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News :
ArchiCAD featured in Cadence Magazine AEC Tech News online March 1, 2001
ArchiRuler
Over in the ArchiCAD world of CADD a similar flurry of activity is going on with new plug-ins and object libraries. The Italian company that brought us the wonderful ArchiForma 3D sculpting tool add-on for ArchiCAD - cigraph - have come out with three more plug-ins oriented towards 2D productivity - ArchiRuler, ArchiFacade, ArchiTiles. ArchiRuler has some 14 new icon tools representing over 60 new functions, including Polyline, and a snap point divide tool using Hotspots, among others, which, in particular would appeal to those who switched to ArchiCAD from AutoCAD and are missing some of those powerful 2D functions for drafting details.
Object Club - win a free Car !
If you join the Object Club for GDL objects, as I did recently to obtain the GDL Object Adapter for AutoCAD 2000 (which allows you to instantly plunk in thousands of detailed parametric 3D objects to your drawings) you get a free GDL Porsche virtual sportscar object.
ArchiTalkers Image Dumpground on Xdrive.com
In AEC Tech News #36 (Oct.15, 2000) I mentioned that the xdrive.com and idrive.com web resources can be a great resource for architects as instant, free, mini-extranets. The discussion forum for ArchiCAD, called ArchiTalk, has taken that to a new level, by using the free publicly accessible hard drive space as a supplemental resource for the forum (particularly to avoid people sending attachments to the discussion list). They created an account user name of : archicad1, with the password of: archicad, and publicly gave this out. Then each ArchiCAD user signs on, refers themselves, and gains yet another 5 meg of space to the forum (they hope to reach 5 gig by this summer!). I nominate them for a CheapTrick award for this twist.
GDL Cookbook/ArchiCAD Training Guide
GDL Cookbook is now at version III (up from II) and the ArchiCAD Training Guide is now for 6.5, both are really excellent ways of learning ArchiCAD.
Al Moulton New President of Graphisoft US
Al Moulton, of Boston, and president of Drawbase, is the new president of Graphisoft US becoming the head of all operations of Graphisoft in North America with offices in Boston, San Francisco and San Antonio. Tamás Hajas, is returning to Graphisoft R&D in Budapest.
ArchiCAD featured in Cadence Magazine AEC Tech News online December 1, 2000
Now 3 different GDL creators are available :
GDL Toolbox = http://www.archidata.hu -- internal add-on to ArchiCAD - 3D rotation, extrude, sweep, slice
ArchiForma / ArchiTerra = http://www.cigraph.it -- internal add-on to ArchiCAD - 3D rotation, extrude, sweep, slice
Zoom GDL = http://www.abvent.com -- seperate program that creates ArchiCAD GDL objects - also has subtractive boolean operations
A new plug-in for ArchiCAD interfaces with Piranesi, the 3D painting software from Informatix, and can be downloaded from http://www.graphisoft.com/down/
GDL Cookbook 3 now available
There is almost no issue in GDL that is unaddressed and the book goes from Beginner to ultimate Professional. CD of the exercises, and a pdf copy all included $45 in US and worldwide, 30 gbp in the UK Available in all countries of the world except Australia
Cookbook Website: http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/sbe/cookbook/
Fax: <+>44-115-945-5121 Email: davidnc@innotts.co.uk
From: Kimon Onuma <GDLalliance@onuma.com>
The GDL Alliance is going to have an election starting on Nov. 8 for the 13 members of the Board of Directors. This will be for the newly formed GDL Alliance. We are accepting nominations until Nov. 7. Please go to: http://www.GDLalliance.com to join, place nominations and see a list of current nominees. We have nominations for 26 people so far. The GDL Alliance currently has 102 members from 26 countries. Thank you for your commitment to the GDL vision. Kimon G. Onuma, President Pro Temp of The GDL Alliance
Join The GDL Alliance at: http://www.GDLalliance.com
The GDL Alliance
511 Mission Street
South Pasadena, CA 91030
From the GDL Alliance Executive Committee:
David Nicholson-Cole - davidnc@innotts.co.uk
Kimon Onuma - onuma@webscape.com
John Stebbins - john@digitalvis.com
Duane Valencia - VFrontiers@aol.com
Date: 27 Sep 2000
From: Arch Willingham <Arch@tuparks.com>
Virtual Tutor" Archicad training CD-ROM by Design Animation
While my dealer has done a great job of teaching us how to use Archicad, if you don't use it a lot - you forget how to use it. Several weeks ago, I was scanning the Web for Archicad and stumbled on a site that sells a fantastic training CD for use with Archicad.
