BricsCAD BIM Module beta

Training Guide
 Table of content

CONTENT OF THE TRAINING PACKAGE ............................................ 1

Documentation ........................................................................................................ 1
Exercises ................................................................................................................. 1

BRICSCAD BIM MODULE BETA BASICS ............................................ 2

Network environment .............................................................................................. 2
Projects .................................................................................................................... 2
Template Project...................................................................................................... 3
3D Entities ................................................................................................................ 3
Definitions and Styles ............................................................................................. 3
Control Surfaces...................................................................................................... 5
Buildings and Storeys ............................................................................................. 5
Forms and Form Types ........................................................................................... 6
Linear Forms ............................................................................................................................. 6
Slab Forms ................................................................................................................................ 7
Profile Forms............................................................................................................................. 7
Revolution Forms ..................................................................................................................... 8
Sweep Forms ............................................................................................................................ 8

STEP BY STEP EXERCISE ................................................................. 10

Installing the Exercise ........................................................................................... 10
Add the exercise to the Project Explorer ............................................................................................ 10
Restoring the start situation ................................................................................. 11
Open the project .................................................................................................... 11
3D Model ................................................................................................................ 13
Placing forms .......................................................................................................................... 13
Placing the outside walls...................................................................................................................... 13
Aligning the exterior walls .................................................................................................................... 14
Creating the floor slab .......................................................................................................................... 15
Creating the roof slab ........................................................................................................................... 16
Manipulating Forms ................................................................................................................ 18
Moving a wall ........................................................................................................................................ 18
Rotate a wall ......................................................................................................................................... 18
Apply a new baseline to a wall ............................................................................................................ 18
Placing Windows .................................................................................................................... 19
Place windows at random .................................................................................................................... 19
Placing windows accurately ................................................................................................................. 20
Manipulating Windows ........................................................................................................... 22
Adjust the placement of the windows.................................................................................................. 22
Copying windows.................................................................................................................................. 22
Adding a new storey ............................................................................................................... 24

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BricsCAD BIM Module beta - Training Guide

Adding a storey ..................................................................................................................................... 24

Moving a storey .................................................................................................................................... 24
Defining the First Floor storey parameters ......................................................................................... 24
Copying windows and walls to another storey ................................................................................... 25
Manipulating Windows ........................................................................................................... 27
Deleting Windows ................................................................................................................................. 27
Replacing Windows .............................................................................................................................. 28
Making openings in a wall form ........................................................................................................... 29
Editing a Compound Block Style ......................................................................................................... 30
Suppressing the Confirm Save dialog................................................................................................. 31
Interior Walls ........................................................................................................................... 32
Applying the Active Storey representation script................................................................................ 32
Placing interior walls............................................................................................................................. 32
Aligning the interior walls ..................................................................................................................... 33
Applying T-connections ........................................................................................................................ 34
Creating the foundation entities............................................................................................. 35
Creating the foundation model file ...................................................................................................... 35
Creating the foundation entities ........................................................................................................... 36
Edit the Foundation storey settings ..................................................................................................... 38
Editing the first Floor .............................................................................................................. 39
Reopen the Model.dwg file .................................................................................................................. 39
Creating a new style ............................................................................................................................. 39
Creating the first floor walls ................................................................................................................. 40
Adjusting the slab/wall connections .................................................................................................... 40
Creating the stair .................................................................................................................... 43
Creating the stair landing ..................................................................................................................... 43
Creating the walkline form ................................................................................................................... 45
Creating the stair .................................................................................................................................. 46
Creating a stair handrail ....................................................................................................................... 47
Exploring Alternatives ............................................................................................................ 50
Modifying the roof ................................................................................................................................. 50
Adding an extruded wire to a control surface ..................................................................................... 50
Replacing the extruded wire ................................................................................................................ 52
Storey Settings and variables .............................................................................................................. 52
Editing a user defined variable ............................................................................................................ 53
Updating the storey control surfaces .................................................................................................. 54
Updating the stair ................................................................................................................................. 54
Frame Builder.......................................................................................................................... 55
Creating the frame script...................................................................................................................... 55
Selecting a script in a compound block style ...................................................................................... 56
Multiply materials.................................................................................................................... 57
Applying a multiply material to a style ................................................................................................. 57
Editing the frame settings .................................................................................................................... 57
Drawings ................................................................................................................................. 58
Calculating drawings ............................................................................................................................ 58
To open calculated drawings ............................................................................................................... 60
Open the plot sheet .............................................................................................................................. 62
Using Drawing Types and Representation Scripts ............................................................................ 62
Reports .................................................................................................................................... 63
Calculating a Quantify Report.............................................................................................................. 63

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Content of the training package

Documentation

 This training guide (BIM Module Training Guide.pdf)

 Powerpoint Presentation (BricsCAD BIM Module – Overview.pptx)

Exercises

Starter Exercise project (Starter Exercise (Metric).zip)

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BricsCAD BIM Module beta - Training Guide

BricsCAD BIM Module beta Basics

This introduction is illustrated by the powerpoint presentation ‘BricsCAD BIM Module – Overview’.

Network environment

 BricsCAD BIM Module has built-in functionality to manage complex projects. Each
participant may store models in a local directory. Common information about the
various projects is stored in a central directory that can be accessed by all participants.
During the installation of BricsCAD BIM Module you have been asked to point or
create this Shared Catalog directory, which must be unique and shared.
 By collecting the information stored in the Shared Catalog directory, all office projects
are accessible to each user.

Network environment: projects can be stored throughout the office network

Projects

 A project contains all the information needed to complete a particular building project.
 A file containing only 3D geometry is called a model. A drawing on the other hand is a
name given to the files containing 2D geometry like plans, elevations, and sections.
The reason for these naming rules is to make a distinction between those files
containing 3D geometry and the files containing 2D geometry.
 All model and drawing files, together with the libraries (styles, materials, control
surfaces, etc....), are stored in a project directory tree. By keeping all files organized in
a directory tree, the project can be archived or retrieved as a single unit.

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 Basics

 . Example: the project tree of the ‘StarterExercise’ project.

Template Project

 When a new project is created, it is empty. To fill up its database another project can
be assigned to be the Template Project. All resources in the Template Project are
accessible from the current project, but they are not imported automatically. Only
information that is really used or explicitly imported by the user is copied from the
Template Project into the current project.
 Each project can be a Template Project, but you can set up special template projects
that contain all resources needed to build specific building types.
 BricsCAD BIM Module comes with a series of example projects and sample template
projects, so called Library Projects, that you can use to create your first projects.
 You can swap template projects at any time without closing the current project. This
provides the opportunity to use any resource from any project at any time.

3D Entities

BricsCAD BIM Module creates a building model using Forms, or 3D elements, which define
certain geometry. Whether these elements represent a wall, slab, or any other building element
depends on the Style definition. This means that in addition to the 3D geometry, non-graphical
information is used to determine the various components of a building.

Definitions and Styles

There are many settings to be defined for placing a simple element such as a wall. These include
the layer, material, thickness and height, which is controlled by separately defining the top and
bottom of the form. BricsCAD BIM Module uses a series of definition sets to manage all

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information needed in the design process. As shown in the scheme below there is a certain
hierarchy between these sets. An Appearance definition is used in a Material and one or more
Cost Items make up a Cost Group. The Styles group together all definitions and apply them to a
form.

