ArchiCAD

The ArchiCAD software product takes the leading positions in the field of architectural and construction design around the world, it is also very popular in Russia that generates regular demand. Other popular products – Artlantis, Ecodesigner and td.

ArchiSuite

ArchiSuite is set of thirteen add-on modules which are designed to increase performance of work of users of ArchiCAD. At design of buildings it is necessary to deal with such variety of architectural constructions that each professional gradually has own tool kit with which he prefers to work. Cigraph company, developing the ArchiSuite software product, just also aimed at the solution of this task: give to users of ArchiCAD tools which they could "sharpen" at discretion. In spite of the fact that ArchiSuite develops more than five years, this complex of applications reached the Russian market just now, – but already as the powerful set of applications checked by time increasing performance of work of the architects using ArchiCAD.

Among thirteen applications included in the structure of ArchiSuite the following is most interesting:

• ArchiStair is design of ladders of any form. The module ArchiStair is intended for modeling of ladders of irregular shape when because of design or space constraints it is impossible to apply standard solutions. The module ArchiStair has the simple graphical interface using which the architect can construct a ladder any, even the most intricate form.
• ArchiTiles is design, the layout and calculation of a tile. The module ArchiTiles allows to project, visualize and calculate the layout of a tile on different surfaces: on a floor, on walls and roofs. For the layout it is possible to use both a tile from the enclosed library, and the tile of any form which is independently created by means ArchiTiles: square, rectangular, polygonal, etc.
• ArchiTerra is modeling of a relief. The module ArchiTerra is absolutely necessary for users of ArchiCAD who are engaged in landscaping, vertical layout of a building site or modeling of a land relief of irregular shape. This module allows to create exact 3D models of a relief and to execute visualization.

2011: ArchiCAD 15

Except tasks of construction of buildings, the packet of ArchiCAD 15 supports project development on small caps repair and restoration of buildings within uniform methodology of BIM (Building Information Modeling).

The packet of ArchiCAD 15 offers architects the advanced approach to work with constructive space and forms. In addition to the new environment of three-dimensional design and a set of new design tools, the packet of ArchiCAD 15 is also addressed to the growing number of architects who earn a living by projects on recovery and reconstruction of buildings.

For work with the latest architectural forms the packet of ArchiCAD 15 provides calculations of any constructions – from the simple cylindrical code to the most difficult ribbed codes. Besides, in a packet of ArchiCAD 15 the new constructive component under the name of Shell ("sink") which helps to project the most different elements and forms characteristic of classical and modern architecture is implemented.

For expansion of architectural freedom the packet of ArchiCAD 15 supports three-dimensional guides and the adjusting profiles now. Developers consider that new tools do three-dimensional design-time environment with perspective display of objects the natural and intuitive tool for modeling of buildings.

Special attention is deserved by support of projects of reconstruction of buildings. Modern technologies provide very long lifecycle of buildings so the project scope on reconstruction almost evened out on the volume of construction of new buildings in the most developed regions of the world. The packet of ArchiCAD 15 suggests to develop such projects with support of all procedures and documentation on methodology of BIM in the same way as at construction of new buildings.

Except the impressive list of the new and improved design tools, the packet of ArchiCAD 15 contains significant changes in the IFC interface and the environment of collective work of OPEN for engineers. Full support of the 64-bit mode in the environment of Mac OS is also implemented. Object libraries for parametrical modeling underwent deep upgrade.

Official deliveries of a packet of ArchiCAD 15 are going to begin on May 23, 2011. According to the firm schedule of release of all 26 localized versions of a packet should become available to customers by the end of the third quarter 2011.

2019: ArchiCAD 22

ARCHICAD 22 are the improved instruments of design significantly increasing performance and convenience of work both during creation of architectural projects, and at data exchange. In this version design process and creations of documentation of facades of buildings is improved and also the set of innovations in the field of modeling, information management and 2D - productivities is added.

