how to unleash archicad’s hidden...

How to Unleash ArchiCAD’s Hidden PowerEric Bobrow

COPYRIGHT 2011 - ERIC BOBROW - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED


I’ve been using and teaching ArchiCAD since 1989

Former U.S. Reseller of the Year and Graphisoft Platinum VAR

My early careers: computer scientist and professional dancer

Married 23 years to dancer Kathleen, our musician son Ayden is 21

The turning point - 1989 - “I’m not an ArchiCAD expert” - “You will be”

21 years as reseller, trainer, tech support, author, speaker

Turning point - 2010 - focus on internet-based ArchiCAD training

About meERIC BOBROW


In this webinar...

About ArchiCAD - is there a problem?

My attempt at creating a solution

What are the 7 Keys to Best Practices for ArchiCAD?

Today I’m going to teach you what to do, and point you to resources that will help you learn how to do it


In this webinar...(continued)

How can you speed things up and win more projects?

16 methods to boost your productivity

8 tricks to enhance your presentations

5 mistakes that may be hurting you

18 great free resources to help you improve your skills


In this webinar...(continued)

The most important steps you can take right now

Bonus: a great tool you can use for free to speed your learning

The Best Practices Course

My special offer to you


What’s the problem?

ArchiCAD is very powerful

You can create a 3D model, automatically generate coordinated 2D drawings

It’s a visual, fluid, design tool - best in class

Plus, ArchiCAD can draft anything about as fast as other CAD programs

This is a flexible tool that can adjust to different styles and building types


What do I hear from users?

I can’t get my arms around ArchiCAD - it’s too big and complex

“I felt like I was dancing with a refrigerator...” -- Mark Moscrip

There are so many settings you have to adjust

I can make it look good in 3D or 2D - but not both at the same time

I don’t have time to learn, I’ve just got to get the work done

The documentation teaches little pieces rather than the big picture

There isn’t a comprehensive guide to practice - you have to learn by doing


My Attempt at a Solution:The Best Practices CourseTaking my experience, skills and passion to fill the gap

An online training resource, with videos viewable on demand

A coaching program, regular webinar calls, recorded for reference

It is a community with a mentor

Does it work? How well? How much of a difference does it make?

What makes the difference? What are the key concepts?

This webinar is all about what ideas and methods makes the most difference


The 7 Keys to Best Practices

1. Get Organized

2. Do It Once

3. Save Your Settings

4. Work from the General to the Specific

5. Use ArchiCAD’s Structure

6. Model Well, Draw Less

7. Keep It Safe

The 7 Keys to Best Practices

How to Use ArchiCAD Most EffectivelyWork Smarter!

Eric Bobrow © 2011 www.acbestpractices.com

1. Get OrganizedMake it Easy to Access Things

• Standardized Project folder - duplicate each time• ArchiCAD Template TPL file - for starting new projects• Office and Project Libraries - compile reusable objects• Standard notes and details - set up to use again

2. Do It OnceOnce is enough, if you’re smart

• Office Standard Template - keep your setup intact• Preserve attributes and structure - don’t reinvent each time• Customize for different project types - made to fit the task• Create modules and custom library parts -

3. Save Your SettingsReuse what you can

• Favorites• Interactive Legends of Visual Favorites• Room Configurations• Schedule Settings• Translators

4. Work from the General to the SpecificRecord your design intent but keep your options open

• Try massing models, blocking and stacking with zones - test against program requirements• Place generic walls with reference lines - later choose composite wall types• Name materials by function (e.g. exterior wall default) - allows going from monochrome or conceptual colors to specific materials and textures• Use simple placeholders (e.g. basic windows & doors) with anchors to record design intent(e.g. inserted by corner or center) - get specific later• Anchor columns and beams to suit your structural grid - change sizes easily• Use alignment and anchors for text notes - allows editing without moving them around

5. Use ArchiCAD’s StructureGo with the flow - use leverage and root causes

• Work “downhill”, use dependencies and relationships• Views depend on Layer Combinations, Model View Options, etc.• Drawing names depend on View names which are derived from Project Map or Marker names• Composites, Materials can be leveraged• Clone Folders create new Views automatically

6. Model Well, Draw LessThe better you do 3D, the less you need 2D

• Proper modeling leads to clean drawings - snap and align• Learn how to keep sections and elevations “live”• Use profiles, material hatching, accessories to gain mileage• Solid Element Operations - to define relationships and add detail

7. Keep It SafeDon’t risk losing your work!

• Save often, don’t rely on Autosave• Develop a good backup strategy, include off-site copies• Controlled migration to newer versions

Download this cheat sheet at www.acbestpractices.com/7-keys-7-minutes


Now Let’s Dig InHow can you speed things up and win more projects?