The mutual relationship between the various data explorers in BricsCAD BIM Module

All these data are managed in the Styles and Definitions sections of the Project Explorer. In
BricsCAD BIM Module over 80% of the project is stored in the Definitions and Styles. This
provides you the power to control the 3D model from outside the model file(s) and make sure
that all entities that share the same definition are updated correctly.
The concept of styles is very similar to paragraph styles in word processors like Microsoft Word.
In Word you can specify font size, font type and spacing. In BricsCAD BIM Module you can specify
geometrical properties (top and bottom connection, thickness, extrusion direction,...), material
definition (single ply or multi-ply) and appearances. These parameters are stored under a
particular name.
The diagram below describes how a style definition is used to build a BricsCAD BIM Module
entity.
 Appearances
 Materials
 Control Surfaces
 Geometrical and Display Controls
 Override Settings and Storey Selection

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 Basics

The user can easily apply a different style to a form or a selection of forms. By applying a new
style, the geometry and appearance of the form(s) are adjusted automatically.

Control Surfaces

A control surface should be considered as an infinite surface, dividing the design space in two
half spaces. BricsCAD BIM Module uses control surfaces to limit the extrusion of the various form
types, e.g. if the height of a form is defined by two control surfaces, the form can only exist
between the two control surfaces.

Buildings and Storeys

In BricsCAD BIM Module a project consists of one or more Buildings and each building is
composed of multiple Storeys. Each entity in the 3D model belongs to specific storey. As a result
entities can share the same style throughout the project, regardless of the storey or the building
they are in.
In each building there is an Anchor Storey of which the finished floor height is used as a
reference level to calculate the vertical position of each storey. A control surface family is then
created for each storey, containing six control surfaces: soffit of slab, top of slab, finished Floor,
sills, lintels and ceiling.
In addition to the storey control surfaces, a set of Storey-variablesis generated. These variables
are interpreted with respect to the storey of the element that is being processed.You can use the

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storey-variables in all dimension entry fields in Styles, Material definitions, Placement dialog
windows, Properties dialogs when editing forms, compound blocks or rooms and in frame
scripts.

Building and storey definitions in the StarterExercise

Forms and Form Types

BricsCAD BIM Module offers various kinds of forms, each with their own characteristics. Basically
all form types are extruded starting from 2D linear entities or shapes.

Linear Forms
Linear Forms follow a linear base entity such as lines, arcs or polylines. Linear forms have a
constant thickness and may be extruded in any direction. The top and bottom of linear forms
may be either fixed or controlled by Control Surfaces. Linear forms can be single-ply or multi-ply.
The following linear entities can be extruded: Lines, Polylines, Circles, Arcs, Ellipses, Elliptical Arcs,
Splines. Linear forms can have L-and T-connections with other linear forms.

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 Basics

Linear Forms

Slab Forms
Slab Forms are also extruded from a closed polygon but, as distinct from profile forms, use a
constant height or thickness and the side faces of a slab form can be controlled individually. Slab
forms can be single-ply or multi-ply.Slab forms can be connected to linear forms.

Slab Forms

Profile Forms
Profile Forms are extruded from a closed polyline, circle or ellipse, with fixed or free top and
bottom controls. The base shape may also be a parametric profile (e.g. a steel section shape).

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Profile Forms

Revolution Forms
Revolution forms are generated when an open or closed profile is rotated about an axis.

Revolution Forms

Sweep Forms
Sweep Forms are the result of a shape extruded along a spatial path. Sweep forms can be
considered as a complex type of Profile Form. Both the shape and the path may be parametric
profiles. For example, a complex moulding profile could be swept around a gothic arch window.

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 Basics

Sweep Forms

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Step by Step Exercise
This exercise consists of four major steps. If for some reason you did not succeed in completing
one step you can continue executing the exercise by opening one of the intermediate step
models as described in the instructions.
If you want to restart the exercise from scratch it is necessary to reset some definitions and to
delete others, as described below.

Installing the Exercise

All files and folders of the Starter Exercise (Metric) project need to be unzipped in your Projects
folder. Choose Preferences in the BIM menu to check what your Projects folder is.

Add the exercise to the Project Explorer

1. Do one of the following:

 Choose Project Explorer… in the BIM menu.
 Click the Project Manager icon ( ) in the BIM Project toolbar.
The Project Manager dialog displays.

2. Click the Add Project icon ( ) on the Project Manager dialog box.
An Open File dialog displays.
3. Double click the Project.cfg file in the Starter Exercise (metric) project folder.
The project is added in the Projects list.

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 Step by Step Exercise

Restoring the start situation

If you want to restart this exercise from scratch install the exercise again or delete some
definitions and files and check or reset a few definitions, as explained below.
Open the Step-01.dwg model file and choose Save As from the File menu. Save the file to
Model.dwg, thus overwriting the existing Model.dwg file.
In the Project Explorer dialog box:
 Under Buildings: Delete the First Floor storey in the Pavilion building.
 Under Styles:
 Reset the Windows\Type 1 compound block style: undo the changes made in
“Editing a Compound Block Style”.
 Delete the Interior Walls\Parapet form style.
 Under Definitions / Control Surfaces: Remove the extruded wire from the
_Pavilion_Roof/1 Soffit of Slab control surface.
In the Project Settings dialog box:
 Check whether the STH (Storey Height) user variable is set to 2.75 m.
Delete the Variant.bxf frame script in the CB\Frame folder of the StarterExercise project folder.
(Optional) Delete all calculated drawings in the StarterExercise\Drawing folder. Make sure NOT
to delete drawing_template.dwg, which is used as a template to create new drawings, and Plot
Sheet.dwg, which contains Xref attachments of all drawing definitions in the StarterExercise
project.

Open the project

1. Do one of the following:

 Choose Project Explorer… in the BIM menu.
 Click the Project Manager icon ( ) in the BIM Project toolbar.
The Project Manager dialog displays.

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The Project Manager dialog with the StarterExercise project selected.

2. Double click the Starter Exercise (Metric) project in the Projects list box.
The Project Settings > Models dialog window opens.

The Project Settings > Models tab dialog.

3. Select Model in the file list and click the OK button

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 Step by Step Exercise

The Model.dwg file at startup

3D Model

Placing forms

Placing the outside walls

1. Make sure the Entity Snap settings are set to Endpoint and Node.
2. Click the Linear Form Chain tool ( ) on the BIM Forms toolbar.
The Place Linear Form dialog window opens.
3. Make sure the Ground Floor storey is selected in the Pavilion building.
In the Styles drop-down list, expand the Default style and select the (21)Exterior walls
style.

Selecting a style from the Styles drop-down list in the Place Linear Form tool dialog.

4. Snap the point at position 1 to start placing the first exterior wall.
5. Snap the point at position 2 to define the endpoint of the first exterior wall.
The wall is created as a linear form and a rubber band displays the position of the second
form.
6. Click to define the endpoint of the second exterior wall. Be sure to have a square angle at
point no. 2, e.g. using the Ortho lock or the Polar setting.

