Archicad 24

[Nikoletta Csak]

Archicad 24 Signature building credits
MERDEKA 118 | FENDER KATSALIDIS | fkaustralia.com

GRAPHISOFT® has released Archicad 24, the latest version of their award-winning BIM software solution.
Archicad 24 connects design and delivery teams in a fully ‘open’ BIMcloud environment, powered by advanced collaboration and communication workflows. Seamless and transparent information exchange builds trust among team members, eliminates model duplication and redundant work between architects and engineers.

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New features

Integrated design

Major developments in both Archicad and BIMcloud provide the long-awaited breakthrough toward real, interactive collaboration among multidisciplinary teams. These enhancements come in three areas:

Integration between Building Information Model and Structural Analytical Model

While architects design with the help of physical models (BIM), engineers use simplified Structural Analytical Models. They use structural analysis tools, such as RISA 3D or SCIA Engineer, to simulate and optimize the behavior of the structure.
Archicad provides bi-directional integration of these two models -BIM and Structural Analytical Model. As a result, engineers can check the structure of an architectural model in hours instead of weeks.
Also see: Integrated Structural Analytical Model

Collaboration through Teamwork

The further enhanced Teamwork® brings a whole new set of tools and solutions that provide the ideal environment to foster trust between the architect and the engineer. Easy-to-use change tracking and visualization tools allow each designer to instantly know about relevant changes and provide immediate feedback to the team.

Coordination through BIMcloud

Even in a highly collaborative environment, many outside players will need to join the team at different stages, with clearly separated responsibilities. To optimize the sharing of information, BIMcloud is now able to handle any kind of file.
Files will integrate into BIMcloud’s permissions system, allowing fine control on the visibility/accessibility control of them. BIM Manager will be able to fine tune access to each file and folder to match the responsibilities of the users.

Collaboration

Work with teams around the corner or around the world on projects of any size or complexity.  No more waiting or sync queues thanks to real-time instant messaging. Clash detection and resolution are fast and easy regardless of the team members’ individual software choices.

Tracking Changes in Teamwork Projects

Archicad introduces Project Change Tracking, to enable Teamwork users to be notified of relevant changes to the model.
Also see: Tracking Changes in Teamwork Projects

Model Comparison

Archicad 24 introduces Model Compare: compare two 3D models or versions, and visualize and filter the differences between them. Users can keep track of design changes accurately and even evaluate design variants.
Also see: Model Comparison, Visualizing Model Changes

Issue Management

Archicad‘s new issue management tools allow users to avoid all the coordination overhead, and instead concentrate on solving Issues. Architects and engineers can communicate more efficiently, and also propose design changes via Issues, without interrupting the project.
Also see: Issue Management in Archicad

Coordination

BIMcloud has been transformed into a model hub for multi-disciplinary team collaboration and coordination.
Since every professional wants to use the software solution that best meets their needs, BIMcloud now offers a totally open BIM based platform, supporting formats like IFC, BCF, PDF and others, as a common ground for various collaboration tools.
Thanks to Teams capabilities and associated project-specific permissions, BIMcloud ensures that every member of the project team has the access rights needed to collaborate, or to upload and download the relevant files needed for coordination. The new organizational, data exchange, project-and file management solutions mirror the complexity of real-life multi-disciplinary projects.

Project Management on BIMcloud

The new “BIMcloud Project” on BIMcloud serves as a central directory for all the information and settings related to a design project. Settings (e.g. access rights) for each BIMcloud Project can be tailored to meet specific situations. Use BIMcloud Project to store, manage, and access all files, folders and related models in connection with a specific project.
Also see: Project and file management on BIMcloud

Team Management on BIMcloud

In large design projects, with numerous architects and engineers collaborating on several design teams, BIMcloud Project’s Teams panel provides an easily accessible interface to see other contributing Teams and their members.
Also see: Team management on BIMcloud

File Storage and Management on BIMcloud

As a fully open BIM platform, BIMcloud can now host file formats from any third party solution, supporting coordination among design team members. Any uploaded file can be fit into BIMcloud’s hierarchical system of Projects. External disciplines, including non-Archicad users, can easily access relevant data via BIMcloud Manager’s browser-based interface.
Also see: Project and file management on BIMcloud

Also see: BIMcloud as a Project Coordination Platform

Productivity Enhancements

Content Library Update - New Residential Furniture Elements

As part of our continuous library development, Archicad has applied a little polish to its residential interior furnishing elements. Improved user interface makes it easier to select and place the new, modern-style library objects into your scene, bringing both 2D and 3D views to life in a more contemporary manner. With an extended Leg, Panel and Knob collection, more than 40 new residential objects have been created, including sofas and beds, a varietyof tables and stands, armchairs and wardrobes, and new accessories and decorative elements - all serving to complement 2D drawings and modern-day visualization pipelines.

Polyline Editing Functions Refined

Archicad 24 improves polyline editing:
• The Intersect command now works between two or more independent Polylines, and between Polyline and Wall/Beam/Line/Arc.
• When intersecting Polylines: if only one end intersects after the first Intersect command, repeat the command to intersect the other end as well (this is the same function as for Lines).
• Fillet/Chamfer command now works on Polylines

Archicad option set values available as a 'pull-down menu' when exported to Excel

In Archicad 24, when a user exports an Interactive Schedule to a .xlsx file format, exported properties whose data type is “Option Set” will have the defined options available in the generated spreadsheet in a pull-down list, for easy and precise value input.

