ARCHICAD Upgrade Calculator - Applecore Designs

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.

Productivity Improvements

3D Styles

Improved schedule formatting

Collision detection between model elements

Advanced element classification

Touch Bar Support for Apple MacBook Pro

Magic Wand Feedback

Multiply Enhancements

Improved Dashed Line Handling

Curtain Wall 2D Edit Mode

Dimensioning improvements

Selective Parameter Transfer

Improved Stepped Sections/Elevations

Editing Section/Elevation Boundaries

Consistent Text Styles

Railing Tool

New Stair Tool

Door/Window Improvements

Two-Point Perspective

Improved Rhino NURBS Import

Improved CineRender Shaders

CineRender Reflectance

Element Previews in Schedules

Graphic Overrides

User-

Improved Library Management

Copy settings between tabs

Graphical favourites

New vectorial Icons

Refreshed user interface

Simplified Door/Window Interface

Export Element Information to BIMx

Improved Collision Detection

Schedule of Finishes

Multiple Linked Labels

Associative Level Dimensions

Multi-line Dimension Text

Automatic Dimensioning of Storeys

Dimensions Improvements

Unified Window Mode (Mac)

Improved Snap Points

Permanent Guide Lines

Snap Guides

Surface Painter

Tab Bar

Improved Door/Window Symbols

Expanded Building Material Tags

Improved Collision Detection

Transparent Air Gap Materials

Edit Multiple Elements Simultaneously

Enhanced Mark-Up Features

Enhanced PDF Support

Interior Elevation Improvements

Revision Management

Building Material Library

White model effect rendering

IES Support

Modeless Rendering Palette

Professional Visualisation

One-Step Renovation Status Update for All Elements

Core-Based Reference Line

Smarter Attribute Management

Improved Zone Creation

Duplicate Elements in Section

Floor Plan-Based 3D Document

Improved Door/Window Placement

Additional Sidelight Options

Improved Door/Window Reveals

Intuitive Element Creation in 3D Window

Curved Beams

Model-based Solar Irradiation Study

Enhanced Energy Evaluation

Real-time 3D Cutting Planes

Intelligent Building Materials

Element Association to Storey Heights

Improved Morph for Conceptual Design

Automatic Model-Based Junctions

Door Improvements

Window Improvements

New lamp, plumbing and 2D people libraries

Assign Thermal Properties to ArchiCAD Fills

Improved Split Command

Snap to Surface

Improved Custom Creation of Library Parts

Improved Object Search

New BIM Components Portal

Integrated Energy Evaluation

Enhanced Texture Alignment

Object Editing

Morph Tool

New parametric Door, Window and Object libraries

Improved 3D Selection Display

Improved Skylights

Improved IFC interface

In-Place Feedback and Management for All Connections

Intelligent Element Connections

Editing Planes

Improved Guidelines

Renovation and Refurbishment

Shell Tool

Multi-Plane Roof Tool

Teamwork "solo" mode

Teamwork "Pack & Go"

Improved handling of Schedules

Dimension text prefix/suffix

Extended options for Doors & Windows

Refined management of Object Libraries

Improved Curtain Wall Editing

"Ruler"

Improved "Find & Select"

Improved Object Handling

Dynamic "Fit in Window"

Intelligent "Soft" Insulation

Improvements for Slabs/Roofs

Orientated Views

Enhanced Automatic Dimensioning

Annotated Schedule Drawings

Dimension Input Logic

"Align" & "Distribute"

"Nudge"

