ArchiCAD Objects, Available from Cadimage World

We’ve recently been working on some exciting objects for ArchiCADselect customers, these will soon be available for download from our friends at Cadimageworld.com

Below are some images of the new objects (more screenshots coming soon). They have all been built to work with ArchiCAD version 13 and higher. If anybody has any ideas for new objects, please send them through.

ArchiCAD pool lounger objects

Manufacturer’s Website Quick Fix

We work with a lot of building product manufacturers, helping them integrate their products into BIM (ArchiCAD & Revit) and generally get them ready for the future.

Whenever looking at their websites we often find one thing that is very annoying and often not working as well as it should. Which is their “contact us” page. If a person is ready to contact you, you need to make it as easy & obvious as possible.

So here’s an idea, don’t give us a large form to fill out. Why not just give us a contact email address; info@yourcompany.com or support@yourcompany.com is far easier than half the forms we see on sites. Now some people will say yes but the forms avoid spam, this can be true. However what would you rather have: a little more spam (technology can stop this anyway) or miss an opportunity to work with a customer?

BIM Content On Demand – Testimony

Occasionally we do something slightly different & get commissioned to build BIM content for Architects to use in-house. This is a big help for the architects as it helps to speed up their building information process, saving both time & money.

Below is a testimony from Graeme Butler a registered Architect in Australia. Who we built some ArchiCAD objects for a while back. Another very happy customer!

1). What were your perceptions about our service – and were you reluctant in any way before you came to us?

My perception was that you might be an expensive service. I was somewhat reluctant to request a 3d model.

2)  How has that perception changed now since you have dealt with us?

I was pleasantly surprised at the reasonable rates, and the very efficient service with rapid turnaround. The results were above expectation.

3) What do you think now was the biggest benefit of the product/service?

Your service has saved me an enormous amount of time and I now have exactly the right object for my ArchiCAD project.

4) How were you able to use that benefit?

I have been able to spend more time solving architectural design issues rather than ArchiCAD GDL issues!

5) Would you go out of your way to recommend our company & service to a friend?

Yes.

6) What would you say to someone thinking about using our product/service – And why?

I would recommend your services and explain the advantages of getting someone with knowledge and experience to craft an ArchiCAD object in a fraction of the time it would take for them to do it.

Below is an image of one of the custom ArchiCAD object we built for Graeme.

Do you need a custom object built for one of your projects or know of a manufacturer’s product you’d love to have in a parametric BIM format? Contact us today at info@objectstop.com

Kubac object for ArchiCAD 12 or higher

Under the Hood: Barrington Arch 5 Step Process

When developing BIM content, at Barrington Arch we use our own custom developed 5-step process. This helps to make sure that the content is not only built to the highest of industry standards, but also meets the needs of your company’s target market. The process goes like this:

Put together a BIM strategy & the results you want to achieve from it. This includes taking note of any content or drawing files you may already have.
Plan what content you will need & in which BIM formats you will need it in to best meet your market or region.
Build the content into the required formats, such as Autodesk Revit, Graphisoft ArchiCAD, Bentley BIM & Google Sketchup. Including any branding & back-links to your website
Test the new BIM content, to check that it is functioning correctly.
Submit the finished BIM content to BIM directories in your region & help tie it into your existing marketing channels, such as your website.

We find this 5-step process is the best way to make sure your BIM content is used to its full potential and that you yield the best results from it.

If you’d like to get a BIM assessment done for you company or to learn more about Building Information Modeling, please contact us at info@barringtonarch.com

BIM Content vs Magazine Advert

An advert in a magazine, goes out to your target market once. Is seen very briefly one time (normally a few seconds), then it gets put away forever. It is also an interruption.

A manufacturers BIM (building information modeling) content goes out to its exact target market, gets put directly into the architect’s software, where it is ready & waiting for when they need that type of product. It stays there forever, being seen multiple times. Often every day!

If you had to invest in one, which would you choose?

Instant buildings

How about this; Take your BIM model (from Revit or ArchiCAD) and hit print, but instead of a pile of documents being printed, your actual building does!

This may sound ridiculous, but for the guys at http://d-shape.com/ it might soon be a reality. The d-shape is a new type of 3D printer, which unlike all the other 3D printers on the market, it is designed to print large scale. It also uses a low cost sand & glue mix to hold the finished structure together. Think of the possibilities!

Objectstop.com Revamp.

Some of you noticed that our Objectstop marketplace for BIM (Building Information Modeling) content is now redirecting to BIMstop.com

All we can say for now is good spotting! & stay tuned for more updates….

Barrington Arch

We are proud to now be a member of the Nextspace 3D cluster. As we do a lot of work in the 3D technology sector such as 3D parametric models for ArchiCAD & Revit, which integrate into Architects BIM workflows.

The Nextspace 3D Cluster is a great way for us to network with other exciting 3D based firms & help share our knowledge to produce some fantastic new technologies.

Good-Bye Mouse

A couple of days ago Apple released their Magic Trackpad, and it’s safe to say we are pretty excited.

The mouse has been around for well over 15 years now and really hasn’t changed much, but we see these multi-touch trackpads as a huge stepping stone. It will be interesting to see how these work with our Mac Pros & whether it will be the end of our mice for good. Who knows, I’d love to see some support for multi-touch gestures in BIM softwares like Revit & ArchiCAD, pinch to zoom, swipe, it’s all sounding great!

High Speed Doors BIM Content

Recently we’ve been hard at work building some BIM content for High Speed Doors in New Zealand.

This content has been built in both Revit & ArchiCAD formats and we expect it to yield great results for them. Below is a screen cast of the ArchiCAD High Speed Doors Content in action. We will post a video of the Revit content soon and of course the actual ArchiCAD objects & Revit families for download soon.