all data is up-to-date and immediately usable.

Download pdf Structural design with ArchiCAD, and its integration with structural software

Wall Behavior or ArchiCAD and Constructor

This document provides a summary of behaviors for the wall object in current ArchiCAD and Constructor, GraphiSoft.
The Appendix is quoted directly from the help file in Constructor. It provides detail information of a wall object including its constructions and behaviors.
Five tasks are to be investigated in this report, including:
1) Is a wall segment delimited to have a single floor plane?
2) Is a wall also delimited to a single roof plane?
3) Can a wall have non-horizontal changes in construction (through its cross-section)?
4) Does the wall object support internal framing layout?
5) Can a wall be a lofted surface, with a bottom curve and top (or intermediate curve) that is lofted between?

In fact, ArchiCAD and Constructor are tailored to different users. Building Objects (BO) in ArchiCAD are preliminary objects with less information for construction and detailing purposes. It is primarily to be used by Architects rather general contractors (GC).

1) Is a wall segment delimited to have a single floor plane?
No necessarily, building objects can be automatically trimmed by other objects in Constructor.
Objects such as wall, column and beam are automatically clipped by the intersect roof or slab. Most are unredoable to their original status except slab clipping, meaning slab is clipped without being able to convert back to its initiative status. Slop is another object then slab where slab is considered a single horizontal element, with or without openings. A step-like slab is a composite element by composing multiple segments as one grouped piece or alternatively, using a stair object to imitate a step-like slab. Wall, as a single piece, will be clipped automatically by a step or slope object if intersect.

Download pdf Wall Behavior or ArchiCAD and Constructor

Convert your 2D floor plan drawings into a 3D ArchiCAD model from DXF and DWG files

Plan2Model provides architects the power to turn your 2D floor plans into 3D ArchiCAD models quickly and effectively. With this ArchiCAD 7.0 add-on, representations of 2D elements on floor plans can be converted to objects in an ArchiCAD model automatically and/or semi-automatically. Use source data in any file format 2D floor plan, such as DXF and DWG files or imported sketches and drawings processed by raster-to-vector conversion software. The simple vector entities – lines, polylines, arcs, and circles that make up 2D floor plans are converted by Plan2Model into a full ArchiCAD intelligent building model containing walls, columns, windows, doors, beams and other objects.

Convert 2D Legacy Work Efficiently
There is a large gap between vector data provided by AutoCAD and other 2D drafting systems’ 2D-drawings and ArchiCAD building model’s objects. In ArchiCAD, the building blocks are not simple geometrical primitives like lines, polylines, arcs and circles but are ‘construction elements’ - walls, windows, doors and the like. Plan2Model bridges this gap making integration of your archive drawings to ArchiCAD quick and easy. The one-click conversion eliminates the lengthy process of manual data entry, multiplying your efficiency in this phase.

Also take full advantage of Plan2Model’s capabilities for converting your scanned drawings. Plan2Model also supports vector data created by raster-to-vector conversion software. To create an ArchiCAD model from this kind of source data without Plan2Model would take the same time and effort as to create a model from scratch.

Download pdf Convert your 2D floor plan drawings into a 3D ArchiCAD model from DXF and DWG files

Floor Suite User Guide

The Floor Suite system includes a number of custom made objects for laying out and scheduling mid-floor framing and an ArchiCAD Add-On Tool which enables the user to operate easier with the objects, create schedules and export these data into an XMLfile.

Installation
To install LayUp for Floors on your computer:
1. FloorSuite.zip Download the compressed installer and double – click on the .zip file to extract the installer .exe file.
2. FloorSuite.exe Double-click on the .exe file to run the installer.
3. Follow the on – screen instructions to complete the installation

Tips
If you are installing on a network, ensure that you are logged on as System Administrator.
If you placed the library into the ArchiCAD Library 10 the library will be automatically loaded as part of the ArchiCAD Library 10, as it exists in a sub-folder
If you did not install the library to the ArchiCAD Library 10, or have not included the ArchiCAD Library 10 in the loaded libraries, then you will need to Load the Floor Suite Library separately. See Screen shot..

