It has been a very long time since the last Newcastle ArchiCAD Users meeting for which I will apologise. However, somewhat in my defence, in all that time no one has called to ask when the next one will be!

Which surprises me a little. I've always found that it is very beneficial to talk to others about the way we use the software and practice architecture because almost always, there will be a little tidbit or a major enlightenment that will help improve our efficiency and/or our presentation abilities. With that in mind, I hope to resume regular meetings beginning with a date in early August (to be confirmed) where we will also have Graphisoft give us a mini launch of ArchiCAD 15.

For those that haven't looked at the new features of ArchiCAD 15, you should certainly do so. The new Shell Tool is very exciting but I'll need to work with it awhile before I can decide how useful it will be in "normal" residential architecture. A tool that everyone is going to love is the new Renovation feature. For a complete overview, look at the following url:

https://www.graphisoft.com/register/design_webinar.html (Register and be patient - make a coffee while it downloads! Ideally, let it load completely before viewing. I found it could stutter if viewing catches up to loading and may not restart.)

And there are a heap of videos on You Tube. Type in ArchiCAD 15 and take your pick or start with the "ArchiCAD 15 - Renovation - Introduction to the renovation feature".

Now just because you've looked at the previews, don't stay away from the mini launch/meeting. There is a lot more to be learned by seeing it happen and asking questions as we go along.

I've been told to expect delivery of ArchiCAD 15 after the 22nd, so some of us will have had a chance to work with it before the meeting. Therefore after the mini-launch and your questions to David Shorter, we can sit down and have a further discussion about how the new tools and features could really benefit you personally.

If you could please email rich@radfx.com.au and state your interest in attending and your day(s) of choice (meeting is planned for late afternoon/early evening), it would be very helpful.

For more information about User Group Meetings in Newcastle, or to initiate a group meeting, please email: Sydney.
Alternatively call the Sydney office: (02) 9460 9500