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7. Switch off the Ortho lock (or press and hold the Enter key), then click to define the
endpoint of the third exterior wall as indicated in the image at step 8.
8. Do one of the following:
 Type C + <Enter> to create the fourth wall.
 Choose Close in the prompt menu.
The fourth wall is connected to the first one.

Four linear forms are placed.

Aligning the exterior walls

1. On the BIM Modify toolbar (Manipulate fly-out) select the Align Form tool ( ).
The command window reads Select Reference Form.

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 Step by Step Exercise

2. Select the first (left) linear form (drawn from point 1 to point 2). Forms highlight when
hovering the cursor over forms. Click to select the form that highlights. The command
window reads: Select Form To Align.
3. Select the third (right) linear form. The Align Form dialog window displays.

4. In the Distance between outside faces field type 550.

5. Click the OK button on the Align Form dialog window.
The selected form is aligned with the reference form.
6. Press <Enter> to conclude the alignment of forms.
The model is updated.
7. Press <Enter> to restart the Align Form tool.
The command window reads Select Reference Form.
8. Select the second (bottom) linear form.
The form highlights.
The command window reads: Select Form To Align.
9. Select the fourth (top) linear form.
The Align Form dialog window opens.
10. In the Distance between outside faces field type 825.
11. Click the OK button on the Align Form dialog window.
The selected form is aligned with the reference form.
12. Press <Enter> to conclude the alignment of forms. The model is updated.
"The Project Unit of this project is cm. If no unit is specified, an entry is interpreted as being
expressed in project units. However, you can use any unit in any project if you specify the unit in
distance fields. Alternatively you can type 5.5 m in step 4 and 8.25 m in step 10 to indicate the
entry is expressed in meters, not centimetres.

Creating the floor slab

1. Click the SE Isometric button on the BricsCAD Look From toolbar.

2. Select the Slab Form Between Forms tool ( ) on the BIM Forms toolbar.
The command window reads: Select Form.
The Place Slab Form dialog window opens.
3. Make sure the Ground Floor storey is selected in the Pavilion building.
4. In the Styles drop-down list, expand the Default style and select the (23)Floors style.

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Selecting a style from the Styles drop-down list in the Place Slab Form tool dialog

5. Successively select the four linear forms. Since the selection order of the walls defines the
sequence of the segments for the slab’s base shape, you must select the forms in a
logical order. All selected forms highlight.
6. Press <Enter> to stop selecting linear forms. A slab form is created between the selected
linear forms.

Creating the roof slab

1. In the SE isometric view, do one of the following:

 Click the Info tool ( ) on the BIM Standard (Info flyout) toolbar.
The command window reads: Select a BIM Entity, then select the floor slab.
 Double click the floor slab.
The Properties dialog window opens.

The Form Properties dialog window displays the current settings for the selected form.

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 Step by Step Exercise

2. From the Storeys drop-down list select _Pavilion\Roof.

3. From the Style drop-down list select the (27)Roof style.
4. On the Form Properties dialog window, select the Links tab. The Link info for each edge
of the selected slab displays.
5. Select Edge no. 0 and click the Overlap column of the selected edge. The Overlap entry
field of edge no. 0 is active now.
6. Type 50 in the Overlap field.
7. Click in the Far Side column to check the Far Side option, indicating the Overlap has to be
measured from the outside face of the wall.
8. Repeat steps 5, 6 and 7 for the edges 1, 2 and 3.

9. Click the Apply To Copy button on the Form Properties dialog window. The roof slab is
created as a copy of the floor slab, using a different style and modified links to the
exterior walls.

The roof slab is created.

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Manipulating Forms

Moving a wall

1. In the Top view, select linear form no. 4 (top wall). The wall highlights. Select the wall on
its outside face, to be sure the wall is selected, not the floor slab.
2. Right click and select Move from the context menu.
3. Click in the Top view to define the base point for the move.
4. Move the pointer straight upwards (90°) then type 365 at the command prompt.
5. Press <Enter>. The selected form is moved over the specified distance.

Rotate a wall

1. Select linear form no. 2 (bottom wall). The wall highlights.

2. Right click and select Rotate from the context menu. The command window reads:
Specify Base Point.
3. Click point no. 2 (bottom left corner of the model).
The command window reads: Copy/Base angle/<Rotation angle> <15>:
4. Type 15 and press <Enter>.
The selected form is rotated 15° counter clockwise.
Notice the floor and roof slabs are still connected to the walls after the movement and rotation.

Apply a new baseline to a wall

1. Launch the New Base tool ( ) on the BIM Modify toolbar (Manipulate fly-out).
The command window reads: Select Form.
2. Select the linear form no. 3 (the right hand form). The form highlights.
The command window reads: Select new base: Points/<Select entity>.
3. Select the arc next to the selected form.
The form is rebuild on the arc.

The wall is rebuild on the arc.

4. Save the Model.dwg file.

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 Step by Step Exercise

Placing Windows

Place windows at random

1. Do one of the following

 Continue in the Model.dwg model file
 Open the Step-02.dwg model file and choose Save As from the File menu, then save
the file to Model.dwg, thus overwriting the existing Model.dwg file.
2. Click the Insert Compound Block tool ( ) on the BIM Parametrics (Compound Blocks
flyout) toolbar.
The Place Compound Block dialog displays with the CB_Default style selected.
3. If not already done, select the _Pavilion\Ground Floor from the Storey drop-down list.
4. Select the Windows\Type1 style from the CB_Styles drop-down list

The command window reads: Select form to place in.

Linear forms highlight when the pointer hits such forms.
To prevent the dynamic movement of the frame from being obstructed by snap points:
click the Esnap field in the status bar to turn off the Entity Snap.
5. Click linear form no. 1 (left wall). The window now moves dynamically in the selected
form.
6. Click to place the window (see image below). The window is placed in the form and
automatically makes an opening in the form.
7. Repeat steps 5 and 6 to place a window in the curved wall (see image below).
8. Right click to stop placing windows.

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Window frames placed at random in the outside walls.

The opening in the wall is made by two subtractor forms (inner and outer subtractor). Such forms
are placed on the _BRX_SUBTRACTORS layer. Switch off the display of the layer to hide the
subtractor forms in the 3D model.

Placing windows accurately

1. Click the Insert Compound Block tool ( ) on the BIM Parametrics (Compound Blocks
flyout) toolbar.
The Place Compound Block dialog displays with the previously used CB style selected.
2. If not already done:
 select the _Pavilion\Ground Floor from the Storey drop-down list.
 Select the Windows\Type1 style from the CB_Styles drop-down list
3. Set the Midpoint esnap mode.
4. Click the Insert Compound Block tool ( ) on the BIM Parametrics (Compound Blocks
flyout) toolbar.
5. Click the linear form no. 2 (bottom wall).
The window moves dynamically in the selected wall.
6. Snap to the midpoint of the outside face of linear form no. 2.
The window is placed in the center of the bottom wall.
7. Type 1000 in the Distance field.
8. Choose Start on the From list button.

