ArchiCAD Upgrade Calculator
Our ArchiCAD Calculator lists our top Productivity Improvements, Collaboration and Performance benefits. In order for you to identify what additional functionality you can expect when you upgrade, please choose your current version using the slider below.
Providing tighter control, better coordination and better integration of design teams, this Industry first innovative technology enables simultaneous development of the 3D model and 2D documents with full coordination and continuous visual feedback.
The ultimate solution for architects to efficiently control coordination of models, views and documents. With Visual Compare you have the confidence that all project documents are synchronized and any differences will be easily tracked.
Boost productivity and ensure complete coordination with the new dedicated Interior Elevations tool. As live views of the model, Interior Elevations are continuously synchronized and up-to-date.
Dramatically improve the design to production workflow. Using the Worksheet Tool you can smoothly transform your model views into highly detailed documents, create 2D documents from scratch or easily merge consultant data within the Virtual Building environment.
More modeling freedom with new double slanted walls, curved complex walls and highly accurate quantity calculations.
Easily divide multistory buildings into smaller parts. Entire multistory buildings Hotlinked to site plan.
Efficiently handle the process of cleaning up and fixing drawings, including an optimization process for 2D drawings from consultants.
Highly accurate calculations, even for the most complex projects, are now available in ArchiCAD's Interactive Schedules
Enable faster navigation and better control over project documentation by separating all new view types.
Enable faster navigation and better control over project documentation by separating all new view types.
Efficiently control the drawing set graphics with WYSIWYG and with separate and more flexible Pen Set control for each view.
Enables users to easily design and document curtain wall systems. Based upon a flexible hierarchical structure of schemes, physical members and additional accessories, users can easily control and change both the entire system or the smallest detail.
More flexible 2D display of stairs to achieve higher productivity in the documentation and also new 2D stair symbols to comply with the local documentation standards. Four new stair types expand the default assortment of standard stair types in key markets.
Allows users to use any 3D view of the model for creating a document where dimensions, annotations and 2D drawing elements may be added. This new level of clarity in communication helps reduce construction issues which can increase cost and lengthen project schedule.
New Fill capabilities, including translucent solid and image fills and transparent gradient fills. These capabilities allow architects to remain in the ArchiCAD environment while preparing documents for competitions and client presentations.
Users may now select any object in 2D or 3D and nudge them in a manner similar to popular office applications. These familiar features will speed the design and document generation experience.
Users may now select any objects in 2D or 3D and align and distribute them by placing elements along a certain path or in a defined pattern. These capabilities will speed the design and document generation experience.
Allows users to visualize dimension lines and adjust dimension points on the fly providing more flexibility.
Door and window previews can be associatively annotated right in the interactive schedule window. This feature alone saves significant drafting time for the documentation team.
Further customization of the powerful automatic dimensioning function. In the latest version, doors and windows can be dimensioned using a variety of refined options (e.g. opening egresses).
Project lines up just the way you need it: simply rotate the view on screen to a perpendicular position. Now you can edit diagonal wings comfortably, while your annotations adjust automatically to the final layout orientation.
To further refine interconnection of intelligent modeling elements, the slant angle and material of slab/ roof edges can be adjusted with complete freedom to match joining elements.
Although fills have been around since the advent of CAD, modeling soft insulation in composite structures has been problematic. Soft insulation is the 100% solution: not just for 2D, but for 3D Documents as well.
New zooming option in View Settings allows you to vary a view's display dynamically, by displaying the entire current model contents (Fit in Window). This option is a great "usability" feature for editing, and for creating an automatically adjusted zoom for placed drawings.
Global model view options help control the display and handling of library objects at a project level. Project specific library parts can now be saved into the ArchiCAD project file itself, eliminating the "missing library part" phenomenon that occurred whenever library parts were not loaded with the project.
Find & Select function is now extended with the option to assign multiple values to particular selection criteria. More complex search criteria enable more sophisticated search queries.
New editing aid gives instant, dynamic feedback on the cursor's vertical and horizontal position in. Guidelines can now also be placed with a single click on the Ruler. The Ruler provides great productivity improvement in arranging drawings on layouts.