Download pdf Floor Suite User Guide

Permission Granted: ADC triumphs on a tough site with ArchiCAD

The site was in a very appealing location, within one of the housing hotspots of the Midlands. The private location in a leafy green setting was perfect for a high quality development of four 2.5 storey 2500sqft detached houses. However, our design proposal would be a backland development, additional houses built within an already built up area, on the edge of Sutton Park. “We were confident that we could design a scheme that would give maximum site coverage whilst retaining the leafy setting.

The trick would be to reassure the residents of Four Oaks, who had already set up numerous action committees to object to and thwart backland developments in their neighbourhood and numerous similar schemes had been refused planning permission.”

2D to 3D
ADC was formed by Nick Kirkland in 2001. The practice has concentrated on the residential sector since and become adept at dealing with the issues of local planning. Initially, ADC had committed to use MicroStation 2D CAD software but realising that the practice had to innovate to be successful, Kirkland and his team decided some 18 months ago to move to a 3D working platform.

“ADC invested in Graphisoft’s ArchiCAD because three dimensional architectural presentations give clients and planners a better insight into schemes,” says Hathaway. “They do not misconceive proposals; residents and consultees have an improved understanding; and, contractors can envisage what the finished build will look like. The advantages are potentially endless

Download pdf Permission Granted: ADC triumphs on a tough site with ArchiCAD

Archicad 10 tutorials

01 figure tool - placing an image into the 2d window
02 mesh tool - modelling a 3-dimensional topography
03 plotmaker - exporting pages/ printing pages
04 element attributes/ customization of settings
05 camera tool and setting up 3d views etc
06 navigating around the 3d window - internal engine/open gl engine
- axonometric/perspective settings
07 3d rendering/lightworks engine settings
08 saving 2d line work from 3d window
09 exporting files for presentation appendix/additional references
10 general orientation within archicad
11 guidelines for drawing with any tool
- magic wand
- shift key and assigning lenghts and angles
- pet palettes
- selecting elements with shift key
- shift key and selecting/deselecting multiple elements
12 settings dialogue
13 layers

The figure tool is utilised for placing flat image files such as jpg. format into the 2d window. In particular this is generally useful when entering site information such as contours, site boundaries etc. and may also be used where sketch drawings have been completed by hand and the design is making the transition to cad.
i:: Prior to placing a figure, ensure the scale of the 2d window coresponds to the scale of the drawing to be placed [if it is a scaled drawing]. This will ensure that the figure will be placed at the correct scale.
ii:: The figure tool is found in the tool box among the 2d elements. Select this tool and to begin placing a figure, open the figure tool settings dialogue box. From here click open under the ‘preview and positioning’ tab.
iii:: From the file dialogue box select the file you wish to place and click open and click ok within the settings dialogue.
iv:: To place the figure in the window, click once in the desired location.
v:: If necessary the figure may be resized by clicking on the corner nodes or dragged to another location

Get pdf Archicad 10 tutorials

ArchiCAD advice

Printing to a PDF file:
Set up your line weights first. I like to use hairlines for the on screen display and for most quick linework for printing (very thin lines). Line thicknesses are established in the pens and colours dialog box. You can select a pen colour, and adjust the thickness for printing or for on-screen display. There is another dialog box for determining whether or not you will see hairlines on screen or true line thicknesses. I just use hairlines on screen: easier for accuracy in making things and easier on my eyes.

On a Mac, I first zoom into the area I want to print to a pdf file, and I use a window proportion that relates to either a landscape or portrait orientation page size. I then set the page layout (portrait or landscape). Then I go File/Print, set the printer quality to the highest resolution and decide on colour or black and white, set the ArchiCAD parameters (in the same print menu) to fit to one page and to print present zoom area, then print to pdf (option at bottom left). PC printing is similar, but many of the Mac features described above you adjust in the main printer dialog box.

Someone asked if it is possible to draw a site plan on top of the 3D model plan view. Of course. I suggest locking all layers containing 3D elements, then make new layers for lines, fills, text, etc. Work on your 2D plan on top of the locked 3D elements, then you can hide the layers with 3D elements when you want to print.

Later in the development of your project, when you are not using lines to show walls or building outlines, you can just use the wall tool to show the building walls, and you can use the door and window tools to save a lot of time instead of drawing these with just lines (makes no sense to do this when you are developing your design in more detail). However, I still use a lot of lines to define features I don’t care to model in 3D (shelves I am not going to see in a back storage room when calling for a 3D rendering of a lobby area).

