What this book covers
Chapter 1, What Is Archicad and How Can You Learn It?, introduces Archicad and its developer, Graphisoft, with a short overview of its history, from the early 1980s. We also explain license types and what to expect from our approach to learning about the software.
Chapter 2, Getting Started with Archicad, covers the first steps with the software, introducing the interface, the major concepts and interaction methods, and the onscreen feedback and data entry you will encounter. We end with starting and saving our first project file, ready to start modeling in the next chapter.
Chapter 3, Building a Basic Residential Model – Modeling the Construction Elements, finally introduces modeling inside Archicad, by creating a small house step by step. This involves learning how to navigate in 2D and 3D and shows you how to model accurately. We will start with walls and slabs, but the main interactions apply to many other types of elements too.
Chapter 4, Building a Basic Residential Model – Adding Roofs, Zones, Beams, and Columns, continues the basic model by introducing more construction elements that make up the core shell and structure of our project, but also its spatial content, using zones.
Chapter 5, Building a Basic Residential Model – Modeling Openings, Stairs, and Objects, closes our first three chapters on modeling, with parametric objects such as doors and windows, and versatile system tools, such as stairs and curtain walls. We also tell you how to create a freeform shape, to create basically any object you can imagine.
Chapter 6, Basic Drafting and 2D Views, uses the 3D model to derive 2D views, which can be enhanced with 2D drafting methods. We introduce different attributes that control how lines and fills look.
Chapter 7, Adding Annotations and Creating 2D Output, closes the first part of the book, by adding 2D annotations onto the different views and preparing the final output documents, ready to be printed or shared as PDF.
With this chapter, we end the first part by creating a basic residential model and using it to extract drawings, ready to be printed or digitally shared.
Chapter 8, Using Advanced Modeling Tools for Developed Design, expands the model with more advanced modeling tools and techniques and further refinement of the elements, including their composite structure and how Archicad creates connections between elements.
Chapter 9, Using Advanced System Tools for Designing Stairs and Curtain Walls, returns to the stairs and curtain walls for more refinement and complete editing in detail.
Chapter 10, Using the Mesh Tool and Wizards to Finalize a Design, explains how to model our terrain and introduces two wizards to generate a complete truss and roof structure, starting from basic geometry.
Chapter 11, Using Advanced Attributes and the Renovation Tool for a Wider Design Range, explains how to control element sections with parametric, complex profiles and also introduces a few attributes to indicate the renovation status of objects, their structural function, and whether they are positioned as part of the building envelope or shell.
Chapter 12, 2D Construction Drawings and 3D Views with Linked Annotations, dives deep into the Archicad attributes that help control the look and feel of lines, fills, and other attributes in more detail. We will also return to our sections to control how they can dramatically change the display of the model. Finally, we will learn a few methods to organize construction detailing and how to display building fragments, to help you communicate the intent of the design.
Chapter 13, Data Extraction and Visualization, leverages the model to extract information into tabular schedules and to override the graphics of elements, to create alternative, thematic views, all model-based.
Chapter 14, Automating the Publication of BIM Extracts, elaborates on the publication workflow, from the initial viewpoint to defining views, collecting them in layouts, and finally, generating all the output as a single publisher set. This unlocks the power of being able to update the model and have all related documents and output updated automatically. Let the system work for you!
Chapter 15, The Various Visualization Techniques in Archicad, completes the book by generating different compelling and interesting visual output, including photorealistic rendering and how to bring the model into an interactive application.
The Appendix section gives a summary of what the book covered, but also a few pointers to additional features and options that could not be covered in the book, but which can help you to grow to the next level of Archicad proficiency.