The company is called Design Animation and the CD is fantastic. You can find their site at http://www.archicadtutorials.com/ or you can e-mail them at info@archicadtutorials.com. The CD's (there are two) cover every aspect of using Archicad and has helped me immensely. The format is a series of QuickTime movies (that's what I call them anyway) that show each major part of how you use the software.
Examples of some of this things it shows you how to do are:
- -set up your computer.
- - the ArchiCAD desktop.
- - set up a project and where to keep all your files.
- -make VR scenes, panoramas and quicktime movies.
- -how to make walls, edit walls, all the options for placing your walls, make composite walls.
- -how to make roofs, edit roofs. (gables, dutch hips, hips, automatic and manually placed roofs, skillion roofs, dome roofs, curved roofs.
- - edit slabs, create slabs, modify slabs
- -learn how to use ArchiCAD's intelligent cursor to, snap to, constrain to, and align to objects.
- -to use plotmaker and the concept behind it.
- -create Shadows & paste them into your floor plans
- -make patches.
- -make simple library parts.
- -make modules.
- -how all your pallets work. (3d, Quickviews and more)
- - zones show them in 2d and 3d
- -Import DWG files, resize them to the correct scale and place all lines on a single layer quickly
- -dimensioning the fast way.
The only slight drawback is that the sound is sort of muted at one point and the guy that narrates it is from Australia and has an accent that is semi hard for a "good ol' boy" from Tennessee to understand (though in all fairness, he would probably have a hard time understanding my Southern accent <G>). Arch Willingham
Hottest news for ArchiCAD users in a decade ! ArchiForma, a new freeform 3D modeler that works inside ArchiCAD, as a $125 add-on ! Cadence AEC Tech news has the story. AEC Tech News Aug 1, 2000.
Graphisoft is calling for entries to its annual Graphisoft Prize international design competition
The GDL Object Web Plug-in enables viewing remote ArchiCAD library parts over the Internet, even if ArchiCAD is not installed on your computer. View the objects freely from any angle, both the 3D model and its 2D symbol, then save the required GDL Objects to your computer. To download the plug-in go to: http://www.graphisoft.com/products/gdl_plugin
Free Cabinet Builder object by Theometric Software at Objects Online. This well designed set of objects will be on the front page of the website for the month of March; after that, you can find it in the Object Families category. To download your free copy, please visit Objects Online at: http://www.objectsonline.com
12/99
ArchiCAD 6.5 is now shipping and was demonstrated extensively at the ICS booth at BuildBoston'99 by Greg Conyngham and Jeff Olken. ICS - Integrated CADD Services is the New England VAR for ArchiCAD avail. at http://www.intcad.com
Major additions and enhancements include automatic dimensioning; transparent stories on the floor plan; hotlinked modules for referencing external files; new intelligent beam and round column tools; roof creation and trimming in 3D; and associative dimensioning in section/elevation window.
Design/Build Series has been integrated into ArchiCAD v6.5 (US$4,295) to speed production and simplify presentation for builders.
2/2000
The release of ArchiCAD 6.5 R2 approaches
10/99
ArchiCAD 6.5 to Ship in November
Graphisoft will ship ArchiCAD v6.5 in the first week of Nov '99. The new User Interface Script allows library objects to be defined with buttons, text, and illustrations. Object parameters control each other when changed graphically. Users can choose a product style based on photos and profile drawings as an alternative to menus of style names.
Hotlinked modules manage repetitive structures within a project by editing from a single source file. File exchange has been improved with the addition of MicroStation DGN translator, plus more options for DXF/DWG conversion. For improved object compatibility, Graphisoft will release an ARX converter in the first quarter of 2000.
New modeling tools include: 3D zones for accurate information on irregular spaces; roof generation and trimming in 3D; and new element types - a Beam tool and round column. Project documentation is simplified with easier editing of databases; the Format Assistant helps create and modify layouts and graphic templates.
ArchiCAD 6.5 also incorporates all of Design/Build Series Module 1 (Design & Presentation) and Module 2 (Production & Estimating) for builders, residential designers, and architects.
