Introduction
CYPE Architecture is a BIM tool for the architectural modelling of buildings.
Its design was based on two fundamental phases in the digital development of a project: the architectural design phase and the 3D/BIM modelling phase. Thus, it was designed to adopt both traditional modelling tools (surface areas, edges, intersections, extrusions, curves, etc.) and the new BIM modelling tools (walls, floor slabs, roofs, columns, etc.), which when combined allow users to move from sketches to architecture effortlessly.
Work environment
The CYPE Architecture work environment follows the style of several CYPE modelling tools and features a system of dockable windows that can be customised to adapt the workspace to the project's needs.
There are three separate tabs at the top left of the screen: "Sketch", "Architecture" and "Furniture".
The modelling area is located on the right-hand side of the start screen and is used to enter, edit and view all the project elements in 3D.
The main toolbar contains different features, depending on the tab selected.
On the left-hand side are the main tools for defining the project views, and for managing the visibility of the elements read and the own elements.
Working with the Sketch, Architecture and Furniture tabs
The CYPE Architecture program is divided into 3 main groups: "Sketch", "Architecture" and "Furniture".
CYPE Architecture has been developed on a dual sketch-architecture basis, which allows users to design the initial conception of the building via the "Sketch" feature. Then, it is given an architectural entity by means of the building elements in the "Architecture" tab. Finally, CYPE Architecture offers the possibility of furnishing the building using the "Furniture" tab.
- Sketch
Various features and tools found in traditional modelling programs are included in this tab. These include options for lines, arcs, quadrilaterals, circles, polygons, extrusion, intersection, offset or scaling, among others.
This tab aims to allow users to freely design the idea of the project, covering both the volumetric conception of the form and uses, as well as the drawing of floor plan layout diagrams.
- Architecture
This tab includes standard features and tools from BIM modelling programs such as walls, floor slabs, roofs, railings, louvres, staircases or ramps, among other options.
From this tab, the building elements can be added using the created sketch as a reference.
Alternatively, users can also choose to model directly from a CAD template.
- Furniture
Within this tab, there are several alternatives of furniture, home appliances, sanitary appliances and garden elements that can be incorporated into the BIM model.
In the architectural design process, it is essential to make a rough layout of the furniture that will allow the end clients to understand it.
Furthermore, the furniture entered in the BIM model can share information with other programs in the Open BIM workflow.
Creating a new job and linking it to a project
When launching the application and clicking on "New", users are given the option of creating a "New job", which can then be integrated into an existing project in BIMserver.center.
There is also the option to "Create new project". In this case, the created project will be visible from BIMserver.center from that moment on.
Once the new job has been created, users then access the interface, in which the graphic window showing the model or models that have been imported is displayed.
Users also have the option of starting the project without being linked to the BIMserver.center platform. To do this, simply uncheck the "Link to a BIMserver.center project" box in the top left-hand corner.
Files can be shared or imported at any time while the project is in progress via the BIMserver.center tab located at the top right of every program.
Importing BIM models
When creating a new job and selecting a project hosted on the BIMserver.center platform via "Select project", the "Import of BIM models" window appears, which shows the files contained in the project in IFC format.
The application offers users the option of including one or more of the existing models in the project. To do this, check the "Import" box and accept it.
When accessing the interface, the graphical window will display the imported models.
Importing DXF, DWG, PDF and JPG drawings
Clicking on the first tool, "DXF-DWG templates", will open a pop-up window called "Template views manager" in which templates can be managed and imported to the job in DXF, DWG, PDF or JPG formats, among others.
When clicking on the "Add" option, another window called "Available files" will appear. Here, a new file is added from "Add" and the type of format to be displayed is changed ("DXF-DWG files" appears by default). Select the file and accept the window. If the document consists of several pages, the "Page number" to be imported must be specified.
Once the templates have been imported to the job, select the tool located on the right, "DXF-DWG Templates (F4)", to proceed with the selection of views. Once the desired view has been selected, the window is accepted and it will appear in the graphic window of the current view.
In order to snap entities or elements from the previously imported DXF or DWG file, the third tool, "Template object snaps (F3)", must be activated. From the pop-up window, the "Activate object snaps" checkbox and/or the "Activate object snap tracking" checkbox can be marked, along with the references that will be active.
