ARCHICAD Introduction Tutorial

Floor Plan

Pull Down Menus

Info Box
Icon Options

Toolbox
Workspace

Navigator Window
Allows user to move between
different drawings

Introduction
Menus

TOOLBOX
 Info Box: Provides information and properties of each tool when selected.
This feature allows the user to adjust many different properties of a new
entity or existing entity depending on the tool that is selected.

Starting a New Project

Load Archicad 17 Icon from the desktop
Click on the Warning/Information (Grey Box) box when it appears on the screen
When creating a new project click on Create a New Project dot and click OK
To load a preexisting document click on Browse for Project and locate the desired file

Note: each new project will create two files in the directory. One is the main file extension .pln and a
backup file .bpe. Both of these files must remain together at all times.
If separated the neither file will be able to open in the program.

Step 1: Setting the scale

It is important to set one’s drawing scale. In the area of architectural drafting there are two standard drawing scales
that are used when creating a floor plan.
Residential: ¼”=1’0”
Commercial 1/8”= 1’-0”

To set the scale of your drawing sampling click on the scale indicator at the bottom of the Archicad window and
select the desired scale.

See Sample Workspace Below

Step 2: Setting up the Workspace

Using the Arrow Tool from the Toolbox > select the four lines on the workspace. May click one at a time or hold
shift key to select multiple
Hit the Delete Key
Click on Delete Viewpoint
Click on Delete Anyway
Workspace should look like the following

Set scale here by

clicking on the tab
and change your
scale to the
Residential size.
 Step 3: Layer Settings
A. Layer settings allow the user to add features (example doors, walls, windows, cabinets, etc) to a specific layer.
This will allow the user to turn on and off these layers, essentially hiding them from the screen. This is done to
help the user keep the screen clean and orderly, as well to create different types of drawings with different
information.
Document > Layers > Layer Settings or CTRL-L (Hotkey)

The following menu will appear. In this menu are the default Layer Combinations and Individual Layers.
Delete all Layer Combinations and Layers

Each Layer
combination will have
to be clicked Step 1: Select all will
individually to delete. select all of the
individual layers.
Step 2: Then the
delete button will
highlight and click on
it to delete To delete
all the layers.
NOTE: Archicad
Layer will not delete.
We will keep this as a
default layer if needed

B. Set the following Layer Combinations

Layer Combinations- Group together individual layers to adjust from one drawing to the next (example Floor Plan
Drawing, Foundation Plan, Roof Plan, etc).

Once all of the Layer Combinations and Layers have been deleted Select NEW on the Layer Combination side and
create the following Layer Combinations
a. Floor Plan
b. Foundation Plan
c. Exterior Elevations
C. Next you will create individual layers. To have the layers attach themselves to a specific Layer Combination one
must have the desired Layer Combination and the Eyeball is selected. Once the Layer Combinations have been
created select the Floor Plan Layer Combination by Left clicking on it.
Once selected on the Individual Layer side of the menu select NEW and create the following layers
a. Exterior House Outline
b. Interior House Outline
c. Exterior Walls
d. Interior Walls
e. Text
f. Dimensions
g. Exterior Elevations

Click Update on the Layer Combination side of the screen to attach the desired Layers to Floor Plan Layer
Combination

Note: Through out this course you will be accessing this menu to add and delete different layers. Take a minute to
examine the rest of window.

Final Layer settings should look like the following

 D. Layer Combination
1. Select the Floor Plan Layer combination (note that there are no layers attached to this combination
because none of the eye are turned on.)
2. Select the Eyes next to the following layers
a. Dimension
b. Exterior Walls
c. Interior Walls
d. Text
3. Select the Update button on the Layer Combination to attach the layers to the layer combination
See Screen shots below.

2. Select the
1. Select Floor Plan eyes of the
following
layers

3. Click Update to attach

layers

Click OK to exit the window

Select Delete Anyway
Step 3: Drawing House Outline
A. Setup the Grid
When using Archicad to draw a floor plan there will be a grid in the background of the workspace that is
predefined. When setting up a drawing you may adjust the grid to whatever sizes you want. The Default
sizes for the grid is 4’-0” x 4’-0” for each square space. It is helpful to redefine the grid based on what type
of work drawing is being worked on.

