Considering a switch

[Anonymous]

Hi everyone, this is my first post in this forum.

I am considering a switch to ArchiCAD (Vr 9) from DataCAD (Vr 11). Has anyone on here used DataCAD who can help me in comparing the commands and functions of the two programs? This will help better estimate the extent of the learning curve.

Also, to the log home designers on here...who has drawn log homes A) without the Log Home Solutions add-on and B) with it? Is it worth the cost? Is it "required" to use log home design to ArchiCAD's full extent?

Any comments good or bad are greatly appreciated

Thanks in advance,

Brian Dirkson

Perfect Drafting & Design

Ps--> can I legally buy an older version of ArchiCAD (specifically vrs 6.5) from a seller (Ebay or?) and register it with Graphisoft? Not and academic version...

[Pete]

Welcome Brian,

I design log, timberframe & conventional using AC9 without the add-on. The log homes work just fine since I'm not manufacturing the home from the cad file. Of course, there are always "tricks" to get the model to look good while being efficient with your time.

ArchiCAD will frustrate you during the learning phase but it is an incredible tool when used properly. I have been an ArchiCAD user since 6.0 and would highly recommend spending the money on 9 or 10 when it arrives.

[Pete]

Here is a recent 8" D-Log modeled in ArchiCAD9

[Rakela Raul]

can I legally buy an older version of ArchiCAD (specifically vrs 6.5) from a seller (Ebay or?) and register it with Graphisoft? Not and academic version...

Yes you can: of course, if you are in canada, make sure that dongle is from canada, also ask the seller for the dongle number and verify its number with graphisoft, GS will check that for you in a minute.
Then you will pay a fee from 400 to 600 to register that dongle to your name and thats it...BTW, from version 6.5 to version 9 , the is a huge diffference to me, i would upgrade to version 9 rt away or even better wait for version 10 which should be around the corner.

[TomWaltz]

Would the cost of the license transfer plus the upgrades from 6.5 to 9 be less than just buying a new license?

[Rakela Raul]

Would the cost of the license transfer plus the upgrades from 6.5 to 9 be less than just buying a new license?

it depends for how much u r getting it tom: for 300 dls, excelent deal, for 500, excelent still, 1000 dls, good deal, etc.

[TomWaltz]

How much would an upgrade fom 6.5 cost, anyway?

6.5 - 7, 7 - 8, 8 - 9, I would expect it to be in the $1500 to $2000 range, plus the $400 to 600 license transer fee.

It's just something I thought our original poster should know about so he can judge the price he is paying accordingly.

[Rakela Raul]

in the us i think it is around 1000 dls

[TomWaltz]

Really!! wow, that's a really good multiple-upgrade price.... so good it's almost incentive to skip a couple upgrade versions....

[Rakela Raul]

http://www.3dcadco.com/ftp/3dcadco_store.pdf