ArchiCAD Modeling E-Guide PDF

Graphisoft ArchiCAD
Modeling
Interactive Training Guide
Graphisoft
Visit the Graphisoft website at http://www.graphisoft.com for local distributor and product availability information.
Graphisoft ArchiCAD Modeling Interactive Training Guide
Copyright 2008 by Graphisoft, all rights reserved. Reproduction, paraphrasing or translation without express prior written permission is
strictly prohibited.
Trademarks
ArchiCAD, Virtual Building, Virtual Trace and Virtual Building Solutions are trademarks of Graphisoft.
All other trademarks are the property of their respective holders.
CONTENTS
Getting Started with the ArchiCAD Interactive Training Guide _____ 5 5.1.1. Stretching the Slanted Wall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64
Step 1: Download and Install Archicad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 5.2. Wall Priorities and the Layer Intersection Group Number
Step 2: Create the Interactive Training Environment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Functionality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64
Step 3: How to Use Movie Player in ArchiCAD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 5.3. Creating a New Composite Structure for Walls. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65
5.4. Using the Modify Wall Command. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68
Introduction _______________________________________________ 10
5.5. Drawing a Double-Slanted Wall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70
Chapter 1: Architectural Modeling: Terrains ____________________ 13 5.6. Creating and Editing a Profiled Wall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73
1.1 Customizing the Mesh Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Chapter 6: Architectural Modeling: Roofs ______________________ 77
1.2. Creating a Mesh from External 2D Drawings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 6.1. Creating a Simple Roof in 3D . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77
1.3. Creating a Platoo Slab on the Terrain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 6.2. Trimming Walls and Columns to the Roof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .79
1.4. Adding a Sloping Road to the Project . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 6.3. Creating a Polyroof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .83
Chapter 2: Creating Basic Shapes Using Solid Element Operations 22 6.4. Creating a New Barrel-Vaulted Roof on the Floor Plan . . . . . . . . . .84
2.1. Creating the 3D Form of a Church . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 6.5. Constructing an Irregular Barrel-Vaulted Roof in 3D . . . . . . . . . . .87
2.2. Adding the Choir and Aisles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Chapter 7: Special Constructions: Special Openings Skylights /
2.3. Creating a Bell Tower . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Corner Windows ___________________________________________ 91
2.4. Completing the 3D Form of the Church . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 7.1. Creating Special Windows. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .91
Chapter 3: Architectural Modeling: Structural Grid______________ 35 7.2. Customizing and Placing a Storefront Door . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .94
3.1. Creating a New Structural Grid Columns, Beams and 7.3. Creating an Empty Opening. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .95
Dimensions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 7.4. Placing a Skylight Object. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .97
3.2. Adding a second structural grid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 7.5. Adding Entrances to the Project. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .101
3.3. Modifying the structural grids elements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Chapter 8: Architectural Modeling: Stairs _____________________ 105
Chapter 4: Architectural Modeling: Columns, Beams and Complex 8.1. Adjusting and Placing an Existing Stair Object. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .105
Profiles____________________________________________________ 46 8.2. Creating a New Staircase . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .107
4.1. Modifying the Attributes of the Columns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 8.3. Creating Stairs with the Profile Manager. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .110
4.2. Placing Circular Slanted Columns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 8.4. The Create Stair Using Selection Feature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .112
4.3. Creating New Complex Profiles for Construction Elements . . . . . . 49 Chapter 9: Special Constructions - TrussMaker_________________ 117
4.4. Placing a Profiled Column . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
9.1. Creating a Truss from Rolled Steel Profiles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .117
4.5. Creating an Inclined Beam and Defining the Intersection Priority of
9.2. Terminating the Building Structure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .122
Beams and Columns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
4.6. Defining Holes in the Beam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 Chapter 10: Special Constructions - RoofMaker ________________ 125
4.7. Adding an ArchiCAD Object to the Structure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58 10.1. Using the Roof Wizard Settings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .126
Chapter 5: Architectural Modeling: Walls Slanted Walls / 10.2. Modifying Elements of the Roof Structure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .129
Composite Walls____________________________________________ 62
5.1. Creating and Editing Straight and Slanted Walls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Graphisoft ArchiCAD Modeling Interactive Training Guide 3

Contents
4 Graphisoft ArchiCAD Modeling Interactive Training Guide

Getting Started with the ArchiCAD Interactive Training Guide
GETTING STARTED WITH THE ARCHICAD

INTERACTIVE TRAINING GUIDE
This interactive training guide was written to ease and speed up 1 Install ArchiCAD on your computer to complete the steps of
your learning process, saving you time. this interactive training guide.
Please read the three steps of this short introduction to familiarize 2 If you do not have ArchiCAD yet, please visit the following
yourself with the interactive training environment in ArchiCAD. websites to obtain a free ArchiCAD installer:
Every chapter of the interactive training guide contains the If you are a student or a teacher, visit
following elements: https://eduregistration.graphisoft.com/ to register and
a section of the PDF Guide with detailed download a fully functional Education Version of
explanations and screenshots; ArchiCAD for Students and Teachers.
narrated movie clips providing step-by-step

instructions,
an ArchiCAD training project file to complete the

exercises.
The PDF guide can be printed and all the narrated movie clips can
be launched from the PDF. However, we recommend that you play
the movie clips within ArchiCAD, while completing the steps
using the training project files.
STEP 1: DOWNLOAD AND INSTALL

ARCHICAD
To best enjoy the unique benefits and simplicity of learning in an If you are a professional architect, visit
interactive environment, we recommend that you install the https://trialregistration.graphisoft.com/ to register and
interactive training guide as well as the latest version of Graphisoft download a fully functional 30-day trial version of
ArchiCAD on your computer. ArchiCAD. Projects saved with this TRIAL version can be
automatically upgraded to FULL versions upon purchase of
a commercial license.

4 Start the installer of the interactive training guide and

follow the instructions on the screen. We recommend you
install the guide to the default location suggested in the
installation wizard.
Once you have successfully installed both Graphisoft ArchiCAD
Please note that ArchiCAD is available in several localized and any of the Interactive Training Guide packages, please proceed
languages for both Macintosh and for Windows operating with the following steps to initiate the interactive learning
systems make sure to choose the language and installer environment.
version that best suits you.
Please note that there are separate
3 Start the Graphisoft ArchiCAD installer and follow the
installer packages for Macintosh and for
installation wizard to complete the process.
Windows operating systems. Please
make sure to use the appropriate
installer.
STEP 2: CREATE THE INTERACTIVE

TRAINING ENVIRONMENT
Introduction.mp4
Watch Movie

1 Start ArchiCAD on your computer by double-clicking its

desktop shortcut.
If you installed the interactive training guide to its default location,

then you will find its folder in the Graphisoft folder of your
machine. The Graphisoft folder is located in the Applications
folder on Macintosh, or in the Program Files folder on Windows
operating systems.
3 Browse the chapters of this training guide and open any of
the ArchiCAD Project archive (.PLA) files.
The ArchiCAD splash screen will appear shortly after you start the
program, and the Start ArchiCAD dialog will be displayed.
2 Select the Standard Profile for the active Work
Environment in the Start ArchiCAD dialog. Select the
Open Project option, then click the Browse button to
locate the ArchiCAD training project file on your local
computer.

4 Select the Read elements directly from archive option for

Active Library Usage in the Open Archive Project dialog.
5 Activate the File > Save As command, and save an
ArchiCAD Solo Project of the currently open design file to
the folder in which the previously opened archive file was
located. The Solo Project format and the correct library are
selected automatically, so practically all you have to do is to
click the Save button to proceed.
This is an important step, since certain exercises will require a Solo
Project file to be saved on your local computer.
Now that the training environment has been set up, you are ready
to proceed with any of the exercises!
ArchiCAD will open the selected archive project and read all the
library elements directly from the archive file. The ArchiCAD
training project files are all saved as archive files. This is important
because the library elements have different names in localized
versions of ArchiCAD (localized meaning translated to foreign
languages and customized to meet different local standards).

STEP 3: HOW TO USE MOVIE PLAYER 3 Click the Play button on the player to start the first clip. You
can pause the movie at any time, or use the slider to repeat
IN ARCHICAD or skip any parts of the clip.
Lets briefly look over the main features and functions of the
ArchiCAD Movie Player.
1 Open the Movie Player by
activating Help > ArchiCAD
Movie Player.
4 Once the movie is over and you have completed the current
2 The Movie Player will open step of the exercise, click the Next button to proceed to the
and the first training clip will be automatically loaded. Feel next step of the exercise and open the corresponding
free to reposition or re-size the movie player on your screen. training clip. You can also click the Previous button if you
wish to open the previous clip.
The title bar of the movie player always indicates the number of the
current step and the total number of steps available in the current
chapter.
We hope that you will find this guide useful and will agree with
what experienced architects worldwide say: ArchiCAD is easy to
learn and fun to use.
You are always free to contact Graphisoft and its worldwide
partners if you have further questions: www.graphisoft.com.

Introduction
INTRODUCTION
One of the major advantages of ArchiCAD is found in the creation design process. The intention the Modeling Interactive Training
of 3D construction elements, forms and models, allowing Guide to introduce the concept, tools and techniques of 3D
architects to put their ideas in spatial terms. Working in 3D makes modeling in ArchiCAD, which enables the creation of intelligent
it possible to verify and visualize the project during the entire objects.

Introduction

Introduction
ArchiCAD parametric construction elements behave according to yourself with the Solid Element Operations functionalities in order
real-life conditions for instance, walls, columns and beams can to form more complicated 3D volumes.
be trimmed to the surfaces of slanted roofs with just a few clicks of After that, you will create the structure of the building, composed
the mouse. This can save a great deal of modeling time for of beams and columns. The functioning and handling of these
designers, while ensuring that all material quantity calculations construction elements will be demonstrated in detail in this
reflect real design conditions. overview. Finally, you will need to dress the building with walls,
Every ArchiCAD building element is real: you might create a roofs, stairs, doors, windows and skylights, using an amazing
wall or slab in the floor plan view, but their 3D view is also at hand variety of tools available in ArchiCAD.
immediately, at any time. This enables users to view the project in In the meantime, you will gain skills using special ArchiCAD
its own 3D environment (with instant, real-time 3D feedback) and functionalities, like StairMaker, TrussMaker and RoofMaker,
to make better, more informed design decisions. allowing for the simple creation of stairs, trusses, girders and roof
Throughout the following chapters and exercises you will structures.
construct, step by step, a small pavilion situated in an existing The Modeling Interactive Training Guide requires a basic
architectural environment. knowledge of ArchiCAD. Users need to be familiar with how to
First, you will establish the topography of the sloping site using employ fundamental ArchiCAD design and navigation tools. These
meshes. Next, you will learn how to use basic shapes from the are not fully explained in this manual. For beginners, we
ArchiCAD library to create the simplified model of the existing recommend starting with the ArchiCAD Basic or BIM Interactive
buildings surrounding the new pavilion. You will also familiarize Training Guides, accessible at http://www.graphisoft.com.

Chapter 1: Architectural Modeling: Terrains
CHAPTER 1: ARCHITECTURAL MODELING: TERRAINS

Our environment sits on a gently sloping site, which we need to as superficies, meshes created with vertical sides (skirt), and
create in 3D. In order to do so, use the ArchiCAD Mesh tool to meshes created as solid bodies, depending on the construction
obtain a realistic view of the original terrain. Meshes are surfaces method chosen in the Info Box.
of any form created by defining the elevation of their characteristic
points and interpolating between them.
1.1 CUSTOMIZING THE MESH
A mesh with its ridges is created on the foundation of a Mesh
Reference Plane. You draw the main contours of the mesh, as PARAMETERS
projected to the Reference Plane. You can then raise the
characteristic points of the meshs superficies out of this plane. Modeling Chapter
01_01.mp4
Watch Movie
In the first part of this chapter you are going to set the parameters
of the mesh. These will be used later, when placing the mesh. Lets
open the Modeling Chapter 01.pla project file.
1 Activate the 1.1. Customizing the mesh pre-set view in the
Navigator. Double-click the Mesh Tool to open its settings
dialog box. Click the Create Solid Bodies radio button in
the Geometry and Positioning panel. The depth shows the
value to which the mesh will extend below the reference
plane. Input a height of 5 m as the depth of the mesh base.
Enter -11 m for the value of the relative Base Height.
Note: There are two types of ridges in a mesh: user-defined and

generated ridges. You have the option of displaying all the
ridges, or just the user-defined ones. (This control is located in
Mesh Default Settings). On the floor plan, only the outline and In the Floor Plan and Section panel, you can find the controls
the ridges of the mesh are visible. In 3D, you can design meshes related to the representation of the mesh in 2D windows, such as

the floor plan, section, and elevation views. You can also assign a 1 Activate the 1.2. Creating mesh from external 2D drawing
fill pattern to the mesh covering the element in the floor plan. pre-set view in the Navigator. Import the reference file by
2 Open the Floor Plan and Section tab page and switch off clicking the Merge command in the File > File Special
the Cover Fills option. Also, set the pens as shown. menu. Browse to the Advanced Modeling Library folder
and select the .DWG file type. Select the Mesh contour
lines.dwg file and click the Open button.
3 Go to the Model panel. Select Stn-Marble White as the

top material, and keep the settings of the side and bottom
materials. You can control the appearance of the generated
ridges in this panel. Choosing All Ridges Smooth means
that only user-defined ridges will appear in the 3D view.
2 The Merge DXF-DWG dialog box appears in the screen.
Choose the Merge content of Model Space into current
View option and hit OK.
1.2. CREATING A MESH FROM

EXTERNAL 2D DRAWINGS
Modeling Chapter
01_02.mp4 3 The Merge DXF-DWG Model Space dialog box appears.
Watch Movie Make sure Specify On-Screen under the Insertion Point
settings is checked on. Set both the X and Y value of scaling
ArchiCAD allows for the creation of meshes from 2D drawings ratio to 1. Next, click the Bounding box node radio button,
that contain the boundaries of the site. In this exercise, you will and select the top left button as anchor point. Click
import an AutoCAD DWG file and use it as a reference to create Merge.
the Mesh Model.

