Eric Bobrow
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Eric Bobrow
1
A Quick Little ArchiCAD Tutorial That Will Save You Lots of Time…
This ArchiCAD tutorial is short and to the point.
There are some tools in ArchiCAD that are very powerful, but few people use them.
Sometimes it’s because they’re hard to learn, or difficult to understand.
Sometimes they do something few people actually need.
Not this tool.
It’s easy to learn.
You need this one.
It helps you with something that everyone needs to do during the course of a project, and perhaps redo more than once.
This little trick saved one of my Best Practices Course students 2 hours on one recent job.
It could save you hours on each ArchiCAD project.
- CLICK HERE to watch this 5 minute video.
I promise you – it’s easy to understand, and you can use it right away.
Eric
P.S. Please post a comment and let me know what you think.
If you like this ArchiCAD tutorial, use the sharing buttons and click LIKE too!
2
ArchiCAD Training and MasterTemplate Boosts Productivity
A few days ago I received an enthusiastic email from architect Lew Bishop, a veteran ArchiCAD user since 1995, telling me about some dramatic improvements he was experiencing in his efficiency and productivity:
“I started a new house in Pacific Palisades and in a little more than a week did two designs and have half a set of preliminary drawings and a major portion of the plan graphics — fantastic.”
By strange coincidence, one day later, AECbytes published an article by respected analyst Paul Teicholz of Stanford University, reporting continued declines in productivity for the construction industry. Teicholz analyzed a great deal of data and concluded that even with “increasing use of BIM technologies and the lean collaborative processes it supports” that AEC firms still face “significant structural problems preventing improvements in labor productivity… This is in contrast to all nonfarm industries (which includes construction) which have shown significant increases in labor productivity.”
Perhaps if more architects and design firms used ArchiCAD (rather than other BIM products) the situation would be different!
While that may be true, it is clear that with any complex software (including ArchiCAD), good training and an organized setup makes a huge difference, particularly when the user gains a deep understanding of core principles and is able to use the Best Practices for that program. This has become my personal mission – to help ArchiCAD users get the most out of the program – and my Best Practices Course is designed around this concept.
I asked Lew about what led to his increased efficiency, and he replied:
“The improvement in work flow for me is directly related to the organization and simplicity of MasterTemplate [AMT]. Your coaching and the Best Practices Course lessons are almost equal to AMT. It seems that once a cohesive arrangement of the project is achieved the progress steps become clearer and connected…
Your setup puts the user on the right track, right away to use the major portion of your program… As an example, I have not embarked into a lot of presentation work in the past as the clients just don’t want to pay for the privilege, but now I can use it to further my own work without a huge penalty of time. In the time it took to do an update to the overall file, I got rendered elevations – not much setup, not much additional work for me – the views were just there. And it pointed out a couple of issues that were corrected in short order. The project is only started and a lot of information is available to help the client make choices and help me define the work scope more accurately.
The above is a small part of the improvements in my work, work accuracy, and a pleasure to know that even with my advancing age [Lew is 75 years old], there is still a lot of work that can be done profitably.”
THE 7 KEYS TO BEST PRACTICES FOR ARCHICAD
In the fall of 2010, after more than 20 years of working with ArchiCAD as a reseller and trainer, I decided to focus my creative energies into codifying and teaching the Best Practices for using ArchiCAD. I created a 45 minute video training as the keynote lecture for my new Best Practices Course. A few months later I wrote an extensive article that AECbytes published on The Seven Keys to Best Practices for ArchiCAD.
As I look back on these creative efforts, I believe that they continue to be the basis for all of my work: finding the core principles with the most leverage for getting the job done with speed, accuracy, quality and as much freedom and flexibility as possible.
The original 45 minute video was never posted publicly since it was too long for YouTube (which only allowed short videos at that time) – so only the introductory section has been seen outside of the course website. Today, as my YouTube channel for ArchiCAD tutorials marks another major milestone – 750,000 views, along with the new YouTube “One Channel” design – I have uploaded the full lecture as a gift to ArchiCAD users everywhere. You can watch the video here (embedded on this page) or on my channel.
ArchiCAD Training March Madness – Coming Soon!
Over the past two and a half years since I launched my online training efforts, over 900 users from more than 60 countries around the world have enrolled in my Best Practices Course ArchiCAD training website.
Lew Bishop is not alone in reporting huge gains in productivity. I frequently get emails from course members thanking me profusely, saying that what they’ve learned in the Best Practices Course has made a huge difference in their professional lives. In my next blog post I’ll profile a few members who have shared their success stories with me.
