AutoCAD
ArchiCAD
SELECTION SETS : CP, W, etc.
Selecting objects with crossing polygon, window, etc
You can select an object with the selection tool by
• clicking directly on it
• drawing a rectangle around it : crossing window
• defining first a polygon, or rectangle with the blinking selection set and pressing CTRL+A : this means select all
By the way if you press CTRL+A with any tool selected, it will select all the objects created with this tool. This quick filter offers already great services !
If you want to add/remove objects from a current selection set, just press SHIFT and click on it, like in every other (?) software.
If the selection tool is not active, just press SHIFT : the tool is "disabled" and you can select any object until SHIFT is depressed.
To deselect all the currently selected objects you can :
• click anywhere with the selection tool
• or begin a "draw" command : cliking anywhere with a "construct" (line, wall, slab) will unselect all objects
MATCHPROPERTIES
You can get properties of an object by ALT clicking it (eyedropper appears then). Note that you can draw with the appropriate tool configured with the properties of the last clicked object
If you want to transfer these properties just CTRL+ALT click the other object (seringue cursor). Marvelous !
FILTER
Selecting some objects passing through some filters
Use the find and select command :
You can define there every parameter for a specific element. Clicking on the + button will add the items, - will remove them. You can use this with already selected items : so you can easily remove every walls made of brick from you current selection tool.
Note that when the find and select toolbox is opened, ALT clicking an object will also transfer the parameter to the Find and select toolbox : useful if you don't want to browse through all menus to slected the correct properties.
@
Relative or absolute coordinates
DELTA
To switch between absolute and relative coordinate system you can press the Delta button in the coordinate toolbox.
@20,15
Relative mode : type : "X 20" then "Y 15" then "ENTER"
This method will add 20 in x and 15 in y from the previous entered point. Until you press "ENTER" you still can change dimensions previously entered
Absolute mode : type : "X 20 +" "Y 15 +".
This method will add 20 in x and 15 in y FROM THE CURRENT CURSOR LOCATION ! Very useful to draw from a point other than the previously entered one.
@20<35
@20,0 or mouse in a direction, guide line and "20" + ENTER
Relative mode : type "A 35" you can type "ALT+A" to lock this parameters (a small rectangle appears around the a letter) now you can draw a line at this angle and with any length. This works also with X,Y and R. To complete the command type "R 20" and press "ENTER"
So here we learn that pressing ALT key + X, Y, R, A will lock the parameter. Once a parameter is locked you can use your mouse to acquire information from other point : lock Y and extend your lines, wall, etc, to the same X of that building corner !
If you use it when drawing a diagonal line (with some LOCK still on), try also pressing the Q letter : it will switch between different snap modes : it's easier to try it for "real" than trying to describe it. Once you'll "master" these, you will be amazed : drawing easier and faster than in AutoCAD... without any construction line anymore
Try also using the SHIFT key while drawing some elements the angle will snap to the nearest snap angle defined in the preferences : orthogonal standard axes, oriented grid BUT ALSO : THE LAST ANGLE DEFINED BY A PREVIOUS PARALLEL OR PERPENDICULAR SNAP (if allowed in the preferences). Note that the snap angle value is always displayed in the A field.
END, QUAD, TAN, NEAR
These snaps are always available : the shape of the cursor will indicate which one is active : v for a point, "mercedes" shape for a line, tangent for... tangent !
depending on which settings you have chosen, ArchiCAD will automatically snap on the mid of a line, wall, arc, slab line... (see further : DIVIDE, MEASURE, etc.)
PER, PAR
Perpendicular snap is sometimes hard to acquire... but you can use the perpendicular button in the snaps toolbox : begin drawing your element THEN click the line to which the element has to be perpendicular : the A parameter is locked in the perpendicular direction : complete your element (line, wall, etc...) BUT note that you can still unlock A and draw any other line without undoing the previous command.
Try the same with the parallel button.
BISSECTRICE
I don't know if there is a specific command in AutoCAD : I used to draw construction lines, circles, etc...
Here it's as simple as clicking this button
Define a new coordinate system
Just click on the X+vector symbol in the coordinate toolbox and draw the vector used for the X axis
Note that you can switch between the "World Coordinate
system" (the absolute one) 
and the last "User coordinate system" 
by simply clicking the approriate button in the coordinate toolbox
Redefine the origin of the current system
Click on the X button in the coordinate toolbox and click the point used for the new origin
You can also just press CTRL+ALT+SHIFT and mouve the cursor over any snap point : the origin will follow. Isn't it easy ?
