Typical Workflows

Analysis and design applications
The reference model concept ensures the “security” of the architectural model and the structural model files, since each office remains responsible for his/her own model. Thus, the structural engineer receives a file from the architect, but does not modify it; he/she uses the architectural information as a basis for building up his own structural model. This occurs manually, using the tools of his own software, but automatic element conversion utilities also exist to speed up the process. Similarly, the architect leaves intact the file received from the structural engineer, while taking into account its suggestions for modeling load-bearing elements. This way, each discipline’s own file is independent of the one received as a reference.
The other approach to model-based exchange is to convert the other party’s model elements into the native format of one’s own application. The converted model is transformed according to the specifications of the recipient, so the original version of the model is not preserved. This approach is most typical of data exchange between architectural and analysis programs.
See CAD Drawings for more details.
Energy Evaluation is a dynamic energy balance simulation function integrated in ARCHICAD, enabling architects to perform accurate building energy evaluations.
It is also possible to export ARCHICAD building geometry data to external energy analysis software tools via IFC or Excel. Use ARCHICAD’s Save as IFC function or the Geometry Data page of the XLS Energy Performance Report spreadsheet to extract data from the architectural model that are required for external energy calculation software.
Since the energy expert produces written documentation, as opposed to modifying the BIM model, the import of energy analysis results from external applications back into the ARCHICAD environment is not supported.