Contractors' Essential Guide for GRAPHISOFT ARCHICAD

80 Pages·2016·16.43 MB·English

Contractors’ Essential Guide
for GRAPHISOFT ARCHICAD

Bradford College, UK, Bond Bryan Architects, www.bondbryan.com

by
Chidambaram Chidambaram
Contractors’ Essential Guide for ARCHICAD

Visit the GRAPHISOFT website at www.graphisoft.com and www.graphisoft.com.sg for product
availability information.
Contractors’ Essential Guide - GRAPHISOFT Singapore, 2nd edition
Copyright © 2015 by GRAPHISOFT, all rights reserved. Publishing, reproduction, paraphrasing or
translation without express prior written permission is strictly prohibited.
Change log (as of Oct 28, 2015)
Updated to capture ARCHICAD 19 new features
Updated website links to up-to-date GRAPHISOFT online materials
Website links
The document refers to several external websites that were accessible when the document was
authored, but there might be changes to the websites in the future which can cause broken links.
Should that happen please use parts of the URLs as search strings to search and find the new links.
Trademarks
ARCHICAD® is a registered trademark of GRAPHISOFT. All other trademarks are the properties of
their respective holders.
Credits

Courtesy of GRAPHISOFT

Copyright © GRAPHISOFT, 2015. All rights reserved. 2
Contractors’ Essential Guide for ARCHICAD

Table of Contents

Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 5

Product Mapping ......................................................................................................................... 6

Tender Stage ................................................................................................................................ 7

Developing the BIM Model (Tender purpose) ................................................................................................ 7
Modeling in ARCHICAD ......................................................................................................................................... 11
Cost Estimation ........................................................................................................................................................ 13
Logistic Planning ..................................................................................................................................................... 20
Initial Site Model ...................................................................................................................................................... 20
Excavated Site Model ............................................................................................................................................. 21
Final Site Model ........................................................................................................................................................ 22
Cut/Fill Volume ......................................................................................................................................................... 22
Hoardings and Site Entrance ............................................................................................................................... 24
Internal Site Access ................................................................................................................................................. 24
Crane Locations ....................................................................................................................................................... 26
Existing Structures, Storage, Site Office and Amenities ............................................................................ 28

Pre-Construction Stage ............................................................................................................. 30

Developing a Discipline-specific BIM Model ................................................................................................. 30
Hotlinked Modules .................................................................................................................................................. 32
Teamwork Using ARCHICAD BIM Server ......................................................................................................... 33
BIMcloud – BIM Without Constraints ............................................................................................................... 35
Model Review ........................................................................................................................................................... 36
Request for Information (RFI) .............................................................................................................................. 41
Project Planning (4D sequencing) ..................................................................................................................... 45

Construction Stage .................................................................................................................... 47

Developing a Construction Model .................................................................................................................... 47
Construction Coordination .................................................................................................................................. 48
Constructability Review ........................................................................................................................................ 49
Sequencing of Complex Constructions ........................................................................................................... 52
Shop Drawing Preparation .................................................................................................................................. 54
Prefabrication ........................................................................................................................................................... 65
Setting Out and On-site Verification ................................................................................................................ 66
As-built Models ........................................................................................................................................................ 67
Models for Facility Management (O&M) ......................................................................................................... 67
Digital Handover ...................................................................................................................................................... 69

Copyright © GRAPHISOFT, 2015. All rights reserved. 3
Contractors’ Essential Guide for ARCHICAD

Additional Topics ....................................................................................................................... 71

Transferring Parameters Between Objects .................................................................................................... 71
Graphic Creation of Custom Library Parts and Components .................................................................. 72
Custom Stairs Created with the StairMaker ................................................................................................... 72
Partial Structure Display ........................................................................................................................................ 73
Curtain Walls ............................................................................................................................................................. 74
Elements with Complex Profiles ........................................................................................................................ 75
Renovation ................................................................................................................................................................. 76
Virtual Tracing ........................................................................................................................................................... 77
Consolidate Lines and Fills in Drawing Windows ........................................................................................ 78
PhotoRendering ....................................................................................................................................................... 79

About GRAPHISOFT ................................................................................................................... 80

About the Author ....................................................................................................................... 80

Copyright © GRAPHISOFT, 2015. All rights reserved. 4
Contractors’ Essential Guide for ARCHICAD

Introduction

The objective of this document is to assist the contractors, subcontractors and specialist
subcontractors who wish to adopt GRAPHISOFT ARCHICAD and achieve the BIM uses specified
in the BIM Essential Guide for Contractors (Aug 2013) issued by Building and Construction
Authority, Singapore.

