To ArchiCad or not to ArchiCad, that is the question....

[Anonymous]

OK, here's my problem and I would greatly appreciate your input (as non-biased as possible please). I am an architect setting up an in-house design studio within a remodeler/design-builder. I have used many different 2d CAD programs at a very advanced level over the years for several architecture firms and remodelers and now must recommend a CAD program for the new office. The choice, as I see it, is between ArchiCad and Revit. I have been evaluating both programs on my computer and I see the potential of both programs and really can't decide. While I am a novice (at best) in each program here's what I see good and bad in both programs so far.

Revit:
1. Great intuitive interface with easy to use snaps, ortho, and tentative snaps.
2. Very good library of parts right out of the box and more can be found online.
3. Temporary dimension tool is fantastic.
4. Poor/slow rendering capabilities.
5. Not great tools (not that bad either) for making CD's but seems to be making an effort here.
6. Subscription prices that are absurd. Not only do you have to buy the product once but over and over again.
7. Good: has that behemoth Autodesk backing the product.
8 Bad: has that behemoth Autodesk backing the product.

ArchiCAD:
1. Very sophisticated and powerful selection of tools.
2. Line weight control to the Nth degree, a great plus. I am extremely critical of CAD drawings that read flat, whether they be Presentation dwgs or CD's.
3. Very good rendering and the Sketch rendering function (a Photoshop like rendering tool) can be very useful for quick looks that a remodeling client can relate to.
4. Easy to view and modify library parts.
5. Not enough library parts from Graphisoft and/or vendors..
6. Can't just point and click when drawing. You must enter "shift + R" before every co-ordinate entry. This drives me crazy.
7. No offset command that functions as one would expect (a la AutoCAD). This also drives me crazy.I have no ides how one details without a drop dead simple offset tool. I guess I'd have to learn.
8. No subscription fee (at least not yet).

The list could go on and on for either product. I think if I could combine the ease of Revit and it's snaps and temporary dimensions with ArchiCad's CD detailing tools (and line weight control), library modification tools, and rendering capabilities I'd be set. But alas, I can't.

So my question is what do you think is ArchiCad's's single greatest asset (please don't list CD set co-ordination as they both are very good at this) and what is it's greatest weakness. Be truthful here. I would really appreciate your input. I think I will do well with either product but would be interested to know what it is that the typical user loves/hates.

I'll try listing this in a Revit forum as well....

Thanks,

Dean

[Rob]

I am not going to repeat myself about money, free choice etc,
talking about the subscription model, it would work perhaps in US but not here (Australia/Asia) and/or EU and it is not going to be a compulsory subscription in US (to my knowledge).

I think, that Revit is being pushed by its own subscription policy to produce quick so-called upgrades well presented by the AD marketing department for the price of 'messy guts' inside it, so it makes a sense to omit backward compatibility and present that as we are so progressive that we don't need that, hmmm. As I said, I'll see you sad after a long run.

[Scott Davis]

Did you know Revit is outselling ADT by 80% in Australia? Similar numbers in Asia. All on subscription. The US is actually lagging behind in sales of Revit compared to Asia and Aus. So its working.

I have more problems with the backward compatibility of AutoCAD than anything esle in my office. People forgetting to save down, object enabler
is not working, etc etc.

Whats this about 'messy guts' inside of Revit? Thats a new one to me.

[Richard Morrison]

Scott wrote:

Those that are just fine with the status quo, and want to be stuck with old technology in less than a year at a time, go right ahead. Once again, no one is FORCING you to upgrade! Let your subscription lapse, keep using old software.

Scott:
I was told by the biggest Revit reseller in the SF Bay Area, just last week, that if you let your subscription lapse, your initial license purchase essentially "expires" and then you have to buy a whole new license if you ever want to upgrade in the future. This strikes me as pretty much being "forced" to upgrade. Now I know that a Canadian reseller _thinks_ this policy has changed, and perhaps I am not getting correct information. But if the SF reseller is correct, that policy alone would make me think long and hard about buying into what is a permanent subscription under threat of losing thousands of dollars per license. Or is this wrong?

[Anonymous]

Can ArchiCad save back to version 1.0

ArchiCAD has always been able to save three to four version downwards. Also user can run older versions of ArchiCAD next to newest one. Now a days it is difficult to save prior to version 5, but I know it is possible to go atlest till version 3.4

More important is the ability to open old versions. With this, ArchiCAD handles usually couple of version longer -but not from the first one up. Step by step method can be implemented though, but is more theory, since users don't have softwarelocks to run very old ArchiCAD versions.

[Bruce]

That's all very good in theory - but that would only be with the basic toolset that comes standard with AC. As far as I'm aware many add-ons are used as a matter of course in creating models now.

Example: ArchiStair plug-in is not compatible with pre-8.1 versions.

Anyway, is it really that big an issue? Sure it has some importance, but not much when compared to other issues.

[Anonymous]

I have received an evaluation kit for Archicad 9.As a cad novice I wonder about the elevation/section properties of the program. I'm not sure if these sections/elevations can be altered of themselves and said changes then reflected automatically on plan. I would be obliged if some users could please help me.
I'm in the process of trying to evaluate a number of different cad progs and Archicad seems attractive yet i cannot currently evaluate it fully due to time constraints.
To archicad or not is indeed my big question
thanks to all

[stefan]

amajonial wrote:
I have received an evaluation kit for Archicad 9.As a cad novice I wonder about the elevation/section properties of the program. I'm not sure if these sections/elevations can be altered of themselves and said changes then reflected automatically on plan. I would be obliged if some users could please help me.
I'm in the process of trying to evaluate a number of different cad progs and Archicad seems attractive yet i cannot currently evaluate it fully due to time constraints.
To archicad or not is indeed my big question
thanks to all

You can modify the model from within the sections, but I suggest, if it's a buying decision to arrange for a personal demo with your local reseller. Be prepared and ask real questions. It depends on the fact if you have prior CAD or prior office experience, though, to know the questions to ask 😉

[Anonymous]

Just to ask, what was Deans decision, ArchiCAD or Revit? How about Stefan also?