To get back to the absolute origin : double click the X button or select the current origin and press DELETE
DIST
Get the distance between two points
Simply place the user origin on the first point (with CTRL+ALT+SHIFT as previously described, for exemple) and place the cursor on the second point. The R field gives you the distance.
GRID - SNAP
No snap mode
Snap on the "invisible" grid (defined in the Option -> grid menu)
Snap on the main grid (that can be visible)
Note that by pressing the ESC key, you will switch, while drawing, between the SNAP / NOSNAP mode. If you current mode is NOSNAP, the SNAP mode switched to will be the last used one.
ID
Get the X,Y,Z position of a point
You get it automatically when moving the cursor
LIST
Get several information about selected objects : length, X,Y position o each defining points, etc.
A very useful command that doesn't exist in ArchiCAD. You can get length of line as described in the DIST section, but for length of arcs, or angle, the easier way is to add cotation to them
DESIGN CENTER
Manage all the attributes, layers, linetypes, etc. contained in a drawing
ATTRIBUTE MANAGER
You can use the Attribute Manager found in the Option Menu.
As ArchiCAD objects, Windows and doors and written in individual files, you can manage them using Windows Explorer... but be carefull because objects can also be used in several projects (see Library Managing below)
Layer are used in the same way in ArchiCAD as in AutoCAD. For those who used the bonus layer tools, you can find the same functions as in AutoCAD
• Layer Combination : saves layer state, and is EASY to modify !
• Selected item's layer Lock / Unlock / Hide : select the item, right click it, then layer option and select the desired command.
TIP : you can even lock/unlock individual items in the Tools menu. I use those shortcut : lock CTRL+SHIFT+X, unlock : CTRL+SHIFT+C. Exemple : you have to stretch several items, but some of them have to remain unchanged. Defininf a polyline zone is either impossible or just too complicated : lock these items, stretch everything, and unlock the items : "Voilà !"
• You'll probably wonder why, when selecting lines and arcs you can't change their layer and pen number in one go... when opening the properties window, you'll get the properties (my shortcut : CTRL+B) of one type of elements but not both. The solution : do not open the properties window but the Edit selection window in the Edit menu (my shortcut : CTRL+SHIFT+B)
PEN WEIGHT
With ArchiCAD, you can define several pens with the same color and different line weight.
ALIGN
allow aligning on object in a specific direction
ROTATE
By the way the rotate command is defined in ArchiCAD, there is no need anymor for an align command : in fact you automaticaly define the origin vector for rotation instead of using the X axis as in AutoCAD.
Try to combine in with the Parallel command to align an object parallel to another axis.
NODE
Draw a point... useless ? If used as snap, maybe not...
You can add hotspot to make some important points available without any construction lines, etc.
BHATCH
Add hatching inside enclosed zones
The big difference here is that you can draw directly any hatching without having to define first the lines around the hatching. You can even ask ArchiCAD to draw the defining lines for you. This method, with some habit, is much more easier than in AutoCAD, and is also one that's difficult to get : try to think with filled polygons instead of lines and hatching inside.
If you want to draw a hatch within existing elements : first
select the hatch tool, then click the magic wand 
then click within the zone.
Note that you can just press and keep the SPACE BAR : the cursor will become magic wand.
With ArchiCAD, you can also assign a "color" to the background of a fill : selecting a white one will mask objects behind the hatch.
DRAWORDER
Specify... the draw order
Select the object, then tools menu and Background / Foreground or any other inbetween options... AND IT WORKS ! Who has never wanted to shut down the computer after an one hour fight with draworder function !
DIM
Adds dimension to elements
Dimensionning may seems quite difficult at first sight but it is also more powerful and easier to edit than in AutoCAD. The tip here is to read the instructions in the bottom of ArchiCAD window and the rest will follow.
You first select the points you want to dimension then click once OK.
You may then select other points that will be an the same dimension line, then click OK.
You may now press OK a second time. The cursor should become a hammer and the bottom line asks you where to place the dimension line. Select the place.
Important note : dimensions are linked to objects, so if you hide the dimension layer and move a window for exemple, then you unhide the dimension layer, the dimensions will reflects the modifications ! Try to do this easily with AutoCAD...
To remove one point : select the point on the cotation line.
To add one point : select the dimension line, select the dimensionning tool and CTRL click the point to be dimensionned... uneasy to understand but easy to do.
You may also want to try the automatic dimensionning tool : it works amazingly well !
TEXT, DTEXT
The big difference : text size, size for dimensions tools and so on are not in drawing units, but in printed units : that means a text with B = 2 will always be printed with a height of 2 mm, at any scale ! That's why text size change when the drawing scale is changed.
