Graphisoft Technology Preview Program 2025 - Frequently Asked Questions

[Noemi Balogh]

Welcome to the Graphisoft Technology Preview Program FAQ!

Here, you’ll find answers to common questions about participating in our Program.

About the Technology Preview Program

The Technology Preview Program gives you early access to the latest enhancements in Graphisoft products before the official October release. The goal is to provide insight into the newest developments—including the latest version of Archicad—so you can offer feedback to our product managers on newly built features and report bugs or reliability issues directly to the Graphisoft software teams.

What Is Included in the Program?

• Archicad 29 Technology Preview: Includes cloud-based AI functionalities and is available in International and US English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, and Brazilian Portuguese language versions.

• BIMx: Compatible on all platforms.

• BIMcloud on-premises: For Archicad 29 Technology Preview.

• BIMcloud SaaS: Compatible with the Archicad 29 Technology Preview for users who have SaaS already.

• MEP Designer: Available in International and US English and German languages.

• Archicad Add-ons: Including Goodies, Archiglazing, Solibri Connection, Cinema 4D, Grasshopper Connection, IFC Material, and Library Part Maker.

• API Development Kit and Rendering Development Kit

Joining the Program

Who can join the Technology Preview Program?

Anyone with a Graphisoft ID account is eligible to sign up for the Technology Preview Program, including those who have just created their Graphisoft ID account. If you don’t already have a Graphisoft ID account, please create one. Once you do, you can join the Technology Preview Program right away.

How can I download and start Archicad and other Graphisoft products?

Go to the download page—releasing in early August. Here, you’ll find all available products to download and use. Select your version based on your language preference and operating system, then start the download. The Technology Preview cloud license is already attached to your Graphisoft ID account. After downloading, installing, and signing in with the same Graphisoft ID account, Archicad will be ready to use.

Will I receive a confirmation email after joining the Technology Preview?

No specific confirmation email will be sent.

Where is the Terms and Conditions document?

You can find the Terms and Conditions document here, which you accept by joining the Program.

Providing Product Feedback

I want to send feedback about Technology Preview (usability issues, other product-related comments)

Please use the Technology Preview Forum to report usability issues and other comments about the new features. This Forum is also a good place to communicate with your fellow testers and ask simple questions about the products. Graphisoft colleagues check the Forum regularly and are happy to help you as well. Please use English for all communications on the international site.

What shall I do if my license is not working?

Please read the Licenses FAQ page first. If you haven’t found the answer, please contact our Technical Support using the ticketing function on the Technology Preview site.

What shall I do if the program crashes or is otherwise not working as intended?

Please click the Report Issues button on the right side of the Community’s Technology Preview page and send us a ticket with your findings. We’ll get back to you as soon as possible. Please note that technical support for the Technology Preview is in English.

How can I use the software? Where is the user guide?

You can find the Help guides for Graphisoft products in the menu under 'product Help' (top of each page) in Graphisoft Community.

Knowledge base and Learn materials

Where can I find info about the new features?

Please find the New Features Articles in the Technology Preview site’s Knowledge Base section, or check out the new feature video on the site.

Can I find any learning material?

Yes! We provide the Archicad Upgrade training free of charge for every Technology Preview participant. You can click on the right side of the Community page and enroll in the training on the Graphisoft Learn Portal.

Does Archicad 29 Technology Preview provide the same features as the commercial version?

Yes.

Technology Preview Compatibility

Can I open my existing projects in the Archicad 29 Technology Preview?

Yes.

• The Technology Preview can open the same versions as the full commercial version of Archicad 29: projects from Archicad 17 and up. You will need to migrate your files and their data.
• The Technology Preview version can open Archicad files saved with Archicad 29 Beta (including updates).
• Later Technology Preview updates can also open projects saved as Archicad 28 Technology Preview
• Later Technology Preview updates can also open projects saved as Archicad 29 Technology Preview.

Can I open projects/templates/libraries created in Archicad 29 Technology Preview later in the full commercial Archicad 29 version?

Yes, files saved in the Technology Preview version (including Teamwork projects) can be opened in the full commercial version of Archicad 29 on anyone's computer. We recommend that you double-check the correctness of your project before opening it in the full commercial version of Archicad 29.

Is my existing company library compatible with this version?

Yes, if your existing company library is from Archicad 17 or newer, then Archicad 29 Technology Preview can load and read all library parts.

Can I update my company library with this version?

Yes, library parts created or updated with Archicad 29 Technology Preview will work with the full commercial version of Archicad 29.

