topic Re: Will Nemetschek kill Archicad? in Modeling

Will Nemetschek kill Archicad?

Anonymous — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 17:37:50 GMT

Is there a future for Archicad; ( i know that there is similar post,but..)
As i seeing the 11 version ,i m wondering if the new Mother for archicad,want to kill her children.
I hope not, and i am praying to have in the future a REAL update version like version 7 was in the past

Re: Will Nemetschek kill Archicad?

Dwight — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 22:02:25 GMT

The future of Archicad is in Graphisoft convincing new users of the validity of the software, not in mollifying disappointed upgraders who want more.

New guys don't find out about Stairmesser and slab edging until it is too late.

Re: Will Nemetschek kill Archicad?

Anonymous — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 15:47:23 GMT

It is often the most simple improvements that require the greatest amount of reprogramming. If a new version installs seamlessly, and the new features work well (without losing the level of productivity of the previous version), then you can regard the upgrade as worthwhile.

'Essential' new features can just as easily be interpreted as shortcomings of the previous version. Maybe the lack of new features serves as testament to the maturity and useability of the program.

Start worrying when we lose system stability with the release of new versions packed to the brim with gimmicks. That is when corners are being cut (ie testing), and that is a bad sign

Re: Will Nemetschek kill Archicad?

stefan — Fri, 08 Jun 2007 09:04:56 GMT

Bogman wrote:
It is often the most simple improvements that require the greatest amount of reprogramming. If a new version installs seamlessly, and the new features work well (without losing the level of productivity of the previous version), then you can regard the upgrade as worthwhile.

'Essential' new features can just as easily be interpreted as shortcomings of the previous version. Maybe the lack of new features serves as testament to the maturity and useability of the program.

Start worrying when we lose system stability with the release of new versions packed to the brim with gimmicks. That is when corners are being cut (ie testing), and that is a bad sign

FWIW, the current testing phase of ArchiCAD 11 went smooth and I don't see any sign of Nemetschek killing off ArchiCAD.

I personally feel that ArchiCAD has stabilized over the last three versions. Release 8.0 was a disaster, although the 8.x updates improved things. It had too much new features. Release 9 was better. Release 10 was a big leap, but not at the cost of stability.

Re: Will Nemetschek kill Archicad?

Anonymous — Fri, 08 Jun 2007 11:12:53 GMT

stefan wrote:
Bogman wrote:
It is often the most simple improvements that require the greatest amount of reprogramming. If a new version installs seamlessly, and the new features work well (without losing the level of productivity of the previous version), then you can regard the upgrade as worthwhile.

'Essential' new features can just as easily be interpreted as shortcomings of the previous version. Maybe the lack of new features serves as testament to the maturity and useability of the program.

Start worrying when we lose system stability with the release of new versions packed to the brim with gimmicks. That is when corners are being cut (ie testing), and that is a bad sign
FWIW, the current testing phase of ArchiCAD 11 went smooth and I don't see any sign of Nemetschek killing off ArchiCAD.

I personally feel that ArchiCAD has stabilized over the last three versions. Release 8.0 was a disaster, although the 8.x updates improved things. It had too much new features. Release 9 was better. Release 10 was a big leap, but not at the cost of stability.

After update the stability of AC10 is now quite ok.
Just the function with PDF is miserable.

Re: Will Nemetschek kill Archicad?

TomWaltz — Fri, 08 Jun 2007 12:42:25 GMT

Archi wrote:
Just the function with PDF is miserable.

Really? I've not had any problems. What's wrong with it?

Re: Will Nemetschek kill Archicad?

Anonymous — Fri, 08 Jun 2007 18:26:57 GMT

Missing 150 dpi
The export to Bitmap is problem.
If you open the pdf with Illustrator, Illustrator can not read the letters from PDF.

Re: Will Nemetschek kill Archicad?

Anonymous — Sat, 09 Jun 2007 20:28:44 GMT

In the spirit of making AC great....cause I love it!