The system geometry of highly integrated Curtain Wall systems can now be freely edited in any view of ArchiCAD. Curtain Wall reference lines can now be modified on the floor plan, using standard pet-palette operations.
Library consolidation for projects coming from earlier versions of ArchiCAD and an extended set of detailed information about loaded libraries and objects are among the new features intro- duced with the new management tools.
Users increased control over model-based sections and details of doors and windows. An extended set of Reveal and Wall Closure setting options make creation of refined details a fully automatic process.
Model-based annotation is key to an effective BIM workflow. Custom prefixes & suffixes added to associative dimensions - while keeping their real measured values - can boost documentation productivity by an order of magnitude.
Standard spreadsheet editing techniques to improve productivity in Schedule and Index windows. Quantity take-offs can now be exported to Excel with graphical information included for WYSIWYG results.
Take Teamwork projects anywhere, saving all necessary files and libraries of Teamwork sessions into a transportable data package for further edits without the need for physically access to the BIM Server from any remote computer.
Special single-user mode enables one-click reservation of all elements for early stages of Teamwork projects. "Solo" mode helps solo practitioners utilize the full potential of the powerful BIM Server infrastructure on solo projects, too.
Easily create a complex roof with multiple planes and several roof levels, integrated as a single, editable element. Edit any plane of the roof separately or the roof geometry as a whole.
This new, versatile tool creates a wide variety of shapes to model elements from a building's entire exterior, to a single custom object, using "Revolved", "Rotated" and "Ruled" forms.
"Existing", "To Be Demolished" and "New" statuses provide the basis for creating various plan combinations to create renovation plan types use custom renovation filters.
Guidelines are now available in the 3D window for improved feedback and control over the creation and modification of elements. Guidelines now appear by clicking a Guideline Handle, available whenever an element is highlighted, and can be moved, offset and deleted.
ArchiCAD 15 introduces editing planes for ease of 3D navigation, revolutionising the 3D space definition, making the perspective view the natural, 3D environment for building design.
Automatic connections between building structures and elements assist in the creation and maintenance of the BIM model while preserving the flexibility required, regardless of their complexity, while the graphical interface allows full control over the trimming process.
No more "hidden" connections. For any element, see a list of connected elements for all Roof/Shell trims, Solid Element Operations and Wall/Curtain Wall Connections. Use the connection list to select any connected element, or to clear a connection.
IFC Property management is now an integrated part of the BIM workflow and new features simplify the IFC workflow. Transfer IFC properties between elements, views and projects just like any other native ArchiCAD parameters.
Skylights are now easier to place and are automatically placed smoothly into curved or flat Roofs/Shells. The Skylight interface is now similar to that of Doors and Windows, and the floor plan display is updated based on the 3D projection.
The display of highlighted elements in the 3D window has been updated to prevent the "jumping forward" effect, giving a greater sense of depth in 3D. The reference line is also displayed for improved element creation/editing.
The expanded libraries include objects for renewable energies, additional furniture and medical equipment, bathroom and kitchen fixtures, garage doors, historic window types and a simplified Window library structure.
Create freeform elements directly in ArchiCAD. Extrude, stretch, fillet from any point or surface: every edge and surface can be moved and shaped in any direction, so you can create exactly the element you need to fit project-specific situations.
Transform any element, including Objects, to Morph elements for graphical editing.
Visual feedback is given when aligning textures in 3D.
ArchiCAD's new Energy Evaluation tool is an easy way to produce a reliable, quick snapshot of your building's energy efficiency level. This native function is specifically designed for use at an early design phase, when cost-saving design strategies can still be effectively compared and implemented.
Search BIMcomponents.comdirectly from ArchiCAD to access thousands of GDL objects. See a preview and view instant information on the found library parts. One-click Download and Embed imports directly to the project's Embedded Library.
More intuitive Search function finds library parts in your project's active libraries and also searches their parameter names and new keyword field.
Save Objects from any 3D projections. Parameters are created for materials, fills and pens, accessible from the Object Settings.
The cursor will now snap to any surface (as well as edges and points) in the 3D window for easy input among elements in space.
A red cutting plane is displayed in 3D shows where the elements will be split.
