ArchiCAD is an architectural BIM software application developed for architects for two and three-dimensional design. The software’s capabilities and add-ons enable users to create building models using structural elements such as doors, windows, slabs, and many others. The program comes with Graphisoft’s BIMcloud and BIMx which allow architects to work simultaneously on a design. They also enable users to view their models from any device at any time. ArchiCAD is widely used in the AEC (Architecture, Engineering, and Construction) and design industries.
Origin of ArchiCAD
The evolution of ArchiCAD started in Hungary, 1982 when Gabor Bajor launched Graphisoft. Bajor was a Hungarian software developer who, at that time, developed terrain modeling software on micro-computers and was working as the head of the mathematical department at the Geophysical Institute, Budapest. The allowance of private companies, following the end of the communist party of Hungary, encouraged Gabor Bajor to leave his job at the institute to found Graphisoft alongside a skilled team of three-dimensional mathematical modeling experts. Their lack of access to modern efficient computers emboldened them to create 3D modeling applications that were compatible with small inexpensive personal computers. These modeling software applications were offered to the architects.
The interface of ArchiCAD v1 on Apple Macintosh (Source)
Initially, finding a hardware partner was quite difficult as companies already had mainframe computers running CAD and were not interested in having 3D modeling on a PC. Finally, Graphisoft’s impressive capacity and their development of Architectural CAD in 2D and 3D technology attracted Apple Inc. as partners. Steve Jobs himself, the founder of Apple, sent them an Apple computer. This made it possible for Graphisoft to create ArchiCAD for Macintosh, officially released in 1987. It was first introduced first as a virtual building concept and later as a building information modeling software, making ArchiCAD the first implementation of BIM on a personal computer.
The ArchiCAD Timeline
Through the years, ArchiCAD has grown from a simple architectural 3D design software to an industry-acclaimed BIM CAD software with about 120,000 users worldwide. At release, the program had separate 2D and 3D modules, then later integrated in 1993. Since that time, various new features such as colors, camera tools, elevations and sections gotten from the floor plan, rendering tools, and others have been added. The software was only for Apple Macintosh until 1993 when Graphisoft released a version for Windows 3.1. ArchiCAD 4.55 was the first version to be compatible with both Windows and Apple. Some other notable additions were the addition of collaboration tools (in 1998), beam tools, ArchiCAD library, BIM cloud features, and so many others which would be mentioned later.
|
Version |
Release date |
Operating system |
Various additions |
|
ArchiCAD 2.0 |
1986 |
Apple Macintosh |
|
|
ArchiCAD 3.0 |
1987 |
Apple Macintosh |
Colour was added |
|
ArchiCAD 3.1 |
1988 |
Apple Macintosh |
|
|
ArchiCAD 3.3 |
1989 |
Apple Macintosh |
|
|
ArchiCAD 3.4 |
1990 |
Apple Macintosh |
|
|
ArchiCAD 4.0 |
1991 |
Apple Macintosh |
Tools for rendering |
|
ArchiCAD 4.1 |
1992 |
Apple Macintosh |
|
|
ArchiCAD 4.16 |
1993 |
Windows 3.1 |
This was the first windows version |
|
ArchiCAD 4.5 |
1994 |
Apple Macintosh |
More drawing tool properties, Camera tools, elevations and sections could be gotten from plans, etc. |
|
ArchiCAD 4.55 |
1995 |
Applet Macintosh, Windows 3.1, and Windows 95 |
|
|
ArchiCAD5.0 |
1996 |
Apple Macintosh Windows 95 and NT |
|
|
ArchiCAD 5.1 |
1997 |
Apple Macintosh |
First file exchange based collaboration |
|
ArchiCAD 6.0 |
1998 |
Apple Macintosh Windows 95, and NT |
Addition of various wall types, |
|
ArchiCAD 6.5 |
1999 |
Apple Macintosh Windows NT and 2000 |
Beam tools, round columns, more realistic view of elevation, figure tools. |
|
ArchiCAD 7.0 |
2001 |
Mac OS, OS Windows 98, NT4, 2000, and XP |
More library properties such as library manager, and library control. New 3D views, construction simulation. |
|
ArchiCAD 8 |
2002 |
Mac OS 9/OS X Windows NT4 Windows 2000 Windows XP |
Open GL, editable library hotspots, operations of solid elements. |
|
ArchiCAD 8.1 |
2003 |
Mac OS X Windows 2000 Windows XP |
More wall editing options, heater and diet option for print, support of quick time image format. |
|
ArchiCAD 9 |
2004 |
Mac OS X Windows 2000 Windows XP |
Line weight, intelligent auto-save, customization of the work environment, section transparency, library part search, and work environment customization |
|
ArchiCAD 10 |
2006 |
Mac OS X (PPC) Windows XP |