To print floor plan view to pdf file and bring it into Photoshop for further manipulation: in ArchiCAD make sure all fills etc display as vectorial, not bitmap, before printing to pdf or it won’t work (the pdf file generates an alpha channel: you can overlay your pdf plan drawing on a raster image in Photoshop to see the raster image behind your plan lines / walls). Importing a pdf in photoshop provides resolution options: size, dpi., etc. Adjust to the size of your final rendering image if producing a plan overlay on a raster image. See Photoshop for Architects (Marcia King has this on reserve for you).

Get pdf ArchiCAD advice

Resene Colour range files for ArchiCAD

These allow you to quickly and easily use Reseneʼs vast colour range in your ArchiCAD projects. You can quickly test different colour schemes & provide your clients with more realistic visualisations. These colour files require ArchiCAD 9 or higher and work on both Macs & PCs.

All of the colours have been made into ArchiCAD materials and have also been optimized for use with the Lightworks rendering engine.

Adding Resene colours to your project or template files is an easy process:
1. Opening the Attribute Manager within the your project and selected the materials tab.
2. Press “open” and browse to the Resene colour file you would like to load. Press “open”
3. Select the colours you would like to add and press “Append”. Add as many colours as you like. You can also open other Resene colour files, to load colours from different ranges. When you have finished adding the additional colours press OK

The Resene colours you selected have now been added to your ArchiCAD projectʼs materials menu and can now easily be applied to walls, slabs, roofs, objects etc. throughout your project

Get pdf Resene Colour range files for ArchiCAD

ArchiCAD 9: 3D for Architects Part I

ArchiCAD 9 arrived with what at first I thought were minor improvements. But they add up to quite a lot, especially for 3D work, visualization, and working on a laptop with a cramped screen (figure 1). The latter situation may occur often now that ArchiCAD supports terminal server technology that makes it possible to work over the Internet from a remote location.

This new release also benefits from improvements in DWG compatibility and an improved library search system that enables symbols to be found by name (figure 2). About 2,600 symbols are included in the libraries that ship with the software.

Text input and display are also improved. Users can grab dimension text with visible handles to move and edit, and also paste whole blocks of formatted text from most word processors (figure 3). All of this is particularly important to ArchiCAD‘s market of architects, builders, planners and facilities managers (there‘s a special ArchiCAD version for FM). Among major, full-featured (and, need we say, expensive) CAD packages, only ArchiCAD and Nemetschek‘s Allplan are specifically aimed at the builder market. Bentley and Autodesk add an architectural interface to their products. ArchiCAD provides a lot more power than the typical architectural design software package, but is still easy, nimble and intuitive to use.

Download pdf ArchiCAD 9: 3D for Architects Part I

Rich Text in ArchiCAD 9

ONE of the great improvements to AC9 is the rich text in the working environment. On the principle that anything that appears in the floor plan must also work in GDL, there is a way to author Rich Text in GDL – but it’s very hard work! It is not simply a matter of using something easy like BB-Code.

BB-Code is easier
When you have tried Rich text in GDL you will wish it was. BB-Code is used in bulletin board systems like ArchiCAD talk as an easy to learn and simple method of formatting text – reminds me of word processing in the early 1980’s, but it’s applied to HTML style text.

For example, ‘The quick brown fox jumped over the lazy dog’ could be written as ‘The [B]quick brown fox[/B] [color=red]jumped[/color] over the [I]lazy dog[/I]’. This would give us the ‘fox’ in bold and the ‘dog’ in italic and ‘jumped’ in red and the rest of the sentence in default pen colour. It’s very simple – square brackets with a code starts an action, and square brackets slash with the same code ends it.

There are masses of tutorials on BB-Code on the internet – it can even include pictures and active URLs. You can change lettering size and colour and style. We should all put pressure on GS to retain the new system (for compatibility) but to make another available for bears of little brain like us to use, using a version of BB-Code.

