Tag Archives: freeform

Morph Tool: how to offset a specific distance from the edges without using construction lines

. News, Tips/Tuts . , , , , , , , , , ,

 

Most users believe they need construction lines to denote a specific distance when offsetting from the face of the morph to create another face for editing, though it is a new tool in ArchiCAD 16, it is quite simple to use because one has to use the normal commands of ArchiCAD, namely, the pet pallet and the shortcut key to create a copy on a keyboard.

  1. For demonstration purpose, select a morph tool on a tool box, then select a box geometry method on the information box as per screen shot below.
  3. after selecting the above mentioned, draw a solid box morph, the first two (2) clicks create an orthogonal rectangle in the editing plane and the third (3rd) click denotes the hight.
  4. Then select the desired face of the Morph you have created by clicking the mouse while pressing ctrl+shift. Snap it on the edge or node, the pet pallet will appear, where we will choose the offset all edges command.
  5. While offsetting, the whole body of the morph will offset, this is where we must use the shortcut key on the key board to create a copy, Alt for Mac and Ctrl for Windows.
  6. The new offsetting face will appear and we can input the distance numerically using the tracker.

The Video below illustrates the above mentioned steps;

feature - ac16

ArchiCAD SA News

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From GRAPHISOFT:

  • ArchiCAD 16 has been released!

The definitive OpenBIM modeller, generation 16, the new version of ArchiCAD has been released……and it’s a “morphing BIM object” triumph…well done to the chaps from BUDAPEST!

Let me quickly cover the highlights, before starting the glowing, flowery praise, eulogy…

  • Morph Tool – not just for concept level freeform stuff, but full end to end functionality, you could morph a bubble in concept, you could morph an existing door or window during design development, you could morph some 2D lines in the 3D window, to create a detailing element for construction, the morph tool includes a revolutionary interaction with the ArchiCAD GDL functionality, which allows users to morph existing library parts at any time and return these to full fledged GDL again, and again, and again, and…
  • BIMcomponents.com – it’s GDL online, one click search and upload from ArchiCAD, we are now one global ArchiCAD user family, able to share any library part we create, anytime, search functionality includes user defined keywords…don’t forget that you can use morph to further edit any library part you find online…manufacturer specific PARAMETRIC elements should be a breeze now!
  • EcoDesigner in ArchiCAD – ArchiCAD 16 now ships with EcoDesigner built-in, it’s energy analysis “OUT-THE-BOX”

A host of other functions roll-out with version 16:

  • improved 3D editing
  • expanded teamwork back-up options
  • enhanced IFC, DWG, DXF interoperability…we are OpenBIM
  • faster hotlink updates
  • library enhancements
  • more…more…more…

Glowing, flowery praise statements by the author, look more like facts though:

  • If you do not have ArchiCAD 16, you are going to have less fun, creating fantastic architecture, than the architect who has ArchiCAD 16!
  • GRAPHISOFT have again reinforced their market leading position as architectural BIM authoring tool of choice, with the release of ArchiCAD 16!
  • The new BIM Server backup functionality enhancements in ArchiCAD 16, set the GRAPHISOFT product range as the industry leading large project, complex data model leaders!

As the new version has so much too offer in it’s long list of new features and in the extensive depth and maturity of the functionality build into these new features, the best way for users and potential users to explore these, will be by face-to-face interaction with expert instructors. Join GRAPHISOFT SA as they will be hosting a full roadshow series in SADC, from 18 June 2012 to 27 July 2012, where a 3 hour new feature demonstration and a 6 hour new version migration and feature training will be offered for each region/city on the schedule. For further details and registration, visit the event schedule page here.If you simply cannot wait, download brochures or view online videos www.graphisoft.co.za . For further details on ArchiCAD 16, BIM Server, BIMx, EcoDesigner and BIMcomponents.com, visit our product detail pages at www.graphisoft.co.za

From Eric Bobrow:

From African Tenders:

  • Knysna Municipality Remedial works to the sea walls in the Greater Knysna area.  This involves environmentally sensitive work in the Knysna and Swartvlei estuaries, Action Deadline: 2012-05-04, Country: south africa
  • Department of Transport KZN, Construction of the White Umfolozi (Ntinini) River Vehicle Bridge, Action Deadline: 2012-10-31, Country: south africa

ArchiCAD versus Revit 3

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This interesting debate and the OPINIONS expressed here rage on:

I think Rob’s analogy to Apple is excellent – it doesn’t really matter to me if my software choice has only 10% market share (higher BTW) so long as it is the best tool for the job. Right now on the balance of things I think that means ArchiCAD, but who knows what will be in 2, 5 or 10 years time.
Posted by Owen Sharp in the LinkedIn Group discussion on ArchiCAD versus Revit

Today we review the third page of the document published by Ransom Ratcliff on 2011-08-08, covering this topic:

Pretoria Station Intermodal

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Architect: Aziz Tayob Architects

The Pretoria Station project, was initiated as a response to various development initiatives and requirements that presented themselves simultaneously. From the much debated Gautrain, to new Police facilities adjacent to the historic Herbert Baker Station building, to general intermodal development drive in South Africa.

The actual ArchiCAD 3D model was initially developed as a pure interpretation of early conceptualization discussions around topics such as African traditional forms, the incorporation several functions, such as rail station, bus station, taxi rank , Gautrain station, vehicle parking, hotel, office block, shopping mall, public gathering space, urban pedestrian link and not least of all, the axis on which Pretoria has been set out.

It is evident from the accompanying imagery, that the accurate visualization of this project was imperitive, not only for design interpretation and development, but for the next phase of use of the ArchiCAD 3D model, which was ofcourse for communication with the client and the public.

The ArchiCAD 3D model use was extended via the live link maintained with Artlantis for rendering purposes and eventually onto the design development process, where initially area based accommodation scheduling and eventually architectural drawings were derived.

ArchiCAD versus Revit 1

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What a terrific debate!  In recent times, we have seen the development of what could be said to be: “the great modern day BIM rivalry”

This article, I state categorically is an OPINION based piece, much like Ferrari versus Porsche I suppose.

I have recently posted this comment:  André Strauss • In the mid 90′s, I was the technical advisor on ArchiCAD use to Johnson Murray Architects, who were the project architects for The Gateway Shoppertainment World project. Essentially a 300,000 sq/m shopping mall project. They had 14 ArchiCAD licenses, they were new to ArchiCAD, they used Windows based pc’s.

They completed the project with the above spec, ahead of schedule, they were highly commended!

A few points to note in reference to this rolling discussion:
1. This was a large project
2. Done on Windows
3. It was an office new to ArchiCAD, which until today uses ArchiCAD
4. It was done on Teamwork 1 technology, has been superseded by vastly superior version 2 technology

Project reference page here:
http://web.me.com/andre_strauss/TotalCAD_Projects/Gateway.html

I posted this comment in a LinkedIn group discussion, titled ArchiCAD versus Revit, the full thread to this discussion here

As this discussion has so much personal opinion, I have searched to find commentary which is based more on actual specifics, such as my comment about real projects being done entirely with a product, or a real features based comparison in the context of real world usable features. I have stumble upon the following comparison, which makes for very interesting reading, here is page 1 of 5, keep posted for page 2 on daily release:

Interesting indeed! ‘Till tomorrow then…