TIP : you can resize the text with one handle : if you stretch a control handle and keep the SHIFT key pressed (provided you snapped so the bounding box keeps its proportions), the text size will follow the resizing of the bounding box.
BLOCK
Drawing library objects
Here is one of the reason why ArchiCAD worth to be buy : GDL and parametric objects. But we won't talk about it here, others have written books about it that worth their weight in gold ! If you want to rapidly change your way of working and thinking CAD software, you should investigate in this direction.
But let's come back to our poor "BLOCK" AutoCAD function : first draw what you want to be included in your block. The select all these objects and copy them (Edit : copy).
Then create a new symbol (File : New library part : Object). Click on the button beside 2D Symbol. Once opened, just paste the objects in the 2D symbol window : you could also have drawn directly from here. Beware : library objects don't have hotspots : you have to draw them (this is particularly helpful wxith very complex objects), so add some hotspots in "strategic" places of your new object. In the details window unselect the option hotspot on bounding box.
Save your object within a loaded library. Go back to the plan window. Now select the "chair" tool and click anywhere in the plan : your object is inserted. When opening it properties, you can even select the point used as BASEPOINT by draging the small square in the 2D symbol window on any other hotspot
Note that because the object is written as an independant file : it's accesible from within other project and it can easily being backed up. Attention : because it can be accessed from many other project, be careful when modifying it (see library management below)
Important note : if you want to get your blocks created in AutoCAD within ArchiCAD there is a simple solution : place all the block in one AutoCAD file, then open this file with ArchiCAD... it will then ask wath it has to do with the block : select create library : every block will be translated in a single GSM object that can be edited later... Blocks containing attributes will even be translated !
BLOCKEDIT
With AutoCAD 2000 you can "in place edit" your blocks : one of the most useful improvement of this release (maybe after the new paper space design ?!)
ArchiCAD doesn't make "in place edit" but it is still quite simple : first select the object, then from the file menu, select open library part (you could also have done it without selecting the object, but then you would have to browse throuhg directories to find the file of the object).
You can then draw and edit the symbol in the 2D symbol window, as previously described. Don't forget to save the symbol with a new name if may affects other projects.
ATTRIBUTE
Adds some attributes to blocks
Using attributes with AutoCAD wasn't an easy task. ArchiCAD can manage attributes much more easily, and this comment will also be an occasion to begin some very basic GDL scripting.
First draw your symbol as previously described, and add the text where it should stand ; use some simple string for the text such as "Test". Attention, you should draw your sylbol around the absolute origin of the plan, because all elements you have drawn will be translated in GDL and later editing will be easier that way.
Once your symbol is complete create a new library part and open the 2D script window. Place this window so that you can still see it when you come click back in the plan view. Now select all the elements for the new objects, including the text, and drag them to the 2D script window. "Magie !" they were automatically translated in GDL.
Now in the main object window click the New button : a new parameter appears : change the name of the variable to anything you may want such as "at_1", change the type of the variable to a text one, describe it (("Property of", for exemple), this is what will be displayed to the user of the object and add some defaults value such as "John".
You can now edit the 2D script to display the value of "at_1" instead of "Test". Find the line begining with text2 and replace "Test" with at_1. Now when you place this object and open its properties you can change the text and it will be displayed automatically as AutoCAD attributes.
Note : You can even create a drop down list for the parameter. In this exemple, open the Value script parameter and add the following :
VALUES "at_1" "John", "James", "Sayara"
These values will be selectable from the object dialog box.
GROUP
Group objects...
Select the objects that have to be grouped. Make sure that
suspend group (tools menu) isn't activated ; if it is, de-activate it,
or simply clikc this button 
.
Select group from the tool menu.
Once objects are grouped, they still may be individually
edited : simply activate the suspend group option.
An easy way to use it is to define shortcuts for these functions : I personally use these ones :
CTRL + G : Group
CTRL + SHIFT + G : Ungroup (or CTRL + U)
ALT + G : switch "suspend group" state
EXPLODE
Explode a block and transform it to simples lines, arc, etc.
ARRAY
Used to copy several items on cartesian or polar grid
First select the objects to be copied, then select the duplicate command in the edit menu. An intriguing window will appear... play with the different option and try all of them : you'll quickly discover that this function is much more powerful that the "old" array function.
THINGS THAT REALLY MAKE THE DIFFERENCE
With these tips, you can become 2D efficient also in ArchiCAD...
GENERAL EDITING TIPS
When the selection tool is activated, you can translate and stretch elements...
