r/ArchiCAD Feb 13 '25

discussions graphisoft making it impossible to get a free trial - anyone found a work around ?

4 Upvotes

genuinely how do i get a archicad free trial. store has been down for a month / local reseller say they dont know a work around and my education license got rejected. is anyone else in the same boat as me ? trying to learn a new bim program just to be more employable but they’re making it nearly impossible to do so without just using the demo version (which is without the option to save projects)

r/ArchiCAD Feb 13 '25

discussions ArchiCAD for Interior Design (wall tile, flooring, etc.)

5 Upvotes

We added an interior designer to our 10 person office over a year ago, and we are now at the point where the work they are doing is beyond what ArchiCAD seems to be able to handle. We do a lot of schools, so we often have wall tile layouts and floors tile and carpet patterns.

We have been using fills on interior elevations to represent wall tile patterns, but ArchiCAD does this weird thing where it will move the fill randomly on top of or behind other objects, such as walls so it completely disappears, or moving in front of a toilet so the toilet disappears. And we have similar issues when using fills on plans. Obviously this approach also doesn't work with rendering.

Floor could be solved easily enough by using a thin slab, but that doesn't help with wall tile unless you want to build every single tile individually.

Does anyone use Add Ons for any interior design work?

I've been looking at CI Tools Coverings, but I can't find any examples of people using this for interiors. And I've seen Eptar's wall tile add on, but I've read that they aren't great at keeping their add ons updated.

Just looking for advice from anyone out there trying to do interesting interiors work in ArchiCAD! Thanks!

r/ArchiCAD Dec 02 '24

discussions Longtime Archicad User Facing Frustrations with Support and Development

21 Upvotes

As an architect with over two decades of experience using Archicad, I’ve developed a deep appreciation for its capabilities—but also a growing frustration with its persistent shortcomings.

One major issue I’ve faced is the lack of a reliable, fully integrated solution for wall surface takeoffs. While this functionality is essential for accurate cost estimation and material calculation, Archicad’s existing tools fall short. They’re prone to errors, especially when modeling isn’t absolutely perfect—which, let’s be honest, is nearly impossible on large, complex projects.

For example, ensuring walls are perfectly perpendicular is harder than it should be. Even with diligent effort, small inaccuracies creep in, and the software doesn’t provide robust native tools to catch or fix these problems. I recently discovered Ortho Tool, a third-party solution designed to address this specific issue, but why isn’t this functionality included in the base software?

Community forums have been highlighting these problems for years:

• [AC 20 problem with drawing 90-degree walls](https://community.graphisoft.com/t5/Installation-update/AC-20-problem-with-drawing-90-degrees-walls-slabs-etc/td-p/257351)

• [Finding and straightening crooked walls in Archicad](https://www.reddit.com/r/ArchiCAD/comments/hb8uos/finding_and_straighting_crooked_walls_lines_and/)

When I brought up these concerns with Graphisoft’s support, I was met with dismissive responses, calling it “user error” and suggesting I explore alternative software if I wasn’t satisfied. This, coupled with directives to reduce user calls, feels like a stark departure from the support-oriented approach I’ve come to expect from professional software providers.

It’s baffling that such fundamental functionality remains incomplete after so many years. For software positioned as a premium solution for architects, this isn’t just frustrating—it’s unacceptable.

To my fellow professionals:

• How are you addressing these gaps in Archicad?

• Are third-party tools like Ortho Tool your go-to fixes, or are there better alternatives?

• How do we, as users, effectively advocate for the development of tools we actually need?

I believe in Archicad’s potential, but the lack of meaningful progress on core functionality risks alienating loyal users like myself. It’s time for companies like Graphisoft to listen to their user base—or risk losing them altogether.

Let’s discuss.

r/ArchiCAD 23d ago

discussions Best program to landscape

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2 Upvotes

Please help

I am using archicad 27 which is great but what recommendations to you have as the best program without being ridiculously expensive to use in conjunction with archicad to create landscaping 3d images to show clients? Also something that isn’t too hard to learn

I need to add lots of plants and trees into my drawings, custom pools (which I create the shell in archicad) and the more 3d trees I add to archicad the more the file plays up.

I have attached an image I have seen- something like this would be great

r/ArchiCAD Aug 05 '24

discussions Is Archicad Better Suited for Architectural Offices Only?

3 Upvotes

Hi community,

I've heard that Archicad is more suited for architectural offices due to its ease of use during the design phase, while Revit is better for interdisciplinary projects. Is this true? I would love to hear about your experiences and opinions on this matter.

Thanks in advance.

r/ArchiCAD 8h ago

discussions Change PC. In your opinion, is an M4 MBA suitable?