Reference elements: grids, lines and arcs
The reference tools allow users to generate grids and enter lines and arcs. These reference options support the development of models and diagrams and are drawn as dashed lines in the program. By default, these lines are shown in pink.
Grids and reference lines make structured geometric modelling easier. During the design phase, they can be used to draw any element in the "Architecture" or "Sketch" tabs.
Sketch design tools
CYPE Architecture's sketching tools guarantee that the program is highly flexible and versatile. Modelling started in the "Sketch" tab can later be transformed into "Building elements" in the "Architecture" tab.
For sketch-type elements, the geometry consists of the following:
- Lines that can be created with different tools (arcs, circles, polygons, etc.).
- Surfaces consisting of two faces, which can be coloured independently, and also created using different tools (arcs, circles, lines, polygons, etc.). The surface areas are automatically generated each time a set of lines forming a closed polygon is drawn.
As well as a general layer, which contains all the information created with the sketch tools, both lines and surface areas can be associated with separate visibility layers. See more on this topic in the "Managing the visibility section of the project elements" section.
The main tools for designing sketch elements are as follows:
 | Line | Entering general lines. |
 | Arc | Entering arcs. The accuracy can be determined using the "Number of segments" field. |
 | Quadrilateral | Entering quadrilaterals. They can be entered using 3 points, diagonally or by selecting a point. |
 | Circle | Entering circles. The accuracy can be determined using the "Number of segments" field. |
 | Ellipse | Entering ellipses. The accuracy can be determined using the "Number of segments" field. |
 | Inscribed polygon | Entering inscribed polygons. The accuracy can be determined using the "Number of segments" field. |
Furthermore, all elements drawn with the aforementioned tools can also be edited using the "Edit sketch elements" tools.
Grouping sketch elements
These features can be accessed from the "Drawing" group, in the "Sketch" tab.
Sketch groups allow lines and surface areas to be grouped and isolated from other elements to make it easier to manage sets of drawing elements (move, copy, rotate, symmetry, etc.).
Furthermore, the groups isolate the elements they contain from the rest of the drawing, preventing them from overlapping with each other.
The drawing editing tools will act on the groups as follows:
- "Move group of elements", "Copy", "Rotate", "Scale" and "Symmetry" will act on the whole group.
- "Extrude" will act on the surface areas, adding the extruded elements to the group.
- "Invert", "Edit", "Assign colour" and "Assign tag" will act on the surface areas, adding the properties to the group.
- "Offset" will act on the surface areas, but will not add the new offset elements to the group.
Colours and labels of sketch elements
The main tools for assigning colours and labels are the following:
- Colours
They are managed in the colour library, which is specifically for colouring elements created in the "Sketch" tab.
Two colours will be associated with each element in the list, referring to the two sides of the same surface area that can be coloured in the sketch. Users can also define the opacity of each of these colours, as well as enter them.
There is also the possibility to save the set of colours in a colour library on the computer.
- Assign colour
Se colorea cada superficie seleccionada. Funciona tanto seleccionando las superficies una a una como seleccionando varias superficies a la vez.
- Assign label
A text is assigned to each selected surface. The text size and font colour to be displayed on each surface specifying this concept can be modified.
Creating objects from sketch elements
In the "Sketch" tab, the program includes features for creating objects from drawing elements. These functions are accessed from the "Objects" group.
Drawing objects allow users to combine lines, surface areas and groups, isolating them from the rest of the elements in order to make it easier to manage sets of drawing elements ("Move a group of elements", "Copy", "Rotate", "Symmetry", etc.). Furthermore, objects isolate the elements they contain from the rest of the drawing, preventing them from overlapping each other.
When an object is created it is added to a local library, unlike drawing groups, which do not have a library. The library allows objects to be exported and imported for reuse. Furthermore, sketch objects are related to each other, so changing an object affects any copies of that object.
To modify an object, click on "Explode", make the necessary changes and then re-create the object with the same reference as the object to be changed. This will overwrite the object in the library and therefore all its copies.
The following features can be found in the "Objects" group of the "Sketch" tab:
- Library: allows users to import and export objects and access their colours.
- New: allows users to create a new object from lines, surface areas and groups.
- Insert: allows users to insert an object from the library into the project.
- Explode: allows users to break down an object into lines, surface areas and groups.
- Isolate: allows users to create a new object from an existing object that is no longer related to the source object.