The Fill Types dialog box now includes a new tab page for Thermal Properties when defining Cut Fill Types. These properties are used in the new Energy Evaluation function.
New lamp types accommodate a better graphical interface and a wider range of geometry options, with more shapes and shade types to choose from, and further options for lighting setup. Additional objects are available for plumbing fixtures, joists, and 2D people.
All basic windows (except for double sash windows) now include Double Sash, Sliding, Sliding Mirrored, Double Sliding, Double Sliding Mirrored, Single Hung, Double Hung and Fixed opening types. All windows (where needed) can now use a different frame width on each side. The bottom reveal type can be set separately from the reveal on other sides of the window.
New door types are now available, and further options are introduced for sidelights, opening types, transom sashes, handles, storefront settings, and shutters, including the new roller shutter.
Despite increased reliance on model- based workflows, architects still need to coordinate their design with engineers using traditional 2D workflows. Streamlined DWG/DXF 2010 Import-Export. Features include improved layer management and the ability to export multiple layouts into a single DWG file.
Enables users to work in the information rich composite structure of walls and slabs while being able to easily coordinate the load- bearing structure with engineers.
Supports the classification of BIM elements as either load-bearing or non-load- bearing structures, for more accurate export to programs used by structural engineers. Thousands of standard steel profiles are now available from within ArchiCAD.
Building Element Classification extends ArchiCAD construction element data by adding new properties such as "IFC Element Type," and "Structural Function" to provide the foundation for model mapping with engineering BIM models.
IFC translators optimized for exporting model data to various structural and MEP applications - including Revit Structure and Revit MEP - offer best in class coordination workflow with leading engineering solutions worldwide.
Despite increased reliance on model- based workflows, architects still need to coordinate their design with engineers using traditional 2D workflows. Streamlined DWG/DXF 2010 Import-Export. Features include improved layer management and the ability to export multiple layouts into a single DWG file.
For best in class coordination workflow with Engineers, ArchiCAD allows architects to compare IFC model versions and to import only differences, displaying design changes with color codes in the architectural model context.
Site survey data directly coming from Theodolites can now be imported into ArchiCAD with a single-click. XYZ coordinates automatically convert into an ArchiCAD Mesh element providing an accurate 3D model of the environment.
Detect IFC Model Exchange now allows you to choose and edit the preferred translator as you go. Better management of Model Changes entries in the Mark-Up Tool palette, with multi-select entries for deleting and zooming, offer a smooth, model-based coordination workflow.
The simplified BREP (boundary representation) geometry IFC export option results in the perfect geometric display of element intersections and Solid Operations, without including all element properties and data. Perfect for use in an IFC viewer or MEP program.
An element's IFC data can now be edited in Teamwork by simply reserving the element – not all IFC data needs to be reserved.
The IFC database in ArchiCAD is now more sophisticated, and available for Find & Select and for listing in the Interactive Schedule.
If data contains multiple sites, choose to import just the site(s) you need. IFC Sites are now imported to ArchiCAD as Morphs for more accurate geometry and flexibility.
When importing and re-exporting DWG blocks, any unedited blocks can be stored so that unmodified DWG blocks remain intact.
Speed-up modeling, prevent mistakes and simplify the scheduling processes with logical links between elements and stories.
Improved visual feedback with pre-selected and selected elements, moving elements in worksheets and pasted content.
Fully exploits the benefits of today's standard multi-core processors during the most frequently used BIM modeling and documentation operations such as creating 3D views, sections and elevations as well as panning and zooming in 2D on large floor plans and layouts.
Management and visualization of the whole Hotlink structure and recursive updates of nested Hotlinks provides reduced file size and increased update speed. Users will benefit from greater productivity and better coordination when using Hotlink Modules, especially on large projects.
The latest version of ArchiCAD is available on Windows with native 64-bit support.
Greatly improved in-model visualization with shadow casting in 3D OpenGL views. Live 3D views of the BIM model in addition to being work-views also become a standard basis for communicating the design intent with clients.
The BIM Server performance monitor function provides project leaders and CAD/ BIM managers with powerful management tools to get all the necessary information for decisions required for an optimal Teamwork project workflow.