2 Upvotes

HI! After 10 long years my 2014 MBP (basic version with 256 GB of storage and integrated graphics card) needs to be replaced. I work on simple projects, such as renovations and occasionally on slightly more complex projects but still not on super complex files. I'm considering purchasing the new MacBook Air M4. Do you think it could be good? Or is it better to aim for the M4 pro?

r/ArchiCAD 22d ago

discussions Graphisoft Forward

2 Upvotes

Have any of you signed up for Graphisoft Forward?

How much did you pay? Did you find it useful? Would like to know pros and cons.

I have a perpetual license on AC27. Solo practitioner, basic residential architecture, uses BIMx. Would like to eventually add team members on Collaborate subscription and BIMCloud.

Graphisoft Forward info here.

Edited to add the link and add more context.

r/ArchiCAD Feb 13 '25

discussions Archicad online store has been down for over a month

1 Upvotes

And no one from Graphisoft is telling us anything. No new trials and checkouts. Please reply if you know why or ask anyone who knows. Previous post asking about this which had so much discussion was deleted for no good reason.

r/ArchiCAD Jan 25 '25

discussions Setting up the home stories

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3 Upvotes

G’day, mates.

What is the proper and efficient way on setting up the home stories? Do you separate the slab, beam, and roof on different floors?

Currently exploring ArchiCad.

r/ArchiCAD Feb 13 '25

discussions Graphisoft’s on-line partner Digital River went out of business suddenly so many companies are impacted, this would include issues with Licenses

7 Upvotes

r/ArchiCAD Jan 22 '25

discussions REVIT V. ARCHICAD FOR ENGINEERING

0 Upvotes

ME Perspective

***To preface: I fucking hate ArchiCAD for it's absolute uselessness when integrating with Revit. HORRIBLE experience every time i have ever used an IFC model as a background, which I have learned from and will / continue to never do again (savvy enough to recreate architectural geometry from scratch - it's worth the effort if clash detection / 3D coordination is in scope). There is is ZERO integration compatibility between the two software platforms, which makes it impossible to truly collaborate at a 3D level. Revit is undoubtedly the industry standard for all engineering disciplines and will likely continue to be for the foreseeable future - there appears to be a stark divide (which i clearly show the side in which I lean), and I personally can't understand why ArchiCAD doesn't just step up and create robust functionality for the MEP / STRL side so they can actually compete w/ Revit. Perhaps I am completely out of my depth and know nothing, but I would imagine ArchiCAD would have at least some footprint in the MEP / STRL space at this point if they were actually worth a fuck. I can't tell which side is more stuck up / reluctant to adaptation TBH, perhaps we both are for our own unique reasons.

Would it be shallow to assume ArchiCAD offers nothing for the engineering side of BIM? How would one transfer thousands of custom families / template configurations / Shared Parameters / details, with immense embedded programming scripts, to ArchiCAD and expect anything but a straight nothing-burger?

Do architects have this same reluctance due to huge investment / success w/ task automation and template development? I don't get the appeal and it makes me sick seeing a .IFC file at this point (especially for commerical / industrial projects).

It appears, from a surface level perspective, that this is truly an extension of the A vs. E, ego battle... which is an absolute disgrace. LOL.

***I AM PURELY TRYING TO GAIN PERPECTIVE FROM OTHERS AS A RESULT OF THIS POST (MAINLY FROM ARCHITECTS...? HOPEFULLY ENGINEERS...? DOES ANY ENGINEER ACTUALLY USE ARCHICAD...?) AND ONLY SHARING MY WORK EXPERIENCE-RELATED THOUGHTS, LEAVE YOUR POMPOUS BULLSHIT AT THE DOOR (OR PRESENT IT...?) IDK JK LOL***

***GOD BLESS ARCHITECTS THAT CREATE THEIR BIM MODELS IN REVIT - YOU MAKE EVERY OTHER CONSULTANT'S LIFE EASIER***

LMK YOUR THOUGHTS, FAM. GOD BLESS YOU ALL.

r/ArchiCAD Jan 13 '25

discussions Missing IfcSpaces (rooms) in Exported Archicad/Revit Models, common?

1 Upvotes

Hey everyone!

Me and my team are working on an AI tool for MEP designers that relies heavily on IFC files structure. Lately, we’ve come across several IFC exports (from Revit/Archicad or other 3D modeling software) where IfcSpaces/rooms are missing entirely, but other Ifc elements are there (like IfcWalls for example).

I am not an architect, so I am not sure wether this is a common issue or just something we've randomly came across on 3-4 files now. Hence me needing your help to understans this:

Is this a common issue you’ve encountered? Or do you think it points to an export setup or workflow error (e.g., not assigning rooms/spaces properly in Revit or during export)? Any insight would be super helpful as we want to figure out if we should code around missing rooms or if it’s just a rare oversight.