I hope that ArchiCAD does mature in a way that makes the interface easier to use. I have found that some of the organization of AC10 to be baffling like putting Creative Imaging under the Document menu (and not the View Menu), the Save As Object under something called 'Libraries and Objects' (and not something called SAVE??) and the way 'Show Selection in 3D View' works. Keyboard shortcuts are another issue (ArchiCAD's should over-ride any that the OS offers when in ArchiCAD) which should also be consistant from version to version. Oh, and keyboard shortcuts should always take pressedence over a new palette designs (for obvious reasons), i.e. AC should encourage keyboard shortcuts since ultimately that will inprove the end-users experience and productivity. I think that AC10 needs polishing / organizing (maybe AC11 has addressed these issues but it seems doubtful).

What I also find odd is the requirement of 'yearly release of a new version'. This seems based on investor relations and not end-user needs. Focusing on the end-user will produce a better product, which will sell better, which will attract investors. Updates should be the goal to address isssues brought up in the forums and version releases should be issued only when new technology makes it useful to do so. What I hope AC doesn't turn into is something that only a specialist can figure out.

oh, this AC forum is great too for its intelligent and fast responses.

Re: Will Nemetschek kill Archicad?

Bricklyne Clarence — Sat, 09 Jun 2007 21:53:48 GMT

DrawingStudio wrote:
..... I have found that some of the organization of AC10 to be baffling like putting Creative Imaging under the Document menu (and not the View Menu), the Save As Object under something called 'Libraries and Objects' (and not something called SAVE??) and the way 'Show Selection in 3D View' works. Keyboard shortcuts are another issue (ArchiCAD's should over-ride any that the OS offers when in ArchiCAD) which should also be consistant from version to version. Oh, and keyboard shortcuts should always take pressedence over a new palette designs (for obvious reasons), i.e. AC should encourage keyboard shortcuts since ultimately that will inprove the end-users experience and productivity. I think that AC10 needs polishing ....... .......

You do indeed seem new to the program. You can customize everything you've mentioned in the post above; - from menu location of commands....to custom keyboard shortcuts for specific commands (even more than you can for AutoCAD) - all from from the Configure work environment on your customize menu. And best of all you can save your customized preferences under a specific user preference template that can even transfer from version to version.

You really should get more familiarized with your ArchiCAD.

Graphisoft's choices of where to place certain commands and menu items follows a specific certain logic based on an overall BIM approach to separating documentation from modeling functions within the program. It may work and make sense for some users (especially those new users coming from Flatland 2D-CAD drafting and not familiar with the integrated Virtual Building approach) and possibly annoy others ( typically long-time users familiar with the older versions, and for whom everything is already interconnected between the 3D and 2D functions). That's why they give you he options to customize it as you please and see fit.

Re: Will Nemetschek kill Archicad?

Erich — Sun, 10 Jun 2007 00:50:43 GMT

Drawing Studio,

If you find the default menu structure and command layout illogical then as Bricklyne says modify it to suit you. ArchiCad East ( http://archicad.ca/ ) has an article entitled "Work Environments - From Weak Tea to Dark Magic..." in which they provide several complete work environments for download. I have found that Ben's enviroment is layout out much better. Since I am new to the program as well I think it helps to see how those much more versed than myself set things up.

Of course if that doesn't suit you either, just change it!

Re: Will Nemetschek kill Archicad?

Anonymous — Sun, 10 Jun 2007 15:11:31 GMT

Well it is true that I am still learning things about AC 10. It is great to hear that my setting will remain from Version to Version. This was a major worry considering the time I've put in figuring out the 'ins&outs'. I'll check out the Work Environments too.

I have found many good answers to my questions here on the forum but some are work-around solutions. I personally think there is room for improvement which shouldn't detract from my feeling that AC is still a powerful and useful tool. Like I said, maybe AC11 has addressed many of my concerns, we'll see soon enough. Thanks for the feedback.

Re: Will Nemetschek kill Archicad?

Dwight — Sun, 10 Jun 2007 15:25:31 GMT

You'll get used to workarounds soon enough.