I am a freelancer, currently working almost exclusively with an architectural firm using ArchiCad.
I have figured out some really cool processes for that firms staff, where i model items in SketchUp Pro, which they can import into ArchiCad as objects for further manipulation and use. Will be happy to share ideas and processes, perhaps others are doing the same and have tips and ideas to share.
We are working on a project an ‘Innovation Centre’ with the client wanting a building with ‘tree’ columns that reflect the incubation and growth of ideas. The architect really struggled to convert curved pipes, so SketchUp came to the rescue …
How do you achieve smooth objects? I have basically given up on using SketchUp with Archicad because the import function doesn’t respect hidden or smoothed face edges, all become visible in 2D views. Do you use some other intermediate format?
I don’t have any answers to contribute, but I’d love to know what anyone has figured out. I had Archicad for a while (v7&8), but dropped it in favor of SU instead.
hi, I never thought of that, but have a look at this. The first a SU screenshot, the next screenshot once imported into ArchiCad…does not look too bad
I had not noticed this before, but now that you mention it, there are faint lines visible and also too few segments in the curves.
I will be posting a number of models I set up in SketchUp which the architect imported into AC for a pharmacy project. I tried modelling these in ArchiCad using the Morph tool, but that drove me up the wall!
In my own practice, i use SU, but have taught myself to use AC because of my work with the architects I collaborate with. One cannot really compare the two software packages, but they do seem to work well together. These architects are now using version AC v22, and with every upgrade the interaction with SU seems to get better. For those that are interested, will be happy to share workflows with regard to the importing of SU models into AC.
The rough geometry would drive me nuts. So (on face value) I would eliminate all but 1 of the column features, keeping a location reference for all. Rebuild the first one basically from scratch (a few minutes work) and then copy an array.
My firm is pushing for me to stop using SketchUp for schematic design. The main reason is importing into ArchiCad. I too am finding Archicad is driving my crazy frustrated and I don’t even think it’s going to be easier converting morphs into objects just like you would from an imported sketchup file. Can you please share with me your process so I can avoid trying to design in Archicad. Thanks!!!
I once thought that modeling objects in SketchUp and importing them to Archicad was a good idea, but IMO it is more trouble than it’s worth. All curved surfaces come in with no smoothing and all edges visible. I have given up.
Just thinking out loud here, but what if you used one of the SketchUp extensions that flattens 3D objects into 2d so you end up with a 3D export file that has 2D plans and sections in 3D space, and on the ArchiCad end with their native tools you can build off of it, hopefully, relatively quickly? Sort of like tracing over things and not having to type in as much?