I am so pleased and proud to serve the ArchiCAD community. As we approach 1,000 members of the Best Practices Course, I plan to celebrate with a special March Madness promotion. Stay tuned ArchiCAD users – it’s going to be awesome!
The 90 Day Architect Marketing Machine
If you’re an architect or building designer, this free Architect Marketing training webinar is for you.
Here’s what it’s about…
As you probably know, last year I became increasingly involved in helping my architect clients use internet strategies to generate leads. I even launched my Internet Marketing for Architects training course… then something interesting happened.
Through my research on other architect marketing specialists (my competition I thought) I stumbled across this strange name: ‘String Nikolic’. An offline architect marketing specialist from ‘down under’.
I was intrigued.
Long story short, I checked out what he’s teaching, connected with him and finally (it’s taken about 3 months) he presented his unique marketing system last month to my Architect Marketing Coaching program members.
The response from my members was incredible.
FREE Architect Marketing Training Webinar
Here’s what it has to do with you…
With the success and feedback from this training webinar, I’ve convinced String to run a free online training on his ’90 Day Architect Marketing Machine’ – and you’re invited.
Click this link to reserve your seat:
90 Day Architect Marketing Machine – Free Training Webinar
- March 6 at 11 am PST
- March 7 at 4 pm PST
NOTE re the webinar times: PST = U.S. Pacific Time – that’s California time = GMT – 8. If you’re in Australia or New Zealand – that’s actually March 7 or 8…
Join String Nikolic on this LIVE online training where you’ll learn…
- Why most architect marketing fails before it’s even launched – and what to do to make sure your audience is ready to receive your message…
- The 5 key principles for building a rock-solid lead generation system that predictably funnels more prospects into your conversion appointments…
- How to design a 90-day marketing machine for your architecture business – and convert more of your prospects into paying clients…
A note on capacity:
String has only 100 spots for this training (maximum limit on his webinar platform) plus he’s inviting his list of architects. So if you are interested I recommend registering before it fills up.
I apologize if the webinar is already full by the time you read this. We may offer it again, or make a replay available. I’ll have to talk with String to see what he’s willing to do.
Architect Marketing Training Slides
String gave me a preview of the presentation and it looks awesome. I twisted his arm and got him to agree to share the slides with me and allow me to post them for you to look over.
I suggest you download and print them so you have them handy while you watch the training. They’re set up as miniature slide images with space to write your notes.
Here’s the link again to register:
If you are tired of spending money on advertising with mixed results then this is for you. Or if you’ve been just waiting for the phone to ring, not knowing what to do to bring in business, then you absolutely can’t afford to miss this presentation.
I’m really looking forward to watching the webinar myself. (String has some great ideas and I want to steal them. ;->)
Eric
P.S. String told me that he’ll stay on as long as needed to answer questions LIVE on the call. I don’t know about you, but I prefer to ask specific questions about what to do right now rather than just go through theory.
8
New Ways to Use ArchiCAD: e-SPECS and EcoDesigner Star
ArchiCAD is a powerful tool that keeps getting ever more versatile over the years.
From the very beginning in 1984, it was a 3D design tool for architecture. By the late 80’s it was capable of producing full sets of architectural drawings, and the concept of Virtual Building™ started to take shape.
Essentially, Virtual Building is the same idea as Building Information Modeling (BIM), but since Graphisoft trademarked the term it didn’t come into wide use. As I’m sure you know, BIM is now the commonly accepted way to describe the intelligent building model that represents the design in 2D, 3D and for analysis including quantity and performance data calculation.
As a BIM project is developed, certain quantities, schedules and notes can be compiled directly within the software. However, more specialized software tools provide additional capabilities for structural analysis, energy usage calculations, and preparation of specifications documents.
e-SPECS for ArchiCAD
A widely used tool for creating specifications documents is e-SPECS. It can derive information from the BIM file and pull specification information from a standard or customized database to develop a standard specifications file.
It can be used stand-alone, meaning that someone can manually compile the specs using its database and reporting tools, but it becomes even more powerful and productive when tied directly into the BIM file. When used in this fashion, the specifications are created based on an analysis of the actual construction elements used in the file, and will automatically update if, for example, a wall assembly, structural column or fixture is replaced or added to the design.
As far as I know, the only BIM applications that e-SPECS supported until recently were AutoCAD, Revit and Bentley Architecture. This meant that ArchiCAD users could not take advantage of this workflow.