Fill Enhancements

3D Document

StairMaker Enhancements

Curtain Wall

Pen Sets in Views

Enhanced Project Navigator

Enhanced Drawing Marker

Quantities of Individual Elements Components

Line Work & Fill Consolidations

Multistory Hotlinked Modules

Complex Elements Geometry

Worksheet Tool

Interior Elevations

Visual Compare

Virtual Trace

Collaboration

IFC Hotlinks, Classification and Property Management in Hotlinks

Improved Exchange with Green Software

3DM (Rhino File) Import-Export

Coloured IFC Elements

IFC4 Import-Export

Mass Import of Element Property Data

Network Diagnostic Tool

Export IFC Data to BIMx

Streamlined IFC data mapping of Object Parameters

Update with IFC Model

Improved Import of MEP Models

ID Management of IFC Spatial Elements

Attribute Handling for IFC Import

IFC Exact Geometry Import

Point Cloud Display

Labeling IFC Data

New IFC Scheme Management

BIM Collaboration Format Support

Messaging with Views

BIMx Desktop Features

Browser-Based Server Management

Efficient DWG Block Export

Export ArchiCAD Model to STL Format

bimobject

IFC Publishing

Extended IFC Support

BIMx Incorporated

Smarter DXF/DWG Data Exchange

Improved Site Geometry Import

IFC Property Management Improvements

Effective IFC data handling in Teamwork

Simplified Model Export

Improved IFC Model Change Detection

Direct import of site-survey data

Model-based version tracking

DWG Enhancements

Direct link to Structural and MEP applications

Refined model mapping

Data Exchange with Engineers

Partial Structure Display

PDF Net

Performance

Improved Physical Renderer

Server Communication Improvements

Drawing Update Enhancement

Retina Displays

Background Processing for Model Views

Optimised OpenGL Engine

Multiprocessing and Background Processing for Rendering

Optimised Scaling of Multiple-core CPUs

Background Processing Support

Improved Central Graphics Unit Performance

Faster Hotlink Updates

Expanded Teamwork Backup Options

Further BIM Server Optimisations

Faster IFC import/export

Full 64-bit support on MacOS

Improved Autosave

Performance optimizations

BIM Server Performance Monitor

Shadows in Open GL

64-bit Support for Windows

Hotlink Module Management

Speed

Enhanced Selection/Editing Feedback

Link Construction Elements to Stories

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.

Cinema 4D, intergrated with ARCHICAD 18, allows the creation of high-end, professional, photo-realistic presentation images without additional software.

Rendering presets (Scenes) available out of the box without the need to configure any complicated parameters, just hit the Render button. Rendering preview provides immediate feedback on rendering settings changes.

In addition to a wide selection of lights and light sources provided as default library content, all C4D light effects supported and further content from lighting manufacturers can be imported directly in IES format to perform real lighting simulations.

Concentrates on lights and forms only, for quick concept visualisations.

The new Snap Guides are generated on-

ARCHICAD 18 provides brand new sets of high-end surface materials. Over 300 surfaces are available right out of the box with additional accessible from BIMcomponents portal and in C4D format.

ARCHICAD 18 provides a fully updated workflow to support the revision process, tracking changes and change requests. The customisable details of the revision history can be automatically displayed on layouts.

More consistent input logic, better graphical feedback. Define a limited range that automatically reaches to Room Boundaries. Click and drag boundary line to fine-tune the view's horizontal range.

Enhanced PDF capabilities now offer control over resolution, size and the compression of raster images, as well as layer management. The PDF Attribute conversion options allows PDF representation of imported files to be fine-tunes (pens, fonts and attributes). Explode and edit graphical and text elements from a placed PDF Drawing.

Create Mark?Ups in 3D views as well as Floor Plan. Save 3D views, including cutting planes and camera views, as Mark?Up Entries. Create and save Screenshots in Mark?Up palette. Export all markup data to consultants in BCF format.

Improve productivity by editing multiple elements by stretching multiple overlapping elements, creating holes, subtracting or adding polygon shapes.

Semi-transparent and fully transparent Building Material surfaces used in Composites/Profiles will correctly display neighbouring skins in 3D, while fully transparent surfaces will display correctly in floor plans, sections and 3D Documents

Building Materials, such as air gaps, no longer participate in Collision Detection in IFC model?checkers and in GRAPHISOFT MEP Modeler.

Expanded Building Material properties now allow manufacturer information, and embodied energy and embodies carbon properties.

Model View Options offers several options for how to display the 2D symbols of doors, windows and skylights. As of ARCHICAD 18, these options are expanded: choose from several variations of detailed, middle?scale and simple 2D symbols.

The BIM Server Manager is now a browser-based tool which is automatically installed together with the BIM Server. Any tablets or mobile phones with the Internet access can utilise this interface, on a screen display adjusted to the device's parameters.

Use the new Surface Painter palette to change element surfaces (model elements and objects) in the 3D window. Select the required surface and then click the element to paint it.

BIMx desktop application now supports the Hyper-model format, allowing you to browse 3D models within the Hyper-model file. (The desktop version does not support 2D documentation.)

Attach the current view together with its settings (e.g. Cutting Planes, Layers) to your message The recipient will receive a previous image and can apply the sent view settings.

The open-source BIM Collaboration Format (BCF) allows additional communication on top of the IFC model layer for model-based interdisciplinary collaboration. BCF is used by many structural, MEP and model checker programs to add comments, screenshots, camera positions and 3D cutting planes to IFC models.

