New in ARCHLine.XP 2018

The environment relocation has new features in ARCHLine.XP 2018.

We can save and scan any user data that is supported by the program in a single file. Supported data includes the user-generated material library, style library, objects created by the user or downloaded from the internet, and all user settings (linetypes, sun settings, views).

The command is available in the Settings / Open and Save tab under the "Environment Package" button.

Property Manager changed: When you start an item creating command, a list of styles will appear on the left side of the interface and if you click on the style name, the selected style become active. The item you create next is made with the properties of the new style. Thanks to this solution, you can quickly switch between styles, for example, when you draw a load-bearing wall, then a partition wall and then a load-bearing wall again.

The Point Cloud is made with laserscanners to capture building and environment dimensions.

ARCHLine.XP imports point cloud files to support the design process by providing real-world context.

Wall layers can be bound to the levels. The new wall styles, combined with the parameters of the levels make the the accurate design of detailed buildings easy.

The wall styles, coordinated by the level parameters can be automatically used for elements, created at different height levels. This means that if the base elevation changes, the wall height updates to the changes automatically.

By clicking on the Ribbon Bar / Curtain Wall / Edit Layout command or on the endpoint marker on the floor plan, you can edit the front view profile of the curtain wall with which the current profile can be further edited.

You can change the appearance of the 2D symbol of the stairs to the schematic representation. In schematic mode, the components (lines, texts, etc.) are freely editable.

As a result of this command, the representation of the staircase switches to schematic representation on the floorplan, which is a freely editable group. Entering the group, the stair components (lines, texts, etc.) are freely editable. Editing does not affect the 3D model.

The BIMObject, Cadenas, Syncronia are object libraries which contains BIM models of products of leading manufacturers.

The object catalogues above contains ten thousands of elements. From the international object libraries the content can be downloaded Revit RFA, SketchUp SKP and 3DS formats and the program creates native ARCHLine.XP elements from them. The BIM parameters saved in the RFA format are copied into the created ARCHLine. XP element.

The Sketch Mode allows to edit a selected object in a blank project. After starting this command the selected element is broken into its components which can be modified, deleted or a new material can be assigned to them individually. After the modifications the components should be saved as a new or replacement object, door or window. After this the Sketch Mode should be closed.

The main function of the Sketch Mode is to repair the errors of the objects downloaded from the internet but the objects already saved in the Design Center can also be modified in it easily.

When activating the Sketch Mode the program automatically saves the actual project and puts it into the background. In the Sketch Mode only the selected object is visible and editable. To return to the saved project close the Sketch Mode.

Location of the command: Interior – Sketch Mode – Open Sketch Mode

You can create the model's exterior or interior elevation views from four predefined directions or other directions that you specify.

Factory build predefined directions are North, South, East and West.

You can place a reference elevation label on the floor plan clicking on the Elevation tag in the Project Navigator.

You can create additional exterior and interior elevation views.

Sweep is extended with vertical section on floorplan and sloped section with slope angle definition.

Example: Sweep with 500 mm vertical section and 2% inclination on right side.

The new rotating and mirroring commands make it easier to position the elements correctly. Geometric errors (eg.: upside down ceiling lights) which are frequently encountered in downloaded items can be corrected quickly with the new commands.

The command copies the floor plan to the 3D view at the same location as the 3D model. In 2018, you can move the floor plan to a more visible location than the model.

The animation can be made not only by defining points in the 2D window, but in the 3D window you can walk through the model and by clicking with the left mouse button you can define points through which the walkthrough will be completed. Using this option you do not need to define the points on which the camera focuses from that specific point, when clicking with the left mouse button the program will create the animation based on the view in the 3D window. After the last point has been placed, you can close the command with the right mouse button, after which the path of the animation becomes immediately visible on the floor plan.

The command is available in the Ribbon Bar / View / Animation / Walk and Fly / Walk.

Mounting height:  For defining the height of mounting

Mounting location:   Ceiling, wall, desktop, standing

Mounting type:   Suspended, fixed on surface

Dimmable:   Yes/No - is the lighting dimmable?

Wattage :   Energy consumption index

Luminous flux: Accomulated Lumen value

BIM parameters:   The above appear as BIM parameters, too

In ARCHLine.XPyou can set up whether the lamp is dimmable or not and you can also define the mounting height, location (Ceiling, Wall, Table, Standing) and type (Pendant or Surface) of the lamp. Setting up these BIM values will guarantee that even when you export the building into an IFC file the information about the lamp fixture won’t be lost.

In ARCHLine.XP 2018 you can recess spot lamps into the false ceiling and cut the ceiling around them. This can be set on a new tab in the properties dialog of the false ceiling. A profile can be selected based on which the program creates the hole in the ceiling. The lamp groups can be turned on and off together and their brightness can be set as one.

Rendering with more realistic IES based spot lamps

In ARCHLine 2018 the spot light cone linear intensity distribution is replaced with accurate IES light emission.

IES light emission provides physical photometric data distribution, in other words, it displays realistic light emission pattern.

New workflow is very simple and easy.

Print Queue management has changed and the new workflow is very simple and easy. Pressing the green plus button you can choose the next view to insert into the Print queue.