Enriched Architectural Forms

Ideally, building design is not an exercise on paper; the real results are the finished building. With ArchiCAD 15, you don't have to compromise on design freedom or structural correctness. ArchiCAD 15 offers an impressive array of real BIM design tools and workflows right from the beginning of the design process.

Broaden Your DESIGN Horizons
Watch the recording of the live ArchiCAD 15 DESIGN webinar and learn how ArchiCAD 15 helps designers to unleash their creative minds.

Design Freedom
Shell is a versatile new tool which lets you create a wide variety of shapes. Use the Shell to model elements, ranging from a building's entire exterior, to a single custom object.

3D design space reinvented
The increase in freedom brought about by the third dimension, adds a new degree of difficulty to orientation in space as well. ArchiCAD 15 introduces 3D guidelines and editing planes to revolutionize the 3D space definition, making the perspective view the natural, 3D environment for building design.

	Shells		Intelligent connections
	Complex roofs		Skylights
	3D interactions

Shells

Create extruded shells
ArchiCAD introduces the new Shell tool – enabling designers to unleash their creative minds and to create enriched architectural forms.

Create revolved shells
The second geometry method of the Shell Tool is the Revolved method. It has two construction methods: simple and detailed.

Create ruled shells
The third geometry method of the Shell Tool is the Ruled method. It has two construction methods: simple and detailed.

Using composite structures for shells
When a Shell is created, the program first internally generates a so-called membrane based on its defining components.

Setting the base height for shells
Shell elements have a setting called Base Height. This setting applies to all types of Shells.

Set starting and ending angle for extruded shells
A pair of settings that apply only to Extruded Shells are called Starting Angle and Ending Angle.

Set revolution angle for revolved shells
One setting that applies only to Revolved Shells is the Revolution Angle setting.

Set distortion angle for extruded and rotated shells
A setting that applies to both Extruded Shells and Revolved Shells is called Distortion Angle.

Use flip option to grow shell body
When we create a Shell, the body of the Shell is grown onto a membrane. This membrane is generated based on the defining components of the Shell.

Segment surfaces of revolved shells
For Revolved Shells there is a segmentation option available.

Set morphing rule for ruled shells
A setting called Morphing Rule is available for Ruled Shells.

Floor plan representation of shells
The same Floor Plan Display options are available for Shells that we have already seen with other element types. These include the Show On Stories, Floor Plan Display and Show Projection options.

Edit extrusion vector of extruded shells
A host of editing commands are available for Shells. For Extruded Shells, there are commands available for both the Extrusion Vector and the Profile Polygon.

Edit rotation axis of rotated shells
There are two editing command available for the Revolution Axis of Revolved Shells.

Edit profile polygon of shells with polygon editing commands
The Profile Polygons of Shells can be edited with all Polyline editing commands that are already available on the Pet Palette for other Tools.

Drag profile/drag extrusion vector
In case of Extruded Shells we can change the position of the Extrusion Vector and the Profile Polygon relative to each other.

Set starting/ending angle, distortion angle, revolution angle
Commands setting the various angle values of Shells are also available from the Pet Palette.

Rotate/Mirror profile of shell
Another pair of Pet Palette commands available for Shells are the Rotate Profile command, which will rotate the Profile Polygon in its own plane and the Mirror Profile command, which will mirror it.

Manipulate extruded shells
When Shells are created, their orientation may not always be what you need. This can be changed however.

Ruled shells operations
There are three Pet Palette commands that are specific to Ruled Shells and are related to either Profile Polygon of the Ruled Shell.

Free rotate shell in 3D
The usual move-type commands: Drag, Elevate, Rotate, Mirror and Multiply, are available for Shells and the work exactly the same as they do in case of other element types.

Define contour polygon for shell
It is possible to define a Contour Polygon for Shells. If a Shell is selected, the Define Shell Contour command becomes available in the context menu.

Edit contour polygon with polygon editing commands
Since the Floor Plan display of Shells is a true vertical projection, the Contour Polygon of Shells is also displayed properly.

Drag/rotate/mirror/offset shell contour polygons
The contour polygon of Shells can be manipulated in its own plane.

Defining holes into shell
It is possible to create any number of Holes into Shells.

Editing the contour of hole/extrusion length of shell cutting body
Holes in Shell can be selected the same way as Shell contours seen in other Shell videos. When we move our cursor over a Hole, the cursor shape will give us a clue.

Move and rotate shell hole cutting body
Holes of Shells can be manipulated similarly to Shell contours seen in other Shell videos.

Customize any edge of shells or shell holes
The edge material of any edge of Shells can be customized.

Effects of modification of shell geometry
With Pet Palette commands we can manipulate the Shell as a whole or we can manipulate its sub-elements.

Combine contours and holes of shells
The following example shows a use of Shell contours and holes.

Place skylights into shells
Skylights can be placed into Shells just as they can be placed into Roofs.

Gravity on shells
The Gravity feature can be used on Shells as well.

Easy classification of shells for desired listing result of quantities
Since the Shell tool is very versatile, Shells may be used to model other construction elements, such as Roofs with curved profiles.

Listing shells
The edges of Shells can be set to various edge types for listing purposes.

Create basic shapes: cone, pyramid, sphere, ellipsoid
This video shows how to create various basic shapes using the Shell Tool.

Create basic shapes: torus, hyperboloid, wedge shape
This video shows some basic shapes we can create using Shells.

