Overview
What is ARCHICAD?
ARCHICAD is a 3D architectural design application and BIM from Graphisoft, a Nemetschek Group company headquartered in Budapest.
TrustRadius Insights
Best CAD software for Mac OS
Easy Working
The future of construction and life of architectural and engineering made easy.
Transform Designs to Reality with ARCHICAD!
BIM 3D software for architects and engineers
A solid competitor to the other CAD solutions out there
ArchiCAD is an all-around great design platform, right under your nose for 25 years!
ARCHICAD, although flawed, pretty much destroys the competition
Reviewer Pros & Cons
Pricing
Archicad Solo Version
$240
Archicad Full Version
$280
Entry-level set up fee?
- No setup fee
Offerings
- Free Trial
- Free/Freemium Version
- Premium Consulting/Integration Services
Product Details
- About
- Tech Details
What is ARCHICAD?
ARCHICAD Video
ARCHICAD Technical Details
Deployment Types | Software as a Service (SaaS), Cloud, or Web-Based |
---|---|
Operating Systems | Unspecified |
Mobile Application | No |
Comparisons
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Reviews and Ratings
(27)Community Insights
- Business Problems Solved
- Pros
- Cons
- Recommendations
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:
- 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
(1-9 of 9)- faster and more effective development of plans
- the collaboration features enable teams to work together more effectively, regardless of geographical location
- by integrating architectural, structural, and MEP systems into a single model, ARCHICAD helps identify and resolve potential conflicts early in the design process.
- the compatibility issues with other software platforms or stakeholders which are not using ARCHICAD could pose challenges for collaboration and interoperability.
Best CAD software for Mac OS
- 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.
Easy Working
- Fast and easy drawing help me to save more time.
- Use DXF file also help me to use my old files in Archicad.
- 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.
Transform Designs to Reality with ARCHICAD!
- 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
BIM 3D software for architects and engineers
- Cost-benefit.
- 2D and 3D in the same software.
A solid competitor to the other CAD solutions out there
- Collaboration with remote offices is good.
- Production of information (when you do the setup of the model initially well) is easy.
- The low multi-year cost is a huge savings, compared to more popular competitors, the total cost of ownership is about 1/4 of an Autodesk design suite.
- An effective training program can be implemented in under 40 hours/employee to reach intermediate level, as the intuitive interface is easy to teach. This appears to be significantly less, perhaps 1/3 of competing software.
- The underdog element is still an obstacle, as converting ArchiCAD projects to Revit for our Consultants is a challenge. While ArchiCAD outputs perfectly good IFC (industry-standard BIM interchange format) files, Revit has yet to import them 100% correctly. Therefore, working with others takes a bit more overhead than when using Revit.
- As a freelancer, in one sense the productivity gains generated by ArchiCAD are a (short-term) negative, because greater efficiency results in fewer billable hours -- though long term, it is hard to remain competitive that way.
- As an architect, the productivity gains give me an edge over the competition and allow me to improve quality quite drastically within any given time budget compared with alternatives.
- I am able to tackle much larger and more complex projects, single-handed if necessary, and with more confidence than I ever could have without ArchiCAD.