Better scheme management means a more user-friendly interface, less manual data entry, and more comprehensive content for predefined and custom schemes (stored in XML files). With ARCHICAD 18, compliance with various IFC standards is easier than ever.

All IFC data of any ARCHICAD element can be displayed in the model and on documentation via Labels, Door/Window Markers and Zone Stamps.

Multiprocessing takes full advantage of hardware for significantly shorter rendering times with the CineRender engine, while background processing lets the rendering engine do its work in the background while you keep working in ARCHICAD.

Switching among different open windows is now easier and faster than ever using the Tab Bar, placing any number of opened windows at your disposal. Switch between model windows faster utilising background processing.

Point cloud files can be placed in your ARCHICAD model to assist with renovation workflow. Each point is visible and snappable in floor plan and 3D views.

An optimized OpenGL engine allows smoother and faster 3D navigation, even with big models.

Draw or drag a Guide Line into the model window where required, and they will remain until you explicitly remove them.

The new "best division to distance" snap point option divides an edge as close as possible to a given distance without leaving a remainder. Snap points can now also be generated continuously along a polygon.

The unified

When dimensioning narrow structures close together, new flexible dimensioning options and automatic points assist in creating easy to read drawings.

In Section/Elevation, place verical dimensions on every storey level line, which update after a storey level change.

Add multiple lines of dimension text as needed without the use of other tools.

Level Dimensions automatically become associative to the clicked element (Slab, Roof, Shell, or Mesh).

Link any number of labels to each element simply by clicking onto the element -

Surface Lists let you schedule the total exposed area of a surface as well as other properties, such as colour. These schedules provide a fast and precise list of the areas of required finishes.

Collision detection now works for all elements classified as MEP‐type in Element Settings (Element Classification), in addition to MEP Modeler elements.

Control what data is exported to the BIMx hyper-model, including element information and IFC data.

All Door/Window parameters are available in a graphical interface and grouped into a logical hierarchy, with an updated tab page selector.

When importing an IFC model, view the model geometry as it was exported without priority-based connections.

Ability to override materials and representation styles of IFC model elements with preset Building Material and Surface Attributes. The list of mapped IFC materials can be easily expanded based on IFC file content.

Smart ID assignment is now available in ARCHICAD's Project Info fields for Project ID, Site ID and Building ID. Two buildings located on a single site can have different GlobalID values.

When importing MEP elements, ARCHICAD now optimises the management of shared geometry, producing fewer geometric elements or objects.

The "Update with IFC Model"

If a particular parameter is common to several Library Part elements, you can map its corresponding IFC data in just one step.

You can control which element information will be published to the BIMx Hyper-model, including each element's IFC properties panel of its Element Settings dialog box.

When accessing server-based libraries or using BIMcloud/BIM Server for Teamwork, a secure and reliable server connection is imperative for efficient work. The new Network Diagnostic tool provides an overview of connections information for all components of your BIMcloud/BIMServer configuration.

With background processing, ARCHICAD takes advantage of the processor's unused capacity to build up open model views (or tabs) in advance for faster navigation and drawing update.

ARCHICAD 20 provides full support for the use of Retina displays on OS X. User interface elements correctly scale with the resolution settings on these displays.

The new interface provides a larger, cleaner workspace free of visual noise, resulting in a unified, dynamic, up‐to‐date and professional look for the user interface.

Import data from an Excel worksheet to the corresponding ARCHICAD property value fields, eliminating the tedious and error-prone task of entering consultants' data manually.

Icons are now vector-based, so that all user interface elements display perfectly regardless of scale. As part of overall interface renewal, most icons have been redesigned for a lighter, more professional look.

Favourites are now much easier to use, accessable directly from the Toolbox or Info Box, with generated automatically thumbnail previews.

As of ARCHICAD 20, each tab retains its own view settings and you can pick up and inject settings between tabs, or match all tab settings to each other, for easy and full control of view content.

The Library Manager's new contents tab provides details on the contents of each library, making it easier to access and manage individual library parts. Export files, such as surfaces, for easy editing.

User-defined properties can be connected to any construction element or zone, based on Element Classification. These properties can be added to labels, zone stamps, and schedules, and can be mapped to IFC schemes and searches.

Display the elements in any model view according to a customised graphical definition, to easily communicate the design to everyone involved, for example, quickly creating planning drawings, fire strategy drawings etc.

The Interactive Schedule now includes fields for 2D and 3D graphic previews of any construction element - not just Library Parts. Floor plan, cross section and 3D axonometric views are consistent, and can be automatic dimensioned.

