Constructive & Strategic Modeling with ArchiCAD

Review solid element operations as a universal function to solve geometric and modeling problems, then explore roof tool basics with ramp exercises and a one-command project hack, with structured lessons.

Explore ArchiCAD's solid element operations to create diverse designs by subtracting or extruding walls, railings, and objects, connecting sections for decorative and functional forms.

Master roof display in floorplan by using outlines only to show the whole roof, and adjust cut surface, cover fields, and override surface parameters for top, edge, and bottom surfaces.

Explore internal fill in ArchiCAD using the slab tool with soil, set a thick layer, and use solid element operations. Add railing and handrails to complete the ramp detail.

Explore ArchiCAD's parametric capabilities, using the marquee and reshape stretch to scale project from the grid system and ramps to floors, slabs and linked elements across 2d and 3d views.

Master solid element operations to cut and join elements, generating new solutions, and explore the roof tool basics for simple roofs, ramps, and skylights on sloped roofs in ArchiCAD.

Review remaining roof tool parameters to enable complex geometries, integrate the skylight tool with roof designs, and position skylights on the horizontal plane using objects while modeling diverse roofs.

Explore creating a flat skylight using the ArchiCAD skylight object and library models; adjust height, width, orientation, and roof pitch to zero, then fine-tune position with structural dimension parameters.

Use the split roof feature to turn multi plane roofs into single plane components, and know that copying roofs also copies skylights.

Learn to model gable roof geometry in ArchiCAD, defining an eight-by-six-meter footprint, a 60 cm overhang, and a 25-degree pitch, with curtain wall via a custom editing plane and profile.

Configure the curtain wall in Archicad by setting best division, heights of 2.10 m and 4 m, and using boundary and plane input methods for frames and glass panels.

tune a gable roof by fixing a 60 cm overhang and aligning the skylight. position a flat-panel skylight at 1.81 by 1 m, adjust divisions, and mirror for a second.

Model a hexagonal gazebo in ArchiCAD using a six-meter diameter circular wall and a 25-degree pitched roof with 20 cm overhang; employ magic wand and solid element operations for alignment.

Master the roof tool's geometric possibilities, apply the skylight tool only to roof elements, and use the object tool for horizontal openings; anticipate the Morph Tool in the next module.

Explore the morph tool in ArchiCAD, learn its basic commands and functions, and apply boolean operations to model a Doric column and a piece of furniture.

Master node editing in ArchiCAD using move node, add polyline, fillet, chamfer, and cube extrude. Compare tube and follow me with SketchUp, and learn edge offset and 3D fillet behavior.

Explore edge editing in ArchiCAD: insert nodes, shape curved edges, offset edges and faces, and use the tube command to start from different points.

Edit surfaces in ArchiCAD by pushing and pulling faces, adding polylines for divisions, and creating openings with precise guidelines; explore bulge, tube, and follow me for organic deformations.

Learn to use editing commands for solids in ArchiCAD, including offset edges, add polyline, and custom face settings to map paints and textures with planar texture mapping.

Explore the morph tool in ArchiCAD, how the floor plan cut plane guides what is shown, and the risk of parameter loss and performance costs.

Use the morph tool with the direct selection tool to curve and merge edges, smooth faces, and create organic surfaces from polygonal shapes for sofas, chairs, and pillows.

Activate hidden morph geometry to visualize subdivisions, adjust segmentation to increase or decrease curve resolution, and fix extrusions by intersecting morph faces; restart ArchiCAD if a morph bug occurs.

Model a Doric column shaft in ArchiCAD by creating a circular base, extruding to height, adding small detailing tubes, and using boolean subtract operations with fillet and chamfer refinements.

Finish a couch object in ArchiCAD by adjusting materials, selecting fabrics and textiles from the library catalog, and applying them to surfaces and footings.

learn to model a couch fabric in Archicad using morph and polygonal drawing, apply texture mapping, adjust edges, and refine with smoothing and textile types for a flannel cover.

Explore the shell tool and three geometric methods—extruded, revolve, and ruled—learning how to edit, manipulate, create holes, and define contours to model three geometric bodies in ArchiCAD.

Explore extrusion properties in ArchiCAD, adjusting starting, ending, and distortion angles to shape shells, then apply editing commands like move, rotate, and extend edges.

Explore revolved editing in ArchiCAD by adjusting revolution and distortion angles, using distort axis, and controlling segment surfaces and arc-based divisions to shape domes and shells.

Explore the construction method in ArchiCAD, switching between simple and detailed approaches, using a shell, extrusion lengths, and reference planes to create free-form, roof, or facade designs.

Explore advanced ArchiCAD techniques to perforate shells using vertical and lateral planes, create reference fields, and copy holes along paths for organic facades.

Use ArchiCAD to define exterior contours and interior holes, offset edges, apply shell and hole operations, then add columns and inclined tensors to connect the ring.

Demonstrates constructing a tensile structure in ArchiCAD by shaping a slab, offsetting edges to form holes, elevating components, and connecting a ring to a pole, then applying an anthracite surface.