To redefine the grid space you need to go to the drop down menu View > Grid and Editing Plane Options
> Grids and Backgrounds. The following window will appear.

Readjust the grid to be 1’-0” x 1’-0” by changing each value in the Construction Grid > Main Grid > Spacing.

Click Ok to exit

B. Using the Line Tool

In the tool box there are many different tools that will perform different functions in this program the first
tool we will use is the Line Tool to draw the interior and exterior outlines of our house.

Select the Line Tool from the Toolbox Menu

Line Tool
 Once the Line Tool is selected there property options will appear in the Info Box

Enters the Properties menu of the tool

Adjust how the lines will be

drawn:
Single Line
Polyline Adjusts the Layer of the line.
Rectangular Adjust to EXTERIOR HOUSE
Angular Rectangular OUTLINE

Adjust type of line

type Adjusts the color of the line.
Click on the color to open a palette of
colors
Or
Input a number that references a specific
color.

Enter Color Number 7

Once the settings are set you may begin drawing on the grid workspace. Place the cursor on the grid. You will
notice that the cursor does not snap to each grid space.
Select ALT-S this will turn the snap on. This allows for even measurements or the size of each grid. To turn on and
off SNAP just hit ALT-S.

With the SNAP turned on begin by place your cursor on the origin. The origin will appear as a black X on your
grid sheet. Once the cursor is on the origin a black check will appear.

The cursor should snap to this spot. Left Click once with your left mouse key on the origin. Note an error message
will appear asking if you want to turn the layer on since we left it hidden. Select Show Layer and drag the mouse to
the left. To make the line go straight hold down the Shift Key

To get the desired length there is one of two ways to set a line length.
1. Count the number squares you wish to have. Since each square is a foot then the total number of squares
will equal the total number of feet your wall will be.
2. Or simply type your value feet and inches. Be sure to use the hyphen ‘ feet and quotes for inches “
a. I.E. 1’6”
Create a rectangular box with the following size: Horizontal 15’-0” x Vertical 10’-0”. The screen should look
like the following. Choose either method to create your box. If the Tracker is not for distance is not showing, click
on the following icon (located on the top of the screen to turn the tracker on)

Step 4: Interior Walls

A. Select the Line tool and set the following settings
a. Layer- Interior House Outline
b. Color- 10
B. Next you will set the Line Division Icon. Tool can be found on the top menu bar of the screen. There is an
arrowhead pointing downward to change settings. You can also access this tool from the pull down menu
View > Special Snap Options. This tool will allow the user to divide up a line in four different ways by
showing hash marks on the feature. This feature only works with the Snap turned off. (Hotkey-ALT-S)
a. Half- Cuts any line or wall in half
b. Divisions- Divides the line up in predefined sections
c. Percent- Divide the feature into equal percents Snap
d. Distance- Divides the feature into user inputted distances Options
Icon

C. Select the Divisions bar

a. Click on Divisions
b. Click on Set Special Snap Values…
c. Input 4 for the number of divisions
d. Be sure the snap is turned off ALT-S
e. Place your cursor on the top line of the rectangle
f. 3 hash marks will appear. The number of divisions determines the number of hash marks. The line
will be divided up in four sections with three hash marks.
g. Place your cursor on the middle hash mark. A Check Mark should appear. This means you have
located that specific point. Left Click once on this mark. Error message will appear click on the
show layer
h. Drag the mouse cursor downward below the blue start line > line up the line with the reference line
to make vertical.
i. Input a number of 5’-0”. Then hit Enter.
You should have the follow on the screen

D. Next place your cursor at the end of the red line. Left Click once on this point.
Note: Look for the Check Mark to indicate the end point.
E. Drag your cursor to the left. When you reach the Blue Line on the left of the rectangle the Pencil should turn
Black. This will indicate you have reached the Perpendicular of that line. Left Click once at this point.
You should have the Following
F. We will add one more wall to complete the Interior House Outline
On the Divisions Menu Change the type of divider from Divisions to Distance
For a distance enter 3’-6” (Adjust Special Snap Values like above)
Place your cursor on the Left hand side Horizontal Red Line. This line will be divided into increments of 3-6”.
Note: Depending on where the cursor is placed relative to the center of the line will determine in what direction the
divisions of the distance will start from.
Select the First Hash mark. Note: Look for the Check Mark
Draw a Vertical Line that will be perpendicular to the bottom horizontal blue line of the rectangle.
You should have the following on your screen

Save Now

Save your Drawing as Tutorial

Step 5: Exterior Walls
A. Select the Wall Tool from the Toolbox.
B. Select the Tools Info Box in the Info Box
The following window will appear

Wall Tool

Tools Info Box

Located at the top
of the screen

Wall Types
1. Structure Basic
(Change to)
Change to NOT LINKED
2. Composite
3. Complex
Profile
Wall Thickness:
Height of Wall Change to 6”
Change to 8’0”

Wall Offset

Floor Plan and

Section: Allows
user to alter line
type.