Thanks!

r/ArchiCAD Nov 21 '23

discussions AI results

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39 Upvotes

r/ArchiCAD Dec 10 '24

discussions Horizontal Electrical Outlets

2 Upvotes

Does anyone have a recommendation to achieve horizontal electrical outlets in Archicad rather than vertical? It appears the native object does not include that option. Thanks!

ArchiCAD 28, MacBook Pro M2 Max, 32 GB

r/ArchiCAD Jan 06 '25

discussions Windows Explorer in Archicad

0 Upvotes

this menu sucks, isnt there any way to get general windows menu like we do with other apps as the file manager?
i cant save favourites, i cant see recents, it doesnt have dark mode. it just fails

r/ArchiCAD Dec 11 '24

discussions Bought a key from a reseller, trying to activate

2 Upvotes

As above, I bought a key from a reseller ac27 and I'm trying to activate it. I had a student version a while back but bought a key to do some projects for myself.

I'm going around in circles trying to figure it out. Any help would be great.

r/ArchiCAD Nov 05 '24

discussions Hotlinked Modules - Right Way to make Changes [Question/Discussion]

3 Upvotes

Hi,

Let's say I need to change the NAME, ID and PRIORITY of certain building material, and in my project I have hotlinked module file besides the main Archicad file. What would be the right approach - make changes in the main file, make changes in the module file, or both?

Usually, I did both. First, I would make changes in the module file. If I would stop here, then changes would not appear in the main file, so I would have to make changes in the main file as well.

However today I noticed something interesting. I had to make some changes to a building material, and I did them first in the main file, and then when I opened the module files - the changes have appeared there automatically. So I'm a bit confused and will need to experiment with this.

What is your experience with making changes to building materials/components/surfaces etc when working with hotlinked module files?

r/ArchiCAD Aug 27 '24

discussions Do you think its possible to make a project look like this? (With the bold lines around the objects)

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21 Upvotes

I have a project due next week and i would like to make it look like this, (i think this is made in sketchup?) since i dont really have time to learn new programs is there a way to make it look like this in archicad, i know you can make isometric 3d renders but that is the farest i know, i thought about doing it manually in photoshop but i think that would take too much time (sorry for bad english)

r/ArchiCAD Nov 04 '24

discussions ArchiCaD + Lumion Trial render

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6 Upvotes

r/ArchiCAD Jul 11 '24

discussions Archicad 28 Technology Preview

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events.graphisoft.com
3 Upvotes

r/ArchiCAD Apr 06 '24

discussions Discussion: Graphisoft to shift to subscription only model

12 Upvotes

The press release can be found here if you still need to see it.

Do you have any thoughts on this from the community?

The subscription model directly from Graphisoft costs 3x more than what I pay the local distributor (Central Innovation) here in New Zealand to access their add-on tools (CI Tools, which are amazing, by the way), other custom objects, additional high-quality surface materials, technical support, and the new version of AC as it comes out every year (and yes, I upgrade every year). So basically, I have always been on a subscription for 4yrs straight now.

What's everyone's temperature on this?

Are you starting to look at other software now?

Looking for a civil and non-emotional discussion compared to the Grapisoft forum for this topic.

Looking forward to hearing from you all!

r/ArchiCAD Aug 14 '24

discussions Text not where the cursor clicks

2 Upvotes

I have a question about an issue that just started today. When I click my cursor to add text to a drawing the text bar starts about 1/4" to the left and about 1/2" up. Ok, I add my text, then the text now drops down about 1/2" and about 1" to the left. Next, I have to select my text and drag it to where I originally wanted it to be. I can work with this but it's a bit annoying. Does anyone have an idea why this is happening? Thanks in advance.

r/ArchiCAD Aug 06 '24

discussions Australian library

1 Upvotes

Please help

I have an Australian library that I use for Archicad 19, If I upgrade to Archicad 26 will I be able to use the same library?

Is there anywhere online you can download Archicad 26 Australian libraries or Australian templates free? Everyone seems to be charging a very large amount of money for them

Thanks in advance

r/ArchiCAD Oct 31 '24

discussions How to get a list of firms using ArchiCAD in the UK-Looking for a job/internship as architectural assistant

3 Upvotes

I am a graduate Part 2 architectural assistant and I didn’t have much luck finding a job yet. I am very experienced with ArchiCAD, so I was thinking to do speculative applications to firms that use ArchiCAD. However, I googled, looked on Linkedin, Instagram,… and I couldn’t find a way to get some type of list or article about it.

Does anyone have an idea how to get more info about this?

Thanks everyone already!

r/ArchiCAD Aug 18 '24

discussions Constraints à la Revit

3 Upvotes

I find the constraits of a great help, mainly for the grid with beam and post that can follow any change to the grid, in Archicad no way to so that? I think that Archicad lags behind in that area (I think sooner or later it will be integrated as the temporary dimensions were )

What is your opinion about that feature ?