5 Select the Mesh tool and activate the rectangular geometry

method in the Info Box. First, click at the top left point of the
rectangle, and then click at the bottom right corner.
4 Place the drawing as seen below.

Next, you need to add some level lines to the mesh. Instead of
retracing each edge manually, use the Magic Wand, which will
autotrace the level lines needed for the site.
Note: Whenever you create curved-type elements with the
Magic Wand, the tracing method and the approximation will be
based on the settings of the Option > Magic Wand Settings
dialog box. Activating the Best Match radio button means
that curved segments will follow - as best as possible - the
natural form of circles, arcs and splines. If real curves cannot be
created, ArchiCAD will try to approximate curves according to
the settings of in this dialog box.
Now you have to define the contour of the mesh.

6 Select the newly created Mesh and hold the Space bar to You have created a mesh that is at present a horizontal plane.
activate the Magic Wand with the Mesh tool still activated. Define the height for each contour line individually to obtain the
Drag the cursor over the first level line and click. The New final shape of the mesh. Do not forget that the top level of the mesh
Mesh Points dialog box appears on the screen. Make sure is set to -11 m. When modifying the height of level lines, this value
that Fit to User Ridges is selected and click OK to serves as reference level from which the new altitude is measured.
create new points along the contour. 8 Drag the cursor along the first line and click on the point.
Select Elevate Mesh Point from the appearing pet palette.
Enter 1 m and select the Apply to All feature, which
affects all points along the contour.
Note: When you add new points to the selected mesh you have
three possibilities. If you choose No Surface Fitting, the new
points will be added with the height value currently set in the
Mesh Settings dialog box. If Fit to User Ridges is selected,
the new points will be placed on the current surface of the mesh,
and only user-defined ridges will keep their height. This method
is recommended for renderings. By choosing Fit to All
Ridges, the new points will be placed on the current surface of
the mesh, and all ridges will keep their height. This method is 9 Continue the same process for the remaining level lines, as
the most precise one, but it may generate a rather large number shown below.
of ridges. In the latter two cases, if you wish to create a hole (for
instance, to accommodate a house plot), no slopes connected to
the bottom of the mesh will be created.
7 Repeat the last operation until each contour is redrawn by
the Magic Wand.

2 In the appearing New Mesh Points dialog box, choose the

Create Hole radio button. Select the Fit to User Ridges
1.3. CREATING A PLATOO SLAB ON THE option and click OK.
TERRAIN
Modeling Chapter
01_03.mp4
Watch Movie
Lets continue the design of the project by adding a platoo slab on
the terrain. This will serve as a base for the building to be
constructed in the following chapters. First, create a hole in the 3 Activate the Slab tool and open the tools settings dialog box.
mesh. Next, place the slab. In the Geometry and Positioning panel, set the Slab
1 Activate the 1.3. Creating a platoo slab on the terrain Thickness to 1 m, and enter 0 for the value of the Relative
pre-set view in the Navigator. Select the mesh with the Mesh Base Height.
tool still active. Choose the Polygonal geometry method in
the Info Box, and draw a closed polygon by following the
instructions in the illustration below.
4 Open the Model tab page and select Wd-Pine

Horizontal as the material of the top of the slab. Click
OK to leave the settings dialog box.

1.4. ADDING A SLOPING ROAD TO THE

PROJECT
Modeling Chapter
01_04.mp4
5 Draw the Slab manually or hold down the Space bar and Watch Movie
click inside the contour with the Magic Wand. Open the 3D In this exercise, you will place a sloping road onto the terrain using
window and check your design. the Regular Sloped Mesh. This helps you quickly create regular
meshes with plane surfaces.
1 Activate the 1.4.1. Adding a sloping road pre-set view in
the Navigator. First, create a hole in the mesh. In order to do
so, select the Mesh tool and also select the mesh element on
the floor plan. Choose the Rectangular geometry method in
the Info Box. Click the top right corner as shown and choose
the Subtract from Polygon option. Define the second
corner as shown and click outside of the Mesh to deselect it.

2 Now select the Regular Sloped Mesh in the Info Box and 4 Draw a selection marquee around the newly created element
define a rectangular boundary on the floor plan. and activate the View > Elements in 3D View > Show
Selection/Marquee in 3D option. Change the 3D view mode
if necessary.
The Regular Sloped Mesh dialog box opens automatically. In the

first part of the dialog box you can set the number of divisions in
either direction. You must then set the elevation of three mesh
corners: the fourth one is generated automatically.
3 Set the parameters as shown below.

5 Select the new mesh and click on one top point as shown. Note: Meshes can be edited after being placed on the floor plan.
Select the Elevate command from the pet palette and Use the commands in the palette appearing in the 3D window or
adjust the slope to the existing mesh height. in the floor plan view.
7 Now check the whole design in the 3D window. In order to

do so, activate the 1.4.2. Mesh in 3D pre-set view in the
Navigator.
6 Click on a bottom point of the slope and choose the Stretch

height option. Modify the height as shown below.

8 Finally, return to the floor plan window and save your

project using the File > Save as command.

Chapter 2: Creating Basic Shapes Using Solid Element Operations
CHAPTER 2: CREATING BASIC SHAPES USING SOLID

ELEMENT OPERATIONS
Lets continue the project by constructing the architectural
environment in which the project will be placed. As a base, you
will use the 3D terrain constructed in the previous chapter. You will
continue with the creating of the existing buildings surrounding the
new pavilion. In order to do this, use basic shapes from the
ArchiCAD library. You also need to familiarize yourself with the
Solid Element Operations functions. This will help you to form
more complicated 3D volumes. The intention of this step is to
create a mass plan of the environment that helps you to check your
future project in a real situation.
2.1. CREATING THE 3D FORM OF A

CHURCH
Modeling Chapter 1 First, activate the 2.1. Creating church 3D form pre-set
02_01.mp4 view in the Navigator.
Watch Movie The appearing 2D drawings contain the contour lines and the
In this exercise, you will create the 3D form of the church seen in elevation views of the church. Observe that the form of the
the following screenshots. Lets open the Modeling Chapter building can be reproduced by using elementary geometric shapes.
02.pla project file.

2 Activate the Object tool in the Toolbox and open Settings

dialog. Select the Basic Shapes folder from Special
Construction. Notice that the object named House Model
corresponds to the form of the nave of the church. Select this
object.
3 Rotate the object in the Preview window, and place the

anchor point in the top left corner in the Preview and
Positioning panel.
4 Set the dimensions as shown in the Parameters tab page.

The Roof Type has to be set to Type 1. Also make sure that
the Footing Height option is set to 0. Enter 12 m for
Gutter Height and 60 for the Roof Angle.

Define the dimensions as shown in the illustration.
5 Use the Paint-19 material for the whole object, as selected

in the Model panel.
Finally, select the 3D form layer at the bottom of the

settings dialog box.
6 Return to the plan view by closing the dialog box. Click the 2.2. ADDING THE CHOIR AND AISLES
top left corner of the nave. As you can see, the object
appears in the floor plan. Modeling Chapter
02_02.mp4
Watch Movie
Adding the choir volume requires mostly the same steps.
1 Activate the 2.2.1. Adding choir and aisles pre-set view in
the Navigator. Return to the tools settings dialog box and
set the dimensions as seen on the screenshot below. Also
select Hip Roof on One End in the Parameters panel.

2 Close the settings dialog box and place the object as shown
in the next illustration.
5 Click OK to return to the plan view and click as indicated

Lets continue the design by adding two aisles. on the illustration.
3 Reopen the settings dialog box. Use the same object. This 6 Before adding the second aisle, change the Geometry
time you need to set a simple roof. In the Parameters Method in the Info Box to Rotated Diagonal. This allows
panel choose No Hip and select Type 3 as Roof Type. you to create the second aisle without modifying the
This type has only one sloped plane. parameters of the settings dialog box. Click as shown below.
4 You have to change the dimensions and the roof slant angle.
Use the data shown on the 2D drawings. Set the hotspot to
the top left corner in the Preview panel.

7 To check your design in the 3D Window, activate the 2.2.2.

Adding choir and aisles perspective view in the Navigator.
2.3. CREATING A BELL TOWER

Modeling Chapter
02_03.mp4
Watch Movie
The creation of the bell tower is going to be more complicated. To
construct the simplified form of the tower, you need to use multiple
objects that have to be placed on each other. Additionally, you will
learn how to create more complicated 3D volumes by using the
Solid Element Operations function.
1 Select first the 2.3.1. Creating a bell
tower pre-set view in the Navigator.
Change the Geometry Method to
Orthogonal in the Info Box. Open 2 Now return to the dialog box and select the Pyramid object.
the Object tools settings dialog and Set the Number of the sides to 8 in the Structural
choose Find library parts. Type Cube for the keyword Dimensions. Define the Cone Length as 7.5 m. Set 22.5 as
and select the Cube object. Set the parameters and place it the angle of rotation. In the Preview and Positioning tab
as shown. page, set 25 m as Base Height. It has to be modified later, but
for now this will help you to develop your design.

hotspots. In the appearing pet palette choose "Stretch" and

resize the pyramid such that its boundary box corresponds
to the perimeter of the cube object.
You dont need to define the Bounding Circle Radius precisely,

because this can be assigned to the perimeter of the cube after
placing the object.
3 Activate the Floor Plan window and place the object.
4 As you can see, you have to modify the base size. In order to
do so, select the object and click on one of its perimeter

5 Next, go to the 3D window by activating the 2.3.2. Creating

a bell tower perspective view.
Compare your design with the 2D drawings of the church. As you

can see, to achieve the final form of the tower, there are some tasks
remaining. You need to cut the top corners of the Cube object,
elevate the roof of the tower, and add some columns to support the 7 Now drag a copy of the pyramid object which will serve as
roofs charge. the operator element. First, select the object. Then, activate
6 Activate the Solid Element the Drag a copy command, which is situated in the Edit
Operations function in the menus Move panel. It can also be found in the context
Design menu. This allows you menu appearing as a result of a right-click.
to create complex shapes using
Boolean operations, including
subtraction, addition and
intersection.
Note: Solid Element Operations has two distinguishable roles. A

Target is an element whose geometry will be modified by the
operation. An Operator is an element affecting the geometry of
the element to which it is linked.

9 Click on one of the new Piramyds hotspots as shown in the

screenshot, and select the Drag horizontally command
from the appearing pet palette. Assign the pyramid object
that overlaps the cube element as shown.
10 With the object still selected, change the layer of the

Pyramid object in the Info Box. Select the Operator
Elements layer.
As you have to cut 4 edges of the cube, you need to possess

8 Select the new object and open the settings dialog box. In the 4 operator elements.
Structural Dimensions tab page set the XY plan angle to
270.

11 To do so, reselect the object and activate the Edit > Move > 12 In the perspective view, choose the peak of the tower as the
Multiply command. center point of the rotation and any point of the operator
pyramid as the target. Define angle of the rotation as 90.
Activate the Rotate option and set the Number of copies to

3. Check to make sure that the vertical displacement is off. 13 Now select the Cube object and click the Get Target
Also make sure that the Increment option is active. Elements button in the Edit Targets and Operators
dialog box.

Next, select the 4 pyramid objects, then click Get Operator 14 Hide the Operator Elements layer to see the model without
Elements. them.
After defining every element of the operation, select

Subtraction and click the Execute button.
To redefine the 2.3.2. Creating a bell tower perspective
view, click the Settings option at the bottom of the
Navigator. In the appearing dialog box, click Get Current
Windows Settings and hit OK.
2.4. COMPLETING THE 3D FORM OF

THE CHURCH
Modeling Chapter
02_04.mp4
Watch Movie
In this step you will complete the modeling of the bell tower. First,
The operation does not modify or delete the Operator element. you need to elevate the pyramid object to a new altitude.
After having performed the operation, you can hide the layers of 1 In order to do so, select the pyramid object. Open the tools
the Operator elements without resetting the modified shape. settings dialog box and change the value of the base height to
Hint: The result of the operation is associative: if you modify 26 m.
the location or the attributes of the participating elements, the Continue by adding 8 columns to support the charge of the roof of
linked elements will be updated accordingly. the tower.

3 Select the placed object and activate the Edit > Move >
Multiply command. To obtain the desired number of
copies, set the parameters as shown and execute the
operation.
2 Activate the 2.4.1. Completing the 3D form predefined

view in the Navigator. Open the Object tools settings dialog
box and select Cylinder 11. Change the value of the base
height to 25 m. Set the cylinder radius to 0.20 m and the
cylinder length to 1 m.
Click OK to leave the dialog box, and place the first

column as indicated.

Activate the 2.4.2 Site pre-set view. The 3D model of the 6 Select all the objects with the Arrow tool, and choose the
architectural environment appears on the screen. Notice that the Edit > Move > Elevate command. Enter 3 meters for
simple 3D forms of the neighbouring houses were placed the new altitude.
previously to speed up the modeling process. Observe that the
church is located on the upland of the terrain. This platform is at a
height of 3 m from the project zero, so you need to elevate the base
of the 3D elements forming the church by 3 meters.
4 Activate the 2.3.2. Creating a bell tower perspective view
in the Navigator.
Remember that the tower is partly created by a solid element
operation. To keep its present form, do not forget to also elevate the
operator elements, which are currently hidden.
5 Make the Operator elements layer visible. To do so, go to the
Layer Settings dialog box, select the Operator elements
layer, and click the Show button. Return to the 3D
window.
7 Check your design by double-clicking the pre-set 2.4.2. Site

view, and then save the project.
To make your model more, you can create an entrance at the street
front of the church.