Layer: Exterior 3D Model Colors

Wall Use Default
Click on first icon
Select Material W
Siding – 6” H
Change the values
1. Wall Top = Not Linked
2. Height of Wall = 8’0”
3. Wall Type = Structure Basic
4. Model > Override Surfaces > Select first wall (shows outside of walls) > Select Material W Siding–6” H
5. Placing wall Outside Face
6. Layer = Exterior Wall
Click Ok.
 C. When drawing a wall there is three ways to draw it. The following Icons will define each

Draws walls on the inside of a line,

when drawn in a counter-clockwise
3 Different ways to place direction
a wall in relation to a line

Draws walls on the inside

of a line, when drawn in a
clockwise direction
Draws walls symmetric
Select this one for the to about a line. Only used for
draw your Exterior Walls Interior Walls

Note: All Exterior Walls must fall on the inside of Exterior House Outline.

D. Draw the exterior walls by starting at the origin Left Click once (Notice the Check Mark) then drag the
cursor to the right end of the Exterior House Outline. Continue moving the cursor around the Exterior House
Outline.

You should have the Following

Save Now
Step 6: Interior Walls

A. Set your values has follows in the Tool Info Box

1. Wall Height 8’0”
2. Wall Thickness 6”
3. Model > Override Surfaces > First option change material to Default Walls Ext
4. Click Ok

Be sure you have the wall drawing tool that has the walls drawn symmetric about the line selected. See above for
the correct icon
Begin drawing your walls.
Your final drawing should look as follows

Step 7: Doors
The final step of this tutorial is to insert doors and windows. Although will not go in depth on the types of doors
and windows in this tutorial we will insert some basic types and simple features.

A. Select the Door Icon from the Tool Box.

Then select the Door Default Settings Box from the Info Box
Choose Wood Internal Door from Library
Choose Thumbnail D1 17

B. Set the following settings under the Preview and Positioning and the Parameters Tab
Door Width- 2’6”
Change these two settings after
Door Height- 6’8”
adjusting the Wall hole to Nominal Size
Hinge Side= Right Side
Door Sizes
a. Wallhole to Nominal Size = ON
Casing Outside= OFF
Casing Inside = OFF
Door Frame
a. Frame Style: Style 1
Door Panel
a. Leaf Thickness: 1 3/8”
b. Opening Handle: Style 1
2D Representation
a. 2D Detail Level: Simple
3D Representation- No Change
Materials- No Change
Dimension Marker Tab
No Marker
 Door Width: 2’-6”
Libraries Height: 6’-8”

Door Previews I.E

Floor Plan,
Elevation, Render
Door etc.
Thumbnails

Anchor Point
Position of the door in
relation to the wall:
Door Properties
1. Center of
door
2. Hinge on the
Left Side
3. Hinge on the
Right Side

Optional: Adjust style of door or add handles by going to D1 Entrance USA Settings > Door Panel
Click Ok once finished

C. Set the Line Division Menu to Distance

Set the Distance to 3”. Doors should be no closer than 3” from a wall.
Place your cursor on the inside of the wall has seen in the example and finds the first hash mark with the check.
Left Click once

1. Place Cursor on the

interior of the wall. Hash
marks will start from the
nearest endpoint based on
the cursor
2. Hash Marks intervals of
3”
 A gap will appear > Place cursor
on the arrow that shows the
direction of the swing on the door
> Left Click to Place

Note:
Incorrect
a. Doors should be 3
Inches from any wall
b. Doors should always
swing towards a wall,
Correct
never open into open
space.
c. Doors should open
into the room a
person is walking
into.
D. Place the following doors on your floor. Note: all the settings will remain the same. EXCEPT THE HINGE
SIDE. Be sure to adjust anchor point for the various doors Why do you suppose this is?

