AC-3a Modeling from 500 to 200
About this Tutorial
In this Tutorial you will learn how to create a more advanced architectural model in ArchiCAD. The tutorial covers essential topics such as adding zones to your project, creating schedules, and modeling windows, doors, and stairs. You will also learn how to put it all together in a layout and watch it in BIMx, a powerful tool for viewing and sharing your architectural projects.
Skill level and duration
Level: 3 - Starting to Develop a Project
Duration: A couple of hours
In this tutorial you will learn
Zones
Schedules
Window Settings
Door Settings
Stair Settings
Create Layouts
BIMx
The materials you will need
Your laptop with internet connection to download and Install Software during the course.
Tutorial content
• 7 Videos
• Full Tutorial Script
Why take this tutorial
By taking this tutorial, you will learn how to create a complete architectural model that includes all the necessary elements for a functional building. You will start by adding zones to your project and creating schedules to keep track of important information such as floor areas and room finishes. Then, you will learn how to model windows, doors, and stairs, which are essential components of any building.
Finally, you will put it all together in a layout and watch it in BIMx. This will allow you to see your project in a realistic 3D environment and share it with clients and colleagues. You will learn how to create a layout that includes all the necessary drawings, such as floor plans, elevations, and sections, and how to use BIMx to explore your project in detail.
1. Zones
1.1. Create Zone
Go to the Topic Toolbar > Design > Zone.
You can see in the top part a couple of settings that will be of help.
Adjust the Following Settings:
Layer = 209 Zones 1:100
Construction Method = Polyline
Annotation = Unactive
Zone Name = Area
Zone Category = Generic
Now go to your plan and start tracing all the usable area you got.
Take in count you got a last click to select where are you going to put your Zone Info.
1.2. Floor Plan Display
To edit the appearance of our Zone we can scroll over the top properties bar.
The Floor Plan Contour Line = Inactive
Cover Fill = 25%
Cover Fill Pen = 58 & 0
1.3. Zone Properties
Now lets start going deep in the Zone Properties by clicking the Icon in the upper part.
Go to the Settings Tab.
Go to the category Content 1:200 > Basic Data 1:20. Here you can see the Number
Here you can change the content you show of the Name and Number.
Go to the category Content 1:200 > Area, Volume 1:200. Here you can see the information of measured area and volume you want to show
You can click on the box of Measured Area and activate to show it in your plan
Go to the category Appearance 1:200 and change the Frame Style.
Finally go to the category of Stamp Text Style, and set your text as this:
Font = Avenir Book - Western
Text Size = 2.00 mm
2. Schedules
2.1. Create and Define
Go to Project Map > Schedules
Click on Settings
Create a New Schedule by clicking on New…
Name it General Area.
Set it as Elements.
Set Criteria:
Set Element Type as Zones
Set Layer as 209 Zones 1:100
Add Fields by clicking Add Fields… and searching by:
Zone Name
Zone – Measured Area
Click on the summatory symbol to create a Total.
Click and enter the Schedule you have just created.
2.2. Format Options
Set the Style as Horizontal for the fields you have selected.
Check the box of Merge Items.
Set Text Style:
Font: Avenir Book – Western
Size: 2.00 mm
You can edit the text, for example change the Measured Area for just Area.
Try always to not center text, can be confusing.
3. Window Settings
3.1. Create a Simple Opening
Go to Topic Toolbar > Window Tool.
Open the Window Settings in the upper part of the window.
Go to the Preview and Positioning, and configure the following settings.
Height = 2.0
Width = 1.0
Sill To Wall Base = 0.15
Place the Windows as they were 2.75m of distance between them, and 1.48m in the border.
3.2. Create a Non-Visible Window
Go the 3D View.
Go to the Topic Toolbar > Window Tool.
Open the Window Settings in the upper part of the window.
Go to the Preview and Positioning, and configure the following settings.
Height = 1.0
Width = 0.5
Sill To Wall Base = 2.70
Place the Windows in the 3D View, locating in the middle of the wall.
3.3. Floor Plan Cut Plane
To make it visible we will need to change the Floor Plan Cut Plane of the 1. Obergeschoss Floorplan.
