ArchiCAD 16: Creating a Curtain Wall with Ease

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In architecture software like Graphisoft's ArchiCAD, curtain walls are essential elements for modeling complex facades in building design. In this article, we'll explore how to create a curtain wall using the latest features available in ArchiADCurtainWall - ArchiCAD 16.

Why Use Curtain Walls?

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Curtain walls serve several purposes:

1. They allow natural light and air into buildings while maintaining thermal insulation.

2. They provide structural support by transferring loads from wind, snow, or other external forces to the building's main structure.

3. They offer flexibility in design due to their modular nature.

To create a curtain wall in ArchiCAD 16:

1. Open your project and go to 'Architectural' > ' Curtain/Window Wall' > 'Curtain Panel'.

2. In the resulting dialog box, select the desired panel type (e.g., Glazed - Double-Pane Insulating Glass) from the drop-down list.

3. Configure other options as needed.

Inserting a Curtain Wall

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Once you've created your curtain wall panel:

1. Place it on your floor plan by clicking and dragging the cursor while holding down the mouse button.

2. Adjust its position, size, and orientation using the various handles available in the Properties Palette or via contextual tools such as Move/Copy Object.

Adding Structural Elements

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To add structural elements like columns and beams to support your curtain wall:

1. Select all components of the curtain panel that you want to insert structural members for.

2. Go to 'Architectural' > ' Curtain/Window Wall' > Insert Column or Beam Depending on what type(s) you need.

Tips & Tricks

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* Use snap-to-grid functionality (Ctrl+Shift+S or Command + Shift + S) when placing objects like curtain panels and columns to maintain precision.

* Consider grouping related elements together for easier manipulation later in your project workflow. To do so, select all desired items then right-click > Group.

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With these steps, you should now be able to create a functional and aesthetically pleasing curtain wall using ArchiCAD 16's powerful features. Remember always to refer back to the official documentation for more advanced techniques specific to your version of this industry-leading software!

Archicad 16 curtain wall