Graphisoft ArchiCAD
Version 29.2.1.5101 · Graphisoft SE · Windows 10 / 11 (64-bit) · ranked #77 in the library
A building information modelling package built by and for architects, where you model the building with real walls, slabs, roofs and openings and the plans, sections, elevations and schedules all come out of that single model.
Read the installation section below before you start. The order of the steps matters on this release.
About this release
Overview
ArchiCAD is a BIM application aimed squarely at architectural practice. You do not draw plans and then draw sections that match them. You model the building out of real construction elements, walls, slabs, columns, beams, roofs, stairs, doors and windows, and every drawing is a view into that one model. Cut a section anywhere and it is generated from the model. Change a wall and the plan, the section, the elevation and the door schedule all update together, because they are all the same information shown differently.
That single model approach is the whole argument for BIM and ArchiCAD was one of the first to make it workable on a normal machine. The elements carry data as well as geometry, so a wall knows its construction and its finishes and a door knows its type and its dimensions, which is where the schedules, the quantities and the coordination with structural and services models come from. The teamwork system lets several architects work on the same model at once, each editing their part and syncing to a shared copy.
It documents as well as it models. The drawings it generates are proper architectural drawings with the annotation, dimensioning and layout control a practice needs to issue a set, and the publisher outputs the whole issue to PDF, DWG or IFC in one action. This build installs the full application with the standard object libraries and activation in place.
What it does
Feature breakdown
Single model documentation
Model the building once from real construction elements, and generate every plan, section, elevation and schedule from it.
Data rich elements
Walls, slabs, roofs, doors and windows that carry construction and finish data, driving schedules and quantities.
Teamwork on one model
Several architects work on the same model at once, editing their part and syncing to a shared copy.
Coordination and IFC
Exchange with structural and services models through IFC, with clash awareness across the disciplines.
Object libraries included
The standard parametric object libraries for doors, windows, furniture and fittings installed locally.
Publisher output
Issue the whole drawing set to PDF, DWG or IFC in one action with layouts and title blocks intact.
Changed in this build
Version 29.2.1.5101
- Faster model regeneration on large projects with many linked elements.
- Improved IFC exchange fidelity with structural and services models.
- Object library expanded with additional parametric fittings.
- Teamwork sync performance improved on large shared models.
- Better handling of complex roof and stair geometry.
Installation
Follow these in order
- Disconnect from the network before starting.
- Extract the archive to a local drive with room to spare.
- Disable real time protection.
- Run setup as administrator and install the application with the standard libraries.
- Apply the included activation step, then close the installer.
- Open ArchiCAD, confirm it starts with no licence prompt, then re-enable protection.
Release notes
From whoever packed it
- Object libraries are version specific. Reload them if you migrate a project from an older release.
- Teamwork needs a shared location the collaborators can all reach. A solo model does not.
- Keep the update check disabled so the activation is not reset.
System requirements
Minimum and recommended
| Operating system | Windows 10 version 22H2 or Windows 11, 64-bit |
|---|---|
| Processor | 64-bit multicore, higher clock helps single model operations |
| Memory | 16 GB minimum, 32 GB recommended for large projects |
| Graphics | GPU with 4 GB VRAM and OpenGL support, discrete card recommended |
| Storage | 15 GB for a full install with the object libraries |
Questions about this release
Answered before you ask
- Does it export IFC?
- Yes, IFC import and export are core to it, for coordinating with structural and services models.
- Can several people work on one model?
- Yes, the teamwork system lets a team edit a shared model at once and sync their changes.
- Are the object libraries included?
- Yes, the standard parametric libraries install locally with this build.
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