ArchiCAD
Encyclopedia
ArchiCAD is an architectural BIM
CAD
software for Macintosh and Windows
developed by the Hungarian
company Graphisoft
. ArchiCAD offers specialized solutions for handling all common aspects of aesthetics and engineering during the whole design process of the built environment — buildings, interiors, urban areas, etc.
Development of ArchiCAD started in 1982 for the original Apple Macintosh. ArchiCAD is recognized as the first CAD
product on a personal computer able to create both 2D drawings and parametric 3D geometry. In its debut in 1987 ArchiCAD also became the first implementation of BIM
under Graphisoft's Virtual Building concept. Today more than 150,000 architect
s are using it in the building design industry. The latest version is ArchiCAD 15.
and Mac OS X
operating systems. ArchiCAD 15 runs on Windows XP Professional (32-bit and 64-bit), Windows Vista (32-bit and 64-bit), Windows 7 (32-bit and 64-bit), Mac OS X 10.6.
come with the program.
ArchiCAD allows the user to work with either a 2D or 3D representation on the screen. Two-dimensional drawings can be exported at any time, even though the model in the program's database always stores data in three dimensions. Plans, elevations, and sections are generated from the three dimensional virtual building model and are constantly updated if the user 'rebuilds' the view. Detail drawings are based on enlarged portions of the model, with 2D detail added in.
) used to create new components. Also API (Application Programming Interface) and ODBC database connections are supported), for third party Add-On developers. Via direct API links to 4D and 5D software such as Vico Office Suite or Tocoman iLink, ArchiCAD model can be exported to BIM-based cost estimation and scheduling. ArchiCAD is also directly linked via API to Solibri's Model checking and quality assurance tools.
, DXF and IFC
files among others. Graphisoft is an active member of the International Alliance for Interoperability (IAI), an industry organization that publishes standards for file and data interoperability for architectural CAD.
, such as the freely available Google SketchUp, Google Earth
or Cinema 4D
import/export add-ons or other extensions sold separately such as Graphisoft MEP Modeler
, Graphisoft EcoDesigner
or Graphisoft Virtual Building Explorer; while there are a number of add-ons provided by third party vendors, such as Cigraph or Cadimage.
Building Information Modeling
Building information modeling is the process of generating and managing building data during its life cycle.BIM involves representing a design as objects – vague and undefined, generic or product-specific, solid shapes or void-space oriented , that carry their geometry, relations and attributes...
CAD
Computer-aided design
Computer-aided design , also known as computer-aided design and drafting , is the use of computer technology for the process of design and design-documentation. Computer Aided Drafting describes the process of drafting with a computer...
software for Macintosh and Windows
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...
developed by the Hungarian
Hungary
Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
company Graphisoft
Graphisoft
Graphisoft SE develops Building Information Modeling software products for architects, interior designers and planners. The company is headquartered in Graphisoft Park Budapest, Hungary. Graphisoft has subsidiaries in Germany, USA, UK, Spain, Japan and representative offices in Russia and Singapore...
. ArchiCAD offers specialized solutions for handling all common aspects of aesthetics and engineering during the whole design process of the built environment — buildings, interiors, urban areas, etc.
Development of ArchiCAD started in 1982 for the original Apple Macintosh. ArchiCAD is recognized as the first CAD
Computer-aided design
Computer-aided design , also known as computer-aided design and drafting , is the use of computer technology for the process of design and design-documentation. Computer Aided Drafting describes the process of drafting with a computer...
product on a personal computer able to create both 2D drawings and parametric 3D geometry. In its debut in 1987 ArchiCAD also became the first implementation of BIM
Building Information Modeling
Building information modeling is the process of generating and managing building data during its life cycle.BIM involves representing a design as objects – vague and undefined, generic or product-specific, solid shapes or void-space oriented , that carry their geometry, relations and attributes...
under Graphisoft's Virtual Building concept. Today more than 150,000 architect
Architect
An architect is a person trained in the planning, design and oversight of the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to offer or render services in connection with the design and construction of a building, or group of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the...
s are using it in the building design industry. The latest version is ArchiCAD 15.
