Archicad Vs Autocad
Danny Hosford
After running "recover" on the files we were sent, and setting all objects to "ByLayer", I copied my "layering scheme" into the archicad-sourced dwg file, and merged the "pen numbered" layers into layers that made sense to me.
HI there respected members,i use archicad only for exporting files to autocad,actually while exporting a 3d model from archicad to autocad i noticed that they don't get exported as solids,is there a way to do it and i found that all layers are not getting exported also,
I dont know to much of autocad, so i dont know what its exactly a solid in the last program, but in my office i export a lot of model from archicad, but to 3ds, the thing its, i export the model in dwg format, so 3ds can recognice the layer information, sometimes i export the 3d model to autocad, also in dwg format, and the other person can open in autocad, with all the 3d information and all the layers, to do that, you have to open the 3d view in archicad, and with this window open, save the file in dwg,and the file keep all the 3d information in dwg format, the only thing whit this method, its you can't export 2d information like dimensions, text, hatch, etc.
I don't have ArchiCad, myself, but I know of a number of ArchiCad users who routinely work between ArchiCad, Autocad and even SketchUp witho8ut any difficulty. Of course, since ArchiCad purports to be a complete architectural design solution, in and of itself, I don't know why anyone would want to.
That would be because the rest of the world still has a strong and unfortunate addiction to 2D design/drafting and specifically AutoCAD. When we work with ArchiCAD we often do have to export drawings to AutoCAD because the Engineers or other architects only use AutoCAD. The export procedure itself is pretty seamless as ArchiCAD has extremely good export/import capabilities.
As for Sketchup, what most commonly happens is that design and concept sketches started in Sketchup can be exported into ArchiCAD which then converts all the necessary elements into the required 2D drafting and documenting symbols. The export plugin wasn't exactly perfect, but I believe they improved it with the new Sketchup version 4.
And yes ArchiCAD is a complete architectural design solution. One of it's greatest strengths is this ability to seamlessly and effortlessly share data and files with an extensive range of other AEC and DTP applications and in their native formats.
As for the original quesiton, two ways to do what you ask, as already alluded to, is from ArchiCAD 3D window and save whatever object you want to export either as a .dxf file or as a .3ds file. AutoCAD reads both formats although, you may want to go with the .dxf option since that is a native AutoCAD format. In all other situations and software I would recommend exporting the 3ds option as that is the most widely used format for 3D virtual info.
Our office uses mostly AutoCad, and has one VW 12.5 license, which I use. There is a movement, initiated by a consultant, to switch the whole office to Archicad. I would like to be able to intelligently discuss our options, and to speak up in behalf of VW, but am unfamiliar with the capabilities of cad apps other than VW. Any comments would be appreciated.
Have used all three. The learning curve is steep (and about two years long) with archicad - you must embrace the 3d aspect to use it effectively - your designers must know how a building is put together, the program does allow more than one person to work on a large project through various admin tools. The user interface and controls were lacking 'intuitiveness' a dialog window for example appears and the most important button/control in the window seems like it was placed/positioned as an afterthought..
Those that prefer a defined page or boundary in which to work, may not reach a comfort level with Archicad. The output setup/ printing process was particularly cumbersome to me (at least through version 9), as compared to Vectorworks. Getting productive in VW (2D) was a snap compared to Archicad, which is truly a virtual building program and a very good one. At least with VW you can choose which way to work. Price point is something else to consider.
The comparison with ArchiCAD is a tougher one to get good information on. Many people are partisan in favor of one versus the other. I do feel that ArchiCAD has some advantages - for example, associative drawing numbering whereby if you change a sheet number, all the references in the file are automatically changed - ditto with moving a detail to a different sheet. On the other hand, ArchiCAD lacks NURBS modeling. It also doesn't support multiple light sources in OpenGL (reason enough for me to stick to VW when I was given the choice).
PS: AutoCAD's one big advantage over VW is the use of vector displacement for single or multiple duplication of objects. You click on point 1, then on point 2, to define the displacement. And point 2 can be redefined with subsequent clicks in multiple duplication mode. It becomes like placing a symbol in VW - with every click a new object appears excatly where you want it, and placed not necessarily at the click point, but at a known vectoral distance from the click point. Very powerful tool (NNA, are you listening to the many people who have made this point?) And, yes, I know there are vector-script based versions of this tool out there, but we can't rely on scripts through version changes, and the programming required to make this available native in VW would be easy, easy, easy!
