Archicad has been one of the most popular applications for construction and architectural design offices since its inception. In its more than thirty years on the market, it has evolved from a powerful tool for creating construction documentation based on a 3D model into a management application for any size of project team working with BIM technology.
What's more, Archicad now also performs complex tasks of model-based analysis, creating MEP installation models, creating an analytical model of a structure or checking the quality of the documentation and model created.
Archicad and AI solutions
Recent versions also bring the first Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based tools, allowing users to quickly make photorealistic visualizations also at a very early stage of conception without having to detail a 3D model or test different options for the finishing materials used. This significantly changes the traditional approach to visualization and communication with the client, as does the introduction some time ago of presentation capabilities via BIMx, which allows users to view documentation synchronized live with the 3D model.
Intuitive program operation
What is particularly valuable to users is to keep the operation as intuitive as possible. Further functionalities of the program, now provided by the manufacturer twice a year, a set of additional tools in the form of prepared by independent companies or solutions allowing to combine Archicad with specialized applications fortunately maintain a friendly interface and the intuitive way of communicating with the program still remains extremely effective.
Almost all the tasks performed in the program have been automated, which allows users to focus as much as possible on designing. The idea of working remains the same in the program since its inception, synchronizing the various views of the documentation along with the model on an ongoing basis and continuously managing the related information allows the execution of a coherent project in any size project team and also complying with the BIM methodology.
Archicad 28
The latest version of the program is numbered 28 and brings a whole set of expected novelties, including the possibility of automated creation of project descriptions using Annotations, entering and editing elements using active Distance Indicators or creating visualizations in AI Visualizer using the cloud without the need to install and configure the engine on your own computer.
Important changes have also been made to the object libraries that come standard with Archicad. These sets of highly parameterized, ready-made model fragments and documentation have been significantly expanded with hundreds of objects prepared to meet the needs of users from different parts of the world. The new library delivery system revolutionizes the management of objects and, among other things, allows them to be used in the language version of choice regardless of the country in which they were prepared.
Further improvements have also been made to the MEP Designer tool, which in its latest version can recalculate, optimize and change the dimensions of a ventilation system depending on the set parameters of the amount of air flowing and its speed.
Significant changes also apply to the program's licensing. Due to the ongoing transition to a subscription model, in addition to Archicad 28's perpetual license, two sets differing in additional functionality have appeared:
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Archicad Studio, a basic version of the program with the ability to work collaboratively using BIMcloud Basic, available in Polish with a built-in AI Visualizer module.
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Archicad Collaborate, an extended set allows additional use of the collaborative work service on the manufacturer's configured server (BIMcloud Saas) and additionally in the English language version (INT).
Both packages, available in a subscription model, benefit from cloud-based license security.
Archiclub and Archiclub Library for Archicad
WSC's existing Archiclub services are continuously offered to users of the latest versions of Archicad. Regardless of subscription changes, they remain available for creating new projects and editing previously started ones.
Archiclub's additional solutions now consist not only of toolkits delivered in the form of a library, but also Work Environment Profiles and Pattern files used as work templates.
Archiclub's additional solutions significantly expand Archicad's capabilities and adapt them to the specifics of the Polish market. The vast majority of them were created in response to ideas, wishes and comments submitted by users. As a result, many specific design tasks such as analyzing the insolation of rooms, checking the length of escape routes or describing areas for created apartment cards have been significantly improved.
The tool library contains dozens of solutions that will come in handy during the execution of various phases of the project, help to create documentation, lists or advanced 3D models more efficiently. Some of the available tools and objects are described below.
Insolation analysis tool - Sun ruler
The Sun Line object with, together with the Shading object from the Tools library, allows you to perform a professional analysis of the insolation time of rooms required by the Technical Conditions. The analysis is performed taking into account the surrounding buildings at any stage of the project, both in 2D and 3D, by entering the relevant data or setting the appropriate active points of the object with a convenient dragging method. Using the object, clear documentation can be generated, which includes symbols and triangles representing the results of the analysis allowing you to easily verify the results and understand how they were obtained.
Insolation analysis tool - Sun ruler
Design and analysis: SAFS Studio, arch. Filip Sobstel
Window and Door Improvements
The window and door objects known from Archicad's standard library have been supplemented with additional types and many parameters needed in daily work have been added. Doors now have all available ventilator types along with a symbol on the projection and the ability to calculate norm values. All modified objects have true carbide layers modeled in 3D, an integrated lintel in the 3D model, and the ability to filter in the model using the Partial Structure Display function.
Window and Door Enhancements
© WSC
Advanced modeling - Rotating solids
The library contains an object that allows parametric execution of rotating solids in 3D. Thanks to new capabilities, we can set our own resolution of such a solid, as well as use an existing Composite Profile. The object is a perfect complement and extension of Archicad's functionality, where similar elements can be made using the Shape or Shell tool.
Advanced modeling - Rotating solids
© WSC
Advanced modeling - Snake 3D
With this advanced object, you can drag any profile, including those from the Complex Profiles library, along a designated 3D path. The object remains parametric at all times and allows constant editing. With its capabilities, it fills a gap in Archicad's capabilities and allows the user to create parametric stucco, model a handicap ramp, a road in a modeled area or examine the length of an escape route in both 2D and 3D with appropriate description and labeling.
Advanced modeling - Snake 3D
© WSC
Plant library
3D models of trees from the standard library are worth supplementing with Archiclub's plant library produced by the well-known Italian company Archiradar. Thanks to this, we can insert high-quality trees into the 3D model, equivalents of selected species, with the possibility of parametric influence on many settings and, what is very important, perfectly optimized to work in the 3D window of Archicad.
Plant library
© WSC
Statement tools - Tables
Several table objects fill the gap in the program's tools and allow to display any data in a graphical form in the selected Archicad window. Tables can be synchronized with selected list views of the program and can be used, for example, to describe units in apartment cards displaying summary data in editable graphics.
List view tools - Tables
© WSC
Tools for documentation - Labels
A rich set of labels complements the known capabilities of the program, it will allow you to display related data to the elements, which cannot be obtained by standard means, among other things, it will allow you to dimension the height of rooms in the attic, display the angle of any slope of a multi-slope roof, dimension the elements of the roof truss or describe the finishing materials for windows or any library object.
Documentation Tools - Labels
© WSC
Advanced modeling - Tiles
A unique solution that works both as an object and as an accessory linked to elements allows you to make an advanced layout of tiles or elements on a selected surface.
The tool allows you to make any pattern, create 3D claddings, randomly assign finishes with textures or make roofing or facades.
Advanced Modeling - Tiles
© WSC
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