ArchiCAD 13 Overview

ArchiCAD 13 revolutionizes BIM collaboration with its active BIM server based next-generation teamwork solution. ArchiCAD 13 also delivers mission critical productivity improvements to further polish its best-in-class BIM design and documentation workflow.

ArchiCAD 13 introduces the GRAPHISOFT BIM Server – a first of its kind solution for model based team collaboration. Industry-first Delta Server™ technology reduces network traffic to a minimum for instant and reliable data-exchange both within the office and over the Internet. More...

ArchiCAD 13’s significant productivity improvements provide users with best-in-class model based design and documentation workflow. With its 64-bit support on the PC platform combined with Multiprocessor support ArchiCAD 13 becomes the most powerful BIM solution for architects . More...

ArchiCAD users on Version 13

“This is big news for me if it's true. I'm just about to upgrade my machine and was looking at XP64bit so having 64bit ArchiCad and C4D would be great.”
ArchiCAD-Talk user ‘Wokka’

“I think this [64-bit] + TW2 would make AC13 a fantastic upgrade, regardless of any other new features.””
ArchiCAD-Talk user ‘Owen’

“While we only do small and medium-sized projects (less than $10M,) this improvement in Teamwork is very welcome.”
ArchiCAD-Talk user ‘Jere’

ArchiCAD 13 Revolutionizes BIM Collaboration

Building Information Modeling brings unique challenges to the design team: when implementing BIM on a larger scale, architects often run into bottlenecks in model accessibility and workflow management. ArchiCAD 13 introduces the GRAPHISOFT BIM Server – a first of its kind solution for model based team collaboration. Industry-first Delta Server™ technology reduces network traffic to a minimum for instant and reliable data-exchange both within the office and over the Internet. Main benefits provided by the ArchiCAD 13 Next-Gen Teamwork solution are:

Speed (Real-time Collaboration):

• Virtually no waiting time at synchronization
• No special requirements for the network
• Project access from any remote location via Internet
• No need for predefined static reservations
• Smallest necessary chunk of model is enough to reserve
• Highly coordinated real-time collaborating teams
• Teams of any size are supported
• 5-minute learning curve

Data Safety (Robust System Architecture):

• Server level security for project data
• High level of data integrity provided at all times

Workflow (Dynamic Teams / Central Control):

• No diminishing return on added team resources
• Dynamic team setup between projects
• Centrally controlled user right management
• Advanced tools for CAD/BIM managers
• Company wide user role management
• No need for exclusive access for any task
• Ultimate transparency of reservations
• In the model context communication
• Conflict management tools
• Task delegation and management support

ArchiCAD 13 Next-Gen Teamwork Highlights

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Next-Generation Teamwork in ArchiCAD 13
ArchiCAD 13 includes a state-of-the-art BIM Server™ introducing a new paradigm in design file sharing. Due to its revolutionary DELTA-server™ technology only the changed elements are sent between the client and the server. Average data package size shrinks by an order of magnitude from megabytes to kilobytes thus team members can real-time collaborate on BIM models through standard Internet connections from virtually anywhere in the world.

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Speed
In ArchiCAD 13's collaborative environment, long waiting times for server synchronization are a thing of the past. The leading-edge Delta Server technology dramatically decreases network traffic, so team members can collaborate on BIM models in real time. The same technology makes BIM projects accessible through standard Internet connections from virtually anywhere in the world.

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Data Safety
Data corruption due to network or hardware failure is a major concern for CAD/BIM Managers: a single faulty computer literally can ruin the work done by the whole office. But the BIM Server's robust system architecture ensures the integrity of the BIM project at all times. Any data errors from malfunctioning components are blocked, preserving the project's integrity on the network.

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Workflow
ArchiCAD 13's new Teamwork, with on-demand element access and server-level conflict management, combines the flexibility of 2D workflows with the coordination power of the model-based world. Companies can utilize their workforce much more efficiently with a dynamic and centrally controllable design workflow.

Teamwork in Action

Setting Up a Teamwork Project
Here you can find out more about the basics of setting up a shared Teamwork Project, including sharing the Project, plus defining global Users and Roles.

Step 1. Setting Up the Graphisoft BIM Server	Step 2. Sharing a Project
Step 3. Setting up BIM Server Users and Roles	Step 4. Saving and Closing a Teamwork Project

Reserving/Releasing Elements, Sending & Receiving Changes
Here you can find out how architects can work simultaneously on a shared TeamWork project: how team members can reserve or release elements throughout their work, how to make modifications and notify others about the changes.