Save Tutorial
Step 8: Windows
Windows are a functional part of any house design. Their function is one of utility and of design style. Windows
basic function is for ventilation and to bring in light to a house. There are many styles of windows that all have
their own function and uses within a household design.

The window tool operates much like the door tool. The only difference is how the window is placed in the drawing
A. Select the window tool from the Toolbox
B. Then select the Window Tools Settings Dialog Box.
C. Set the following settings in the Tools Settings Dialog Box
D. Choose Wood Window > Casement Window
E. Choose Thumbnail W1 Casement 17
F. Casing Inside/Outside = Off
G. 2D Representation:
2D Detail Level: Simple
Keep all Colors Default

Window Sizes
-Width 3’0”
- Height of window: 5’0”
- Dimension from Floor to
Top of Window 6’8”

Click Ok
Set the distance in the Line Division Bar to 3’0”
A. To Place windows sampling place your cursor on an outside wall to show the hash marks. (Note
the Snap tool must be off in order for this to work)
B. Left Click once on the aspirate hash mark to locate the window
C. Then place the cursor on the outside of the wall on one of the arrows to determine the swing of
the window (which is the outside of the building) and Left Click again. The window should be
placed.
D. Place the following windows on your sheet
Step 9 Dimensioning
1. Changing the Working Units
a. Options > Project Preferences > Dimensions > Change the following

Change the third

options From: 1’
To: 1’-0”

b. Click OK
2. Select Dimension tool from Tool Box.
3. Click the Dimension Default Menu from the Info Box
a. Change the text so it appears in the middle of the dimension line
b. Change layer to Dimension

Change placement of
Dimension value

Change layer to Dimension

 4. Layers of Dimension
To place a dimension the user can click on as many known points as they desire to mark off dimension
lines. There are three layers of dimensions
a. First layer starts on the outside of the house then located the center of interior walls, center of doors,
and center of windows then to the outside of the opposite exterior wall.
Note: when locating a known point the cursor will change to a check mark. When left click a
circular target should appear. If a square target appears then a known point was not checked and the
user will have to start over.
b. Second Layer starts on the outside of an exterior wall then finds the center of the interior walls
followed by the opposite exterior wall
c. Third Layer shows the overall size of the house.

Unknown
Point

Known Point

5. Click the four following points.

6. Double click above the wall; the cursor should change to a hammer. Place the cursor one grid (may turn on
the snap to lock in) > Left click to place
7. Repeat placing the rest of the dimensions as shown below

SAVE Tutorial
Step 10 Exterior Elevation
1. Select the Elevation in the Toolbox
2. Select the Default Elevation icon from the Info Box
3. Change the following
a. Name the elevation: Front Elevation
b. Status = Manual Rebuild Model
c. Marker > Marker Type > No Marker
d. Story Levels > Show Story Levels > None
e. Layer > Exterior Elevations
f. Click OK
4. To the right of the left vertical exterior wall (the wall with the two exterior doors; at least one grid box to the
right) select below the lower horizontal exterior wall drag a line vertical to the upper horizontal exterior
wall, then left click > Left Click left of this line to tell the software which way to look. A brown line will
appear, this is the elevation line. NOTE: this line will not print.
5. Repeat steps for the Right, Left and Rear Elevation. Be sure to rename each elevation before making it.

Right

Rear
Front

Left

6. In the Navigator window > Under the Elevation category 4 elevations should be listed. Double click on one
of them. A new window will appear showing the elevation. To go back to the floor plan, minimize the
window or click the x to close the active window. Be careful not to click the x close for the program
Step 11 Printing
A. Using the Text Tool Place your Name, Date, Hour in bottom right hand corner of the sheet like the
following. The Text Tool is setup like creating a text box in Microsoft Word or Paint.
Place all text under the Text layer
Font Height 8
B. Printing
Go to File > Print > Set the Following
Page Setup > Landscape
Scale =3/8=1’0”
Black and White

Click on All colors to

black

Printer: CADD HP5200

Paper Size: 8.5 x 11 (Letter)
Orientation: Landscape

Click Ok to Print.
Repeat steps for Exterior Elevations.
a. Should end up with 5 sheets to turn in.

Turn in Print Outs and Show Mr. Jourden Computer File