Chief architect versus Archicad

[Anonymous]

I'm a user of chief architect and I am looking for people that have switched over to archicad. What do they like and dislike

[Anonymous]

Thanks for your input Richard, it sure is priceless to hear from someone who is an experienced user of both packages.

ArchiCAD 14 and Chief Architect X3 has been out for a quite a while now. Do you still use the latest versions of both? How would you compare AC 14 to X3 today?

[Richard Morrison]

Actually, I've only used the trial version of AC14, but I do use the latest X3 of Chief. It's not easy to compare the two, except to say that there are features of both that I would like to see in the other. X4 is getting close to beta testing, and AC15 isn't too far away, so either of these may be a game changer. Right now, though, if you are a sole practitioner with no need for Teamwork, who mostly does residential work, or small commercial, I would look closely at Chief. It is likely to get out the designs and construction doc's out the door faster.

I would look at AC for any other scenario. You'll get more accuracy and better looking plans from AC, but you will miss some of the features of Chief. There is no easy answer. I'd suggest trying them both. It is not out of the question to do a design in Chief and do the condoc's in AC. I like the CAD more in AC, but I like the 3D modeling more in Chief.

[Anonymous]

I see, now I can better understand the reasons for your workflow of creating the design in Chief, then exporting the plans and then recreating the model in AC.

I had a chance to play with X2 for a while and tried X3 few months ago. I will need to take AC 14 for a spin when I get a chance. I tried AC 12 demo, but could not get my head around the interface.

The lack of tutorials for AC 14 makes me think that GS is mainly focused on collaboration rather than 3d modeling.

[Stephen Dolbee]

Richard, could you give your latest thoughts on AC15 and Chief's X4?

[Richard Morrison]

Sure, although I should state that I'm still on AC12, but have tried out the later versions.

Chief X4 has made some good progress with residential modeling, and in condoc production with their "annotation sets", which are sort of like layer combinations & pen sets together, but on steroids. Overall, the program is very stable, and fun to use. However, the progress in the CAD arena overall hasn't been as extensive as I would like. On the plus side, the wood framing tools are extensive and impressive. It also plays very nicely with SketchUp. Cabinet tools, molding tools, extensive residential library including manufacturer-specific libraries, are hard to surpass.

AC is still king of the multi-user environments, and has far superior 2D drafting tools. I appreciate production tools like linked reference annotation, extensive file format options, adjustable fill origins, and available tools for tile roofs, which Chief isn't doing great with. Also, schedules of any kind are still much better in AC.

In a nutshell, if I were doing primarily wood-frame single-family stuff (which I am), with projects done by a single person, I would check out Chief. For other project types, I would stick with AC. But there is nothing that says you can't use a hybrid approach.

Hmm, as I look over my past comments on earlier versions, it appears that not much has changed. Chief is getting better at production, but is still not at AC's level. AC is making progress in modeling and Teamwork and "blobitecture" although it's not a big advantage for me. If you have any specific areas you'd like me to opine on, let me know.

[Stephen Dolbee]

Thanks Richard,
We primarily do single family residential with no need for teamwork, and always looking for ways to be more productive. How is Chief at windows and doors? I find Archicad lacking for custom shapes, so we have always used Door & Window Builder (Cadimage).
Steve

[Richard Morrison]

Steve,
Chief has many more options "out of the box," as well as available manufacturer content. It does a better job than AC, I think, with arched/trapezoidal shapes, especially using the angle of the roof above. Mulling units is a one click. And custom muntins are very easy, but aren't really wonderful as 2D graphics. If you want something that looks like a silhouette of Mickey Mouse, though, then AC is going to be much easier.

Have you spent any time in AC learning to create custom shapes with custom components, (and/or Wallhole ID)? AC actually can do odd window and door creation amazingly quickly and easily, but the methodology is not obvious.

Stephen wrote:
Thanks Richard,
<snip>How is Chief at windows and doors? I find Archicad lacking for custom shapes, so we have always used Door & Window Builder (Cadimage).
Steve

[Anonymous]

Richard wrote:
I find it better to create the design in Chief, then export the plans as DWG files, and then quickly recreate the model in AC.

I would look seriously at Artlantis Studio for rendering.

(BTW, I checked out your website. You have the most expensive plans I've ever seen! )

Hi Richard,

That is very interesting that you would design in CA and then export dwg into AC and then recreate the model in AC. Does this mean you only set out the walls in CA or do you go further?

As I use both and started with CA6 I find the AC library much better for us in Aust.

My approach is first to decide how complicated the house will be and if it is complicated then I will go straight into AC.

I do prefer drawing walls in CA as it is too slow and cumbersome in AC at present but I hope that will get better. For those here who use Revit, CA wall drawing is very similar to that and has been around allot longer than Revit.

Have fun and I can see why its better to finish projects in AC with the way drawing sheets work in ArchiCAD.

[Richard Morrison]

Hi Manuel,
I actually do a pretty complete model in Chief, with furniture and moldings, etc. to get the client's approval, then re-create in AC using DWGs exported from the floor plans. I really don't like the duplication of work, though. Chief is at the point where I don't move fairly simple projects into AC, just the more complicated ones.

[Anonymous]

Richard wrote:
Hi Manuel,
I actually do a pretty complete model in Chief, with furniture and moldings, etc. to get the client's approval, then re-create in AC using DWGs exported from the floor plans. I really don't like the duplication of work, though. Chief is at the point where I don't move fairly simple projects into AC, just the more complicated ones.

I think the library of 3d objects in Chief is quite big and complete and very good for US users as Chief is a US product.

In Australia we have a local version of ArchiCAD and we also have access to a GDL library that we can download from support that has many of the GDL objects we use in Australia. Do you have anything like this in the US version of ArchiCAD?