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Collaboration with other software
About model and data exchange with 3rd party solutions: Revit, Solibri, dRofus, Bluebeam, structural analysis solutions, and IFC, BCF and DXF/DWG-based exchange, etc.

Do you need Autocad if you use Archicad?

Anonymous
Not applicable
Is it possible to use Archicad only for architecture without using any other 2D cad drafting program?

brjlk
11 REPLIES 11
Eduardo Rolon
Moderator
Yes.
Eduardo Rolón AIA NCARB
AC27 US/INT -> AC08

Macbook Pro M1 Max 64GB ram, OS X 10.XX latest
another Moderator

Anonymous
Not applicable
I actually prefer drafting in ArchiCAD over Autocad. Much easier to create new linetypes, fills (hatches), etc.
Anonymous
Not applicable
Never did a job (.dwg) from start to finish in Archicad but I've done minor work here and there and from that experience I actually prefer Archicad to Autocad for working on that type of file. And I have yet to see anything that would prevent Archicad from doing the whole thing but YMMV.
JaredBanks
Mentor
Haven't had to open AutoCAD in over 6 years. No need for it if you have ArchiCAD.
Jared Banks, AIA
Shoegnome Architects

Archicad Blog: www.shoegnome.com
Archicad Template: www.shoegnome.com/template/
Archicad Work Environment: www.shoegnome.com/work-environment/
Archicad Tutorial Videos: www.youtube.com/shoegnome
Anonymous
Not applicable
On the subject, can Archicad do this?
This drawing is made in Autocad.
TMA_80
Enthusiast
lines, hatch...yes, ArchiCAD can.

there is someting though, if you've an AutoCAD background, you may need time to adapt to the ArchiCAD way...or not.
AC12_27 |Win11_64bit|
Anonymous
Not applicable
Archicad is in most cases much more powerful than Autocad for 2D. I have worked with the guy who had years of experience with Autocad and did not want to switch to do detailing work to Archicad. Finally I had him convinced. He never turned back.This includes Civil detailing as well. Archicad ability to switch units, coordinate systems on the fly is the best in the industry.
Anonymous
Not applicable
Miki wrote:
Archicad is in most cases much more powerful than Autocad for 2D. I have worked with the guy who had years of experience with Autocad and did not want to switch to do detailing work to Archicad. Finally I had him convinced. He never turned back.This includes Civil detailing as well. Archicad ability to switch units, coordinate systems on the fly is the best in the industry.
This is the type of answer I was trying to get. I was concerned that Archicad cannot do fine details like a section showing bricks, glazing, roof details etc.

Can Archicad also draw abstract drawings that do not represent doors, windows etc?

Autocad on the other hand is purely abstract. Only the draftsman knows that what is drawn is a door or wall.

John
KeesW
Advocate
No.

You can use Archicad's 2D drafting tools if you are wedded to Autocad but it's 2D tools are not as extensive. They can be supplemented by using Cigraph's Archiruler which would probably give you all the 2D tools you possibly want.

However DON'T go the 2D way - once you get used to Archicad, it is much quicker to generate 2D views and details from a 3D starting point.

I learned CAD with Autocad but have found Archicad easily upto the task of producing good documentation.
Cornelis (Kees) Wegman

cornelis wegman architects
AC 5 - 26 Dell XPS 8940 Win 10 16GB 1TB SSD 2TB HD RTX 3070 GPU
Laptop: AC 24 - 26 Win 10 16GB 1TB SSD RTX 3070 GPU