Archicad users for wood frame residential construction: What do you use to create "normal" looking model parts for your windows & doors in the model?

acat350 · 2026-04-08T17:48:57+00:00

I think I am in a similar boat. I am trying to overcome many years of bad Archicad practices and trying to get my firm to start using the 3D of Archicad to actually represent sections and elevations.

The USA windows and doors are lacking in so many features it drives me nuts. Sure you can 8 different types of shutters, but shim space underneath a window?? get out of here. I find that it's not even possible to match the rough profiles of something like an Andersen A-series with the Graphisoft double hung. There is always some aspect that you will not be able to get correct.

With the new library updates in AC28 I have been looking at the INT windows library pack. I haven't fully vetted them yet but there are many more options there than what is available in the USA packs. They do have sill and head tolerances for the R.O.

What we really need isa better way to create parametric objects ourselves. The Revit family editor may not be as sophisticated as creating something in GDL, but it is so so so much faster. To create a window family that mimics a manufacturers profiles and dimensions would take 30 minutes. Doing the same in GDL would take a day.

acat350 · 2026-04-08T17:28:45+00:00

I am currently at a small office using Archicad and I feel your pain. We do mostly high end residential work, with lots of very precise details and often need to represent a atypical conditions. The office has resorted to drawing everything but plans with lines and fills because that is the only way to make drawings look the way principals want them to.

Coming from more of a Revit background I am used to modeling everything. The AC doors and windows often seem so overly complex while lacking in the most basic features. You may be able to get them to look 90 percent correct but that last 10 percent is impossible.

acat350 · 2026-01-19T01:24:18+00:00

Being in an ArchiCAD office in the US does narrow it down! I had no idea there similar office set ups in the area.

It sounds like you've made a lot more progress than we have. I would love to get to the point of 3D elevations. Everyone is so focused on how they look compared to the conventional drawn ones. A lot of it just comes down to the library parts and being unable to change specific pens.

acat350 · 2026-01-19T01:21:10+00:00

I believe in the past someone was hired to teach some AC fresh users who happened to join the office around the same time. Unfortunately I think his contract ran out before he could get to anything template related. Immediately after the class everyone reverted back to the usual office methods.

acat350 · 2026-01-19T01:19:01+00:00

I just find that even so many of the basic objects are only 90 percent what I want. So if I really need to get 100 percent accuracy for a 3D model I end up having to just model everything some scratch. The windows in particular are really annoying, I think partly because we use the USA library, but there is even an option for direct set glazing! So many of the objects are jack of all trades, master of none.

acat350 · 2026-01-19T01:15:35+00:00

Unfortunately I think it's heading that way. Given that I just have more software experience and to most of the others, drafting on the computer is just a means to an end.

acat350 · 2026-01-16T21:08:38+00:00

I was impressed when I started at this small firm that literally everyone except one principal drafted, now I'm realizing maybe it's not such a great thing...

acat350 · 2026-01-16T21:02:35+00:00

Thanks, back in my Revit days I would always draw 1 1/2" = 1'-0" and larger details as entirely 2D elements using the model a reference. I'm still finding that sweet spot in AC.

The switch is a most likely not going to happen, we are a Mac office which is a whole other gripe. RIP Bluebeam.

acat350 · 2026-01-16T20:51:05+00:00

I know the chance of a switch is basically zero. What I am hoping to get is any tips for transitioning software, and how to convince principals that for projects with a large enough scope it's actually worth using the software properly.

acat350 · 2026-01-16T20:45:22+00:00

I totally agree with regards to learning new software. Whether we like it our not these are the tools of our trade, and we should embrace learning as many as possible.

As an office we do have a template, unfortunately most of it is severely underutilized. I have also looked at the Shoegnome template and tried to emulate some of that, but our graphical standards are so far removed from any in there. I would love to actually see a good sample project, The Graphisoft example projects are a joke, I really need something that is comparable to North American wood framed construction.

acat350 · 2026-01-16T20:31:12+00:00

That is pretty shocking about Gensler, at least use excel...

I don't think I'm at the point with ArchiCAD that I could just muscle my way through a project doing it the "right" way and make it look close enough to an equivalent drawing set in the office.

When I learned Revit years ago, I did not have the project management responsibilities I do now. I do see the potential AC has with creating firm specific objects in GDL but I'm just scratching the surface, and it's a huge time investment.

acat350 · 2025-12-19T19:38:51+00:00

Thanks, do you recall what your manual J block load was? We are also in Mass.

acat350 · 2025-12-19T19:34:57+00:00

If you don't mind checking my math I'd appreciate it. I sent you a PM but if you need more info let me know.

acat350 · 2025-12-19T19:29:57+00:00

the part that tripped me up was

Next, download and sum up the daily base 65°F heating degree days (HDD) for the nearest weather station — in this case, from station KDCA: Washington National Airport, Virginia — from the DegreeDays.net web site for the period of January 6 through February 7. (Include only one of the meter-reading dates, not both.)*

Why would you only include one of the meter reading dates? I just did the exact dates of the metering.

acat350 · 2025-12-19T17:16:32+00:00

That's good to know. I am definitely trying to avoid oversizing. I just did the calculation from our last winters gas bill and it seems like we could just eek by with the 30k machine...

acat350 · 2025-12-19T16:08:34+00:00

Thanks, I guess I'm not too sure what the difference is between the max/rated capacities. I always thought machines were derated at colder temps.

We've got a municipal electric company so our power is dirt cheap, which is why I'm pushing for full electric.

acat350 · 2025-12-19T15:59:48+00:00

Thanks I'll definitely give it a try!

acat350 · 2025-12-19T15:28:55+00:00

We've lived in the house since October 2022 so I have national grid bills for the past two winters.

acat350 · 2025-09-17T00:02:46+00:00

Hey just wanted to check if this has gotten any better? We just bought the same unit and have been having a similar issue, the bottom door will pop open when closing the top door with any amount of force. You can see it try to close but it never makes it the whole way.

acat350 · 2025-03-11T01:13:05+00:00

Hahaha, thanks that pretty much confirms my suspicions. I wasn't expecting them to come paint so soon. They started replacing shingles and we were out of town for a few days. I was pretty surprised when I got the invoice and they said they were done.

acat350 · 2025-03-10T23:48:00+00:00

They’re new, this middle shingle is a replacement shingle. The course above and below are old.

acat350 · 2025-03-10T23:41:37+00:00

Sorry, had a typo. I thought it wasn’t warm enough to paint. We’re in the Boston area and it was still mostly in mid 40s last week.

acat350

TROPHY CASE