16 methods to boost your productivity

8 tricks to enhance your presentations

5 mistakes that may be hurting you

18 great free resources to help you improve your skills


1. Set up a standard Project Folder - get organized!

2. Develop or buy a Project Template

3. Save your settings with the Favorites Palette

4. Create a “kit of parts” with Interactive Legends

5. Reuse room assemblies as modules

6. Take advantage of Parameter Transfer

7. Learn and use keyboard shortcuts

8. Use the View Map more than the Project Map

9. Add Layer Combinations and Views for modeling

How can you speed things up?


10. Quick Layers palette

11. Streamline the Layers popup menu - set preference, lock layers in layer combinations

12. Solid Element Operations improve 3D model

13. Complex Profiles enhance sections and model

14. Set Door and Window ID's automatically

15. Use PDF approach for General Notes etc.

16. Overlay DWG from worksheet to build model (if appropriate)

How can you speed things up?


1. Produce cutaways with marquee or 3D cutaway command, save them as Views

2. Use wireframe layers to see through roof or selected walls

3. Render the elevations or plans and overlay annotation as a separate drawing on layout sheet

4. Use 3D Documents feature - this is good for working drawings too!

Tricks to Enhance Presentations


Tricks to Enhance Presentations5. Add entourage in Photoshop - use transparency, fit

to view easily; also use to show before and after

6. Animations – do a series of short clips, rather than one long clip; combine with slide show options showing a series of stills

7. Sit down with your client and try out design options on the fly, rotate around the model and walk through it, change colors, etc.

8. Designate materials with generic names - start monochromatic, then you can quickly show different options at the right time


Common mistakes1. Starting from the general ArchiCAD template each time; or worse, “use current settings”

Develop or buy a template that retains your project structure so you don’t have to recreate it

2. Working fast and sloppy

You can still sketch your ideas, but work cleanly using guidelines and snapping

3. Getting too specific too early, taking too much time to make it look detailed right away

Use generic naming and proper anchoring, then you can add detail at the right time

4. Not using the View Map, or losing control of Views

Use and define Views for all construction documents as well as common modeling tasks

5. Doing too much in 2D when you can get more done in 3D

Learn how to make it look good in both at the same time!


Free resources1. ArchiCAD-Talk

2. ArchiCAD Wiki

3. LinkedIn ArchiCAD group, Facebook

4. www.bobrow.com

5. Shoegnome

6. Onland

Download this resource page at www.bobrow.com/resources

7. Graphisoft Interactive Training Guides

8. ArchiCAD Help

9. ArchiCAD Reference Guide

10. YouTube ArchiCAD videos

11. archiCADmonkey

12. Heise blog

13. Graphisoft blog page

14. Cadimage daily tips

15. AECbytes

16. Cadalyst

17. Reading Room

18. 10 Links


What you can do right now

Decide you want to “sharpen your saw”

Write down what you want to change or improve (make a short list)

Review ideas from this webinar and pick 2 or 3 to try out right away

Devote at least 15 minutes a day to learning

Get support - a colleague, group, teacher, mentor

Find a watercooler where you can ask questions and get help


Bonus: Speed up your learning

Enounce MySpeed is one of MY favorite tools

Watch videos faster without distorting the sound

Slow them down when you need to

Increases comprehension and how much you retain

Free access for 7 days: www.acbestpractices.com/myspeed


Best Practices Course

A comprehensive system based on the 7 Keys to Best Practices

Online training you can watch and rewatch when you want, in any size pieces

Regular live coaching calls give you a place to ask questions, apply concepts

A community of like-minded ArchiCAD users

“The best investment in my professional development I’ve ever made.”


Comments from Course Members“Investing in the best practices course is the best thing I’ve ever done for my knowledge and career in architectural design.

I often “build” a house for a client as part of my first, free client meeting. They love it, and it often sells me and the 3D process. You’ve helped me improve my methods and increase my speed and confidence.

I’ve spent many $$$ in ArchiCAD dealer training – but the commute time and expenses are high – the sessions are too long and intense for maximum benefit – fatigue sets in.