- Add: allows users to add lines, surface areas or groups to an existing object. The drawing elements will be added to all copied objects.
Editing sketch elements
The editing tools for sketch elements can be applied to lines, surface areas and groups of elements. These tools shall be used when editing elements previously drawn with the tools described in the "Drawing" group.
The tools for editing sketch elements are the following:
 | Edit | Allows users to select an element and edit its parametric properties. |
 | Delete | Works in the same way as the "Delete" key. |
 | Copy | Allows users to copy elements including the same parametric properties. |
 | Move a group of elements | Allows users to move the selected elements from a reference point. |
 | Rotate | Allows users to rotate the selected elements. |
 | Rotate about an axis defined by two points | Allows users to rotate around an axis defined by two points. |
 | Symmetry (copy) | Allows users to mirror the selected object without deleting it. |
 | Symmetry (move) | Allows users to mirror the selected object by deleting it. |
 | Intersect | Applied to two surfaces, it generates a new surface area resulting from the intersection. |
 | Scale | Allows users to change the size of the selected elements. |
 | Extrude | Allows users to obtain volumes delimited by sketch surface areas from the extrusion of surfaces. |
 | Invert | Modifies the assigned colour and the direction of growth. |
 | Offset | When applied to a surface area, it allows users to obtain a new equidistant contour, either inside or outside. |
Project levels
The "Levels" tool allows BIM levels to be created. Levels are particularly important when modelling building elements as, by default, each level must be associated with a dimension. When a level is created, the program also allows an associated view to be created.
When entering building elements and spaces, an association will automatically be established with the corresponding level that has been entered. Besides this, users can always manually associate a level when entering these elements.
- Level management: This tool allows users to view the existing levels in the project and to add or delete any levels.
- Create a level at the elevation of a point: With this feature, users can create a new level at a specific height in the model by selecting it directly from a perspective, elevation or section view.
- Assign level: Allows building elements and spaces to be assigned a different level from the current one.
- Copy from another level: This tool allows users to copy elements from one reference level to another. Once the objects belonging to a given category have been copied, the new elements created will be assigned to the target level and will have adopted a new individual reference, while retaining the common characteristics.
Types library
From "Types", users can create a library of modelling elements and building spaces to be used during modelling.
Creating types makes it easier to enter data into the BIM model and is useful for establishing classifications. The definition of types is especially important for developing other building projects, either for generating thermal and acoustic analyses, for measurements in the model or for other design tools.
When entering building elements, users can select a previously created type from the type library. The types created in the project can also be exported in order to be reused in future projects. Using types appropriately will save modelling time.
Each "Type" can be assigned a reference and a detailed description, with tags if necessary. The specific characteristics of each of the building elements can also be configured.
Tags
Tags make it easier to classify building elements and spaces and are particularly useful when developing projects in other disciplines.
Tags allow users to associate specific characteristics of the elements and to associate normative parameters, as well as to establish other types of classifications such as, for example, "Walls to be demolished" in renovation projects.
The program also allows users to export and import sets of tags locally in order to use them in other CYPE Architecture projects.
BIM model data
As CYPE Architecture is a BIM modelling tool, it stores all the data of the different building elements, spaces and objects created in data tables.
These tables can be consulted via the "BIM Model" option in the bottom right-hand corner of the group with the same name.
The tables are sorted into categories, which are grouped into four main sets: "Building elements", "Openings", "Connections" and "Spaces".
Modelling the building elements
The "Architecture" tab includes all the tools for entering and editing the building elements that make up the architectural BIM model.
Once the sketch drawing has been created using grids, lines or surface areas, the building elements are entered, taking the sketch elements as a reference. Please note that sketch elements do not need to be included in order to create the building elements.
Vertical elements
The program provides the option of inserting vertical elements such as walls, curtain walls, louvres, railings and columns.
After activating one of these options, a floating menu is displayed which allows the characteristics of the element to be created to be defined.
In this menu, several features can be managed, such as typing the reference, activating or deactivating the automatic level detection, selecting the specific entry mode for each element, setting the height, or adjusting or setting the insertion point, depending on the element selected.
Each of the elements can be entered in different ways:
- Wall: can be entered by polyline, by points or by surface area.
- Curtain wall: can be entered by segment and height, by points or by surface area.
- Louvre: can be entered by segment and height, by points or by surface area.
- Railing: can be entered by points or by sketch line.
