Of course, you are considering purchasing Archicad and wonder if there's a substantial productivity payback relative to your other applications. The answer is undoubtedly "yes." However, most users don't use Archicad simply to model - we use it to design buildings and generate a variety of integrated design communications, so a direct answer to your question is difficult.
Archicad will be faster that either of the others since it places building elements to meet the demands of conventional architecture [while being tedious in the realm of unconventional architecture- bulgy, organic losenges, for instance]. It's elements refers to slabs, roofs, windows, etc in their entirety. Archicad elements don't behave like typical primitives - they stretch and adapt parametrically. It is also much faster to edit the building in its entirety - elongation, compression, whatever, all the while maintaining relationships to published building views. The experience can be very much like building a physical model from stretchy card board.
For work of the quality you show, of course you'd export the Archicad model to Max like many users do, since nothing in the Archicad realm can render with that fluffy entourage or lighting effect.
Since you are in Vancouver, please call me at 604 266 7322 if you'd like to discuss this in more detail. Our regional rep is visiting Vancouver next week if you'd like a demo.
Dwight Atkinson