Workflow for creating an extruded shell in 3D
This video shows the creation of a segmented canopy using Extruded Shells.

Workflow for creating a revolved shell in 3D
In this video we will use a Revolved Shell to create an arched portion of a grand stand.

Workflow for creating a ruled shell in 3D
This video will show an example of creating a hyperbolic paraboloid surface, or Saddle Roof using the Ruled geometry method of the Shell Tool.

Workflow for using holes for cutting shells to each other
This video shows how to use Shell Holes creatively to create correct connections between Shells in cases where the normal trim function does not give us the desired result.

Workflow for using shells to create curved roof structures
This video shows how to create a usual Hip Roof with a curved profile.

Workflow for moving planes of ruled shell profile polygons
This video shows how to manipulate the Profile Plane of a Ruled Shell to move it to the desired position and orient it properly.

Intelligent connections

Introduction to dynamic connections of roofs and shells
With the improvements of the Roof tool and the introduction of the Shell tool, ArchiCAD also introduces new, intelligent connections between construction elements.

Simple trimming of elements to roofs and shells
ArchiCAD introduces improved trimming techniques to help the editing of roofs and shells.

Complex trimming of elements roofs and shells
ArchiCAD provides complex trimming techniques to help the editing of Roofs and Shells.

Selective trimming of elements to roofs and shells
ArchiCAD provides selective trimming techniques to help the editing of Roofs and Shells.

Trimming body of roofs and shells
When performing the Trim to Roof or Shell command, a so-called Trimming Body is used.

Trimming body options
There are various options that can be set for the Trimming Bodies of Roofs and Shells.

Merging the trimming bodies of roofs and shells
By default every Roof and Shell has its own Trimming Body.

Modifying the trimming body of roofs and shells
One option available for the Trimming Body of Shells is the Editable Trimming Body option.

Modifying connections
There are several way the geometry of elements Trimmed to Roof or Shells may change.

Managing connections
The connections of any element can be viewed and managed using the so-called Connection Grip that is displayed when a single element is selected and it has connections.

Complex roofs – Advanced roof creation and editing

Automatic creation of pitched roofs
In this video, we will show how to create pitched roofs for various geometry bases.

Editing complex roofs as single element
In this video, we can easily edit the complex roof as one element. We can modify only one part that will affect the whole roof.

Editing individual roof planes
In this video, we will present how easy it is to edit individual roof planes of a complex roof.

Editing roof ridges
In this video, we will explain how to modify the roof geometry by grabbing the ridge lines and moving the ridge endpoints of the complex roof.

Editing eaves
In this video, we will explain how we can use the available pet palette commands as a fill for editing complex roof eaves.

Creating multilevel roofs
In this video, we will create a mansard roof and explain the basic functionality of multi-level settings.

Creating hole and atrium
In this video, we will present how easy it is to create a hole inside of the complex roof, and how quickly we can create an atrium.

Creating a gable
In this video, we will learn how to create a gable for a roof.

Adding a tower to the roof
In this video, we will add a tower to a complex roof.

Skylights in complex roofs
In this video, we will insert skylights into complex roofs.

Cross-gable roof
In this video, we will present how we can easily create a cross-gable Roof, trimming two separate gable roofs to each other.

Unique complex roof
In this video, we will display a unique solution showing how to create a traditional Transylvanian belfry using the complex roof feature.

Skylights

Introduction to the new skylight tool
The Skylight Tool has become a fully dedicated and consistent Tool. In this video, we will learn how its interface is now similar to the interface of Doors and Windows.

Automatic updates of skylights associated to roofs/shells
See how Skylights are associated with their parent Roof or Shell, adjusting and re-orienting themselves automatically when the geometry of that Roof or Shell changes.

Skylights in design documents
Learn how the Floor Plan representation of Skylights is a true 3D vertical projection.

3D interactions

Place elements using editing planes in 3D
See how ArchiCAD provides "Editing Planes" to help element creation and modification in the 3D window.

Gridlines and snap points on 3D editing planes
In this video, we will see how the 3D "editing planes" of ArchiCAD are enhanced with gridlines and snap points to help 3D element creation and editing.

Moving 3D editing planes
In this video, we will see how it is possible to change the orientation of the Editing Plane to a position more useful for our given situation during the editing of elements.

Project input to editing plane
In this video, see how to specify how nodes and edges are projected onto the Editing Plane while editing elements.

3D "depth" information – dimming background elements
In this video, we will learn about the "dimming" effect: a new, 3D visual aid that provides a greater sense of depth during selection and element creation or modification operations.

Special display of reference line in 3D
In this video, we will learn about the display of reference lines of elements: a new feature that helps during the selection and editing of certain element types in the 3D Window.

Coordinate axes feedback in 3D
In this video, we will learn about a new visual aid in the 3D Window: the X, Y and Z coordinate axes are now marked with the letters X, Y and Z, respectively, for easier identification and orientation in space.

New guideline creation
See how Guide Lines are now displayed in 3D, in addition to 2D. These are real 3D Guide Lines which can connect any two points in space.

Accessing further guideline options
See how ArchiCAD provides instant guide lines at certain angles and directions to help element creation and editing.

Move, offset or delete guidelines
In this video, learn how Guide Lines can be activated, moved, offset and deleted freely.

Advanced feedback of guidelines
Learn how advanced visual feedback features help when working with Guide Lines.

Create guideline segments in 3D
In this video, learn how to create a Guide Line Segment between any two nodes in space.