- Column: can be entered by points or by sketch line.
Horizontal elements
The program provides the option of entering horizontal elements such as floor slabs, suspended ceilings, slope formation, roof tiles and beams.
After activating one of these options, a floating menu is displayed which allows users to define the characteristics of the element to be created.
In this menu, several features can be managed, such as writing the reference, activating or deactivating the automatic level detection, selecting the entry mode that is specific to each element and adjusting it to suit the element in question.
Each of the elements has different ways of being entered:
- Floor slab: can be entered by points or by surface area.
- Suspended ceiling: can be entered by points, by surface area or by outlines on plan.
- Slope formation: can only be entered by reference points. The elevation difference and the height of the drain can also be set.
- Beam: can be entered using two points and using sketch lines.
- Roof tiles: this section offers two options, "Roof tiles" and "Special roof element". Roof tiles can be entered by points or by surface area.
Openings
The program allows users to enter openings with the following options: "Opening", "Door", "Window", "Skylight", "Glazed surface", "Position", "Update openings" and "Change opening direction".
After activating one of these options, a floating menu is displayed which allows users to define the characteristics of the element to be created.
In this menu, various features can be managed, such as entering the reference, activating or deactivating the automatic level detection, selecting the specific entry mode for each element, and adjusting and setting the insertion point, depending on the element in question.
Each of the building elements has a different entry mode:
- Opening: can be entered by geometry or by points.
- Door: can only be entered by reference points.
- Window: can only be entered by reference points.
- Skylight: can only be entered by reference points.
- Glazed surface: can be entered by points or by surface area.
- Position, Update openings or Change opening direction: unlike the other options, a pop-up menu does not appear when selecting these options. In this case, the element to be modified must be selected.
Connections
The program allows users to enter connections via the following options: "Staircase span", "Ramp span", "Curved ramp span", "Elevator/Lift", "Landing" and "Railing".
After activating one of these options, a floating menu is displayed which allows users to define the characteristics of the element to be created.
In this menu, several features can be managed, such as entering the reference, activating or deactivating the automatic level detection and adjusting to suit the element in question.
Each of the elements has different options:
- Staircase span: allows users to create staircase spans, staircases defined by three points, stair cores and spiral staircase spans.
- Ramp span: allows users to create ramp spans, ramp spans defined by three points and ramp cores.
- Curved ramp span: allows users to create curved ramp sections given the height and width, curved ramp sections given the centre and two points, as well as to extend the radius and move the centre.
- Lift/Elevator: allows users to enter lifts by reference points and defined by three points.
- Landing: allows users to enter stair or ramp landings by geometry, by points or by surface area.
- Railing: allows users to enter the railings by reference points.
Therefore, users are recommended to create all the necessary types for the BIM model before entering the building elements. This way, users can make the most of the functionality of the types and ensure coherence in the construction project.
Entering and adjusting spaces
Spaces are elements used to identify volumes, both indoor and outdoor, in the project.
Defining spaces is particularly important for the development of projects in other disciplines, either to generate an analytical model for thermal and acoustic analyses, to make measurements in the model, or for other design tools.
The basic characteristics of the spaces are: "Reference", "Level", "Category", "Colour", "Type", "Height" and "Text height".
Should there be a space with a trapezoidal section, the "Adjust space" tool should be used to automatically trim the space following the inclined planes defining the roof or possible inclined walls.
The program allows you to generate reports of the space table, which can be displayed on the screen by selecting the "Reports" tool from the top bar in the program.
The reports can be part of the project's technical specifications and are exported to the BIM model. Even the space tables can be exported to Open BIM Layout so that they can be inserted into the project's panels. Any changes to the space table due to modifications made to the CYPE Architecture model will be reflected in Open BIM Layout.
Creating and editing groups
The set of tools in the "Groups" section allows the grouping of both fixed and movable architectural elements.
Changes made to any group will also have an impact on groups of the same type, which makes it easier to model the building and make subsequent corrections.
Groups are particularly useful in buildings with repetitive elements, such as apartments or office buildings.
To create a group, the "New group" button must be selected, which will result in the appearance of a tab where a reference must be assigned to the group. Next, users select the elements of the group and right-click to confirm the selection of the elements of the group.
Several functions are available for modifying existing groups. A new group can be created from an existing group, elements can be added to previously created groups, and elements can be unlinked from a group.
