The New User

[Anonymous]

I am not an Archicad user (Yet) I'm looking for guidance. Yall seem to be the experts. I'm a long time CAD user/manager. I am working with a small company that used Archicad 6. So far I really like what Archicad offers. This is my list of question. Please feel free to send any information you feel will be of aid in the further development of a small company that needs to get as much bang for the buck as possible and ramp up to full speed in the CAD world

1. How soon we need to upgrade to Archicad 8. Whats the +/- of the upgrade?
2. What Training / Resources do you suggest to speed training.
3. Is it possible to find Archicad drafters that are looking for work? If so where is the best place to look?
4. Is there anything important Archicad cant do that Autocad/AD can do?
5. Do I need Artlantis & Photo Shop to produce high quality Renderings? Can Archicad do it alone?
6. Is a Bolt on or stand alone GDL developer going to save time & effort in library creation?

[David Larrew]

1. ASAP (AC6 pales in comparison to AC8.1)
2. Check with your local reseller. The more training the better... Pro-active rather than Re-active management.
3. I wouldn't consider ArchiCAD users as "drafters"... But you could always post a job listing on the free Graphisoft-provided job board. http://www.graphisoft.com/community/job_board/
4. It is hard to compare "apples to oranges". TRUE Virtual Building software compared to 2D CAD + 3D/VB Add-on.
5. You can use ArchiCAD for visualization but most would recommend a separate rendering package (Art-lantis is a good solution). Photoshop or similar is a must if you are planning any post-rendering or composting work.
6. I don't quite understand your question... Are you asking about customized Library vs. standard "out-of-the-box" Library?

[Anonymous]

Do you mean Northern California! If so where? I am in northern california and have been trying to locate other users in the area ( Lake & Mendo Counties). Please reply to me privately or on the forum.

[Anonymous]

1. AC6 is way different than AC8. There have been some good changes since then. It just seems to keep getting better.
2. The more training you get the better. AC can do a lot if you know how to use every bell and whistles.
3. There are some collages that are teaching AC to students. I reasonedly graduated from California State University Chico (CSUC) where I was first introduced to AC. I now use it in work every day. There is a web site that tells you where AC is being used, but I don't remember the address.
4. Like David Larrew said, "It is hard to compare "apples to oranges". " Other people in my office use AutoDesk, they seem to have a harder time making 3D buildings than I do. They say it's more work.
5. AC can do great renderings but only to a point. To get to that next level you will need another program, like the one's you mentioned.
6. AC has a large library of GDL objects plus, if AC doesn't have it you could check www.objectsonline.com to see if they have it. What I've read, AC8 is supposed to have a easier GDL interface than previous programs. I don't know a hole lot about GDL so I don't use it.