Improvements:

• The processed design approach of facades in ARCHICAD 22 simplifies setup of the samples defining appearance of outside and internal constructions of modular facades of buildings.
• The advanced ARCHICAD-Grasshopper Connection expansion allows to create facades both on the basis of traditional approach, and using technologies of algorithmic design.
• Use of different modifiers in the improved Editor Profiley allows to create flexible profiles of walls, beams and columns in setup which can change transverse sections of elements on the basis of BIM parameters.
• The new possibility of use of logical expressions and functions in values of properties of elements significantly increases amounts of data, available in the ARCHICAD BIM models.
• The algorithm Machine Learning patented by GRAPHISOFT considerably increases smoothness 2D - navigation even on very big and difficult projects.
• ARCHICAD 22 contains the new mechanism of visualization of CineRender (R19) developed by Maxon company and allowing to execute professional visualization directly in the environment of ARCHICAD, to apply Imposing of Tone and also to create stereoscopic or spherical panoramic (360 °) visualization.
• Reservation of elements in the Teamwork mode occupies fractions of a second now.
• Was the accuracy of the exported data on components of multilayer constructions and difficult profiles using OpenBIM of standards of data transmission is increased.
• The Ladder Tool gained the further development. Now users can configure Pass Height for ladders that gives the chance of further check on a collision between ladders and other building constructions

All conveniences of tools of the previous version are still available, and, above all - технологияOpenBIM™, to pozvolyayushchayaobjedinit projects and different representations of buildings in the approved model and giving to participants of design the chance to interact, despite of the used tool. Cross-disciplinary interaction is performed by means of the open interchange format of BIM by these *.ifc

2015: ArchiCAD 19

On May 30, 2015 there was a version of the product ArchiCAD 19 for architectural and construction design. In the fall of 2015 the Graphisoft company brought to the market the localized version of software^[1].

In the version of ArchiCAD 19 performance is optimized and increased that is important during the work with the large and detailed BIM models. Software allows architects to work on large-scale and difficult projects, using at the same time workstations not of the newest generation with an average output.

Screenshot of the software screen, 2015

In ArchiCAD 19 possibilities of multi-core processors are actively used that provided new vision of product capabilities.

ArchiCAD 19 uses uninvolved capacities of the computer using the Background Processing of Data function, 2015

In this version possibilities of use of several cores of the processor thanks to permanent reservation of computing means of the processor and "preguessing" are considerably expanded by the action program which the user at the next moment can make.

In the software interface changes are made: there was a system of tabs working by the principle of tabs in the browser. Each tab represents a working space. Such system simplifies switching between different to submissions of BIM projects:

• types of model,
• drawings,
• visualization, etc.

Background processing (Background Processing) of data is used for preguessing of what will be done further by the user. When switching between tabs the user finds out that representation of model is already changed, and problems of creation 3D - sections are complete - the software becomes more "sympathetic" and as much as possible uses the power of modern multi-core processors.

The new settlement algorithm makes the analysis of regular actions of the user. Processing in the background these data, ArchiCAD 19 uses uninvolved capacities of the computer. One core of the processor does not participate in accomplishment of preliminary background calculations in order to avoid decrease in the general speed of work of ARCHICAD. Use of these uninvolved capacities of the computer guarantees safety of data even in case of any errors and failures in process of calculations.

Creation 3D - types accelerates up to 70%. Time of opening of models, drawings and 3D - documentation was cut by half. Beta testing showed - the technology perfectly works at new Mac Pro from Apple which are delivered with the 12-core Intel Xeon processor.

Performance of a graphic subsystem of software by means of fast and "smooth" navigation of OpenGL is considerably optimized. There was an opportunity to move on big BIM models "without flicker of the display" with a picture frequency more than 30 per second. Similar performance is already from the sphere of computer games that allows to work with BIM model in real time.

The complemented ArchiCAD functions

• Panel of tabs. The toolbar occupies very most part of a working space of the screen. In ArchiCAD 19 there was a function which allows to hide menu panels, doing them pop-up, and the panel of tabs provides very high speed of switchings between submissions of the project.

• Rhino. The Graphisoft company decided to combine efforts with McNeel company, the program writer of industrial modeling of Rhinoceros based on work with NURBS curves and the Grasshopper expansion. In ArchiCAD 19 more effective import of geometry from Rhino is provided. The companies are going and to cooperate further for optimization of work with irregular shapes in future versions. Graphisoft will be able to concentrate efforts on development of own technologies especially as there are already thousands of the professional users already familiar with Rhino and Grasshopper.

