Why Archicad on the iPad matters

[Thomas Holm]

Why Archicad on the iPad matters — even if just a viewer, thin client or whatever: Do read this!

The iPad has sold 30 million units. In less than a year and a half.

[Bricklyne Clarence]

Which would probably be why Graphisoft are doing this

[Thomas Holm]

Which would probably be why Graphisoft are doing this

Of course! We're eagerly waiting...
Although I think utilizing the functionality of the iPad to its limits is more important than an iPhone viewer.

[Anonymous]

I would hope that if Graphisoft were to do this that they would make an Android version as well. I know more people who own Android tablets. And the price of Android devices are such I might suggest to some customers to buy one to view my files.

[Bricklyne Clarence]

Thomas wrote:

Which would probably be why Graphisoft are doing this

Of course! We're eagerly waiting...
Although I think utilizing the functionality of the iPad to its limits is more important than an iPhone viewer.

I agree.

I don't quite get how a smartphone can be used comfortably as a 3D viewer with the screen resolution that they have, but I suppose GS is just covering their bases for situations where you have a client or a consultant that has an iPhone and you want to show them something on the project but there's niPad available.
After all, more people have iPhones than iPads, even as popular as they are and as they're becoming.

In any case, any decision to develop an iPad/iPhone viewer (and hopefully soon after, an Android viewer as well) is a great decision on their part.
Their competitors over at Autotable have to worry about getting Revit to run on Mac platform first before they can even think of developing an iPad viewer.
In fact they have to worry about getting Revit to produce usable and decent IFC files before worrying about venturing into other formats.

[Anonymous]

Bricklyne I usually agree with your commentary but a couple of points.

IFCs are irrelevant if you own the BIM space. Keep that perception alive and it may become true.

Apple is doing some weird stuff in the pro space. I love what they do -but - dropping serious server stuff, rumors about dropping Mac pro hardware etc are not inspiring for the onlooker. Not sure I'd want to invest in porting anything till I can see the game plan (I concede impossible with Apple).

I'd like to think I'm wrong but these are interesting times....

[Anonymous]

rwallis wrote:
Apple is doing some weird stuff in the pro space. I love what they do -but - dropping serious server stuff, rumors about dropping Mac pro hardware etc are not inspiring for the onlooker.

Where have you heard this?

Considering Apple's dominance in the creative pro field, their tendency to need pro equipment, and the high margins they bring in, it would seem rather odd. It also seems self defeating to alienate a large part of their power users.

[Thomas Holm]

rwallis wrote:
...Not sure I'd want to invest in porting anything till I can see the game plan...

Well, the iPad sells at least thirty times the Android pads combined.
And other competitors are giving up. I don't need a game plan to see what's cooking...

[Anonymous]

Not specific but I was thinking of revit to Mac port. Autodesk will get a feel with their recent auto cad port.....

[Laszlo Nagy]

I recently read an interview with Autodesk guys, I think it was the Q2 financial results conference transcript and there was a question about Revit for Mac and the answer was that it is currently not planned.

Also, Ralph Grabowski mentioned in one of his blog posts on his site that AutoCAD for Mac sales are not that great so far. That may or may not have to do with many missing features in their Mac version.