Eric Bobrow

Author Archives: Eric Bobrow

Need help with ARCHICAD?

It's a strange time we all are experiencing right now with the corona virus pandemic.

I am here to help you with ARCHICAD training, coaching and support - all virtual!

For more info on my ARCHICAD training and coaching programs, please visit archicadtraining.com/2020.

Have a question that you need help with, or simply want my guidance on something? Email me at support (at) bobrow.com.

This could be a great time to focus on learning and building your skill set, so you come out stronger on the other side.

I trust that we'll get through this eventually. Use your time wisely, stay safe and be healthy.

- Eric

1

ARCHICAD Estimating MAGIC, step by step – new ARC5D demo videos show how easy it can be

This is the MAGIC of our new ARC5D Estimating Solution:

Any ARCHICAD user can now generate accurate quantity takeoffs and cost estimates in seconds throughout the entire project lifecycle from concept through working drawings. 

Of course, it does take some knowledge and the proper setup.

ARC5D makes this a straightforward, step by step, well-supported process.

YOU can add this magic to your ARCHICAD-based office without having to get a degree in rocket science.

In fact, if you're comfortable with editing door and window schedules, and reasonably familiar with Excel basics, you have most of the skills you need already!

Two New Videos Show How Fast and Easy This Can Be

For a better understanding of how this all works, and how fast and easy it is, check out these two new ARC5D demo videos created by my partner John Hallgarth (seen here at the bottom of this screenshot of the Home Page of the ARC5D website):

ARC5D Estimating Solution for ARCHICAD - home page screenshot

In the 25 minute video on the bottom left of this screenshot, John creates a new ARCHICAD project AND generates a cost estimate (all steps shown in "real time").

However, the REALLY fun and truly MAGICAL video on the bottom right shows (in 20 short minutes) how quickly this works for a 10 story condo - a REAL project, highly detailed (including the MEP and concrete and steel structure) provided by Canadian designer Gerald Hoffman. 

Watch this video closely - the cost data and reports appear on the screen as easily as the sections, elevations and 3D views! 

ARC5D Launch Offers and Special Bonuses End Friday

This is ARC5D launch week! 

Special discount pricing is available for:

  • Quantity and Cost Estimating Course - kicks off on Wednesday. 7 live weekly webinars, with recordings posted for convenient, permanent reference.
  • AMT+C5D MasterTemplate - posted and available for immediate download. 

Special BONUS Offers:

  • Course BONUS: Step by Step walkthrough videos make it easy to follow along.
  • Template BONUS: The ARC5D example commercial project (that 10 story condo) is yours to download and study.
  • (A beautiful residential example project will be ready later this month.)

Buy the course or the template by themselves, or bundled with an optional ARC5D Implementation Coaching Program (giving you expert support when you start applying ARC5D to your own projects).

Click HERE to check out the special ARC5D launch offers and see how you can get started today.

ARC5D Launch pricing and special offer bonuses (including the Step by Step walkthrough videos and the two real-world Example Projects) are set to expire Friday night.

That's when the pumpkin arrives and sweeps these deals away...

ARCHICAD 23 Announced! (plus other Updates, News and 3 calls for volunteers…)

Graphisoft announces ARCHICAD 23!

The new version offers greater speed as well as enhanced features. For the announcement and details on what's new and improved, check out this page.

  • "ARCHICAD 23 vastly improves perceived performance of essential processes such as software startup, file opening, working in multi-project environments and switching between different views of the BIM project. 
  • The brand-new Opening, Column and Beam tools increase modeling accuracy and interoperability with engineering disciplines."

I'll be studying the new version closely to see how it changes the Best Practices workflow; often the more subtle changes (not highlighted in headlines) make a significant difference in daily work.

Graphisoft will demonstrate the new version in a special presentation at their Key Client Conference in Las Vegas June 4th that will be broadcast worldwide.

Learn more about AC23 and/or sign up for the broadcast here.

The ARCHICAD USER Jobs Board is BUSY (and totally free)

I announced the ARCHICAD USER Jobs Board one month ago, and it already has 32 positions listed, 23 applications submitted and 16 people who have posted resumes as they seek freelance or employment opportunities.

One fascinating and useful feature of the board is the Google Maps visualization of job postings showing location and offering direct links to the posts directly from the map.

The Jobs Board is a free service helping to connect ARCHICAD USERs worldwide. There are listings from the UK, Europe and Australia as well as North America.