Create ground-floor holes in a continuous extrusion by drawing a base fill, then multiply holes along the shell with a path-type array and rotate to remain perpendicular.

Finish the small building by modeling organic details with the shell tool using extruded facets, create slabs and internal slabs, configure curtain walls, and add railings.

Explore how the shell tool enables diverse geometric constructs with customized openings and contours, and preview the mesh tool for terrains and organic surfaces in ArchiCAD.

Execute the mesh workflow by importing a pdf into a new worksheet, align a 20 m by 20 m base reference in ArchiCAD, and then draw splines.

Draw and extend splines beyond the terrain limits, then build a 20 by 20 meter solid-body mesh and prepare to register the curves in the next lesson.

Begin with the reference, set guidelines, and draw a 20 by 20 m fill for terrain cutaway. Use fill or polygonal methods to create, subtract pieces, and assign corner fields.

Select, copy, and subtract from polygon to create a three-part terrain cutaway; assign asphalt, sidewalk, and terrain surfaces, then adjust offsets for alignment.

Model terrain-integrated platforms in ArchiCAD using slabs, positioning five by five and five by six layouts with appropriate offsets and colors, planning terrain excavation later.

Learn to model terrain excavation and filling with ArchiCAD using solid element operations, creating interactive soil blocks and automated updates as platforms or slabs change.

Change terrain materials and assign soil textures, add lighting and small details, fix 2d representation of soil and sidewalk, and position platforms on sloped terrain using lamp and object tools.

Create and customize a complex profile in ArchiCAD using the profile manager and field tool to define materials, shapes, and detailing like footings, bricks, and mortar.

Learn to position and edit the profile reference line to drive both basic and complex wall and column profiles, using stretch, segmentation, and orientation controls for precise connections.

Create and duplicate profiles in ArchiCAD using the profile manager, copying and pasting, aligning to the origin, saving, and repeating for four profiles to prepare the shell project.

Create the base module for the shell project in ArchiCAD by drafting a 10-meter circle and using copy, rotate, and mirror to form four repeating parts.

Activate the design wall tool, customize the base reference, and use curved geometry to create parts two through four, flipping the reference line inward and drafting a ten meter circle.

Select the ground floor parts, copy to form the shell, and offset reference lines by 22 and 8 degrees. Split the shape and apply symmetry to complete the shell.

Model the slabs in ArchiCAD by drawing circles with radii 3.23, 4.35, and 3.45, align and intersect them, then mirror and copy the geometry and remove walls to keep references.

Create and configure slab references in ArchiCAD, using the slab tool, magic wand, and precise offsets to assemble three core slabs for shell geometry.

Master profile surface management and 3D styles in ArchiCAD to create clean openings, a continuous ceiling, and correct domino effect, preparing for curtain wall details.

Set curtain wall height to six meters in ArchiCAD and fix first row at 2.10 meters. Create generic frame 27 and glass panels, and align the pattern origin to bottom.

Draft the curtain wall using a reference section and the boundary method to match the facade shape, then edit panels into a double door and finalize with offset and mirror.

Finish the shell project by assigning slab surfaces (stone work 12, pine grain, grass) and positioning a detailed 3d tree, then refine the base model and openings.

Explore how the complex profile function extrudes shapes into structural components, finishing details, organic elements, construction details, and learn the creation and configuration of objects and parts for customized elements.

Explore object creation and part customization with practical demonstrations, including import, convert, and save workflows without GDL, following the main workflow for latticework, door leaf, accessories, and other elements.

Create a reusable ArchiCAD custom armchair by saving and naming the object, assigning surface parameters for legs and base, and setting a preview for optimized 3D representation.

Edit a custom ArchiCAD object by adjusting parameters, 3D styles, shading, and sun shadows, capture and replace screenshots, then use the object window to tweak 2D symbol and preview picture.

Use the field tool to craft a clean 2D representation of the object by adjusting layers and a base representation, then save changes and verify the updated 2D symbol.

Apply final tips for configuring and exporting custom objects in ArchiCAD, including fixing fills, adjusting 2D symbol outlines, adding hotspots, and exporting GSM files for reuse.

configure a fixed-size lattice block curtain wall in Archicad, calculating blocks for a 3 m facade and ensuring accurate boundaries by using division instead of mesh.

Explore creating and mounting custom door handle parts in ArchiCAD by saving selections as custom handles, adjusting position, height, and axes offsets to ensure correct exterior and interior placement.

Mount and customize a stair thread in ArchiCAD, save the custom stair thread, set a 1.20 m width, choose finishes, and adjust thread and tread parameters for a precise fit.

Master the workflow for creating custom objects in ArchiCAD, focusing on work plane orientation and horizontal modeling, and anticipate geometry solutions with Rhinoceros and Grasshopper integration.

Explore three ArchiCAD functions, the corner window tool, the wall corner tool, and the opinion tool, while learning Rhinoceros and Grasshopper integration to elevate designs, with lessons and reviewable videos.

Congratulations on completing the ArchiCAD course; practice to implement your knowledge, and prepare for the next course, constructive solutions with ArchiCAD, focusing on material handling, surface creation, and BIM workflows.