• Cloud of points. ArchiCAD 19 can perceive the clouds of points which became the standard for the industry – files which receive as a result of laser 3D - scannings of objects. For September 22, 2015 this function in a development stage, but will be in the future expanded. The format of the XYZ files is supported. Support of e57 format is added.

Data in the form of "a cloud of points" can be imported to the main model and recreate space and structure of the building, 2015

• Coloring panel. The floating 3D panel - colourings allows to change coverings of elements by drag and drop by only one key click of a mouse. It provides an instant visual feedback.

• Performance. For the general performance improvement the Graphisoft company implemented the functions preventing mutual imposing at each other of such elements of documentation as the sizes and portable texts.

Guide lines allowing to simplify routine transactions of modeling and editing are completely processed. Dynamically created lines of a binding and intellectual guides will be displayed until they are necessary (these elements of creation can be located on a separate layer).

Now it is possible to export different drawings (and not just model types) with individual preferences of layers to the PDF format. In the created PDF documents it is possible to manage display and combinations of layers.

Among updates there is a Diagnostics tool BIMcloud/ BIM- servers, simplifying use Teamwork.

• BIM X. The setup package of ArchiCAD 19 in addition includes the BIMx expansion for export of BIM models to the mobile application of the same name and the further presentation of BIM models to customers. This unique portable interchange format was a little improved by models. Now authors of projects can control and appoint information on elements which will be included in the published Gipermodel BIMx.

• MEP. From the moment of a release exit the Collision detection function works for any elements classified as an element of an engineering system. As a result this tool can work with any imported by IFC/MEP elements (the imported IFC model can be created in any MEP-application) and MEP objects in the ArchiCAD model.

2012: ArchiCAD 16

ArchiCAD 16 offers the whole ecosystem of solutions which facilitate design of components for an information model of the building, exchange of such components and search of non-standard components. The built-in Energy Evaluation mechanism for assessment of power efficiency of future buildings does ArchiCAD 16 packet by the most ecologically friendly BIM system today (BIM – Building Information Modeling). In particular, ArchiCAD 16 offers instruments of direct modeling, and integration with cloud services allows to find any non-standard elements for the constructions.

The tool with the increased flexibility of modeling is necessary for work with non-standard objects, components and blocks. Such flexibility is offered by the new corporate tool under the name MORPH. The MORPH technology helps to create elements with any geometry, using natural methods of sculptural and technical modeling, including more and more popular equipment "pull and push". For creation of MORPH elements from scratch it is enough to pull of any 3D - a polygon or to transform any already existing BIM element from the ArchiCAD environment. The MORPH tool is an optimal solution for creation of non-standard BIM components and construction blocks and also for formation of individual interiors.

One more innovation of ArchiCAD 16 is connected with large-block elements which endure rapid development in the BIM industry now. The new technology of parametrical design of GDL allows to design dynamic blocks with automatic adaptation of parameters. Besides, ArchiCAD 16 offers essentially new method for receiving non-standard BIM components for the BIM projects. The cloud database with BIM components allows to create, look for, publish and to load to itself any BIM components at the discretion of the user. The new BIMcomponents.com portal also offers marketplace for any GDL objects that users of ArchiCAD could receive any necessary object quickly.

One more feature of a packet of ArchCAD 16 consists in the built-in technology for calculation of an environmental pressure and the maximum use of natural factors. The matter is that decisions the main solutions of rather ecological parameters of the building are made by architects more often, but not clerks, engineers or builders. The new integrated Energy Evaluation technology in a packet of ArchiCAD 16 in many respects repeats functions of earlier separate product EcoDesigner, however is constructed on absolutely new technical platform. In particular, the analysis of geometry of the building on zones, a possibility of input of analytical data on meteoconditions and so on is supported. This technology allows architects to carry out the exact assessment on dynamics of energy consumption in the BIM model, proceeding from the analysis of geometry and exact meteodata in the location of the building.

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