8 Activate the 2.4.3. Creating the entrance pre-set view. 10 Place the Cone object such that its axis coincides with the
To create the entrance, use a truncated cone rotated in line with the ridge of the roof of the nave.
XY plane. This will serve as an Operator Element during the next
solid element operation.
9 Open the Object tools settings dialog box and choose the
Cone 11 object. Set the Relative Base Height to 7 m. The
Bottom Circle Radius has to be set to 3 m, while the value
of the Top Circle Radius should be 1.50 m. Open the
Structural Dimensions tab-page, and modify the Angle to
XY Plane to 0. Type 2 for the Cone Length. Set 0.0 as
the angle of rotation.
11 Activate the Solid Element Operations command from the

Design menu. Select the object forming the nave of the
church as Target, and define the cone as Operator.
Select the Subtraction with downwards extrusion
operation and click the Execute button.
12 Finally, select the Cone 11 object and change its layer to

Operator elements.

Chapter 3: Architectural Modeling: Structural Grid
CHAPTER 3: ARCHITECTURAL MODELING:

STRUCTURAL GRID
The main advantage of the Grid System feature is that it facilitates
and accelerates the creation of building structures that contain
repetitive or similar elements (e.g., beam and columns). It allows
for creation and placement using custom local structural grids of
different sizes and shapes. The Grid System feature also helps in
the positioning of identical columns and beams at specified
intervals on your projects floor plan. You can easily recreate this
arrangement on any number of stories.
3.1. CREATING A NEW STRUCTURAL

GRID COLUMNS, BEAMS AND
DIMENSIONS
Modeling Chapter
03_01.mp4
Watch Movie
In this chapter you are going to create two local structural grids,
which partly overlap each other. These will help you to add design
elements to the project further down the line. Lets open the
Modeling Chapter 03.pla project file.
1 Start this step by creating the first structural grid.
Double-click on the convenient pre-set view in the Navigator,
and activate the Design > Grid System... command.

2 In the appearing dialog box, the settings of the grid can be

customized as needed.
In the General Settings

panel of the Dialog, select the
Orthogonal grid option
for Geometry.
3 The Elements at Grid line intersections option allows you

to create columns or objects at Grid line intersections.
Choose Column to add columns at every axis intersection
point of the structural grid.

4 Click the Dimension lines option to place dimension units use the minus button to remove the unnecessary Vertical
between all intersection points. In the field to the right, grid lines. Set the number of grid lines to 2. Define the
define the value of the dimension position as 3. distance of the vertical grid lines to 5.47 meters.
Hint: Use the Insert (plus) and Delete (minus) buttons to
set the number of grid Lines. Clicking the Insert button will
add a new horizontal or vertical line to the bottom of the list if
no grid line is highlighted. If a grid line is highlighted, the new
line will be inserted below it. The Delete button allows you to
5 In the "Grid Elements" panel, set the Extension of the Grid remove a selected horizontal or vertical grid line. The spacing
elements to 5. Select the top right corner as the anchor point values can be edited individually.
and choose the right and the top sides of the Grid to place
Markers.
6 In order to define the axis numbering system, go to the 8 Before creating the structural grid on the floor plan, the
"Naming Rules" panel. Choose the Generate names settings of columns and dimensions that will be placed with
automatically option and set A, B, C... and Down for the the grid must be defined.
horizontal axis and 1, 2, 3... and Left for the vertical axis. You dont have to deal with the tools settings. Just use the
stored favorites containing the parameters and attributes
needed for the tools. In the "General Settings" panel open
the Column Settings, and choose Column-01 in the
Favorites. Click the Apply button and close the Settings
dialog by hitting OK.
7 Next, open the "Grid Positions" panel and set value A to 5

meters in the Horizontal grid lines settings. Hit the plus
button four times to create six horizontal grid lines. Next,

9 Open the Dimension Lines Settings Dialog as well, open the

Favorites list and choose the "Dimension-01" Favorite. Hit
Enter to close the Settings dialog.

11 Now everything is set for the Grid so hit OK.

The ghost form of the grid appears on the screen. A white
pencil cursor indicates the anchor point for placing the grid.
Click Point 1 to define the Anchor point, and click once

more on the appearing horizontal Guide line to the left, to
define the direction of the first Grid System.
10 In the Grid System Settings Dialog, set Structural Grid

for layer.
Note: The grid structure is assigned to a single layer which can

be set at the bottom of the dialog box. The other elements
(Columns, Beams, Dimensions, etc.) will be placed on their
default layer using their current settings.

2 Switch to the Grid Elements panel and open the Grid

Element Settings.
In the Floor Plan panel, set the Grid line pen to Pen 4.
Open the Marker panel and set the Marker Pen and Text
Pen values to Pen 4 as well. This will help us to discern this
second grid from the previously created one. Click OK to leave
the Grid Elements settings dialog.
3.2. ADDING A SECOND STRUCTURAL

GRID
Modeling Chapter
03_02.mp4
Watch Movie
Now lets create the second structural grid of the project.
1 Switch to the 3.2. Adding a second struct. grid pre-set
view in the Navigator. Open Design > Grid System...
again. Uncheck the Elements at Grid line intersections 3 Set the Markers for the left and the upper sides of the Grid
checkbox in the General Settings panel, leaving only the system.
Dimension lines option selected.

4 Make sure that down and left are selected in the Naming
rules panel. Set the value of the Start at option to 3 on
Vertical Grids.
6 Return to the floor plan and create the Grid by defining its
Anchor Point at Point 1 and setting its direction as
horizontal with a second click.
5 Now go to the Grid Position panel. In this case, the spacing

values of the vertical grid lines will be different from each
other.
Define two Horizontal Grid lines with the distance of 10
meters, and six Vertical Grid lines with the following
distances: 6.54, 4.58 and 9.36 meters in the remaining places.

3.3. MODIFYING THE STRUCTURAL Select the first marker to be modified, and open the tools
settings dialog box. Open the Naming rules panel and set
GRIDS ELEMENTS 2 for the custom parameter value of the Marker. Click
OK when finished. Repeat the same steps for the other
Modeling Chapter elements.
03_03.mp4
Watch Movie
In this part, we are going to modify the placed grids elements.
Notice that all the Grid elements placed are grouped. If you
ungroup the structure, all of its elements can be edited individually.
1 Select the 3.3. Modify grid elements pre-set view in the
Navigator, and activate Suspend Groups in the Standard
Toolbar.
2 As you can see, the increasing order of the axis numbering is

not consistent. It has to be changed at several points, as
shown in the illustration.
Choose the Vertical Grid line at Point 2 and set its value to
3. The Horizontal Grid lines value at Point 3 should be set
to C.
3 Now we will modify the Dimension Lines. Select the first
placed Grids upper Dimension Line and delete it by simply
hitting the Delete button on your keyboard.

4 Lets also modify the orientation of the bottom horizontal

Grid line (F) to make it parallel to the street front of the
opposite houses. Select the bottom Grid line and the marker
with the Arrow tool. Be careful not to select the columns of
the axis. Click on the selected Grid line and choose the
Rotate option in the appearing pet palette.
Now select the second Grid Lines upper Dimension line and
Control (or Command Click on MAC) the first and the third
vertical grid lines to add new points to the dimension chain.
Define the intersection point at Point 7 as the origin of the

rotation, and click over the selected line. Set the angle of the
rotation to minus 15 degrees by typing this value in the
appearing Tracker and hit ENTER.

5 Select the F1 column and move it to the new F1

intersection point.
6 When you are ready with the Structural Grid, open the
Document > Layers > Layer Settings (Model Views)
panel. Select the Structural Grid layer in the list and
close the Lock icon as shown. This indicates whether a layer
has been protected to prevent its contents from accidental
modification.
Note: If a layer is locked, the elements on it cannot be edited or
deleted, and no new elements can be placed on it.
7 Switch on 2.4.2. Site view from the Navigator to check

your design in the 3D window. As you can see, the Grid
Lines can be set to be shown in 3D as well.

Select a Grid Line with a SHIFT click and open its settings Finally, save your project.
dialog to have a look at this setting option in the 3D View This completes Chapter 03.
panel. Click Cancel to leave the dialog.
In the next chapter you will continue to construct the structure of
the building. The recently created Grid Systems will help you with
the placement of the structural elements (columns and beams).

Chapter 4: Architectural Modeling: Columns, Beams and Complex Profiles
CHAPTER 4: ARCHITECTURAL MODELING: COLUMNS,

BEAMS AND COMPLEX PROFILES
In this chapter you are going to finish the creation of the buildings
structure, as formed by columns and beams. You have to
4.1. MODIFYING THE ATTRIBUTES OF
familiarize yourself with the handling of the Beam and the THE COLUMNS
Column tools, and also with the methods to define different
geometric shapes and attributes for these construction elements. Modeling Chapter
Next, you will have an overview of how to create complex profiles. 04_01.mp4
Finally, you will learn to connect columns and beams to each other, Watch Movie
and how to modify the priorities of the appearance of the elements. In ArchiCAD, columns are made up of two components: the
load-bearing core and the optional veneer (which is used to
simulate fire proofing or any kind of sheeting around the core). In
the tools settings dialog box, you have a series of controls that
help you to personalize the column. The section of the columns can
be rectangular or circular, or it can be complex and defined as a
profile. These construction elements can stand free, or they can be
smartly connected to walls and beams. The columns axis can be
either vertical or slanted.

In the previous chapter you created the structural grids, and you 2 Next, select the column at the A1 grid intersection point and
added some columns to the project as well. If you compare your open the settings dialog box.
design with the final drawing of the floor plan, you can observe that
some of the columns placed earlier are unnecessary. Lets start this
exercise by deleting these. Open the Modeling Chapter04.pla
project file.
1 Activate the 4.1. Modifying the columns pre-set view in
the Navigator. Select the columns marked in the illustration
and delete them.
3 Activate the Veneer checkbox to create uniform sheeting
around the core. In the field to the right, set the thickness of
the veneer to 0.05.
Note: There are several ways to select the columns. Activate the
Arrow tool and select each element individually while holding
down the SHIFT-key. You can also draw a selection boundary
with the Marquee tool. In the latter case, activate the Column
tool, go to the Edit menu, and click Select All Columns.

4 Go to the Floor Plan and Section tab page. Open the Cut
Surfaces section and set the Veneer to solid fill.
In the Model tab page, select Mtl-Stainless Steel as

material. Return to the floor plan window.
Note: You can also select all the columns and modify their
parameters.
4.2. PLACING CIRCULAR SLANTED

COLUMNS
Modeling Chapter
04_02.mp4
Watch Movie
Lets continue our design by creating new columns. We will keep
most of the settings defined in the previous exercise, but you have
5 As you can see, the appearance of the column has changed. to place some slanted elements instead of vertical columns. In this
Use the ArchiCAD Parameters Transfer method to apply chapter, you dont have to deal with the height of the construction
these settings to the other columns. First, pick the settings of elements. These will be trimmed by the roof later.
the modified construction element, and then pass them to 1 First select the 4.2. Placing circular slanted columns view
another of the same type, using the Pick Up Parameters. in the Navigator, then click the column icon in the Info Box
and Inject Parameters commands in the Standard to open its settings dialog box. Click the Slanted column
Toolbar. icon and set the slant angle to 70. Verify that the center point
of the circular profile is still defined as the anchor point.
Select Outlines Only as the Floor Plan Display, and close
the dialog box.

define its final geometry. Place the columns at the D3, E3

and F3 grid intersection points, as shown.
3 Finally, check your design in the 3D Window.
4.3. CREATING NEW COMPLEX PROFILES

FOR CONSTRUCTION ELEMENTS
Modeling Chapter
04_03.mp4
Watch Movie
The rest of the columns have to be defined as more complex shapes
that cannot be created with circular or rectangular profiles. To
generate complex profiles for columns, beams and walls, use
profiled structural elements composed of cross-sectional profiles
that are extruded perpendicular to the profiles plane.
Note: A saved Complex Profile element is handled as an
attribute of the Wall, Column, or Beam. ArchiCAD ships a
2 Choose the Rotated Geometry method in the Info Box. number of predefined profile elements. To use them, you have
This means that you first place the column by its anchor only to select Profile geometry method in the tools settings
point, after which a ghost contour of the element appears, dialog box and select the appropriate profile in the Core
while you rotate the column around the vertical axis to Structure section of the Floor Plan and Section tab page.

2 Choose the Design > Complex Profiles > Profile Manger

command and click the New button in the appearing
dialog box.
ArchiCAD allows you to define your own profiles. In this exercise,

you are going to create a new complex profile for columns.
1 Switch on the 4.3. Create Complex Profiles pre-set view in
the Navigator. Observe that the 2D drawing of the columns
cross-section appears on the floor plan. Make a copy of the
drawing to be used when defining the profile.
In the Profiler Editor window, you can draw or edit the

cross-section of the profile element using 2D drawing tools. Only
hotspots and shapes drawn with the Fill tool will be part of the
saved profile. Other 2D elements added can be used as local
drafting aids, but will have no effect on the final appearance of the
complex profile when placed into the model.

The Origin shown in the Profile Editor window is a significant The layer of the active tool will be highlighted. When the Fill or
reference point. In the case of a column or beam, it represents the Hotspot tool is active, the Construction layer will be highlighted,
location of the elements axis. If the complex element is a Wall, the and other 2D elements in this window will be placed on the
origin prefigures the location of the Walls reference line. You Drafting layer. While they will be saved as part of the profile
cannot move the origin, but you can move the profile shape until it attribute, they will not be visible in the placed profile. Show/hide
is correctly positioned with respect to the origin. parameters for Design Layers affects only the Profile Editor
3 Now, instead of creating contours, paste the drawing that window.
you have copied from the floor plan. Position the element to Horizontal and Vertical Stretch (in the list of Design Layers) are
the origin to place it at the center of the profile. Finally click optional attributes of the profile. Check the boxes to switch on the
the Fill tool to add a hatching pattern to the cross-section stretch parameter in either or both directions. If you do not switch
drawing, as shown. them on, you will not be able to stretch or resize the cross-section
of the resulting profile once you place it on the plan.
If you switch on Opening Reference (in the list of Design
Layers), the Profile Editor window displays a line representing the
reference line upon which doors/windows will be placed, once you
place the profile wall on the plan. Edit the line if necessary
conform to the shape of the profile so that openings will be in the
right place. If you do not switch on Opening Reference,
doors/windows will be placed along the profile elements bounding
box.
The rest of the controls in the Profile
Manager dialog box allow you to
fine-tune the Section and 3D
appearance of each component of the
profile element.
One part of the Profile Manager settings is only active if the

Profile Editor is open. The Design Layers section contains
layer controls applying to the Profile Editor window only.