Product overview
ArchiCAD is a complete design suite with 2D and 3D drafting, visualization and other functions for architects, designers and planners. A wide range of software applications are integrated in ArchiCAD to cover most of the design needs of an architectural office:- 2D CAD software — drawing tools for creating accurate and detailed technical drawings
- 3D Modeling3D modelingIn 3D computer graphics, 3D modeling is the process of developing a mathematical representation of any three-dimensional surface of object via specialized software. The product is called a 3D model...
software — a 3D CAD interface specially developed for architects capable of creating various kind of building forms - Architectural renderingArchitectural renderingArchitectural rendering, or architectural illustration, is the art of creating two-dimensional images or animations showing the attributes of a proposed architectural design.-Computer-generated renderings:...
and Visualization software — a high performance rendering tool to produce photorealistic pictures or videos - Desktop publishingDesktop publishingDesktop publishing is the creation of documents using page layout software on a personal computer.The term has been used for publishing at all levels, from small-circulation documents such as local newsletters to books, magazines and newspapers...
software — with similar features to mainstream DTP software to compose printed materials using technical drawings pixel-based images and texts - Document management tool — a central data storage server with remote access, versioning tool with backup and restore features
- Building Information ModelingBuilding Information ModelingBuilding information modeling is the process of generating and managing building data during its life cycle.BIM involves representing a design as objects – vague and undefined, generic or product-specific, solid shapes or void-space oriented , that carry their geometry, relations and attributes...
software — not just a collection of the above mentioned applications with an integrated user interface but a novel approach to building design called BIM
Supported platforms
ArchiCAD is available for WindowsMicrosoft Windows
Microsoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...
and Mac OS X
Mac OS X
Mac OS X is a series of Unix-based operating systems and graphical user interfaces developed, marketed, and sold by Apple Inc. Since 2002, has been included with all new Macintosh computer systems...
operating systems. ArchiCAD 15 runs on Windows XP Professional (32-bit and 64-bit), Windows Vista (32-bit and 64-bit), Windows 7 (32-bit and 64-bit), Mac OS X 10.6.
License types
Commercial, Educational and Full functional 30-day trial versions can be installed with the same installer. The license type is to be chosen upon installation. The installers and the necessary educational or trial registration numbers can be obtained on MyarchiCAD.com after registration.- Commercial version is protected by hardware protection key. If no key is present ArchiCAD switches to Demo mode where Save, Copy, TeamWork features are disabled (printing/plotting is still enabled).
- Educational versions are protected by registration numbers. Format files in educational version ArchiCAD are compatible with commercial ArchiCAD versions, but carry a watermark identifying the license type. Once a project has been edited with an Educational version the watermark will persist in the file.
- Trial version is a 30-day fully functional version in which you can save, print and publish projects. File formats are fully compatible with the commercial version once the copy of ArchiCAD has been converted to a commercial license; otherwise, the trial files are only readable on the original computer on which they were created. The trial version is protected by registration numbers.
Languages and localizations
ArchiCAD is available in a number of localized versions. In addition to a translated user interface and documentation, these versions have a set of parametric objects (object libraries) developed taken into consideration the specific requirements of the regional market, and different default values for object properties, menu arrangements, etc.- English versions
- International (INT) (metric)
- US Version (USA) (imperial)
- Australian (AUS)
- New Zealand (NZE)
- German versions
- Germany (GER)
- Austria (AUT)
- Switzerland (CHE)
- Spanish Version (SPA)
- French Version (FRA)
- Italian Version (ITA)
- Portuguese Version (POR)
- Russian Version (RUS)
- Japanese Version (JPN)
- Polish Version (POL)
- Czech Version (CZE)
- Hungarian Version (HUN)
- Dutch Version (NED)
- Finnish Version (FIN)
- Swedish Version (SWE)
- Norwegian Version (NOR)
- Danish Version (DEN)
- Turkish Version (TUR)
- Greek Version (GRE)
- Simplified Chinese Version (CHI)
- Traditional Chinese Version (TAI)
- Korean Version (KOR)
Working with parametric objects
ArchiCAD allows the user to work with data-enhanced parametric objects, often called "smart objects" by users. This differs from the operational style of other CAD programs created in the 1980s. The product allows the user to create a "virtual building" with virtual structural elements like walls, slabs, roofs, doors, windows and furniture. A large variety of pre-designed, customizable objectsArchiCAD library part
ArchiCAD library part is the basic item through which the CAD software ArchiCAD handles external dynamic content elements which are grouped into libraries...
come with the program.
ArchiCAD allows the user to work with either a 2D or 3D representation on the screen. Two-dimensional drawings can be exported at any time, even though the model in the program's database always stores data in three dimensions. Plans, elevations, and sections are generated from the three dimensional virtual building model and are constantly updated if the user 'rebuilds' the view. Detail drawings are based on enlarged portions of the model, with 2D detail added in.
