I'm super biased in favor of ARCHICAD-it's wonderful for both commercial and residential, small and large, low detail and hyper-detailed, small groups and mammoth teams.
Some thoughts:
1) Talk to users of the software. Don't just listen to the party line. Talk to ARCHICAD users who are doing commercial and residential, talk to REVIT users who are doing both, talk to Chief Architect users who are using that software. Find people who talk your language. Find people, near or far, that can support you. And make sure to talk to other architects, not just salespeople, drafters, etc.
2) Use one software. As I said, I'm 100% a diehard ARCHICAD user and am always happy to talk to anyone about it via e-mail, in person, or over the phone. I don't just drink the Koolaid, I help make it. BUT....Find the ONE software that's right for your firm and use that. Don't use two. Or three. Revit can do everything you want to do, both 2D and 3D. ARCHICAD can do everything you want to do, both 2D and 3D. Vectorworks can too. Just pick one (or look at another complete BIM software). One software package, regardless of what it is, is a better business decision than relying on 2 or 3 different ones. For larger firms, they might have multiple BIM programs in the office for various reasons. But for most of us, we need to focus on one. We need all our employees to be able to speak the same language. We need them to be able to jump from project to project and help each other. And it's best to have a software expert in-house. The more programs you have the more demand you put on that person (or persons if they can't be a master of multiple overlapping production software).
3) If you have the capacity, try out multiple programs. Give each a chance.
4) Pick the software that works best for your firm and your employees. Don't pick a software based on popularity.
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Jared Banks AIA
Shoegnome, LLC
Seattle, WA
If you're not following CRAN on Twitter (
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Original Message:
Sent: 07-27-2017 18:03
From: Stedmann McCollough
Subject: ArchiCAD and the Bigger Question
I'm not familiar with ArchiCAD...but....we are looking to change over to REVIT...any thoughts, warnings, issues we should be aware of? It seems a bit much for residential so we're looking at REVIT for commercial and Chief Architect for residential (with Autocad for details and elevations)...I'd appreciate any input...Thanks
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Stedmann McCollough AIA
President
McCollough Architecture, Inc.
Gulf Shores AL
Original Message:
Sent: 07-20-2017 05:48
From: John Black
Subject: ArchiCAD and the Bigger Question
I've been an ardent ArchiCAD user since verion 6.5. However, the recent update of ArchiCAD 20 and the upgrade to version 21 has tested my faith. For anyone using ArchiCAD Teamworks/BIM Server on a Macintosh system – please stay away for now!
This software contains a bug that disconnects the server from all workstations. After discovering this issue I contacted my local colleagues and had expected Graphisoft to issue a notice to all users. Unfortunately, that notice never came, and while Graphisoft provided me with a few temporary work-arounds, I have experienced little improvement. In fact my billable production hours for the past month have decreased by 30%. Last week Graphisoft promised an update in a few days, but instead they have simply stopped responding to my inquiries.
This brings up the bigger question about how architects can protect their business from failing software. When I first started my practice, the worst production slow-down might be a broken Mayline cable. In 15 minutes that workstation would be up and running again. Today, however, what happens when the software we depend on fails? We are beholden to a software company. And in my case, one that seems to simply shrug its shoulders as I struggle to maintain an ability to design and document my projects.
ArchiCAD is an amazingly beautiful and powerful software program, but I wonder if it has grown beyond Graphisoft's ability to provide a stable working platform. I suspect they are also pressured (like all companies) to release a new version each year to justify their subscription cost - ready or not. Regardless of which company architects have partnered with, I wonder if my experience might be the first sign of a new reality?
I once wrote about how I had gulped down the ArchiCAD Koolaid. Well that drink now has an awfully bitter taste. Obviously we cannot go back to paper and pen, but what perils await us in the world of increasingly complex software, and how can we minimize the impact on our architectural practices?
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John Black AIA
Lapis Design Partners LLC
Honolulu HI
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