ArchiFrame Start – The free BIM design tool for architects

AF Start is an ArchiFrame toolkit developed especially for architects and building designers. With ArchiFrame Start you can easily add and edit planks or even create fascia boards. With ArchiFrame your creation will be professional and it can also be used in production.

  • Bridge the gap between design and production 
  • Cut down on drafting time
  • Free up your time and creativity
  • Archicad workflow and features

Tools included (all for free)

start_fascia

Fascia tool

The fascia tool is made to help placing this kind of fascia boards semi-automatically

start_add-and-edit-planks

Add and edit planks

Add and edit planks in ArchiFrame

start_convert-to-planks

Convert to planks

Converts select Archicad walls, beams or columns into ArchiFrame planks

start_cut-and-join

Cut and join

You can cut and join the planks in the ArchiFrame

start_adjust-endings

Adjust endings

This tool combines planks

start_adjust-to-operators-and-markings

Adjust to operators and markings

This tool joins target planks to operators, or trims the targets to a roof for example

start_balk-joints

Balk joints

This tool is used to make balk joints which have the balk either intact or narrowed

start_grooves

Grooves

This tool is used to make solid subtraction-like operations with selected elements

“ArchiFrame stands out for its logical structure, speed, and ease of use, as well as its strong user support. The software also continues to improve all the time!”

JAANUS PETERSON, Arca Nova Element OÜ

Let us introduce your new tools

Fascia tool

The fascia tool is made to help placing this kind of fascia boards semi-automatically:

The fascia boards must be modelled with Archicad profile beam tool. Also, before using ArchiFrame’s fascia tool the fascia profiles must be defined already preferably in the start-up template.

The process of using the fascia tool is:

    • Model the first roof manually
    • Select the ready roofs and the related fascia beams
    • Teach those to ArchiFrame
    • Apply taught fascias to new roofs

Read more…

Watch the video

Add and edit planks

With this tool you add easily planks to your design and customize it freely.

First, the settings in this palette and Archicad object settings are adjusted. If something is selected, then changes are saved to the selection. If nothing is selected, then a new plank is created for use at the chosen location. If placing a new plank, it will be selected by pressing Alt-key when adding it. Read more…
Watch the video
Tidying up the Walls and Roof
Creating a roof structure

Convert to planks

This tool converts select Archicad walls, beams or columns into ArchiFrame planks.

First, the target elements are selected and the conversion settings adjusted. The first three plank types are generic and will result in exactly the same size as the original element. For example, a glued laminated beam with any size is converted to generic block since there is no matching size stock material. Read more…

Watch the video

Cut and join

Target planks can be selected with Archicad selection tool before cutting. ArchiFrame cuts the clicked plank. Alternatively, you can draw a line that will cut all planks intersecting that line. Joint type setting Cut from watching direction cuts planks vertically in 2D and at element watching direction if cut from element elevation.

V-Cut with selected lines makes less than 180-degree angle cut according to two connected Archicad lines. Please see this video. Cutting works in floor plan, sections/elevations and in projections.

To join planks the target planks are first selected and then these will combine planks at the same line, combining all machinings.

Press shift if you want to keep small pieces left from the operation. Read more…

Watch the video

Adjust endings

This tool combines planks from ends halving the angle and leaving a given gap between the planks. Read more…

Watch the video

Adjust to operators and markings

This tool joins target planks to operators, or trims the targets to a roof for example. In addition, the tool allows the addition of markings to joining places. Read more…

Watch the video

Balk joints

This tool is used to make balk joints which have the balk either intact or narrowed. It also allows setting oversize for the female parts. Read more…

Watch the video

Grooves

This tool is used to make solid subtraction-like operations with selected elements (male parts). Male parts can be Frame-plank, log object, Archicad wall or beam. Roof is also acceptable if its slope is rectangular and parallel to the reference line. Female parts must be either ArchiFramePlanks or ArchiLogs’ log objects. Read more…

Watch the video

System requirements

Archicad 20 or above

5 GB of free hard disk space.

64-bit Windows 7 or newer, 4 GB RAM (8 GB RAM or more recommented)

MacOS 10.10.or newer, Intel or Apple silicon processor, 4 GB RAM (8 GB RAM or more recommented).

AF Start – The perfect design package for the creators

AF Start is an ArchiFrame toolkit developed especially for architects and building designers. With AF Start you can easily add and edit planks or even create fascia boards. With ArchiFrame your creation will be professional and it can also be used in production.

AF Start is one of the ArchiFrame product family. The other products are ArchiFrame (full version), AF Edu and AF Trial.

ArchiFrame

The full Archicad extension for wooden structures

AF Start

The ArchiFrame toolkit developed especially for architects

AF Edu

A light version of ArchiFrame for students

AF Trial

Try ArchiFrame for free for one month