There is an update to this post at the bottom of this article.
So with the job up on ELance we are getting a staggering response to our request for some help modifying the plans.
This is all great and encouraging, however some people seem to be having issues downloading the provided files so its time we made them available to all.
Drawings
The drawings you’ve seen before are available on Flickr HERE but if want to download them as full size PDFs then select this : 4.5Mb PDF
ArchCAD file
Here is the file that we have been sent. It’s our understanding that you can open this file in AutoCAD but that is really up for you guys and girls to check before applying for the role : 18Mb ArchiCAD Zip
ArchiCAD Libraries ( not sure what these are for but here they are ) : 8Mb Zip
Visio
Here is my attempt to modify the original plans with Visio to give you an idea of what we want impimenting properly on the plans. The Visio Zip can be downloaded from here : Visio File 340k or there is the HQ 300dpi Jpg here
And finally if you want to see the original ELance.com here is what it basically said :
We have some basic house plans that we had done by an architect that we now need to make changes to, to help up visualize the new layout for the renovation.
We have the “official” plans in digital format and can supply you the files so all the scales etc etc are correct. These plans are currently in ArchiCAD and you will need to be able to open and modify these and return them to us. Ultimately we are not worried what format you use as long as we get an electronic copy along with PDFs etc etc of views that we require.
The original digital file is complete with all current sizes of what is there and we need to place some rooms and some stairs and see how things start to pan out. We know what we are looking for and can be very specific about our request, we have made the changes in a Visio files ( sample export attached ) , and need these properly scaling to fit as something tells me this is not 100% accurate. I can export these from Visio into AutoCAD if you like to a re sizable Vector Image .
Unfortunately i have to add the following : Please on bid if you can fully follow through and deliver as we have been let down before hence we have “half” as set of plans.
Update – 050209
We have now selected a bidder to work with, so please do not apply any further. Some if the portfolios we see where excellent and we would certianly work with a lost of you. However this time you were all pipped by someone who we think can help us deliver out initial vision. Many many thanks.
A couple of issues.
1. You will need to have either the ArchiCAD file exported into an industry standard file format (such as DWG, DXF, or EPS) as it is in ArchiCAD’s proprietary binary format (.pla) or limit your solicitation to someone that is using ArchiCAD. The file you posted can only be opened with ArchiCAD.
2. The Visio file you posted is Visio’s proprietary binary format (.vsd). You will need to open the file in Visio 2002 or later and re-save it as an “XML Drawing” file format to be importable into AutoCAD or other industry stand CAD program. You can also limit you solicitation to those running your version of Visio.
The good news is that the new contractor is converting everything we have from ArchiCAD to AutoCAD so we then have a far better and widely used file format to give to people in future.
Many thanks for your advice it helped a lot in our selection process.