Great news for Archicad users!
As announced at the Archicad 26 Launch Event, we are pleased to share with you that Archicad 26 is running natively on Apple silicon.
The full commercial version, with all functions of Archicad 26, was released on the 24th of November.
The Apple silicon native Archicad 26 runs just like the latest Archicad 26 release — only faster!
After the installation, you will notice a brand-new desktop icon with a rainbow halo.
- Before installing
- How to check if you have the right hardware?
- How compatible is Apple silicon Archicad 26 with other Archicad versions?
- What are the benefits?
- Known Issues
- Download and install
- How can you access it?
- What will happen if you try to install it on devices with Intel processors?
- What happens if you download the Intel Archicad 26 version to your Apple silicon device?
- Additional information
- How do I know that I use the Apple silicon native Archicad version?
- Should I buy Intel orApple Silicon Macs if I need to invest in new computers now?
- For how long will Graphisoft support Intel Macs?
Before installing
How to check if you have the right hardware?
Starting with certain models introduced in late 2020, Apple began the transition from Intel processors to Apple silicon in Mac computers. The complete list of these devices can be found here.
If you are not sure whether you have the above-mentioned computer or not you can check it by following these steps: Go to Apple menu > About This Mac.
If the chip is one of these:
- Apple M1
- Apple M1 Max
- Apple M1 Pro
- Apple M1 Ultra
- Apple M2
You are able to enjoy the benefits of the Apple silicon native Archicad 26.
How compatible is Apple silicon Archicad 26 with other Archicad versions?
The compatibility of the new Archicad 26 version is the same as the Windows and Intel-based Archicad 26 UP2 (40xx) versions. This means that a file created in Apple silicon native Archicad can be opened on Windows and Intel-based Archicad 26 UP2 (40xx) and the other way around.
The new Apple silicon native Archicad 26 version is also TW compatible with the Windows and Intel Archicad 26 UP2 (40xx).
What are the benefits?
The native Apple silicon support brings noticeable performance improvement in Archicad compared to the Intel-based version.
If you’re interested in learning more, check out our performance tests here.
Known Issues
Cineware rendering is slow
Affected version(s): Apple silicon Archicad 26 | ID: DEF-11704
Issue
When rendering the Intel Archicad 26 uses all cores of the processor, whereas the Apple silicon version of Archicad 26 uses a limited amount of cores.Workaround
Use the Intel version of Archicad for rendering.Solution
We fixed this issue in Archicad 26 update 3 (50xx build).
Sun study window is cropped
Affected version(s): Apple silicon Archicad 26 | ID: DEF-11668
Issue
The created sun study shows the content only half-screen, when the source is set to the 3D window.
Workaround
Use Archicad in full-screen mode when creating the sun study, or dock the 3D window tab.Solution
We are planning to fix this issue in an Archicad 26 update.
Download and install
How can you access it?
The Apple silicon native Archicad 26 is available as a completely new and separate Archicad platform.
Go to the Downloads page on Graphisoft.com to download
- the latest version of Archicad
- Archicad extensions: add-ons, BIM content, and libraries
- Archicad updates
Everything you need to know about Archicad installation (install, add or repair, network installation, uninstall, etc.) can be found here.
If you face any issues during the installation or start-up of Archicad, this article will help you determine the possible cause and guide you to solutions:
Archicad 26 Install and Startup Troubleshooting Guide
What will happen if you try to install it on devices with Intel processors?
The installer can be downloaded to devices, which have different processors than Apple silicon. Please note that the installer will not start on these machines.
Thus the Apple silicon native Archicad can not be installed on Intel-based devices.
What happens if you download the Intel Archicad 26 version to your Apple silicon device?
The previously released Archicad 26, which runs through the Rosetta 2 emulator, can be downloaded and installed on Apple silicon machines.
This version runs properly but does not benefit from the performance improvements the Apple silicon native Archicad brings.
Additional information
How do I know that I use the Apple silicon native Archicad version?
You can easily determine which Archicad version are you using by the new desktop icon with a rainbow halo, or by checking in Archicad: Help menu > About Archicad.
Also, in the License Information dialog, the Version field is extended with the Apple silicon label.
Should I buy Intel or Apple Silicon Macs if I need to invest in new computers now?
It depends on the typical project types/sizes you want to do with Archicad. The M1 hardware Apple released in November 2020, is an entry-level hardware specs matching only Archicad’s minimum hardware requirements.
While the performance of the M1 Max and M1 Pro chips are increased greatly compared with the first M1, they have a very good level of power efficiency.
For more information, please check out this article for M1 performance review and this article for M1 Pro/Max performance review.
For how long will Graphisoft support Intel Macs?
We have a comfortable transition period so there is an overlap with the newly released products for both Intel and Apple silicon chipsets. We are planning to provide support for Intel Macs presumably until Apple supports them.
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