The new Reflectance Channel (replacing Reflection and Specular) allows for multiple reflection layers, each with its own bump map and reflection model. Other new reflectance options include conductor Fresnel mode (metallic surfaces), Anisotropic mode (brushed metal) and a cloth shading model.

Improved shaders including new displacement mode for more realistic brick walls, Gradation Curves, to precisely set brightness/colour regions of an image, and a Backlight shader.

A definition for NURBS has been introduced in GDL language, allowing complex Rhino models to be imported to ARCHICAD as GDL objects which can now be adjusted through a GDL settings parameter, improving the display of imported NURBS-based geometries in ARCHICAD.

A new two-point perspective can be temporarily enabled in any camera position, while maintaining the camera’s original position and viewing angle. As a result, all 3D vertical edges appear vertical in perspective projection, emulating the vertical correction function of shift lenses in SLR cameras.

Windows and doors have been updated with new casing, door leafs, handles, kickboards, panic bars, and hotspots for dimensioning. New rhombus and skewed window types are also available.

ARCHICAD 20 supports the import/export of the IFC4 Model View Definitions, which are developed for multi-disciplinary 3D model-exchange workflows, and the import/export of triangulated face-set geometry representation (a requirement of IFC4 Reference View).

Bodies with multi-colour surfaces (i.e. walls with different internal/external colours) can be imported/exported with correct colours, including colours defined in graphic overrides, renovation filters, mark-ups etc.

ARCHICAD is now able to read and write the native Rhino (3dm) file format, enabling a “reference model” workflow between the two applications.

ARCHICAD's built-in energy evaluation supports interoperability with external building performance analysis applications. New export options make it easier to transfer BIM data directly to building performance evaluation tools, with direct gbXML and PHPP export.

The processes for updating drawings and checking their status now rely on multiprocessing technology, for a faster workflow.

Background processing is used for server communication, providing more feedback, and reducing time. Now, ARCHICAD communicates with the server in the background, enhancing responsiveness.

"Turbo Boost" your rendering times, with no quality loss, using the new Intel Embree raytracing engine for the Physical Renderer. Faster grass renderings and a quick preview also enhance the Physical Renderer experience.

The formatting panel has been reorganised to make navigation easier. A new information panel gathers all relevant warnings and information for a selected item.

Using this new view option you can switch the display style of any 3D view with one click. Numerous new options are available for 3D view displays: silhouette, line settings for vectorial hatching, shadow contour, and more.

The new stair tool is a next-generation design tool with automatic design validation against human ergonomics, on the fly. ARCHICAD validates thousands of design options in the background and offers the most optimal stair designs.

Create associative railings with a single click along stairs as well as other building elements - such as slabs. Railing systems are created considering design rules and standards, posts and panels can be assigned as patterns, or customised individually.

Text, dimensioning, labelling and scheduling tools now have consistent text style settings. Text style favourites can be used to quickly apply your styles across all relevant tools.

Vertical boundaries, horizontal boundaries and stepped section/elevation lines can now be adjusted in section and elevation viewpoints.

The Section/Elevation extent and marked distant area can now be stepped. An existing section/elevation can now be stepped by clicking any point on the section/elevation line.

Control which parameters are transferred between elements when using favourites or pick up/inject parameters.

Any combination of the outer faces, core, and reference lines can now be automatically and associatively dimensioned. Dimensions manually placed on wall reference lines are also now associative.

Edit individual curtain wall frames, panels, grid lines and boundaries in 2D viewpoints including floor plans, sections and elevations. You can move between different viewpoints while remaining in Edit mode.

Dashed lines and spacing is continued from previous polyline segments to give the appearance of a continuous line. Individual dashed lines are now calculated from the centre point for more consistent spacing and dash lengths.

Multiply elements along a predefined path, and control how elements are rotated as they are multiplied along a path.

Graphic feedback is now given when using the Magic Wand to instantly preview the results of the created elements.

The Touch Bar will display common ARCHICAD commands quickly and easily based on the current viewpoint and selection, including switching to 2D and 3D viewpoints, and editing modes.

ARCHICAD 21 introduces a flexible way to classify elements and spaces for better support of national or company standards and for unprecedented interoperability between project stakeholders.

Collision detection has now been fully integrated, and has been expanded to include all element classifications. Collision Detection allows two groups of elements to be compared through user-defined criteria sets.

External IFC model content created by external consultants (such as Structural or MEP engineers) can be placed as hotlinks. These IFC modules can be easily updated ensuring streamlined, round-trip collaboration with engineers.