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..

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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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

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