GraphiSoft ArchiCAD 22  Design & CAD

ARCHICAD is the leading Building Information Modeling (BIM) software application used by architects, designers, engineers and builders to professionally design, document and collaborate on building projects. Since its release over 30 years ago, ARCHICAD has been all about BIM. In this introductory video, learn what BIM is, and why ARCHICAD is the obvious choice of so many AEC industry professionals worldwide.  ARCHICAD 23 vastly improves perceived performance of essential processes such as software startup,
file opening, working in multi-project environments and switching between different views of the BIM project. The brand-new Opening, Column and Beam tools increase modeling accuracy and interoperability with engineering disciplines.

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GRAPHISOFT ignited the Building Information Modeling revolution in 1984 with the release of ARCHICAD, the industry-first BIM software for architects and designers. Developed by architects, for architects, ARCHICAD offers an award-winning design suite with 2D and 3D drafting, visualization and other BIM functions from the planning phase through construction to facilities management.</p>

First, Archicad is fast. I currently use Revit in an large professional office and use AC for my side projects on a Mac. The standard navigation, especially in 3D, like other's have mentioned, is a major benefit when working out details in the BIM environment. There are definitely other software options to see the designed space on the fly, but to be able to affect the construction documents in the BIM model with a smooth 3D interface is really nice. Another clear benefit is the project management and view/sheet
navigation. Revit is a complete disaster at this. AC, on the other hand, is intuitive, allows for drag and drop, makes publishing happen in seconds, and is just an all around smooth process. Also, changing markers and linked views could not be simpler in AC.

Another huge distinction from Archicad and Revit is AC's Trace function. The ability to show other views/drawings, sheets, etc. ghosted over your current view is a huge time saver compared to Revit. To my knowledge, there is nothing that does this in Revit.

Other notables are the stair and curtain wall tools. They're just better, and the graphical interface when editing each one is fantastic. Also, not least of all, it's cross platform. Macs and Window's PCs can use it without issue, so the overhead of changing your hardware to suit your software doesn't occur.

Remaining items in no particular order:.

-pricing is still somewhat more manageable than Autodesk, which is sucking the world dry.

-It can do all types of projects (I added this because for some reason, some people think it's only good for small projects).

-Morph and Shell modeling are pretty good and feels a little like Sketchup and allows for quick schematic design or full fledged objects.

-Graphic overrides, demo status, and the simple switches at the bottom of the window make view management easy.

-Overall user interface is smooth and easy on the eyes. This might be a function of the Mac's more anti-aliased display, though...

-Favorites make adding notes, objects, or anything else that is regularly added much faster and easier.

-Integration with Rhino and Grasshopper is great (Revit can do this too, but it's a little more involved).

Lack of basic things like keynotes, the ability to easily 3D model custom library objects that are parametric, and the minimal support by other AEC products in the US (i.e. Bluebeam, AR and VR programs besides Twinmotion, etc. It also lacks basic US detail libraries 2D and 3D. Product manufacturers are making their files for Revit only and this could save lots of time if elements were available in AC format as well. And as a result of them not being available for download, we are forced to learn GDL (the scripting
language for Archicad) in order to parametrically model library objects. Yes, you can model something in space and save it as an library object. However, if you want to edit that object, you're stuck with a preview of the object and the only way to edit is through the code language. So you end up having to explode it and remake it and save over the object. Perhaps I am missing something here, but I don't see anything out there allowing for ease of modeling custom 3D parametric objects (i.e. cabinets, light fixtures,
furniture, custom doors and windows, etc.).

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Another major annoyance is it's lack of proper MEP and structural library elements including detailing elements. These come out of the box for Revit and are tailored for your region. That issue also overlaps into regular detail elements that are not included in AC as well. Things like wood and light gauge metal framing elements, connectors, fasteners, and all the stuff I loathe searching the internet for.

Probably the biggest dislike along side the GDL scripting requirement for objects, is the overall lack of industry support whether it be in product objects or other AEC software that is within most firms workflow. They have/had a Bluebeam link of some kind, but since Bluebeam discontinued it's Mac version (it's a NEMETSCHEK company!) Mac users have to find another way. Archicad Cost

I would also rate this dislike highly up there: Archicad's overall guides and help, and especially their presence on YouTube, is downright abysmal. There is a new building in Austin, TX that just completed and was done by a local firm using Archicad with a minimal staff, and I have see nothing about it from Graphisoft despite the local Archicad rep staging an in-office meet with the firm to see how they are using it. Graphisoft, if you're listening, please up your game. It's embarrassing.

Other dislikes in no particular order:.

-It's not really sold in the US as easily as Autodesk products or others and so you have to go through reps and it's a little cumbersome. Can we have a purchase and download please?

