CU1611

SOFTWAREreview
Rhino, Grasshopper and ARCHICAD integration
ARCHICAD 20 Graphical Favourites
can be organised into individual folders to
be used on a project, or exported to be
shared across multiple projects. Once
selected, all tools and components within
Favourites are fully editable.
ELEMENT PROPERTIES
Properties in ARCHICAD are absolutely
any type of information about an element
that isn't geometric information - the 'I' bit
of BIM - and can come from numerous
sources: COBie, IFC, Excel or ARCHICAD
GDL files, or keyed in directly. In earlier
versions of ARCHICAD, property data was
managed within individual property
dialogue boxes - an onerous task when
fire-ratings had to be applied, individually,
to each type of element such as a wall,
door or window. A new Property Manager
dialogue box is also now available and
can be used to define properties and
allocate them to elements within different
groups or categories.
If property data is to be added from a
non-CAD source, or from a different
discipline, the Property import/export
function allows users to export the
property data and element types to project
team members as an Excel file, which they
can fill in, and send back. It’s an ideal tool
for manufacturers to update all of the
information on a full range of products for
incorporation within each BIM model.
GRAPHIC OVERRIDES
Graphic Overrides is used to change the
representation of model views to highlight
different elements. Available in both 2D
and 3D views, rules can be applied to the
graphical parameters of any element. This
is particularly useful for fire ratings, MEP,
space types and usage, MEP elements
and so on, specifying which graphic
elements are to be changed for specific
displays - colours, line types, surfaces etc.
To take an example, using the properties
manager to allocate different levels of fire
resistance to different wall sections, each
of these can be assigned a different
colour using the graphic override. When
selected, the model will display the
appropriate walls with the chosen colour
scheme. The original model will retain its
standard graphic attributes.
RENDERING AND VISUALISATION
ARCHICAD 20 uses the latest Cinema 4D
R16 rendering engine, which provides
more accurate renderings with more
realistic surfaces. The reflectance and
specular levels make it easier to define the
reflective characteristics of surfaces,
together with enhanced backlight shaders
that further enhance surface effects.
The enhanced rendering engine provides
improved global illuminance with highly
realistic contact shadows, thanks to an an
improved physical ray tracing engine
boosting performance.
In 3D perspective views, users can
switch to any two part perspective in any
camera position, which enables verticals
in any 3D model view to remain as vertical
in perspective views
GOOGLE CARDBOARD VR
BIMx is used to navigate 3D models in
real-time. As Virtual Reality is now all the
rage the viewing experience can now
feel old hat unless you have the option to
view the model in 3D. The good news is
that you don't have to invest in an Oculus
Rift or HTC Vive as Google’s Cardboard
VR is cheap and simple enough for you
to send to your client, who can download
the BIMx app and explore your designs
at their leisure. The instructions for
moving around the model are shown on
the smartphone display, and are
activated by a simple, clickable point on
the cardboard devices.
CONCLUSION
The integration of Rhino and
Grasshopper within ARCHICAD 20 is a
significant development. The degree of
integration allows bidirectional links
between all applications in real-time,
providing an apparent native looking
integration. Although algorithmic design
looks complex, its foundation lies in
being able to lay out complete logical
workflows for each element of the
design, and is a joy to use.
The other major new feature - the ability
to add building information to elements
in a much more organised manner using
the Property Manager - together with
improved interoperability for sharing data
throughout the full project team, make
ARCHICAD 20 a very worthwhile update.
www.graphisoft.co.uk
November/December 2016 17