Go to the upper part, enter in Document > Floor Plan Cut Plane…
Adjust these settings:
Cut Plane height to Current Story = 1.5
Relative Floor Plan Range > Show Up to: 1 Story Above = 1.5
Click in OK and check if the view has changed.
Go to the View > right click > Redefine with Current Window Settings.
4. Door Settings
4.1. Create a Simple Opening
Go to Topic Toolbar > Door Tool.
Open the Door Settings in the upper part of the window.
Go to the Preview and Positioning, and configure the following settings:
Height = 2.0
Width = 1.0
Sill To Wall Base = 0.15
Place the Door between windows as they were 2.75m of distance between them, and 1.48m in the border
4.2. Place the Second Door
Go the 1. Obergeschoss Floorplan.
Go to Topic Toolbar > Door Tool.
Open the Door Settings in the upper part of the window.
Go to the Preview and Positioning, and configure the following settings.
Height = 2.5
Width = 10.6
Sill To Wall Base = 0.00
Place the Door in the middle.
5. Stairs Settings
5.1. Create a Basic Stair
Select the Stair Tool from the toolbar on the left-hand side of the screen.
In the Stair Settings, set the desired height, width, and depth of the stair to match the design of the Schneller Bader House.
According to the plans, the height of each riser is 20.0 centimeters, the depth of each tread is 25.3 centimeters, and the width of the stair is 90 centimeters.
Click and drag to draw a rectangular outline for the footprint of the stairs in the desired location, aligning it with the existing inside wall.
You can check the stairs by Isolating it on 3D, clicking with F4 or F5 to see an specific selected element or pressing again to see the whole model.
5.2. Floor Plan Display
Go to the Stair Settings.
In Floor Plan Display go to Floor Plan Display Layouts and set it to Show on: Home & One Story Up.
Set Relevant-Top Story to No Break Mark: Visible.
Set Relevant-Bottom Story to With Break Mark: Visible – Hidden.
Go to the Floor Plan Display tab > Walking Line.
Set the Walking Line Settings to Walking Line 25.
In Walking Line Component Settings go to the Start Symbol.
Set the Start Symbol = Two lines options.
Start Symbol Width = 0.001
Start Symbol Height = 0.001
Go to the End Symbol and set the arrow to Custom Type 1.
End Symbol Width = 0.2
End Symbol Height = 0.1
Ends at Second Last Tread = Check
Click on OK.
6. Create Layouts
6.1. Create Layout
Go to the Layout Map.
Create a Folder and name it 1:200.
Create a New Layout with the Master Layout Blank A4 Landscape.
Name it Erdgeschoss.
Do the same with the other Layouts:
Obergeschoss
North Elevation
South Elevation
Section A
6.2. Insert Views
Go to the View Map, grab the Views you have created and drop it in the each Layout.
Enter in the Drawing Selection Settings.
Go to Title tab and set to B Drawing Tittle.
The Title will take the View Title and Scale.
6.3. Arrange Drawings
Select the view you have dropped, and with the Pet Palette you can arrange size and position.
7. BIMx
7.1. Create a Publish Set
Go to the Publish Map.
Click on the Icon to create a New Publish Set.
Name it BIMx.
Enter in the Publishing Properties…
Publishing Method = Single File
Name = SBH Bimx
Info Set = Single Selection
Format = BIMx Hyper-Model
7.2. Organize BIMx
Open the Organizer.
Arrange to see the Layouts and the Publish Set.
Select the Layouts you have created to the 1:200.
Also create a 3D View of all the project, where the information will be shown.
Click on Add Shortcut > > >
Go back to the Publish View.
Click on Publish.
Confirm you got it in selected sets.
7.3. Open BIMx
Click on Open and search for the BIMx file you have just created.
In the left side of the screen, you can find all the Layouts you have exported.
You can click on one, then in the right lower corner click on Go to 3D and view the plan in the 3D Model.
Also you can click on the 3D Cutaway and modify the section of the project you are watching.
Also click on the PDF element and arrange its position.
Model in ArchiCAD for the absolute first time with me!
Let me teach you basic commands of the software for you to be ready work on your projects. Start from the very basics and follow me step-by-step in the process of giving more detail to your architectural model.