AC-1f Basic Workflow for Competitions


 

About this Tutorial

This course is intended for first time users of ArchiCAD or/and Modeling. Self-taught users can also profit from the structure to consolidate essential concepts.  Here we will learn the tools that will help us to express our project, from the most basic shapes inserted into the context, to all the elements of the constructive detail of a facade. We will also be learning some of the tools needed to get from basic sketches to a full modeled architecture project.

Skill level and duration

Level: First Time Users 

Duration: A couple of hours  

In this tutorial you will learn

  1. Overview

  2. Context Model 

  3. Simple Solid

  4. Interior Spaces

  5. Inner Walls and Stairs

  6. Inner Objects

  7. Facade Details

The materials you will need

  1. Your laptop with internet connection to download and Install Software during the course.

Tutorial content

• 7 Videos 

• Full Tutorial Script 

• Sample 3D Printable File

Why take this tutorial

Modeling is the basic process of ArchiCAD, with this you can produce the base so you can later render, CAD and document. In this tutorial you will learn to use several tools to be able to model a project from zero to a specific detail of a facade. This is a great introduction to ArchiCAD and a platform to discover the benefits of using it. After this tutorial, you can start to learn about rendering, CADing and feel more confident to develop your architectural project.  


 

1. Start File

1.1. Create Topography

  1. Go to the Ground Floor.

  2. To create the base Start Command: Toolbar > Morph

    Adjust the Following Settings:

    • Structure: GENERIC – STRUCTURAL

    • Geometry Method: Box

  3. Draw the two Topographic levels: Pet Palette (PP) > Add Polyline

  4. Go to 3D View, and move the polylines created:

    • PP > Offset Edge

    • PP> Move Node

1.2. Create Context

  1. Go to the 3D View.

  2. To create the base Start Command: Toolbar > Morph

    Adjust the Following Settings:

    • Structure: GENERIC – STRUCTURAL

    • Geometry Method: 3 Points

  3. Trace the middle of the Roof: PP > Add Polyline

  4. Move the Roof sides: PP > Offset Edge

  5. Go to the Ground Floor.

  6. To Split the Buildings: Edit > Reshape > Split

    • Select one building.

    • Start command.

    • Select the border line.

    • Select the Outside side of the building.

1.3. Export STL

  1. Go to the 3D View.

  2. Isolate the Model F5

  3. Save as: STL

  4. Define the Scale 1:500


2. Import Preliminary

2.1. Create Topography

  1. Go to the Ground Floor.

  2. To create the base Start Command: Toolbar > Morph

    Adjust the Following Settings:

    • Structure: GENERIC – STRUCTURAL

    • Geometry Method: Box

  3. Draw the two Topographic levels: Pet Palette (PP) > Add Polyline

  4. Go to 3D View, and move the polylines created:

    • PP > Offset Edge

    • PP> Move Node

2.2. Create Context

  1. Go to the 3D View.

  2. To create the base Start Command: Toolbar > Morph

    Adjust the Following Settings:

    • Structure: GENERIC – STRUCTURAL

    • Geometry Method: 3 Points

  3. Trace the middle of the Roof: PP > Add Polyline

  4. Move the Roof sides: PP > Offset Edge

  5. Go to the Ground Floor.

  6. To Split the Buildings: Edit > Reshape > Split

    • Select one building.

    • Start command.

    • Select the border line.

    • Select the Outside side of the building.

2.3. Export STL

  1. Go to the 3D View.

  2. Isolate the Model F5

  3. Save as: STL

  4. Define the Scale 1:500


3. Initial Drawings

3.1. Insert Picture

  1. Go to the Worksheet.

  2. Create a New Worksheet for Plans on the Project Map.

  3. Go to File > External Content > Place External Drawing.

  4. Import the plan and section JPEG.

  5. Place it on the Worksheet.

  6. To Scale the plan: Edit > Reshape > Resize

    • Or you can use the Shortcut. Ctrl+ K

3.2. Basic Volume

  1. Go to the Ground Floor.

  2. Draw a Solid with the plan measure and set height according to the section.

    • Extrusion Length: 5.40.

  3. Go to the 3D View.

  4. In 3D Window Add a Polyline to create the Roof.

  5. Move the Edges to create the Roof: 2.60.

  6. Go to the Ground Floor.

  7. Measure the Height and Elevation of the Windows.

  8. Create a Morph based on the plan openings and set the Elevation you have just measure.

  9. Set its Elevation in the Morph Properties.

  10. Go to the 3D View.

  11. Open Solid Element Operation.

    • Select the Building as Target.

