topic Re: Rename/rebrand ArchiCAD in Modeling

Rename/rebrand ArchiCAD

Bruce — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 00:41:42 GMT

I think the name 'ArchiCAD' is limiting Graphisoft's potential market, and perhaps inadvertantly, and unnecessarily, prejudicing people against it before they even try it. Given that 'Archi' limits it to architecture, and 'CAD' is a dead term (it's now BIM), I think Graphisoft should rebrand their flagship product to be more relevant, appealing and cool.

Re: Rename/rebrand ArchiCAD

Dwight — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 03:11:21 GMT

Archicad is definitely a nineties-kind-of-name with a nineties interface. It is probably feasible to rename Archicad considering the North American market presence. The cool kids would line up for a newly-named Archicad, i bet.

Should Graphisoft spend the money on a new name or improve program function and interface? Those slick suit tasselled shoe marketers cost a lot more than programmers do.

Re: Rename/rebrand ArchiCAD

Djordje — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 11:52:35 GMT

Maybe not rebrand ArchiCAD, but launch a full Construction Modeler.

There was one upon a time - Constructor - and this will kill the "Revit covers all the engineering bases and ArchiCAD is only for architecture" bull, that is BTW incorrect as ArchiCAD with MEP AddOn has what full Revit suite has.

But hey, they sell more Toyotas than anything else ...

... and BIM is adopted by contractors first and foremost, while the architects still dream about the freeform shapes.

Re: Rename/rebrand ArchiCAD

Anonymous — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 06:40:49 GMT

In my opinion, it not needed, absolutely, because ArchiCAD is ArchiCAD, and nothing more.

Re: Rename/rebrand ArchiCAD

Anonymous — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 11:57:49 GMT

I'm with Dwight

Let's get the program right

People will come
If not…

Re: Rename/rebrand ArchiCAD

Anonymous — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 14:13:56 GMT

To make the Archicad competitive there need to be interoperability properly implemented. Ability to import a 3D data in intelligent way is crucial. Unfortunately IFC is not a solution just yet. 3D dwf/dwg is basically not existent. Construction Industry will be the make it or brake it.
Owners want assurance now that the Designer/Contractor eliminate the remodeling efforts as much as possible. Proper communication between designer/contractor and subcontractor is essential.

Re: Rename/rebrand ArchiCAD

Rob — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 00:15:22 GMT

Given that 'Archi' limits it to architecture, and 'CAD' is a dead term (it's now BIM), I think Graphisoft should rebrand their flagship product to be more relevant, appealing and cool....
...It is probably feasible to rename Archicad considering the North American market presence...

what about renaming ArchiCAD to BIMbo CAD for North American market that would be definitely suitable I reckon

In my opinion rebranding would be an utter waste of money.

as to UI - definitely stuck in 90's... in a bad need of a proper facelift

Re: Rename/rebrand ArchiCAD

Anonymous — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 09:34:34 GMT

The Suit Doesn't Make the MAN ...

Re: Rename/rebrand ArchiCAD

Rakela Raul — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 02:27:48 GMT

"image is everything"

think how/why you met your wife !!

Bob, i havent given up on you...really busy these days

Re: Rename/rebrand ArchiCAD

Jan Vlach — Thu, 21 Jun 2012 11:30:31 GMT

I would like to get answer for one other question: What is bigger name in AEC industry? Graphisoft or Nemetschek? I am quite anoyed how people telling me, that Revit is going to win against Archicad, not because it is better, but because of Autodesk. Therfore I think that whole Nemestchek Group should be using same identification to the user, but i would not get rid of Graphisoft name, since it is pioneer of BIM and I can fell that Archicad is the only tool in Nemetschek's portfolio witch is - beside Cinema 4D - cool an people are passionated about it. The Archicad name itself was not chosen wise on beginning. First of all Archicad is so much more than a dumb thing witch Autocad is. So giving him almost same name? The Archi in the word is (almost) alright since we are architects. But it kind of scares the construction people off. Other thing to consider is fact that it feels kind of old.

So sugesstions from me: First of all: Graphisoft name should take it in name of corporation it sits under.

Something like Graphisoft - Nemetschek Group. (Yes, in this order.)
More to the point I belive that whole Nemetschek portfolio needs rething.
They sould mere Archicad and Vectorworks, make outstanding MEP aplication out of Allplan and push hard Scia outside of Germany, especialy in North America. In addition to merge AC with Vector there should rename it and introduce new versioning.

Re: Rename/rebrand ArchiCAD

Bruce — Thu, 21 Jun 2012 18:25:05 GMT

NeckoFromSarajevo wrote:
The Suit Doesn't Make the MAN ...

Correct...but it does introduce him.

Re: Rename/rebrand ArchiCAD

Anonymous — Sun, 24 Jun 2012 13:13:01 GMT

I don't think re-branding is enough to be honest.

Eventually AC is going to have to be rewritten from the ground up to free it of it's past. Like the way it handles stories is wrong but it's fundamental and core to the function of the software and I don't see how it could be fixed in it's current state.

At the very least, it needs a huge UI overhaul as has been stated. Large, multi-monitor setups are not supported but it's the way of the future as big LCD/LED/IPS monitors drop in price (btw, if you don't have at least 2x24"(1920x1200) monitors then your doing it the hard way, but I highly suggest 3 monitors). As well as a dedicated tablet/touch screen interface. Also pallets are inconsistent and act strangely and this really needs to get fixed.

It should be able to have multiple 2D and 3D windows open at the same time with live updating between windows. Switching back and forth is utterly time wasting and a real drag on AC's ability to produce.