4 Activate the column and beam icons in the Manage

Profiles tab pages of the Profile Manager settings dialog
4.4. PLACING A PROFILED COLUMN
box. Modeling Chapter
04_04.mp4
Watch Movie
In this exercise you are going to place a column with the profile
previously created. You will then multiply the new column on the
floor plan.
1 Activate the 4.4 Placing profiled column view in the
Navigator. Open the columns settings dialog box. Select the
profiled geometry method, and switch on the 2xC section
column in the Core Structure of the Floor Plan and
Section tab page.
5 Open the Design Layers tab

page. Switch on Horizontal
Stretch and Vertical Stretch to
allow further modification of the
profile.
Finally, click the Store profile

button.
Enter 2xC section column as

the name and hit OK. Close
the Profile Editor and the
Profile Manager windows. 2 Note that the core size has been changed to 30x30 cm.
Activate the Slanted radio button and set the slant angle
to 70. Select Projected with Overhead as the Floor Plan

Display. Change the material in the Model tab page to Create four copies at the intersection points A6, A5, A4 and
Mtl-Stainless Steel. Click OK to close the setting dialog A2 as shown.
box.
3 Place a column at the A7 gridline intersection point, with the
rotated geometry method selected in the Info Box as shown.
4.5. CREATING AN INCLINED BEAM AND

DEFINING THE INTERSECTION
PRIORITY OF BEAMS AND COLUMNS
Modeling Chapter
4 Select the placed column and activate the Drag Multiple 04_05.mp4
Copy command. Watch Movie
ArchiCAD beams are horizontal or inclined construction elements
with vertical end faces. They are best used when designing support
elements whose axis length is significantly larger than either their
width or height. Now you will create an inclined beam and adjust
the height of columns at the bottom plane of the beam.

3D modeling helps you to create building structures without

calculating the length and the precise position of each construction
element. You will develop your design in the 3D window, which
displays your model in real perspective or axonometry. The 3D
window gives the view of what the final building will really look
like, and modeling in 3D allows you to explore the model much
more freely than in other windows. 3 Activate the Marquee tool in the Toolbox. Draw a
1 Activate the appropriate view in the Navigator. Open the selection rectangle around the previously created beam to
beams settings dialog box. Define the height as 0.70 and the visualize this part of your project.
beam width as 0.30. Type 0 for the value of the relative 4 Select the Show Selection/Marquee in 3D command in the
height. Activate the inclined button and set the slant angle View > Elements in 3D View menu. Check to see if
to 20. Return to the floor plan view. Internal 3D Engine and Hidden Line option is selected
Note: The beams can be turned around along their longitudinal in View > 3D View Mode.
axis as well.
2 Choose the Single Beam geometry method in the Info Box.

This produces a beam element by clicking twice in the floor
plan: once at the starting point of its axis, and once at the
endpoint. Place the beam as shown.

6 Observe that the columns overhang the beam, so their

height has to be modified. Select the first column and click
on one of its hotspots again to open the pet palette. Select the
Stretch height with fixed angle option and stretch the
column until the top of the element intersects the inclined
5 Click the View > 3D View Mode > 3D Projection
beam. Repeat these steps for all the rectangular columns.
Settings command. Select Parallel Projection and
choose the Side view. Click OK to leave the settings
dialog box.

Note: When Beams cross Walls or Columns, you can set the
priority of the intersection that affects the appearance. The 4.6. DEFINING HOLES IN THE BEAM
lower priority element will be cut in 3D, which means that the Modeling Chapter
intersecting part will be removed. The higher priority element 04_06.mp4
will remain intact. This applies to volume calculations as well. Watch Movie
7 Select the beam and open its settings dialog box. In the First you have to create a beam. Once this is done, you can place
Floor Plan and Section tab page, change the value of the circular or rectangular holes into it on the floor plan. Holes with
Beam Priority to 9. Return to the 3D window. different shapes and sizes can appear in the same beam. In this
exercise you are going to define a series of holes in the previously
created beam. As the beam is inclined, the uniform distribution of
the holes will be easier to do in the 3D window. Finally, you will
make a copy of the columns and beam created from the gridline A
to C in order to define the structure of the opposite side of the
building.
8 As you can see, the intersecting parts of the columns have 1 Activate the 4.6.1. Defining a hole pre-set view in the
been adjusted to the bottom plane of the beam. The Navigator. Select the beam and make sure that the Beam
appearance of the elements has been updated in the floor Tool is activated in the Toolbox. On the floor plan, holes can
plan window as well. be created by clicking on the Beams reference axis. The pet
palette appears with the possible editing choices.
2 Click the Insert hole in beam icon to open the tools

settings dialog box. This will let you set the holes

parameters. Choose a circular shape, set the value of the

Size to 0.40, and type 0.35 as the Position value. Close the
dialog box.
3 Place the first hole 4.34m from the starting point of the
beam.
5 Return to the 3D window and start the operation. Enter
1.10m as distance and hit Enter.
4 Activate the 4.6.2 Multiplying holes in 3D view in the

Navigator. With the Beam Tool still activated in the Toolbox,
select the hole. Click on it again and select the Multiply
option in the appearing pet palette. Set the number of copies to
29, make sure that Off is chosen for Vertical displacement,
and activate the Increment geometry method.

6 Switch on the 4.6.3. Copying beams and columns pre-set

view in the Navigator. Draw a selection marquee around the
construction elements to be copied.
7 Activate the Column tool and choose the Select All
Columns in Marquee option from the Edit menu. Click the
Beam tool in the Toolbox and activate the Select All Beams
in Marquee feature.
8 Do not copy the column at the A1 grid intersection. Deselect
it first, then choose the Edit > Move > Drag a copy
command, or right-click and select Move > Drag a copy
from the appearing context menu.
9 Drag a copy as shown.
4.7. ADDING AN ARCHICAD OBJECT TO

THE STRUCTURE
Modeling Chapter
04_07.mp4
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The ArchiCAD library contains several objects that help you to
complete the structure of the building. These objects are organized
into folders and sub-folders and are thus easy to locate. In this part,
you are going to add some special steel beams to the project, to
support the charge of the roof.
1 Activate the appropriate view-set in the Navigator.
Double-click the Object Tool in the Toolbox to open its
settings dialog box.
On the left, the browser area allows you to locate single library
parts corresponding to the active tool in the loaded libraries. This is
done by either browsing or by entering search terms to find a
library part by name.

2 Open the Steel Beams BS 11 folder located in 1. Basic

Library 11 / 1.4 Building Structures 11 / Steel Structures 11.
Select the Universal Columns Beam 11 structure.
3 In the Parameters tab page, open the Placement section.
Change the Rotation Axis to along axis and define the
Rotation angle as 20.
4 Switch to the Dimensions section and select to use a custom
Serial Size. Enter 250 for the value of Width and 700 as
Depth of Section. Web thickness and Flange thickness
should be set to 35 millimeters, Root radius to 8.9
millimeters and the value of Depth between Fillets to
265.2. Select Mtl-Stainless Steel as material and
Structural-Bearing as the layer.
Note: You dont have to set the exact position and altitude for
these objects because these will be modified later in the section
project view.
7 In order to do so, open the S-01- section. Select the
Universal Columns Beam objects appearing in the screen
with their cross-section. Move the first profile by its center
anchor point and position it at the imaginary intersection
lines of the left slanted columns and the inclined beams
axis. Place the second elements profile at a distance of
2.20m from the first one, and make sure that it is aligned
with the top and bottom planes of the beam.
5 Return to the floor plan by closing the settings dialog box.

Activate the Rotated diagonal geometry method in the
Info Box.
6 Place two objects between the interior sides of the beams,
perpendicular to them, as shown below.
8 Switch to the 3D window and select the object moved
second. Using the Multiply command allows you to
increment 12 copies of this element at equal distances.

Make sure that Vertical displacement is switched on and

return to the 3D window.
Click on the top right corner of the first placed object, as

shown. Click twice on the top right point of the second
element that serves as the reference for horizontal and
vertical distance during the operation.
9 Now only two beams are missing from the structure. To speed
up the process weve already placed these on a hidden layer.
Activate the 4.7.1. Additional Beams pre-set view to make

them visible. The two beams appear on the Floor plan. Now
open the S-01 section to check their position in the model.
10 Finally, save your project.

You have finished the creation of beams and columns forming the
buildings structure. In the following chapters you will add other
structural elements, like walls, a roof, etc.

Chapter 5: Architectural Modeling: Walls Slanted Walls / Composite Walls
CHAPTER 5: ARCHITECTURAL MODELING:

WALLS SLANTED WALLS / COMPOSITE WALLS
In this chapter you will construct the exterior walls of the building. 1 Select the 5.1.1. Creating straight and slanted walls
In the following exercises you will use the Wall tool. In pre-set view in the Navigator and open the wall settings
ArchiCAD, you can draw straight, curved, trapezoidal or polygonal dialog box. Make sure that the Straight Wall Complexity
wall elements, all of which can be composed of a single material or icon is activated. Now set the wall elements thickness to 0.30
contain several materials. You can even go a step further and create m, and height to 14 m. Choose Concrete Block as Cut Fill
complex walls of any custom shape and combination of materials. in the Structure section of the Floor Plan and Section tab
Certain parametric objects such as Doors, Windows and Wall Ends page, and set the material to Surf-Poured Concrete.
can only be placed into walls that you have created. Finally, choose the Structural-Walls layer at the bottom
part of the screen. Click OK to leave the dialog box.
5.1. CREATING AND EDITING STRAIGHT

AND SLANTED WALLS
Modeling Chapter
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This exercise will present how to construct simple walls on the
floor plan and introduce the method of modifying the wall structure
and geometry. Open the Modeling Chapter05.pla project file.

2 Go to the Info Box and click the Straight wall segment To continue the project, you now have to add a slanted wall, placed
icon. Set the reference line location to the center of the wall. between the previously created elements. A slanted wall tilts in one
direction, keeping its faces parallel.
5 Return to the walls settings dialog box and change the
geometry method to Slanted wall. Activate the Right
Every wall element has a reference line possessing a direction. The construction method and type 110 for the value of the Slant
reference line helps you to achieve the precise connection of walls Angle. Set the reference line offset to 0.15m and also modify
for clear intersections, and establishes hotspots and edges for the wall height value to 6m.
selecting, moving and transforming walls. It is also relevant for
determining which side of the wall is inside and which is outside,
which is useful when for assigning materials to the 3D model.
3 The reference line may appear on the floor plan view as a
heavy black line, including the arrow that shows the
direction of the wall. To visualize it verify that the View >
On-Screen View Options > Walls & Beams Reference Lines
is switched on.
6 Draw the wall between the A2 and C2 grid intersection

points.
4 Draw two longitudinal walls. Start to create the first one at

the A7 grid intersection point and finish it at A2. Repeat the
same operation to draw a wall between the C2 and C7 grid
intersection points, as illustrated.

5.1.1. Stretching the Slanted Wall

1 Open the 5.1.2. Stretching the slanted wall pre-set view to
visualize the result of the recent steps. As you can see, the
altitude of the slanted walls has to be increased to assign it to
the height of the other walls. Slanted walls and columns can
be stretched, and their slant angle can be modified with pet
palette commands in 3D view.
2 In order to do so, select the slanted wall with the Arrow tool
and click one of its top hotspots. In the appearing pet palette,
select the Stretch slanted height option and set the top corner
of the straight wall as the reference point for the operation.
Notice that the slanted wall joints correctly the two straight
walls.
5.2. WALL PRIORITIES AND THE LAYER

INTERSECTION GROUP NUMBER
FUNCTIONALITY
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Observe that the columns and beams are cut from the walls, even if
their layers are hidden. You have several ways to change the
appearance of these elements if you are not satisfied with the result.

For example, simply increasing the wall width can be enough to

hide the beams and columns on the elevation of the building. You
can also set a different priority for each individual wall on a scale
of 0 to 16 using the Wall Priority slider switch (Wall Settings /
Cut Surfaces panel).
Another way to achieve the needed 3D appearance relies on using

5.3. CREATING A NEW COMPOSITE
the Layer Intersection Group numbers that can be found in the STRUCTURE FOR WALLS
Layer Settings dialog box.
Note: Elements having identical intersection groups will Modeling Chapter
intersect even if one of the layers is hidden. This may result in 05_03.mp4
missing lines, indicating an intersection with an element on a Watch Movie
hidden layer. To avoid this, you can select one of the layers, and Structures of buildings are not homogenous in most cases, but are
assign it to any different intersection group. constructed from several materials. ArchiCAD contains a series of
Exception for Level 0: If the intersection groups value is 0, the predefined complex structures used for walls, slabs and roofs. You
elements of the respective layer(s) will not intersect. also have the possibility to create new ones or edit existing
complex structures.
For a better 3D result, modify the walls Layer Intersection Group
number. In this part, you are going to define a new composite element for
the exterior walls.
1 In order to do so, open the layer settings dialog box by
clicking Document > Layers > Layer Settings (Model 1 First switch on the 5.3. Create a composite structure pre-set
Views).... Select the Structural Walls layer and change view on the Navigator. To open the settings dialog box, use the
the Intersection Group number to 2. Options > Element Attributes > Composites menu item.
2 Return to the 3D window and observe that the appearance

of the model has been changed.

