Archicad Launch icon – Can you spot the difference?

[Szimilko Adam]

Dear All,

Since Archicad 14, we've provided a new launcher icon for each new version. If you have several Archicad icons on your desktop, you should easily be able to tell which is which.

Recently, one of you posted a wish, saying that the last few icon designs are too similar … we'd love to hear more feedback on this:

• What are your thoughts and experiences when navigating among different Archicad versions?
• Do you find our method of distinguishing useful? What would you change?
• What do you think about the current launcher icon designs? (AC 24, 25, 26)

Please add your thoughts below, in the comments! Thank you.

[Eduardo Rolon]

I use an app launcher and just type the version so no issues there but If I depended on the icons to see which version is which I would not be able to.

[Lee Hankins]

I’ve had feedback from colleagues that they are far too similar and difficult to distinguish if they are represented in a small version in a list or in a small dock. I personally think changing the colour completely or adding the version number to the icon would be a massive help.

We even had a user manually change the icon in v24 for Mac and it triggered the application in to thinking it had been pirated. 

The .bpn file icon also needs to be updated to be completely different to a standard .pln. We have many incidents where users accidentally open and work on the .bpn instead of the .pln.

[Lee Hankins]

The Apple Silicon version is easier to distinguish as it had the multi-coloured halo. 

[Lee Hankins]

Archicad 23 is really easy to see (attached file), 24 is ok being round but 25 and 26 are almost identical except for the change to the drop shadow. 26 silicon is a bit easier to identify but only close up  

 

[DGSketcher]

If you are going to keep using similar icons then please add a release number to the icon. I have the last 3 versions of AC in my iMac Dock and still occasionally hit the wrong one due to the last two being almost identical.

[runxel]

Finally you're doing something about this!
In the old days™ we had the colorful icons, which was nice, but also had some cognitive load. Ver. 17 was brown, 18 was dark red and 16 green? But I already forgot the rest – ah yes... from 20 on everything was blueish.
So blue it is then, yes?! Please just add a number. It's not that hard. The differences between 25 and 26 are too minor.
Take a look at the colleagues over at McNeel, they are doing the same for Rhino.

And while you're at it: Make a button in the dialog for the custom file icon, which overlays the current Archicad version number. Makes it easier for everybody.

(There was even a thread here where someone made replacement logos every year... – with the best comment added by @Barry Kelly 😁)

[Barry Kelly]

Yes, please change the shape or colour of the icon.

Or just add the version number - that will always be different.

Barry.

[Barry Kelly]

Numbers on the icons will make it so much easier.

Especially now the latest ones are so similar.

Barry.

[Erwin Edel]

I was basically typing this. Excactly the same problems here.

[Boldizsar Vermes]

Unpin and re-pin icons after updating the application, that prevents new icons in the taskbar after opening the program.

[Nathan Hildebrandt]

If the branding dictates that the colour and shape must be consistent, I request that the release number is added to each release icon. Please.

[Jose Gradoli]

Maybe AC25 and AC26 icons are almost identical because AC25 and AC26 are almost ide..

[Ma_Scht]

"Nice" to read, that there are no other problems to decide in GS HQ.

[torben_wadlinger]

Numbers are to easy. Just use roman numerals.

[Arcadia]

Having different icons is useful. Version 26 icon is way too close to V25 for my liking. Please use a different colour or something.

[Jasen Langley]

Yes please put the numbers back on them, its like asking a blind man to feel the icon with out any brail.  Make a plug-in or an app like the Apple Watch faces, so the user can change the icon to what ever color or background they like with the font of what ever number so the user as control of they're architectural Graphics for their computer.

[Szimilko Adam]

Thank you all for your valuable feedback!

[Eszter Fulop · Accepted solution]

For those who have difficulty distinguishing the original launch icons, we’ve introduced new alternative icons that prominently display the version number for easier identification. You can find all the details about the icon changes in this Knowledge Base article: 

https://community.graphisoft.com/t5/Getting-started/Introducing-alternative-launch-icons-for-Archica...

Please read it carefully, as the previous solution some of you used is incorrect and may cause Archicad to mistakenly be flagged as a pirated version. To avoid issues, kindly follow the guide in the article.

Thank you!

[Eric Milberger]

I cannot but due know what I am currently using  JUST ADD THE NUMBER, why make it difficult?

[runxel]

Great. But so weird.

Why not put it in directly and leave this "scary" operation to the user who just wants something very basic?!