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 Step by Step Exercise

9. Click the linear form no. 1 (left wall).

The frame is inserted in the selected form at a distance of 1000 cm, measured from the
Start point along the Outside face of the form.
10. Right click to stop placing windows.

Window frames placed accurately at a fixed distance (left wall) and centered (front wall)

In the selected compound block style, the Alignment of the block is set to Center, therefore the
specified distance is measured from the start of the linear form to the center of the frame. Other
options for the Alignment of CB’s are: Origin, Left and Right.

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Manipulating Windows

Adjust the placement of the windows

Using the Info tool ( ), you can edit a compound block and accurately adjust its position in the
form.

It might be helpful to turn on the _BRX_SUBTRACTORS layer. The subtractor forms poke out the
walls on both sides thus making the selection of frames easier, especially in a top view. Make
sure to turn off the _BRX_SUBTRACTORS layer in shaded views and renderings.

1. Do one of the following:

 In an isometric view, double click the window no. 1.
 Click the Info tool on the BIM Standard toolbar.
The command window reads: Select a BIM Entity.
In the isometric view double click window no. 1.
The Properties - Compound Block dialog window opens.
2. Type 0 in the Distance field.
3. Choose End on the From list button.
The Distance field now displays the total length of the form measured along its outside
face.
4. Type /2 after the displayed value in the Distance field. Be sure not to overwrite the entry.

5. Click the Apply button.

The selected frame is now moved to the midpoint of the wall.
6. Repeat steps 2 through 5 to position frame no. 2 in the middle of the curved wall.

Copying windows

1. In the isometric view double click window no. 2 again.

The Properties - Compound Block dialog window opens.
2. Check the Distance settings and add +250 to the display in the Distance field.

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 Step by Step Exercise

3. (option) Click the = button next to the Distance field. The result of the operation displays
in all Favorite units.

4. Click the Apply To Copy button.

A copy of the selected window is inserted at the specified distance from the original.
5. Select the window no. 2 again.
6. Add -250 to the display in the Distance field.
7. Click the Apply To Copy button.
8. Save the model.

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Adding a new storey

Currently this project consists of one building, which is composed of three storeys: foundation,
ground floor and roof. You will now insert the first floor between the ground floor and the roof.

Adding a storey

1. Click the Buildings tool ( ) on the BIM Standard toolbar.

The Project Explorer - Buildings dialog opens.
2. Select the Pavilion building.
3. Do one of the following:
 Right click, then choose New Storey in the context menu.
 Select New from the Storey menu.
A New Storey is added to the Pavilion building.
4. Type First Floor to replace the default New Storey name and press <Enter>.

Moving a storey

New storeys are added on top of the highest existing floor in a building. The newly created storey
needs to be placed between the Roof and the Ground Floor storey.
1. In the Storey tree, select the First Floor storey.
2. Press and hold the left mouse button and drag the storey in the list until the Roof
highlights, then release the left mouse button. The First Floor storey is now placed
between the Ground Floor and the Roof.

Defining the First Floor storey parameters

1. In the Storey tree, select the First Floor storey.

The current settings display.
2. Define the six storey parameters as indicated in the image below.

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 Step by Step Exercise

3. Click the Done button on the Project Explorer dialog window. The 3D model updates.
The roof slab is move upwards to make room for the new storey.

In the Floor to Floor Height field you typed STH, which is a user defined variable. In a multi-storey
building this allows you to update the floor-to-floor height for all storeys at once. See also “Editing
a user defined variable” in this exercise.
In the Floor Finishing Layers field you typed 0 (zero). In the sketch phase of a design you can use
single ply slabs that represent the complete slab, including the finishing layers. Later on you can
apply a multi-ply material to the slab and define the thickness of the finishing layers for each
storey individually.

Copying windows and walls to another storey

In BricsCAD BIM Module the vertical position of building components is controlled by a control
surface. Each storey variable generates a storey related control surface. In this exercise you will
copy the floorslab, walls and windows from the ground floor to the first floor.
1. Choose Front in the Look From toolbar.
2. In the front view, use the window inside selection method to select all entities on the
ground floor.
3. Double click one of the selected entities (make sure not to click on a grip).
The Edit Selection Set dialog window opens. All settings are dimmed.
4. Check the Storeys settings stripe and select the Pavilion\First Floor storey from the
Storeys drop-down list.

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5. Click the Apply To Copy button on the Edit Selection Set dialog window.
A copy of the selection is placed on the first floor.

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 Step by Step Exercise

Manipulating Windows

Deleting Windows

1. Select the windows 1 and 2 as indicated in the image below.

2. Do one of the following:

 Press the Del key.
 Right click and choose Erase in the context menu.
 Click the Erase tool ( ) on the Standard toolbar.
The windows are erased and the openings in the walls are healed.

3. Save the model.

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Replacing Windows

In case you want to continue this exercise by opening and renaming Step-03.dwg please check
whether the First Floor storey is added and defined correctly as described in “Adding a storey”,
“Moving a storey” and “Defining the First Floor storey”.
1. Do one of the following:
 Continue in the Model.dwg model file
 Open the Step-03.dwg model file and choose Save As from the File menu. Then save
the file to Model.dwg, thus overwriting the existing Model.dwg file.

2. Click window 1, then double click window no. 2.

The Edit Selection Set dialog window opens.

3. Check the Apply Style to Selection set settings stripe and select style Windows\Type2
from the Styles drop-down list.
4. Click the Apply button. The selected windows are replaced.
5. Double click window no. 3.
The Properties – Compound Block dialog window opens:

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 Step by Step Exercise

6. Click the Apply button. The selected window is replaced.

7. Apply style Windows\Gothic to window no. 4.
8. Save the model.

Making openings in a wall form

The windows no. 3 and no. 4 are place in the ground floor walls. After applying a new style, the
windows are extended to the first floor, but they do not make an opening in the first floor walls
yet. In this exercise you will create a subractor link between the windows and the appropriate
first floor wall.
Remember you can turn on the _BRX_SUBTRACTORS layer to easily select the windows.

1. Click the Subtract tool ( ) in the BIM Modify (Openings flyout).

The command window reads: Select form(s) to subtract from
2. Select the first floor wall that is overlapped by window no. 3.
The wall highligts.
3. Right click to stop selecting forms.
The command window reads: Select form(s) and/or compound block(s) to subtract
4. Select window no. 3, then right click to stop selecting compound blocks or forms.
Window no. 3 now makes an opening in the selected wall.
5. Repeat the above procedure to make an opening in the first floor wall with the gothic
style window.
6. Save the model.

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Editing a Compound Block Style

In the previous exercises you selected a predefined style from the Styles drop-down list to place
or edit the various windows. In this exercise you will assign a different frame script and modify
the height of the frame in the style definition.
All these settings are defined in the Project Explorer dialog window. The Project Explorer
contains all settings and definitions that are used to control a BricsCAD BIM Module project.
1. On the BIM Standard toolbar click the Styles tool ( ). The Project Explorer dialog
window opens with the Styles selected.
2. In the Compound Block Styles tree select the Windows\Type1 style. Click the expand (+) or
collapse (-) icons to browse to a specific style. The settings for the selected style display.
3. Check the Script settings and select W05 from the ScriptName drop-down list. (1)

4. In the Placement Width field: type 120. (2)

5. In the Placement Height field: type 180. (3)
6. In the Bottom Control settings: type 30 in the Offset field. (4)
7. Click the Done button on the Project Explorer dialog window.
If the Confirm Save dialog opens, click the Yes or the Yes to All button.