2 Choose the Brick plastered one side predefined composite components. Add new skins by clicking the Insert Skin
element from the pop-up list and click the Duplicate button two times.
button. 4 Make sure that the skin at the top is still selected, and
change the Composite Skin to Concret block as shown. Set
the thickness to 0.06 m and modify the Skin priority to 10.
Continue to customize the remaining skins as shown on the
following illustrations.
In the appearing dialog box, type Exterior wall as the

name of the new complex structure.
The Edit Skin and Line Structure tab page lists the
components (skins and contour/separator lines) of the new
structure. In the Preview window you can also see the graphic
representation of it. If you highlight a component in the list, an
arrow appears next to the corresponding part of the graphic. The
Edit Selected Item tab page serves to edit the properties of the
skin or line highlighted in the Edit Skin and Line Structure tab
page.
Continue your work by setting the number and the properties of the
new elements skins.
3 As you can see in the dialog box, your
element currently contains only two skins,
while the final structure is supposed to possess four different

Skin Priority: Assign a skin priority to the selected skin. This will
affect its 2D intersection appearance in the project. This control has
an effect only for composite elements used as walls, not for slabs or
roofs.
All composite elements include structural, load-bearing skins
called Core. These play an important role when connecting Walls
and Columns. By default, the structural skin is the thickest one, but
you can also check the boxes for other skins (in the Core column of
the list). You can choose more skins as part of the core, but they
must be located next to each other.
5 Make sure that only the
Common Brick skin is
selected as core.
Use with: Click one or more icons
- Wall, Slab, and/or Roof - to
indicate which of these elements
should list the current Composite
Structure among their structural choices. Composite Structures will

appear in the Wall, Slab, and/or Roof Settings dialog boxes (e.g., The left side (Application commands and menus) of the dialog box
Floor Plan & Section > Structure). lists ArchiCADs commands and menus in alphabetical order. The
right side (Build or edit this menu) shows the current set-up of the
6 Activate the wall icon and click OK to save the new main menu bar.
composite element and leave the settings dialog box.
2 Click the Edit icon next to the Design menu to open its
content . Make sure it contains the
Modify Wall submenu. If not, choose the All menus in
alphabetical order listing mode on the left side. Now you
can simply drag and drop any of the listed menus from here
to any place in the menu structure.
When done, click OK to leave the dialog box.
5.4. USING THE MODIFY WALL COMMAND

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Now you are going to assign the previously created composite
element to the exterior walls. ArchiCAD makes it possible to
change the structure of the selected walls, and still keep their
desired position by using the Modify Wall command.
1 Lets make sure that the Modify Wall hierarchical menu is
included in the menu structure. Activate the Options >
Work Environment > Work Environment command. Click
Menus found in the Command Layout Schemes part of 3 Leave the Work Environment settings dialog by clicking
the appearing dialog box. the OK button, and check to make sure the Modify wall
add-on appears in the Design menu.

Using the commands of the Modify Wall hierarchical menu, you 4 Select all walls on the floor plan and activate the Edit >
can modify the thickness, the Reference Line position and the Modify Wall > Structure command.
direction of selected wall type elements.
You can set the fill at the top of the Modify Wall Structure
dialog box. If the chosen fill is not a composite, you can set its
thickness: otherwise, the thickness of the core layer is displayed.
Click the radio button at the bottom 5 Select the Exterior Wall fill in the Floor Plan & Section
to choose the part of the wall that Attributes section. Activate the Center of Core radio
will keep its position after button to keep the original position of the walls. Click OK
modification. (If possible, this will be to leave the settings dialog box and return to the floor plan
done by adding an offset to the window.
reference line. If not, the reference
line will be moved.)
You can move the reference line of
the selected walls using the Modify
Wall Reference Line command,
without changing the walls position
on the Floor Plan. On the left side of
the dialog box, you can change the
reference line side of walls. On the
right side, you can add an offset to
the reference line to position it to the
desired part of the wall.
Observe that walls structure and thickness has changed, as the

interior position of the core remained unchanged.
Note: Using the Modify Wall Structure command for slanted
walls may produce some inaccuracy in the project, because the
Thicken Wall from option works with the horizontal
projection of the walls and not with the real value of the wall
thickness. Always make sure that the value of the Reference
Change the exterior walls fill as follows. Line Offset is set as required.
6 Select the slanted wall and set the Reference Line Offset to
0.27 in the settings dialog box.
ArchiCAD also lets you draw a wall with unparallel faces. This
element is named double-slanted wall, and it appears as a
trapezoid or triangular shape in the section view. Now you are
going to create the double-slanted wall seen on the illustration.
7 Finally, turn off the Walls & Beams Reference Lines in the
View > On-Screen View Options menu, and check that the
Clean Wall & Beam Intersections is activated.
1 Activate the 5.5. 1. Drawing a double-slanted wall pre-set

view in the Navigator. Open the walls settings dialog and
click the Double Slanted wall icon.
2 Set the slant angles to 160 and 110 degrees. Verify that the
Reference Line offset is set to 0, and select the
Structural-Double Slanted Wall layer. Modify the pen of
the Cut Surfaces and Outlines to pen 48 to discern the
double-slanted wall from the previously created walls.
5.5. DRAWING A DOUBLE-SLANTED

WALL
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Customize the rest of the Wall Settings dialog box as When setting the angles of a double-slanted wall, you are
shown below. The remaining settings will be adjusted later constrained by the minimum thickness of the top of the wall. For a
in the Section view. simple structure (using a single material), this can be zero. The top
of a composite wall, however, has to be wide enough to
accommodate all of the skins.
4 Open the S-01 Section by clicking the 5.5. 2. Modifying
double-slanted wall pre-set view, and select the created
wall. Click the top right corner of the wall and choose the
Stretch height with fixed angles option. Decrease the
height as shown.
3 Draw the wall between the A8 and C8 intersection grid lines.

5 Open the walls settings dialog box with the wall still
selected. Set the Wall Thickness: to zero and click OK.
Move the wall as shown.
6 Return to the floor plan

and hide the layers of
the columns and beams.
Show the exterior walls
layer in the Layer Now you need to adjust the longitudinal walls to the double-slanted
settings dialog box. wall.
7 Stretch the double-slanted wall on the floor plan window in 8 Open the 3D window by activating the 5.5.3. Modifying
two directions until its endpoints coincide with the exterior walls in 3D pre-set view. Stretch the length of the
plane of the straight wall. Hold down the Shift key during longitudinal walls. Adjust their lengths to the top of the
the operation to constrain the vertical direction of the wall. double slanted wall. Hold down the Shift key to keep the
original direction of the walls.

9 Select the double-slanted wall and increase the wall priority

to 12 in the tools settings dialog box. Do not forget to reset
5.6. CREATING AND EDITING A
the Intersection Group number of the Structural-Walls PROFILED WALL
layer to 1, to have the correct intersection of walls.
Modeling Chapter
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Finally, lets create some profiled walls serving as exterior benches
for people. First, you need to define a new profile for use in this
exercise.
1 Activate the 5.6.1. Creating profiled wall pre-set view in
the Navigator. The 2D profile of the bench appears on the
screen. All you need to do is to copy this element to the
Profile Manager settings dialog box.

4 Open the walls settings dialog box and activate the Straight
wall complexity. Choose the Exterior-Furniture layer and
leave the dialog box.
2 Open the Design > Complex Profiles > Profile Manager.

Click New and paste the copied file. Place it as shown.
You dont need to customize the wall height and thickness. The
profile and the parameters will be set later.
5 Select the Curved Circumference
geometry method in the Info Box.
6 Add some walls to the project as shown.
In ArchiCAD, you can apply a custom profile to any selected

element in the model window on a one-time basis without having
to save it as an attribute.
3 Close the Profile Editor window and go to the 3D window
by switching on the 5.6.2 Adding profiled wall in 3D
pre-set view. Pick up the longitudinal walls parameters by
clicking on one of them while holding down the ALT key.

8 Finally, close the Profile Manager dialog box. An alert

appears on the screen mentioning that a complex profile is
currently opened. You do not need this profile anymore.
Click the Dont store button.
Do not forget that you have the option of further modifying the
placement and/or the form of these elements using the pet palette
on the Floor Plan or in the 3D window. You can also use the Edit
7 Now select the previously created walls and click the Apply
> Reshape menu commands.
to Selection button in the Profile Manager window. As you
can see, the profiles of the elements have changed. 9 Select a curved wall and activate the Edit > Reshape >
Split command.
10 Draw a temporary splitting line in the 3D window and click

on one of the sides. Elements on the clicked side will remain
selected, while elements on the other side will be deselected.
Repeat the operation as shown. Delete the unnecessary parts
of the wall.

11 Finally, save your project.

Note - Material for the profiled element: Use the Materials tab
page in the Settings Dialog to set a material for the 3D display of
the sides of the profiled element. Notice that the material will be
applied to all sides of the selected element (Uniform).
To apply a different material to one or more selected sides of the These custom edge settings will be applied to the edge from
element, select a fill in the Profile Manager > Profile Editor which you opened the Pet Palette (Selected edge only), or to
window, click on one of the selected fill's edges, and execute the all edges. If necessary, you can apply a different custom edge
pet palette command Set parameters for profile edge. Then, material to each individual edge.
edit the controls in the appearing Custom Edge Settings
dialog box.

Chapter 6: Architectural Modeling: Roofs
CHAPTER 6: ARCHITECTURAL MODELING: ROOFS

ArchiCAD allows for the creation of different shaped roofs, from In this part you are going to create a simple roof in 3D. First of all,
simple plane to complex polyroof, dome and Barrel-vaulted. you have to define the roof plane by clicking any three points of the
Methods for these are chosen in the Info Box when the Roof tool plane. Next, youll draw the contour of the roof.
is selected. Every roof element possesses a pivot line, which is a 1 Click the Roof icon in the Toolbox
horizontal non-printing line that appears only on the screen. The and select the Rotated Rectangle
elevation of the roof and the direction of the slope are measured by geometry method in the Info Box.
this pivot line.
2 Open the tools settings dialog box. Set the Cut Fill to Solid
There are several ways to create roofs on the floor plan or in the 3D Fill in the Floor Plan and Section tab page. Set the roofs
window. In the first case, you need to define the position of the thickness to 0.21m. Customize the other settings as shown.
pivot line by clicking its extremities. You can set the rising
direction of the structure with the Eyeball cursor. Simply draw the
contour of the roof using one of the geometry methods found in the
Info Box.
Open the Modeling Chapter06.pla project file.
6.1. CREATING A SIMPLE ROOF IN 3D

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3 Choose the appropriate pre-set view in the Navigator. The

previously created beams that support the charge of the roof
will help you to define the bottom plane of the roof. Click the
intersection points of three beams, as illustrated. ArchiCAD
will generate the pivot line automatically.
Lets continue the design by extending the plane of the roof to

cover the terrace. This will serve as an area for outdoor exhibitions.
5 In order to do so, return to the floor plan. Select the previous
4 Click the top corners of the double-slanted wall, and then roof element and click on one edge. Select the Add to
click the top extremity of one of the slanted beams to define Polygon option in the appearing pet palette and change the
the contour of the roof. geometry method in the Info Box as shown.

7 Go to the Layer settings dialog box to show the

Structural-Walls layer, and activate the 3D window to
check your design in 3D.
6 Continue to offset two edges of the roof. Set the distance of

the offset operation as 1.50m.
6.2. TRIMMING WALLS AND COLUMNS

TO THE ROOF
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Observe that the exterior walls of the building overhang the roof
height. Hence, their geometry has to be modified. To do so, you
will use the Trim to Roof command that allows you to trim
either the top or the bottom of walls, beams, columns, slabs, doors,
windows and objects. Please note that the operation will be
executed only if the elements intersect the plane of the roof.

1 Switch on the 6.2.1. Trimming walls pre-set view in the 3 Now activate the Design > Trim to Roof command. Make
Navigator. Using the Arrow tool, select the roof and open the sure that the Trim Top radio button is selected, and click
settings dialog box. Browse the Model panel and click the the Trim button.
Vertical Roof Edge radio button.
2 Return to the 3D window and select the walls that you need
to trim with the roof.
Now you will adjust the height of the columns situated on the
terrace.

4 Switch on the 6.2.2. Trimming columns pre-set view in the

Navigator. Select the columns as shown and modify their
heights to 18m in the tools settings dialog box or in the Info
Box. As a result of this operation, they will reach over the
roofs plane.
Note: Activating Set Wall/Column Top to highest Point

means that the height of a trimmed wall or column is
recalculated to adjust it to the maximum of the trimmed height
of the construction element.
You have modified the height of the slanted columns with the
5 Again, choose the Design > trimming operation. This means that the roofs overhang at the left
Trim to Roof command. side has been changed as well. To customize this parameter to
Verify that Trim Top is still exactly 1.50m from the exterior side of the columns, use the
selected and activate the Set Create Roof Level Line feature. With this option, you can
Wall/Column Top to highest generate a level line at the intersection level of the roof and the
Point option. Leave the slanted columns. This will serve as a reference to define the roofs
dialog box by clicking the overhang. To create the roof level line, all you have to do is
Trim button. measure the vertical distance between the intersection point and the
project 0.
6 Return to the floor plan window. Choose the Section tool
and click twice to define the ends of the section line as
shown. With the Eyeball cursor, click above the created line
to set the orientation of the section.

8 Return to the floor plan. Open the Design menu with the
roof selected, and click Create Roof Level Lines
7 Open the S-02 section. Select the Dimension tool and

activate Level Dimensions.
Click the intersection point of the roof and the slanted

columnand the project 0, and place the dimension as shown.
In the appearing dialog box, enter 11.83m as height, and

turn on the On Bottom radio button. Click OK.
Note: Choosing the Create Roof Level Lines command from

the Design menu will place lines on selected roofs at the height
values you specify in the Roof Level Lines dialog box. Click
the On Top/On Bottom radio button to set the level lines on
either the top or the bottom surface of the roof.
Observe that the vertical distance is 11.83 m.

