topic Considering a switch in Modeling

Considering a switch

Anonymous — Wed, 22 Mar 2006 06:40:58 GMT

Hi everyone, this is my first post in this forum.

I am considering a switch to ArchiCAD (Vr 9) from DataCAD (Vr 11). Has anyone on here used DataCAD who can help me in comparing the commands and functions of the two programs? This will help better estimate the extent of the learning curve.

Also, to the log home designers on here...who has drawn log homes A) without the Log Home Solutions add-on and B) with it? Is it worth the cost? Is it "required" to use log home design to ArchiCAD's full extent?

Any comments good or bad are greatly appreciated

Thanks in advance,

Brian Dirkson

Perfect Drafting & Design

Ps--> can I legally buy an older version of ArchiCAD (specifically vrs 6.5) from a seller (Ebay or?) and register it with Graphisoft? Not and academic version...

Re: Considering a switch

Pete — Wed, 22 Mar 2006 09:07:41 GMT

Welcome Brian,

I design log, timberframe & conventional using AC9 without the add-on. The log homes work just fine since I'm not manufacturing the home from the cad file. Of course, there are always "tricks" to get the model to look good while being efficient with your time.

ArchiCAD will frustrate you during the learning phase but it is an incredible tool when used properly. I have been an ArchiCAD user since 6.0 and would highly recommend spending the money on 9 or 10 when it arrives.

Re: Considering a switch

Pete — Wed, 22 Mar 2006 09:14:16 GMT

Here is a recent 8" D-Log modeled in ArchiCAD9

Re: Considering a switch

Rakela Raul — Wed, 22 Mar 2006 12:29:15 GMT

can I legally buy an older version of ArchiCAD (specifically vrs 6.5) from a seller (Ebay or?) and register it with Graphisoft? Not and academic version...

Yes you can: of course, if you are in canada, make sure that dongle is from canada, also ask the seller for the dongle number and verify its number with graphisoft, GS will check that for you in a minute.
Then you will pay a fee from 400 to 600 to register that dongle to your name and thats it...BTW, from version 6.5 to version 9 , the is a huge diffference to me, i would upgrade to version 9 rt away or even better wait for version 10 which should be around the corner.

Re: Considering a switch

TomWaltz — Wed, 22 Mar 2006 13:31:13 GMT

Would the cost of the license transfer plus the upgrades from 6.5 to 9 be less than just buying a new license?

Re: Considering a switch

Rakela Raul — Wed, 22 Mar 2006 13:37:20 GMT

Would the cost of the license transfer plus the upgrades from 6.5 to 9 be less than just buying a new license?

it depends for how much u r getting it tom: for 300 dls, excelent deal, for 500, excelent still, 1000 dls, good deal, etc.

Re: Considering a switch

TomWaltz — Wed, 22 Mar 2006 13:46:02 GMT

How much would an upgrade fom 6.5 cost, anyway?

6.5 - 7, 7 - 8, 8 - 9, I would expect it to be in the $1500 to $2000 range, plus the $400 to 600 license transer fee.

It's just something I thought our original poster should know about so he can judge the price he is paying accordingly.

Re: Considering a switch

Rakela Raul — Wed, 22 Mar 2006 13:53:36 GMT

in the us i think it is around 1000 dls

Re: Considering a switch

TomWaltz — Wed, 22 Mar 2006 13:56:40 GMT

Really!! wow, that's a really good multiple-upgrade price.... so good it's almost incentive to skip a couple upgrade versions....

Re: Considering a switch

Rakela Raul — Wed, 22 Mar 2006 14:05:48 GMT

http://www.3dcadco.com/ftp/3dcadco_store.pdf

Re: Considering a switch

Anonymous — Wed, 22 Mar 2006 18:03:58 GMT

Rakela wrote:
in the us i think it is around 1000 dls

....guess I will have to ask the distributor in Vancouver about the exact costs of a transfer and upgrade in Canada. I mean if it is $5000 CDN for a full version of Archicad 9, but I can upgrade a version 6.5 for $1000 (even if I pay $1000 for 6.5 and $600 for the transfer fee) then I am still far ahead of the game, basically getting the program for half price, Sounds too good to be true...being a skeptic I would have to say it is!

So I take it not many users in this forum have switched from DataCAD to ArchiCAD?

Re: Considering a switch

Anonymous — Wed, 22 Mar 2006 21:00:26 GMT

I still have not seen any replies concerning prior DataCAD users switching.
Our firm uses DataCAD and we are considering the switch as well.
In fact, Josh from ArchiCAD just gave us an online presentation ot the product.
I like the fact that it transfers SketchUP files easily. We use SketchUP for most of our Schematic Design.

Re: Considering a switch

Anonymous — Wed, 22 Mar 2006 21:09:22 GMT

It is good choice to have AC.
You will not regret.
With AC you must change your usal working prosess, which leads to the way thinking as architect.
That means, you dont neet to be clever computer expert, but just stupid architect.

Re: Considering a switch

Anonymous — Wed, 22 Mar 2006 21:23:40 GMT

How does it stack up to Revit or Vectorworks?

Re: Considering a switch

TomWaltz — Thu, 23 Mar 2006 00:11:26 GMT

Archicad is in the same category as Revit. To me, they seem about equal in ability, with each one having some features the other lacks.

I think Vectorworks will be in the same league as Archicad and Revit are now in a couple years, but that's strictly theory.

Re: Considering a switch

Anonymous — Thu, 23 Mar 2006 11:09:19 GMT

The web site of revit is very nice, and explains very understandable (compared to graphisoft web site).
In my opinion the 3D-based working method with revit is too much.
To organise working steps is with AC much better, in my opinion.
Let me say:
AC thinks almost same as I think.
It helps very much to work with this tool.
Maybe you must take also such CAD, thinks like you.
Otherwise you will be every time very angry on the desk.

Re: Considering a switch

Anonymous — Thu, 23 Mar 2006 11:36:01 GMT

Tom Waltz wrote:

Really!! wow, that's a really good multiple-upgrade price.... so good it's almost incentive to skip a couple upgrade versions....

I recently upgraded my AC 6.5 to 9.0 here in Ireland for about 1000 euros + vat. And this includes AC 10 as well when it comes.

Re: Considering a switch

TomWaltz — Thu, 23 Mar 2006 13:52:39 GMT

Rakela wrote:
http://www.3dcadco.com/ftp/3dcadco_store.pdf

Rakela

I'm curious: You list Constructor as one of the products you sell. I have yet to hear anything about that in the real world (outside of the GS website) and there does not seem to be a user forum for it.

If you are allowed to say, have you sold any? What has the response been like to it?

Re: Considering a switch

Rakela Raul — Thu, 23 Mar 2006 14:16:34 GMT

have you sold any?

tom, i only sell our company services: A/E/C . I copied that info from
my reseller 3dcadco website....but when i have a chance i will ask him.
But i do convert people into ac though, which it could be considered a sell as well

Re: Considering a switch

TomWaltz — Thu, 23 Mar 2006 14:45:00 GMT

Rakela wrote:
have you sold any?
tom, i only sell our company services: A/E/C . I copied that info from
my reseller 3dcadco website....but when i have a chance i will ask him.
But i do convert people into ac though, which it could be considered a sell as well

Wow.... for some reason I had it in my head that you were a reseller. Sorry about that!