Moving from AutoCAD® to AutoCAD® Architecture is a jump you can enjoy.
AutoCAD Architecture uses AutoCAD as its base and has user-friendly architectural components to add into your old AutoCAD drawings. Does that mean that when I opened my first AutoCAD drawing in AutoCAD Architecture 2009, I didn't find any issues? Does it mean that there is no conflict between AutoCAD solids and architectural components? What will happen if I move back to AutoCAD and try to work with Architectural components in AutoCAD? How will a file containing AutoCAD solids and architecture components behave in 3ds Max? Interesting questions, yes?
First, let's try to find out if the transition can be smooth. The model shown below will aid us in understanding the transition.
The floor shown in the image above is created in AutoCAD Architecture 2009 using an object called SLAB. One can locate the Slab object in Tool Palettes -–> Design or use the Slabadd command directly on the command line. The big wall with the big opening is created using an AutoCAD Architecture 2009 object called Wall. The opening in the wall is created using an object called Opening. If you list any of these Architectural objects, the name will be prefixed by AEC. For example, Walls will be listed as AEC_WALL. The wooden railing attached with the blue wall is an architectural object called Railing. All other objects such as stair, stair railing, textured wall, bi-fold doors, blue wall, and so on are made through AutoCAD solid objects.
Okay, our first lesson is learned—both sets of objects can coexist and look nice.
So, what’s new in it? One can create any complex architectural object using AutoCAD solids. For example, to create a wall, you can use the Box command in AutoCAD or you can create an extrude wall from a closed pline or region. For creating a door or window gap, you can subtract a solid of door size from a solid representing wall. Ah... there's the catch. Solids are represented as walls or doors or windows, but do not actually behave like walls, doors, or windows.
In AutoCAD Architecture, an AEC object actually behaves based on the functionality of that object. For example, if a wall exists, there could be a door in it. So, does it mean that the architecture community should forget about AutoCAD altogether and should jump to AutoCAD Architecture or Revit? Yes. A big YES. When you have the full functionality of AutoCAD embedded in AutoCAD Architecture, with REAL architectural objects, it will be to your advantage. Let’s list these real architectural objects of AutoCAD Architecture 2009.
- Wall – with many variants such as 4" brick and 4" wall to 8" concrete wall with 16" x 8" footing
- Door – ranging from doors available in Colaba to Mumbai Chor Bazar
- Window – Awning, Casement, Double Hung, Glider, Hopper, and many more
- Door Window Assembly
- Opening
- Curtain Wall
- Column
- Beam
- Brace
- Column grid
- Slab
- Roof Slab
- Roof
- Stair
- Railing
- Ceiling Grid
- Space
The second lesson learned is to use AEC objects as it facilitates better management of the model. If your project demands lots of customization in AEC objects, you can instead use AutoCAD solids to get things done.
Do you think that customizing an AEC object is complex and requires good expertise in the building of architectural objects in real life? I don’t think so. I am sure Paul Crossley will not prefer this type of railing for the dining area. Let's try to customize a railing which will satisfy my friend Paul. Write RailingStyle command on the command prompt to invoke the style manager, which allows you to customize an existing style or allows you to add styles of your choice. Decide what you want for guardrail, handrail, and bottomrail heights and locations. Decide posts, balusters and their components, extensions, and materials for each component. You are now ready with another variant of a railing made to your specifications.
If you go back to AutoCAD with the same drawing and perform rendering, the result will be something like the image shown below.
Opening the same drawing in 3ds Max may show you some interesting results. You may need to add materials, lights, and backgrounds for visual luxury.
The last lesson learned is that if you use the solid objects of AutoCAD and the AEC objects of AutoCAD Architecture 2009, the quality of work is not compromised.
(Discuss this Article! in the HotNews Discussion Forums.)
Mohmed Zuber Shaikh, a civil engineer by profession, is associated with Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Limited, Bharuch in Gujarat. He has used AutoCAD since 1990 (Release 10) and still practices with different versions. 3D Modeling and training with AutoCAD and 3ds Max are his passions. Mohmed is a member of the AUGI India board of directors and can be reached at mohmed.zuber@augi.com.
