ArchiSuite

The architectural design sector is so variegated that every designer would like to work with his or her own particular tools.
With ArchiSuite, Cigraph intends to give ArchiCAD users customised functions for made-to-measure solutions to facilitate all stages of their work.
The project is based on the Cigraph add-ons (you will remember that an add-on is a software component allowing you to add new functions to ArchiCAD). Our aim, however, is to continue enhancing this ever-open container over time to reflect our users’s suggestions.

 

What is ArchiSuite?
Before explaining what ArchiSuite is, you need to understand what an add-on is.
An add-on is a software component that allows you to add functions to ArchiCAD.

With ArchiCAD, you can manage add-ons automatically by launching and closing them from the menu bar where a new item appears once the add-on has been installed.
You will not even know you are using an add-on. It will be just like using your ArchiCAD, but with additional functions.
ArchiSuite “manages” Cigraph add-ons (those available now and in the future).
Through the add-ons palette, ArchiSuite simply provides access to all the Cigraph add-ons present in the add-ons folder.

Not all users have the same requirements and therefore they may find some of the products present in the Suite less interesting than others. One of the advantages of our Suite is that you can customise it as you wish.
For more information on customising ArchiSuite, see the chapter “Customising the ArchiSuite package”.

ArchiSuite 16: new features

A new Plug-in: ArchiTools
ArchiSuite was designed to be an open and evolutive collector of Plug-ins for ArchiCAD and this is the way Cigraph developed ArchiTools: it brings together different, useful tools belonging to some existing plug-in and still missing in ArchiCAD 16.

ArchiCAD is becoming more powerful version after version and functions which previously neglected certain fields of application are gradually being integrated, so, as the years go by, certain plug-ins become obsolete and we can't keep them “alive” for just two or three still useful features, but we can now collect these "remaining" commands into ArchiTools.

That' s why you won't find ArchiRuler 2, ArchiWall 2, ArchiTabula and ArchiRotate in ArchiSuite 16, but you'll find ArchiTools, a sort of multipurpose Swiss penknife.

ArchiTerra 3 new features and improvements

• Improved import feature for survey in .txt format and new support for the Shape (.shp) format.
• New feature to Convert shapefile into GDL object (GIS Object)
• New feature for the terrain slope analysis
• New scarp management for the Road tool

ArchiQuant new features and improvements

• New component database management
• Position of the databases
• Suppression of derived headings
• Modified component database management interface
• New ArchiQuant settings panel

General improvements

• The single Plug-ins placed in the ArchiCAD 16/Add-Ons folder can't work without tha ArchiSuite Plug-in, that's why we strongly recommend users to place the whole ArchiSuite Folder in Add-Ons.
• These's a new Icon to lounch ArchiSuite and it can be used to customize your own ArchiCAD's Work Envirnment to have it on custom toolbar.
• Improved WIBU driver and Info dialogue box management.

Available and Supported Versions
Every ArchiSuite refers and works only with its ArchiCAD version, no matter the OS (Macintosh, Win-32, Win-64).

 

ArchiSuite 13	FULL	/	/	/
ArchiSuite 14	FULL	/	/	/
ArchiSuite 15	FULL	DEMO	/	SUPPORTED
ArchiSuite 16	FULL	DEMO	STUDENT	SUPPORTED
ArchiSuite Start Edition 2011	FULL	/	/	/
ArchiSuite Start Edition 2012	FULL	DEMO	/	SUPPORTED

Only the Suported Versions are included in the bug fixing schedule that usually takes place after every software release and will be soon available in Demo version too.

Only ArchiSuite 16 will be available in Student version and just on myarchicad.com

All the ArchiSuite versions (excepted for the Student) are available for free download in our Download Area.

The downloadable packages don't include ArchiConverter (it only works on ArchiCAD 10) and the English User Manuals are set as default. You can download rchiConverter and the other manuals in the same Download Area.

 

Inside ArchiSuite

TO DESIGN
ArchiStair - Creation of custom stairs
ArchiStair helps create stairs, even when the design constraints of a new design or renovation project make a regular shape impossible.
Through a simple quick graphic interface, ArchiStair allows you to create stairs incorporating steps and landings with imaginative custom shapes.

