Note: All best practices and tips and tricks are in PDF format and require Adobe Reader
From ArchiCAD to Working Drawings, Step-by-Step
How to get from ArchiCAD View Sets to PlotMaker Sheet Layouts in the most efficient way.
Library and File Management
Save time and frustration by keeping your libraries and files organized.
Developing ArchiCAD Office Standards
Standard settings, conventions, defaults, and practices need to be determined and used office-wide in order to optimize the effectiveness of ArchiCAD, turning it into a true time saving architectural efficiency tool. Use this outline as the basis of your Office Standards Manual.
Introduction to Office Standards
An excellent must read handbook published by Graphisoft on implementing and optimizing ArchiCAD in an office environment (96 pages).
Starting with a Scan
Why start from scratch when you can start with a sketch or a hand drawn floor plan or site plan. Scan tham and get them into ArchiCAD easily for tracing..
How to Model Terrain
Learn to model terrain, hardscape, streets, and roads the fast and easy way with the Mesh Tool.
How to Model Slabs-on-grade
Learn to model slabs with peripheral and bearing wall footings.
Optimizing Stories
Graphical illustration that demystifies and optimizes story settings.
Creating Custom Schedules
Learn to create your own custom schedules: window, door, finish, fixture, you name it!
Using the Calculate Menu to Do Unit Cost Take-offs
A four page step-by-step guide to extracting take-off information using traditional unit cost methods: SF, LF, SY, CY, EA.
How to Create Custom Library Parts
Step-by-Step guide to creating custom library parts without having to know GDL. Learn how to "slabify" your way to lots of handy parts to make drawings come alive! This guide will take you to the next level of productivity.
Computer Graphics 101 for Architects
An introduction to demystifying the world of computer graphics, a world you will need to know to create renderings (for screen or print) and image-based presentations.
Step by Step to Seamless Textures for Rendering
How to avoid the checkerboard effect when rendering. Step-by-Step guide to editing texture patterns derived from your own scanned images using Photoshop.
How to Create Drawings That Look Hand Drawn
Easy steps to a personal "sketchy" line style.
ArchiCAD Tips and Tricks
Getting the Most out of ArchiCAD, Recommendations for New Users This 17-page new user resource guide will tell you where to get ArchiCAD help when you need it, and offers procedures and policies to optimize your investment in ArchiCAD.
Jump Start Training Guide Get started right with basic ArchiCAD day-to-day procedures using this beginning guide.
Productivity Treasures in ArchiCAD 9 Folder
Software, gizmos and goodies that ship with ArchiCAD.
Autocad to ArchiCAD Cross Training Guide
New users of ArchiCAD that come from the Autocad world will find that they already know more about ArchiCAD than they think! This glossary compares ArchiCAD terms and concepts with their Autocad counterparts.
ArchiCAD 9 Work Flow Chart
Understand how all the file formats work together in producing ArchiCAD drawings; demystifies how .pln's, lay's, .dwg's, et al work together.
ArchiCAD Keyboard Short Cuts
Crib Sheet to help you memorize the ArchiCAD Short Cut Keys. Print, cut out and paste along the side of your monitor.
ArchiCAD Keyboard Short Cuts for 7.0 long form
ArchiCAD Keyboard Short Cuts for 7.0 short form
Drawing and Modeling Tips
Useful techniques to get the job done faster. Learn them, love them, live them.
A Taste of GDL
A short 10-page document on beginning GDL (Graphisoft's Geometric Description Language),
gleaned from the introduction to the "GDL Cookbook" by David Nicholson-Cole. ArchiCAD users are truly privileged...the only members of the CADD community who have the ability to build parametric objects without needing a degree in Computer Science. Fear GDL no more. See how you can tap into its power.