If you right click an object with the selection tool, you'll get different "move" modes : translate, rotate, mirror (and the same with a copy of the objects)
By right clicking while dragging an object, you get other options... depending on the current "move" mode
As other "linear" or "1D" objects, lines and arc can be stretched directly with the selection tool
This is were ArchiCAD becomes extremly powerful : when selecting an item and clicking on a part of it while the "creator" tool is on (thus, while the tool that was used to create the object is selected) you get a small menu that appears near the cursor : when you'll have learned the use of each item in this menu, you will be able to say : "I can draw faster with ArchiCAD than any other CAD software (or AutoCAD at least ;-) ).
Try to learn it ASAP because it's where a lot of time can be gained ! Once this metjod is understood, you'll try it with every element possible and discover new "hidden" functions...
When clicking on a node of a slab (for exemple), you'll get this menu. This allow to :
• move the node
• enter a value for fillet
• offset the whole slab
• add a piece of slab
• remove a part / create a hole
When clicking on a line, you can :
• add a point between the end of the line OR, USEFUL TIP, make a circular edge become linear
• make "circular" a linear edge
• offset that specifc edge
• add a piece of slab
• remove a part / create a hole
SHORTCUT : After selecting on object to edit, instead of finding the right tool icon int the toolbox, just ALT click the element : the "creator" tool will automatically be selected.
FILLET
Make... a fillet
LINE : Tools, Edit Line, Fillet
PLANAR ELEMENTS : see general editing tips above
CHAMFER
Make... a chamfer
MID, DIVIDE, MEASURE, PERCENT
Add nodes or blocks on a segments at specific points depending on the selected mode
all these modes can individually selected within the control toolbox. For those who didn't use those function, mid, divide and percent are quite obvious. Measure add hotspot every XXX untis (selected distance).
Disable the snap mode
The
entire object will be used for the snap mode
Only
the part between intersection with other objects will be used... porwefull,
once again ! You don't have to break items anymore
You
can even use the previous snap mode with a non existent element : you
first define the virtual line and ArchiCAD will show you the desired snap
on this non existent line... it works also with divide and measure !
EXTEND
Extend a line, arc, to another line, arc wether the intersection is real or virtual
But you can extend linear element even in an easier way :
• first select the item (line, wall, slabs, etc...) to EXTEND TO
• then CTRL click the item that has to be extend (WITH THE "CREATOR" TOOL : this can be seen like : "I want to draw a longuer line, so I use the line tool")
• if you do it without the CTRL key pressed, ArchiCAD will add a hotspot at the intersection
BREAK - TRIM
Cut a line without deleting any of the 2 new lines
Edit menu, then divide.
This can also be used to trim several items in one go : selecte the item to be trimmed, then divide, select the breaking edge an click on the side where elements must disappear, and just press DEL. Note that the break function works also with non-linear elements such as slabs, hatchs, roofs.
You can also trim linear element by just CTRL clicking them : if the cursor becomes scisors while CTRL key is pressed : this element can be trimmed.
OFFSET
Draw the same polyline at a defined distance
Basically, you first have to draw the defining polygon, then defin the offset disatnce by entering the R value. Note that the angle is locked to get a "perpendicular" distance entering, but you can unlock the A to specific a point throught which the offset has to be done.
To define the base polyline, you can also use the magic
wand or press
the SPACE BAR.
Always remenber that the offseted objects will be made with the cureent tool : line, slab, roof, wall...
IMPORTANT NOTE : if you try to offset a polyline defined
by line AND arcs and "magic wanding" it with the
line tool , you'll get line segment along the arcs (you can control how
they are drawn in the tools -> magic wands settings). IF YOU WANT ARCS
MADE OF ARCS : make the whole process with the
circle tool instead of the line tools (Thanks to Laurent Godel for this
one)
You can also define multiple offsets by using this button instead
SCALE
What could this be ?
Edit menu, scale.
Note that the scale can either be defined graphically or "numerically"
STRETCH
Stretch part of a drawing
You'll first have to draw a zone, with this tool : 
then edit menu : stretch
Be careful : the single blinking line is for current floor, the double blinking line will stretch objects on every floor
MODEL SPACE / PAPERSPACE
Drawing windows, layouts
PLOTMAKER
I personnaly think that it may be the unique area where AutoCAD is better than ArchiCAD. Learning how to use plotmaker may be a subject for another techtip... In fact it isn't fundamentaly complex, but it's rather sad that everything can be done in ArchiCAD, except the final task printing and plotting (even if some users prefer to print from ArchiCAD rather than save plotmaker files, create layouts, place those plotmaker files, adjust them...).
Another reason why they don't use Plotmaker is that it doesn't support GDL, which is also helpful for automatic layout resizing, and so on...