ArchiMap - Creation of a floor plan
ArchiMap provides all the tools needed to create a floor plan. The measurements can be entered manually, or by direct interface with the Leica DISTO-plus laser distance meter with BlueTooth connection.
As well as the drawing functions and insertion of doors and windows, the resulting plan can easily and quickly be transformed into a 3D model made up of ArchiCAD parametric elements.

ArchiTiles - Creation, laying and calculation of tiles
ArchiTiles allows you to design, visualise and calculate the laying of tiled surfaces such as floors, walls and roofs in ArchiCAD.
The surfaces can be covered with tiles already existing in the library, or new tiles created with ArchiTiles with square, rectangular, polygonal or custom shapes.

ArchiPanel - Floating floors and false ceilings
ArchiPanel can be used to represent floating floors and false ceilings, starting with a zone or ArchiCAD fill.
The surfaces can be covered using simple laying systems, or much more complex systems employing panel modules with the repetition of different shapes, sizes and materials.


ArchiMaterial - Management of surface materials
ArchiMaterial enables you to manage ArchiCAD surface materials, organising them in a user specifiable hierarchy, defining favourites and using the drag&drop technique to preview a selected material by dragging it onto the element to which it will be assigned.
You can also generate seamless tiling and images to use for bump-mapping effects, transparency, etc.
 
TO MODEL
ArchiTerra - Terrain modelling
ArchiTerra is indispensable for all ArchiCAD users needing to manage a site model, or create terrains with complex forms. You often need to place a design in context within a given setting, to create realistic visua- lisations for verification of the design’s environmental impact, or for purely town planning or landscaping purposes. ArchiTerra makes it easy to create and manage 3D terrain models.

ArchiForma - Creation of objects
ArchiForma enables ArchiCAD users to create complex shapes in absolute freedom, for 3D representation of architectural details, elements of furniture, doors and windows, or other volumes and surfaces, without using GDL.


ArchiRotare - Rotation of objects in 3D space
With ArchiRotate there are no limits to how you can arrange objects in 3D space. This add-on allows you to rotate objects in 3D space in whatever way you want.



ArchiWall - Irregular walls
ArchiWall allows you to add “overlaid-structures” to normal ArchiCAD walls, enabling simple prismatic blocks to be transformed into accessory elements with new shapes to create frames and ornamentation to make the project ever more realistic. The element created by ArchiWall retains all the geometric characteristics of the original wall, including trims to roofs and the openings for doors and windows.
 
TO COMMUNICATE
ArchiGiallieRossi - Creation of comparison overlays
The main use of ArchiGiallieRossi is to automatically (or semi-automatically) generate comparison overlays in which two situations of the same project (current and proposed situation) are superimposed and then compared.
The add-on highlights structures to be demolished in yellow (possibly with dotted lines), “new” structures in red and unchanged elements in grey.

ArchiRuler - 2D drawing
A designer often needs to complete and refine a 3D representation with technical and descriptive elements.
Remaining in the ArchiCAD work environment, ArchiRuler provides you with a useful 2D drawing tool, an easy quick way to manage all the 2D tools you need to create construction and working drawings.

ArchiConverter
ArchiConverter converts batches of ArchiCAD 6.5, 7.0 and 8.0 Project and Archive files to version 10.




ArchiFaçade - Straightening perspective
With ArchiFaçade you can modify and straighten perspective digital images (photographs of façades, objects, etc.). Mathematical transformations are used to modify the constituent points of the image distorted by perspective to obtain a straightened image.
You can thus transform your own images into ArchiCAD library parts for use in realistic photographic visualisations.

ArchiSketchy - Modification of the drawing stroke
ArchiSketchy transforms the regular stroke of a computer drawing into the warm irregular strokes of a drawing produced by hand. You can choose from seven different types of transformation, with customisable pens, lines, fills and text. You can now effortlessly present drawings resembling those produced by hand using pencil and Indian ink.
 
TO VERIFY
ArchiQuant - Quantity estimation
ArchiQuant lets you simply and immediately estimate quantities relating to the construction elements (and not only) of the ArchiCAD Virtual Building.
ArchiQuant requires no knowledge of GDL or use of ArchiCAD property objects or the calculation database.
ArchiQuant interfaces with the commonest quantity estimation programmes on the Italian market: Mastro 2K from 888 - STR Vision CMP from STR - PriMus and PriMus- DCF from ACCA.