Furthermore, in the "Edit groups" section, there are a number of specific tools aimed at group management, including the following: "Explode group", "Edit group", "Delete group", "Move group", "Rotate group" and "Copy group".
When selecting a specific group, the second column shows the copies linked to that group.
The third column shows the elements included in each of the examples.
Colours and textures library
The "Colours" group allows users to create a colours and textures library that will be used to generate a building with a specific aesthetic, giving it a more realistic appearance.
The texture library contains a variety of textures classified by groups (concrete, stone, timber, ceramic, grass, marble, stoneware, brick, steel, carpet and glass).
The scale factor of the textures can be changed and the desired level of opacity can be applied.
Furthermore, from the "Own elements" section, textures can be shown or hidden during modelling.
If the BIM model is exported to the BIMserver.center platform, the textured model can be displayed both on the online platform and in other programs that can be used.
Intersection solutions
When modelling walls and floor slabs in CYPE Architecture, the intersections are not solved as soon as they are entered. It is later, when the building model has been inserted, that these intersections can be solved, either automatically or manually.
Solve automatically
Allows users to automatically solve all the intersections in the model. If this is the first time resolving the intersections of a given project, choose the "All" option. If some intersections have already been solved before, and to avoid losing those intersections, select the "Pending" option.
Furthermore, the solution between the most frequent types of intersections can be activated or deactivated.
Solve manually
The manual intersection solution tools allow users to solve intersections that have not been solved automatically. Each of the functions that can be performed is described below:
 | Delete | Allows users to remove an element. |
 | Regenerate | Allows users to restore the original geometry of the object (i.e. undo all changes made by the other tools in the group). |
 | Cut by plane | Allows users to remove the part of an object that lies on one side of the selected plane (unlike "Slice by surface" the cutting plane can be defined by surfaces of other objects). |
 | Slice with surface | Allows users to remove the part of an object that lies on one side of the plane defined by one of its surfaces. |
 | Subtract | Allows users to remove the intersection between two elements. The intersection is removed from the first selected element. |
 | Extend face | Allows users to select the surface of an object and stretch it to a reference plane. |
Solution of selected elements
This tool allows users to solve intersections between walls and between walls and floor slabs, by previously selecting the elements where the intersections are to be solved.
This tool is very useful when a specific intersection needs to be solved.
Entering furniture, household appliances and other elements
Furniture is fundamental for the design of the building and allows end clients to understand the distribution and function of each of the spaces. This is why CYPE Architecture has 3 three furniture libraries: the generic elements library, the user library and the manufacturers' library.
Generic element library
The generic elements library is located in the "Furniture" tab in the "Furniture", "Home appliances", "Sanitary appliances" and "Garden" groups.
Each group has different options. In turn, these options contain various types of elements that can be customised according to the user's preferences, allowing the dimensions, colour and transparency to be modified.
If the "Level" checkbox is activated, the desired level for entering the element can be chosen; if the checkbox is left unchecked, the level is automatically detected. Also, to make it easier to enter the elements, users can choose the "Insertion point".
From the toolbar, users can adjust the position of the furniture to be inserted by using the arrows on the blue bar located in the work area.
Furniture
In the "Furniture" group, the following options are available: stool, chair, bed, sofa, table, cabinet, worktop, storage, shelf and counter.
The shelf, worktop, cabinet and counter options are editable, and the program allows the element to be drawn either centred, to the right or to the left of the entry line.
The rest of the options have different types to choose from. Some of the types are shown below.
Home appliances
In the "Home appliances" group, the following options are available: extractor fan, cooker, microwave, refrigerator, computer, television, washing machine and dishwasher.
Some of the available types are shown below.
Sanitary appliances
The following options are available in the "Sanitary appliances" group: washbasin, sink, bath, shower, bidet and toilet.
Some of the available types are shown below.
Garden
In the "Garden" group, the following options are available: swimming pool, vegetation, shade, playground equipment and sports (sports fields and courts).
Some of the available types are shown below.
User furniture library
As well as the generic library, CYPE Architecture allows "User objects" to be imported, which makes it possible for users to create a library of their own.
The library allows objects in ".ifc", ".obj" and ".step" formats to be imported.
The "User objects" group is located in the "Furniture" tab and has two options:
- Library
From here, users can import objects and create their own library that can be used in the current project or other CYPE Architecture projects.
