Archicad 23 Course

Lesson 1 • File Management and Collaboration Basics

Covers saving, backup, and file format options including PLN and PLA. Establishes safe file habits before students begin building complex models.

Lesson 2 • Navigating the Archicad Workspace

Covers the main window layout, toolbars, and palettes. Establishes spatial awareness of the interface as the foundation for all subsequent work.

Lesson 3 • 2D and 3D Navigation Techniques

Teaches pan, zoom, orbit, and view angle controls in both 2D and 3D windows. Efficient navigation directly accelerates modelling and review speed.

Lesson 1 • Drawing and Editing Walls

Introduces wall tool settings, geometry methods, and editing handles. Walls are the most fundamental element and anchor all subsequent structural work.

Lesson 2 • Placing Columns and Beams

Teaches column and beam placement, cross-section profiles, and structural alignment. These elements complete the load-bearing skeleton of the model.

Lesson 3 • Creating Slabs and Floors

Covers slab tool geometry, thickness, and composite structure. Slabs define floor and ceiling planes that interact with walls and columns.

Lesson 1 • Layer System and Layer Combinations

Explains layer creation, locking, hiding, and combination presets. Layers control what is visible and editable, directly affecting drawing clarity and output.

Lesson 2 • Line Types, Fill Patterns, and Pens

Covers graphic attribute settings for lines, fills, and pen weights. These attributes define the visual language of all 2D drawings produced from the model.

Lesson 3 • Building Materials and Composites

Teaches building material definitions, composite wall structures, and priority-based intersection. Materials drive both visual appearance and quantity takeoff accuracy.

Lesson 1 • Rooflights and Roof Openings

Covers rooflight placement on roof planes and manual roof cutout methods. Roof openings require special handling to maintain watertight model geometry.

Lesson 2 • Placing Doors and Windows

Teaches door and window library part placement, parameter editing, and wall hosting. Openings are critical for spatial definition and schedule generation.

Lesson 3 • Stairs and Ramps

Introduces the stair tool, riser-tread parameters, and ramp geometry. Vertical circulation elements connect floor levels and affect space planning.

Lesson 4 • Shell Tool for Complex Surfaces

Introduces the shell tool for curved and free-form roof and facade surfaces. Shells extend modelling capability beyond the limitations of the standard roof tool.

Lesson 1 • Schedules and Door-Window Lists

Teaches interactive schedule creation for doors, windows, zones, and components. Schedules extract BIM data automatically and update when the model changes.

Lesson 2 • Dimensioning and Annotation

Covers linear, angular, and radial dimensioning tools plus text and label elements. Accurate annotation transforms model views into legally usable construction documents.

Lesson 3 • Creating Section Drawings and Elevations

Teaches section and elevation marker placement, depth limits, and view settings. These views expose interior geometry and external facades for documentation.

Lesson 4 • Detail and Worksheet Views

Introduces detail markers, independent worksheets, and 2D drafting within Archicad. Details supplement model-based views with hand-drafted construction information.

Lesson 1 • Placing Drawings on Layout Sheets

Covers drawing placement, scale override, and drawing manager. Correct placement ensures views appear at the intended scale and position on each sheet.

Lesson 2 • Layout Book Structure and Masters

Explains the layout book hierarchy, master layouts, and sheet numbering. Master layouts enforce consistent title block and border graphics across all sheets.

Lesson 3 • Publisher and Output Formats

Teaches the Publisher set configuration for PDF, DWG, and print output. Publisher automates batch export and ensures consistent output settings across the set.

Lesson 1 • Surface and Material Visualisation

Covers surface texture assignment, reflectance tuning, and material preview. Accurate surface settings are the primary driver of render realism and client appeal.

Lesson 2 • 3D Window Display and OpenGL

Covers 3D window settings, OpenGL display modes, and quick rendering options. Real-time display provides immediate visual feedback during modelling and design review.

Lesson 3 • BIMx Hyper-model Export

Introduces BIMx export for interactive 3D model sharing with clients and consultants. BIMx enables non-Archicad users to navigate and query the model on any device.

Lesson 1 • Teamwork and BIM Server Workflow

Introduces Teamwork project sharing, workspace reservation, and send-and-receive cycles. Teamwork enables multiple users to work simultaneously on a single project file.

Lesson 2 • Quantity Takeoff and BIM Data Export

Teaches element property-based quantity extraction and data export to spreadsheets. BIM-driven quantities improve estimate accuracy and reduce manual measurement errors.

Lesson 3 • Clash Detection and Model Coordination

Covers element interference checking, coordination model setup, and issue reporting. Clash detection prevents costly on-site conflicts between structural and MEP systems.

Lesson 4 • Hotlink Modules and Storey Linking

Covers hotlink module creation, placement, and update management for repetitive building units. Hotlinks reduce redundancy and synchronise changes across multiple instances.