The base price for ArchiCAD 6.5 is US$4,295; additional licenses are US$3,195. Upgrades begin at US$425. http://www.graphisoft.com
6/1/99
ArchiCAD Wins the Architectural CADD Cup, symbol of excellence in architectural design software. At the 1999 competition of the Architectural CADD Cup, held at A/E/C SYSTEMS '99 in Los Angeles on May 26, 1999, the ArchiCAD Team overthrew the past holder of the Cup, the ARRIS Team, as well as Team representing VectorWorks, DataCAD, AllPlan, and ArchiTECH.PC / SoftCAD 3D, to garner the top scores in the competition. The three hour charrette, where the Team had to design a recreation building in a Caribbean style for a Florida resort, was judged by a jury of 11 architects who scrutinized every mousestroke, and attended by an audience of hundreds - and was the top highlight of the A/E/C SYSTEMS show. More details at : http://www.architecturalcadd.com/shootout.html
The CAD company relocated its headquarters to the new Graphisoft Park situated on the banks of the Danube River just north of central Budapest. The Park will anchor dozens of software companies, including Microsoft Hungary.
ArchiGuide Online for users who've had years of experience with AutoCAD or Arris and needed to get up to speed with ArchiCAD. Helps to bridge the gap between the Users Manual and the actual usage of the software in a design office.
New DXF/DWG Add-on Available
The latest version of the DXF/DWG add-on uses a newly licensed DWG engine that is R14 compatible. Its new features include:
+ separated Paperspace/Modelspace output from ArchiCAD
+ multiple configuration files can be used
ArchiCAD 6.o versions with USB protection keyplugs for Apple's iMac computers are now available. ArchiCAD 5.0 or Classic versions will not be available with USB keyplugs.
In order to run ArchiCAD on an iMac you will need - in addition to the
USB keyplug - an ArchiCAD 6.o version updated with a USB patch. The keyplug
and patch are available upon request.
ArchiCAD "smoked the competition" and won CADENCE magazine's
annual Top Gun contest at A/E/C Systems. Five finalists from a field of
280 qualified to compete by successfully answering a 25-question multiple
choice exam. The 20-minute Fastdraw portion of the contest matched ArchiCAD
against AutoCAD R14 and Softdesk AutoArchitect 8.0 and required competitors
to duplicate the floor plan of a two-story house with simple annotations
and elevations. The event was judged by Geoffrey Langdon, the originator
of the 3D Design Shootout in Boston, and Peter Sheerin, CADENCE technical
editor. Results will appear in the August 1998 edition of CADENCE magazine.
Architectural CADD Consultants Articles :
Architectural Design Software : A Comparison of ArchiCAD, AllPlan, and AutoCAD
CumTerra - terrain modeller alternative to ArchiSite
If you want other terrain modeller, try to check out "cumTerra" - software for modelling terrain developed by italian ditributor of ArchiCAD - CiGraph. www.cigraph.it I try two years ago this software, and i think is more complex than ArchiSite. CumTerra is available only for Macintosh.
New add ons :
The Arclength
Draw Elevation of a Wall
Check these out:
http://www.graphisoft.com/down/
Download Add-Ons
Download these files, decompress them and copy them into the Add-Ons folder of your ArchiCAD 6.0. After restarting ArchiCAD, you will find some new commands in the bottom of the Tools menu. Warning: You need ArchiCAD 6.0 R4/v4 or later to use these add-ons.
Check & Delete Doubles
The add-on can find, select or delete items with the same parameters (type, color, thickness, height, etc...) laying on the same place of the floor plan.
checkdoubles.sea.hqx (Mac 21 kB) checkdoubles.zip (Win 8 kB)
Draw Elevation of a Wall
The add-on can trap the contour lines of an existing wall (together with holes) and place lines that representing this contour to the floor plan at the clicked place.
elevdraw.sea.hqx (Mac 8 kB) elevdraw.zip (Win 5 kB)
The Profiler
The Profiler add-on makes it easier for you to graphically create GDL objects with tubular or revolved surfaces. The add-on has two commands: the "Create a Tubular Object" and the "Create a Revolution Surface".
profile.sea.hqx (Mac 118 kB) profile.zip (Win 26 kB)
The Arclength
You can create with this add-on lines, arcs and texts which look the same as a real arclength.
rectification.sea.hqx (Mac 49 kB) rectification.zip (Win 6 kB)
IMAC + DONGLE: Update
How to make imac use Archicad.
