Moving from AutoCAD 2004 to ArchiCAD

[Anonymous]

I am an Autocad user with a large library of drawings considering a move to the G5 running Autocad in Virtual PC. I am interested in moving to a cad product running native in the MAC OS. My drawings are all 2D - floorplans and elevations. Can they be imported into ArchiCAD? What is the learning curve?

Thanks for your help!

Cheers

[Ben Odonnell]

Mike,
You can use all of you DWGs in ArchiCAD without a problem. The DWG conversion in ArchiCAD 9 works really well.

As far a the learning curve for ArchiCAD goes, for some one that has little or no knowledge of a CAD system, I would say that they could be productive after a week or so with intensive training. But for some one like you self who as an extensive knowledge of another CAD system, I would say just a few days, of course that is also after training.

You can take a lot with you from AutoCAD, don't misunderstand me things are done differently in ArchiCAD but you can still use your AutoCAD know how in ArchiCAD. If you choose to go over to ArchiCAD you'll see how much more you can get out of a BIM based CAD system contra a 2D drawing plank.

HTH.
Cheers.
Ben

[TomWaltz]

Archicad's ability to import DWG files is exceptional. You can either import them ot XREF them.

It will take a little work with the translation filters that Archicad can use, but you could even adopt a new CAD standard for pens and layer names in Archicad, and convert the incoming AutoCAD files to it.

The key as Ben mentioned is TRAINING. If you just play with the manual, it could take months.

Our company switched over the Arris almost 2 years ago, and we made that mistake.

[Rakela Raul]

it used to be a web site..architecturalcadd or something like that,,where testing results on diff task were shown for several 3d cad like archicad, vectorworks and others....one of the tasks was the 'learning curve'.....archicad was the most friendly or one of the most friendly.

[Anonymous]

I have a similar question as our office will be switching from an ancient autocad 2000 to Archicad9. Can anyone explain how the licensing works? Right now we have one cad station in our office but would like to expand to two. Do we have to buy a whole second version of Archicad for the second work station?

[TomWaltz]

Do we have to buy a whole second version of Archicad for the second work station

You have to buy a whole second version of most software. If you buy one seat of AutoCAD, and install it on two computers, you are breaking the law and subjet to a 6-figure fine. I actually know a few companies that have been "license audited." Not pretty.....

Archicad usually runs off license "keys" which are simple USB devices with a serial number encoded on them. You are given one key for every license that you buy. You can install Archicad on as many computers as you want, but they will only run in "Demo" mode without a key.

[Anonymous]

I suspected as much. I know this is the way most software works. Guess I was just indulging in a hopeful bout of denial.

Well we do have some time in our little two person office before buying another license would become a necessity. As it stands now, we only have one computer which will run archicad. My partner is planning to do some tsunami relief work and when she goes to south asia would be taking archicad with her. Spending another $4000 so I can keep the office running while she does probono would be a big expense for us. Does Graphisoft ever donate software for a worthy cause?

[Eduardo Rolon]

I don't know if they are available for AC09yet but you can buy "pay-per-use" keys that will let you use the program for a set of hours (100 or 500). They are way cheaper (±$4.00/hr) than a full license and if you loose them it is not a huge deal. I usually have one for AC08 around for when I need help with a project.

[Anonymous]

Any idea how archicad compares to chief architect? Chief arch. is $1695 compared to $4000 for archicad. Does archicad really warrent that price for a small office or is it a program which only a big firm would need?

We would be willing to pay the extra if archicad has features that we need.

[Anonymous]

Archicad is so worth the money,