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ARCHICAD

ARCHICAD

Overview

What is ARCHICAD?

ARCHICAD is a 3D architectural design application and BIM from Graphisoft, a Nemetschek Group company headquartered in Budapest.

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Recent Reviews

TrustRadius Insights

ARCHICAD is widely used by architects, engineers, and interior designers to transform their ideas into compelling virtual structures. With …
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Reviewer Pros & Cons

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Pricing

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Archicad Solo Version

$240

Cloud
per month

Archicad Full Version

$280

Cloud
per month

Entry-level set up fee?

  • No setup fee

Offerings

  • Free Trial
  • Free/Freemium Version
  • Premium Consulting/Integration Services
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Product Details

What is ARCHICAD?

ARCHICAD Video

Design, collaborate, document, analyze, and visualize with Archicad. More information: http://graphisoft.com/archicad Free ARCHICAD Download: http://www.graphisoft.com/downloads/ https://www.youtube.com/user/Archicad https://www.facebook.com/archicad https://www.instagr...
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ARCHICAD Technical Details

Deployment TypesSoftware as a Service (SaaS), Cloud, or Web-Based
Operating SystemsUnspecified
Mobile ApplicationNo
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Comparisons

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Reviews and Ratings

(27)

Community Insights

TrustRadius Insights are summaries of user sentiment data from TrustRadius reviews and, when necessary, 3rd-party data sources. Have feedback on this content? Let us know!

ARCHICAD is widely used by architects, engineers, and interior designers to transform their ideas into compelling virtual structures. With its easy-to-use interface and customizable options, users can quickly create virtual buildings and architectural components. This makes it convenient for professionals to present their client's ideas visually, helping them to better understand the design concepts.

The software simplifies the architectural and engineering workflow by providing a well-organized display of plans and notes. This eliminates the need for struggling with decision-making and implementation, as everything is easily accessible in one place. Furthermore, ARCHICAD serves as the primary tool for producing architectural plans, 3D models, construction documentation, design coordination, and visualization processes. It has been trusted by firms for over 25 years, supporting various stages of projects from conceptual design to construction administration.

Interior designers find ARCHICAD particularly useful for conceptualizing base designs, modifying geometrical objects, and reviewing models created by students. The compatibility of ARCHICAD with both Mac and Windows systems simplifies administration and expansion. While the software is well-designed and easy to use, there are some limitations in the student version, such as scaling for printing and landscape features in rendering.

Overall, ARCHICAD offers a user-friendly experience that empowers professionals to visualize their ideas effectively and seamlessly execute them in real-life experiences. It is an essential tool used by architects, engineers, and designers in both large and small projects for various tasks including building drawings, urban planning, lighting design, landscaping, and interior design coordination.

User Interface: Many users have praised ARCHICAD for its super cool and graphics-oriented user interface. Numerous reviewers have mentioned that it provides a variety of tools and options for drawing and editing, making it easy to create architectural designs.

Seamless Collaboration: The seamless collaboration feature of ARCHICAD has received high praise from users. Several reviewers have highlighted how this feature allows for easy teamwork with other members, facilitating efficient communication and coordination among multidisciplinary teams.

Integration with Other Software: Users appreciate ARCHICAD's integration with other software like Lumion 360 render software. Multiple reviewers have commented on how this integration enhances the realism and visual appeal of the drawings, making them appear more real.

High Pricing: Some users have expressed that the subscription or pricing for ArchiCAD is on the higher side, which makes it less affordable for certain individuals or businesses. They feel that a more competitive price point would be beneficial in order to attract a wider user base and provide better value.

Limited Features: Several reviewers have mentioned that ArchiCAD lacks certain features like an automatic Keynote database extraction system and an expandable Phasing/Options manager, which can be limiting compared to other software options. These missing features hinder their workflow and require them to find workarounds or use additional tools.

Complex Setup and Customization: A number of users find that setting up and customizing the Revision/Change Manager and new Stair and Railing tools in ArchiCAD is too complex. This complexity leads to frustration as they struggle to efficiently utilize these features and spend additional time learning how to customize them according to their specific needs.

Users commonly recommend the following for Archicad:

  1. Customize template files: Many users suggest creating customized template files that align with their specific requirements. By doing so, they can achieve better results and enhance their workflow efficiency.

2.Seek training and guidance: It is recommended to attend training sessions or seek guidance from experienced Archicad users. Proper training and understanding of the software are crucial for maximizing its capabilities and becoming proficient in its use.

3.Consider client preferences: Users advise considering the preferences of clients when choosing software. This ensures that the selected software aligns with the client's needs and facilitates smoother collaboration throughout the design process.

Attribute Ratings

Reviews

(1-4 of 4)
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Brian Walker, AIA | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
ARCHICAD is our primary CAD/BIM software for 2D and 3D Architectural drawings. We use it to produce our Architectural plans, and in some projects, 3D models that we export for further rendering. Without a product like ARCHICAD, I would have to learn to draw by hand, so I am thankful to have it.
  • 2D Drafting (CAD).
  • Linking Drawings to Layout Sheets.
  • 3D Visualizing.
  • CAD to BIM integration.
  • More control / options for exporting to other platforms.
  • 3D model manipulation.
  • 3D modeling for custom object building.
ARCHICAD is a fantastic CAD program on its own. Having built-in BIM capabilities above that makes for a fantastic piece of software that makes my job easier as an Architect. I am constantly finding new features and implementing them on future projects such as making custom schedules that automatically tie to the project and update with changes. The one downside is that outside my office, many engineers and contractors use PC-based platforms, which ARCHICAD is not native to. As such when they want to integrate our project into their software, there are a lot of issues or a bunch of extra steps. ARCHICAD can export DWGs and read DWGs from AutoDesk - but it is a bit difficult and does not always translate correctly.
  • Drafting
  • 3D Modeling.
  • Automatic Schedules.
  • This product allows us to draft on a Mac OS.
  • The tool we use to make our product (Architectural Plans).
  • Helps 3D model and render images for clients.
November 29, 2021