The Project Explorer dialog closes. The 3D model is updated.

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 Step by Step Exercise

The windows in the curved wall have changed according to the modified style.

Suppressing the Confirm Save dialog

The Confirm Save dialog opens each time you are about to modify a project definition. However,
you can choose to automatically save all modifications in the project definitions without being
prompted. If you turn off the Confirm Save option all changes are immediately saved on disk. You
cannot undo the changes in the Project Explorer dialogs.
1. Choose Preferences… from the BIM menu.
The BricsCAD BIM Module Preferences dialog displays.
2. Uncheck the Confirm Save option.

3. Click the OK button on the BricsCAD BIM Module Preferences dialog.

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Interior Walls
We will now place some interior walls on the ground floor. First you will learn how to use the
Active Storey representation script to control the display of the first floor entities when working
on the ground floor.

Applying the Active Storey representation script

1. Select Active Storey in the Active Representation Script drop-down list.

2. (option) Click the Storey Above ( or )and Storey Below ( or )buttons to

toggle the display of the entities on the storey above and the storey below the active
storey.
3. Click a form placement tool in the BIM Forms toolbar, e.g. Slab Form ( ).
4. Choose Pavilion\First Floor in the Storeys drop-down list.

Only entities on the first floor display.

5. Choose Pavilion\Ground Floor in the Storeys drop-down list.
Only entities on the ground floor display.

Placing interior walls

1. Click the Top tool ( ) on the Look From tool bar to restore the plan view of the model.
2. Click the Linear Form Chain tool ( ) on the BIM Forms toolbar.
The Place Linear Form dialog window opens.
3. If not already selected, select the Ground Floor storey in the Storey drop-down list.
4. In the Styles drop-down list select the (22)Interior walls style.

5. Place two interior walls by clicking approximately at locations 1, 2 and 3 as indicated in

the image below. The two walls are L- connected.

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 Step by Step Exercise

6. Press <Enter> to stop placing linear forms.

Aligning the interior walls

1. On the BIM Modify (Manipulate flyout) toolbar select the Align Form tool ( ).
The command window reads Select Reference Form.
2. In the top view, select the bottom outside wall. The form highlights.
The command window reads: Select Form To Align.
3. Select the first interior wall. The Align Form dialog window opens.
4. Type 300 in the Distance between inside faces entry field.

5. Click the OK button on the Align Form dialog window.

The interior wall aligns with the exterior wall.
6. Press <Enter> or right click to exit the Align Form tool. The model is updated.
7. Restart the Align Form tool.
The command window reads Select Reference Form.
8. Select the curved exterior wall. The form highlights.
The command window reads: Select Form To Align.
9. Select the second interior wall.
The Align Form dialog window opens.
10. Type 200 in the Distance between inside faces entry field.
11. Click the OK button on the Align Form dialog window.
The interior wall aligns with the exterior wall.

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12. Press <Enter> to exit the Align Form tool. The model is updated.

Applying T-connections

1. Click the T-connect tool ( ) on the BIM Modify (Connect flyout) toolbar.
The command window reads: Select form to connect to
The T-connection dialog window opens.
2. Select the left exterior wall.
The wall highlights.
3. Select the straight interior wall.
The straight interior wall is T-connected against the exterior wall.
4. Press <Enter> twice (or right click twice) to conclude and restart the T-connect tool.
5. Select Along curve - if necessary - from the Extension type drop-down list.
6. In the Overlap field type -225.

7. Select the back (top) exterior wall

The wall highlights.
8. Select the second (curved) interior wall.
The curved interior wall connects to the straight interior wall but leaves a gap of 225 cm.

The interior walls connected to the exterior walls.

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 Step by Step Exercise

Creating the foundation entities

The exterior and interior ground floor walls in the current model will be used to create the
foundation walls. First you will save and close the model, and save a copy as the Foundation
model.

Creating the foundation model file

1. From the File menu choose Save then Close. The Model.dwg file closes.
2. Click the Project Settings tool button ( ) on the BIM Standard (Project flyout) toolbar
The Project Settings > Models dialog window displays.
3. On the Project Settings window select Model in the File list and click the Add copy of
model button.

The Add Copy dialog opens.

4. Type Foundation in the Name field of the Add copy window.

5. Click the OK button.

The Overwrite alert displays.

6. Click the Yes button.

A copy of the Model.dwg file is saved as Foundation.dwg.

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Creating the foundation entities

1. Click the Project Settings tool button ( ) on the BIM Standard (Project flyout) toolbar
The Project Settings > Models dialog window displays.
2. In the File list on the Project Settings window double click Foundation.
The Foundation.dwg file opens.
3. Select (none) in the Active Representation Script drop-down list.
All storeys display.
First we want to delete everything but the walls of the ground floor.
4. Click the Select tool button ( ) on the BIM Standard (Info flyout) toolbar.
The Selection Tool dialog window displays.
5. In the Selection Method drop-down list, choose Object type.
6. In the Object Type drop-down list, choose Compound Blocks.

7. Click the Add to selection button on the Selection Tool dialog window.
All windows are selected.
8. In the Object Type drop-down list, choose Slab forms.
9. Click the Add to selection button on the Selection Tool dialog window.
All slab forms are added to the selection set.
10. In the Selection Method drop-down list, choose Storey.
11. In the Storey field, select Pavilion\First Floor.
12. Click the Add to selection button on the Selection Tool dialog window.
All walls on the first floor are added to the selection set.
13. Click the Close button on the Selection Tool dialog window.
14. Delete the selection set.
15. Use the Style selection method of the Selection Tool to select all exterior walls (style =
Default\(21) Exterior walls).
16. Click the Close button on the Selection Tool dialog window.
17. Double click one of the selected exterior walls.
The Edit Selection Set dialog window displays.

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 Step by Step Exercise

18. Do the following:

 Check the Apply Storey to Selection Set option, then select the Pavilion\Foundation
storey.
 Check the Apply Style to Selection Set option, then select the
Default\(16) Foundation\Masonry style.
 Check the Delete Existing Overrides option.

19. Click the Apply button.

The exterior foundation walls are created.
20. Repeat the previous procedure to create the interior foundation walls
Style = Default\(16) Foundation\Masonry\Interior.
21. Apply the style Default\(16) Foundation\Footing to a copy of the exterior foundation wals.
22. Apply the style Default\(16) Foundation\Footing\Interior to a copy of the interior
foundation wals.
23. (option) Choose Drawing Explorer / Visual Styles… in the Tools menu, then click the
blank tile in front of the X-Ray visual style.
Choose Wireframe or 2dWireframe to restore the wireframe visual style.

The foundation walls and footings using the X-Ray visual style.