ARCHICAD and related products were used for the preparation of this document, this is not an
extensive document that covers all the scenarios and scopes. For the specific use please liaise
with your local GRAPHISOFT representative.

This document is not a modeling guide, please refer to the ARCHICAD Reference Guide of the
ARCHICAD Help menu to understand how to start and work with a project. Alternatively go to
the sites http://helpcenter.graphisoft.com/guides and
http://helpcenter.graphisoft.com/videos to understand how ARCHICAD works.

Copyright © GRAPHISOFT, 2015. All rights reserved. 5
Contractors’ Essential Guide for ARCHICAD

Product Mapping

ARCHICAD and related products can be used for the entire construction process from tender to
delivery of the project. The mapping below shows the product use at different stages of the
construction.

Tools Use (Application)
ARCHICAD Cost Estimation
r
e ARCHICAD Logistic Planning and Renderings
d
n
e ARCHICAD
T Rendering Animations
Artlantis Studio
ARCHICAD Reviewing
n ARCHICAD + MEP Modeler Clash Detection
o
ti ARCHICAD Mark-up and RFI
c
u
tr Solibri Model Checker
s
n
o Tekla BIMsight Detailed Clash Detection
C
- Vico Software
e
r
P ARCHICAD
Sequencing Animation
Vico Software
ARCHICAD
Construction Coordination
BIMcloud + BIMx
ARCHICAD
Constructability Study
BIMcloud + BIMx
n
o ARCHICAD
ti Shop Drawing Production
c BIMcloud
u
tr ARCHICAD
ns Project Execution
o BIMcloud + BIMx
C
ARCHICAD
As-Built Model
BIMcloud + BIMx
ARCHICAD
FM or OM Model
BIMx Pro
Life Cycle ABARIrCMcHhxIi CPFMrAoD Operation and Maintenance

Copyright © GRAPHISOFT, 2015. All rights reserved. 6
Contractors’ Essential Guide for ARCHICAD

Tender Stage

During the tender stage the team might receive 2D drawings (PDF or DWG) or BIM models of the
project from the consultants. It is good to develop a BIM model for the purpose of tender
response focusing on the critical portions of the project.

Note: The model does not need to be as complete as required for construction.
Develop
BIM model Cost Estimation
(for Tender)
Receive
consultants' drawings
(PDF, DWG or BIM) Develop site
BIM model
(Logistic Planning)

Developing the BIM Model (Tender purpose)

When developing a BIM model for the tender purpose it is good to keep it light and model only
the essential details necessary for the tender preparation.

The consultants’ drawings may be in the following formats:

• 2D (PDF, DWG, DGN or DWF)
• BIM (Native, IFC, 3D PDF or DWF)

It is good to develop a new BIM model in ARCHICAD with reference to consultants’ drawings. By
doing so, it will be easier to pick-up the constructability issues and missing information. Let’s see
how to develop the BIM model in ARCHICAD based on the consultants’ drawings.

The ARCHICAD template files

A template is a read-only project file with .tpl extension. It contains all project preference
settings, placed elements and default tool settings of the project. ARCHICAD is shipped with a
default template together with the default library.
It is recommended to have a company specific template with all the basic settings used by the
company including title blocks, default tool settings, Favorites and Navigator setup before
starting any project.

The BCA template and guide for architects can be downloaded from the CORENET website:
https://corenet.gov.sg/general/building-information-modeling-(bim)-e-submission.aspx

ARCHICAD has the capability of opening and importing many different CAD, BIM and image
formats, the modeler shall import the consultant’s drawings/models, use it as reference and
develop the BIM model in ARCHICAD. Let’s see how to work with some of the possible formats.

