The world's leading BIM software for the building industry

ArchiCAD is the world's most mature and advanced Building Information Modeling software available. 2D documentation is quicker and better coordinated as all views are live with your model. 3D is easy and the process is more video game like compared to tedious digital drafting. 4D schedules and 5D cost can also be derived from the intelligent Virtual Building model.

ArchiCAD Key Benefits

Unprecedented Speed for better productivity and more fluid design experience.

Innovation in Design technology, unique workflow for design coordination.

Partial Structure Display enables users to work in the rich composite structure environment, while being able to easily coordinate the load-bearing structure with engineers

Transforming Documentation for easier and better communication of design.

Fill capabilities including translucent solid, image fills, and transparent gradient fills allow architects to remain in the ArchiCAD environment while creating presentation documents that help win more competitions.

•  Modeling freedom

  The unprecedented improvement of modeling capabilities enables Archicad users to express their creativity with an extraordinary level of artistic freedom.

  • Slanted elements - All walls, beams and columns can be set to any desired angle, giving you greater modeling freedom
  • Cross-section profiles - Custom cross-section profiles for columns, beams and walls, can broaden your design possibilities
  • Priority-based walls intersection - With priority value assigned to each component, you can control how composite walls intersect and automatically get correct plan drawings
  • Reshaping elements in any View - Basic editing commands are now available in all views, so you can reshape even complex elements in the appropriate view
   

• Coordination - ArchiCAD introduces the industry-first Virtual TraceTM technology - allowing Coordination of any kind of views in the Virtual Building environment. “Visual Compare” - helps designers to easily identify the differences between documents. The new technology in v11 also improves integration of external drawings.

• Control - Providing quality documentation Architects can align drawing elements not only within one layout but also across multiple layouts.  Intelligent cross-referencing of all project views enables you to reference any view from anywhere in a smart manner. Using streamlined 2D editing techniques, the new line and fill normalization methods allows users to control the consolidation actions with a simple mouse click.
• Virtual Building Enhancements - Many enhancements include complex element geometry improvements along irregular paths, new interior elevation tools that create un-folded interior model views (of even the most complex shaped room), multi-story hotlinked modules, construction elements linked to stories, and PDF handling improvements.

•  Integrated workflow

  The entire design-to-documentation workflow is now integrated within Archicad. This simplified process, together with other major enhancements, will result in a hugely faster stream between the model and the drawings

  • Integrated layouting - PlotMaker layouting functions are now available in Archicad. New features further enhance the documentation process.
  • Extended drag & drop - Move navigator items, create views and place them on layouts, create publisher and merge layouts – simply by drag & drop
  • Smart drawing management - Drawing Manager monitors all drawings within a project. A new checking mechanism speeds up the update process significantly
  • Parametric drawing titles - Parametric titles are adjusted automatically to associated drawings - indicating specific data. This makes editing much more flexible

•  Interaction

  Archicad interaction methods make the program accessible for everyone. All relevant data, graphical or numeric, is always at hand, guiding users when needed, and continuously offering valuable feedback.

  • Pre-selection feedback - With this new feature, you'll know what will be selected in advance, and will receive immediate feedback about that element
  • Intelligent guide-lines - "Typical" guide-lines will appear when you pause the mouse over an element, "guessing" your intentions in advance
  • In-place numeric input - Numeric input will be at hand with every graphical operation. The tracker follows the cursor providing up-to-date information
  • Gradient fills - Linear & radial gradient fills will help you achieve a higher level of graphic quality and create better representations of your design

  In Archicad, we've put great value on immediate, easy usage and a very smooth learning curve. New users can immediately start working and have fun while modeling.

  

ArchiCAD STAR(T) Edition

The ArchiCAD STAR(T) Edition is a great way for individuals to ease into the Virtual Building (BIM) process without purchasing the full version of ArchiCAD. Some features are not available such as Teamwork and publishing functions or collaborative tools but the STAR(T) Edition still uses the ArchiCAD engine as the core technology. ArchiCAD STAR(T) Edition is a full fledged Virtual Building solution offered at a very competitive price with an upgrade path for clients to the full ArchiCAD program. The pricing and features make it ideal for the architect starting their careers. These clients do not need teamwork, collaboration or the full file exchange features of the full version but need a robust modeling tool at a lower cost and the STAR(T) Edition fits these needs. The STAR(T) Edition has a tremendous advantage over other generic 2D CAD solutions as it can develop full fledged models from which plans, sections, and elevations can be generated. Have a tight budget and just starting out? ArchiCAD STAR(T) Edition is the best choice among many other applications.

Visit the ArchiCAD Start website here

Click here for a special ArchiCAD START promotion

ArchiCAD in the Press

“This version is loaded with two if not three killer features that greatly aid the jump from 2D CAD to 3D BIM. […] The first of these, and probably the coolest new feature in this update, is something called Virtual Trace technology. “

 ArchiCAD 11 Review by Anthony Frausto-Robledo

“The folks at Graphisoft always have been leaders in the campaign to modernize and improve building processes through software, especially interoperable software. As exemplified by the current ArchiCAD 11, Graphisoft's insights into process improvement include: the adaptability of the ArchiCAD interface; the superiority of WorkGroups as a model-sharing methodology; the slickness of Virtual Trace as a 2D-3D workflow transition approach”

A walk in the park by Jerry Laiserin

http://aec.cadalyst.com

“The Splitter ...This function is a really nice improvement to the computer-drawing experience. …improvements such as this one will lead to more architects embracing BIM."

ArchiCAD 11 By: Scott MacKenzie

http://aec.cadalyst.com

“Not all new releases of applications necessarily have a "killer feature," but ArchiCAD 11 certainly does—in its new Virtual Trace technology. Simple and intuitive in concept but extremely sophisticated in execution, Virtual Trace is an innovative translation of the familiar tracing paper architects are used to working with from the physical to the digital world.“

“For a new feature, Virtual Trace is surprisingly well-developed. […] there is full control […] For users new to BIM, […] will be extremely helpful. You could try and simulate the same environment in another BIM application by using two or more windows, but this is not as intuitive or as elegant a solution as Virtual Trace. And of course, the comparison capability of Virtual Trace in conjunction with the new Worksheet tool and environment is completely unique to ArchiCAD.“

“…making this release really focused on 2D and on going from 2D to BIM, rather than on BIM itself. It makes ArchiCAD a compelling choice for those who are currently working in 2D and looking for a gentle transition to BIM.“

“Let's hope that the same minds which engineered the brilliant Virtual Trace technology in ArchiCAD 11 can come up some innovative ways to make BIM smarter in future versions of ArchiCAD.“

ArchiCAD 11 Review By: Lachmi Khemlani, Ph.D.

http://www.aecbytes.com

“I always enjoy diving back into ArchiCAD, because the software invariably comes up with something interesting and unexpected with each new iteration.“

“… the latest version of ArchiCAD 11 provides some fascinating new features. […] another industry first - Virtual Trace technology, which enables users to coordinate views in a virtual building environment. Specifically developed to help mainly 2D CAD users to adapt to a 3D working environment, it works just like tracing paper..“

What’s the storey? By: David Chadwick

http://www.caduser.com

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