Step 1. Simple reservation of elements	Step 2. Reservation feedback
Step 3. Advanced elements reservation techniques	Step 4. Workspace information
Step 5. Releasing elements	Step 6. Sending and receiving changes
Step 7. Using TW on multiple computers

Communicating in a Teamwork environment
Here you will see some examples about the Teamwork Instant Messaging features, and discover how this can help collaboration between team members who are simultaneously working on the shared project.

Step 1. Teamwork functions with multiple users	Step 2. Instant Messaging in Teamwork
Step 3. Requesting and Granting Elements	Step 4. Reserving Non-Elements in the Teamwork Project

Advanced features of ArchiCAD Teamwork
Here you will discover some of the more advanced ArchiCAD Teamwork features: server libraries, advanced element reservation/release techniques, project administration features, custom roles, project backup/restore.

Step 1. Working with Libraries and Library Parts in Teamwork	Step 2. Advanced Reservation/Releasing/Messaging
Step 3. Advanced Project Administration	Step 4. Restoring Teamwork Projects from backup

These ArchiCAD Teamwork in action feature clips and the corresponding project files can be downloaded as a standalone Interactive Training package.

ArchiCAD 13 Productivity Improvements

ArchiCAD 13 continues the trend of delivering mission critical productivity improvements in each major release. In this latest version, important global and local user requirements have been fulfilled to further improve ArchiCAD’s workflow. The impressive list of productivity improvements in ArchiCAD 13 includes 64-bit support on the PC platform which combined with Multiprocessor support makes ArchiCAD 13 the most powerful BIM solution in the architectural space. The main benefits of productivity improvements in ArchiCAD 13 include:

Modeling:
·      Improved object handling (model view options, embedded objects)
·      Data exchange with engineers (load bearing “tag”, standard steel structures)
·      Improved Curtain Wall editing (reference line editing, element height editing)
·      Slab/Roof edge modeling options (slant angle, custom material)

Documentation:
·      Annotated schedule drawings (associative dimensions etc.)
·      Intelligent “Soft” insulation (improved drafting quality + 3D as well)
·      DWG interface (cleaner import / export)
·      Enhanced Automatic Dimensioning (refined configuration of openings)

Interactions:
·      “Ruler” (easier editing and layout creation)
·      Oriented views (more efficient design environment)
·      Dynamic “Fit in Window” (predefined views)
·      64-bit on Windows (no physical limit, more stability with large project)

ArchiCAD 13 Productivity Improvements in Action

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Oriented Views

In ArchiCAD 13, your 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.

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Annotated Schedule Drawings

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.

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Improved Object Handling

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.

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Intelligent “Soft” Insulation

Although fills have been around since the advent of CAD, modeling soft insulation in composite structures has been problematic. ArchiCAD 13’s soft insulation is the 100% solution: not just for 2D, but for 3D Documents as well.

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DWG Enhancements

ArchiCAD 13 makes significant progress in the development of the DWG I/O. New features include improved layer management and the ability to export multiple layouts into a single DWG file.

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Data Exchange with Engineers

ArchiCAD 13 supports the classification of BIM elements as either load-bearing or non-loadbearing structures, for more accurate export to programs used by structural engineers. Thousands of standard steel profiles are now available from within ArchiCAD 13.

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Improvements for Slabs/Roofs

To further refine interconnection of intelligent modeling elements in ArchiCAD 13, the slant angle and material of slab/ roof edges can be adjusted with complete freedom to match joining elements.

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Improved Curtain Wall Editing

The system geometry of highly integrated Curtain Wall systems introduced in ArchiCAD 12 now can be freely edited in any view of ArchiCAD 13. Curtain Wall reference lines can now be modified on the floor plan, using standard pet-palette operations.

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64-bit Support for Windows

As the natural next step after introducing multi-processor support in ArchiCAD 12, now the latest version of ArchiCAD is available on Windows with native 64-bit support.

