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For only the second time ever...
ArchiCAD masters from around the world meet in an online conference

Sharing with you their passion for ArchiCAD, their pioneering insights & the wisdom of their experience.

Summit Training Outline & Objectives

Each session is about 60 minutes in length, plus a few minutes for introductions at the beginning and some time for questions at the end. Sessions start every 90 minutes throughout the day, running from 9 am to 6 pm PST (California time). The actual program schedule will be posted (see above) in late January.

From Concept to BIM: Design Strategies in ArchiCAD

Speaker: Eugenio Fontán Yanes
Course Description: The process of developing a project within a BIM Platform is quite different from how it was with old 2D methodologies.

There are some Strategies to empower the Design by using BIM. From pure modeling to Data extracting Archicad allows to develop a project in a more efficient, free and accurate way.

In this presentation we will start developing our concept model in ArchiCAD combining basic tools and Data tracking methods in order to optimize our project and the information we get from it.

Managing Colour and Material Schemes in ArchiCAD

Speaker: Karoly Horvath

Course Description:
Developing multiple options while keeping the fluently changing project model clean and tidy has always been a challenge in any CAD or BIM tool. In my presentation I am going to share a few tips and tricks on how I deal with this problem.

We'll start with a brief re-cap on what the different "engines" do in ArchiCAD with our colours.

We'll look at a simple yet powerful tool that we've developed called the "Empty Surfaces Palette", which makes it easier to manage colours and materials in an active project. All we should see in the surfaces list of a project are the real finishes that are being used in the project. No defaults, just the used ones, so that in a team everybody knows which material is used where and what that material is.

After exploring how we utilize this palette, we'll use Attribute Manager to save and re-use colour schemes.

NOTE: Hot Linked Modules and Teamwork can complicate attribute management in larger projects with multiple people working in teamwork. A methodology will be shown that simplifies this process.

How to BIM an Indian Palace in Australia

Speaker: Rich Matthews, cMacd Consulting & Design, Australia

Course Description:

This is one of those projects that rarely comes one’s way and has truly challenged my design skills and use of all of ArchiCAD’s modelling, presentation, documentation and calculation/scheduling capabilities to the full... and way I did it.

Take a slightly eccentric Aussie client & his family, their love affair with Joda Bai Palace in Fatepur Sikri, an off chance connection through a colleague, and my ArchiCAD skills... and you have the makings of a four year (and ongoing) project. In the mix is:

• planning, designing, modelling & constructing with unusual foreign objects and methods
• planning changes through four different building sites
• quantity takeoffs for constant budgeting
• documenting, scheduling and bills of materials for standard building products as well as for ordering elaborate carved sandstone objects and joinery from India

You beauty! And yes... there was a lot of head scratching and hair loss on the way. As you listen to my tale, you might learn something... or be able to tell me how I could have done it so much more easily!

Capturing As-Built Data with Light: Importing and Using Point Cloud Files from Laser Surveys

Speaker: Philip D. Allsopp, D.Arch, RIBA, FRSA, CSBA

Course Description:
This session will explore how the rapidly advancing technology of laser scanning can significantly enhance project content and workflow without breaking the bank. Topics to be covered include:

• Light, altitude and relativity – implications for surveying accuracy
• Point clouds defined
• Formats, Size, Storage and RAM
• AZ State Fairgrounds Case Study
• FARO Scene LT, Cloud Compare and Meshlab point cloud analysis tools
• Importing into ARCHICAD BIM
• Creating 3D models and 2D Documents
• HABS Record Drawings For Archiving
• BIMx as a 21st Century Printing Press
• Economic and technological benefits of laser scanning

We will be using a combination of slide images and a live demonstration of ARCHICAD 19 and imported point cloud data from the AZ State Fairgrounds grandstand HABS project.

IFC Automated Specifications and Keynotes

Speaker: Timothy Ball RIBA

Course Description:
Following up on his ground-breaking presentation at the 2015 Summit on "Hyper-Efficient, Detailed 3d Modeling", Tim expands on the use of IFC fields for schedules, collaboration and other data management.

Topics include:

• How Tim uses IFC fields using examples of his own projects​.
• Using IFC for more than just specifications, tips for generating other types of ​schedules including the relationship with the renovation filter and alteration drawings
• How to create simple Icon objects that you can embed data in to use for data that is not drawn
• How you can create a 3D Icon so that the data is exported with IFC​

GDL Hacking Revisited: Practical Parametric Object Making

Speaker: Gary Lawes
Course Description: In simple terms GDL hacking involves modeling an object in ArchiCAD, saving it as a GDL object, and then tweaking the code to add parametric flexibility to the object. It offers an easy way to build smart objects.

Many find ArchiCAD's object creation language (GDL) a little daunting. However it can be mastered relatively easily.

This is a follow-up to Gary's compelling presentation at last year's summit, going a bit further, while going back over some of the basics of GDL hacking.