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Edit the Foundation storey settings

The height of the foundation walls and footings can be modified through the storey variables of
the Foundation storey.
Storey variables used for the foundation forms:
 Floor to Floor height (_FTF) controls the height of height of the foundation walls.
 Structural Slab thickness (_SS) controls the height of the footings.
1. Click the Buildings tool ( ) on the BIM Standard toolbar.
The Project Explorer - Buildings dialog opens.
2. Type 90 in the Structural Slab thickness field.
3. Type 200 in the Floor to Floor height field.

4. Click the Done button.

The foundation model is updated according to the modified storey settings.

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 Step by Step Exercise

5. Save and close the Foundation.dwg file.

Editing the first Floor

Reopen the Model.dwg file

1. Click the Project Settings tool ( ) on the BIM standard (Projects flyout) toolbar.
2. The Project Settings > Models dialog displays.
3. Do one of the following:
 Click Model in the filelist, then click the OK button.
 Double click Model in the file list.
4. (If not already selected) Choose (none) from the Active Representation Script list
button.
All storeys display.

Creating a new style

We will create a new style for the walls of the first floor.
1. Click the Styles tool ( ) on the BIM Standard toolbar.
The Project Explorer – Styles dialog window displays.
2. Expand the Default styles tree, then right click the (22) Interior walls style and choose
New in the context menu.
A new style is created as a child style of the selected style.
3. Rename the new style: Parapet.

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4. Do the following:
 Check the Material settings stripe.
 Type 10 in the Thickness field.

 Check the Top Control settings stripe.

 Click the Top Control Type button (1) and choose Fixed Height in the option list.
 Type 100 in the Height field (2).

5. Click the Done button to save the new style.

Creating the first floor walls

1. Use the Select tool ( ) to select the interior walls on the ground floor.
(style = Default\(22) Interior walls)
2. Double click one of the selected forms.
The Edit Selection Set dialog displays.
3. Do the following to copy the selection set to the first floor.

 Choose Pavilion/First Floor in the Apply Storey to Selection Set drop-down list.
 Select the Default\(22) Interior walls\Parapet style
 Click the Apply to Copy button.

Adjusting the slab/wall connections

1. Choose Active Storey from the Active Representation list button.

2. Click a form placement tool (e.g. Slab Form ) and select First Floor in the Storey drop-
down list.
Only entities on the first floor display.

3. Click the T-Connect tool ( ) on the BIM Modify (Connect flyout) toolbar.
4. Check the Connect to far side option.

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 Step by Step Exercise

The command window reads: Select form to connect to

5. Do the following:
 Select wall no. 1 (see image below).
The form hightlights
The command window reads: Select form to connect
 Select edge a of the floor slab.
 Right click to conclude the T-connect command.

6. Right click to restart the T-connect command.

Repeat the previous step to connect edge b of the floor slab.to wall no. 2.
Right click to conclude the T-connect command.
7. Right click to restart the T-connect command.
Type 15 in the Overlap field.
Uncheck the Connect to far side option.

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8. Connect edge c of the floor slab to wall no. 3.

Right click to conclude the T-connect command.
The floor slab is subtracted from the wall.
9. Repeat the T-connect command to connect edge d of the floor slab.to wall no. 4.
Right click to conclude the T-connect command.
The floor slab is subtracted from the wall.
10. Double click wall no. 2.
The Properties - Linear Form dialog window displays.
11. Click the Links tab.
12. Type 0 in the Overlap field of the Connection a the end.

13. Click the Apply button.

14. Set the Overlap of the Connection at the start of wall no. 1 to -100.

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 Step by Step Exercise

Creating the stair

The general procedure to create a stair in BricsCAD BIM Module is:
 Create a walkline form, which defines the shape, length, direction and height of the
stair.
 Use the StairBuilder tool to define the properties of the stair.
 If necessary, adjust the stair components.
 Use the Handrail tool to create handrails.

Creating the stair landing

1. Use the (none) representation script to display the complete model.

2. Use the rectangle tool to create a 100cm x 90cm rectangle.
3. Position the rectangle as indicated in the image below.
Use the Base option of the Rotate2D command to align the rectangle with the interior
wall.

4. Click the Slab tool button ( ) on the BIM Forms toolbar.

The command window reads: Next Entity...<Enter> to complete/<First point>
5. Select the Pavilion\First Floor storey.
Select the Default\(23) Floors style.

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6. Choose Entity in the prompt box or type e + <Enter>.

The command window reads: Enter base loop: Select entity
7. Click the rectangle.
The landing slab form is created.
8. T-connect the landing slab form to the exterior wall usig a 15 cm overlap (1).

9. Use the Extend tool () on the BIM Modify (Manipulate flyout) toolbar to extend the
parapet wall to the edge of the landing slab form (2).

10. Place a parapet wall on the stair landing slab.

11. T-connect the parapet wall to the exterior wall.

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 Step by Step Exercise

Creating the walkline form

1. Click the Linear Form Chain tool button ( ) on the BIM Forms toolbar.
The command window reads: Place linear form. Entity/<Start of polyline>...

2. Use the Endpoint entity snap to snap to points 1 and 2 (see image below).

3. Move the walkline form to the midpoint of the landing slab.

4. Click the Extend tool button ( ) on the BIM Modify (Manipulate flyout).
The command window reads: Select form
5. Click the walkline form near the landing slab.
The Extend form dialog box displays.
6. Type -5 in the Distance field, then click the Increment button.

The walkline shortens 5 cm.

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Creating the stair

1. Click the StairBuilder tool button ( ) on the BIM Parametrics toolbar.

The command window reads: Select walkline:
2. Click the walkline form.
The Stairbuilder dialog window displays.
3. In the Geometry tab page fill out the following:
 (1) Riser thickness: 0 (open stair)
 (2) Tread thickness: 4
 (3) Width left: 41
 (4) Width right: 41
 (5) Add end tread, depth: 20
 (6) Stair length = length of the walkline form
 (7) Name: Stair_1

4. In the Stringers tab fill out the following:

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 Step by Step Exercise

5. In the Materials tab:

 Tread material = (24) Stairs\Wood
 Riser material = (00) General\Air space (open stair)
 Stringer material = (24) Stairs\Steel

6. Click the OK button to create the stair.

7. Freeze the layer of the walk line form: _Walklines.
To edit a stair: launch the StairBuilder tool, then click the walkline form.
Along with the stair a control surface family is created, containing 4 control surfaces (see Stairs /
Stair Control Surfaces in the BricsCAD BIM Module Help).
All Forms created by the StairBuilder tool are added to a stair group (see Stairs / The Stair Group
in the BricsCAD BIM Module Help).

Creating a stair handrail

1. Click the Handrail tool button ( ) in the BIM Parametrics toolbar.

The command bar reads: Select base form:
2. Click the left stringer.
The Handrail dialog window displays.
3. Define the top rail.
 Click the Offset field and type 100.
 Click the Width field and type 4.

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Add two more rails.

 Click the New button ( ) to add a rail.

 Define the Offset, Width and Height of the rail.