    • Select the Window Solids as Operators.

    • Choose Operation: Subtraction

    • Move and hide the Operators to layer 119 Operator

3.3. Export STL

  1. Go to the 3D View.

  2. Isolate the Model F5

  3. Save as: STL

  4. Define the Scale 1:200


4. Variants

4.1. Walls

  1. Go to the Ground Floor.

  2. To Trace Walls in the plan: ToolBox > Walls.

    • You can create as Geometry Method: Rectangular

    Adjust the Following Settings

    • Home Story: 0. Ground Floor

    • Wall Top: 1. Story (Home + 1)

    • Wall Thickness 0,50

  3. Draw the Rectangle as in the Reference Plan

  4. Go to the 1. Story.

  5. To Trace 1. Story Walls in the plan: ToolBox > Walls

    • You can create as Geometry Method: Rectangular

    Adjust the Following Settings:

    • Home Story: 1. Story

    • Wall Top: 2. Story (Home + 1)

    • Wall Thickness: 0,50

  6. Draw the Rectangle as the one of the Ground Floor.

4.2. Roof

  1. Go to the 3D View.

  2. To Create a Roof: Toolbox > Roof

    • Select as Geometry Method: Multi-Plan

    • Select as Construction Method: Rotated Rect. Hip Gable

    Adjust the Following Settings:

    • Structure: ST- Generic Structural

    • Thickness: 0.50

    • Eaves Overhang: 0.00

    • Roof Edge Angle: 45.00°

    • Home Story: 2. Story

    • To project Zero: 4.90

    • Edge Angle: 45.00°

  3. Elevate the 1. Story Wall to be over the Roof.

  4. Start Solid Element Operation.

    • Select Walls as Target.

    • Select the Roof as Operator.

    • Choose Operation: _Subtraction with Upward Extrusion

4.3. Ground Floor Windows

  1. Go to the Ground Floor.

  2. To Create Windows over the Walls: Toolbox > Window

    • In Properties select as Element: Simple Window Opening

    • Place it Over the Wall.

    • Size: 1.00 x 2.00

    • Sill: 0.15

4.4. 1 Story Openings

  1. Go to the 1. Story.

  2. To Create Windows over the Walls: Toolbox > Door

    Adjust the following settings:

    • In Properties select as Element: Simple Door Opening

    • Place it Over the Wall.

    • Size: 10.60 x 2.50

    • Sill: 0.00

  3. To Create Windows over the Walls: Toolbox > Door

    Adjust the following settings

    • In Properties select as Element: Simple Window Opening

    • Place it Over the Wall

    • Size: 0.50 x 1.00

    • Sill: 2.70

4.5. Slabs

  1. Go to the 3D View.

  2. To Create Slabs: Toolbox > Slab

    • Bottom and Top of First Slab: 0.45 x 0.00

    • Bottom and Top of Second Slab: 0.45 x 3.30

4.6. Export STL

  1. Go to the 3D View.

  2. Isolate the Model F5

  3. Save as: STL

  4. Define the Scale 1:200


5. Calculations

5.1. Ground Floor Inner Walls

  1. Go to the Ground Floor.

  2. To create inner Walls: Toolbox > Walls

    Adjust the following settings:

    • Wall Thickness: 0.17

    • Try to make of make a Distance from other walls: 0.90

    • Side of Stairs Wall Thickness: 0.10

5.2. 1 Story Inside Walls

  1. Go to the 1. Story.

  2. To create inner Walls: Toolbox > Walls

    Adjust the following settings:

    • Wall Thickness: 0.17

    • Try to make of make a Distance from: 0.90

  3. Start Solid Element Operation to delete the walls over the roof.

    • Select Walls as Target.

    • Select the Roof as Operator.

    • Choose Operation Subtraction with Upward Extrusion.

5.3. Stairs

  • Go to the Ground Floor.

  • To create Stairs: Toolbox > Stairs

  • Adjust the following settings:

    • Number of Stairs: 15

    • Height of Stair: 0.22

    • Stairs Depth: 0.25

  • Open Hole in the Slab: PP > Subtract from Polygon

5.4. Export STL

  1. Go to the 3D View.

  2. To Create our 3 Floors Model:

    • Separate our Ground Floor.

    • Copy our 1. Story and Roof.

    • Delete the Roof and fit the Inner Walls on the outside Walls border.

    • In the Second Copy we use the Roof as Operator of the Inside Walls.

  3. Isolate the Model F5

  4. Save as: STL

  5. Define the Scale 1:200


 

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AC_CHE-0 ArchiCAD Swiss Version Foundations