ARCHICAD Reviews

one of the best in the BIM world

Pros:

The sober and uncluttered interface makes it easy to use. Management of several data in the same program. Perfectly adapted for medium-sized companies. File sharing, 3D visualization of prototypes. It is possible to make more elaborate presentations and convince partners and collaborators more easily.

Cons:

Limited functionality for non-paying versions. Requires enough time to master the GDL programming language to create parametric objects. Basically, it is difficult to master all the features and sometimes the services of an expert will be required.

Developing designs is a breeze

Comments: Our developed design workflow has sped up. The ability to switch between 2d and 3d visualisations of the space allows us to pick up on issues we wouldn’t normally come across until much later in the design and mitigate them as necessary.

Pros:

The software sped up our workflow significantly from 2d software and is particularly useful for conceptual and developed design stages where we are continually tweaking the design. The 3d views are particularly useful for understanding design changes as a space. Setting up quick window and door layouts is particularly easy to do and change.

Cons:

The software works really well at the developed design stage but when it comes to technical design it is very difficult to apply specific products such as windows when the design is not covered by the basic archicad parameters and the company does not yet support the software in its downloads.

Worst optimization ever experienced

Comments: Absolutely horrible.

Pros:

Its a bim program and thats about it i think.

Cons:

The only reason we use archicad is simply that it is slightly better than revit. The problem with the program is that instead of cleaning up the extreme amount of mess they simply add useless new features constantly... which piles ontop of a thousand other useless things, making it less and less intuitive with every release. The absolute biggest problem though is simply how insanely badly optimized the program is. It simply doesnt matter how strong a computer you have... you will sit and wait for that blue circle spinning round and round for ages....

ArchiCAD

Comments: I have been with ArchiCAD since V4 and watched it grow into a great piece of software for our industry. It is used nearly every day and is a great asset in our office.

Pros:

With the release of ArchiCAD V23 there are a lot of new features that have increased my more flow. The integration of add-ons like TwinMotion and the new an improved coloumns and beams tools.

Cons:

Not a fan of the buy the software and then pay the monthly subscription on top. Adobe and other software don't do this. They should also include more in the subscription, localised add-ons like cadimage add-ons.

Fantastic drafting and BIM software

Comments: I really enjoy using Archicad and exploring the options available. I am constantly finding new ways to use the program

Pros:

Archicad is very easy to use, has every feature I can think of, and is just as easy to design in 3D as it is in 2D (usually at the same time)

Cons:

The biggest con is that most engineering firms use Revit, so the collaborative element with outside firms is limited.

The real BIM

Comments: Superb software, it is a real advantage with all the potential for improvement you can imagine. Great support and permanent development. It is also supported in MAC

Pros:

Its a tool created for architecture and it is amazingly agile and powerful. Archicad is definitely a competitive advantage.

Cons:

Since Archicad is not the industry standard, it sometimes creates conflict with consultants and clients.

ARCHICAD is the most mature and stable BIM solution available

Comments: Overall, it has been a great experience. There are always stumbling blocks with complex software, but we've done a good job of producing what we need with very tight deadlines.

Pros:

Very flexible for designers. We can produce the same deliverables in multiple ways depending on how we need to work.

Cons:

Sometimes too flexible, especially for newer users learning the software.

One of the best tools for BIM implementation

Comments: As an Architect, I have been able to use ArchiCAD for conceptual designs, detailed drafting, interior layouts as well as generating high-quality elevations, sections and 3D views for all my projects, including presentation drawings. In fact, 3D modelling and rendering have been made simple thanks to ArchiCAD. Visualization, (placing cameras) and gathering documentation are also uncomplicated. Rendering tools are useful and there is no need to get extra plug-ins for performing the same tasks that can be done within the software itself.
I consider ArchiCAD to be better than its counterparts, e.g. Revit mainly because it is uncomplicated to use, with the same functionality at an economical investment.

