From 2D to 3D: Reimagining Archicad Presentation Graphics

 During our December Archicad User Group session, Tom Simmons, BIM Consultant with Archivista, demonstrated how presentation graphics can evolve seamlessly from early schematic design through construction documentation. Using real project examples from Fuse Architecture, he showed how Archicad’s integrated tools enable teams to create both visually compelling presentations and technically precise drawings—without duplicating work.

At its core, the session emphasized how intentional graphic workflows maintain clarity and consistency across every phase of a project.

Why Presentation Graphics Matter at Every Stage

Fuse challenges the traditional separation between presentation drawings and construction documents. Instead, their approach shows how graphic intent—color, fills, line weight,  and live 3D views—can remain consistent from concept through CDs.

By embedding presentation quality directly into the model, teams can:

• Reduce rework
• Save time
• Communicate more clearly with clients and builders

Project Spotlight: Canopy House

The Canopy House project served as a central case study, demonstrating how Archicad communicates context, materiality, and design intent—from cover sheets to detailed layouts.

Key techniques included:

• Embedding maps, terrain imagery, and color fills directly into layouts
• Using splines, fills, and background colors for expressive yet printable graphics
• Designing drawings that remain legible in both color and grayscale

Building Consistency with Color Palettes & Graphic Systems

The use of consistent color palettes and graphic systems across exterior materials, landscaping, and interiors helped unify drawings and simplify complex information.

The session also demonstrated how to:

• Create interior finish graphics using fills and symbols
• Overlay imagery for richer site context and landscaping visuals
• Integrate external drawings while maintaining clean hierarchy and framing

Live 3D Views with Print-Quality Control

A standout update was the ability to control the resolution of the live 3D view directly within Archicad layouts. With support ranging from 72 DPI up to 300–700 DPI, teams can now produce high-quality printed visuals straight from the model.

This enables teams to:

• Reduce reliance on exported images
• Use live 3D views confidently in presentations
• Maintain consistency between documentation and the model

Interior Finish Books & Integrated Documentation 

Fuse Architecture creates interior finish books entirely within Archicad, combining sketches, live plans, elevations, renderings, and client correspondence into unified project documents.

This workflow allows teams to:

• Stay within a single platform
• Eliminate tool-switching inefficiencies
• Produce polished, presentation-ready deliverables

Advanced Detailing: Walls, Roofs & Materials

The session explored advanced detailing strategies, including:

• Custom roof and wall assemblies using composites
• Color testing to ensure print quality and long-term legibility
• Complex Profiles and beams for highly detailed sections

Additional best practices included:

• Managing file sizes through external content workflows
• Storing PDFs and images in BIMcloud to prevent broken links
• Creating seamless textures and custom materials with AI-assisted tools

Scaling, Accuracy & Best Practices

A central technical discussion emphasized the importance of preserving accurate scale, particularly when developing axonometric cutaways and 3D sections in Archicad. Referencing actual sections or elevations helps ensure the drawings are both visually compelling and suitable for construction.

🎥 Want the Full Experience? Watch the Recording

This recap only scratches the surface. The full recording includes live demonstrations, real project workflows, and audience Q&A that bring these techniques to life.

To see demonstrations, examples, and full explanations, join the LearnVirtual User Group Plus Community or log in to your LearnVirtual account. User Group recordings are available to User Group Plus, Basic, and Premium LearnVirtual members.