AC 13? AC2009?

[Anonymous]

For a long time I have agitated for strategic thinking by senior management in Graphisoft, on the future development of ArchiCAD. Of course, from a user’s perspective, there is very little we can ascertain except by what we see shipped with each successive release.
On the basis of current and pending releases this forum contains much discontent regarding the pace and quality of change and development.



In years past ArchiCAD had a defining set of tools. Now we see significant competitors emerging who are not only cashed up, but are offering newer software with significant new features that are better implemented and more stable. For example:
• Native 3d modelling tools that use a graphical interface, included in the software.
• Parametric objects that can be assembled with relationships to others.
Of course these are but a few of many issues.
So how does one compete?
Given the resources of the competition some lateral thinking is required.



The answer already exists although the potential has been missed.
Graphisoft has developed an add-on strategy for many tools. So, when Graphisoft needed a quality renderer for ArchiCAD, it included a licensed version of Lightworks*. This approach enabled a key feature to be provided, that was beyond Graphisoft’s resources to develop.
So for the future, why not embrace some global partners?** Allow them to share development cost and risk. Build their components into the base software, and let them get appropriate remuneration for their contribution. Why is this win-win?
• ArchiCAD rapidly gets features that are long overdue, or new features that assist in delineating it’s place in the market.
• Graphisoft software engineers can concentrate on core programming, integration and optimisation.
• Partners may get renumerated less (per seat) for their product, but see revenue for every seat of ArchiCAD sold.
• Partners have a vested interest in developing excellent tools, as they play a real role in the continued viability of the software in the marketplace, and see fiscal reward for their work.


Right now, there are a few examples that would make a significant contribution to the next version of ArchiCAD, for example Cadimage’s “Revision Manager”. So let us users all hope that Graphisoft Management are brave enough to take some fundamental steps toward securing ArchiCAD’s future.




* Unfortunately most users will acknowledge that the implementation of Lightworks in ArchiCAD is poor, while experts are even more scathing about how ineptly this has been handled! A rather unfortunate precedent, but one that need not be repeated.

** The new mantra across many industries is globalization. When implemented it also involves risk and investment sharing. My interest in aviation prompts an analogy to Boeing and its 787. (Accepting of course this programme has had some hiccups, it nevertheless is widely applauded as “the future way of doing business”). This precedent shows it is not “too hard” to adopt risk sharing partners and define appropriate rewards in order to beat the competition to market, and create cutting-edge technologies. How much easier when only software is involved?!

[Bricklyne Clarence]

Dwight wrote:

oreopoulos wrote:
Its also very sad to see GS being totally absent from their forums, never sharing their point of view. Its very sad.

It is not true that GS is not present on this forum.
They correctly don't waste resources in meaningless banter, confining comment to essential announcements or corrections.

....I guess it all depends on how one defines 'wasting resources' and 'meaningless banter'.

I have always been of the impression ( woefully misguided it seems) that customer concerns about the product, its flaws and shortcomings don't constitute 'meaningless banter', nor does the developer addressing those issues directly by engaging the customers qualify as 'wasting resources'.

.....but that's just me.

Then again, maybe I'm completely missing some intended sarcasm, but it's always hard to tell on these internets

[Anonymous]

Dwight wrote:
It is not true that GS is not present on this forum.
They correctly don't waste resources in meaningless banter, confining comment to essential announcements or corrections.

LOL.

WOW. they make announcements. Amazing. Unsurpassed communication with their clients. Do you offer the same support standards to your clients too?!!

GS is absent from this forum. Anyway, this product day by day its loosing it "once upon a time" dominating status. This is bad for all of us. Even all you that make money "supporting" AC users. Defending all those bad handlings is bad for you too. You are just too shortsighted to see.

If you think everything is going fine, then you are not using AC for production, or you are not using it as you should (dont be surprised, a lot of people use AC as a 2D drafting tool)

[TomWaltz]

oreopoulos wrote:
If you think everything is going fine, then you are not using AC for production, or you are not using it as you should (dont be surprised, a lot of people use AC as a 2D drafting tool)

Amen, brother!

[Petros Ioannou]

Dwight ,
how many times have you seen a post here asking about a proper plan representation of SEO's?
I've seen it in every forum (from wishes to cd's). -from experienced and new users.
How many official responses did they get?
Is this considered a "meaningless banter"?

And please note that people are arguing just for a response and not yelling for a "fix it right now" solution.

[Anonymous]

Well, I must agree that GS presence on this forum is as minimal as possible. I almost can't imagine it being smaller. Regarding development. I wish also that more attention to users wishes have been considered. There is a lot of wishes people are asking for years and there is basically no response that GS is even considering them in a far future. When I first saw "StairMaker" in the AC12 announcement my heart started to beat faster, then I read it and "yawn", let's move one. Nothing new here.

[Anonymous]

I think there is an obvious reason why things are going these way.

In the older days there was motivarion behind creating Archicad (besides making money). The starting point was the ambition to make something unique. It is more than clear (to me at least) that the motivation has completely vanished.

There is no ambition in creating the best product. The ambition is to create a nice constant slow flow of features that will create a constant flow of money.

I can also guess that the team that started Archicad isnt any more responsible for the product's development

[Anonymous]

Bricklyne wrote:

Dwight wrote:

oreopoulos wrote:
Its also very sad to see GS being totally absent from their forums, never sharing their point of view. Its very sad.

It is not true that GS is not present on this forum.
They correctly don't waste resources in meaningless banter, confining comment to essential announcements or corrections.

I have always been of the impression ( woefully misguided it seems) that customer concerns about the product, its flaws and shortcomings don't constitute 'meaningless banter', nor does the developer addressing those issues directly by engaging the customers qualify as 'wasting resources'.

.....but that's just me.

Actually it's not just you. But I will say that GS does participate in the forms. Every time we start complaining about the product and start debating it, the moderator is quick to lock the subject. It pretty much says what they think of our opinions. 11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18? Does anyone truly believe there will be an Archicad19? Does anyone feel like upgrading 8 times to get there? If so, GS is going to spend only eight years doing it. Who truly wants to upgrade 8 times for eight years of development? Here's an analogy: " Before you kill the cow for some steak, make sure to milk it first so you have something to drink in case you choke on it." Thank you. I just thought of it.

[Anonymous]

Dwight wrote:

oreopoulos wrote:
Its also very sad to see GS being totally absent from their forums, never sharing their point of view. Its very sad.

It is not true that GS is not present on this forum.
They correctly don't waste resources in meaningless banter, confining comment to essential announcements or corrections.

So your telling me that your 4940 post have just been meaningless banter. Good I will not waste my resources on your comments anymore. Considering this is all meaningless banter to you, I don't know why you waste your resources either.

[Dwight]

My goodness how we are all getting wound up.

[Laura Yanoviak]

Dwight wrote:
My goodness how we are all getting wound up.

Of course you're right, Dwight. GS has responded to me via the forum and via private message as a result of my posts on this forum. If people have serious issues, they should be contacting their local reseller or GS directly. One can rant and rave on this forum all they want, but it's not a productive means of communication [with Graphisoft].