Trying to export a mixed-use project with cove.tool's ArchiCAD Plugin? This article will walk you through the basic workflow of creating custom classifications for a multi-use project and tips for creating and exporting your building's geometry. Preparing an ArchiCAD model for a mixed-use project can be done from two separate files, but this may lead to errors as you have to save multiple files as the design changes. This article provides a workflow to export geometry to two different building types from one single ArchiCAD model.
Before We Begin
Start a new project on cove.tool. On the project info page, one can select up to three building types in order to generate a mixed-use project. These building types will break up your project into multiple input sections where you can specify different geometry and engineering conditions throughout cove.tool. More information on creating a mixed-use project can be found here. Click on save and continue. Also make sure you familiar with the workflow of the ArchiCAD plugin before starting off with a mixed-use project.
STEP-1:Project Selection:
Back in ArchiCAD, Launch the cove.tool plugin. You will first be prompted to log into your cove.tool account via the same credentials you use to access the app. Once logged in, find your project name under the project list. A mixed-use project will have the project name listed multiple times with different building type suffixes (ex. "Project Name-building type 1", "Name - building type 2"). Select the first project/building type - in this case, "ArchiCAD Mixed-Use Example- Retail" as shown below. Then follow the steps to classify elements and activate the cove.tool view.
STEP-2:Classify and Create 3D view:
Once you have selected the project name of the first use type from the Projects List, click on Classify Model followed by Create cove.tool view. You should now see the created cove.tool under the View Map of your model with a graphic override. Visually inspect the objects and classify any missing objects to their proper assignment.
STEP-3:Duplicate 3D views for each use type:
Duplicate the cove.tool 3D View created in the View Map by selecting the "Save current view icon". Right click on the view and Rename the views with the corresponding use types in your project as shown below. Make to rename the views with the same format of capitalization.
In this case: Cove.Tool - Retail
Cove.Tool - Apartments
STEP-4:Assign geometry to the use type:
Next, keep the first building type view open ( In this case, Cove.Tool - Retail) and select all the elements in the second building type (Apartments), right-click and click on "Hide selection".
If geometry elements are extending to both use types, split the object and include portions in the appropriate use types.
Double check to see all geometry from the second use type is hidden, if elements are shared between use types include them in the one of the views and not both.
Now, right click on the first use type and select "Redefine with Current Window Settings".
Repeat the process with the second use type cove.tool view. Open up the second use type view and hide the geometry from the first use type and redefine the current window settings,
Make sure you have geometry present in each of the 4 required layers for the different use types in your project (Walls, Roof, Windows, Floors).
STEP-5:Export Geometry:
On the cove.tool plug-in, click the export button. When it says "export successful", return to the web browser you were using and refresh the cove.tool geometry page to load the newly-exported geometry data to the first building type. Click on the next building template icon.
STEP-6:Switch Project:
On the ArchiCAD cove.tool palette, relink your project. Under the project list, select the second building type, in this case, "ArchiCAD Mixed-Use Example- Apartment".
Now open up the second use type view, in this case Cove.Tool - Apartments. and click on the export button. After receiving the successful export message, go back to the geometry page on cove.tool and refresh the webpage to find the updated areas for the second use type.
Repeat these steps if you have an additional building template. If you do not then proceed to the Daylight Page.
TIP: Do not have any overlapping or repeated surfaces. If the roof of the retail building type is the same as the floor of the apartment building type, then only export that as a floor on the apartment building type and create a one sqft roof area for the retail building type.
STEP-7:3D Analysis:
Click on the "Go to Daylight" button at the bottom of the page or the sun icon along the left side of the page to view your building and its 3D Analysis. This will load your 3D analysis page when you can set up the environment for 3D analysis.
Happy Modeling!!