TrustRadius Insights for ARCHICAD are summaries of user sentiment data from TrustRadius reviews and, when necessary, third party data sources.
Pros
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.
I normally use ARCHICAD for the creation of 3D models of buildings, adding structural elements such as doors, windows, and other components, and also to visualize how the final structure could look like. One of the main problems is the incompability of different versions of ARCHICHAD and the different element libraries that are installed in each version.
Pros
visualization of the building
vast library of elements
automatic generation of sections and elevations
Cons
creation of a common element library for all the versions
further development of rendering settings
more comprehensible work-interface
Likelihood to Recommend
A good scenario for the use of ARCHICAD would be the design phase where a building goes through several changes and adaptations that can all be quickly adjusted and modified on the 3D model, generating afterwards automatically the sections, floor plans and elevations, not making it necessary to change and redraw all the drawings after every modification. For the early phases of the design would be maybe better to work on sketches and real models
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.
Pros
2D Drafting (CAD).
Linking Drawings to Layout Sheets.
3D Visualizing.
CAD to BIM integration.
Cons
More control / options for exporting to other platforms.
3D model manipulation.
3D modeling for custom object building.
Likelihood to Recommend
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.
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.
Pros
Drawing precisely.
Easy to draw 3D Model , section, elevation, plan in the same time.
Cons
Landscape Features
Furniture's
Open GIS file easily
Likelihood to Recommend
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.
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.
Pros
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.
Cons
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.
Likelihood to Recommend
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.
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.
Pros
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.
Cons
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.
ARCHICAD has been used for all types of architectural projects, such as building, urban planning, lighting, landscaping, interiors and others, whether in large or small projects.
Pros
In addition to allowing you to work more efficiently, ARCHICAD makes teamwork easier and can be used to design just about anything related to architecture.
It runs on Mac and Windows.
Cons
Interface could be improved in a modern way.
Likelihood to Recommend
ARCHICAD can be used for all types of architectural projects, such as building, urban planning, lighting, landscaping, interiors and others, whether in large or small projects. It is widely used by architects and also by other professionals in the field, such as engineers, designers and more.
ARCHICAD is our key application for design work and used by all teams to produce their drawings. It was implemented over ten years ago and was purchased for the production of our CAD work.
Pros
Simple to learn
Good user interface
Cons
Information exchange can still be challenging.
Hard to break the revit only mentality some clients have.
Likelihood to Recommend
We use ARCHICAD for both small and large scale projects and have success in it. Constant investment in training and hardware is required to ensure that you make the most of the product, but this is true of all CAB /BIM products these days.
I'm working at a firm that has focused on ArchiCAD for 25 years. It can be used from early conceptual design (even on graphics to win the proposal!) through design development, modeling, rendering, visualization, information analysis, construction documents, revisions, and construction administration. It's home base for all of our projects, from small T.I.'s to hospital towers and high school campuses. The simple licensing and dual-platform (Mac and Windows work identically) make administration easy and expandable. All this for a much lower annual cost than most competitors.
Pros
ArchiCAD has a smooth, graphics-oriented interface that provides a variety of ways to draw and edit, from traditional menu commands, keyboard shortcuts, and icon toolbars to intelligent context menus and "pet palettes."
It has always been devoted to the "Open BIM" concept and supports a variety of format to import, export, and maintain real-time links with other software.
The Teamwork system for file sharing is solid and robust, thanks to a FREE (for the Basic version) BIMCloud internet-enabled server component.
The Navigator is a logical organizational tool that handles large projects better than Revit's Project Map.
It is Architect-centric, and while structural and MEP modeling tools are available, the system is not bogged down with unrelated engineering functions.
I've always found the editing and production tools to be more consistent and intuitive than in any other design software.
Cons
ArchiCAD lacks a few feature sets, including an automatic Keynote database extraction system, an expandable Phasing/Options manager, and an easy way to transfer standard details into a project.
The Revision/Change Manager, as well as the new Stair and Railing tools, while impressively flexible, are too complex to set up and customize.
It is an underdog product. Revit has a market share because it spends more money on marketing, and less on product development.
Likelihood to Recommend
ArchiCAD works great through the entire design process and even provides basic rendering capabilities with the CineRender plugin. However, advanced rendering, animation, or AR/VR is better suited for exporting to dedicated software, like Cinema 4D or Twinmotion. The same could be said for advanced analytics, like energy modeling or algorithmic design. Nonetheless, ArchiCAD is the best platform for actually developing the building model.
ARCHICAD is the primary tool we use for the production of construction documentation, design coordination, and visualization processes.
Pros
Design modeling: the user interface allows for a pretty intuitive and integrated creative process. It's great for exploring and communicating ideas, and in cases where the process is not inhibited by the need to switch to different software for different stages of work, such as when moving to develop the design in detail. It also allows for a much more seamless process when changes are requested, so that all material from initial visualizations all the way through to detailed design information are all always in sync and up to date. No redundancy of effort is triggered through the logistics of needing to pass the design through multiple software platforms (eg Sketchup => Revit =>AutoCAD) as each design iteration evolves.
Design documentation: it's reasonably clear that ArchiCAD has the best implementation of BIM in the architectural domain, compared with the nearest rival Revit, and is unmatched for design development and coordination between disciplines, supporting large multidisciplinary teams who can all work simultaneously via the cloud or a local server on the same integrated model.
Somewhat responsive developers: unlike some others, if an issue is reported, there seems to be a fair chance of the developers engaging with the user and for the issue to be addressed in a subsequent update.
Cons
The Site Mesh tool could be enhanced by auto contour line generation and regeneration, surveyor break lines for cutting/controlling mesh triangulation, and allowing concavities in mesh surface without resorting to SEO. Built-in roads, sidewalks, retaining walls, etc. that modify surface appropriately and intelligently would also be great. Note there are paid 3rd party plugins addressing some of these, but I think these should not be necessary as these requirements are integral to most projects on sloping sites.
It could do with enhanced case by case control of materials' priority vs SEO, and other junction resolution methods for composite slabs, walls, columns, beams, and roofs.
Currently, a universal rule-based approach for the whole project may work for 90% of junctions, but it then leaves 10% of cases quite hard to resolve satisfactorily without workarounds.
Likelihood to Recommend
ARCHICAD is well suited for Architects and engineers (with appropriate 3rd-party add-ons). It's less suited for specialist visualization artists who will play no further role in building design or construction documentation.