Last year, e-SPECS introduced support for ArchiCAD PLN files:
GRAPHISOFT and InterSpec, Inc. Announce ArchiCAD e-Specs Integration
To learn more about how this works and what benefits it may offer for your firm, tune in to the live webinar this Wednesday January 16 at 2 pm EST:
ArchiCAD EcoDesigner Star
For several years now, ArchiCAD has offered EcoDesigner as a tool to do energy analysis of your project. At first, this add-on was sold as an add-on, then in version 16 it was bundled with ArchiCAD at no additional charge.
EcoDesigner is intended to be used as a design aid, allowing comparison of multiple models to optimize energy usage. It uses certain simplifying assumptions to make the setup easy for a designer, and speed up the calculations. Given this approach, it makes it possible for a non-specialist to assess the effect of different design variations, to encourage more efficient site placement and orientation, as well as optimization of the general building envelope.
However, while the calculations were based on a robust and internationally certified energy analysis “engine”, the results and reports were approximations that could not be used for submission to building authorities. They also did not allow some of the more sophisticated passive and active energy strategies to be analyzed and validated for each project.
The next generation of this analysis tool is called EcoDesigner Star, which provides more precise calculations and handles a wider variety of energy-saving design methods. It is certified standard-compliant, which allows for streamlined collaboration between designers and energy consultants. It is my understanding that over time the detailed building performance reports produced by EcoDesigner Star may become accepted for submissions to various regulatory authorities.
For more information about this exciting new technology developed by Graphisoft for ArchiCAD users, you may register for a “Sneak Preview” webinar on January 29:
10
ArchiCAD Tutorials Videos on the Web
As you probably know, I have been creating ArchiCAD tutorials for a very long time.
Over the past couple of years, I have been actively developing my ArchiCAD tutorials video channel on YouTube. It’s been exciting to see the number of views explode as I added more videos:
- Through 2010: 4 videos, 3,412 views
- 2011: 10 new videos, 110,914 views
- 2012: 18 new videos, 502,618 views
If you haven’t already done so, I encourage you to subscribe to my YouTube channel so you get notified whenever I post a new one of my ArchiCAD tutorial videos.
We’re approaching 3,000 subscribers, with 627,628 views from 201 countries. It’s very satisfying to see my work actually reaching and helping ArchiCAD users all over the world!
ArchiCAD Tutorials on YouTube
There are a number of other YouTube channels for ArchiCAD that are well worth visiting.
The GRAPHISOFT ArchiCAD channel has 1,268 videos offering a mixture of product demos (for example, new features of ArchiCAD 16), case studies and interviews with architects using ArchiCAD, and recorded webinar presentations. More recently, Graphisoft has been creating tutorials in the “ArchiCAD Video Series” on a variety of topics such as the Wall Tool, Slab Tool, Magic Wand and Element Information, as well as several longer ArchiCAD Training Series playlists on Basic ArchiCAD, Using Teamwork, and Advanced ArchiCAD.
I have particularly enjoyed some of the Graphisoft “Classics modeled with ArchiCAD” videos that show how architectural and design works can be recreated in ArchiCAD: Eero Saarinen’s Dulles International Airport, Alvar Aalto’s Vase, the Sagrada Familia Passion Towers by Antoni Gaudi, and the Leaning Tower of Pisa. These are inspiring examples that show how ArchiCAD’s modeling tools can be applied creatively to quickly produce intricate geometry.
Jared Banks is an architect based in Minnesota who has created a fascinating ArchiCAD blog under his company name Shoegnome. It is filled with tips and tricks and commentary on how he uses ArchiCAD as well as other observations on Graphisoft and the world of architecture in general. Jared’s YouTube channel now has 12 excellent ArchiCAD Tips that I’m sure you will find very interesting.
There is a well-established ArchiCAD channel by the UK reseller Applecore Designs Limited. It has a combination of some original tutorials and presentations, as well as many videos reposted from Graphisoft and other sources. Recently they produced a series of three videos with a case study on “Project Hollycroft: Utilising BIM for Renovation.” Check out these videos to learn more about how to apply ArchiCAD’s recently added Renovation tools in the context of real projects.
ArchiCAD Tutorials in Other Languages
This past year, I have been working with Atlanta architect Mark Moscrip to create a version of the Best Practices Course ArchiCAD training in Spanish, as well as MasterTemplate. As part of our research, we discovered Linkaterra, a general website for Spanish language training videos. If you speak Spanish, I encourage you to visit the Linkaterra page for Recursos y Videotutoriales sobre ArchiCAD.
I’ve also seen ArchiCAD tutorials posted in Italian, German, French and other languages – we are truly a worldwide community!