The Curtain Wall tool has been renewed as a powerful design tool for mid-to large-size architectural offices. We focused on improving the design process to provide a tool that is easy and fun to use.
Look for updated input methods, flexible scheme setup, usability enhancements, and content upgrades.
Easy Creation of Custom Curtain Wall Pattern
•Start with an empty Curtain Wall in Edit mode (available as a Favorite), then draw Frames in 3D, Section/Elevation or Floor Plan. Temporary divisions are created and removed automatically.
•Display the Pattern Definition Box: move, stretch or edit the Box to define the extent of your custom pattern. Once you finalize it, the Curtain Wall pattern contents and origin are redefined, based on what you drew inside the Box.
•Fine-tune the pattern at the panel and frame level, then apply it to the entire Curtain Wall (or segment).
Flexible Pattern Definition
Setting up the Curtain Wall Pattern is more intuitive than ever:
•Define Fixed Size, Number of Divisions, and Best Division logic, separately for Rows and Columns
•For Column and Row: set the one you want to end the pattern with
•When using the Fixed Size pattern logic, choose an option for how to handle the “remainder” of the Curtain Wall segment
•Preset the Pattern Origin numerically in both directions
•When inputting or editing the Curtain Wall, snappable feedback makes it easy to end on an integer number of columns
•Define panel divisions, merge panels, delete panels/frames – all at the pattern level
•Define diagonal frames at the pattern level (limitation: one diagonal frame per pattern cell). See predefined Scheme Favorites for examples.
2D Representation: MVO Control of Detail Level
•Choose a level of detail for each Component Type. For example, display Curtain Wall frames with a rectangle (simplified), Curtain Wall panels with a single plane only, (schematic), or show everything fully detailed, except for accessories that remain simplified.
•Schematic detail level still displays Opening Lines for Door/Window panels
Curtain Wall in Full Detail
Detailed Frames/Panels, Simplified Accessories
Curtain Wall in Schematic View (Floor Plan)
Curtain Wall in Schematic View (3D/Elevation)
•Create any number of Frame/Panel Classes
•Use any of these Classes at the Pattern level
•Label elements by Class, using the Label Components command (previously Label Curtain Wall Members)
•Building Materials have been moved from the System level to the Frame/Panel Class level, so each Class has its own Building Material
Smart Frame Intersections
Whenever three or more equal priority frames meet, for example in Hexagonal, or Triangular patterns, intersections are handled by ARCHICAD automatically, using the correct geometry.
Customizable 2D Representation (Hybrid Floor Plan Mode)
•Introducing the Hybrid Floor Plan Projection - instead of all-symbolic or all-projected.
•New mode for Cut display: combines Projected mode with Symbolic Panels (similar to Symbolic Door/Window display in projected Walls)
•Separate controls for Cut, Uncut, and Overhead parts. For example, one Curtain Wall can have a Projected Uncut display, Symbolic Overhead display, and a “Projected with Symbolic Panels” display for Cut parts.
•Curtain Wall-specific default library parts (frames, panels, doors, windows, accessories) have been redeveloped, with new options for Level of Detail.
New Curtain Wall GDL Content
•Detail levels of Curtain Wall Doors/Windows more closely match those of the regular doors and windows
•Introduction of Building Materials in Curtain Wall Doors/Windows (instead of Cut Fills/Cut Pens/ Surfaces)
•New Polygonal Window element: opening Hinged Window that can adapt to any Panel Polygon (e.g. Hexagonal, Octagonal, Trapezoid windows)
•New Profiled Frame: use Profiles (defined in the Profile Manager) for the Frame and the Cap
•New Profiled Edge Panel: use a Profile (defined in the Profile Manager) as the perimeter extrusion of a panel. Also define a Composite infill for the panel.
•Corner Frame handling: we have introduced 6 new corner frame types.