Copyright © GRAPHISOFT, 2015. All rights reserved. 7
Contractors’ Essential Guide for ARCHICAD

2D PDF (vector format):

1 Place the PDF file into ARCHICAD project using the menu File/External Content/Place
External Drawing… menu command.

2 Select the PDF placed in the floor plan, right-click and choose Explode into Current
View from the context menu.

3 The vectors in the PDF will be converted into ARCHICAD 2D elements, select all the
elements and scale them accurately to 1:1.

4 Develop the model using the modeling tools available in ARCHICAD. The modeler shall
measure, trace and snap to the 2D elements. Refer to the ‘Modeling in ARCHICAD’ topic
for details.

5 Repeat these steps for the rest of drawings.
2D PDF (raster format):

1 Place the PDF file into ARCHICAD project using the File/External Content/Place
External Drawing… menu command.

2 Check the scale of the PDF and scale it to 1:1 approximately.

3 Develop the model using the modeling tools available in ARCHICAD. The modeler will
not be able to measure, trace and snap to the placed PDF file. Refer to the ‘Modeling in
ARCHICAD’ topic for details.

4 Repeat these steps for the rest of drawings.
DWG and DGN:

1 Place the DWG/DGN file into ARCHICAD project using the File/External Content/Place
External Drawing… menu command.

2 Check the scale of the drawing and scale it to 1:1.

3 Develop the model using the modeling tools available in ARCHICAD. The modeler shall
measure, trace and snap to the placed DWG file. Refer to the ‘Modeling in ARCHICAD’
topic for details.

4 Repeat these steps for the rest of drawings.

Copyright © GRAPHISOFT, 2015. All rights reserved. 8
Contractors’ Essential Guide for ARCHICAD

Images:

1 Place the image file into ARCHICAD project using the File/External Content/Place
External Drawing… menu command.

2 Check the scale of the image and scale it to 1:1 approximately.

3 Develop the model using the modeling tools available in ARCHICAD. The modeler will
not be able to measure, trace and snap to the placed image file. Refer to the ‘Modeling in
ARCHICAD’ topic for details.

4 Repeat these steps for the rest of drawings.
BIM (PLA):

1 Open the PLA as an ARCHICAD project and save it as a new project to develop a
construction model.

2 Clean up and develop the model using the modeling tools available in ARCHICAD for the
tender purpose. Refer to the ‘Modeling in ARCHICAD’ topic for details.
BIM (IFC):

1 Open the IFC file and save it as a new ARCHICAD project to develop a construction
model.

2 Clean up and develop the model using the modeling tools available in ARCHICAD for the
tender purpose. Refer to the Modeling in ARCHICAD topic for details.
BIM (RVT):

1 Download the IFC translator for Revit available from GRAPHISOFT’s website:
http://www.graphisoft.com/downloads/interoperability.html

2 Install the translator on the computer where you have Revit installed.

3 Open the Revit file and export to IFC from the menu Add-Ins/ARCHICAD
Connection/Export to ARCHICAD. The modeler shall consider exporting the model level
by level to manage heavy IFC files (large size).

4 Open the IFC file just exported and save as a new ARCHICAD project to develop a
construction model.

5 Clean up and develop the model using the modeling tools available in ARCHICAD for the
tender purpose. Refer to the Modeling in ARCHICAD topic for details.

Copyright © GRAPHISOFT, 2015. All rights reserved. 9
Contractors’ Essential Guide for ARCHICAD

BIM (3D DWF/3D PDF):

3D DWF and 3D PDF can be used only as reference, please request for PLA, IFC or RVT format
which can be opened or converted to import into ARCHICAD to ease the development of the
construction model.

Note: ARCHICAD allows the modelers to customize the import of the files like DWG and IFC.
It is recommended to setup the translators first before placing or opening the files into an
ARCHICAD project to get an optimized result. The translator setup can be accessed as per
follows:

• DWG Translator: File/File Special/DXF-DWG Translation Setup…
• IFC Translator: File/File Special/IFC 2x3/IFC Translation Setup…

Copyright © GRAPHISOFT, 2015. All rights reserved. 10