The Best Practices Course works much better: it’s posted online – convenient, view when you want, repeat videos at will to clarify procedures. The coaching calls are great – wonderful nuggets abound! You post your questions and find that many others may share your same questions = virtually personal attention.

I really enjoy your fearlessly exploratory style as you work through various solutions to a problem. You make it seem as though anything is possible. It is a pleasure to be taking your course.

It has been literally life changing.” Christopher EllisCape Cod MA


Comments from Course Members

“I was experimenting constantly, scaling text and getting things correct was a drama. I used to constantly search for videos, but there weren’t many good ones. I find it necessary to be shown on the screen just how things work! I was going to dump ArchiCAD because of the lack of backup !!!

The Best Practices Course is constantly answering questions & providing insight which increases my efficiency. The big change is that I now work from the View and have defined ways to work.

I have picked up about 20 new shortcuts that were highlighted in the video lessons, these simply make me faster.

I can now remodel designs in half the time of the past. Well, maybe not half the time – a 5 day job, say a new simple dwelling, now takes about three and half days.”

Stephen Gerard KellyBenalla, Australia


Comments from Course MembersTaking full advantage of ArchiCAD's Virtual Building technology occurs only at a very advanced level of understanding, well beyond placing walls, slabs, and roofs. The eureka moment arrives when you change your mindset, or corporate culture so to speak.

My attitude has changed from "I'm dancing with a refrigerator" to "Wow, this virtual modeling stuff really pays off.”

Eric is a terrific teacher in my search for superior results, I am fortunate to have found his Best Practices course.

I have personally benefited from the course, and highly recommend it to anyone reaching for the next level. Mark Moscrip

Atlanta Georgia USA


Comments from Course MembersI can deliver the Project documents in more or less half the timeI used to need.

This is more evident in the earlier stages of the project, but I’m quite sure that something similar will happen to the rest.

By now I’ve changed my habits and way of facing new projects in this area (Preliminary and first approval drawings) and I know the complete revolution will take its time, but I can see that the whole process will change dramatically.

I'm really enjoying your course and as I have more and more skills every session, it really wakes up my pleasure for making good and stylish drawings and architectural documentation again.

Antonio TortLugo, Spain


Comments from Course MembersI have gained a significant amount of time in my modeling with ArchiCAD as a direct benefit from the Best Practices Course material so far,

I'm like a kid again in school who can't wait till the next lesson.

I was able to put together a presentation within four long days that would have taken at least a month previously (and not to the same caliber of presentation).

We were awarded the project as a direct result of that presentation and the other firms didn't even come close according the executives of the corporation that hired us. By the way, I'm a two man firm!

The project was fast-tracked as soon as we got the award. Using MasterTemplate and the principles we’ve learned from the Best Practices Course, we were able to produce our drawings for submission in four and a half weeks; this would have taken 8 or 9 weeks before. Kenneth R. Andrews

Turnerville Georgia USA


What Course Members Like

ArchiCAD as friend - not intimidated, “as comfortable modeling as 2H pencil”

Gaining Confidence - more able to figure it out themselves, becoming fearless

Better Quality Results - “we could never have done this as well before”

Saving Time - 25% to 50% (this varies, but generally a lot faster than before)

Winning Jobs - with better presentations and successful client meetings

Having Fun - “bubbling with joy”, “as exhilarated as ziplining 100 km/hour”


Best Practices Course

The value proposition:

30 “weeks” of online training totaling 24 hoursEquivalent to (but better than) a 3 day training course

6 month Coaching Program3 calls of 90 minutes or more each month = 27 hoursPLUS access to previous calls, well-indexed = 18 hours

The QuickStart Course - for new users AND veterans6 modules of 90 minutes = 9 hours

TOTAL VALUE

$795

$582

$199

$1576

$697

6 MO. X $97 =


My offer to you today

The Best Practices Course - standard $697 USD

Celebrate ArchiCAD 15 - Save $200 through June 15 = $497

Special offer for webinar attendees:

Free copy of Enounce MySpeed = $30 value

Extra discount of $30 = $467 registration

To get this deal, visit the following web page ASAP:

www.acbestpractices.com/webinar-special - password = “yesplease”

$497$467

Questions? Call or email me!+1-415-479-4284

800-752-4314 (U.S. & Canada)Skype: EricBobrow

Email: [email protected]