AUGIWorld Magazine - March/April 2008 - (Page 15) AutoCAD Architecture’s Project Navigator can be used during this design stage to continuously explore design alternatives within a project. model (Figure 3). While the whole virtual model may be drawn within one Construct drawing, using multiple Constructs helps to make file sizes easier to manage. To create a project where multiple design schemes are explored, this technique will also divide the virtual model into its various design alternatives. We’ll call them design schemes. To create the Construct drawing, right-click and choose the New>Construct command. Name and describe the Construct drawing (see below for help with file naming) then check the appropriate Level and Division (i.e., design scheme) for which it will be used (Figure 4). The following describes the logic behind my Construct file-naming structure. For projects that are new building designs, each design scheme will have multiple Constructs. Create and organize these Constructs in a simple manner—e.g., by floor level and by shell, interior, and core. 01-INTERIOR 01-SHELL 01-CORE Group files into a desired scheme name. I distinguish schemes by letter: SCH-A-01-INTERIOR SCH-A-02-INTERIOR SCH-A-01-SHELL SCH-B-01-INTERIOR SCH-B-02-INTERIOR SCH-B-01-SHELL For Constructs that are in more than one design scheme, name them accordingly: SCH-AC-01-SHELL (This drawing of the building shell will be used for schemes A and C.) Renovation projects are similar in setup with one exception. I create and name existing shell (and sometimes core) building elements using file names that will move these files to the top of the list. 00-SHELL-EXIST 00-CORE-EXIST Existing interior building elements are then placed within each scheme’s interior Construct drawings. (Use the “Save Current Dwg As Construct” command found in the right-click menu to duplicate an existing condition drawing file several times.) Figure 2 sions. You can fill in the descriptive area for the Division later once you know how to describe each design scheme (Figure 2). You are now ready to create the Construct drawings. Constructs and construct folders draw and organize design alternatives A typical project uses drawing files of the Construct type to build the virtual Use Elements to Explore Smaller Design Options AutoCAD Architecture uses Element drawing files like AutoCAD blocks in that they are reusable pieces of the building model. Examples include elevator lobby cores, stair cores, repeatable furniture layouts, etc. Element drawings are referenced/ linked into Constructs, Views, and Sheets through a simple drag-and-drop process. In this technique, Element drawings can be used for smaller design explorations. For example, a new building project may explore several alternatives for stair and elevator placements or office layouts. File naming for these drawings might look like this: SCH-A-CORE ALT 1 SCH-A-CORE ALT 2 SCH-A-OFFICE ALT 1 SCH-A-OFFICE ALT 2 (Each of the above design alternatives is still a part of scheme A) Figure 3 Figure 4 M a r/A p r 2 0 0 8 15
For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.