ArchiTabula - Creation of tables, legends and graphics
ArchiTabula allows you to create or import text or numeric tables into ArchiCAD.
The contents of the tables can be processed in the form of a grid or, if conditions permit, as a graphic or diagram with various custom formats.
The contents of the tables created and placed on the plan can be updated at any time without losing the formatting.

ArchiTime - Statistical analysis of work times
ArchiTime tracks the time spent on each type of element and operation, breaking it down by work window and work day. At the end of the project, it provides you with a detailed report of the information acquired (together with explanatory graphics if required) for printing or saving as text for subsequent processing with worksheets or dedicated programs.
 

How ArchiSuite works
If installed correctly, the Design menu will include an ArchiSuite item pro- viding access to the programme’s various commands:

Show ArchiSuite Palette
This command displays the palette providing access to the various add-ons in the package.

The pop-up menu lists all the add-ons currently installed (if you have manually removed some of the add-ons in the package, they will not be listed).
Select the name of the add-on you want to use to launch it and display the corresponding tool palette.

Use the last command, Refresh list of available add-ons, if you have loaded add-ons using the Load add-on... command (see paragraph on customising the package below).

Language
To choose the language you want to use the add-on in, select the Language command and click on the corresponding button.
 
Check for updates...
Use this command to launch an internet procedure to check the availability of updates and/or new products compatible with your Suite.
Remember that to use this command correctly you must be connected to internet.
It will normally take just a few seconds for a window to appear summarising the updates available.

If updates are available, a message appears at the top of the window.
The part on the right will display either information on the latest news from Cigraph, or the characteristics of the updates selected in the list on the left.
Use the Download add-ons... button to connect to a web page where you can download updates for the ArchiCAD version you are using.

Automatic Check for updates
If this option is enabled, at the time interval set, ArchiSuite will automatically check for updates for the products you are using.
If the option is not enabled, you will need to choose the manual Check for updates... command described above to check if updates are available for your products.

About...
This command displays the following dialog box listing information which may be particularly useful if you need to contact our technical support staff.

Information on ArchiSuite and your keyplug is displayed on the left under the Cigraph Factory logo.
On the right, the Cigraph add-ons installed are listed together with their version and issue date.
If you are having problems with our software, giving this information to our technical support staff will facilitate and accelerate a response.
Use the Save as text... button to save a file containing this information to send via e-mail to our support team (support@cigraph.com).
On the left, the button with the keyplug icon and a small world can be used to connect to the web page to programme the Cigraph keyplug.
 
Customising the ArchiSuite package
The ArchiSuite folder contains the ArchiSuite add-on and the folders for the individual Cigraph add-ons managed by the Suite.

If after trying them, one or more add-ons in the package do not interest you, you can simply remove the relative folder from the ArchiSuite folder.
The “eliminated” add-ons will no longer be available and will not be loaded by ArchiCAD next time you launch it.
If you do not use an add-on continuously, but nevertheless want to use it on rare occasions, you can load it even after launching ArchiCAD using the standard ArchiCAD procedure available from the Add-On Manager dialog box.
Only some add-ons can be loaded this way.
These add-ons loaded “on-the-fly” will not be listed in the ArchiSuite palette pop-up menu until you use the Refresh list of available add-ons command (the last command in that pop-up menu).
After using this command, the loaded add-on will immediately be available for use by the Suite.
 
Managing updates and new products
As explained above, when Cigraph releases an update for one of the products in the Suite or issues a new product, it will be listed in the Check for updates... dialog box (which automatically or manually checks for new updates/products according to your settings).
If you are interested in the updates or new products available, download them using the Download add-ons... button, then proceed as follows:

• extract the package/s you have just downloaded;
• open the ArchiSuite folder in the ArchiCAD version corresponding to the product you are updating.

Then:

• if you are updating: replace the previous folder, (making sure you keep any personal elements inside the previous folder, for example ArchiQuant components files);
• if you are installing a new product: copy the folder into the ArchiSuite folder.

Important: whenever a new product is released, a new version of the ArchiSuite add-on containing the procedure to manage the new product will also be released. The updates dialog box will obviously notify you when an ArchiSuite update is available. Remember to download it and replace the previous version which will also enable you to use the new product.

Download the Archisuite Flyer