Rhinoceros
Rhinoceros – Grasshopper – Archicad Toolset for Architects & Engineers.
Rhino – Grasshopper connects the best design tools for the different design stages on both Mac and Windows platforms. These tools fill a gap in the design process between early stage design and Building Information Modeling. They offer solutions for seamless, bi-directional geometry transfer as well as a way to translate basic geometrical shapes into full BIM elements while adding algorithmic editing functionality.
Discover Free-form Modeling Software with Grasshopper as tightly integrated graphical algorithm editor.
“A requirement for the design, development and realisation of the complex morphology of the pavilion is a closed, digital information loop between the project’s model, finite element simulations and computer numeric machine control. Form finding and structural design are closely interlinked.”
Grasshopper — Archicad Live Connection
Generate and manipulate BIM elements in Archicad directly from Grasshopper.
This tool enables Rhino-Grasshopper and Archicad to communicate directly in order to create and manipulate a BIM model in full or in parts through Grasshopper’s visual scripting interface. Designers whose work is currently based on either Rhino-Grasshopper or Archicad can leverage its functionality to their advantage. The live, associative and bi-directional nature of the connection enables users to build versatile workflows and utilise the connection in multiple scenarios — using both Apple Mac OS or Microsoft Windows operating systems.
In projects where the design is primarily determined by using the Rhino-Grasshopper toolset, users can apply the GH-AC Connection to convert the design into a full BIM model and still retain some of the algorithmic editing capabilities. In other cases, Rhino-Grasshopper (or other Rhino plug-in) can be used to complement an existing BIM project with algorithmic functions or freeform modelling environment in any stage of the design process. In these situations, the framework or reference geometry for the part designed in Grasshopper can be taken directly from Archicad itself.
Download Grasshopper – Archicad Live Connection >>
Rhinoceros Import/Export Add-ons
Exchange models in Rhinoceros native file format
Designers may choose to work with a “reference model workflow” by exporting and importing models between Archicad and Rhinoceros using the native Rhinoceros (.3dm) file format.
Rhino Export enables users to pass on the geometry — using various representation methods — of a model produced in Archicad to Rhino.
Rhino Import enables users to pass on a model created in Rhino to Archicad. The imported model will appear as a GDL object maintaining the logical buildup of the original Rhino model.
Download Rhinoceros Import/Export Add-ons >>
Rhinoceros — GDL Converter
Create native Archicad objects in Rhinoceros
With this toolset, designers can save a selected part of a Rhino model in a native Archicad object file (.gsm or .lcf) format. Depending on the complexity of the model and its intended use in Archicad, users can choose to generate a single object (.gsm) from Rhino or library container file (.lcf) containing multiple object parts.
The “Single Object Import” workflow is recommended to import small‐sized single objects or groups of small objects in .gsm format to Archicad.
The “Complex Structure Import” workflow is recommended to import — and also update — larger, complex Rhino models as a coherent set of GDL objects, using Archicad’s LCF (Library Container File).
OPEN BIM is a universal approach to the collaborative design, realisation, and operation of buildings based on open standards and workflows. OPEN BIM is an initiative of several leading software vendors using the open buildingSMART Data Model.
OPEN BIM PROGRAM
The OPEN BIM Program is a marketing campaign initiated by GRAPHISOFT®, Tekla® and others to encourage and facilitate the globally coordinated promotion of the OPEN BIM concept throughout the AEC industry, with aligned communication and common branding available to program participants.
OPEN BIM Certification is a technical certification system to help AEC software vendors improve, test and certify their data connections to work seamlessly with other OPEN BIM solutions.
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?OPEN BIM supports a transparent, open workflow, allowing project members to participate regardless of the software tools they use.
OPEN BIM creates a common language for widely referenced processes, allowing industry and government to procure projects with transparent commercial engagement, comparable service evaluation and assured data quality.
OPEN BIM provides enduring project data for use throughout the asset life–cycle, avoiding multiple input of the same data and consequential errors.
Small and large (platform) software vendors can participate and compete on system independent, ‘best of breed’ solutions.
OPEN BIM energizes the online product supply side with more exact user demand searches and delivers the product data directly into the BIM.
MEP SOLUTIONSThanks to recent technological developments, professionals in building design and development increasingly rely on integrated architectural and engineering workflows. Using the IFC standard as a common language, architects and HVAC engineers can share and coordinate their projects, using the work of other disciplines as a reference.
STRUCTURAL SOLUTIONSIncreasingly, new developments in Archicad emphasise effective collaboration between architects and structural engineers. This collaboration requires reliable methods for sharing and storing building model information, design solutions and proposals; it also requires a way to manage all the changes made to the building model by any of the participants, while also minimizing the possibility for human error.
Archicad supports all major model and data exchange formats and some specialized formats, including intelligent 3D modeling, universal 2D drawing, documentation and image formats.