DGN v8 Support

Archicad 24 supports importing the latest version of the .DGN file format (v8). Elements introduced in the v8 version are also translated to Archicad elements: the 2D and 3D elements will be transformed into 2D elements only. The import can be configured to tailor the translation method based on the user’s needs.

Experimental features

GRAPHISOFT would like to shorten the development cycle of certain features and collect user feedback at an earlier stage. Based on this feedback, experimental features may or may not become part of the core Archicad functionality in a future version. Enable and disable experimental features in Work Environment > More Options > Experimental Functions. To gauge the usefulness of these and other features, GRAPHISOFT collects anonymous usage statistics as part of the Customer Experience Improvement Program (CEIP) from users who allow it. When you turn on an Experimental Feature, if you did not enable CEIP when you started Archicad, you are invited to do so optionally.

JSON/Python API for Archicad

Archicad 24 introduces a new API layer that aims to lay the foundation for running automation scripts and complex command chains from outside Archicad, using higher-level programming languages. This technology is based on a standardized data exchange format - JSON – into which certain C++ commands are being gradually translated to provide a new level of programming interface for Archicad.

Dark Mode Support on Mac

Dark Mode was introduced in macOS Mojave(10.14.). Archicad 24 can adapt its appearance to this macOS System Preference setting, with dark icons and dark UI color palette. Enable this feature in Archicad first at Work Environment > More Options, then you can toggle between Light and Dark mode via System Preferences.

IFC Structural Analysis Model Import/Export

You can open or save files in IFC Structural Analysis Model format (*.ifc). Based on IFC Structural Analysis View (developed by buildingSMART), this format is available from the File > Open and File > Save as dialogs.

BIMx

BIMx (iOS) app update

• Hyper-models with unlimited 3D model size, thanks to advanced data streaming technology
• Photo-realistic view with real-time lighting calculation
• Faster startup opens the model in no time
• Redesigned menu structure, so you find all settings in one place
• In-app purchase options were also redesigned, and new subscription plans are available in BIMx app
• Sharing in-app purchase option will be discontinued
• Smart Measure will be available for free

BIMx Desktop Viewer update

BIMx Desktop Viewer is getting a facelift: based on the technology developed for BIMx Web Viewer, this update will deliver a state-of-the-art BIM viewer for clients who like to review the architectural design on their desktop.
New features:
• Hyper-model viewer on Windows and Mac with the same feature set that is available currently in the BIMx Web Viewer
• Support of 3D Connexion navigation devices
• Substituting the pre-baked Global Illumination with real-time ambient occlusion visual effect

Also see: Unlimited 3D model size in BIMx

If you wish to view all videos one after the other click this play list.

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Get started with Archicad 24

Before Installing

Archicad is available on both Windows and Mac platforms. Data exchange between the two platforms is fully supported through compatible file formats and collaboration methods such as Teamwork, so they can be used even in mixed environments.

The System Requirements for our products can be found here. A list of the certified hardware configurations tested by GRAPHISOFT to work well with Archicad can be found on this site. We tested how some Graphics Cards perform with smaller and larger projects in Archicad. The description of the test environment and the results can be found here.

The file types processed by both Archicad and BIMcloud are listed here. The site describes the import and export possibilities and the supported versions of the file formats created by GRAPHISOFT products or 3rd party applications.

Download and Install

Archicad and further accessories (Add-ons & Goodies, Libraries & Objects, Product Updates, etc.) can be downloaded here.

A step by step guide how to install Archicad 24 with a Single License can be found here and another one about the Network Installation for BIM Managers here. All other installation solutions such as Unattended Install of Archicad and Updates are collected on this site.

If you have Archicad already installed and you want to add new features, or Archicad needs to be repaired, the information detailed on this site can help. All that's good to know about how to Uninstall Archicad even in unattended mode can be found here.

If you get in trouble during the Install or Startup of Archicad, this guide will help you determine the possible cause and lead you to its respective solutions.

Please note that ARCHICAD 23 is the last released version to be compatible with the Windows 7 and Windows 8/8.1 operating systems.
Because of that, Archicad 24 customers may experience crashes on the startup, when using those operating system versions, and the installation of it will not be possible in the future.

License types

Archicad 24 can be activated using one of several license types:

• Commercial license requires a CodeMeter Hardware-based or Software-based protection key
• Trial license is available through http://myarchicad.com. A fully functional 30-day serial number can be obtained after the registration.
• Demo version requires neither a protection key nor a serial number. All save/export options are disabled but printing is possible. Archicad can be downloaded from http://www.graphisoft.com/downloads.
• Education license is available through http://myarchicad.com. A 1-year serial number is available upon approval.
• Pay-Per-use (PPU) license requires a CodeMeter Hardware-based protection key. A PPU license lets you run Archicad for the number of hours purchased (not available on all markets).
• Rental license requires a CodeMeter Hardware-based protection key. A Rental license lets you run Archicad for 1, 3, 6, or 12 calendar months.
• Enhanced Rental license requires a CodeMeter Hardware-based or Software-based protection key. An Enhanced Rental license lets you run Archicad for 1, 3, 6, or 12 calendar months.
• License Borrowing An Archicad Commercial license may be borrowed from a multi-license CodeMeter Hardware-based or Software-based protection key and later returned for subsequent use by another user.
• Subscription license requires a Software-based protection key. A Subscription license lets you run Archicad for 1 or 12 calendar months and it is automatically extended until the customer opts-out (not available on all markets).

How to Use

The Archicad 24 Reference Guide is filled with a lot of useful information about every tool, feature, and function. Have a look at it!

Are you in trouble or do you want to extend your knowledge? Check the Knowledgebase section on Help Center.