Pros:

ArchiCAD is one of the most innovative platforms for BIM available in the market today. It is a powerful software that can cater to the design needs of architects, interior designers as well as landscape and urban planners. One can either import 2D drafts into ArchiCAD and work on the same to prepare a 3D model; or work on ArchiCAD on Plan mode and the software will automatically generate elevations, sections and 3D views. If the building is multi-storey, it is much easier to correct any minor deficiencies in drafting (that can be missed in the plan view) through the 3D viewer, which makes it perfect to use when trying to pinpoint any errors. There is a wonderful feature in AutoCAD called Solibri Model Checker that can accurately analyse the BIM model to accurately locate errors along with any possible faults in design, and identify areas, where the components used, are clashing. As an Architect, I feel that it is a great tool that can be used to estimate the energy requirements of a building. Moreover, there is a plug-in called EcoDesigner STAR that offers features including energy model visualization, thermal zoning and simulations for energy performance. It is one of the better software I have used for 3D modelling and I never think of switching to any other.

Cons:

As is with other similar software, ArchiCAD requires a robust system to operate with a high level of RAM especially when rendering. It does tend to slow down the system a bit especially when you are opening a data-rich file. Secondly, there is a steep learning curve with the software, which is easy to overcome with practice. Apart from these two shortcomings, I have no other major concern that would affect my opinion of this otherwise excellent software.

Archicad is too pricey

Comments: excellent. in my opinion beats all the competion on the market

Pros:

World class software, easy to use. great customer support. a more morden way to do architecture

Cons:

To pricey.the priceing is jut too much affect solo practices who cant afford it

One of my favourite pieces of software

Comments: It allowed me to take my business from one where clients never really understood what it was they were getting to one where they knew exactly what they were going to get.

Pros:

ArchiCAD is a highly functional 3D CAD / BIM system which will allow you to realise your architectural visions in the best possible manner. It is relatively intuitive to use and it's use of 3D parametric elements makes modelling a breeze. Once you have mastered the basic 3D CAD capabilities there is also a world of BIM opportunities to discover as well. World class IFC interfaces make it easy to collaborate with other consultants.

Cons:

There is not a lot to actually dislike about ArchiCAD, maybe if anything its tendency to crash occassionally. (But generally it is easy enough to recover from near where you left off...)

Great software for small and big projects

Comments: It's a good BIM software for the price, and good setup for small projects including interior works.

Pros:

Easy to build the models and generate the presentation and construction drawings.

Cons:

Take a while to get used to the software from AutoCAD.

Love Archicad!

Comments: I've been using Archicad for over 6 years and plan to always use it because I like it so much. Never want to use Revit haha

Pros:

Can model both schematically and detailed. Like the aesthetics of the 3d window. Love graphic overrides. I'm a mac user so its nice to not have to spilt my operating system to accommodate a pc based software.

Cons:

Wish its object library were more residential focused.

The best software for modeling

Comments: I love using this software and i recommand it.

Pros:

ArchiCAD is a modern software for projects related to architecture, ArchiCAD offers you features like 2D and 3D design, estimation, which is great and it adapts to several terminal. the interface is really superb

Cons:

I don't have any cons for this product i like and used it.

Everything we need - and more!

Comments: I've been using ArchiCAD since I began working as a drafter in 2000. I started on ArchiCAD 7 so I've seen a lot of versions come and go. As with everything else computer related, the ease of use has greatly improved since then. At the time I had used AutoCAD and (for a brief time) VersaCAD. I can't say I was immediately impressed during my first few years... but my opinion has definitely changed. The most recent versions have everything we could ask for.

Pros:

ArchiCAD works very well for our needs in our small architectural office. It's easy to draw with accuracy and 3D models can be easily created. It does what we need it to do - and then some! I would recommend it to anyone in the building trade.

Cons:

Probably my biggest annoyance isn't with the software itself at this point, more with the fact that I feel sometimes we don't use the software to it's full capacity, often because we aren't aware of a feature / ability it has until someone stumbles upon it.

Do you need to learn Archicad

Comments: Overall if you are just venturing in BIM and just need to start somewhere, it is a good place to start.

Pros:

It has a very nice suite of features, nice integration based on BIM. For architectural purposes it has almost all the features and tools that one would need.

Cons:

There are some features that come with other BIM based software like Revit that are not present in Archicad. And 3rd party integration of software is also limited in Archicad as opposed to Revit.

Great program for architectural design

Pros:

This package is feature rich and is well supported. While there are nowhere as many users, at least in the US, as there are for the industry standard, it seems to me gaining in use - probably because of marketing to students. Cost is much more reasonable if you can manage without having the industry standard software.

