Wall Framing for ArchiCAD 12 Released!

We are pleased to announce the release of the Wall Framing tool for ArchiCAD 12. You can download it right away at the downloads page. There’s also some tips on how it works and how to use it in a previous post here, and a series of tutorial videos to get you started quickly:

• Wall Framing Presets
• Attach Framing to a Composite
• Place Frames
• Keyboard Shortcuts
• Elevate Frames
• Edit Frames

Resetting Keyplugs User Feedback

As you will be aware the Cadimage Tools need to be registered to your ArchiCAD Keyplug in order to function.

So what happens if you have to have a faulty keylug replaced?

Simply email our Customer Care team along with details regarding the original keyplug number and we can reset it for you. This enables you to Activate your Tool/s against your new keypug and continue working with our Tool/s.

Because we need to sleep we can only commit to sorting you out by your next business day - though depending when you email us sometimes it can take as little as a few minutes!

Here is what customer had to say about his recent ‘reset’ experience:

I was too busy to respond a couple of days ago, but wanted to thank you and everyone at Cadimage.  Your response to my problem wasn’t only fast (within a few hours) it was quickly fixed.

Also whomever is responsible for creating/implementing the registration process into ArchiCAD itself deserves a pat on the back.  Once my information was reset by your support staff I was up an running again using the Add-on without having to even restart ArchiCAD.

Cheers to you and the people at Cadimage for implementing an Add-on that works well but also a system that solves problems quickly and easily, no matter the time of day.

Thanks again…

Sharing ArchiCAD Files with non-Cadimage Tools Customers

One of the most common support questions we receive from customers and also something asked during the sales process is “What happens if I need to send a file to an ArchiCAD user who doesn’t use your Tools?”

Due to the frequency of this question we wrote a Support Tip and placed it on our website.

Basically we suggest the ‘non-Cadimage Tools’ customer downloads and installs the required Tools. This ensures they have all the required Add-ons, Objects and Macros.

They do not need to purchase the Tools to be able to download them. They simply need to register with our website.

If they simply install the Tools without purchasing them everything will display and print correctly, however, they will not be able to edit the placed objects.

If the ‘non-Cadimage Tools’ customers chooses to they can also register for a 30 day Trial Versiondirectly within ArchiCAD after they have installed the Tools.

2008 Year End / German Launch Promotion

In conjunction with todays release of the German Cadimage Tools we are pleased to announce our year end promotion:

15% Off all Purchases (Suites, Tools, Objects and Upgrades) before 31st December 2008.

To qualify for this promotion simply use the YEND8 Promotion Code when purchasing via the website.

Deutsche Cadimage Tools herausgegeben!

Cadimage Tools ist stolz bekanntzugeben, dass von heute an fünf der Cadimage Tools als örtliche deutschsprachige Versionen verfügbar sind.

Die folgenden ArchiCAD 12 Tools sind heute herausgegeben und sind ab sofort zum Kauf und Download erhältlich:

• 3D Profiler
• Key Notes
• Landscaping Tool
• Revision Manager
• Stair Builder

In Verbindung mit der Veröffentlichung, wurde die Cadimage Tools Webseite komplett überholt und ist nun auch als örtliche Webseite auf Deutsch vorhanden.

Das Übersetzen, Entwickeln und Instandhalten der Tools in mehrfachen Sprachen stellt das Entwicklerteam vor zusätzliche Herausforderungen. Wir sind jedoch der Auffassung, dass die Vorteile regionaler Versionen diese internen Herausforderungen bei weitem überwiegen.

Zu diesem Zeitpunkt wird unser Online Support noch auf Englisch angeboten. Wir werden allerdings die Nachfrage unserer deutschsprachigen Kunden beobachten und ständig unser Hilfsangebot überprüfen.

Wir werden mit ortsansässigen Graphisoft Partnern in Deutschland, Österreich und der Schweiz zusammenarbeiten, um diesen grossartigen Anlass zu fördern.

German Cadimage Tools Released!

Cadimage Tools is proud to announce that from today five of the Cadimage Tools are available as localised German language versions.

The following ArchiCAD 12 Tools have all been released today available for immediate purchase and download:

• 3D Profiler
• Key Notes
• Landscaping Tool
• Revision Manager
• Stair Builder

In conjunction with this release, the Cadimage Tools website has been completely overhauled and is also available as a localised website in German.

Translating, developing and maintaining Tools in multiple languages provides additional challenges to the development team but we believe the benefits of having local versions far outweigh these internal challenges.

At this stage our Online Support is still provided in English, however, we will monitor the demand from our German speaking customers and continually review our support offering.

We will be working with local Graphisoft Partners in Germany, Austria and Switzerland to promote this great occasion.

Cadimage Tools Hotfix 2

The second hotfix for the Cadimage Tools has now been released. This hotfix addresses a number of issues that have been resolved thanks to feedback received from you, our customers. You can download the the latest versions here: http://www.cadimagetools.com/myAccount/downloads.aspx
As always, make sure you check out the release reports while you’re there to see what we actually did.

Wall Framing for ArchiCAD 12

It’s taken a while but we are ready to go with a Pre-release of Wall Framing for ArchiCAD 12.