4. Add balusters.
 (1) Set the Baluster Type to Frame.
 (2) Choose BalusterSteel from the frame script drop-down list.
 (3) Choose Stair…./Top Slope (*) from the Control Surface drop-down list.
 (4) Set the Start Offset to 0.
 (5) Set the Distance to 100.
 (6) Set the Number to 4.
 (7) Set the Width to 4.
 (8) Set the Height to 77.5

 (9) Click the New button ( ) to add the baluster.

(*) Check the walkline form ID to select the right Stair Control Surface famil (see Stairs /
Stair Control Surfaces in the BricsCAD BIM Module Help).

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 Step by Step Exercise

5. Type 3_Bars in the Script name field.

6. Click the OK button to create the handrail and save the handrail script.

7. Save the model.

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To edit a handrail: launch the Handrail tool, then click the top rail.
All Forms and Compound Blocks created by the Handrail tool are added to a Handrail Group (see
Stairs / Handrails in the BricsCAD BIM Module Help).

Exploring Alternatives
The 3D model is finished now, go to “Drawings” if you want to calculate 2D drawings now.
In the next few exercises you will model some alternatives for the current design. After each of
these supplemental exercises you can (re)calculate the drawings to see how the changes in the
3D model affect the floorplans, sections and elevations.

Modifying the roof

The shape of the roof is controlled by the Pavilion/1 Soffit of Slab storey control surface. The top
face of the exterior walls is also controlled by the Pavilion/1 Soffit of Slabstorey control surface,
as a result the exterior walls connect to the roof. The top face of the interior walls connects to
Storey Above - Soffit of slab. Therefore the ground floor interior walls connect to the first floor
slab.
By default a control surface is an infinite plane, but it can be further refined by adding extruded
wires, faces, terrain models and lofts.

Adding an extruded wire to a control surface

1. Switch on the display of the _BRX_ASSIST_CS layer.

2. Click the Control Surfaces icon ( ) on the BIM Standard (Definitions flyout) toolbar.
The Project Explorer - Definitions dialog box opens with the Control Surfaces tree
expanded.
3. Expand the Pavilion_Roof control surface family and select the 1 Soffit of Slab control
surface.
The current definition of the control surface displays and a rectangle that represents the
infinite plane of the control surface displays in the 3D model.
4. Choose Extruded Wire in the right hand pane of the Project Explorer dialog.

5. Click the New button ( ). The Project Explorer dialog closes temporarily.
The command window reads: Enter Wire to extrude : Points/<Select entity>
6. Select the two-segment polyline (see image below).
The command window reads: Enter first point of the extrusion vector.

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 Step by Step Exercise

7. Snap to the first point of the extrusion vector as indicated in the image above.
8. Snap to the second point of the extrusion vector as indicated.
The Project Explorer dialog box reopens and the new definition of the control surface is
represented in the 3D model.
9. Click the Done button.
The 3D model is updates.

Alternative 1: Saddle Roof

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Replacing the extruded wire

1. Edit the _Pavilion_Roof/1 Soffit of slab control surface.

(See steps 1 and 2 in the previous exercise)
2. Choose Extruded Wire.
3. The Extruded Wire 1 highlights in the 3D model.

4. Click the Delete button ( ) to remove the selected wire.

5. Click the New button ( ).

The Project Explorer dialog closes temporarily.
6. Select the arc just below the polyline that was used in the previous exercise.
The command window reads: Enter first point of the extrusion vector.
7. Use the same points to define the extrusion vector.
8. Click the Done button.
The 3D model updates.

Alternative 2: Curved Roof

Storey Settings and variables

The placement of entities in a BricsCAD BIM Module model depends on a style definition and a
storey. A storey definition consists of six storey parameters:
 structural slab thickness (_SS)
 finishing floor thickness (_FF)
 sill height (_SH)
 lintel height (_LH)
 ceiling height (_CH)
 floor to floor height (_FTF)
Editing a storey definition will have immediate effect on all models in the project.

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 Step by Step Exercise

For each of the storey parameters a variable is generated. Storey variables can be used in
dimension fields in styles, materials and frame scripts. E.g. if you set the placement height of
frame to _WH, the height of this window will be controlled by the storey and therefore can be
different on each floor. As a result the need for different styles per floor is obsolete and it is now
possible to compose a multi-floor project in a single model file, using the same styles on each
floor.
Edit the Height Control field of the Windows\High compound block style to see how the height of
this window is defined as the sum of two storey variables (_FTF+_LH). Therefore the lintel will be
at the same height as the lintels of the first floor windows - see the west elevation (west.dwg). At
least on condition the lintel height of the ground floor equals the first floor lintel height.

In addition you can use your own variables to control all kinds of dimensions (e.g. wall thickness,
level height, foundation depth, etc.) All models of a project will be affected when such variables
are redefined.
User defined variables can also be used to control storey variables, e.g. STorey Height (STH),
allowing to have a fixed floor to floor height that can be modified for all storeys simultaneously.
See “Define the First Floor storey”.

Editing a user defined variable

1. Click the Project Settings tool ( ) on the BIM Standard (Project flyout) toolbar.
The Project Settings dialog window opens.
2. On the Project Settings dialog window, select the Variables tab.
3. Uncheck the Show all units option.
4. Select the STH (STorey Height) variable.
The current value for the selected variable displays in the Expansion settings fields.

The Project Settings dialogwindow with the Variables tab selected.

5. Type 3m or 300cm in the Value field. Make sure to add the unit (m or cm).

6. Click the OK button on the Project Settings dialog window.

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Updating the storey control surfaces

The STH user variable is used in the Floor to Floor field of the Ground Floor and First Floor
storeys. To update the corresponding storey control surfaces do the following:
1. Click the Buildings button ( ) on the BIM Standard toolbar.
2. On the Project Explorer - Buildings dialog, select the Pavilion building.
3. Click the Force Control Surfaces Update button.
4. Click Done.
The model is updated.

Updating the stair

The height of the stair is defined by the height of the walkline form, which is defined by the floor-
to-floor height storey parameter, which in turn is defined by the STH variable. If the floor-to-floor
height is modified, the stair need to be updated.
1. Switch on the display of the _Walklines layer.
2. Click the StairBuilder tool button ( ) on the BIM Parametrics toolbar.
The command window reads: Select walkline:
3. Select the walkline form.
4. Click the OK button on the Stairbuilder dialog window.
The stair is updated.
5. Click the Handrail tool button ( ) in the BIM Parametrics toolbar.
The command bar reads: Select base form:
6. Click the top rail of the handrail.
7. Click the OK button on the Handrail dialog window.
8. You are prompted to save the handrail script. Since the script did not change, click the No
button.
9. Switch off the display of the _Walklines layer.

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 Step by Step Exercise

Frame Builder
In BricsCAD BIM Module windows and door frames are placed as compound blocks that refer to
a frame script, which is kind of a recipe that describes how to compose the frame. Frame scripts
are generated by the Frame Builder.
Frame scripts are text files with the extension *.bxf that are saved in the project’s CB\Frame
folder.
In the next exercise you will build a new frame script. This script will then be selected in the
Windows\Type 1 compound block style to replace the W05.bxf script.