Collaboration and remote access
ArchiCAD released its first file exchange based Teamwork solution in its version 5.1 in 1997 which allowed more architects to work on the same building model simultaneously. A completely rewritten Teamwork "2.0" solution with a new database approach came out in version 13 in 2009 named Graphisoft BIM Server. Since only the changes and differences are sent to the central storage this solution allows remote access to the same project over the internet thus allowing worldwide project collaboration and coordination.APIs and scripting
Third-party vendors and some manufacturers of architectural products have compiled libraries of architectural components for use in ArchiCAD. The program includes Geometric Description Language (GDLGeometric Description Language
In computer-aided design, Geometric Description Language is the programming language of ArchiCAD library parts. GSM is the file format of these CAD objects.- Area of usage:...
) used to create new components. Also API (Application Programming Interface) and ODBC database connections are supported), for third party Add-On developers. Via direct API links to 4D and 5D software such as Vico Office Suite or Tocoman iLink, ArchiCAD model can be exported to BIM-based cost estimation and scheduling. ArchiCAD is also directly linked via API to Solibri's Model checking and quality assurance tools.
Data interchange
ArchiCAD can import and export DWG.dwg
DWG is a binary file format used for storing two and three dimensional design data and metadata. It is the native format for several CAD packages including AutoCAD, IntelliCAD and Caddie. In addition, DWG is supported non-natively by many other CAD applications...
, DXF and IFC
Industry Foundation Classes
The Industry Foundation Classes data model is intended to describe building and construction industry data.It is a neutral and open specification that is not controlled by a single vendor or group of vendors...
files among others. Graphisoft is an active member of the International Alliance for Interoperability (IAI), an industry organization that publishes standards for file and data interoperability for architectural CAD.
Extensions
Various free and commercial add-on products and extensions add extra functionality to ArchiCAD or provide further data exchange possibilities with other software applications. Some of these extensions are developed by GraphisoftGraphisoft
Graphisoft SE develops Building Information Modeling software products for architects, interior designers and planners. The company is headquartered in Graphisoft Park Budapest, Hungary. Graphisoft has subsidiaries in Germany, USA, UK, Spain, Japan and representative offices in Russia and Singapore...
, such as the freely available Google SketchUp, Google Earth
Google Earth
Google Earth is a virtual globe, map and geographical information program that was originally called EarthViewer 3D, and was created by Keyhole, Inc, a Central Intelligence Agency funded company acquired by Google in 2004 . It maps the Earth by the superimposition of images obtained from satellite...
or Cinema 4D
Cinema 4D
CINEMA 4D is a 3D modeling, animation and rendering application developed by MAXON Computer GmbH of Friedrichsdorf, Germany. It is capable of procedural and polygonal/subd modeling, animating, lighting, texturing, rendering, and common features found in 3d modelling applications.- Overview:The...
import/export add-ons or other extensions sold separately such as Graphisoft MEP Modeler
Graphisoft MEP Modeler
The Graphisoft MEP Modeler is an extension to ArchiCAD, Graphisoft's architectural design tool to create three dimensional models of ductwork, piping and electrical networks in order to make the building information model of the designed building more detailed an accurate...
, Graphisoft EcoDesigner
Graphisoft EcoDesigner
Graphisoft EcoDesigner is an energy evaluation tool for architects — an add-on software for ArchiCAD, Graphisoft's BIM application — which aims to provide information about a building's energy performance at the early design phases giving fast feedback for architects on the energy efficiency and...
or Graphisoft Virtual Building Explorer; while there are a number of add-ons provided by third party vendors, such as Cigraph or Cadimage.
Version history
- 1984 - Radar CH (ArchiCAD 1.0)
- 1986 - ArchiCAD 2.0
- 1987 - ArchiCAD 3.0
- 1988 - ArchiCAD 3.1
- 1991 - ArchiCAD 4.1
- 1993 - ArchiCAD 4.12
- 1994 - ArchiCAD 4.5
- 1995 - ArchiCAD 4.55
- 1996 - ArchiCAD 5.0
- 1997 - ArchiCAD 5.1
- 1998 - ArchiCAD 6.0
- 1999 - ArchiCAD 6.5
- 2001 - ArchiCAD 7.0
- 2002 - ArchiCAD 8
- 2003 - ArchiCAD 8.1
- 2004 - ArchiCAD 9
- 2006 - ArchiCAD 10
- 2007 - ArchiCAD 11
- 2008 - ArchiCAD 12
- 2009 - ArchiCAD 13
- 2010 - ArchiCAD 14
- 2011 - ArchiCAD 15
External links
- Graphisoft - The manufacturer's website
- ArchiRADAR - The mondial community of ArchiCAD
- ArchiCAD Wiki
- Cadimage - New Zealand developer of add-ons for ArchiCAD
- Cigraph – Italian developer of add-ons for ArchiCAD
- M.A.D. – Finnish developer of add-ons for ArchiCAD
- MasterTemplate - office standard template for ArchiCAD
- The Best Practices Course - online training for ArchiCAD