ArchiCAD 13 in the Press

ArchiCAD 13 Frequently Asked Questions

What are the new features of ArchiCAD 13?
The new features of ArchiCAD 13 among others are: Next Generation Teamwork, Oriented Views, Annotated Schedule Drawings, More Flexible Setup/Display of Interactive Schedules, Expanded Listing Options Using Calculation Rules, Direct Editing of Curtain Wall Reference line, Editable Curtain Wall Height Parameter, Objects Saved into the Project, Model View Options for Library Parts, Enhanced Automatic Dimensioning Options for Doors/Windows, Symbolic Soft Insulation, Image Fill as Cover Fill, Gradient Fill Enhancements, Slab/Roof Edge Custom Settings, Improved OpenGL Display for Smooth Edges in 3D, Ruler, Dynamic „Fit in Window” Zooming when Navigating Among Views, Improved Find & Select, Boundary Contour Options for Section/Elevation/Interior Elevation, Export Multiple Layouts into Single DWG, Filter DWG Elements by Layer when Opening as ArchiCAD File, Improved Options for Saving to Custom Layers, Keep Exploded DWG Drawings on Single Layer, Standard Steel Column/Beam Profiles, Define Load-Bearing/Non-Load-Bearing Structure for Construction Elements, 64-bit Computing on Windows

When will ArchiCAD 13 ship?
ArchiCAD 13 starts shipping in mid-September with a very compact release schedule that brings all 26 local versions to the market in the fall season.

What are the System Requirements for ArchiCAD 13?
Please visit our Support page for detailed information on the system requirements for ArchiCAD 13.

Does ArchiCAD 13 run on Windows 7 and Mac OS X 10.6 (Leopard)?
Yes, ArchiCAD 13 is designed to run on both upcoming major operating systems.

What will happen with my existing EcoDesigner license in AC13?
GRAPHISOFT will create a compatibility update and will make it available for download for the EcoDesigner customers for free.
 
What will happen with my existing MEP Modeler license in AC13?
GRAPHISOFT will create a compatibility update and will make it available for download for the MEP customers for free.
 
What will happen with my existing Virtual Building Explorer license in AC13?
GRAPHISOFT will create a compatibility update and will make it available for download for the VBE customers for free.

What is the main difference between ArchiCAD 13 Next-Gen Teamwork and other work sharing solutions?
ArchiCAD 13 introduces a brand new active server-client solution for team collaboration. Other systems only employ passive file servers to store the central projects and all the synchronization project maintenance is done by the client computers. This basic difference in the main scheme of the collaboration environment provides significant advantages for the active server-client setup over its competitors: the central BIM project is simultaneously accessible for the entire team at all times, reservations and project synchronizations can happen in real-time, user roles are managed and element access conflicts are resolved with strong server level support. The whole collaboration experience is much more instant and integrated.

What is GRAPHISOFT BIM Server?
GRAPHISOFT BIM Server is a standalone application that ships with AC13 for free. This application is the core of ArchiCAD Next-Gen Teamwork solution and can be installed as a separate application from the ArchiCAD 13 installer. This application synchronizes the changes in the new Teamwork solution between client computers and the central model on the server.
 
What is GRAPHISOFT BIM Server Manager?
GRAPHISOFT BIM Server Manager is a standalone application that ships with AC13 for free. This application is the “interface” to the GRAPHISOFT BIM Server where Teamwork projects can be setup and managed.

What is Delta Server Technology?
Delta Server Technology™ is one of the core features of the GRAPHISOFT BIM Server. It is the basis for drastically decreased network traffic during the synchronization of Teamwork clients and the server. The name ‘delta’ comes from the main characteristics of this solution which is only changes (deltas) are transmitted through the network.

Are there any special system requirement for the GRAPHISOFT BIM Server?
The GRAPHISOFT BIM Server runs on any computer that is appropriate for running ArchiCAD 13 on. If you want to work on large projects with large and distributed team it is advisable the the BIM Server is running on a 64-bit server computer with excellent network connections.

What type of internet connection is necessary to access the GRAPHISOFT BIM Server remotely?
Standard high-speed internet connections should be sufficient to access your BIM projects through the internet. We recommend however that the internet connection is being tested before starting a collaborative project over the internet.

What is 64-bit good for?
64-bit computing is in layman’s term a larger “address book” for the computer so that it can address larger memory than 4 Gb.
 
Why 64-bit is only available for Windows?
64-bit is coming on Windows first and will also come on Mac in a later version of ArchiCAD. The reason is very simple: on the Mac it is a much larger scale work to implement it.