You need the imate usb key adapter to connect the dongle. From apple there is updated firmware which allows the imate key to work. Then from the graphisoft web site there is an update for archicad.
Go to these Pages:
imate key update:
http://www.griffintechnology.com/imac/imate_driver.html
Apple firmware update:
http://asu.info.apple.com/swupdates.nsf/artnum/n11178?OpenDocument
Archicad update:
http://www.graphisoft.com/support/ ( Click on patches)
iMate Driver download
A beta version of the iMate driver software is available for download below. The software allows ADB devices such as dongles and others that require custom drivers to operate with the iMate adapter. You must have the latest iMac firmware update as well as the latest iMac ROM Update to use this driver. Links to these are below.
About iMate Driver
The iMate driver provides the functionality of the ADB manager. This allows ADB devices that require custom drivers to operate on an iMac or a Mac with a USB card. Many ADB devices such as keyboards, mice, trackballs, trackpads, and bar code readers operate with the iMate without any driver software at all or only need a driver to support special functions. Hardware "dongles", drawing tablets, and joysticks require the iMate driver to operate. You would only need to download the iMate driver for these devices.
What's New in 1.0b4
Version 1.0b4 adds additional dongle compatibility. It now works with dongle protected programs that use the Eve Init. It also provides faster implementation ADB OPs that may provide improved performance for some devices including tablets.
Download iMate Driver
First install the iMac Firmware and ROM updates. You MUST have the current version of the iMac ROM to use the iMate driver software. You can easily check you ROM version by selecting "About This Computer" under the Apple menu. In the dialog box it will say Mac OS ROM 1.2.1 if you have the correct version. You only need the iMac ROM and firmware updates if you are using a Rev A or Rev B iMac (233 Mhz, Bondi). The new Rev C (Flavored, 266 Mhz) models should already come with the correct ROM and firmware installed. You should download the iMac ROM and Firmware updaters from one of the Apple sites.
ArchiCAD Vector Fills
The much awaited Stone Fill Library is here! Apply vectors fills that resemble rubble, cut stone, and random rock in 3D animations, perspectives, and elevations! Stone Fills will save you days of work. We guarantee it or your money back! The Stone Fill Library is now available in a one time introductory bundle offer! With Stones Fill Library, you get Date & Time Stamp FREE! Check out the images created with ArchiCAD and the Stone Fill Library and hear what some of the ArchiCAD users have to say! Point your browser to: http://www.comv.com/stones Making Cool Things, Inc.
A 160 page resourcebook with large numbers of 'ArchiCAD Tips and Tricks' distributed throughout the book, to do with rendering, file conversion, animation, model building etc, making it more a *resource book* for ArchiCAD users in many respects than just GDL. click here for more information.
Date: 19 Jul 1999
From: Mindy Rosenblatt <mindy@architrek.com>
NEW GDL ONLINE OBJECT STORE
Hi All - I'm happy to announce the opening of a new online outlet for ArchiCAD Objects:
Come visit - the interface at 3D Model Store is crisp and clean - pages load quickly - searches run like lightning - and the organization is fast and easy to work.
And if you would like a new or additional outlet to sell your GDL objects - we are looking for GDL developers to join our team. E-mail team@3dmodelstore.com for further information on being a member of the collective. Mindy Rosenblatt
An add-on program for ArchiCAD that helps you do 3D landform site models. click here for more information.
Links to Dealers, Resellers :
Integrated CADD Services (ICS) (Greg Conyngham) Cambridge, MA ----http://www.intcad.com
Envision Architectural Technology Services, LLC (Honolulu HI) --- http://www.envision-ats.com
CADD Works (Woody Schempp) New York --- http://www.caddworks.com
(203)966-7200 Fax: (203)972-6179 E-mail: wschempp@caddworks.com
also check the complete list at http://www.graphisoft.com
Dimensions Design Group = http://www.ddgi.com
RealDoors and RealWindows for ArchiCAD
Neil McCann provides modeling, rendering, and animation services. Writes custom ArchiCAD macros in GDL
Objectsonline = http://www.objectsonline.com
ArchiCAD objects resource
Links to User groups :
ArchiCAD Users Group - (Meeting calendar USA wide) ------- http://www.caddworks.com/cwp4.html
ArchiCAD Users Group --- (Connecticut) ------------------------ http://www.caddworks.com/cwp4.html
Mar 5-6 - ArchiCAMP: Los Angeles, California, Kellogg West Conference Center, Cal Poly Pomona, March 5 & 6, 1999. Call 203-857-0563 for more information, or visit <http://www.caddworks.com/ac_main.html> for course descriptions and location.