Rich Text hierarchy
Rich Text in GDL operates a bit more like Solid modelling. You have to build up definitions of styles, assemble paragraphs and text blocks, and then use the RICHTEXT command to finally place the result (a bit like PLACEGROUP). There is a systematic hierarchical sequence to get it right. Hardened GDL writers will like it because of the vastly improved appearance in self labelling and dimensioning objects, but normal GDL users will be content to get by in the way we have for the last few versions of GDL, changing the pen colours perhaps. For investment objects (where your time is rewarded in the number of times you will use the object), it is well worth learning how to do this. Word wrap is dynamic, so if you have graphical hotspots to resize text width, you will get a very powerful looking result.

Try some Rich Text
The best way to understand for yourself the way RICHTEXT and RICHTEXT2 work in GDL is to create a sample of rich text in ArchiCAD and drag it from the floor plan into GDL 2D Script and see what it makes as an autoscript. Once you have mastered the 2D, it’s very easy to adapt the result to make it into 3D text. As usual, the autoscript gives one very prescriptive numbers for everything (pens, font sizes, indents, letter spacing etc) but smart parametric routines in your script can make it perform parametrically.

Download pdf Rich Text in ArchiCAD 9

EON FastView ArchiCAD Add-On

Although 3D animations offer a number of benefits, they are time-consuming, thus costly; and require expert knowledge to achieve results required. With the use of EON FastView, the non-animation expert can achieve interactive walkthroughs and design reviews within minutes, saving time and cost and offering a more flexible design tool due to its interactive nature. Once the design alternatives are ready to be reviewed or presented, the 3D content can be shared over the Internet or incorporated in a multimedia presentation using pre-designed templates.

Key Advantages
Interactive walkthroughs
Real-time 3D visualization
High degree of realism
Distribute content quickly and easily on the Internet
Collaboration on the web
Supports interactive configuration
Highly compressed file format compared to animations
Ease of use through intuitive graphical user interface
Seamlessly integrated with ArchiCAD 7.0
Supports user selected html templates for seamless web-integration
Small plug-in (750 KB) for web collaboration
Intuitive navigation and user interface

What is EON FastView TM?
EON FastView is a $495 ArchiCAD Add-On that has been seamlessly integrated into ArchiCAD 7.0. A complete building or a single object can be quickly brought up in the EON FastView real-time viewing environment. Camera views or walkthroughs can be saved for later sharing or modification in real-time. The EON FastView Collaboration enables quick and effective sharing of ArchiCAD models over the Internet. For more information see www.eonreality.com/fastview.

“EON FastView’s ability to handle real time renderings without having to generate large animation files in ArchiCAD saves us time in the visualization process. Higher end interactivity can also be added to the 3D model through the use of EON Studio.” “We were extremely impressed both with EON’s capabilities to seamlessly integrate with ArchiCAD and the ability to be able to fly through and interact in real-time. We believe that the capability to view such models over the Internet will open new possibilities for our firm, both for internal usage and for customer presentations.”

Download pdf EON FastView ArchiCAD Add-On

ArchiCAD Project Framework

With ArchiCAD 9 the Help System has been improved markedly. The web based help system is invoked either with the F1 key or via the Help/ArchiCAD Help menu. Using the search function within the help system greatly improves the efficiency of finding information and many of the pages include links to related or additional information.

The ArchiCAD Manuals are also available as PDF documents inside the ‘Graphisoft Documentation’ folder on the ArchiCAD Installation CD. If you create a folder called ‘Documentation’ inside your ArchiCAD folder any PDFs placed within this folder will be available inside ArchiCAD under the Help menu. There are additional PDFs that are not supplied as part of the documentation.

These include:
- Calculation Guide
- DXF-DWG Conversion Guide
- GDL Reference Guide
- Getting Started
- IFC 2.0 Reference Guide
- Intro to Object Making
- Intro to Office Standards
- Library Preview
- New Features Guide
- Rendering with ArchiCAD
- TeamWork Guide
There are also two Training Guides available on a separate CD. Ask your ArchiCAD reseller if you did not receive this training CD..

Download pdf ArchiCAD Project Framework

Building modeler delivers drawings with easy to use modeling tools

ArchiCAD 9 arrived with what at first I thought were minor improvements. But they add up to quite a lot, especially for 3D work, visualization, and working on a laptop with a cramped screen (figure 1). The latter situation may occur often now that ArchiCAD supports terminal server technology that makes it possible to work over the Internet from a remote location.