Based on 4 years of Customer Feedback from around the world, and constant improvement, we decided it was time to rebuild our Wall Framing Tool. While this update has taken a little longer than anticipated we expect you’ll find the wait was worth it!

Before launching the final product, we will publish two pre-release versions of the tool. The idea is to give existing Wall Framing tool customers the opportunity to trial the software and provide input to ensure the best possible outcome.

The first of these pre-release versions is available now for PC, and the second is scheduled to follow in the next 7-10 days for PC and Mac.

If you would like to use the Pre-release version please contact me (andrew@cadimagetools.com)

I’m excited by the potential of our new Wall Framing Tool. While it already represents a huge step forward, we already have future enhancements in mind. The new Wall Framing Tool has been designed to last for many years. It is effectively a platform for future development, so expect to see many improvements to this product over the next few years.

Specific improvements to the new Wall Framing tool include:

Multiple Skins

Multiple skins of framing, battens and panels are integral to the new system. These skins tie into the composite wall structure for tight integration with ArchiCAD. Individual control over each skin provides unprecedented flexibility.

Automatic Framing Around Openings

Openings are now framed up correctly as the frame is placed into the wall. In the old system, you had to individually specify the framing around each opening. If you change the size of an opening, and re-build the wall frame, the lintel will be automatically re-sized. The new tool uses span tables to assign lintels, sills and studs to all the openings simultaneously.

Stacked Openings

Openings placed above one another are now framed individually. This was always a shortcoming of the original system.

Customizable System

The new tool is highly customizable. You can create your own framing members, panels, end junctions, side junctions, lintels, top plate assemblies, etc. You can define span tables for lintels and junctions. At the top level you can use the structures you defined to create framing skins, batten skins and panel skins that can be assigned to composite walls.

Simplified Settings

Each object has a relatively simple user interface, presenting only the settings needed to drive that object. This doesn’t mean that the flexibility of the system has been reduced, in fact the new system is far richer than the old Wall Framing tool. It just means that the complexity of the system is spread over a number of simpler dialogs. You can focus on one aspect of the system at a time, without being overwhelmed by the number of settings.

User Controlled Processes

To avoid unnecessary processing, frames are rebuilt on demand. If you adjust a wall, or change the position of a window opening, the frame does not automatically rebuild. To rebuild all frames use the new menu item, and only the frames that require updating will be reconstructed. Less processing means a faster system resulting in more efficient work.

Edit Individual Members and Panels

One of the most exciting new developments for the Wall Framing tool is the ability to edit the elevated wall frames. Each piece of timber is placed as a separate object that can be deleted, moved or edited individually. The panels are placed as fill polygons so these can be edited too. Special editing tools are provided. You can also add members and panels into the frame. This allows you to rather easily design a custom frame for any given wall.

To get a feel for how the new tool works, check out these tutorials:

• Wall Framing Presets
• Attach Framing to a Composite
• Place Frames
• Keyboard Shortcuts
• Elevate Frames
• Edit Frames

Trial Versions Available

Many of you may not be aware that we offer Trial Versions of our Tools so that you can ‘try before you buy.’ Our Trial Versions allow full use of the software during a 30 day period.

Trial Versions are available for both ArchiCAD 12 and ArchiCAD 11 and available for all Tools excluding:

• Accessory Tools
• Cabinet Builder

Note: We hope to be able to supply Trial Versions of the above Tools with the next ArchiCAD Release. In the meantime you can check out the Tool Manuals and Tutorial Movies.

Read this PDF to see how easy it is to Register a Trial Version.

Please Note:

Recently we did find an issue in our Trial Version Registration System. We were unable to determine exactly how wide spread this issue was so we took the simple approach of removing all Trial Version data back to 1st July 2008 (ie just before ArchiCAD 12 shipped)

Therefore if you previously had issues registering a Trial Version we suggest you try again.

We apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused.

As always if you experience any issues with our Tools and/or website please do to hesitate to contact us.

Accessory Tools - Overview

We decided it was time to provide a brief overview of one of our most mature tools - The Cadimage Accessory Tools.

These Tools started life back in the days of ArchiCAD 7 and through continual use and customer feedback have developed into a comprehensive set of Tools.

The Accessory Tools in essense provide a single function which has two clearly defined benefits.

The Tools allow you to ‘dress up’ your building as one of our customers explained one day! By adding detail to the 3D Model the two benefits or by-products of the Highly Realistic 3d Model are:

• Great detail for Rendering
• Increased quality of Documentation (Sections and Elevations) requiring less (or no) 2d work

One of our Australia Customers, Warwick Lloyd-Martin of 3de, uses the Accessory Tools extensively. The following two Renders are a mix of Cinama4D and also the ArchiCAD Sketch Render:

Warwick sums up the Accessory Tools as follows:

Cadimage Accessory Tools enables us to incorporate accurate and detailed modelling for our images, whilst maintaining our documentation with efficient and seamless intergration into the ArchiCAD model.

For more information check out:

• Accessory Tools Home Page
• Product Flyer
• Movie Tutorial #1 - How do I Place Weatherboards?
• Movie Tutorial #2 - How do I Place a Corrugated Roof?