Internet newgroup :
alt.cad.archicad.
You can either use a dedicated newgroup reader, or many web browsers have an interface to Usenet newsgroups. For more information on what Usenet newsgroups are, check out the following URL:
http://www.yahoo.com/News_and_Media/Usenet/
ArchiCAD 6.5 Detailed New Features List:
A r c h i C A D v e r s i o n 6 . 5 i m p r o v e s o n t h e Vi r t u a l B u i l d i n g "! p r o c e s s i n f o u r k e y ar e a s : R e f e r e n c i n g and C o l l a b o r a t i o n , A r c h i t e ct u r a l M o d e l i n g , D o c u m e n t a t i o n a n d P r o du c t i v i t y .
Version 6.5 builds on the sophisticated tools and techniques introduced in ArchiCAD 6.0, allowing you to get more information from the Virtual Building model, spend more time on design, and communicate better with users of other CAD products.
Intelligent Referencing & Collaboration
- Hotlinked Modules for easy management of repetitive structures; edit a single source file, and all instances in the project are updated.
- Even more DXF/DWG conversion options, and intelligent handling of AutoCAD Xrefs.
- ArchiCAD and PlotMaker now use 255 pen colors to simplify the conversion to and from AutoCAD files.
- Import and export Bentley MicroStationís DGN file format.
Full-Featured Architectural Modeling
- Full implementation of editing commands in 3D window.
- Roof generation and trimming available in 3D.
- Zone tool can define three-dimensional space, to give accurate information on irregular spaces (e.g., attics), and generate free form spaces.
- Beam tool and round column, new element types to model the Virtual Building more accurately; intelligent beam perforates walls and columns.
- Gravity and hole adjustment for meshes.
Enhanced Documentation
- Flexible handling of multiple databases and listing setups, with new Format Assistant to create user-defined templates.
- Vectorial hatching and shadows can be generated in the Section/Elevation Window; sun position can be set independently from the 3D view.
- Positioning of scanned drawings or other images is made easier and more accurate with the Figure Tool, which handles and converts all major file formats.
- Custom label type library parts can accommodate 2D parametric symbols; different label types can be assigned to different object types.
Increased Productivity & Usability
- Both linear and elevation dimensions placed in Sections/Elevations now remain associative.
- Automatic dimensioning places exterior and interior dimensions of
selected building components or an entire project automatically.
- Ghost Storyî displays elements on remote stories for easy spatial reference; objects can be snapped to.
- Thumbnail browsing of active library makes finding and previewing library parts faster and easier.
- Special snap points appear on separate segments of elements; even in the 3D Window!
- The Intelligent Cursor now recognizes reference lines for both sides of a wall; connecting walls are aligned to the main reference line automatically.
- Find & Select elements using any possible combination of criteria.
And ArchiCAD version 6.5 Contains More Localized Content than Ever! The U.S.-only version of ArchiCAD includes:
-Powerful, easy to use Application Programming Interface-based on tools including RoofMaker for fast roof framing.
- Roof, slab and wall accessories, highly parametic objects such as molding systems, canted wall with fenestration, battered wall veneerr, and footing with stemwall, that can be placed to enhance the modeling of building elements.
-Customizable door, window and finish schedule templates and materials take-offs.
-Hundreds of construction details from Project Resource, MSA Detailer and Simpson Strong Ties.
-StoneCAD for ArchiCAD, interface for selecting Cultured StoneÆ textures, details and hatch patterns.
ArchiCAD = http://www.graphisoft.com
GDL Alliance = http://www.gdlalliance.org
GDL Object Viewer for Web = www.graphisoft.com/products/gdl_plugin
CADLink = http://www.cymap.com
ArchiForma / ArchiTerra = http://www.cigraph.it
GDL Toolbox = http://www.archidata.hu
Zoom GDL = http://www.abvent.com
ObjectsOnline = http://www.objectsonline.com
Real Doors + Windows = http://www.www.ddgi.com
DoorBuilder /WindowBuilder = http://www.theometric.co.nz
Graphisoft Inc. ---- http://www.graphisoft.com
415-703-9777 x 687
415-703-9770 fax
HOTSPOTS -- ARCHICAD EZINE March 99 / April 99