This new release also benefits from improvements in DWG compatibility and an improved library search system that enables symbols to be found by name (figure 2). About 2,600 symbols are included in the libraries that ship with the software.

Text input and display are also improved. Users can grab dimension text with visible handles to move and edit, and also paste whole blocks of formatted text from most word processors (figure 3).

All of this is particularly important to ArchiCAD‘s market of architects, builders, planners and facilities managers (there‘s a special ArchiCAD version for FM). Among major, full-featured (and, need we say, expensive) CAD packages, only ArchiCAD and Nemetschek‘s Allplan are specifically aimed at the builder market. Bentley and Autodesk add an architectural interface to their products. ArchiCAD provides a lot more power than the typical architectural design software package, but is still easy, nimble and intuitive to use.

Get pdf Building modeler delivers drawings with easy to use modeling tools

PLUG-INS FOR ARCHICAD

ArchiCAD Plug-in for Terrain Modelling
A common problem faced by ArchiCAD users is the creation and management of 3D terrain models. The ArchiTerra Plug-in was developed to resolve this problem. To create a realistic setting, designers often need to contextualise their projects within certain surroundings. This allows the environmental impact of the project to be monitored throughout the planning phase. The need for such functionality may also arise for city planning or landscaping purposes, requiring the creation of more or less vast 3D terrain models.

Following the correct installation of ArchiTerra, ArchiCAD users are presented with a new Tool Palette that allows the simple and rapid creation of 3D ter- rain models that are fully compatible with ArchiCAD. ArchiTerra allows topo- graphic data to be imported directly into the ArchiCAD Worksheet from text files (lists of points) or DXF files, or new terrain can be created using points, constraints, contour lines and land modelling tools to define the information necessary for constructing the 3D model.

ArchiTerra is an indispensable tool for ArchiCAD users who need to manage site modelling or create complex terrain features.

The package includes:
• the ArchiTerra Add-on, which adds the necessary terrain modelling commands to ArchiCAD;
• the ArchiTerra 20.LIB library, which contains a set of simple, intelligent objects that can be used as terrain modelling tools;
• the ArchiTerra exteriors library, which provides a collection of 3D parametric elements (trees, garden furniture, external light sources, etc.) that can be used to create realistic environ- ments within the terrain models develo- ped with ArchiTerra.

Download pdf PLUG-INS FOR ARCHICAD

ArchiCAD 9 - AxisVM 8 I/O

Workflow:
o The architect creates the model of the building structure in ArchiCAD. The load-bearing structural elements can be modeled using the beam, column, slab and wall tools.
o Then the model is exported via the IFC 2x2 format into AxisVM 8.
o In AxisVM, the structural engineer makes the necessary modifications and additions on the structural model and performs the required structural analysis on it.
o The architectural documentation is created from the original model in ArchiCAD
o The structural engineer creates the structural documentation based on the structural model in AxisVM.

The I/O Process:
To use exchange data, you have to do the following:
1. Download the latest version of Graphisoft’s IFC 2x2 from http://www.graphisoft.com/support/ifc/downloads/public/, and uncompress it.
2. Install the add-on into your ArchiCAD 9 (Add-Ons Folder) when the ArchiCAD is not running by double-clicking on the uncompressed icon.
3. Start your ArchiCAD and, using the standard AC9 Library, assemble the structure you would like.
4. From the ArchiCAD Floor Plan view, choose save as IFC 2x2.
5. Do not forget to have the following configuration on the Export tab page:
6. Start your AxisVM 8, select the Import menu and open the IFC file

Get pdf ArchiCAD 9 - AxisVM 8 I/O

TurnToolBox for ArchiCAD Manual Version 2008

TurnTool is a real time 3D graphics solution targeted at the growing market for 3D on the Internet. Integrate your 3D visualizations in web pages and other applications for interactive viewing and manipulation - responding to user input from mouse and keyboard. Knock your audience off their feet in amazement! The TurnToolBox for ArchiCAD is a plugin for Graphisoft's architectural application ArchiCAD.. It makes it very easy to create breathtaking interactive 3D visualizations. Note that the TurnToolbox plugins exists for other 3D applications as well.

