“Whaddya want—an egg in your beer?"

"Engage a ★ beta tester?" you ask. Why yes, you are right.

ArchiCAD is the beer, and, the ★ beta tester is the egg. 
When it comes to ArchiCAD, that exactly is an advantage. 

Much of the commercially upgraded software in the world, runs through periodic alpha testing and then a subsequent beta testing. Beta testing will be performed often by the end user of a particular software to 'get the kinks out'.

The code written for software, which consist of commands, routines, and subroutines, in a specific computer language, (or shall we say a language the computer can interpret to its own language of zeros and ones) generally need editing, not unlike an architect's design.  The computer code may have errors, be flawed, cause crashes.

Meanwhile, you are confident the Firm needs an upgrade from the current CADD system, but how is the software alone going to provide more profit, such that the Firm reaches an advantage above the relentless AEC industry competition ?

That is where a consultant can assist you. One by creating multi-story and single story floor ArchiCAD template files. Two, using a series of in-house customized and defined tool favorites. "Favorites" that can be collected and comprised from the specific standards the Firm already uses, and has in the current electronic files. Beta-tested.

The ★ beta tester, in the case of ArchiCAD, examines a myriad of  issues, from hardware related bugs that are within hot-links, exported files, hardware configurations, to the appearance and functional bugs, to the ultimate profit stopper, "freezes and crashes". 

A ★ beta tester's prized assistance can allow the user to create and document, her/his design more efficiently, resulting in potential prosperity for the Firm. With the benediction of the beta testers' embedded value, across time zones if need be, you may gain perks, formerly unrealized, until receiving this help.

 

Orientation Matters.  Potential prosperity for the Firm ? 

For instance, your Firm may be developing interior oriented, typical, metal or wood frame wall details. Imagine if the strategy is to fully develop these details not only in plan, but also in section and three dimensions (3D). 

Utilizing ArchiCAD Basic, Composite, and Complex Profile wall structures, residing in client’s Standard Wall Details named Files with put the users into an interstate speed zone. 

Graphisoft sought to test features in ArchiCAD 19 like the Tab Bar and Mac User interface.  As a long time Mac user, this interface feature really held this author's interest, and has become a MacBook Pro blessing.

Dimensions and Labels will definitely assist the end user providing countless assets, by way of help of you turning to an egg in your beer, the ★ beta-tester.

One thinks that the 'Surface Painter' AC 19 feature may become the most widely used incorporated routine, because of how good it is, just like gravy on the grits.  

The there are other Surface Area and Scheduling bonuses for you to use as well. IFC Enhancements for Firm wide welfare, positive, forward thinking changes.

The ★ beta tester informs how these processes can be incorporated.  

Keeping up with the competition "point clouds" are to be a hallmark in the 30 year old ArchiCAD software and will allow users the ability to compete and to create complete buildings from the imported vertical surveys.

Let this ★ beta tester know the worth of the Door/Window Settings User interfaces and improvements to Guide Lines by giving to him your account. 

Your testimonial may be the one he uses in his next blog piece. One long time ArchiCAD user who is fond of decrying the use of 'guidelines', may reverse his stand, after a few minutes of this drafting and design aid.

Worth the weight in Fort Knox gold is the Firms standardized Master Objects Library developed, then sometimes attached to the Master Template File via interactive legends, with creation ArchiCAD “objects" tools.

Comprehensive use of ArchiCAD zone tool can be useful to design for any facility, site or zoning condition.

Let the cream come to the top, while incorporating commonly used furniture pieces, imported from AutoCAD 3D files, to reside as ArchiCAD objects in a Master Furniture Library for your the client flavor of the day. 

A ★ Beta Tester does not fix a software defect, but is more than qualified to address work-flow to produce a project from concept test fits, to bid ready documents, for a complete ArchiCAD building information model database.

A ★ Beta Tester can demonstrate the advantage and necessary extras of ArchiCAD BIMx Hyper-models created and posted for client use on Graphisoft BIMx transfer site. 

Example BIMX Hyper-model shown here Use a hand held device to retrieve and review 2D plans.

A ★ beta tester deploys direction for use with ArchiCAD Cine-Renderer images which can be shown to be a godsend,  created for clients. 

S/he may use ArchiCAD Renovation Status, and, Trace and Reference Tools, extensively. You can too.

Some ★ beta testers help harness the boon to a firm to use ArchiCAD MEP Modeler assisting in creating a “Construct-ability” model, to correct clashes and conflicts like the computer programmer fixes crashes and defects.

This ★ beta tester created Near Net-0 Evaluation of prototypical super insulated enclosure structure,  knowing the ends and outs pressing into service  ArchiCAD's Eco-Designer.   Note the video file below,  contains sampling of a basic fly-around using onboard ArchiCAD commands.

The best ★ beta tester will have produced a Firm wide, adapt-able BIM ArchiCAD protocol form. Avail yourself to the form. Have the protocol form delivered directly to your email account, upon your request, from ★ Michael Scarmack, AIA ★.  (Click on name for email address.)

Scarmack has been listed by GRAPHISOFT as one of the top 20 of beta testers, world-wide, for ArchiCAD 19 Beta Testing, in June 2015.

Heart ❤️

It is a story of health. 

It started on the 9th day of Christmas in the year two thousand fifteen CE/AD. Heart, is a Christmas story.