15%-500% speed improvements in various operations depending on project size and complexity. GRAPHISOFT BIM Server now takes full advantage of 64-bit computing on the Mac OS X platform as well.
The improved Autosave provides greater data safety with changes continuously saved in the background as you work. Autosave works on the same "delta logic" principle used by the BIM Server, making fast even with large-scale projects.
Both ArchiCAD and the BIM Server are now 64-bit applications on Mac OS, as well as on Windows platforms.
Use geometrical smoothing to achieve soft surfaces on Morph elements.
The BIM Server now requires less memory, so one server is capable of hosting additional projects. Send and receive times are also improved.
Two backup formats - the new PLN backups plus the familiar BIM Project Backups - are now available, so you can keep working in case of emergency. BIM Project Backups also contain all BIM Server-related information (such as user data and roles).
Hotlink updates are faster, when updating single-storey hotlinks from the same source file, or when updating Teamwork modules in a Teamwork project.
Priority-Based connections available for all construction elements, to develop structurally correct intersections, allowing the model to stay live until the very end of the project.
New Morph scheduling features support conceptual design and mass modelling. The volumes and areas of Morphs can now be scheduled separately by storey.
The height of walls, columns and zones can be linked to a particular storey in the project - when the storey position changes, the heights of the linked elements will be automatically adjusted.
New, intelligent building materials ensure correct and consistent graphical representation of materials in sectional and 3D views, and thermal properties throughout the building energy evaluations.
Define 3D cutaway sections of the model graphically in the 3D window, using one or more cutting planes in any location.
Energy Evaluation, based on standard compliant technology, now supports multiple thermal blocks, performing calculations using zone-based building performance analysis.
Model-Based Solar Irradiation Study determines precise solar gain through each individual opening in the building envelope, with diagrammatic display of results.
Use the Beam tool to create beams that are curved on a horizontal plane so beams can serve as support structures along curved walls.
Element creation takes place at the elevation clicked in the 3D window, and will snap to the corresponding storey level.
Anchor door and window reveals to either the wall face or the wall core. Intelligent connections follow any changes made to the composite wall or door/window structure. New cavity closure options are also available.
Set a casing for doors with one or two sidelights, even those with a raised sidelight parapet (T-shaped and P-shaped doors). Additional door types with leaf hinged on sidelight side.
New intuitive feedback previews each placement option (opening location, anchor point, reveal side & opening direction) when inserting a new window or door.
Now create 3D Documents directly from floor plan views, displaying cutting planes and SEOs, and with display options for cover fills, shading and shadows.
Drag/mirror a copy and multiply functions are now available in sections, as well as rotate a copy for morph, shell and curtain wall elements.
New rectangle/rotated rectangle options are available when drawing a manual zone. The new “Fixed Area” option can be used to offset the zone in a way that keeps its area unchanged.
A new attribute management workflow helps reduce time and prevent costly mistakes in safely deleting and replacing attributes, and with full control over the numbering of hotlink modules.
Additional options to position walls and slabs to a reference line either side of the core structure as well as the finish levels.
All renovations statuses can now be updated in one step, for example, to delete all Demolished elements and set New elements to Existing.
BIM Explorer (BIMx) is now included with every ArchiCAD installation to communicate your ArchiCAD model. Exported models can be explored on Windows and Mac workstations, and Android and iOS devices.
Support of Coordination View 2.0, Basic FM Handover View, and additional IFC Model View Definitions for extended data exchange capabilities.
IFC models of varying content can now be exported with just one click to the different professions through ArchiCAD’s publisher.
A partnership with BIMobject enables ArchiCAD users to access more than a thousand real, up-to-date, manufacturer specific building components directly on the BIMcomponents.com portal.
Support for STL file format (Stereolithography) is built in, allowing models to be transferred to the most common prototyping/3D printing devices.
GDL objects with identical parameters will now be exported as instances of the same block in exported DWG files for improved collaboration.
Improved graphics performance makes 3D navigation in OpenGL mode even smoother when working with larger models.
Industry first background processing supports the creation and manipulation of large complex models and faster generation of complex model details.
Optimisations boost performance on large, complex models.
