Hi, I'm new here, but I have been anxiously waiting for Ecotect to come back online since I found out about the software in February.
It says in the help file for the new v5.5 that this version is fully integrated into ArchiCAD. Is this feature not available in the trial BETA? The help file doesn't explain anything on the subject, but touts the feature. I hope that someone could clarify this for me, because I would like to purchase the new version as soon as it is available, but I want to test how well it integrates with ArchiCAD.
Thanks, and congratulations on your site's return and the release of v5.5 of Ecotect.
ECOTECT + ARCHICAD
Hello Clayton,
I have noted as well that I did not see a straight import option for .pln files (ARCHICAD files) in 5.5.
However... what I have done is save my ARCHICAD file, while in the 3D window, as a 3D Studio file I believe. From there, I was able to import that file into ECOTECT wonderfully, and did a quick lighting analysis. The model was very well imported, and very clean once I used the function "merge coincident triangles" in the ECOTECT menu. The only thing I feel did not import as well was the windows: as you know from Archicad, the windows are rather complex object, and the glass material did not translate into a glass material in ECOTECT, it was another plane. All I had to do is select the glass objects in the model (often, the archicad window object has actually 2 panes of glass per windows...) and assign a glass material to them in ECOTECT. Et voila!
Now, I am sure there is something on the back burners at SQU1 to make the process even easier...
I am attaching a shot from ecotect of an imported ArchiCAd file after using the "merge coincident triangles" feature once.
Glad to have you on board here!
Cheers,
Olivier
ArchiCAD in Release Cadidate
>> Now, I am sure there is something on
>> the back burners at SQU1 to make the
>> process even easier...
You are spot on with this Olivier
We plan to include the direct ArchiCAD integration in the first public release candidate of ECOTECT as we are still finalising aspects of its use.
We are also looking to include the IFC and (hopefully if we get enough time) gbXML support we've been working on in the same public RC. All 3 methods require a little more in-house testing before we can make them available.
If we don't manage say the gbXML integration then it will come soon after the full v5.50 release in the form of a small patch (eg. v5.51).
Hope that clarifies our plans. The reason for the documentation sounding a bit ahead of itself, is because we generally right it in long stretches updating with things we have already added/changed as well as things we still plan to add/change for the full release. So for a little while (particularly with a beta) they are a bit out of sync...
Best.
Caroline
thanks
Thanks for the clarification. It was a little confusing with the help file saying something I couldn't do with the BETA. Until I can get the official release, I'll try the 3ds method.
Desperately waiting for gbxml / IFC connectivity with ArchiCAD
I am using V5.5. From coming week, i.e, monday I have to start a project in ecotect where model has already been done in ArchiCAD 11.0. How far this gbxml thing gone, from where can I get the plugin for ArchiCAD?
Awaiting fastest reply.