The library also allows users to modify the properties of the imported object (type, scale factor, drawing both sides of the surfaces).
- Insert
This function is used to insert the objects available in the user library. When searching for objects to be inserted, they are sorted according to the classification indicated in the library.
Furthermore, using the "Insertion point" option, users can select the point for inserting the element and specify whether this point corresponds to the top or lower face.
Electrical appliances, for example, pass the requirements for sockets to CYPELEC devices. Sanitary appliances pass the requirements for cold water points and drains to CYPEPLUMBING Sanitary Systems and CYPEPLUMBING Water Systems.
Editing tools for building elements
The "Architecture" tab includes a set of general editing tools:
| Edit | Allows users to select an element and edit its parametric properties. |
| Delete | It works in the same way as pressing the "Delete" key. |
| Copy | Allows users to copy elements including the same parametric properties. |
| Move element group | Allows users to select multiple elements. Right-clicking will end the selection. |
| Rotate | Allows users to rotate the selected elements. |
| Symmetry (copy) | Allows users to mirror the selected object without deleting it. |
| Symmetry (move) | Allows users to mirror the selected object by deleting it. |
 | Copy the properties | Allows users to transfer the following properties between elements: level, description, category, height, thickness and colour. |
 | Search by reference | Allows users to search for elements by reference. |
 | Edit geometry | Allows users to edit the vertices of an existing architectural element. |
 | Divide wall or floor slab | Allows users to divide the selected wall or floor slab. |
Managing the visibility of project elements
The visibility of the different elements needed to model the project can be managed through three sections on the right-hand side of the main interface of the program:
- Views: using this option, users can create, edit, save the start scene and return to the start scene.
- Elements read: these are the elements exported from other disciplines.
- Own elements: these are the elements created in this particular program.
Visibility monitoring tools to support the modelling
In the top right corner of the 3D viewing area is a toolbar that allows users to control the visibility of the model during the modelling process.
This bar offers various options to make it easier to manage and visualise the project. Some of the options are shown in the following image.
The first section covers the options for controlling the display modes of the model:
- Projection: opens a window that allows users to select predefined projections, such as top view, front view, isometric view, orthogonal view, etc.
- Projection type: modifies the type of projection from axonometric to conic and vice versa.
- Rotation around a point: activates or deactivates the rotation of the scene around a point of an object located under the cursor.
- Rotation around the camera: activates or deactivates the rotation of the scene around the vertical axis of the camera.
The following 5 options allow users to create sections for viewing the BIM model from different perspectives and to create customised views.
- Section perpendicular to the global "X" axis: allows users to define a section of the model perpendicular to the global "X" axis.
- Section perpendicular to the global "Y" axis: allows users to define a section of the model perpendicular to the global "Y" axis.
- Section perpendicular to the global "Z" axis: allows users to define a section of the model perpendicular to the global "Z" axis.
- Clip volume: allows users to define a display volume using 6 cutting planes that is formed from the geometric envelope of the scene content.
- Show/Hide section planes: allows users to manage the visibility of the lines and symbols of the sections created.
Shadow display
CYPE Architecture allows users to view the model's own shadows and those cast by adjacent buildings.
To do this, the location of the job must be specified by entering the latitude and north with the "Shadows" option in the "Own elements" panel. Furthermore, the "Options" icon is located in the top right bar of the work area, which allows users to choose the solar hour and the day of the year for which they want to reproduce the shadows, as well as to show the position of the sun and its trajectory.
With this feature, users can add a greater degree of realism to the project, allowing them to visualise which parts of the project will be affected by the shadows.
Results output
Architectural model in IFC format
Before exporting, users can configure whether the file content will be limited to the elements visible at the time of export or whether it will include all modelled elements.
The export of the architectural model in IFC format is carried out via the "Share" option, in the "BIMserver.center" group.
Generating and exporting DWG templates in floor plans
When exporting an IFC file to the BIMserver.center platform, users can carry out the following:
- Choose to include, together with the IFC file, the DWG/DXF files used as a reference for the modelling associated with the views created in CYPE Architecture.
- Choose to automatically generate new DWG templates from the BIM model in each plan view. This feature is especially useful for making modelling work easier in other CYPE tools.
glTF file compatible with BIMserver.center
When exporting a project to the BIMserver.center platform, a 3D model in glTF format will be automatically exported to integrate the structure model into the Open BIM project, thus enabling the following:
- Viewing the model on the online platform.