Creating the frame script

1. Click the Frame Builder icon ( ) on the BIM Parametrics (Frames flyout) toolbar.
The Frame Builder dialog opens with the Template.bxf script loaded, in which a
rectangular window frame is already defined.
2. To divide the frame do the following:
 Click below the last line in the script to add a new line.
 Click the Divide button . (1)
The Divide settings display.
 In the Upper Viewer click in the frame. (2)
The ID field reads 1.
 In the Divide From drop-down list select Top. (3)
 Choose Fraction and type 1 / 3. (4)
 Click the Build button. (5)
The line is added and a new empty line is added automatically.

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3. To add an opening leaf, do the following:

 On the Tool Bar click the Add Leaf button ( )

The Add Leaf tool settings display.
 In the Upper Viewer click in the bottom pane of the frame.
The ID field reads 1.1.
 Choose Window from the drop-down list. (1)
 Click the Type button and choose Swing Both. (2)
 Click the Build button.

4. To add an inner sill, do the following:

 On the Tool Bar click the Add Sill button ( ).

The Add Sill tool settings display.
 In the Upper Viewer click in any pane of the frame.
The ID field reads 1.
 Click the Build button.

5. Repeat the previous step to add an outer sill.

6. From the Definition menu choose Save.
The Save As dialog opens.
7. In the File name field type Variant, then click the Save button.

Selecting a script in a compound block style

1. Click the Styles icon ( ) on the BIM Standard toolbar.

2. On the Project Explorer - Styles dialog select the Windows\Type 1 compound block style.
3. Select Variant from the Frame Script drop-down list.

4. Click the Done button. The 3D model updates.

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 Step by Step Exercise

Because the width and height of a frame is defined as PW (Placement Width) and PH (Placement
Height) in the frame script, the dimensions of the frame are defined in the compound block style.

Multiply materials.
In this exercise you will replace the solid exterior walls by cavity walls. We will do this by assigning
a Multi-ply material to the (21)Exterior walls style.

Applying a multiply material to a style

1. Click the Styles icon ( ) on the BIM Standard toolbar.

2. Select the (21)Exterior walls form style.
3. From the Material drop-down list select Multiply\Cavity wall 01.

4. Click the Done button on the Project Explorer dialog

The 3D model is updated.
5. Save the model.

Editing the frame settings

In the multiply walls, the frames must be moved behind the outer ply. To do so we will set the
Frame Depth setting to OP (= Outer Ply).
1. Click the Frame Builder icon ( ) on the BIM Parametrics (Frames flyout) toolbar.
2. In the Settings menu on the Framebuilder dialog window, choose Settings.
3. Select the Thickness settings category.
4. Choose Frame Depth (FD) from the Type list button.
5. Type OP in the Thickness field.
6. Choose Save in the Settings menu.

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7. Close the Framebuilder dialog window.

8. Click the Rebuild tool button ( ) in the BIM Standard (Info flyout) toolbar.
The command window reads: Rebuild (Selection/All)<Select BIM-entity>...
9. Do one of the following:
 Type a + <Enter>
 Choose All in the prompt menu.

Drawings
BricsCAD BIM Module generates drawings by sectioning the 3D model files. New models are
added to the Project Assembly automatically. However, in projects that contain multiple models,
it might be necessary to define how the models fit together: e.g. because some models are
needed multiple times while other models are alternatives, which must replace another model
file. This is done in the Assemblies group of the Project Explorer.
In this exercise the project is composed of two models: Foundation and Model. The Project
Assembly contains both 3D models. Apart from the Project Assembly four Sub Assemblies are
defined. Foundation and Model each contain only one 3D model. Project holds both model files,
while Empty holds none. In a Drawing Definition you have to specify whether the drawing
calculation has to use the Project Assembly or one of the Sub Assemblies.

Calculating drawings

1. Continue in the Model.dwg model file

2. Click the Drawings icon ( ) on the BIM Standard toolbar.
The Project Explorer Drawings dialog opens.
3. Click the Expand icon in front of Drawing Definitions.
The Drawing Definitions list expands.

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4. In the Drawing Definitions list select FloorPlan0.

The definition of the FloorPlan0 drawing displays:

5. Right click the drawing definition name and choose Update/Open from the context menu.
6. You are prompted to save the model before the update.
Click the Yes button on the DDF update window.
The selected drawing FloorPlan 0 is being calculated and will be opened automatically.
7. Close the FloorPlan0.dwg file.
8. Repeat steps 4 through 7to calculate FloorPlan1.

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9. In the Drawings Definitions list select the drawings you want to calculate then right click
and choose Update in the context menu.

To open calculated drawings

1. Click the Drawings icon ( ) on the BIM Standard toolbar.

2. Right click a drawing definition and select Open from the context menu.
The drawing opens.

In BricsCAD BIM Module we distinguish between Model files and Drawing files. Both file types are
native DWG files, but Model files contain the 3D geometry, while Drawing files are calculated
from the 3D models. Drawings can be cross sections, plans, elevations, isometric views, isometric
sections,....
All calculated drawings in BricsCAD BIM Module are plain dwg files, which can be edited without
BricsCAD BIM Module loaded.
You can save the alternatives by renaming the drawing files in the StarterExercise\Drawing
folder before recalculating.

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 Step by Step Exercise

Calculated drawing of the upper floor (FloorPlan1.dwg)

Cross Section (Section2.dwg)

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Open the plot sheet

1. In the Project Explorer - Drawings dialog, select PlotSheet in the Drawing list.
2. Right click and choose Open.
The PlotSheet.dwg drawing opens.
All calculated drawings are attached as Xrefs to this drawing.

The PlotSheet.dwg was first created as an empty drawing, because it was ‘calculated’ using the
‘Empty’ Sub Assembly and therefore it contains no geometry. All other drawings where then
attached to the PlotSheet.dwg using the BricsCAD Xref Manager tool.

Using Drawing Types and Representation Scripts

In BricsCAD BIM Module the look of a drawing depends on which Appearance is used to
represent an entity. By default an entity uses the Appearance of its material definition. But in a
Representation Script, to which is referred by a Drawing Type, you can assign different
appearances for all entities or for a selection of entities.

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 Step by Step Exercise

Reports
The ScheduleBuilder tool creates a QuantifyReport.csv file in the Report folder of the
StarterExercise project folder. All data are saved in a CSV (comma delimited) format, which can
be converted to and further processed in an Excel spreadsheet.
The export file is a CSV (Comma Separated Value) file. In order to import this file in Excel correctly
the List Separator character must be a comma (,). Go to Control Panel > Regional Settings to
check whether this is the case on your computer. Adjust the setting if necessary.

Calculating a Quantify Report.

1. Click the ScheduleBuilder tool ( ) on the BIM Report toolbar.

The Generate Report dialog window opens.

2. Choose Project in the Assembly list.

3. Choose the Quantify report type.
4. Check the csv File output type.
5. Click the Fields tab.

6. To select the fields be included in the report, do the following:

 To add a field: select the field in the left hand list, then click the right arrow.
New fields are added at the end of the list.
 To remove a field: select the field in the right hand list, then click the left arrow.
 To modify the field order: select a field then click the Up or Down button.
7. Click the OK button to generate the report.
You are prompted to save the report definition file.

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8. The QuantifyReport.csv export file opens in Excel automatically.

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