Timber modeling and framing for better wood buildings

Transform architectural drawings into timber structures with realistic visualization, and design all the way down to the level of individual beams and boards. The ArchiFrame add-on for timber structure design extends Archicad into a comprehensive design tool, enabling architects and engineers to collaborate within a single, coordinated Archicad file.

ArchiFrame can generate the structural skeleton of walls, frames, post-and-beam structures, intermediate floors, and roof structures.

With ArchiFrame, you can freely modify timber boards and beams. Copy, rotate, and export them for CNC manufacturing — allowing you to produce components quickly, easily, and with fewer errors.

The efficient BIM workflow runs directly from the architect's computer to the production line, helping to accelerate the manufacturing of panelized and prefabricated elements.

Benefits for architectural design

• With ArchiFrame, design iteration is seamless: you can collaboratively update plans and models throughout the architectural and engineering phases.
• Use ArchiFrame to communicate key information quickly and concisely, relying on accurate data and visual information.
• Architects and engineers always work from a single, comprehensive design file, reducing the potential for errors.
• ArchiFrame is equally well-suited to large and small projects, and is an infinitely flexible design and modeling tool.
• ArchiFrame features excellent visualization capabilities, and its native rendering can be extended further with additional tools (such as RENDERLights).

Benefits for structural design

• No more copying models between programs: say goodbye to error-prone remodeling. With ArchiFrame, everything is in one place from the very start — in a single model — saving time and money.
• Modeling freedom: every individual board is separate and fully editable, offering virtually unlimited flexibility.
• You can modify the design in any view — including elevation views of elements.
• Simple clash detection.

BIM software features and workflows

• Use all of Archicad's top-tier features, including TeamWork™, available on both Windows and Mac.
• Archicad users do not need to relearn the base software to use ArchiFrame — they can start working immediately.
• ArchiFrame software is already used in more than 20 countries, thanks to its advanced tools and the active Archicad user community.
• The continuous development of ArchiFrame and the addition of new features ensures that the software is shaped together with its users.
• The BIM software is highly customizable through XML settings and scripts.

Benefits for element manufacturing and CNC

We provide CNC support for element manufacturing, offsite construction, and prefabrication.

We currently offer CNC support for: BTL, BTLx, BTL CLT, EasyFrame EZF, Hundegger BVX, Hundegger BVX2, MiTek EHX, Randek SPL728, Randek CDT4, Spida SSF, Weinmann WUP.

• BVN and BVX: Hundegger k2, speed cut, CLT processing machine
• BTL: Weinmann saw, Essetre saw, Stromab saw, Salvador saw
• BTL: Mobi-One framing stations
• BTL: Tigerstop saw as a custom solution
• BTL: CLT processing with DDX Software Solution products
  (https://www.ddxgroup.com/)
• WUP: Weinmann framing stations and saws
• Randek saws
• TXT: Sawteq panel cutting station as a custom solution

More details in our CNC guide. Most of our customers currently use manual assembly, but we also offer CNC support.

Timber wall frames and structures

• Automatically generated dimension lines
• Automatically generated cut lists
• Editable elevation, plan, and 3D views
• Front, top, side, and bottom projections
• Exterior cladding: fascia boards, external sheathing, split paneling

Light steel framing

ArchiFrame also supports light steel framing, and we aim to continue developing in this area. For more information and videos, read our blog post on steel framing.

Multiple structural layers

• Realistic layers and rotations
• Automatic connections at corners
• Adjustable rules for studs and boards at corners
• Re-nailing and sorting of beams and boards

Roof structures

• Drawing planes for handling inclined elements
• Support for timber frame joint types (e.g. dovetail, or tenon and mortise) and simpler angle cuts, etc.
• Creating metal supports
• Configuring valley beams, and easy placement as valley or hip beams

Timber floors and floor structures

• Floor joists automatically align to the design grid
• Full control over every individual joist
• Steel beam notching with ArchiFrame's notching tool
• Creating floor boards is just as straightforward as creating walls
• I-joists with plywood webbing (as shown in the example)

Direct output from the BIM software:

• Detail drawings for manual manufacturing
• Cut lists (xls or txt)
• Printed documents
• CNC Hundegger bvn, btl and wup (for Weinmann systems)