Cons:

It is harder to collaborate with many engineers and other consultants that typically use the industry standard. It does support files created with other CAD packages, but it will never be as seamless as having everyone on the same platform. That said, with limited or no support between versions of the same package from the industry standard, coordination can still be a pain.

archicad helps you

Comments: in general it is a good program, I do not think it is the best and by far it is not the most used

Pros:

It is easy to use, it is pleasant with the user, it has a vast library to use, it gives you a landscape more attached to 3D reality

Cons:

It is not always compatible with the most used programs and not everyone has access to it, there is a similar program with the company that has the largest number of users dedicated to the 2D sector, therefore fewer users know how to handle it

Archicad makes me a better architect.

Comments: I have always been glad that I chose Archicad as the software for my work. Since 1996, the software has evolved into a very powerful set of tools for the practitioner..

Pros:

The use of Archicad and its full range of features including the 3-D window provides intuitive and organizational ways to successfully manage project development that consistently yields high quallity documents.

Cons:

It is hard to incorporate software improvements into the normal workflow without some guidance on how to incorporate the new features. It is very challenging to develop new expertise rapidly enough to take advantage of improvements.

ArchiCAD: for BIM demands

Comments: If you are doing any construction-related drawing, try ArchiCAD for a once for the perfect 3D outcome. It's priceworthy and highly recommended.

Pros:

As a civil engineer, using BIM software is essential for my day to day work. Usually I'm working as a Software Engineer, still, I'm doing simple house projects for my clients as draftsmen & I really satisfied with ArchiCAD to fulfil my clients' requirements. It is simple and more powerful. Can easily handle this software If we are familiar with AutoCAD because it's pretty similar UI like AutoCAD. ArchiCAD helps us to create powerful 3D drawings with more details. We can get detailed rendering even quicker when compared to the other market available BIM software.

Cons:

It's hard to find cons over this vendor. Need some stability upgrades over issues for crashing the software for working larger products. Need some RAM management improvement for this software. Other than these, ArchiCAD is perfect software.

The program is very complete.

Comments: I had to learn the program through work, at a flat and 3D level, it was designed jointly, it was a unique experience.

Pros:

The program is very complete, there is a lot to learn to use it and exploit it to the maximum, designing in real time makes the work more complete and more difficult but very useful.

Cons:

I used the program for plans and 3d beyond, I no longer used it, it was not easy for me to learn.

Archicad for every architecture

Comments: Designing the chinese building roof that i was use complex profile to complete my task
My benefit by using this archicad are like
To fulfill my client requirement on time and fully fill my task on time without any compression.

Pros:

Complex profile It easy to use and good feature in archicad because it help to draw all thing your want during desnining Help to simplify work during design

Cons:

Rendering this feature missing some feature that why many user they use another program like Atlantis or lumion and 3D max during rendering so must be improved

Great for Virtual Building

Pros:

ArchiCAD is very complete, light, intuitive and with excellent quality of representation, even because it is aimed exclusively at Architecture. But I believe that the biggest differential of it for the competitors is the freedom of customization of the project, not limiting it in design depending on the resources or by complexity, being much less bureaucratic. "

Cons:

Its does not have a MAC version yet, so you need to run Parallels Windows, that can makes your computer slower

Dynamic and Ease to use

Comments: I use this software to prepare building plans especially presentation drawings.

Pros:

It is quite easy in designing building plan with this software. It makes work easier as it comes handy automatically with other parts of plans such as the elevations which makes works faster.

Cons:

The software gives a little challenge when i try to change gadgets as the product key is not readily available. But the customer care helps in solving this issue

excellent outil de construction

Pros:

the fact of being able to have good quality models and renderings so it is easy to have the elements or equipment of a house such as chairs, tables, cars, window models to allow a good overview

Cons:

it is not easy to understand it without having had to do some work beforehand, so not being able to have a black background is really a problem for me

The Best BIM software

Comments: as an architect and professor in the University of the Visayas. I'm happy we purchased 20 licenses(Archicad 18) and i was amazed about the performance and the intuitive of the said software. Right now i'm happy because some of my students are working abroad and they're using archicad in australia and singapore. Keep it up!!!