ArchiCAD Quick Start Guide

The Cabin

JANUARY 2008

Lesson 1: The Interface

Double click on the ArchiCAD 11 shortcut on the desktop to start the application.

Select CREATE NEW PROJECT then choose ARCHICAD 11 TEMPLATE, DEFAULT PROFILE, then select NEW to start the project.

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Lesson 1: The Interface

See the illustration below to help familiarize yourself with the ArchiCAD 11 interface. Toolbox: ArchiCAD commands (tools). Info box: For information and to set tool properties. Navigator: Browse project elements.

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Lesson 2: Walls

In this lesson we learn some of the functionality of the WALL tool as we draw the walls for our cabin. Click on the WALL tool in the TOOL BOX.

Click on the WALL SETTINGS DIALOG button in the INFO BOX.

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Lesson 2: Walls

WALL DEFAULT SETTINGS dialog allows you to change wall height, justification, components, display, layer, and more. Choose OK to close the dialog.

Select the button to enable multiple wall segments, pick at point A for the first point then drag your mouse to the left and type 24 then ENTER (while still in a drag mode) to complete the 24' segment.

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Lesson 2: Walls

Complete the next three wall segments the same way as the first. If you make a mistake click on the UNDO button.

Select the WALL tool again and move your cursor over the MIDPOINT of the top wall (near A). The cursor should change to a check when it is on the midpoint of the wall. Pick now to start the interior walls. Draw them using the skills learned earlier. A to B to C.

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Lesson 2: Walls
Complete the next three wall segmentsthe same way as the first. If you make a mistake click on the UNDO button.

Select the WALL tool again and move your cursor over the MIDPOINT of the top wall (near A). The cursor should change to a check when it is on the midpoint of the wall. Pick at the midpoint to start the interior walls. Draw them using the skills learned earlier. A to B to C. Right Click and choose OK to complete the wall segments.

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Lesson 2: Walls
Complete the next three wall segmentsthe same way as the first. If you make a mistake click on the UNDO button.

Select the WALL tool again and move your cursor over the MIDPOINT of the top wall (near A). The cursor should change to a check when it is on the midpoint of the wall. Pick at the midpoint to start the interior walls. Draw them using the skills learned earlier. A to B to C. Right Click and choose OK to complete the wall segments.

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Lesson 3: Doors

Select the DOOR tool from the TOOLBOX. (1) Select the DOOR SETTINGS DIALOG button. (2)

Select D2 2SIDELIGHT TRANSOM 11 door from the list. Notice all the settings available for the door. Click OK to close the dialog and place the door.

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Lesson 3: Doors

Pick at point A to place the center of the door. Pick at point B (inside the cabin) to set the door to open inwards.

The result as shown.

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Lesson 3: Doors

Place another door of your choice in the opposite wall as shown. Select the DOOR tool from the TOOLBOX. (1) Select the DOOR SETTINGS DIALOG button. (2) Pick a point near the midpoint of the upper left wall. Pick a point inside the cabin walls to determine the opening direction.

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Lesson 4: Windows

Place several WINDOWs of your choice on the floorplan using the same placement method as the doors. Select the WINDOW tool from the TOOLBOX. (1) Select the WINDOW SETTINGS DIALOG button. (2) Example: Pick a point on the wall. (A) Pick the point to set the window reveal orientation. (B)

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Lesson 5: Views

Change the view to GENERIC PERSPECTIVE 3D view. Enable the PROJECT MAP view of the PROJECT NAVIGATOR. Select GENERIC PERSPECTIVE from the 3D group.

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Lesson 5: Views

Orbit
Use the ORBIT tool to change the 3D view. PICK and HOLD inside the view and DRAG in multiple directions. Let go to stop the orbit. Try ORBIT several times.

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Lesson 5: Views
Navigator
Set the view back to plan view. Double click on the 1.1st FLOOR view in the PROJECT MAP section of the NAVIGATOR.

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Lesson 6: Dimensioning
Automatic Dimensions
Select the elements of the cabin using the ARROW tool. Select the ARROW tool from the TOOLBOX (1), then select the RECTANGLE selection method (2).

Pick two points to create a RECTANGLE around all the elements in the model.

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Lesson 6: Dimensioning
Automatic Dimensions
Go to the DOCUMENT Pulldown menu and select DOCUMENT EXTRAS, then AUTOMATIC DIMENSIONING, then EXTERIOR DIMENSIONING. (Document > Document Extras > Automatic Dimensioning > Exterior Dimensioning)

Select the options as shown in the AUTOMATIC DIMENSIONING dialog and choose OK.

Select a point near A then B then C. Note: Watch the status bar at the lower left of the ArchiCAD window for additional instructions.

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Lesson 7: Roofs
Roof
In this lesson we will create a ROOF on the cabin. Select the ROOF tool from the TOOLBOX (1). Select the POLYROOF button (2).

Select each corner of the cabin sequentially you get feed back when you have the exact corner picked.

Change your POLYROOF SETTINGS to match the illustration and choose OK.

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Lesson 7: Roofs
View Roof
Go to the PROJECT NAVIGATOR and select the GENERIC PERSPECTIVE to check the roof.

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Lesson 8: Rendering
PhotoRender Projection
In this lesson you are introduced to the rendering feature of ArchiCAD. Go to DOCUMENT and then select CREATIVE IMAGING and then PHOTORENDER PROJECTION.
The cabin is now rendered using default settings and materials.

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Lesson 8: Rendering
Schedules
While we were creating our model ArchiCAD was collecting the information for our drawing. This is a BIM program or BUILDING INFORMATION MODELING program. Letscheck out what ArchiCAD has collected while we experimented with this software. Select (double click) NCS DOOR AND FRAME from the ELEMENT SCHEDULES in the PROJECT NAVIGATOR. Select (double click) the other SCHEDULES available. (NCS Window Sch and Object Inventory)

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Lesson 9: BIM
Project Indexes
Check out the PROJECT INDEXES information from the PROJECT NAVIGATOR. Select (double click) DRAWING LIST from the PROJECT INDEXES. Your screen should look similar to the illustration below.

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Lesson 9: BIM
Legends
Check out the LEGEND information from the PROJECT NAVIGATOR. Select (double click) WINDOW LEGEND (AC_11_US) from ELEMENTS in LISTS. Your screen should look similar to the illustration below.

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Lesson 10: Layouts

Plans and Elevations
View some of the LAYOUTS from the LAYOUT BOOK of the PROJECT NAVIGATOR. Select (double click) A-101 1ST FLOOR PLAN. Your screen should look similar to the illustration below. Try some of the other LAYOUTS.

You may have several windows open within ArchiCAD. Close them by clicking the X box at the top right of the window.

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Lesson 11: Saving

File Types
Go to the FILE Pulldown menu and choose SAVEAS or click on the SAVE button. Save the project as CABIN. Go to the FILE Pull-down menu and choose SAVEAS. Save as CABIN.DWG by selecting the DWG file type from the SAVE AS TYPE list. Use SKIP ALL option for fonts. Sell illustrations below. We can import the cabin.dwg into Google Sketchup Pro.

Lessons Complete
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