Register free at archicaduser.com/jobs and follow the simple instructions to create an employer profile (if you'd like to post a job or an opening for a freelance consultant) or upload your resume and background (if you're seeking an opportunity to use your ARCHICAD skills).

Note: If you've registered for the ARCHICAD USER monthly webinars then you've already got an account on the website. You can simply login or use the Forgot Password option to get a reminder allowing you to login to the site.

WORLDWIDE ARCHICAD USER DIRECTORY

While you're there, I encourage you to add or update your listing on the ARCHICAD USER directory to proudly show that you are an ARCHICAD USER!

You can find other users near you on the users by country page; or type in your city or state in the search field of the main directory to discover new colleagues to connect with.

NEW ARCHICAD QUANTITY AND COSTS COURSE & TEMPLATE COMING SOON

I met today with John Hallgarth of ContraBIM to finalize plans for the new ARCHICAD Quantity Takeoffs and Cost Estimation training course and template.

John has been featured on two ARCHICAD USER monthly webinars (August 2018 and March 2019) showcasing his impressive system for deriving accurate quantities and costs from ARCHICAD models. We're working together to create a new course and an add-on for MasterTemplate that will make it easy for any ARCHICAD user to get this data and create useful, attractive reports.

ANNOUNCEMENT: We are looking for one or more projects to use as examples for testing and demonstration purposes.

If you've done a project, or are currently working on one, that could benefit from detailed quantity and cost analysis, I invite you to reply to this email with a little info (type of project, size, rough construction budget, and how far along you are in the design process) along with one or more 3d images.

Preference will be given to projects done using MasterTemplate, although all projects will be considered as long as they are modeled in detail and can benefit from quantity and cost reporting.

One or more projects will be chosen for study and use in demonstrations, and the architects or designers who submit them will be given free access to the new course and template system.

We're moving quickly on this, so if you're interested, let us know right away so we can take a look at what you've got.

To inquire or submit your project for consideration, email support@bobrow.com.

CALL FOR ARCHICAD USER WEBINAR PARTICIPANTS

I'm looking for volunteers (or referrals) for upcoming ARCHICAD USER monthly webinar presentations.

Each month I feature one or more ARCHICAD USERs on these live meetings, and we look at their projects and how they work with ARCHICAD.

Most frequently, we showcase experienced users who share interesting and noteworthy projects or innovative workflow approaches. They are an inspiration to all of us and we can all learn from their experience.

Sometimes I run a project clinic, taking submissions from users around the world who want me to review their project file and give them suggestions to optimize their file structure or organization, or to develop or improve their model.

If you're interested in participating in an upcoming ARCHICAD USER webinar, either as a featured guest for a showcase or as part of a Project Review clinic, let me know.

The next AU webinar is now planned for Thursday May 23 - YOU could be on it!
Email support@bobrow.com and perhaps I can interview you or help you with your project.

Wishing you the best in your ARCHICAD journey,

Eric Bobrow
Your friendly ARCHICAD Guru

3

65 Years on the Planet, 30 Years with ARCHICAD – Looking Back, Looking Forward

Today, April 18th 2019 is my 65th birthday!

And by coincidence (in terms of important milestones), it's my 30th year working with ARCHICAD; and last week, my ARCHICAD Tutorials YouTube channel reached 25,000 subscribers.

I'm sharing the event with my ARCHICAD tribe, and you're invited (of course) to celebrate with me this special occasion in a special edition of the ARCHICAD USER monthly webinar. 

In today's session, I'll be giving you my perspective on the ARCHICAD journey along with two guests who played very important roles.

If you're not already registered, click here to join us at 1 pm PDT or you can catch the recording later on the ARCHICAD USER website.

A BIRTHDAY GIFT

If I've helped you along the ARCHICAD journey, with my tutorials, training courses or MasterTemplate, here are two ways you can give me a birthday gift:

  1. Write up a testimonial about my work and how it has helped you on this page
  2. Buy one of my ARCHICAD products during my BIG 65th birthday sale, which runs through the end of May.

Help me celebrate at bobrow.com/65

Announcing the New ARCHICAD USER Jobs Board!

The brand new, totally free ARCHICAD USER jobs board is a community service helping users connect from across town or around the world. 

Join me on a quick tour and see how easy it is to register (it's free) and post a job or contract or upload your resume for consulting or employment.

This week I'm celebrating my 65th birthday with a bunch of new videos and announcements, culminating on Thursday April 18th with a unique edition of the ARCHICAD USER monthly webinar with two special guests. 

More to come soon!