New menu template, auto-text, guidelines, shaded sections, flexible work environment, integrated layout, creation of custom components, and others |
|
ArchiCAD 10 (IntelMac) |
2006 |
Mac OS X (Intel) |
First version for Intel |
|
ArchiCAD 11 |
2007 |
Mac OS X 10.4 (PPC and Intel) Windows XP Windows Vista |
Separated section and elevation tools, interior elevation tools, the introduction of worksheets, virtual tracing. |
|
ArchiCAD 12 |
2008 |
Mac OS X 10.4 10.5 (PPC and Intel) Windows XP Windows Vista |
3D documents, partial structure display, curtain wall tool, and so on |
|
ArchiCAD 13 |
2009 |
Mac OS X 10.5 10.6 (Intel only) Windows XP Windows Vista Windows 7 |
Introduction of Graphisoft BIM server |
|
ArchiCAD 14 |
2010 |
Mac OS X 10.5 10.6 (Intel only) Windows XP Windows Vista Windows 7 |
Streamlined exportation to Excel, 64-bit BIM server for MacOS, shadows in openGL, and open design collaboration. |
|
ArchiCAD 15 |
2011 |
Mac OS X 10.6 Windows XP Windows Vista Windows 7 Windows 8 |
Improved model connections, 3D editing planes and guidelines, 64-bit Mac version, Faster autosave, sky lights, shell tools, and addition of complex roofs. |
|
ArchiCAD 16 |
2012 |
Mac OS X 10.6 Mac OS X 10.7 Mac OS X 10.8 Windows XP Windows Vista Windows 7 Windows 8 |
Graphical editing, enhanced IFC collaboration, easier DXF/DWG data exchange, and morph tool. |
|
ArchiCAD 17 |
2013 |
Mac OS X 10.6 Mac OS X 10.7 Mac OS X 10.8 Windows Vista Windows 7 Windows 8 |
Performance improvements, curved beams, building materials, three-dimensional cutting plane, integrated link with Google Earth and SketchUp, and IFC improvements. |
|
ArchiCAD 18 |
2014 |
Mac OS X 10.7 Mac OS X 10.8 Mac OS X 10.9 Windows 7 Windows 8 Windows 8.1 |
Introduction of BIM cloud |
|
ArchiCAD 19 |
2015 |
Mac OS X 10.9 Mac OS X 10.10 Windows 7 Windows 8 Windows 8.1 |
Improvements in IFC importations, PDF, user interface, library; new guideline system, point cloud support, label tool enhancements, and interactive surface painter. |
|
ArchiCAD 20 |
2016 |
Mac OS X 10.10 Mac OS X 10.11 Windows 8.1 Windows 10 |
Improved program navigation, library management, DWG, and 3DM importation and exportation; upgraded CineRender engine better visualization and rendering. |
|
ArchiCAD 21 |
2017 |
macOS X 10.12 Mac OS X 10.11 Windows 10 Windows 8.1 |
Improved collaboration tools, enhanced BIMx exports, stair and railing tools, wall editing modes, control of IFC preferences, and introduction of 3D styles for better visualizations. |
|
ArchiCAD 22 |
2018 |
macOS 10.13 macOS 10.12 Windows 10 |
Further improvements of stair and railing tools, export of component quantities and properties to IFC, improved performance (easier navigation), and ArchiCAD grasshopper live connection. |
|
ArchiCAD 23 |
2019 |
macOS 10.14 macOS 10.13 Windows 10 |
New CineRender engine for improved visualization, ArchiCAD library enhancements, more architectural design features, and others |
|
ArchiCAD 24 |
2020 |
macOS 10.15 macOS 10.14 Windows 10 |
Faster workflow, improved collaboration, integrated Architectural and Structural design, MEP modeler, BIMx as an iOS application updated, and many others. |
Latest Version and Application
30 years after its release, ArchiCAD has grown to be one of the best Architectural BIM design software. ArchiCAD 24, the latest version, has a plethora of capabilities that enable Architects and Designers to create virtual buildings with their complete properties, visualize, render, and present the design effectively to their clients or company. ArchiCAD 24 facilitates users to create models more efficiently with precise construction details and proper estimation of construction materials such as complex steel, reinforced concrete, composite beams and columns, and timber. The software application comes with Graphisoft’s BIM server that encourages collaboration and BIMx for convenient model viewing and presentation.
Some of the enhancements are in:
- Performance. Users experience fast workflow in the program starting from the quick launch to the easy and quick access to your project, faster importation and exportation of files, and seamless navigation through the software.
- Collaboration. Connections such as Solibri, dRofus, and IFC4 have been added to improve teamwork designs and client presentations.
- Productivity. Productivity enhancements such as updated library contents, refined polyline editing functions, ability to import DGN v8, and a new pull-down menu for ArchiCAD option set values; Integrated collaborative design, new integration between BIM and structural analysis, teamwork collaboration, and coordination through BIMcloud.
ArchiCAD plays a vital role in the world of construction and is the obvious choice for workers in the AEC industry.
