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Category Archives for "Tutorial ArchiCAD"

Tutorial on a particular subject in ArchiCAD.

New ArchiCAD Tutorial Video: Specifications Report Tips & Tricks Using IFC Data Fields (part 2 of 4)

eric-bobrow-headshot-circle-revisedWant to generate a nicely formatted and organized Specifications Report on your project directly inside ArchiCAD?

My latest ArchiCAD video tutorial continues the exploration of how you can set up Specifications Reports using Interactive Schedules based on IFC field data.

In the first video of this series (released earlier this month) I demonstrated the basic concept: adding special IFC fields for automatic labeling of elements as well as inclusion in Interactive Schedule reports.

In my new 28 minute video (part 2 of 4), I show how to organize your report into trade categories (e.g. Masonry, Carpentry, Roofing, etc.) or a multi-level hierarchy such as the U.S. standard CSI Divisions and Subdivisions.

Specifications Report Tips and Tricks Using IFC Data Fields

I also share methods that help you to speed up the process, quickly adding category information based on layer or element type.

Specifications-Reports-Tips-and-Tricks-Part-2-with-outline

My favorite tip is to define a special schedule that gives you immediate access to the schedule fields directly in the Info Box.

Without this trick, you need about 10 clicks and go through multiple dialog boxes each time.

If you’d like to easily and quickly create a specifications report inside ArchiCAD, watch this 28 minute video.

Note: you’ll understand it better if you watch part 1 first:
Generate Specifications and Optimize Annotation using IFC Data Fields (Part 1 of 4)

Questions? Comments? Feedback?
Email me or post your comment on YouTube.

– Eric

P.S. All this Specification Reporting and IFC stuff is fully implemented in MasterTemplate 19.
“We set it up, so you don’t have to.”

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New ArchiCAD Tutorial: Generate Specifications and Optimize Annotation using IFC Data Fields

In my latest ArchiCAD video tutorial, you’ll learn how to generate detailed specification reports from your ArchiCAD 19 model using standard interactive schedule tools. Easily place drawing notes linked to the exact same BIM data, fully integrated into each element. All notes and specifications update automatically as you work on the model.

Generate Specifications and Optimize Annotation using IFC Data Fields (Part 1)
(36 minutes)

Optimizing-Specifications-video-splash-with-play-button-2Step by step instructions are provided to add special IFC fields to enter or edit text and other data that will be shown in the reports or placed as notes in your construction documents.

In the standard ArchiCAD templates there is no location where you can add this BIM data to all building elements regardless of type. Fortunately, these IFC fields can be quickly added to your project to provide a common framework for the data.

The new Label options in ArchiCAD 19 make it much simpler to pull the data from the building elements and use it in your drawings. This tutorial also shows how to create Favorites for your frequently used labeling styles.

UK architect Tim Ball generously shared one of his actual projects so I could demonstrate a real specifications report and associated labels in context. His pioneering work opened my eyes to the potential of this approach.

In ArchiCAD 19, it is relatively easy to implement this system and it will allow you to annotate your drawings and compile reports in a consistent and highly efficient manner.

In part 2 (coming soon), I’ll continue the demonstration and show how more data fields of different types can be added to the Specifications Report, and how this report can be organized based on trade categories or CSI Divisions and Subdivisions. I’ll also show how to export the IFC data structure to easily add it to other projects or your office template, as well as additional shortcuts to speed up your workflow.

Questions? Comments? Feedback?
Please post them here or on YouTube.
Thanks!

Ideas for ArchiCAD Tutorial Videos

eric-bobrow-headshot-circle-revisedI’m ready to start creating some more of my free ArchiCAD tutorials, and am interested in your suggestions.

Here are a few topics I’ve already got on my list:

  • Guide Lines in ArchiCAD 19 (how they’ve changed compared to previous versions)
  • Creating Specifications Using Interactive Schedules and Custom IFC Fields
  • Joining Roofs and Walls – From Conceptual Modeling to Detailed Connections
  • A Quick Guide to Tabs, Palettes and Windows in ArchiCAD 19
  • Cut and Fill Calcs Using Solid Element Operations

I’m also planning to rework my QuickStart Course on the ArchiCAD basics to bring it up to date with the current interface for version 19.