Also it's time to start thinking about splitting up AC program wise for future development. Such as I would divide the interface and the underlying engine into at least two separate programs so they can be updated separately or even swapped out entirely. And then I would create OS specific containers for those so AC runs on iOS, Android, OSX, Windows XP,7,8, and Linux. The writing is on the wall and iOS and Android are the future. Also Linux is picking up steam and I see a lot of PC's use Linux as Apple and MS stop supporting their desktop software. Especially with Microsoft's most recent move to push out their 3rd party hardware providers such as HP, Dell, Sony, Toshiba, Asus, Acer, etc. I think there is a high chance those companies will strive to support Linux even more now. But the point is AC needs to be more modular so it doesn't have to be rewritten for a new platform or make Graphisoft maintain more than one code base per task. But most importantly is the realization that iOS, Android, and Win8 are going to be replacing what's out there now and AC has no choice but to start supporting those operating systems and their evolving interfaces (tablet/touchscreen).

Also I would integrate BIMx into the software and not charge for it. Those files are like little commercials for Archicad and why the heck would you want to impede the production and proliferation of those little commercials? I get the making money thing and finding new streams and all that but this is one area I think they should rethink. When I had it back a few versions ago the first thing the client would ask me after seeing it was what did I use to make that with. And the word Archicad was never forgotten after that. And if these started to turn into clips that go put on Youtube and other sites, that's free and powerful advertising.

I think with all of this reworking it would probably be better to rename and rebrand it at the same time. If only to avoid confusion when people search on the internet for help, it would be better to separate the results by not having the two trees share the same name.

As it stands tho, I agree with skawagon that the addition of the name Nemetschek would be good but I don't think Archicad should be re-branded because it would create confusion and not provide clear advantage over the current brand. It would end up costing money that could be better spent elsewhere if the only reason is to make the name more marketable.

Re: Rename/rebrand ArchiCAD

Anonymous — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 22:25:36 GMT

I agree on the UI face lift. Then release a version for engineers (even if just a rebrand), then give the graphisoft website an overhaul too 😉

Re: Rename/rebrand ArchiCAD

Anonymous — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 11:28:47 GMT

i strongly disagree with changing the user interface.

autodesk do this periodically, to justify their renewal subscriptions, all it means is millions of users waste months trying to get used to the new interface, and where they have moved menu's around, just for the sake of it. and then the associated costs of retraining staff.

if it does happen, there is 10 subscriptions in our office which will never ever be renewed! we are about at the end of our tether with archicad and graphisoft.

why dont graphisoft put the efforts into sorting out the bugs in the software. some of which have existed for 5 - 10 years. if they make a new U.I. there will be many more new bugs which will never be resolved.

Re: Rename/rebrand ArchiCAD

Anonymous — Wed, 17 Oct 2012 06:26:58 GMT

There is a perception amongst some architects that Revit is a serious BIM product whilst ArchiCAD is more for the home builder market. I am a consultant at a large architectural firm that uses both - some very good Archicad people too. The design architects prefer Archicad as a design too (most used it through Uni) - Revit is more for modellers, documentors and BIM managers - at least that the perception.
A lady here is going through Revit training and was surprised I used Archicad as well - "I thought Archicad was a Micky Mouse program". Again misconceptions.
In fact the firms largest project - unfortunately now on hold- was full 6D BIM using Archicad so I am now back using Revit.
A renaming wouldn't hurt - ArchiBIM anyone?

Re: Rename/rebrand ArchiCAD

Anonymous — Wed, 17 Oct 2012 19:15:39 GMT

IMO I think the "Archi" doesn't help, because anything with archi is for architects.
where as they (Autodesk) have branded "revit" is for BIM, architects, engineers, MEP etc etc

Re: Rename/rebrand ArchiCAD

Petros Ioannou — Thu, 18 Oct 2012 09:49:36 GMT

According to Wikipedia:
Architecture ....is both the process and product of planning, designing and construction.

So whatever you use (CAD , BIM, drafting paper) and whatever your discipline is you are contributing on the production of Architecture. Not BIMitecture or CADitecture or ...

Re: Rename/rebrand ArchiCAD

Rod Jurich — Thu, 18 Oct 2012 11:25:33 GMT

Petros wrote:
According to Wikipedia:
Architecture ....is both the process and product of planning, designing and construction.

So whatever you use (CAD , BIM, drafting paper) and whatever your discipline is you are contributing on the production of Architecture. Not BIMitecture or CADitecture or ...

.............. like

Re: Rename/rebrand ArchiCAD

Rakela Raul — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 02:08:38 GMT

it has nothing to do with names ... has to do with marketing

revit !!
if you dont tell me what this is.. i would have thought it is a "misspelling" 😉)

i like ArchiBIM tho .. eventho BIM will be obsolete soon

Re: Rename/rebrand ArchiCAD

Nando Mogollon — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 04:13:52 GMT

My 5 cents:

My first wish: Consistency. Please give all tools, windows and palettes a more consistent look and behavior. Just think about this: When you use the Curtain Wall tool, and then Stair-Maker tool, don't you feel like using two completely different apps?

My second wish: Please Unclutter. MS Office's Ribbon does some of that, but it has it's cons. Ipad style? too "Fischer-Price toy" looking for a Pro application. I don't know what to suggest other than uncluttering - too many things at the same level and the same time-. GS is proud to say is good at innovation... well please Innovate.

My third and last wish (are you still there genius?): I don't really care about the name, archicad, bimthingy, bimvoila, allworks, vectorplan or simcity. Provide better training material, a teach yourself approach. Not only promotional videos.

P.S. :And not my business, but the marketing strategy needs to play harder - just like the competitors.
Fictional example: assume there are only two software developers: Tiber and Dacikra, one relies on it's power to conquer and rule of it's "unique Truly BIM application on the market" mantra, and calling for not to trust those other unreliable applications which aren't even capable of reading Tiber's wonderful file format