GRAPHISOFT recently announced the release of the next upgrade to its BIM design software; ArchiCAD 16. With the version of ArchiCAD, GRAPHISOFT responds to one of the most dynamically developing segments of the BIM industry – building components – with BIMcomponents.com. Architects will find in ArchiCAD 16 a comprehensive system of design solutions that make creating, sharing, and finding custom BIM Components simple and efficient. Connecting ArchiCAD 16 with the cloud-based BIM Component database puts a fully-integrated web portal containing quality-controlled objects for sharing and use within reach.

ArchiCAD’s parametric GDL technology has been a powerful tool for professionals to create “intelligent” building components and now, architects can search for and obtain custom BIM Components for their BIM projects at a central “marketplace” for all GDL objects.

More after the break.

GRAPHISOFT takes a leadership role in supporting designing for sustainability and energy efficiency through ArchiCAD 16. ArchiCAD 16 is equipped with a fully BIM-integrated, Built-in Energy Evaluation tool. ArchiCAD 16 comes with the tools found in EcoDesigner, transforming the architectural building model into a building energy model. From the beginning of the design phase, a state-of-the-art automatic model geometry analysis function – a new benchmark for accuracy in energy simulation geometry data is available.

Architects will flex their design muscles even further thanks to the MORPHTM tool found in ArchiCAD 16. MORPHTM makes it possible to create any freeform elements desired. Without geometric limitations, any edge or surface created with the MORPHTM tool can be moved and shaped in any direction. Extraordinary modeling flexibility with an intuitive graphical properties and popular modeling techniques such as push & pull makes MORPHTM extremely useful.

As demonstrated in the video below, we see the MORPH tool being used to model the famous chimneys in Barcelona’s Parc Güell designed by Antoni Gaudi. The brick patterns can be modeled as well as the shape of the chimney. Watch how quickly the pattern of diamond shaped cut outs are achieved.

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An ornate chimney is demonstrated in the second clip. The architect begins with a smooth conical shape, adding triangular awnings to each cut out and pulling them to the desired angle. Intricate shapes, cut outs and geometric designs are created within ArchiCAD 16 by using the MORPH tool. Free flowing design is made simple and efficient.

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In the third clip we see how a simple cylinder transforms into a cone shape. The designer addes embellishments to the base and is able to manipulate them in 3D, adding decorative fills and colors to each side with a few clicks of the mouse.

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When you see color in a design, it speaks to the viewer. It is an element of design that is well supported by the MORPH tool, as demonstrated in the fourth clip of the chimney modeling. A rainbow of colors and textures spiral their way up the cone.

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The benefits of MORPHTM in ArchiCAD 16 are numerous. It allows the architect to model any shape from scratch to fit project-specific situations, without the need for importation of any special shapes from other programs. Conceptual models can be created in early phases of the design and the project environment can be quickly modeled.

By using MORPHTM – architects can select an existing element and transform it into a Morph element, then save it as a GDL object. Using graphical editing, MORPHTM can create unique geometric variations that are not supported by element parameters. Any point or surface can be extruded, stretched or filleted from any point or surface. Create holes by pushing a shape on element faces, or soften surfaces with geometrical smoothing. Transform the Morph or any of its sub-elements with permanent Boolean operations.

ArchiCAD 16 delivers important workflow and productivity updates to the GRAPHISOFT portfolio of solutions. In addition to ArchiCAD 16, GRAPHISOFT has upgraded the BIM Server™, enhanced Cloud-integrated model sharing service for BIMx users with an active maintenance contract, and support for the IFC 2×3 Coordination View Version 2.0 for facilitating OPEN BIM. ArchiCAD 16 will be released on May 30, 2012, with shipment to customers beginning within a few weeks after the official release.