The story-teller was quite under the weather for a few days preceding, with a nagging cold. In a flat overlooking the East River, really no incentive presented itself to leave the room on New Year's day, after having returned to the flat, very early, four seventeen in the morning, precisely, once the companion had left for warmer climes, on an airplane. A bit of sleep and recuperation was in order, for the relapsing cough.

On the second day of the new year, the story-teller, began a walk during the early afternoon from the studio flat, with an electronic pedometer in a pocket, seeking coffee, a little bite to eat, and some recommended medicine.

Upon returning to the flat, to recuperate some more, the pedometer, tracking just over two miles, accounted. Later in the day, wanting to attain the daily 5 mile goal, to be logged on the electronic tracker, a food grail was targeted.

Looking for something to eat, a Mexican fare burrito was sought, and was to be found at Pedro’s. The walking distance was 1.6 miles away, in Dumbo near downtown Brooklyn. Mapping out the pedway, an upside down L route emerged, along Furman Street and then onto Front Street, becoming the chosen course. Without getting lost, success was attained in getting to Pedro's. With the burrito prepaid, and in hand, headings for a return course back, for the 3 mile round trip, to the studio flat, via the Brooklyn Bridge Park, commenced.

Near everyone was gone out of the park, as it was after 9:00 PM & 37°, except for some soccer players, on half of a full field, playing a unwaveringly fast game, of seven on seven, players. Sitting there, taking out the all in one meal, watching a most invigorating soccer match, on the pitch, in the park, atop Pier 5 while eating about a half of the portion, restored health seemed imminent.

Ruminating on getting back to continue recuperation, the legs pushed forward, along Furman Street, onto the studio flat. Once settled in, curiosity was aroused, was the 5 miles attained, for the day? Only sudden realization formed, the electronic tracker was missing.  The conclusion closed in, after everything had been scoured in the studio, the device was certainly lost. Then remembering, attention was given the "syncing" feature, on the phone app, the evidence exposed itself. The last synced steps occurred just before eight PM. Recollection of the time at 7:51 PM on the telephone corroborated with visual acuity.

Thus the thinking was certain, the loss was in or near the coffee shop, which had been a stop, on Front Street right at that time. suggesting the mislaying must have occurred when the phone was pulled from a pocket to check the time of return.

In any event, a call to the coffee shop to confirm was in order, but of course the shop was long since closed. Knowing exactly where the device was lost, it was in order to single-mindedly plan to make a trip back, to hopefully find and retrieve the tracker, in the morning.

With a clear head, and purpose, venturing off about 8:15 AM, the 10th day of Christmas, in morning air, the feet set out. Taking the B-61 bus to the end of the line, then across the street, down the stairs, awaiting the F train, and traveling one stop to the York station. Exiting out of the subway tunnel, walking down the street, to see Pedro's restaurant and bar, in the daylight, and making a left onto Front Street, bearings to the coffee shop, were footed.

Ordering some coffee, while asking the attendant if anybody had turned in the an electronic pedometer, after some checking in the lost and found, a negative response came the reply. Buying the drink of coffee, back out to the street, retracing steps continued.

Check the trash cans, right? Stepping to the backside of the store, surely there ...  'it' is to be found, in one of those four trash cans. Debate began however, noting the eyes of 24 hour surveillance might not compute one’s odd rummaging. It was then judged to be less than a sound idea. Thus a decision made, the walk continued, the path traveled previous, pursued, knowing full well the device was lost, within a hundred feet atop that standing point. 

Correct are you, reader, in concluding the device was not found, except the story does not end, quite yet.

A thought materialized, while walking quietly into the park, across unceasing, incessant, BQE roar, call the electronic tracker company. The app’s phone menu helpfully listed, a lost and found category, available.

Telephoning the customer support, then waiting 15 minutes on hold, with noise suppression enabled, a sympathetic voice spoke. Asking some questions, doing some internal tracking of its own, and reporting, the advocate advised the item was eligible for replacement.

Indicating a confirmation was to be sent by email, as a verification that a replacement electronic pedometer was being processed.

Asking the advocate its name, the response returned, Heart.

Know now this, in this story-teller's life, the heart has a special spot, more than symbolic, always as it indeed signifies, " life “. Also, as it happens, the story-teller carries daily a little pouch, with a ‘heart’ embroidered into its body, and heart shaped zipper slider pull tab trailing.

To say elation concluded the phone call is true, it did. 

So thankful that the universe understood this loss. Yet, a knowing emerged greater than this material loss, along the pedway. What is it that comes to mind with the loss of a soul, say a father, or an aunt, or another?  The answered arrived with the speed of light. When life experiences a loss, or a soul seems lost in space-time and space, the message received was simple, Creation understands. 

There then, is the deeper significance in this event of now, a knowing of the unknown, a cosmic convergence became transfigured reality. In this unique moment, on the streets of a city, by the water's edge, seated comfortably in the park, the cloud of unknowing separated, shining clarity, comfort and command.

Earthly citizens will continue to be lost seeking their own purpose, unless their own health is fit. If native and naturalized world occupants are to be stewards of a truly health-filled planet, with very health-minded places, and living in the most healthy of architectural structures, then a home for the body, housing the emotions of intellect, soul and spirit, has a requisite. Unhealthiness untreated, is cause for diseased misery, while, wellness brings restoration, resolve and resurrection. 

The story-teller reached a shared, common, natural point, that one's twelve days of Christmas joy, brings earthlings health for a lifetime & beyond.