ArchiCAD 13, the latest version of Graphisoft’s architectural design software, is now available for purchase, the company announced earlier this month. ArchiCAD 13 includes a state-of-the-art BIM Server (patent pending), introducing a new paradigm in design file sharing. The software advertises anywhere/anytime access to BIM files and relieves workflow management bottlenecks.
"With the rapidly growing adoption of building information modeling, architectural firms have reached scalability limits with their model-based design and documentation workflow," said Miklos Szovenyi-Lux, Graphisoft vice president of product management. "To overcome these limits, ArchiCAD 13 with Delta Server Technology introduces design teams to an unprecedented level of accessibility and management of BIM projects. With ArchiCAD 13, the physical location and distribution of your workforce becomes almost immaterial, benefitting both small practices and large, distributed firms." ArchiCAD 13 introduces unique leading-edge technologies that revolutionize design file sharing and deliver mission critical productivity improvements for the design and documentation workflow.
Design File Sharing
Building Information Modeling brings unique challenges to the design team: When implementing BIM on a large scale, architects often run into bottlenecks in model accessibility and workflow management. ArchiCAD 13 includes Graphisoft BIM Server -- a solution for on-demand access rights management and project access for teams of any size within the office and over the Internet:
Speed -- In ArchiCAD 13's collaborative environment, long waiting times for server synchronization are eliminated. The Delta Server technology 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.
Data Safety -- Data corruption caused by network or hardware failure is a major concern for CAD/BIM managers. 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.
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 more efficiently with a dynamic and centrally controllable design workflow.
Productivity Improvements
In this latest release, global and local user requirements have been fulfilled to improve ArchiCAD's workflow. The list of productivity improvements in ArchiCAD 13 includes:
Annotated Schedule Drawings -- Door and window previews can be annotated associatively in the Interactive Schedule window. This feature saves significant drafting time for the documentation team.
Oriented Views -- The project alignment is flexible. By rotating the view on screen to a perpendicular position, diagonal wings can be edited naturally, while annotations adjust automatically to the final layout orientation.
Intelligent "Soft" Insulation -- Although fills have been around since the advent of CAD, modeling soft insulation in composite structures has always been a problem. ArchiCAD 13's soft insulation remedies that problem for both 2D and 3D documents.
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 be saved into the ArchiCAD project file itself, ensuring the integrity of the project now and in the future.
DWG Enhancements -- Significant progress has been made in the development of DWG file exchange. New features include improved layer management and the ability to export multiple layouts into a single DWG file.
Data Exchange with Engineers -- The software 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. Also, thousands of standard steel products are now included.