Have any other ideas, suggestions or requests?

What do you find most confusing, challenging, or tricky? I love trying to make things clear, straightforward and (where possible) easy!

Celebrating a Milestone Sharing ArchiCAD Knowledge

In 2010 I shifted my professional focus from selling ArchiCAD software to training ArchiCAD users, and started actively creating and sharing ArchiCAD tutorial videos on YouTube.

YouTube-2-Million-Views-2Less than 5 years later, my ArchiCAD Tutorials YouTube channel has reached an incredible milestone:

2 MILLION VIEWS from ArchiCAD users in over 200 countries around the world!

There are a lot of ArchiCAD users who want to learn how to use the software better, and it appears that many have found my ArchiCAD tutorial videos to be useful and inspiring. In fact, there are 12,698 of them who have subscribed to my channel!

To celebrate, I’m announcing two initiatives today that will run through the end of July.

1. BE MY GUEST…

All ArchiCAD users are invited to enjoy three complete training presentations (each more than one hour in length) in the Masters of ArchiCAD Summit and Training Series at no charge.

Sign up for your FREE Masters of ArchiCAD Guest Pass here.

2. EVERYTHING IS ON SALE…

All of my ArchiCAD training products and resources will go on sale at special reduced prices. I’ll post details here shortly.

[time remaining for this special offer…]

FREE STUFF

When you sign up for a Guest Pass, you’ll get access to recordings of three live webinar trainings, previously only available to paying members of the Masters of ArchiCAD website:

1. Case Study: How a One Man Office Does Large Complex Projects using ArchiCAD from A to Z

Andrew-Passacantando-photo-optimized-2As a sole practitioner, architect Andrew Passacantando uses ArchiCAD as an essential tool for the entire lifecycle of complex residential projects, from initial hand sketches and design development through construction drawings and final renderings and take advantage of BIMX Docs to communicate with the client and contractor.

One of the highlights of the Masters of ArchiCAD Summit, Andrew’s incredibly detailed and elegant work is clearly presented through a carefully organized set of actual photos of the project under construction interlaced with screenshots of the beautiful 3d ArchiCAD model and “backstage” views of the design and documentation process.

2. ArchiCAD Best Practices and the Ultimate Template

Eric-Bobrow-photoI’ve been teaching ArchiCAD Best Practices and developing and refining MasterTemplate for a very long time.

This presentation gives you the 7 Keys to Best Practices and explores how to apply these powerful principles in actual practice.

When you know how to work with ArchiCAD’s built-in structure and underlying philosophy, you’ll find yourself “going with the flow” instead of fighting and wasting effort, and ArchiCAD will yield its ultimate power in your hands.

3. ArchiCAD Working Drawings Without Details

Timothy-Ball-photo-2Is it really possible to eliminate drafting 2D detail drawings? Can you ensure that your specification documents are totally integrated with your design model, and always up to date?

UK architect Tim Ball has developed a strategy and optimized the methods of modeling in ArchiCAD so that he no longer has to draft his details. The model is so detailed that the detail drawing are generated automatically, only requiring annotation and minor touch-ups. In addition, the specifications are integrated into the model, and his spec documents are compiled and managed inside ArchiCAD, which ensures that they are always up to date.

Watch as Tim gives an overview of his process and shows how he sets everything up, then answers questions from architects in this 90 minute excerpt from his recent Masters of ArchiCAD training course.

Sign up for your FREE Masters of ArchiCAD Guest Pass here.

NOTE: Details of my big MASTERING ARCHICAD SALE will be announced shortly…

Learn How to Use ArchiCAD’s Cinerender Tools to Create Beautiful Renderings

Next week we launch the new online ArchiCAD training course with Andreas Lettner on Cinerender Methods, Tips and Tricks. I chatted with Andreas today and we discussed the course as well as his background as an architect, instructor and technology innovator.

 

The course starts June 17 and will broadcast live via GoToWebinar for 4 consecutive Wednesdays. Lessons will be recorded and posted for permanent reference on the Masters of ArchiCAD website.

For more information and to register for the Cinerender course, click here.