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Standard settings, conventions, defaults, and practices need to be determined and usedoffice-wide in order to optimize the effectiveness of ArchiCAD (or any CAD of officeautomation system), turning it into a true time saving architectural efficiency tool.Use this outline as the basis of your Office Standards Manual.

Chapters

1. Stationary/templates (pre-set "starter drawings")Residential

Custom homesAdditions

Commercial

SiteSpecial2. Grid settings

Construction gridSnap grid

3. Default scale for modeling4. Preferences settings for:

Drawing unitsDimensioning unitsMouse constraintsLevels of un-doLocation of ArchiCAD temporary fileKeyboard shortcuts

5. Tool setting defaults for:Wall settingsWindow settingsDoor settingsSlab settingsRoof settingsMesh SettingsLine typesPatterns and hatchesZone settingsText and font point sizes

Room namesNotes

Sheet namesSection markersCall-out markersDetail markers

DimensionsFont and point sizeStandard distance the dimension string should be from walls or objectsWitness line gapTick mark/arrow style and pen number/thickness

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6. Layer names and layer combinations7. Line types8. Fill types9. Material types for rendering10.Composites11.Pens & colors along with respective line weights for each pen (255 total)12.Drafting symbol conventions13.Detail management and archival/retrieval

Detail layout conventionsConstruction detail marker symbols

14.Title blocks15.Window and door call-out marker system16.Drawing scales for output17.Guidelines for communication with consultants

CivilStructuralMechanicalElectrical

18.File conversion setup to communicate with other programs and consultants, especiallyAutoCAD

Customizing the AutoCAD DXF-DWG config files19.Schedule templates

DoorsWindowsFinish

20.Notes and specs (procedures for integration into drawings)21.Plotting and output strategies

Plotting in-housePlotting via a service bureau (or reprographics house)

22.Client presentation guidelinesWhat is included in standard serviceWhat are billed as extras (photomontages, VRs, animations, renderings,facilities management, marketing images, etc.)

23.Project file folder organization structure24.Object and symbol library management25.File and data backup strategies

Single computersEntire network

26.Training and professional advancementIn-house regular trainingOut-sourced training

Digital Vision Training ClassesUser Clinic participation

27.Software upgrade strategy28.

Computer troubleshooting and system integrationIn-house system manager (official or de facto computer/CADD guru)

Outside computer consultants and specialistsHardwareNetworkSoftware trainingProject AssistancePlottingGDL object creation