ArchiCAD or not?

[Anonymous]

Our 5 person firm is considering switching from AutoCAD LT to ArchiCAD. We have seen the presentation and are impressed. We are however concerned about the transition and about the reality of doing every project in 3D. We have spoken with some firms in the area who have purchased ArchiCAD but they wound up only using it for 2D or going back to their previous software. Any ideas on how to make a successful transition? Why do some firms stick with it and others abandon? We definately want the 3D capability. We're just not sure if doing every project entirely in 3D is the way to go. I used ArchiCAD 4.5 in school but no one else is familiar with it. Any insights would be greatly appriciated!

[David Larrew]

Dawn,

Be prepared for a barrage of replies...

We, Kirksey (http://www.kirksey.com), switched back in 1997 with AC6.0 and we've never looked back. We have 77 seats.

The joy of ArchiCAD is that you can do 3D or 2D and/or both very easily. I'm not a salesman but I do believe that ArchiCAD is one of (if not) the best architectural CADD solution available today.

[Dwight]

You are correct to be concerned about a transition - ArchiCAD destroys the archaic architectural labor pyramid - more senior people must have active involvement in forming the model, inevitably teaching the minions more - assistants learn more about building making models that quickly provide "reality information" to destroy the erratic fantasies of vague, gesticulating principals. [Yes, I HAVE issues.]

It takes commitment - firms that fail to employ 3D usually skimped on training, never brought in a consultant to help change their corporate culture - Aaron Bourgoin chime in here - and weren't that interested in producing superior construction documents.

Working in ArchiCAD means that you have to think your work through - you can't "sort of" fake a thing up and hope they'll "work it out on the site." In Canada, this is a euphemism for "big [censored] change order."
Doing everything in 3D - to a point - provides work saving information and prevents ducts attempting to drill through beams.

If you feel that you will miss "drafting," never fear - there is still plenty of that in ArchiCAD, but once your modeling/construction document process is managed using a fine after-market tool like Eric's Standardized Template System, the repetitive tasks are minimized and design changes - where the building information model comes into its own - are automatically co-ordinated throughout a drawing set. Then you are ahead of the game - making architecture instead of being a pencil monkey.

Remember that once you switch to ArchiCAD and develop comprehensive models instead of drawings, you can always go back to AutoCAD when you need uncoordinated, unlinked and unverifiable building information - excuse me - plain old drawings.

[Fabrizio Diodati]

Dwight,

after this so smart, clear and punctual description about the meaning of working with ArchiCAD you gained a new definition:

“Dwight one of (if not) the smartest, clearest Architect in the World”


proud to be one of the friend of you,
friendly
Fabrizio

[James Murray]

Dwight wrote:
you can always go back to AutoCAD when you need uncoordinated, unlinked and unverifiable building information - excuse me - plain old drawings.

POW!

Seriously, Dwight, I think you covered it.

Lots of people will say it, it's not a secret: In AC, you don't draw, you build. You work more on the building, less on the drawings. Yet the drawings come out better! And the design is more thorough, there are fewer construction surprises, and it's more fun.

The preceding is more true the more you work in 3D.

I strongly second that the firm needs to be committed to the change. Your efficiency will drop in the beginning. Be prepared for this; when it happens it will be tempting to fall back into 2D habits and thinking. Press on! Use drawing as a safety net while your modeling improves. I don't know your position in your office, but if you're not the boss, make sure the boss(es) understand that you're making a big change which takes time.

Highly recommended.

[Anonymous]

Well put James. Three cheers.

[Djordje]

Dwight wrote:
You are correct to be concerned about a transition - ArchiCAD destroys the archaic architectural labor pyramid - more senior people must have active involvement in forming the model, inevitably teaching the minions more - assistants learn more about building making models that quickly provide "reality information" to destroy the erratic fantasies of vague, gesticulating principals. [Yes, I HAVE issues.]-/quote]

So do I. THIS is the main problem and the millstone around the neck of the profession. Coupled with the inherent architectural aloofness and smirking attitude towards anybody lesser, and the "there are two opinions - mine and wrong!" attitude, this can go to no ends ...

Dwight wrote:
Remember that once you switch to ArchiCAD and develop comprehensive models instead of drawings, you can always go back to AutoCAD when you need uncoordinated, unlinked and unverifiable building information - excuse me - plain old drawings.

Dwight, I will print this and wallpaper my office!!!!!

I recently started on a new job, and have a couple of experienced people, profesionally, still on AutoCAD 14, "as there is nothing new" - 'scuse me ?!??!?! - even I know, or have known, about PaperSpace for its 13 years of life!!!!

Another problem is that the profession does not take software seriously. It is the inherent fear of showing that you don't have a clue, and keeping your status on the basis of mysterious superiority. In real life, most of the scratches on the surface would show yawning abyss ...

Better stop now, and if Graphisoft does not landscape Dwight's sentence across the GS Park, I will go there and do it!!!!

You made my otherwise miserable day, man!

[Dwight]

Quote of the month.

[Jefferson]

Dwight's truly on his game today!! What more could anyone say!

Dawn go ahead and shop around, you'll be back.

[Anonymous]

Dwight,
Could you please provide more information about Eric's Standardized Template System. I am considering moving to AC from ADT 3.3.
Thanks