In this first step we will model a pendant lamp using standard ArchiCAD commands, and then add some simple GDL code to make a stunning lamp that will automatically place itself on the ceiling of your project, and follow the ceiling should you choose to edit it.

We'll set this new smart part up to be able to incorporate other standard lighting fixtures (from the ArchiCAD library or imported from a manufacturer 3D file), and choose between them on the fly.

This is a light show not to be missed...

At the end of the session you will have a new smart object, parametrically driven and sensitive to its placement in the model, for use in your future projects.

You'll also have gained a better understanding of the power of GDL hacking as well as an introduction to the potential of GDL.

ArchiCAD for Live Events, Themed Restaurants, and Live Entertainment

Speaker: Edward Haynes

Course Description:
In this session we'll take a look at three projects, one produced for a live event launching a major video game, one design for a highly stylized restaurant, and one for a live theatre production.

Ed Haynes often works under much shorter time-frames than traditional architecture, defining space with components and materials that may be built off site, transported and installed on site, then dismantled or stored away. Deftly defined color schemes, custom shapes and client branding often play an important role.

In this presentation, Ed will reveal the process he uses to quickly develop concepts and cost estimates for client review and approval, along with the shortcuts he's developed for producing drawings and renderings and coordinating with fabrication and construction crews on a day to day basis.

You'll see the standard ArchiCAD tools used in unorthodox ways to create compelling and cost-effective designs for colorful environments that in some cases may only be experienced for a short time.

Collaborative Design with ArchiCAD BIM Server

Speaker: Andreas Lettner

Course Description:
Learn from ArchiCAD veteran Andreas Lettner the best ways to set up and use Graphisoft's powerful BIM Server for collaboration in your office as well as with outside staff and consultants.[A more complete description of this session will be posted soon.]

ArchiCAD Speed Tricks, Shortcuts and Power Tools

Speaker: Eric Bobrow

Course Description:
In this session Eric will share some of his favorite tricks to speed up your work in ArchiCAD. Some are well known (but often forgotten or underutilized), others are a bit obscure ("when did they add that feature?") and yet others are combinations of a custom setup and/or creative innovations in method or procedure.

In addition, Eric has been soliciting tips from other users on LinkedIn, and will weave them together into an entertaining and enlightening hour that will have you zipping along in your ArchiCAD work in no time!

Using Data to Inform the ArchiCAD Design Workflow

Speaker: Shawn B. Hopkins

Course Description:
As an architect using BIM, I believe that it is my responsibility to author my design geometry accurately.

The more accurate the virtual building model, the more data can be extracted to inform design decisions inline with aesthetic, cost and performance criteria. While this data adds value to the architectural design process, its greatest asset lies beyond the walls of our own offices.

The image on the left below is a preview from our BimRecipe™ Zone calculator tool, with an example of the data we are extracting from it. We are busy putting this together on an actual project at the moment. The method of using this zone calculation report will be demonstrated during the session.

The first two images on the right below are from the BimRecipe solution, which uses ArchiCAD's Building Material attributes and property object functionality. This is a follow-on to the label workflow demonstrated in the 2015 Summit. The bottom right image is from our keynote tool which makes it easy to connect specification data.

Optimized ArchiCAD Workflow and Client Communications for Remodels and Additions

Speaker: Van Hohman

Course Description:
How does a small Architectural office produce in a timely manner, while maintaining a high quality of work?

ArchiCAD is the tool that allows our firm to produce high quality work for all of the remodels and additions that come our way, all the while keeping the client up to date and in the loop.

Above: Existing Master Suite (left); Proposed Design (right)

Below: Section perspectives, sketch-style and photo-rendered

Creative Uses of ArchiCAD's Morph Tool for Concept Design

Speaker: Duncan Gilchrist

Course Description:
The arrival of the morph tool has enabled MIX to better use ArchiCAD in the concept and early design phases with increased production value, and time savings to be had over previous multi-program methodologies.

With an array of multifaceted abilities morphs have transformed how early project workflows are set up, additionally enhancing the versatility of ArchiCAD as a creative design tool.

In this session, we'll explore how to take advantage of the Morph Tool in concept design, with applications ranging from beginner to expert skill level.

1. Importing complex geometries for other 3d programs for use as editable morphs. 3dsmax/sketchup/rhino/autocad.

2. Tricks of the trade when editing morphs pros/cons; slicing, detaching, working with multiple items.

3. Using morph as a canvas for complex surfaces and symbol/vector fills.

4. Taking advantage of the Boolean operations and SEO’s with morph.

5. Object/content creation with morph.

6. Live grasshopper/rhino/archicad connection and population of morph from parametric grasshopper script.

Join us for the ArchiCAD Event of the Year!

The Masters of ArchiCAD Summit will deliver valuable insights and inspiration you will take back to your office.

Learn From Industry Experts

We've put together the smartest power-users to share their skills, tips and tricks for getting the most out of ArchiCAD.

Frequently Asked Questions