Please note: with AC28, we introduced the Global Library, which is a major technology change between AC27 and AC28. Therefore, if your company library is still using the Monolith Library (AC27 or prior), you can expect a migration cut between the Monolith Library and the Global Library (Archicad 28+). Placed objects, tool defaults, favorites, and Model View Options settings are not compatible. We recommend that you start using the Global Library when you have completed your ongoing projects and are about to start a new one. Until then, you can still update to Archicad 29 and keep using the current Monolith Library. Once you make the transition, objects placed from the Monolith Library will be editable, but new objects can be placed only from the new Global Library.

Can I use the Technology Preview in parallel with earlier versions?

Yes, Archicad 29 Technology Preview can be installed and used in parallel with earlier versions of Archicad.

What are the system requirements for Archicad 29 Technology Preview?

Archicad 29 Technology Preview maintains the same hardware requirements as Archicad 28. For additional information, please refer to our system requirements page.

Concerning the operating system:

• Windows:
  • Supported: Windows 11
  • Installable but not supported: Windows 10 64-bit (Build 1809 or higher)
• Mac:
  • Supported: macOS 16, macOS 15 Sequoia, macOS 14 Sonoma
  • Installable but not supported: macOS 13 Ventura
• BIMcloud for Archicad 29 Technology Preview is also supported on Windows Server 2022 and Windows Server 2025, and installable but not supported on Windows Server 2019.

 

Licensing and Eligibility

How do I start working with Archicad 29 Technology Preview?

1. After you accept the Program Agreement, an Archicad 29 Technology Preview cloud license will be automatically assigned to your Graphisoft ID account.
2. Download the Technology Preview from the dedicated download site—releasing in early August—and install it.
3. Launch Archicad 29 Technology Preview, and log in to your Graphisoft ID account, using the same Graphisoft ID that you used to accept the Program Agreement.
4. The program automatically activates the cloud license on your computer, and it is now ready to use.

Note: An internet connection is required for license activation, and also later to verify license validity.

Can I get more than one license for Archicad 29 Technology Preview?

Each Graphisoft ID account is eligible for a single Technology Preview cloud license.

Can I use Archicad 29 Technology Preview offline?

Yes, the cloud license gives you 7 days of offline use. The 7-day period is counted starting from the last time the Technology Preview had an internet connection.

Can I use the Technology Preview on multiple computers?

You can use the Technology Preview on one computer at a time, but thanks to a feature of the cloud license, your license can be released from one computer and activated on another over the internet.

Follow these steps if you want to use Technology Preview on a second computer:

1. On your second computer, install Archicad 29 Technology Preview and log in with your Graphisoft ID at startup. Archicad will display a "Device limit exceeded" dialog with a link that takes you to the License Entitlement Portal.
2. On the License Entitlement Portal, simply click to release the license used by your first computer.
3. On your second computer, click Refresh to reserve the license. The Technology Preview will now start.

Please note that if Archicad is still running on the first computer when you release the license, a message will prompt you to save your project, because the license for this computer is no longer available.

Is the license transferable to another person?

No, the Archicad 29 Technology Preview cloud license is not transferable to anyone else.

Can I use the Archicad 29 Technology Preview cloud license with previous Archicad versions?

No, the cloud license is only compatible with Archicad 29 Technology Preview.

How long can I use the Archicad 29 Technology Preview?

The Technology Preview program starts on August 5, with International, US English, German, French, Japanese, Italian, Brazilian Portuguese, and Spanish language availabilities.

The Technology Preview uses cloud licensing technology. The cloud license will expire on October 31.

What will happen when the license expires?

Archicad will notify you when your license has expired, and you will no longer be able to use the Technology Preview. However, with a valid commercial license, you will be able to use the Archicad 29 Release version after October.

If I am a 3rd party developer, how do I access the Development Kit?

The Development Kit is available on the Download site, along with the other products.

Am I under any obligation if I download and try the Technology Preview version?

By registering for the Technology Preview Program, you must accept the Program’s User Agreement, which you can read here: Graphisoft Technology Preview Program Agreement

Will there be an update for the Technology Preview? Do I have to install those?

We might release updates for the Technology Preview, so we encourage you to keep the automatic “Check for Updates” function enabled. Follow the Community’s Technology Preview page for more information.

Teamwork

Can I try Teamwork with the Technology Preview version of Archicad?

Yes!

