Graphisoft Virtual Building Explorer for ArchiCAD
The Graphisoft Virtual Building™ Explorer is
an innovative, interactive, 3D presentation tool for architects, which
sets new standards for design communication and presentation.

Explore
Virtual Building Explorer for captivating presentations for clients
Using
Graphisoft Virtual Building Explorer and ArchiCAD architects and
designers can explore their project designs with greater clarity than
ever before. Real-time 3D navigation in an
architectural design – enhanced with gravity, layer control, fly-mode,
egress recognition and pre-saved walkthroughs for the ultimate design
exploration. Element information – surface
finishes, volumes, sizes and quantities – can also be displayed
with a click of the mouse. Exact measurements can be taken during the
real-time walkthrough to help design decisions and forecast cost
related design issues. |     
 |
Communicate
Virtual Building Explorer for better project communication
The Virtual Building Explorer “flavors”
- VBE creates
3D virtual design presentations with the help of its built-in shaded
Open-GL rendering engine ensuring professional presentation quality.
Edge outline can also be activated to provide greater contrast between
elements.
|  |
- VBEG creates
3D virtual design presentations using the shaded Open-GL rendering
engine combined with Global Illumination - produced by the built-in
radiosity rendering engine. GI ensures even more realistic
visualization – incorporating soft shadows and diffuse
inter-reflections.
|  |
Share
Virtual Building Explorer for interactive consultation with clients at remote locations
Virtual Building Explorer for ArchiCAD 13
The latest release of VBE works with ArchiCAD 13 and it’s the first
version that supports the Macintosh OSX operating systems (OSX 10.5,
10.6). Virtual Building Explorer for ArchiCAD 13 also supports all
Windows platforms (including Windows XP 64-bit and Vista 64-bit) that
are compatible with ArchiCAD 13.
VBE for ArchiCAD 13 introduces several new features compared to the previous version:
- Option to save self-running application cross platform project files (Windows/MAC OSX)
- Option to measure distances in imperial or metric units
- New Ray tracing rendering engine (“Headlight”) with optional sun shadows (F3)
- New simple rendering styles (“Goraud” and “Metal”) to allow quick navigation even in very large models
- New Background Options: Sky, Black, Gradient
- Option to display the Sun Flare during navigation
The upgrade for VBE for ArchiCAD 13 is free for all VBE for ArchiCAD
12 customers. The new version runs with all VBE for ArchiCAD 12
licenses. The installers of the full and trial versions are
downloadable from the VBE download website .
Note: VBE runs on Windows 7 platforms however the video card
drivers may largely influence its performance. It is highly recommended
to update the video card drivers to the most recent WIN 7 compatible
ones to avoid any display problems.
Sample Project Files
Download the NHS Office Complex (architect: paa studio, US), the MK Electronics building (architect: Liljewall arkitekter ab, Sweeden) or the ING Building-Vörösmarty 1.
(architects: György Fazakas, Jean-Paul Viguier, Hungary) VBE
presentations and experience the power of Graphisoft Virtual Building
Explorer!
 |  |  |
| NHS Office Complex | MK Electronics building | ING Building-Vörösmarty 1. |
10.9 MB | 9.63 MB | 11 MB |
13 MB | 11.5 MB | 13.2 MB |
System requirements:
Please check the system requirements in the Virtual Building Explorer User Guide.
Support
Please check out the ArchicadWiki FAQ page and the ArchicadWiki Known Issues page for most common support questions. Please contact your local ArchiCAD reseller for more information.
System requirements for movies
To view the online movies and clips on the page, please check your system set-up!
Adobe Flash browser plugin: You need to have the free plugin installed and Java-Script enabled
in your browser to play these clips in your browser. When you open a
flash clip for the first time, this dialog box may appear. If so, you
should check-mark the "Never ask again" option, and hit the "Allow"
button to proceed. You'll only have to do this once.
Apple QuickTime Player 7 - To watch the MP4 movies on this site, please install the free Apple QuickTime Player from the Apple
website. You may also download these clips to your computer by
right-click the links and selecting the appropriate - Save Link As. or
Save Target As. - options.
Windows Media Player
-To watch the WMV clips on this site, you need to have the free Windows
Media Video Player installed on your Windows operating system. You also
need to have the Windows Media Video 9 Advanced Profile Decoder (both
are freely available from the Microsoft website).
Download for iPod
- To watch the clips on your iPod on the go, please download and unpack
the Zip-ped movie clips on your local machine, drag them into your
iTunes library in the folder or playlist of your choosing. Attach your
iPod to your computer and synch the iPod with iTunes. For detailed
synching instructions, see the iPod tutorial on the Apple websites.

