A common request I receive is “how do I get my dimensions to show in mm and my areas to show as m2″.
The first thing I refer to is the fact that views in the “Navigator -View Map” control the output of dimensions.
Under the tab “2D/3D Documents” there is an option for “Dimensions:”. The default option is set to “Plain Meter”. If one changes this to “Plain Millimeter” then both dimensions and area are displayed as such. The solution is to set your own dimension preference using the Project Preferences. To do this from the Menu > Options > Project Preferences > Dimensions…
Select the option “Plain Millimeter” but change the button “Area Calculations” = to “meter”. This will then display name as “Custom”.
You can rename “Custom” by clicking on “Store as…”. In this example I called it “Dim = mm & Area = m2″.
If you now return to your floor plan you will see the result.The last important step is to open up the “View Settings” and change “2D/3D Documents” > Dimensions to ”Dim = mm & Area = m2″. This will then control the display of dimensions and areas to your specification.
There are various methods of incorporating DWF/DXF files into ArchiCAD projects. Each method has its own impact on how the files will affect or be affected within the ArchiCAD project, as a result the user needs to carefully choose the method that will best suite the desired needs of the project in process. Here we will look at the three most frequently used methods of incorporating/importing DWG/DXF into ArchiCAD, and are as follows (i) Merge the DWF/DXF file ( “File/File Special” menu), (ii) Attach XREF file ( “File/External Content” menu) and lastly (iii) Place External Drawing ( “File/External Drawing”menu).
(1) Merge the DWF/DXF file method-
(i) when this method is used, you are able to edit and manipulate data imported which means the attributes( Layers, Line types, Fill types) are automatically imported during the merge process.
(ii) Layers can be managed, in-case one needs to turn them ON/OFF, but if the clean up has to be done, suppose one needs to detach the DWG/DXF file from the project, (s)he will have to delete the attributes individually, e.g. Layers of DWG/DXF file are all mixed up with the layers of the original project.
(iii) The merged DWG/DXF file does not import into ArchiCAD with its own pen-sets, but adopts to pen-sets defined in ArchiCAD, with the merge method DWG/DXF files can be placed on Layouts and resized accordingly. The merged file becomes part of the ArchiCAD project immediately after merging.
(2) Attach Xref method-
(i) When Attach Xref is used, the attributes (Layers, Line types, Fill types) are created during attachment.
(ii) Layers can also be managed by turning them ON/OFF, but unlike the Merge method above, the layers in XREF are created below the layers of the original ArchiCAD project hence becomes much easier to toggle through them and in-case of detachment of the DWG/DXF file, ArchiCAD offers to delete the created attributes and can be deleted in one step.
(iii) Like the Merge above, XREF adopts to ArchiCAD pen-sets but can not be placed on layouts. It is ideal to use when importing a non editable block of DWG/DXF file into ArchiCAD project which might be detached or reloaded in-case of modifications. The XREF file can be resized accordingly but will become part of the project when the Bind command in the XREF management dialog box is used ( “File/External Content/Xref Manager” menu).
(3) Place External drawing-
(i) Attributes are not created in this method, the data is handled as a single unit and placed on a single layer.
(ii) Since there are no attributes to turn ON/OFF, it is ideal to use the DWG as a reference file (like trace) where the contents of the DWG/DXF are not going to be modified. In-case of detachment it is easier to delete without worrying about the unwanted attributes.
(iii) Unlike the above mentioned methods, the Place External drawing imports with the DWG/DXF file pen-sets and can become part of the project. The drawing content can also be resized accordingly and its contents can be incorporated into and saved with the project when the explode command is used ( “Edit/Reshape/Explode Into Current View” menu).
For more information on the Import of the DWG/DXF files into ArchiCAD please log onto the following link: http://www.archicadwiki.com/DWG/Import
A fantastic tool by Cadimage for any architects who need to design around vehicle reticulation, and who doesn’t?
This tool is fully parametric. It allows for choice of vehicle type, specification of vehicle characteristics, definition of required turning arc and much more.Review the attached dialogue box images and follow the link to download it now.
Studio Pacific – an ArchiCAD key client in New Zealand – was established in Wellington in 1992. One of their recent works with international acclaim – the Wellington International Airport Passenger Terminal (The Rock) – required a unique and innovative design. Marcellus Lilley, Associate and Lead Project Architect and Karl Frost, Senior Technician explain the process that resulted in the multi award–winning Airport Terminal building.
I have been in discussion recently with the organisers of a BIM summit in Johannesburg, planned for August 2012. I must admit, I am looking forward to IT, should be an interesting experience.
As the discussions developed, I realised our local BIM needs two things desperately:
confidence, yes, confidence, many people in SADC use a BIM software within their own discipline, however project wide is a very different level of treachery, which most design consultants and contractors are not willing to enter into…
A common request I receive is “how do I get my dimensions to show in mm and my areas to show as m2″.
Under the tab “2D/3D Documents” there is an option for “Dimensions:”. The default option is set to “Plain Meter”. If one changes this to “Plain Millimeter” then both dimensions and area are displayed as such. The solution is to set your own dimension preference using the Project Preferences. To do this from the Menu > Options > Project Preferences > Dimensions…
The last important step is to open up the “View Settings” and change “2D/3D Documents” > Dimensions to ”Dim = mm & Area = m2″. This will then control the display of dimensions and areas to your specification.
A fantastic tool by Cadimage for any architects who need to design around vehicle reticulation, and who doesn’t?