Easy Working

Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
We draw a 3D Model, Plan, and section with it. It is designed really well and easy to use, there are just some small points: I use the student version of it. In the scaling for printing, there is a limitation of scale with proper scale size in the Student version! And also in rendering, there is not enough landscape features.
  • Drawing precisely.
  • Easy to draw 3D Model , section, elevation, plan in the same time.
  • Landscape Features
  • Furniture's
  • Open GIS file easily
It is well in all kinds of Architectural drawings and shows the exact Areas. But for the Final presenting drawing, it needs other software such as photoshop to make the better materials and higher quality.
  • Precise and fast drawings.
  • Easy to combine 3d and 2D.
  • Easy to learn.
  • Fast and easy drawing help me to save more time.
  • Use DXF file also help me to use my old files in Archicad.
Archicad is faster in free design shapes.
peter mugambi | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
ARCHICAD makes it easy to present client ideas in a drawing form making it easy to display thoughts and ideas into a real picture. It makes architectural and engineering work on planning and developments more comfortable and easy where everything is well displayed and noted down meaning no need to strain on what to do, where, and how. It transforms conceptual designs into more compelling imaginary actual structures which are easy to interpret, execute and achieve in real-life experience.
  • Presenting sketched paper works into an actual real object by transforming it from line work to real structural walls with all the necessary features like windows, doors, stone texture, and colors.
  • The integration of other software like Lumion 360 render software makes drawing appear more real
  • Using modular patterns included in the façade design workflow, a hierarchical curtain wall system can be readily established, built, specified, and erected. ARCHICAD adapts natural graphical inputs in design settings with 3D or 2D elevation.
  • Increasing the size of the files in ArchiCAD to allow it to be used for more complex applications can be more comfortable and user-friendly.
  • Improving it to support more tutorials, add-ons, resources, and e-books.
  • Withholding releasing and developing new software and concentrating on improving the existing version can greatly help in the life of architecture and engineering.
ARCHICAD, is well suited in presenting all desired projects in building and construction works more so where the client has just an idea but lacks the actual picture in mind. When doing all commercial buildings where proper records and evidence is record is needed, ARCHICAD should be considered. Projects which involve complex and large volumes of labor require well-presented drawings or representation done with ARCHICAD for proper and easy execution. ARCHICAD is less appropriate for small jobs like shades which are not complex and need less attention.
  • Faster and smoother 3D navigation aspect which helps in displaying plan into actual building.
  • Complex and well-defined objects make it easy when I need to display actual objects on a drawing plan.
  • Stair design is one of the most difficult problems in architecture. The Stair Tool in Archicad analyses thousands of design choices and presents the best stair designs in the context of the specific structure.
  • ARCHICAD have positively increased the volume of projects as it is easy to execute since the projects are well defined.
  • Also, ARCHICAD has positively helped mobilize quickly and effectively funds, labor, and necessary requirement since everything is well outlined such that it is easy to calculate actual cost.
  • ARCHICAD has helped reduce paperwork which was more tiresome and time-consuming by doing drawings manually and this has helped save on time of completing projects.
AutoCAD uses line works in actual presentation whiles ARCHICAD uses real structural walls which are easy to use and present compared to line works. Revit largely and mainly focused on structural design and is more complex to use compared to ARCHICAD which helps one focus on different aspects of drawing and is easy to integrate with rendering software like Lumion 360 panorama.
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
Being an interior designer by profession and now heading the department of Interior Design, I use this software to conceptualize the base design and modify geometrical objects. I also review the models created by the students using this software. The modern design interface helps me and my students to quickly create virtual buildings or virtual components, such as doors, walls, roofs or any other architectural structure. The user interface is quite user friendly, which helps in quick customization. This is what I really like.
  • User interface is super cool. It helps you customize any new theme on your architectural objects.
  • Minimalistic approach in the toolkit helps in quick editing.
  • Render realistic images.
  • Collaboration with other team members is an awesome feature.
  • Subscription or pricing is on a little higher side.
  • Requires a robust system of high level RAM, otherwise it crashes often.
  • Due to its minimalistic approach, it is not flexible enough like other software.
Best suited with:
1) High quality RAM
2) First time users on architectural design
3) Quick layouts with customization

Not suitable for:
1) [If] more flexibility in design is required
2) Less RAM
3) Transferring standard details into a project
  • Easy way of imparting training to students
  • Quick customization for quick results
  • Visualization of geometrical objects is amazing and gives a holistic view of your imagination
  • Resolution on images, such as light, texture and theme is quick and agile
  • Helped us build an expert team of faculties to teach ARCHICAD
  • Developed design workflow has sped up
  • Working collaboratively and sharing information has become easier
  • Workflow tracking with detailed analysis has helped solve problems at the root stage
ARCHICAD is more intuitive and user friendly tool than AutoCAD. In this day and age, we need a minimalistic approach tool that can help us create smart designs with right user experience. The custom libraries and design options of ARCHICAD gives us better design variations in an actual work environment and ARCHICAD fulfills that with a perfect score.
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