Use the Specify Roof Level Lines height level to define the 2 Open the tools setting dialog box. Select Current (0. Ground
height of the roof level lines as measured from either the current Floor) as the Home Story, and change the Floor Plan Display
story level or the project zero. to Projected with Overhead. Close the dialog box.
9 The new level line appears on the screen. Reposition the left
contour line of the roof with the Offset Edge command to
1.50m to the left of the new level line.
3 Lets start to draw a polygon of straight segments that

defines the pivot lines of the elements. When you are
finished, the Polyroof settings dialog box appears on the
6.3. CREATING A POLYROOF screen.
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You have finished creating your buildings roof. Nevertheless, you
can try to build some other, more involved roof shapes using
ArchiCADs roof construction methods.
By choosing the Polyroof option in the Info Box, you can create
equally sloped roofs on any polygonal or curved base. The result
will be a set of individual roof planes.
1 Switch on the 6.3.1. Creating Polyroof pre-set view in the
Navigator and select the Polyroof geometry method in the
Info Box. Choose the 06-03_Roof layer.
Note: Polyroofs can be made up of a maximum of four levels.

The inclination and maximum height of each segment can be
independently defined. Draw the shapes with 2D drawing tools
to create curved or other shapes with the Polyroof method.
4 Set the number of Levels to 2. Customize the remaining
parameters as shown below. Do not forget that the final
outline will be defined by the Eave Overhang value

(1.50m), which is added as an offset to the pivot line polygon.
6.4. CREATING A NEW

BARREL-VAULTED ROOF ON THE
FLOOR PLAN
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To create a Barrel-Vaulted roof in 2D, you can draw a cross-section
5 Open the 3D window by activating the 6.3.2. Creating line made with arcs and straight segments, or you can use a
Polyroof pre-set view in the Navigator. Select all walls and predefined curve. When you have finished defining the
beams. Activate the Trim to Roof command and trim the cross-section with a double-click, a rubberband boundary appears
top of the elements. on the screen, the ends of which are connected to those of the
curve. To finish the operation, you have to click the first point of
the roof and then define the length of it.

1 Choose the appropriate view in the Navigator. Modify the The Vaulted Roof settings dialog box appears on the screen.
layer of the roof to 06-4 Roof and select the Barrel
Vaulted geometry method in the Info Box.
2 Activate the Magic Wand in the Standard Toolbar, or keep

the Space bar pressed while clicking on the predefined
curve.
Enter 3.00m for the elevation of the base point of the roof.
Note: The resulting roof planes are individually editable. If
Autogroup is on, they are generated as a group.
Note: Whenever you create curved type elements with the Magic
Wand tool, the tracing method and the approximation are based
on the state of the Option > Magic Wand Settings dialog
3 Define the starting point of the roof. Hold down the Shift key
box.
and define the length.
4 Open the 6.4.2. Creating a Barrel-Vaulted roof pre-set
view in the Navigator, and adjust the position of the roof to
the top edge of the double slanted wall. Verify that the
Suspend Groups option is switched off, and select the roof.

5 Click one of the bottom corners of the element and assign its 6 Next, activate Suspend Groups and
position to the wall as shown. lengthen some of the roof planes to
cover the terrace.
7 Modify the roof geometry as shown. Use the Offset edge
and the Move node commands of the pet palette that
appears on the floor plan.

8 Finally, trim the walls and columns to the roof. 6.5. CONSTRUCTING AN IRREGULAR
BARREL-VAULTED ROOF IN 3D
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There are three ways to draw a Barrel-Vaulted Roof in 3D: Vaulted,
Gable and Complex methods. These appear in a pet palette after
drawing the first side of the outline rectangle of the roof at the
desired height.
1 Select the appropriate view in the Navigator and set
06_5_Roof as the layer of the roof.
2 Begin to draw the roof boundary by clicking the bottom
corners of the first longitudinal wall.
Note: ArchiCAD allows only the construction of curved roofs

that can be hit by vertical rainfall. This avoids the construction
of self-intersecting or reclined roofs. This also means that the
same curve may be valid for the generation of a roof from one
angle of the boundary box, and invalid from another angle. This
is so because the shape of the roof is determined not only by the
curve from which it is to be constructed, but also by the angle of
the boundary box to which it will be associated. The start and
end points of the roof must be defined in such a way that the
heavy line side of the rubberband boundary does not intersect
the original cross-section curve.

3 Select Complex roof in the pet palette. Define the shape of Use the commands of the pet palette in the 3D window to change
the roof by clicking as many times as you wish to create new the geometry and the position of the roof if you are not satisfied
planes. Double-click to finish creating the roof planes. with the result.
5 Make sure that Suspend Groups is switched on, and select
one of the bottom nodes of the first roof plane. Click on a
corner point, select the Change Roof Slant angle option,
and modify the angle of the slope to 20 degrees.
4 Extend the roof to the desired length and click to place the
roof.

Note: Once youve drawn a roof and selected it, you can modify 7 Finally, save your project.
its slant angle in several ways. Select the roof in the Floor Plan Note 1: Dome-shaped roofs
or 3D Window, then Ctrl+click (Windows) or Cmd+click
In ArchiCAD, you can also create a
(MacOS) at any point on the roof plane to bring up the Roof
Dome-shaped roof, by selecting the
Elevations dialog box. Enter a numerical value in the top field:
Dome geometry method in the Info
this will be the elevation value of the roof plane at the point at
Box.
which you clicked it. Altering this elevation value has the same
effect as modifying the roof slant angle. The process for drawing a Dome-shaped roof is the same on
either the Floor Plan or in the 3D Window. With the first click,
you define the center of the arc; the second click marks the
beginning, and the third the end of the outline. Double-clicking
the beginning of the arc will create a full circular dome. Once
you have defined the outline, make your choices in the Dome
Settings dialog box. Here you can set the characteristics of the
roof.
6 Modify the length of roof plane as shown.

Note 2: Roof intersections

You may need to adjust simple roof planes to each other or to
modify some of the planes of a complex roof. For example, you
may want to accommodate a dormer. To have these two roof
planes intersect, select the lower one on the Floor Plan, and
Ctrl+click (Windows) or Cmd+click (MacOS) the ridge line of
the other.
Now, select the other roof plane and Ctrl-click (Windows) or
Cmd-click (MacOS) the ridge line of the lower one. The two
faces have been adjusted to each other.

Chapter 7: Special Constructions: Special Openings Skylights / Corner Windows
CHAPTER 7: SPECIAL CONSTRUCTIONS: SPECIAL

OPENINGS SKYLIGHTS / CORNER WINDOWS
ArchiCADs Door and Window tools allow you to create elements
simulating the look and behavior of real-life windows and doors. In
this chapter, you will familiarize yourself with the use of special
openings found in the ArchiCAD library. Do not forget that these
construction elements can be only placed in walls, using the walls
layer. Next, you will learn the method for creating storefronts,
corner windows and empty openings of different forms. You will
also get an overview of skylights that are smart GDL Objects that
can be intelligently placed in Roofs.
7.1. CREATING SPECIAL WINDOWS

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In this exercise, you will create a custom-shaped window formed
by two ArchiCAD window type library parts. These elements
allow for a large amount of freedom in terms modifying the size
and the shape of openings before or after placing them in the
project. Open the Modeling Chapter07.pla project file.

1 Switch on the 7.1. Creating special windows pre-set view

in the Navigator. Activate the Window tool in the Toolbox
and open the settings dialog box. Select the Special Window
11 folder in the left part of the screen, and choose the W
Triangle Fix 11 object. 4 Activate the Special Window Settings tab page and select
Elevation and Opening from the list. Customize the
horizontal offset of the top corner of the triangle, as shown.
Make sure that the Turn Plaster option is off in the
Cavity Closure settings.
2 Open the Parameters tab page and set the width of the
window to 1.40. Set its height to 3.85. Enter 0.30 for the
value of the sill. 5 Open the Preview and Positioning tab page and select the
Sill geometry method. Enter 0.05 as the Reveal Depth,
3 Set Mtl-Aluminium as the frame material and
and activate the Side Anchor Point. Return to the floor plan.
Glass-Blue as the glass material in the Parameters tab
page.

6 Place the window 2.50m from the bottom right corner of the 7 Reopen the window settings dialog box. Now
walls. To locate the object, click to the left of the anchor keep the Ctrl+Alt (MacOS: Command+Opt)
point with the double eyeball cursor. Next, click below and buttons pressed and click the W Trapezoid
to the right of the new windows center with the eyeball Fix 11 object. You dont have to deal with
cursor to define its orientation. defining the dimensions of the opening: these
will be adjusted later in the 3D window. Click
OK to leave the dialog box.
8 Place the second window next to the first one as shown in the
illustration below.
9 Open the 3D window. If one or both of your Windows are

mirrored compared to what you see in the screenshot, then
select them one by one and use the Edit>Move>Mirror
command to mirror them. Now select the Trapezoid
Window. Click the bottom left corner and select the Stretch
horizontally option. Set the value to 4.20 m.
Now you need to place a second window. When selecting a

different object in ArchiCAD, the previously customized
parameters will be lost and the windows settings will return to
their default values.
Parameters Transfer between objects: There is, however, a way
to transfer your parameter changes to a newly selected object.
When you switch to a different library part, press Ctrl+Alt (for
MacOS: Cmd+Opt) while clicking on the new object. The cursor
will change to a syringe shape, indicating that the current objects
parameters will be transferred to the appropriate parameters of the
newly activated object.

10 Click the top left corner with the window still selected, and Note: In Complex Profile Walls, the slant of the Window/Door is
choose the Move node command. Set the Shoulder Height determined in the Profile Manager. Use the Opening Reference
to 1.50 m. Layer in the Design Layers panel of the Profile Manager to
define the slant of Windows/Doors set into the Complex Wall.
1 Switch on the 7.2.1. Placing a Storefront door pre-set view
in the Navigator. Click the Door Tool in the Toolbox and go
to the settings dialog box. Select the Storefronts 11 folder
located in the browser area at left, in the 1.4. Building
Structures folder. Choose the D2 Storefront 3 11 object.
2 Set the width to 8.0m and the height to 6.0m in the
Parameters tab page.
7.2. CUSTOMIZING AND PLACING A

STOREFRONT DOOR
Modeling Chapter
07_02.mp4
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Openings can be placed in any type of wall, even in a
double-slanted wall created with a complex shape. In this step, you
will learn the method for customizing and placing a storefront in
the slanted wall. In this case, the door and window type object can
be fitted to the slanted surface, or they can remain vertical. To set
the openings position, use the Window (Door) Opening Plane
control in the Parameters Panel of Door/Window Settings.

3 Switch to the Storefront Settings tab page and follow the 5 Finally, go to the 3D window by activating the 7.2.2.
illustration below to customize the Panels settings. Adjusting Storefront pre-set view in the Navigator. Select
the new element and adjust its height to the previously
created window, following the illustration below.
4 Activate the Center anchor point geometry method and enter

0.38 as Reveal Depth. Click OK when you have finished,
and place the storefront into the middle of the slanted wall. 7.3. CREATING AN EMPTY OPENING
Modeling Chapter
07_03.mp4
Watch Movie
Every door and window can be transformed into a simple empty
opening. Just click the button in the Preview
and Positioning panel of the door or window settings dialog box,
then enter the height and width of the hole in the Parameters
panel. Click along an existing wall to place the empty opening.
Lets create some splits in the double-slanted wall using empty
opening elements.
1 Activate the 7.3.1.Creating an empty opening view in the
Navigator. Open the window settings dialog box and choose
the W1 Casement 11 object in the 1.3 Window 11 > Wood
Plastic Window > Casement Window 11 folder.

3 Verify that the Special Snap Points is active and the Half
option is selected. Place the opening to the middle of the
double slanted wall.
2 Activate the Preview and Positioning tab page and click 4 Go to the 3D window by double-clicking the 7.3.2.
the Empty Opening button. Modify the value of the width Multiplying empty openings view in the Navigator, and
to 0.20m. Leave the dialog box and select Center Anchor select the element. Modify its height using the Stretch
point as your geometry method in the Info Box. vertically option in the pet palette as shown to create a split
in the wall.
Now you need to create a series of copies of the empty opening.

5 Activate the Multiply command and set the Number of

copies to six. Click the Distribute-1 option. Hit OK to
close the dialog box.
7.4. PLACING A SKYLIGHT OBJECT

Modeling Chapter
07_04.mp4
6 First, select the middle point of the slanted wall. Next, click Watch Movie
its corner point. Reselect the opening in the middle of the Skylight objects are stored in the Dormers and Skylights 11
wall and repeat the same operation on the other side. folder of the standard ArchiCAD library, and can be activated with
the Skylight tool. They are smart GDL objects that can be
intelligently placed in Roofs, even in the 3D window or in the floor
plan view. In the first case, ArchiCAD will detect the location of
the mouse-click and place the skylight on the roof plane with a
click on the roof plane. In the floor plan view, you can place the
object inside the contours of the roof.
1 Select the appropriated view in the Navigator and activate
the Skylight tool in the Toolbox.
2 Open its settings dialog box and select the Skylight Top
Hung 11 object.

3 You dont need to deal with customizing parameters. Just

select the bottom left corner as the anchor point. Click
OK to leave the dialog box.
5 Select the newly created element and click on the bottom left
corner. Using the Stretch command, resize the width of the
object as shown.
4 Select the Rotated geometry method in the Info Box and

place a skylight on the floor plan, as shown in the illustration
below.

Now you need to modify the vertical position and the height of the
skylight object to locate it exactly between the two slanted beams
of the roof. These operations can be executed in the 3D window.
To achieve better visibility of the model while editing, you have the
possibility to show the elements of any layer with their contours
only, independently of the current 3D mode set in the View
menu. All you have to do is to click the Wireframe icon of the
selected layer in the Layer Settings dialog box. Set the visibility
of the layers of the roof and the skylight in wireframe.
6 Open the 3D window by opening the 7.4.2. Modifying the
Skylight pre-set view. Activate the Document > Layers >
Layer Settings (Model Views) command. In the
appearing dialog box, select the Shell Roof layer and
click the wireframe icon, and return to the 3D window.
7 Select the skylight object and modify the lower and the
upper edge type to perpendicular in the Skylight Settings
tab page of the tools settings dialog box.