- Viewing the model in the BIMserver.center application for iOS and Android.
- Viewing the model in virtual reality and augmented reality.
- Viewing the model in other CYPE tools.
Exporting the 3D model in FBX format for rendering programs
The models generated in CYPE Architecture can be used to obtain photorealistic images through renderings. Several CYPE programs export to FBX format via the "Print" option, which will be available whenever the program has modelling or 3D viewing options. This format is one of the most widely used in rendering programs.
The colours and textures included in the architectural model in CYPE Architecture will be exported to FBX format in separate layers. These colours and textures can be used directly in the rendering programs, or they can be used to classify the different parts of the elements and then replaced by new textures from the rendering programs.
Exporting the model in other formats
The model can be exported in other formats, in addition to the exports mentioned above, both 2D and 3D:
- DXF 2D
- DWG 2D
- DXF 3D
- DWG 3D
- Windows Enhanced Metafile (EMF)
- Windows bitmap (BMP)
- JPG
- PNG
- glTF
Reports in PDF
CYPE Architecture exports information to the BIM project that it is connected to via the "Reports" option. By means of this feature, the program can interpret and transfer relevant data such as the "Building envelope", "Partitioning system" and "Surface area table". This integration makes it easier to synchronise and exchange important data between CYPE Architecture and other BIM programs.
- Descriptive report. Building envelope: this function creates a PDF report of all the building elements that make up the project's envelope, classifying them into: façades, roofs, screeds, exterior doors and exterior windows.
- Descriptive report. Partitioning system: this option generates a PDF report of all the building elements that are not part of the project envelope, grouping them into: partitions, intermediate floor slabs, interior doors and interior windows.
- Descriptive report. Surface area table: this option creates a PDF document that includes a surface area table for each space created from CYPE Architecture, indicating the type, group and level.
Printing drawings
From "Drawings", in the "Edit sheets" window, in the sheets section, there is an option to print the drawings generated in PDF, DWG and DXF.
It is also possible to choose whether to export them in a single file or to export each sheet in a separate file.
The program also allows the export of scene views as a vector image or as a rendered image.
Integration into the BIMserver.center platform
Many of CYPE's programs are connected to the BIMserver.center platform and allow collaborative work to be carried out via the exchange of files in formats based on open standards.
Please note that, to work on BIMserver.center, users can register on the platform free of charge and create a profile.
When accessing a program connected to the platform, the program connects to a project in BIMserver.center. This way, the files of the projects that have been developed collaboratively in BIMserver.center are kept up to date.
Options available in CYPE Architecture
In the top right corner of the main toolbar are the tools needed to use CYPE Architecture along with other BIMserver.center tools.
Importing and updating BIM models
The "Update" button can be used to update the information contained in the models previously imported into the project or to import new models if desired.
In the "Update BIM model" window, using the "Project selection" button, users can choose which project will be connected to the CYPE Architecture BIM model from the user's list of projects in BIMserver.center.
Via the "Geographical location and reference system" option, users can set the geographical location data and the reference system of the model.
Sharing the BIM model with other users
The "Share" button can be used to export the information contained in the model developed in CYPE Architecture to the BIMserver.center platform.
During the export process, different details related to the identification of the files to be exported and the types of files to be generated can be defined.
When exporting, the program offers users the option of including DWG templates entered by the user. It also allows them to generate DWG templates from the BIM model. Furthermore, users can export only the visible elements, so that hidden elements will not be included in the export.
Direct connection to other programs
Like other CYPE tools connected to the BIMserver.center platform, CYPE Architecture offers direct connection options with other Open BIM tools consisting of the following steps in most workflows.
Via the BIMserver.center menu, in addition to updating and sharing files, the BIM model from CYPE Architecture can be sent to:
- Open BIM Layout, for creating "Drawing layouts".
- CYPE Construction Systems, for characterising "Construction systems".
- Open BIM Carpentry, for specifying "Carpentry".
- Open BIM Quantities, for carrying out "Bills of quantities".
- Open BIM Electrical Mechanisms, for entering "Electrical Mechanisms".
- CYPEURBAN, for verifying "Urban planning" parameters.
- CYPECAD, for carrying out the "Structural analysis".
