ArchiCAD Summer School: Feedback on the ArchiCAD Encounter

Encounter feedback from Til Breton : [Til Breton]
I was the facilitator. This encounter was really interesting and covered a large range of subjects.
1.Participants
 Professions : Architects, Interior designers, Programmers, Sales people, Engineers, Teachers
 Country : UK, France, Germany, Switzerland, Hungary
 Experience : newcomers, switchers, experts and more.
2. Subjects
Complaints about ArchiCAD
   Lack of libraries adapted to local markets, especially windows and doors
   Team work could be slow and thus interupt the work flow.
   Problems in setting correctly I/E in DWG or DXF format : Some users couldn't even reopen their own files !
Good points about ArchiCAD
   Switchers produced drawings after no more than 2 days !
   2d output improved since v8
   Good listening from Graphisoft to the customer requests
BIM concept and exchange
   Many advanced users are expecting more publicity about this concept and more publicity about professional softwares able to I/E IFC format.

Encounter feedback from Chris Phillips : [Chris Phillips] A wide cross section of users were present in the group, but the discussion very quickly homed in on a clear division between users who used Archicad for all purposes to the maximum of its capabilities, to small practice users who had problems with recruitment and who felt that they were forced by pressures beyond their control into using alternative 2D packages and thus wasting a large part of the advantage of the BIM.
On the other side, Archicad was seen as a force multiplier and invaluable. It was felt that there was a need to acknowledge the ethos necessary to get the best out of the system, i.e. That of a flexible, lateral thought process and a willingness to engage with the system. The question was about control: if you were an Autocad 2D user you were in control of the appearance of the drawing, whereas Archicad 3D users were in control of the design of the building. As for difficulties with DWG translations, Simon Gilbert put his head over the parapet to solve some problems of the users.

David Emery : [Til Breton] I like this method of 'breaking the ice' even though some of the delegates - like Til - are already familiar. I believe the first-timers need something like this for two reasons; firstly as an introduction to other delegates, and secondly to impress on them that they're not alone in feeling they know less than anyone else. Unfortunately, the acoustics in the dining room at Derby Hall effectively ruined this particular session, and the encounter re-formed into two or three separate groups of separate discussion.
Daniel Dusoswa from Western Ireland : [Chris Phillips] Worked for me the first time I visited the ACUE but not anymore and I feel for regular visitors to ACUE events is a bit cheesy. [Editors note: this is only your second visit; the feedback from others e.g. Ireneusz Kurowski seems to be that is is very welcoming for the newcomers]

Russell Gray : [Til Breton] Worked well. Largest group on head table with French facilitator. Good to hear how other people use AC and the issues they had were similar. We came up with lots of positives as well. However, it was not relayed back to the overall group well. I think  the language barrier of our facilitator and his notes missed some important points.

David Nicholson-Cole : [reporting from the Encounter feedback Session]
* Ben Wallbank's group reported back that there was a much more positive approach this year. While ACUE delegates might fully buy the Virtual Buiilding, more education is still required to get staff to fully appreciate the workflow from 3D to 2D.
* Richard Swann reported back from Frank Hollinger's group. This was quite a diverse group with quite a lot of the ACU tutors taking part. While most participants fully bought the Virtual Building idea, there was still a few arguing to separate the 2D process with different software. There was a call for even more intelligent tools, but worry that this could lead to Revit style lack of editing control. Could construction be more automated, e.g. the way roofs or floors meet walls? This is too dependent on different countries. Interface - got so much more complex with 9.0, some people hate the excess of choice. Default values (new and reset) in some countries differ, e.g. the German version is better than the UK version. There is a request for more intelligence in skins in the construction with composite walls. Sketch renderer is a very good tool to avoid fixing a design in the client's mind. Can we persuade consultants to be more 3D oriented, even to use ArchiCAD? Finally, people were encouraged to use ArchiCAD-Talk http://archicad-talk.graphisoft.com/

Frank Hollinger : [Frank Hollinger] Great way to start off.
David Kjoller from Aarhus, Denmark : [Frank Hollinger] Being a student it was interesting hearing the opinions on ArchiCAD from the users in the architectural practices.
Ireneusz Kurowski : [Chris Phillips] Encounter was a good start. There were people from different size practices in our group and there was a big ArchiCAD experience difference between us. Knowing each others problems we could discuss them later during the breaks. I think it could be better to have more group sessions like this one, to have a possibility to find solution for specific problems we have and share experience with others.
Lloyd Northend : [Chris Phillips] An interesting discussion on how practices used ArchiCAD in different ways, and their views towards the Virtual Building.
Richard Payne : [Chris Phillips] I enjoyed the encounter session, its always good to hear who everyone is and why they are there, it gives a flavour of the delegates. Still can't believe that AC is still being used as a 3D modeller for pesentation and then abandoned for construction info. Several nearly fell off their seats when this was related. However I got the impression there were far fewer this year and virtually no-one arguing for that approach.
Andrew Rowe : [Til Breton] Excellent discussion in the small groups with some really good ideas, although the acoustics meant it was a little difficult to hear all of the group. Good ice-breaker and talked to all of the people again throughout the three days.
John Littlewood : It felt very welcoming walking into the courtyard of Derby Hall and seeing so many familiar and friendly faces from last year's event and the Winter School.
Paula Veale : [Frank Hollinger] Good way to get small group together talking early on.
Dirke Van Hecke from Belgium : [Ben Wallbank] As always, an interesting event. I was amazed hearing that so many members are working more and more in 3D. It was about 'the thread' of our discussion. Interesting to hear what people use AC for. Ben is a fine facilitator.

Derek Brown : A very useful session with a emphasis on the future of 3D modelling which most people agreed was bright. The other major discussion was in connection with the use of Plotmaker to produce the paper output needed. Some people stated they were using ArchiCAD to produce the 3D model and design but returning to AutoCAD to produce the working drawing required. The group was fairly equally split on the subject with those using Plotmaker emphasising the need to ensure the correct use of Views sets and the associated layer combinations and display options which then makes Plotmaker straight forward. There were a number of recommendations to attend the session by Ken Good (ArchiGOD) during the weekend.
The suitability of ArchiCAD as a 2D draughting tool to produce working drawings and details was also discussed with very mixed feelings.

Nigel Walter of Cambridge : [Ben Wallbank] Interesting to hear from others, but would have preferred to skip this and go to a snappier start.
Mark Wildish : [Til Breton] ours was the largest group with a broad spectrum of Archicad users, ranging from experts to newcomers (such as my self). Of all the people in our group I had spent the least amount of time using Archicad and at this point was feeling a little overwhelmed as to the level of discusions that were coming from the other members, with regards to their gripes, likes and hopes for the future. The group ended up tailing off into smaller factions and I found myself in a conversation where we were discussing whether or not Archicad should be everything for everyone or be more barebones with lots of add-ons. My personal opinion is that it should be a barebone product, simply because of the nature of my work, as I mainly deal with obtaining planning permissions and a few basic building control drawings, all the scheduling etc. is just not used in our practise as this is not a service we provide and I use Archicad to produce impressive images with which to hopefully sell my ideas to Planning officers etc.

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