8 Activate the Move node command in the pet-palette and Lets continue the design of the project by creating some copies of
adjust the corner of the skylight to the edge of the lower the previous skylight. This will provide lighting for the conference
beam element, as shown in the illustration. room.
10 Select the skylight and activate the Multiply command.
Set the number of copies to 1, and choose the Increment
option. Also make sure that the Vertical displacement
feature is on.
9 The Move node command lets you stretch the height of the 11 Drag the element as shown in the following three
skylight. Modify the size of the object to assign it to the edge screenshots.
of the upper beam.

12 Reselect both of the skylights and multiply them as shown in

the illustration.
13 Open the Layer Settings

(Model views) dialog and set
the Shell Roof layer back to
Solid Model.
7.5. ADDING ENTRANCES TO THE

PROJECT
Modeling Chapter
07_05.mp4
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Finally, you need to add two custom openings to the project. These
Note: If the Drag a copy command is used, the newly created will serve as entrances to the building. ArchiCAD makes it
element will be translated horizontally, which means it will be possible to create custom windows and doors. If you are interested
placed off of the Roof. In this case, use the Multiply in how to construct openings with custom shapes,
command, even if you need to create just one copy of the consult/download the free Creating GDL Objects interactive
original object. training guide.
1 Switch on the 7.5. Adding entrances pre-set view in the
Navigator. Activate the Door tool and open its settings
dialog box. Open the Load Other Door pop-up menu

and choose the from File Dialog Box option. Browse to the
Advanced Modeling Library and select the Custom
entrance door.gsm object. Hit the Open button.
3 Place the entrance doors into the exterior plane of the wall.
First, click to the right of the anchor point, then click again
inside to the right of the imaginary axis of the entrance door.
This allows you to create the entrance correctly. Check your
design in the 3D window.
2 Activate the Sill placement method in the Preview and

Positioning panel, and set the Reveal Depth to 0.80 m. Click
the Side Anchor Point and return to the floor plan.

Note: It is possible that the entrance is mirrored instead of the

desired position. In this case, select the object and activate the
Edit > Move > Mirror command. First, click the middle point
of the object and draw a vertical line to define the mirroring
axis.
4 Repeat the same steps at the opposite wall and save your
project.
The Corner Window tool: You have finished the creation of the
exterior openings of the building. However, it is useful to know
that with ArchiCAD you can place corner windows at straight wall
corners. The Corner Windows function is similar to the Door and
Window functions. There is no separate object type associated with
the tool: most of the windows of the standard ArchiCAD library
can be placed using the Corner Window tool.
Do not forget that you can click anywhere on the wall when
placing a corner window, because ArchiCAD will automatically
snap the window to the nearest corner of the wall and create a
mirrored copy of it in the adjoining wall. The parameters and
properties of the second window are identical to those of the first.
Angles and positions are automatically adjusted. The placed
windows can be stretched manually and individually without
breaking the link between the two windows.


Chapter 8: Architectural Modeling: Stairs
CHAPTER 8: ARCHITECTURAL MODELING: STAIRS

ArchiCAD gives you several possibilities for modeling stairs in 3D.
You can draw special forms, editing each node and step of the
8.1. ADJUSTING AND PLACING AN
staircase with the Slab tool. It requires a lot of work so it is worth EXISTING STAIR OBJECT
your while to construct complex geometry stairs. Using Stair
objects allows you to easily create a wide variety of predefined Modeling Chapter
stairs. The ArchiCAD Library includes a number of parametric 08_01.mp4
GDL stair objects, which function like other objects. They are Watch Movie
accessible in the Stair Settings dialog box. You can also use Lets start by adding a spiral staircase that allows for vertical
StairMaker, which is a dedicated ArchiCAD tool for design stairs circulation between the coffee room and the auditorium. Open the
based on predefined geometry. Modeling Chapter 08.pla ArchiCAD project file.
In this chapter you are going to add three different stair forms to 1 Activate the 8.1.1. Placing existing stair pre-set view in the
the project. Navigator.

2 Double-click the Stair tool in the Toolbox to open the settings

dialog box. Select the Stair Spiral 11 object in the
Complete Stairs 11 folder.
4 Also check the settings of the 2D Representation and the

Materials parts, following the illustrations.
3 Set the dimensions in the Parameters panel as shown.

Enter 32 for the Number of Risers; set the Angle of Stair to
500; and define the height of the staircase as 5,44 m. Under
Accessories, select Above Floor Level for the First
Tread Level.

5 Return to the floor plan and place the object as shown 7 Reactivate the 8.1.1. Placing existing stair pre-set view.
below. Select the Slab tool in the Toolbox and select the slab above
the spiral stair. Click to the perimeter of the staircase and
select the Arc by 3 points option in the pet palette. Create
a circular hole in the slab, following the contour line of the
previously circular stair.
6 Click the 8.1.2. Placing existing stair pre-set view in the

Navigator.
Observe that the slab element does not contain a hole for the
staircase, so you have to create one.
8.2. CREATING A NEW STAIRCASE

Modeling Chapter
08_02.mp4
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In this exercise, you will create a new stair object that will serve as
seating in the auditorium. In order to do so, use the StairMaker
add-on. This feature allows you to create a new staircase based on a
predefined geometry type, by editing its parameters to suit your
needs. There are 17 basic types built into the StairMaker
application. These cover almost every standard situation, from
straight runs to winders - with or without landings - and to spiral
and circular stairs.
1 Activate the appropriate pre-set view in the Navigator. Open
the stairs settings dialog box and click the Create New

Stair command in the pop-up list in the Preview and StairMaker to automatically recalculate these values. If they are
Positioning tab page. locked, then StairMaker will ensure that subsequent options you
Use the two top buttons in the appearing dialog box to choose set are compatible with this basic geometry.
whether to build a stair or a slope. If you choose Slope, the symbols
of those stair types whose geometry can be transformed into slopes
will automatically turn into symbols of slopes; all the other buttons
become inactive.
2 Click the top left object and hit OK. The stair editing
window for the chosen stair type appears on the screen.
3 Set the parameters following the

instructions below. Set the sum of
twice the riser and the run (2*Riser
+ Run parameter) with the range of
0.60 to 4m before defining the value
of the tread length. Define the Tread
lenght as 1.20 m and the Riser
height as 0.68 m. Lock the
parameters.
The Stair Geometry tab page contains preset values for the 4 Set the number of risers to 8 and lock the parameter. Finally,
available parameters. A preview window on the right side of the set the geometry settings as shown.
dialog box shows the floor plan symbol of the stair. Changes made
to the geometry parameters are reflected on this symbol.
Note: Several controls on this tab page (Geometry, Flight and
Tread Settings) have lock/unlock icons. You should set the
desired geometry and flight settings here and then lock them.
Otherwise, modifications on subsequent tab pages may cause

5 Switch on the Stair Structure and the Tread Parameters

panels. Set the controls as shown. In the Railings tab page,
select No railing.
6 When finished, click the Save As button and save the

stair to the Advanced Modeling Library. Enter Auditorium
Seating as the name of the object.
7 In the stairs settings dialog box, select the top left corner as
the anchor point and switch on Dashed Lines Above in the
Parameters panel.

8 In the Floor Plan and Section panel, set the Cut Fill and
the pens as shown.
9 Click OK to leave the dialog box, and place the object as

shown.
8.3. CREATING STAIRS WITH THE
PROFILE MANAGER
Modeling Chapter
08_03.mp4
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In this part you will design a staircase with the help of a 2D
cross-sectional drawing using the Profile Manager feature. Do
not forget that Complex Profile elements are handled as attributes
of Walls, Columns, and Beams.
1 First, activate the next pre-set view in the Navigator. A
cross-section appears in the screen, illustrating the desired
shape of the staircase.
2 Select the fill of this element and select the Copy
Now activate the 8.2.2 Stair in 3D preset view to check the command from the Edit or the context menu.
result in 3D.

3 Click the Design > Complex Profiles > Profile Manager

button. In the appearing Profile Manager, click the New
button.
Now select the Fill in the
Profile Editor window and set
Surf-Poured Concrete as
Side materials in the
Components Default tab
page. Click Store Profile and
name the profile Auditorium Stair.
6 Activate the beam tool and go to the settings dialog box. Click
the Profile button in the Geometry and Positioning tab
4 Paste the fill and position it as shown. page and set the Slant Angle to 0. Next, open the Floor Plan
and Section / Structure panel. Select the newly created
5 Check to make sure the beam icon is selected for the Use profile and select 08-3_Beam as the layer.
with option.

8.4. THE CREATE STAIR USING

SELECTION FEATURE
Modeling Chapter
08_04.mp4
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ArchiCAD standard stairs work with fixed geometrical data. If you
cannot find the stair type you want among the predefined
templates, you can define the geometry of your Stair within your
7 Go to the floor plan and place the stair beam as shown. ArchiCAD project. The Design /Create Stair Using Selection
command allows you to create custom stairs from a stair contour
and a line of travel designed with 2D drawing tools.
All you have to do is to draw the exact contour of the stair with the
Fill tool. The fill defining the stair cannot contain any holes. Next,
define the line of travel by using connected Lines and Arcs inside
the fill polygon. The segments of the line of travel need to be
connected properly: they cannot cross each other or the sides of the
fill. The line of travel has to be a continuous chain of lines.
Note: The endpoints of the line of travel must snap exactly to the
sides of the fill polygon, but cannot connect adjacent edges or
nodes of the fill polygon. Corners within the line of travel define
landings. If the connection of two segments of the line of travel
is not tangential, it will define a landing.
In the following exercise, you will create an exterior staircase
allowing access to the platform of your building.
8 Open the 3D window or activate the 8.3.2. Stair in 3D
pre-set view and check your new custom stair. 1 Switch on the 8.4.1. Create Stair Using Selection pre-set
view in the Navigator. The appearing fill boundary indicates
the contour of the new stair element.

4 The Stair Type dialog box appears. StairMaker

automatically finds possible stair types for your draft. If
none of the predefined Stair Types match the sketch, you will
need to define a Custom Stair. Click OK.
2 Before starting to construct the staircase, open the S-03
section by activating the 8.4.2. Create Stair Using
Selection view. Take note that the length of the staircase
will be 40.25m, and its height will be 6.75m.
3 Reactivate the 8.4.1. Create Stair Using Selection view.

Next, select the fill and the line of travel. Activate the
Design > Create Stair Using Selection command. 5 You can define the geometry of your element in the
Geometry and Flight Settings panel. Unlock the Total rise
height, set it to 6.75m, and then lock it again. The number of

risers has to be set to 42. Check the Riser height and modify
the value to 0.16m if necessary.
7 In the Tread settings, set the materials to Stn-Marble White.

6 Open the Structure and Landing Settings panel and
customize the parameters as shown. Select Stn-Marble
White for the tread surface and define LS-Earth as the
material of the bottom, side and riser surfaces.

8 Select the No railing option in the Railing Settings and 10 Activate the 8.4.2. Create Stair Using Selection view in the
click OK. Save your stair to the Advanced Modeling Navigator. Select the staircase and drag it vertically to
folder as Exterior stair. adjust it to the mesh.
11 Return to the floor plan. Activate the Site & Landscape

Terrain layer and cut the form of the staircase from the
mesh. Activate the Mesh tool, select the mesh and click the
Subtract from Polygon pet-palette command. Click the
corners of the staircase with the Polygon geometry method,
9 Return to the floor plan window. You will see the new which can be activated in the Info Box.
staircase is displayed on the Floor Plan.

12 Switch on the 8.4.3. Create Stair Using Selection view in

the Navigator to check your project in 3D. Finally, save your
project.

Chapter 9: Special Constructions - TrussMaker
CHAPTER 9: SPECIAL CONSTRUCTIONS - TRUSSMAKER

TrussMaker makes possible the simple creation of trusses and 1 Activate the 9.1. Creating truss pre-set view in the
girders. All you have to do is to draw the framework of the truss in Navigator, or open the S-02 building section.
2D and define the profiles for each part of the structure. ArchiCAD The 2D framework of the truss appears on the screen. Observe that
automatically creates the 3D model of the truss in order to add it to the roof edge doesnt fit to the edge of the truss, so you need to
the project and edit it further. Technically, TrussMaker is an add-on modify it first.
that is loaded with ArchiCAD on startup. This functionality can be
accessed from the Design > Design Extras menu.
2 In order to do so, select the roof and open its settings dialog
box. Change the edge of the roof to perpendicular in the
Model tab page. Return to the section view.
9.1. CREATING A TRUSS FROM ROLLED

STEEL PROFILES
Modeling Chapter
09_01.mp4
Watch Movie
In the following exercise, you will construct the trusses supporting
the charge of the terrace roof. Lets open the Modeling
Chapter09.pla ArchiCAD project file.

As can be seen on the screen, the axis lines of the truss have 5 Select Mtl-Stainless Steel as the material and Structural
various pens, because TrussMaker assigns diverse parameters to Bearing as the layer.
the outlines of different pens. To distinguish the parts of the truss,
use distinct pens when drawing the 2D framework of the truss.
3 Select the axis lines of the truss and select Design > Design
Extras > TrussMaker > Create Truss.
You can set the elevation value of the object from the current story
or from the project origin. At the moment, you dont need to deal
with these controls. You will adjust the height of the truss later, in
the 3D window.
6 Switch on the Truss Profiles tab page.
The TrussMaker settings dialog box appears on the screen. You
have various choices when selecting a construction type. You can This part of the settings dialog box lets you assign profiles and
choose one of the following options on the left side: Timber parameters to each element of the truss. To select a part of the
Construction, Hollow Section or Rolled Steel Profile. structure, click its pencolor icon or its outline in the Truss
Preview. The thick outline in the preview and a black diamond
4 In this case, select the Rolled steel profile option, next to the pencolor indicate which part of the truss you are
and activate the Attributes tab page. working on. The available parameters depend on the construction
This tab page defines the appearance of the truss in the type of the truss you are creating.
floor plan, section and 3D views.