-Again, to harp on it, overall marketing and web presence leaves something to be desired.

-Support for real world workflows! I get it, you don't want to show other competitors, but because this is how the world actually works, you get consultants and developers and others on lots of different software, so please show how AC can more easily integrate into ALL the various workflows easier than any other software can.

-Being able to associate objects to other objects in the view like Revit does would be really great.

-Text writing and formatting paragraphs and styles is basically non existent.

-Specification integration is truly a complete whiff. Where do people integrate their specs? Word? Ugh. Fortunately it looks like MasterSpec has their cloud version going...

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Know that you can do anything in the program, but it really depends on your current integrated workflows. Check your current software and hardware and see how you would integrate them into AC. In my opinion, if you can make Archicad work, you will be very happy you did. It definitely lacks in some areas, but the overall day-to-day engagement with it is far better than Revit. Buy ARCHICAD 22 Online.

What problems are you solving with the product?  What benefits have you realized?

Quickly generating SD packages and being able to move rapidly into DD and CD phases has been very enjoyable as the elements we use for each phase can translate easily. We typically start with a Sketchup model but have a very rough schematic Archicad model from it to help with initial take-offs and quantities.  It really makes the first phases easy.

ARCHICAD has been a success because prices is very reasonable if you can manage it without having the industry standard software, also you can make 3D easily and it has much fluency on the model management and all  system is very easy and complete. I have to say that this is a good alternative to pricier CAD programs because it's great  for smallers architecture firms and individual designers.But with all sincerity, this has been the best architecture design software that I've found.

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Actually, I haven't visualized many dislikes on this software, but the only thing that I need to say is some functions just seem to be old and out and well... That's all, everything's been good with ARCHICAD.

I would like to say that if you want to start your small projects, you need  to begin with this software. SUPER RECOMMENDED.

What problems are you solving with the product?  What benefits have you realized?

It has served me to do great works and designs, I have done all my projects with ARCHICAD Price and it's been a great experience.

- First of all, it runs on a Mac. That's nice.

- It's also much more intuitive to use when you're modeling, especially in 3D which Revit is horrible in. Things like doors and windows can be adjusted graphically in 3D and not via property dialog boxes with dimensions.

- The BIMx app for the iPad is amazing, letting you have a hyperlinked set of drawings, including sections and elevations, at the palm of your hand.

- Synchronization with apps like BlueBeam and Twinmotion are awesome.

- Printing is much easier and more controllable than in Revit (try stopping a print once you hit "print" in Revit...good luck).

- Drag and drop PDFs into the file is fantastic. Revit doesn't let you import PDFs. Weird.

That detailed control is also a double edged sword. It's sometimes frustrating to have to "tell" archicad every little thing, whereas in Revit, it automates some of things it assumes you want to do. This is a longer topic so I'll just leave it at that. There are however lots of things that drive me crazy about ArchiCAD.

- Layers. I get it....that's built into the system and it's not going away, but the 'layer' concept is so 1980's. Revit's framework of 'families' is much better.

- Because of layers, you can't just hide one or two objects at any given time...like when you're modeling and you want to see something in a particular way. Heck, Doors and windows don't even have a layer setting...really confusing given the layer framework of ArchiCAD in the first place. You end creating tons and tons of layers.

- No multiview windows. It's so frustrating that I can see a wall I select in plan and in section or 3d at the same time. Basic thing to me.

- Keynotes aren't built in that correspond to a keynote legend on your sheets. We have to spend money on a plugin to do that. Revit has it built in.

- Lacks ability to "lock" certain things or relationships that you know you're not going to change. For example, locking two walls together that you know will always and forever be 20' apart for some reason.

- I miss click on a wall and changing it's size with the temporary dimension. Archicad doesn't do that.

- The align tool in archicad is weak compared to revit. Given how often we do this when modeling and laying out our project, it's really frustrating.

- Both ArchiCAD and revit have terrible text tools. Still waiting for bullet lists on both.

- The new stair tool is atrocious. Look to revit for how to do this right.

- When you create a zone (a "room" in Revit), they don't show up in Sections or Elevations....what? So when doing our documents, we have to manually type in the name of each space.

- Here's a big one: Callouts or detail views are not 3D....they're 2D when you create them. You constantly have to "re-build" from the 3d model if you change something...but wait...it gets worse...if you've added dimensions, notes, etc to that detail and you "rebuild" you lose all that work.

Think about what you're looking for. If you're looking for ease of use, intuitiveness, and modeling prowess..I would go with ArchiCAD. If you're looking for outstanding ease of use during the construction documents phase...go with Revit.