• You can use BIMcloud SaaS for Teamwork with Technology Preview without any problem.
• For on-premises BIMcloud setup, we release a BIMcloud for Archicad 29 Technology Preview installer that can be used with your existing BIMcloud licenses, or without licenses as BIMcloud Basic

Can I update my existing on-premises BIMcloud with the BIMcloud for Archicad 29 Technology Preview version?

No, the BIMcloud for Archicad 29 Technology Preview version can be installed only as a standalone BIMcloud/BIMcloud Basic. You cannot use it to update earlier BIMcloud versions, but updating BIMcloud for Archicad 29 Technology Preview to the next BIMcloud release will work.

BIMx

Did BIMx export change in Technology Preview?

No changes in BIMx export. All recent BIMx apps are fully compatible with Hyper-models exported from Archicad 29 Technology Preview.

Can I publish to BIMx Model Transfer from the Technology Preview?

Yes, Archicad 29 Technology Preview enables publishing to BIMx Model Transfer. You can use your company storage, similar to previous Archicad versions.

MEP Designer

How is MEP Designer different from the MEP Modeler in Archicad?

MEP Designer is a standalone solution focused on mechanical and plumbing BIM design. While it includes some basic architectural modeling and documentation tools, these are very limited compared to the full capabilities of Archicad. The toolset is streamlined for MEP workflows, not for architectural design.

Does MEP Designer require a separate license for the Technology Preview?

No, for the Technology Preview, it is only required to have an Archicad Technology Preview license in order to use the standalone MEP Designer product; no other license is needed.

What are the system requirements for MEP Designer?

The system requirements for MEP Designer are the same as for the latest version of Archicad. This includes 64-bit Windows 11 or macOS (Apple Silicon supported), at least 16 GB RAM (32 GB recommended), a modern dedicated graphics card, SSD storage, and an internet connection for licensing and updates. Please refer to the Archicad system requirements: System Requirements

How does teamwork and collaboration differ from Archicad?

MEP Designer and Archicad share the same BIM core but use separate project files. Collaboration is flexible:

• You can work with separate MEP and architectural models, connecting them via hotlinks or IFC exchange, ideal for large projects or separate offices.
• Alternatively, you can use connected models and collaborate through BIMcloud when using the MEP Designer feature set in Archicad.

This flexibility allows teams to choose the best workflow for their project size and discipline setup.

Rewards

Is there any recognition for giving feedback?

Yes! The best 15 users will be rewarded based on their Archicad usage time, feedback quantity and quality, and Community activity. The best-performing testers will receive a cool Graphisoft Test Champion gift pack with online and offline rewards, and the overall best Test Champion will get a brand-new iPad Pro.

When the Technology Preview is over

What will happen when the Technology Preview ends?

We will communicate with you continuously throughout the Technology Preview program and let you know about upcoming deadlines or updates. You can use your Technology Preview cloud license until October 31. After this date, the cloud license will expire, and you can no longer run the Technology Preview version.

How can I purchase Archicad 29 after the Technology Preview period is over?

Contact your Local Partner, or buy a subscription online: Where to buy

I want to purchase a license online, but the webshop tells me that the Graphisoft ID company I am a member of needs to be deleted. What is up?

If you signed up for the Technology Preview program with a standalone personal Graphisoft ID account, a temporary Graphisoft ID company was created for you, which was required to use the cloud license and online features of Archicad 29 Technology Preview. However, this Graphisoft ID company is not compatible with the webshop and must be deleted before purchasing the license. You can do this on the Graphisoft ID Company Management page.

Can I continue using the Technology Preview with my newly purchased Archicad 29 license?

No, the Technology Preview works only with its dedicated license.

When Archicad 29 is released, can I update the Technology Preview with that or will it be a clean install?

The commercial version of Archicad 29 will require a clean install.

However, BIMcloud for Archicad 29 Technology Preview will be updatable with the next BIMcloud release.

Notification settings

How can I mute notifications for a specific thread/topic in the Technology Preview group's forum?

To mute activities on a thread in the Technology Preview group on Graphisoft Community:

1. Sign in to the Graphisoft Community using your account credentials.
2. Navigate to the Technology Preview group's forum where the thread is located.
3. Find the specific thread you want to mute.
4. Open the Options menu associated with the thread (3 dotes).
5. Click on "Mute" from the menu.
6. The thread is now muted, and you won't receive notifications for new activities or replies in that thread.

Read more at How to mute activities for a specific thread/topic on Graphisoft Community.

Thank you for participating in our Technology Preview Program! Happy testing!