For our customers’ target audience, we make the viewing of this amazing 3D content as easy as pumpkin pie. The TurnTool Viewer is freely available for download from TurnTool’s website and supports automatic installation when viewing TurnTool content. The compact size of TNT-files makes the download of each 3D visualization painless.

TurnTool takes the lead in online 3D visualization by allowing ultra fast downloads and still preserving a high quality of graphics and functionality

The TurnToolBox and the TurnTool Viewer
The TurnTool technology consists of two main components: The TurnToolBox and the TurnTool Viewer. The TurnToolBox generates TNT-files. The TurnTool Viewer enables the user to view the TNT-files directly in their browser. TurnTool has been developed by experienced game programmers and is likely to be nothing less than a revolutionary contender for the Web3D market. With competing products focusing on either file download sizes or quality of 3D content, TurnTool sets a new standard in both areas for an unsurpassed experience.

TurnTool presents itself as a convenient solution to all potential web3D content providers - big or small. Both buying it and selling it is easy. There are no difficult pricing policies to understand. We do not want any money from your customers (unless they insist).
With TurnTool, you just pay for the software. Finally, you can devote your attention to what is important: creating great 3D models and worlds for online display.

Download pdf TurnToolBox for ArchiCAD Manual Version 2008

ArchiCAD ® Educational Version

ArchiCAD is the hugely popular virtual modeling solution developed by architects, for architects. It has formed the modeling core of over a million buildings worldwide; its open standards and numerous add-ons make it a must-have creative tool for any aspiring architect. ArchiCAD is not only powerful, architecture-specific and globally trusted, it’s also fun and simple to use and will add to your enjoyment as you build a career using some of the most advanced digital modeling tools available.

Limitations to the full commercial version are the following:
• All files created with the ArchiCAD student version will have an irremovable logo on all printouts. Further parameters of the Educational Version:
• ArchiCAD Educational Version is protected by a serial number.
• Educational and commercial project files have the same file format (PLN).
• Educational project file compatibility:
- Educational project files can be opened with a commercial version of ArchiCAD. In this case, ArchiCAD switches to Educational mode. The logo cannot be removed.
- Commercial project files can be opened with an educational version of ArchiCAD. In this case, the logo is added, and cannot be removed later.
- Besides “Open”, no other data exchange (copy, paste, merge, hotlink…) is allowed between EDU and commercial project files.
• The Educational version is “time-bombed”. The expiration date is determined by the Serial Number. When a serial number is nearing the expiry date, a new serial number can be entered to renew the license.
• Once an ArchiCAD is installed as an EDU version, it cannot be started as a full or demo version. The ArchiCAD EDU serial number has to be entered upon install; if there is no serial number, the EDU installation cannot be completed. Please note: ArchiCAD files created with educational version earlier than 9 (PNE, PAE…) are not compatible with the newer versions of ArchiCAD educational versions.

Download pdf ArchiCAD ® Educational Version

Artlantis 2.0 for ArchiCAD Users

Modelize a project into ArchiCAD export it and edit it with Artlantis. Return to ArchiCAD modify the geometry of the project, export a new Artlantis file and recover automatically the previous work done into Artlantis.

Step 1 : Modeling into ArchiCAD
Step 2 : Export the model to Artlantis
NB: The export can only be done in 3D View with the activcation of the Perspective option. The camera and heliodon settings will be retrieved into Artlantis. Display the 3D View Menu View > 3D View Mode > Perspective Then File menu > Save as… Format: Choose Artlantis Render Studio 2.0 Name the file (e.g. A.atl) then Save it. The saving is done in Artlantis file format, if they were dependent textures they will be saved into a folder created beside the .atl file.

The following Export dialog box get displayed: Check the needed export options you would like to retrieve into Artlantis. Perspective Cameras, Lights, Sun and the textures associated to Wall, Roof, Slab and Others. Others: Can be columns, beams, objects…
NB: When in the dialog box of the export the Lamps or Sun are still grey, this is means you will have to activate them into the Photorenderings Settings dialog box of ArchiCAD.
Menu Document > Creative Imaging > Photorendrings
Settings in the popup list choose Internal Rendering Engine.
Open the the Effects thumbnail in the Light sources check Sun and/or Lamps

Download pdf Artlantis 2.0 for ArchiCAD Users