7 Click the violet-colored pencolor icon. Choose the 8 Click the With junction plates radio button and set the
profile from the pop-up menu, and set the value of the width parameters as shown.
to 0.30, the height to 0.70 and the thickness to 0.01. Select the
red and orange-colored line and set the parameters as
shown.
9 After finishing the design of your truss, click the Save

As button at the bottom of the dialog box. Enter
Post-tensioned truss for the truss name, and save the
object to the Advanced Modeling Library.
Now open the Steel Junctions tab page, which is only available
for the rolled steel profile construction type. These controls allow
you to use customizable junction plates at the points where the An alert will be displayed, informing you that the new truss object
truss elements meet. has been created on the Floor Plan. The truss is placed on the same
line as the section line.

10 Go to the floor plan view. Observe that the truss has been
added to the project. Select the placed element and
reposition it to structural gridline D, as shown.
11 Return to the section view. Select the truss and move it if

necessary, as the contour lines overlap the 2D framework of
the element. Open the 3D window.
13 Now select the truss element and activate the Multiply

command from the appearing pet-palette. Choose the
Increment option and set the number of copies to 2 in the
appearing dialog box, make sure, that Vertical
displacement is Off and translate the elements by 5.00m
along the first structural gridline, as shown.
12 Decrease the height of the columns at the

D1, E1 and F1 grid intersection points, as
there is a correspondence to the altitude
of the nearby column. To do so, first activate the Suspend
Groups option.

Use the center of two neighboring columns as reference 14 Return to the floor plan and rotate the truss at the bottom of
points, as shown below. the screen. Select the intersection point of the F and 3 grid
intersection lines as the center of the rotation.
Note: Use the commands of the palette appearing in the 3D

window to modify the geometry of the truss or beam if you are
not satisfied with the result.

The TrussMaker Settings dialog box will appear, with the same
options as seen before. The only difference is that in addition to the
Save button, a Save as button appears. If you click Save,
TrussMaker will display a warning, telling you that you are about
to save a library part under an existing name. Clicking Overwrite
will replace the previous truss.
9.2. TERMINATING THE BUILDING

STRUCTURE
Modeling Chapter
The framework drawn on the floor plan is not associated to the 09_02.mp4
truss after it has been created and placed. Modifying this outline Watch Movie
has no effect on placed trusses. 1 Switch on the 9.2.1. Terminating the
To edit a placed truss, select it in a section view, and choose the structure pre-set view in the Navigator.
Edit Truss command from the TrussMaker menu. The original Select three inclined beams as shown, and
framework will appear in the window, and you will be able to edit open the settings dialog box. Click the
it. When you have finished with your changes, choose the Create
Truss command again. Profile option in the Geometry an Positioning tab page
icon and choose the Beam_I in the Floor Plan and
Section / Structure tab page.

Click OK to return to the 3D window.
Observe that slanted columns extend beyond (overhang) the

modified beam element. To achieve the correct intersection of the
construction element, cut the overhanging parts of the slanted
columns.
2 In order to do so, activate Design > Solid Element
Operations. Select the slanted columns and click the
Get Target Elements button. Next, choose the beam
element, and define it as the operator element. Select
Subtraction with upwards extrusion and click the
Execute button.

3 Activate the 9.2.1. Terminating the structure pre-set view 4 Finally, open the 9.2.2. Terminating the structure pre-set
in the Navigator, and repeat the same steps for the view and save your project.
construction elements of the opposite side of the model.

Chapter 10: Special Constructions - RoofMaker
CHAPTER 10: SPECIAL CONSTRUCTIONS -

ROOFMAKER
In this chapter you will create the roof structure formed by purlins
and rafters using RoofMaker. This is a dedicated ArchiCAD tool to
facilitate the creation of the roof frames. You can use this feature to
construct each part of the roof structure, like rafters, trimmers,
purlins, beams and ridges. Once placed, the GDL Object-based
elements behave like ordinary objects and can be modified. Youll
need to familiarize yourself with the Roof Wizard, which is a
RoofMaker function that makes the creation of entire roof
constructions quick and easy.
ArchiCAD makes the creation of roof structures simple, by using

Roof Wizard. It is also possible to construct different elements of
the roof frame individually, using the Design > Design Extras >
RoofMaker commands or the icons of the RoofMaker toolbar. In
this case, Graphisoft recommends that modeling of the roof
construction be started with the purlins and continued with the hip
rafters/valley rafters, before placing the rafters. This way, you can
easily keep track of all the connecting elements. When placing
ridges, you already know the thickness of the purlin; when placing
rafters, you already know the thickness of purlins, hip and valley
rafters, etc.
A single roof plane has to be selected to place rafters, ridges or
purlins (beams). If multiple roof planes are grouped, you must first
ungroup them. You will then be able to select roof planes
individually.
Although the placement of roof construction elements using
RoofMaker works using other methods, Graphisoft strongly
recommends setting the reference line of the roof to the upper
exterior edge of the wall (as handled by ArchiCADs Complex
Roof Placement Method). The definition of elements, with or
without overhang, uses this reference line as a basis. Setting the

roof thickness equal to the general cross-section height of the

rafters is recommended. This way, you can use the roof to cut
elements that are standing upon the rafters.
To place a trimmer (blocking), a collar beam or a tie beam, two
corresponding rafters must be selected (opposite rafters for a collar
beam or a tie beam, and rafters in the same roof plane for a
trimmer).
A dialog box opens after choosing the command for the placement
of an object. Certain parameters concerning the object itself can be
set in this dialog box. Surface materials and a layer can be assigned
to all elements. The current pen set for the Object is used by
default. By changing the current pen, all the subsequently placed
elements will be newly colored. The object is then placed with one
or more clicks, or is placed automatically, depending on its type.
10.1. USING THE ROOF WIZARD

SETTINGS
Modeling Chapter
10_01.mp4
Watch Movie
In this chapter, you will create all the roof constructions of your
building using the Roof Wizard. Lets open the Modeling
Chater10.pla ArchiCAD project file.
1 Open the 10.1.1. Roof Wizard Settings pre-set view in the
Navigator. To begin this exercise, click the Design > Design
Extras > RoofMaker > Show RoofMaker toolbox
command. The toolbox appears on the screen. Modify the 2 You need to select next the roof surface in the project, to
position and the form of the toolbox as you wish. which you wish to add structural elements. Choose the
Roof Wizard command from the Design > Design Extras
> RoofMaker menu (or the last icon in the RoofMaker
Toolbox).

Observe that the appearing Roof Wizard dialog box contains five 4 Open the Rafters panel and set the dimensions as shown.
tab pages, which serve to set the different construction elements. Disable the Add extra rafters to big gaps and the Add
You can see two options that control the material and layer of extra rafters to corners options. Also make sure that Join
further elements at the bottom left part of the dialog. on slant edges is selected.
3 Select the StructuralRoof layer and check that Wd-Pine Note: While creating rafters, the bottom plane of the roof serves
Vertical is selected as your material. as a reference plane. Rafters will be automatically placed on top
of it. By definition, rafters are perpendicular to the reference
line of the roof.
5 Switch to the Beams tab page. As your roof
is formed by one plane, you dont need to
place a collar or tie beam. Switch off the checkmark to
disable the relative controls.

6 Open the Purlins panel now. Activate Create Ridge 7 Activate the Trimmers section of the settings dialog box
Purlins, turn off the Create Eaves Purlins option, and set and customize the values.
the values for the width and the height of the cross-section.
Make sure that the Purlin between rafters feature is
disabled.
Note: A trimmer is placed at the same height as the rafters. It

can be vertical, or rotated to a position perpendicular to the
pitch angle of the roof. The 2D symbol also shows the current
Note: By default, the purlin is placed under the reference plane position.
defined by the roof, since this generally supports the rafters from 8 Go to the Ridges tab page and switch off Create Hip
below. However, an elevation value can be set for the purlin so Rafters and Valley Rafters.
that it can be higher or lower than the reference plane. It can be
also perpendicular to the rafters, or be on the top of them. If the
purlin is placed on top, the cross-section height of the rafters has
to be set.
9 Leave the settings dialog box. The 2D view of the roof
structure appears on the floor plan. Open the 10.1.2. Roof
in 3D pre-set view to check your design in 3D as well.

10.2. MODIFYING ELEMENTS OF THE

ROOF STRUCTURE
Modeling Chapter
10_02.mp4
Watch Movie
The elements of the roof structure can be edited individually, like
other ordinary ArchiCAD objects. In this section, you will modify
the parameters of the placed ridge purlins. You will add some
additional elements as well.
1 Select the roof frame and go to the 3D window by clicking
View > Elements in 3D View > Show Selection/Marquee in
3D. Activate Suspend Group in the Standard toolbar, and
select a ridge purlin as shown. Go to the tools settings dialog
box.
2 Open the Parameters panel

and turn on the Purlin
Rotated option. Change the
rotation angle to -20. Leave the
dialog box by clicking OK.

3 Select the other purlin as shown in the illustration and delete 5 Select the roof and click the Create Purlin icon. The
it. Purlin Settings dialog box appears, and you can now set
purlin parameters.
4 Activate the 10.2. Adding elements to roof structure

pre-set view in the Navigator.
The lines appearing on the floor plan view show the position of the
purlins to be added to your project. You will use them as reference
lines during the next operation.
6 Customize the values for the width and height as shown, and
make sure that the purlin is perpendicular to the rafters. In
order to do so, activate the Rotated purlin option.
Note: If you click inside the roof polygon during the creation of
a roof structures element, the axis of the beam will pass through
the clicked point parallel to the reference line of the roof.
(Clicking outside the polygon produces an error message.)

7 Clicking OK returns you to the floor plan with the Note: The real advantage of RoofMaker consists in the creation
reference roof surface still selected. To place the object, click of more complex roof planes. If you are an enthusiast and want
as shown below. to obtain more information about this functionality, visit
Graphisofts website.
With this step, you have succesfully completed the Training. Open
the 3D Window by activating the last, 10. Final Model preset
View and use ArchiCAD's powerful 3D navigating features to
explore your model in 3D.
Thank you for taking the time to complete the Graphisodt
ArchiCAD Modeling Interactive Training Guide. We hope it was
beneficial for you and we wish you every success in your
architectural practice.
You will find further information and Training materials on
Graphisoft ArchiCADs exceptional Modeling and documentation
capabilities on www.graphisoft.com
8 Repeat the same steps to create additional elements. Finally,

save the project.


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Graphisoft ArchiCAD Modeling Interactive Training Guide 3

4 Graphisoft ArchiCAD Modeling Interactive Training Guide

GETTING STARTED WITH THE ARCHICAD

narrated movie clips providing step-by-step

an ArchiCAD training project file to complete the

STEP 1: DOWNLOAD AND INSTALL

Graphisoft ArchiCAD Modeling Interactive Training Guide 5

4 Start the installer of the interactive training guide and

STEP 2: CREATE THE INTERACTIVE

6 Graphisoft ArchiCAD Modeling Interactive Training Guide

1 Start ArchiCAD on your computer by double-clicking its

If you installed the interactive training guide to its default location,

Graphisoft ArchiCAD Modeling Interactive Training Guide 7

4 Select the Read elements directly from archive option for

8 Graphisoft ArchiCAD Modeling Interactive Training Guide

Graphisoft ArchiCAD Modeling Interactive Training Guide 9

10 Graphisoft ArchiCAD Modeling Interactive Training Guide

Graphisoft ArchiCAD Modeling Interactive Training Guide 11

12 Graphisoft ArchiCAD Modeling Interactive Training Guide

CHAPTER 1: ARCHITECTURAL MODELING: TERRAINS

Note: There are two types of ridges in a mesh: user-defined and

Graphisoft ArchiCAD Modeling Interactive Training Guide 13

3 Go to the Model panel. Select Stn-Marble White as the

1.2. CREATING A MESH FROM

14 Graphisoft ArchiCAD Modeling Interactive Training Guide

5 Select the Mesh tool and activate the rectangular geometry

4 Place the drawing as seen below.

Now you have to define the contour of the mesh.

Graphisoft ArchiCAD Modeling Interactive Training Guide 15

16 Graphisoft ArchiCAD Modeling Interactive Training Guide

2 In the appearing New Mesh Points dialog box, choose the

4 Open the Model tab page and select Wd-Pine

Graphisoft ArchiCAD Modeling Interactive Training Guide 17

1.4. ADDING A SLOPING ROAD TO THE

18 Graphisoft ArchiCAD Modeling Interactive Training Guide

The Regular Sloped Mesh dialog box opens automatically. In the

Graphisoft ArchiCAD Modeling Interactive Training Guide 19

7 Now check the whole design in the 3D window. In order to

6 Click on a bottom point of the slope and choose the Stretch

20 Graphisoft ArchiCAD Modeling Interactive Training Guide

8 Finally, return to the floor plan window and save your

Graphisoft ArchiCAD Modeling Interactive Training Guide 21

CHAPTER 2: CREATING BASIC SHAPES USING SOLID

2.1. CREATING THE 3D FORM OF A

22 Graphisoft ArchiCAD Modeling Interactive Training Guide

2 Activate the Object tool in the Toolbox and open Settings

3 Rotate the object in the Preview window, and place the

4 Set the dimensions as shown in the Parameters tab page.

Graphisoft ArchiCAD Modeling Interactive Training Guide 23

Define the dimensions as shown in the illustration.

5 Use the Paint-19 material for the whole object, as selected

Finally, select the 3D form layer at the bottom of the

24 Graphisoft ArchiCAD Modeling Interactive Training Guide

5 Click OK to return to the plan view and click as indicated

Graphisoft ArchiCAD Modeling Interactive Training Guide 25

7 To check your design in the 3D Window, activate the 2.2.2.

2.3. CREATING A BELL TOWER

26 Graphisoft ArchiCAD Modeling Interactive Training Guide

hotspots. In the appearing pet palette choose "Stretch" and

You dont need to define the Bounding Circle Radius precisely,

Graphisoft ArchiCAD Modeling Interactive Training Guide 27

5 Next, go to the 3D window by activating the 2.3.2. Creating