Pros & Cons to Converting AC7.03 file to AC8.1

[Anonymous]

Now that I am getting use to 8.1 (and more confident of the stability) should I "Convert" my existing Projects that wher originally created in AC 7.03 to AC 8.1 Files, or keep using AC 7 for these projects?

[Anonymous]

It depends on how far along the projects are and the nature of your practice.

Anything in the final stages of CDs should probably stay in 7 (unless you are expecting a long CA phase with many addenda and coordinated as-builts at the end).

Projects just starting into CDs should probably be switched. There is still a lot of work ahead and many of the 8.1 features are especially helpful in CDs (like the detail tool). This assumes that the project is still in a coordinated building model approach and not broken into separate 2D drawings. (Please suppress your shock and awe, many firms still don't carry the model past DD. Some don't even continue it very far past SD.) The advantages are less pronounced in strictly 2D work, though they are still substantial.

Any project still in SD or DD should be updated.

The general rule is that you want to be done with ArchiCAD 7 as soon as possible so you can quit the shuffling back and forth between versions and libraries. We have experienced so few problems with updating files to 8.1 that the only situation in which I would consistently recommend against it is when there is a deadline the next day.

[Rick Thompson]

Jay wrote:
Now that I am getting use to 8.1 (and more confident of the stability) should I "Convert" my existing Projects that wher originally created in AC 7.03 to AC 8.1 Files, or keep using AC 7 for these projects?

At this point in my practice, I rely heavily on plans that originated many years ago. With 8.1 I am having absolutely no problems bringing in plans from 7.0. The two issues I have are easily fixed. Dimension leaders sometimes become short, so I select all and change the gap all at once. My composite wall composite contour lines come in "checked", which doesn't work with all my walls... but, I can again "select all" and change then all at once... on each floor. After performing these 2 simple task all is well and with 8.1 everything is great. I did convert my library with the special menu.

[James Murray]

I agree with Matthew's basic breakdown. If it's almost done, bite the bullet and finish it in 7. If you go forward in 7 with a young project, you're committing to 7 for 6-12 months from today. Personally, I can't stand 7 anymore (I keep scrolling the wheel and swearing). My biggest hassle is a giant project in 7 that's going to run for another year.

For SD/early DD, we are moving the projects over and replacing all the library parts with actual 8 versions (not converted). This sounds awful, but it's pretty quick with find and select. The time is more than made up just by using graphical hotspots. Our rule of thumb: If it doesn't have a lot of interior trim yet, switch the objects. It's really just doors, windows, and plumbing fixtures in our case.

For late DD/early CDs, we move the project over and use a converted version of the 7 LIBs, along with our current standard LIB. I don't discourage anyone from replacing parts if they want.

[Miquel Garcia]

Do you consider absolutely necessary to convert old libraries? I am using old (7) self-made libraries with AC 8.1 without trouble. Which advantages have the conversion?

[Anonymous]

Library conversion was de riguer in 8.0 where the old libraries caused serious problems. Perhaps it has become passé with 8.1, but I think those of us who suffered through the experience of 8.0 don't want to take any chances of a relapse.

But, seriously, while AC8.1 manages the old libraries much better, I think it is a good idea to do the conversion. The way library parts are handled has changed significantly and it seems the sensible thing to do.

I recommend simply keeping your current version 7 libraries as they are (for finishing out any late stage projects you still have) and adding a separate version 8 library with the converted AC7 (and 6.5 if needed) libraries.

[Djordje]

Matthew wrote:
Library conversion was de riguer in 8.0 where the old libraries caused serious problems. Perhaps it has become passé with 8.1, but I think those of us who suffered through the experience of 8.0 don't want to take any chances of a relapse.

It is passe, I just opened a 6.5 file from 2000 the other day (PLA) and all came across smoothly, no problems at all!