ARCHICAD Reviews

Pros

How to begin this review? This software is so delightful! Actually, this software is my first option on BIM world. The render engine quality is amazing and very likely and customizable. This is an AMAZING OPTION, an AMAZING PRODUCT, the best choose.

In its features, this software it's an adventure, the more you enter the menus and options, the more you get enchanted.

One of the best things on it, it's the fluency on the model management and the views, the control on every level of the model, the customizability on the menus.

Frankly, this is a great option.

Cons

The dislike about this software? Actually i have minimum dislikes, the only thing I'd recommend to the developers of ArchiCAD would be that the document generator could be more friendly, like other drawing CAD applications, that would make more easier the process of finishing the tasks. Oh, and another thing that I don't find very likeable is that the IOS verson of the bimx is more practical than the pc one.

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...)

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.

Pros

I have used this software for my design needs for the last one year and the value I have gotten from it it insurmountable! The software offers a nice practical 2D and 3D experience when doing the models. It also offers numerous tools which when combined, one is able to bring out an excellent image just like a pro. With proficiency with the software, one is able to maneuver so fast and with so much ease that the software actually reduces the time required for a drawing by more than 70%. It was easy for me to learn the operations as they all are practical and well organized on the screen.

Cons

Some starters may find it challenging to work with the numerous tools the software offers. It also requires some advanced skills and knowledge about designs.

Pros

As an Architect it is important to have a good tool with you & i guess ArchiCAD is the first choice. as a young and aspiring architect i always wanted give a meaning to my design, This software help me to get a more practical approach to my work from the beginning of my design, I can work in more details of my project while managing it's 3-D model effortlessly. More control over model while drawing in 2-D is a plus.

The more you will use it more will connect with the software.

Cons

not much but the document manager is bit more complicated, it could more user friendly it will make our more easier.

Pros

Flexibility, ease of use and depth of project customization. Design in 2 and 3 dimensions simultaneously. Import and export projects with AutoCad, etc.

Cons

Not as popular as AutoCAD, fewer free and for fee objects available. Deep knowledge is required to unlock all of ArchiCAD’s powerful features.

Pros

ArchiCAD allows the user a great deal of specificity when it comes to the 2D and 3D look of different objects, walls, doors, etc. Used in coordination with BIMx, it is an outstanding tool for combining visualization and documentation.

Cons

Given that there is such a high level of allowable customization, it is not as easy to use "out-of-the-box". Without a more highly specified internal, firm-created template, there is a high learning curve to get CDs to look the way you want them to look.

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

Pros

If you're familiar with CADD programs and drafting environments, you'll feel right at home with ArchiCAD. It is very easy to start using, and their tutorials and help menu can answer pretty much any question you have.

Cons

It doesn't play well with other drafting platforms, so you pretty much need to choose one and work solely in that environment.

Pros

basically everything, from its interface, to its functions. most user friendly BIM software i used. its has its own unique functions and combination of various softwares.

Cons

so far, the least thing i like about this software is its compatibility with other engineering functions; structural, mep and other stuff.

Pros

Free form modeling

Cons

It needs very powerfull machine

Pros

-It has a very clear user interface
-You do not need a plugin rendering machine, as this one is built into the program
-Fantastic rendering tools
-You can work on your project from start to finish ( 2D plans to 3D)
-Lighting effects achieved are great
-Great for both Mac and Windows
-Good customer service
-Easy to use once you have taken the time to learn it

Cons

-Not for a beginner to BIM - much dedication needed to learn the program
-A little on the pricey side
-Layer management is not so good
-Not much of a selection of blocks
-Settings are not that straight forward - you can spend hours trying to figure it out

Pros

It is easy to use from day one, it is flexible to adapt to your office's needs and the 3d model is detailed enough to send it forward to the visualisation team

Cons

There are few plugins compared to similar prodcts, so for example I cannot use Archicad for daylight simulation in LEED and BREEAM projects

Pros

I use this software from 1990 and it was and it is the quickest cad for architectural design. I am very satisfied with this product.

Cons

the compatibility with the older versions of software is the only problem of this software and the price medium-high

Pros

It comes with drag and drop style tools that are easily programmable. The conversion from a 2D layout design to 3D and Floor plans is automated. It comes with built in Libraries that can easily provide finishing details and realistic proportions of final design. Very good for Quick Design jobs under time constraint.

Cons

The rendering of 3D models is very poor in Quality. Additional Render tools are required which come separately at additional cost.

Pros

- 2D and 3D modelling simultaneously in one software program
- Exporting to AutoCAD .dwg formats for coordinating with other designers is a big benefit to us
- The ability to annotate on any axis helps us produce detailed design drawings with ease

Cons

- Learning curve if you are used to AutoCAD drafting environments
- Large files tend to slow down when navigating and manipulating

Pros

Good user interface; very clear and also enables quick a lot of user adjustment. Flexibility, ease of use and depth of project customization. Design in 2 and 3 dimensions simultaneously. Import and export projects with AutoCad, etc.

Cons

Too many object settings for each object makes learning curve quite steep. Not intuitive enough for quick design experimentation (a la Sketchup). Opening up files take a long time depending on your CPU.

Pros

ArchiCAD has many great qualities, like their great customer service and mobile access capabilities. It is important for our workflow and it has done wonderfully.

Cons

At first, we were worried about the length and administration of software training. However, the program scales up incredibly well for all company sizes , making training a breeze.

Pros

3D Animation
Ease of use integration into other Programs like lumion & twinmotion
Import & export to other program formats

Cons

there is not much to critisize about due to the program is stryt forward, however there is a bug problem that causes the program to shutdown when you are doing big projects.

Pros

I spent part of my time each day providing drafting support to our designers, and ArchiCAD was an easy program for me to learn even with minimal drafting experience. The support documents and online resources helped me overcome any learning obstacle I came across.

Cons

Having installed ArchiCAD on each computer, it was a tad time consuming to installed and license for everyone. But that's really the only negative I can think of, the drafting interface and features are fantastic!

Pros

My experience is mainly in MEP and I like how easy it can be to adjust the default components in the libraries, without the need to add a new one. With other BIM softwares it is more complicated to adjust the dimensions of these components.

Cons

It really is a software that I like a lot and I would recommend it on the competition, what I like the least could be a little the interface that does not look so modern, but as Softaware I do not have negative criticism.

Pros

ArchiCAD is a good tool for those companies that are developing architecture projects. The reason is because it allows specific designs and the development of the work, from the beginning to the end.

Cons

You have to add personalized data, so only reliable users should enter. The price is very expensive, which is negative for users.

Pros

3d plan

Cons

new

Pros

I've used ArchiCAD in the past to do some 3D modeling and rendering visualization for architectural projects. However, in my experience using other 5-8 software on the same line, I think ArchiCAD in one of the most basic ones. You'll be able to create a project from scratch and do a fair/good quality rendering if you know how to use it.

You would also, learn how to be organized with layer management.

Cons

The compatibility with 3D model formats (the most known like 3DS, FBX, and OBJ don't really work great, as some of the textures may be missing during the export-import process.

Also, their customer service, can be a little painfull, just to get answers to common issues. You'll spend 30-45 minutes, to get a not much-convinced answer, that you could probably find by looking in the web.

I do not have a great experience with this software, but I think maybe it is a good software for those who are more involved in the Interior design or students to start in the industry because it gives you the tools to understand other software.