Archicad BIM Training

Lesson 1 • Navigation and View Controls

Teaches 2D and 3D navigation, zoom, pan, orbit, and view filters. Efficient navigation is essential for productive modelling in all subsequent chapters.

Lesson 2 • Archicad Workspace Orientation

Covers the main menu, toolbox, palettes, and navigator panel layout. Familiarity with the workspace accelerates tool adoption throughout the course.

Lesson 3 • Project Setup and Templates

Configures project settings, units, and storey structure before modelling begins. Correct setup prevents rework and ensures consistent output across the project.

Lesson 4 • File Management and Collaboration Basics

Introduces Archicad file formats, backup strategies, and solo vs. teamwork modes. Establishes safe file habits before learners begin building models.

Lesson 1 • Roof and Shell Creation

Models pitched roofs, flat roofs, and complex shell geometries. Roof geometry directly affects wall trimming, drainage, and building envelope performance.

Lesson 2 • Wall Tool Fundamentals

Covers wall types, composite structures, reference lines, and height settings. Walls form the primary structural container for all interior and exterior modelling.

Lesson 3 • Columns, Beams, and Structural Elements

Places columns and beams with correct structural profiles and storey linkage. Structural elements coordinate with walls and slabs to form a complete building frame.

Lesson 4 • Editing and Modifying Building Elements

Applies pet palette operations, marquee selection, and element editing to refine geometry. Editing skills are required before advancing to openings and interior modelling.

Lesson 1 • Layer Management and Layer Combinations

Creates and assigns layers, then groups them into combinations for different view types. Layer combinations control visibility across plans, sections, and 3D views simultaneously.

Lesson 2 • Building Materials and Composites

Defines building materials with physical properties and assembles them into composite structures. Material definitions drive quantity takeoffs, energy data, and section fill patterns.

Lesson 3 • Surfaces, Fills, and Line Types

Configures surface appearances, 2D fill patterns, and line type attributes for consistent output. Attribute consistency ensures drawings meet office standards without manual overrides.

Lesson 4 • Element Classification and Properties

Applies IFC classification, custom properties, and property sets to model elements. Classification enables data exchange with engineers, contractors, and facility managers.

Lesson 1 • Window Tool Placement and Settings

Configures window sill height, head height, frame depth, and glazing type. Window data populates window schedules and energy analysis inputs automatically.

Lesson 2 • Door Tool Placement and Settings

Places doors in walls with correct swing direction, reveal depth, and frame settings. Door parameters feed directly into room data and door schedule outputs.

Lesson 3 • Custom Openings and Curtain Walls

Creates non-standard openings and curtain wall systems using the curtain wall tool. Complex facade systems require dedicated tools beyond standard door and window objects.

Lesson 1 • Stairs and Ramps

Builds parametric stairs and ramps with correct rise, run, and landing geometry. Stair geometry must comply with accessibility and egress requirements in the model.

Lesson 2 • Railings and Balustrades

Places railing systems along stairs, balconies, and mezzanines using the railing tool. Railing parameters control post spacing, top rail profile, and panel infill type.

Lesson 3 • Interior Fixtures and Furniture Placement

Places plumbing fixtures, cabinetry, and furniture objects from the library. Interior objects contribute to clash detection and space planning validation.

Lesson 4 • Finish Layers and Interior Surfaces

Assigns surface materials to walls, floors, and ceilings for visualisation and scheduling. Surface data feeds into material takeoffs and rendering workflows in later chapters.

Lesson 1 • View Settings and View Map

Configures scale, layer combination, and graphic overrides for each view type. The view map organises all project views and drives the layout book structure.

Lesson 2 • Layout Book and Publisher

Arranges views on layout sheets with title blocks and publishes to PDF or DWG. The publisher automates multi-format output for submission and coordination.

Lesson 3 • Schedules and Quantity Takeoffs

Creates element schedules for doors, windows, rooms, and materials linked to model data. Schedule data updates automatically when model elements are added or modified.

Lesson 4 • Sections, Elevations, and Details

Places section and elevation markers that generate live model cuts and exterior views. Detail drawings are linked to the model and update when geometry changes.

Lesson 1 • Rendering with Cinerender

Runs photorealistic renders using Archicad's built-in Cinerender engine with quality presets. Render settings balance output quality against processing time for project deadlines.

Lesson 2 • Real-Time Visualisation and BIMx

Exports the model to BIMx for interactive walkthroughs on desktop and mobile devices. BIMx enables client presentations and site reviews without specialised software.

Lesson 3 • Surface Materials and Textures

Assigns and edits surface materials with texture maps, reflectivity, and transparency. Accurate surface materials are the primary driver of photorealistic render quality.

Lesson 4 • 3D View Configuration and Camera

Sets up perspective and axonometric cameras with correct field of view and clipping. Camera settings determine composition before any rendering or export is performed.

Lesson 1 • Project Delivery and BIM Execution Planning

Defines BIM uses, deliverables, and model handover requirements in a BIM execution plan. A documented plan aligns all stakeholders on model standards before project start.

Lesson 2 • Clash Detection and Model Coordination

Identifies geometric and clearance clashes between architectural, structural, and MEP models. Clash resolution before construction reduces costly field conflicts and RFIs.

Lesson 3 • Model-Based Estimation and Data Export

Extracts quantity data from the model and exports to spreadsheet and estimation tools. Model-based quantities improve cost accuracy and reduce manual measurement errors.

Lesson 4 • Teamwork Setup and User Management

Configures BIM Server or cloud-based Teamwork projects and assigns user roles. Role-based access prevents conflicting edits and maintains model integrity across the team.

Lesson 5 • IFC Export and Import

Configures IFC translators for export to structural and MEP authoring tools. IFC exchange is the primary open-standard method for multi-discipline BIM coordination.