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TIPS & TRICKS
Friday 07 August 2009
how to become an expert ArchiCAD user
WELCOME TO OUR 4TH TIPS & TRICKS NEWSLETTER We trust that this will help our ArchiCARE clients to become more proficient and expert users.
How to: DWF FILES, DWF VIEWER & PROJECT REVIEWER Have you ever needed to send files/drawings to a contractor or client who does not have ArchiCAD? Or uses AutoCAD. If your answer is YES! Then your best choice is the DWF file format with the Project Reviewer web environment. In DWF format, the published files can be viewed through the Internet or an intranet with the Java-based Project Reviewer web environment by anyone who can access the files’ location via a LAN or an FTP connection, without having to install or even be familiar with ArchiCAD. Colleagues, contractors, subcontractors or clients can view the design in a web browser application, add their remarks by redlining it, and send back their corrections or suggestions to the author of the project. Project Reviewer can be included with the published file set.
DWF File (.dwf) You can save Floor Plan and Section/Elevation/IE or 3D Document views in DWF (Drawing Web Format): Activate the required story or Section/Elevation/IE or 3D Document window and choose the Save as command in the File menu. Select the DWF file format from the list, click the Save button and choose one of the following options: •Compressed Binary - smallest, most easily transportable compressed binary file. RECOMMENDED •When you have made your choice, click the OK button to save the DWF file. •You can view the saved DWF file with any web browser that supports the DWF Plug-In. You can download a DWF viewer from http://www.autodesk.com/products/. A Java-based public domain viewer - with some limitations can be found at http://www.cadviewer.com.
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DWF viewer using the Publisher Function ArchiCAD’s Publisher feature automates and simplifies the repeated and consistent output of a larger number of documents (Publisher items). By clicking the Publish button, you can publish a single set or all defined publishing sets or even selected views. The Publisher function is controlled by the Publisher map of the Navigator or the Organizer. You can also access the Publisher from the Document > Publisher > Publish menu command.
Click here to “Include Project Reviewer web environment when sending to Contractor, Consultant, Client etc. for the 1st time. Subsequent sending you can uncheck this.
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ArchiCAD’s Publisher feature automates and simplifies the repeated and consistent output of a larger number of documents (Publisher items). By clicking the Publish button, you can publish a single set or all defined publishing sets or even selected views. The Publisher function is controlled by the Publisher map of the Navigator or the Organizer. You can also access the Publisher from the Document > Publisher > Publish menu command.
DWF viewer After you have saved the files on your computer, compresses them into one file (ZIP for example), and send them over to the Contractor, Consultant, Client etc. via e-mail or by uploading the files to an FTP site from which the other party can download them.
Project Reviewer Project Reviewer is a Java applet that lets you view DWF, JPG, GIF, and TXT files saved in ArchiCAD using the Project Publisher command. It also allows you to add redline information to DWF files.
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Project Reviewer is a Java applet that lets you view DWF, JPG, GIF, and TXT files saved in ArchiCAD using the Project Publisher command. It also allows you to add redline information to DWF files.
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For more information regarding Publisher and Project Reviewer go to the Menu - Help - ArchiCAD Help. Then click on the Search tab on the left and type in “Project Reviewer Example”
Commonly ignored or neglected “buttons” & Palettes Do you sometimes find yourself in a rut when using ArchiCAD. Can you honestly say that you use more than 50% of the functions in ArchiCAD? Herewith a reminder of some of these.
Navigator (Show/Hide) Quick Options
Navigator Preview
Zoom State
Zoom
Scroll-Zoom
Zoom Options
Reduce Zoom
Increase Zoom
Fit in Window To Next Zoom
Pan
To Previous Zoom
Quick Options Palette The Quick Options Palette displays the current settings of the active (frontmost) window:
Navigator Preview (2D)
The current window settings as reflected in Quick Options are
The Navigator Preview Palette makes it easier to locate and zoom in on certain parts of your
the currently effective project settings, but they have not necessarily been saved as part of any view; they merely provide
project, especially when working on larger projects.
feedback on what you are currently seeing in the active window, and offer a quick way to apply changes among these settings. For more information, see Quick Options Palette under the Help Menu [5]
Check Markers Palette The Check Markers function lists which marker-referred items are missing from the project. To list undefined marker references, click the Check Markers button at the top of the palette. For more information, see Check Markers Palette under the Help Menu
Mark-Up Tools Palette The palette contains the Entries that mark elements of your project with a color highlight for correcting mistakes or managing design suggestions. For more information, see Mark-Up Concepts under the Help Menu
Element Information Palette The Element Information Palette displays information about the dimensions of element(s) selected on the Floor Plan. With this feature, you can get instant feedback on some simple quantities that do not appear in the elements’ settings dialog boxes, without having to use any listing commands. For more information, see Element Information under the Help Menu [6]
Selections Palette If you need to make the same selection frequently, the Selections palette allows you to store selections for future use.
Quick Layers Palette
The controls of the Selections Palette allow you to save any selection made on the Floor Plan, in a
The Quick Layers palette lets you quickly change the state of the Layers in your Project without having to open the Layer Settings dialog box.
Section/Elevation/IE window, or a Detail/Worksheet drawing. You can delete a selection or sort saved
•The Show/Hide Toggle inverts the visibility of all layers.
selections by name or by window of origin, using the pop-up menu at top right of the dialog box.
•The Lock/Unlock Toggle inverts the state of all protected and unprotected layers. •The Hide/Lock/Unlock Selections’ Layers
For more information, see Selections Palette under the Help Menu
commands invert the state of the Layers belonging to the currently selected elements, while Hide/Lock Others’ Layers does the same for the elements that are not selected. Both explicit selection and Marquee areas are taken into consideration. •The Undo Quick Layer Actions command undoes the last Quick Layer action (up to 10 actions). •The Redo Quick Layer Actions command redoes the last undone QuickLayer action (up to 10 actions). For more information, see Quick Layers under the Help Menu [7]