But you can not get over the fact that autocad is industry standard used by consultants and staff which means there are problems working with other consultants and recruiting staff with other software.
Apologies for my meaningless last post, pressed the wrong button, complete forum novice, just wish that I could blame the kids! I am a new user of Vectorworks though I have used Autocad for 12 years, and Archicad for 3 years, so I may come back to this thread once I've overcome my embarrassment.
I used Archicad about 4 years ago before switching to Vectorworks. I only use Vectorworks for 2d DD and CD architectural drawings, and I have not really investigated the 3d capabilities of the program.
The theory behind Archicad is appealing. Essentially, you construct a 3d model and then the 2d plans, elevations and sections are extracted from the model. However, I found that in practice, the 2d drawings very crude and of unacceptable quality for our office, and the 3d models took a great deal of time to develop to an acceptable level. I was putting a lot of time into the 3d model, and then ending up breaking the links between the model and the drawings to gain more flexibility for the 2d drawings.
If you are interested in constructing a 3d computer model and doing construction drawings, Archicad is probably a good choice. For us, the 3d model was of limited use and the technology was not there yet (with Archicad 5.5) to practically link the 3d model to good quality 2d drawings. Our primary use for the computer is developing construction drawings in a small office, and Vectorworks has been a good program for that task. However, our work is primarily highly individual custom houses; Archicad may work better for buildings with fewer unusual conditions.
I'm surprised the consultant didn't recommend looking at Revit if they were recommending Archicad. Revit is the logical upgrade path from Autocad in that they are both Autodesk products and there is an upgrade (costs wise) offer available.
Aside from this, it very much depends on the nature of the work you do (or intend to do). If it is large scale developments of complex structures then there is certainly a case to be made for Revit and ArchiCad.
However, the biggest shift in culture will be a switch from 2D to 3D thinking, and this will be a slow painful process. This, I think, is where VectorWorks scores in that it offers proven 2D tools as well as robust architectural 3D tools, as well as powerful modelling capabilities that ArchiCad and Revit both struggle to handle. Driven to its fullest VectorWorks could tackle most projects, but, and this is a big but, it is very rarely driven to its fullest.
I would recommend you ask the consultant to explain the reasoning to switch to ArchiCad. It is not THAT popular a system, and you can bet within a couple of years the number of seats of Revit will far exceed the installed user base of ArchiCad.
At the end of the day your company has to undergo a benchmarking exercise to compare the applications for your own needs and then really assess the impact (and costs) of switching everything to a new platform.
I must say that I?m finding the learning curve for VW to be painfully steep, much more so than I found when learning Archicad. Though I?m sure I?ll be denounced as a heretic for speaking in such terms in this forum.
Perhaps one reason why I found the leaning curve for the transition to Archicad easier to come to terms with is that Graphisoft have training guides specifically aimed at experienced Autocad users. However, Nemetschek don?t seem to acknowledge people like myself as a market sector.
However, I do question CEA?s assertion that ?VectorWorks scores in that it offers proven 2D tools as well as robust architectural 3D tools? as I?m finding that VW is cumbersome for 2-D draughting and also crashes frequently.
John, there are lots of training resources available. My personal recommendation is to find a trainer near you and spend the time and $$. I am a trainer myself, and generally can get (CAD savvy/industry savvy) folks up and running with VW's in 2-3 half day sessions. There is a list of TRAINERS here. Additionally, NNA runs TRAINING SEMINARS and also has Learning CD's available. Stick with it for a bit. I'm pretty sure you'll grow to like VW's a lot (once you get over the first few humps). javascript:void(0)
Pardon my cynicism, but having dealt with "consultants" in the past, more often than not in my experience?by an extremely large margin?so-called "consultants" are nothing more than glorified salespeople hawking a "magic bullet" that "will make my life easier, make me more productive, solve my problems," etc., as opposed to true consultants who take the time to observe and become familiar with myworkflow, myoffice practices, my productivity, my particular needs, etc. and base their recommendtions on that. In light of that, I think it would be extremely interesting?and helpful?to as the "consultant" what his/her financial relationship is to Graphisoft, i.e., does s/he receive any form of compensation from Graphisoft, either directly or indirectly, if a client buys Archicad? (And will s/he put her/his answer in writing for you to be able to check it with Graphisoft?)
c80f0f1006