ArchiCAD UK

In the last edition we looked at the latest release of Graphisoft’s ArchiCAD. Since then there have been a number of changes to its product range and pricing.

by Martyn Day

Graphisoft’s UK operations have recently been restructured. Reseller AppleCore Design now operates as Graphisoft Connect, the only UK reseller of commercial ArchiCAD, taking on responsibility for other areas such as marketing. Scott Berry of AppleCore Design talks to AEC about how this will affect its product offering. ArchiCAD Solo Last year AEC looked at an entry-level product bundle from Graphisoft called ArchiCAD Start. This was based on the previous release of ArchiCAD and would get architects into BIM for less than £1,000.

This product has segued into ArchiCAD Solo, which was put together at the request of Graphisoft UK, and offers great entry-level value for money.

While the Start version of ArchiCAD always lagged the current version, Solo ships at the same time as the current Teamwork version. The package includes energy evaluation, workbooks, a range of 2D detailing objects (roof tiles, brick and block, etc), and local content as well as 12 months service for upgrades for £1,699.

ArchiCAD 16 Solo includes all the modelling capabilities of Teamwork such as Morph, Shell, new multiplane roof, complex profiles as well sketch rendering, publisher and the renovation workflow. It does not include Lightworks rendering nor the BIM Server/Teamwork technology.

The MEP variant of ArchiCAD Solo is also available at the same price (but does not include the detail library).

Graphisoft offers a unique model sharing capability called BIM Explorer (BIMx), which allows for the distribution of models.

The self-extracting files run on PC, Mac, iOS and Android. BIMx can be added at the point of sale bringing the cost of the whole Graphisoft BIM Solo package to a total of £1,899.

ArchiCAD 16 Solo supports multi-core processing and runs natively on PC (as a 32-bit application) and Mac OS (64-bit). On upgrade to the full version of ArchiCAD all money paid for Solo is discounted off the full copy of ArchiCAD Teamwork. ArchiCAD Solo is a powArchiCAD 16 Correction up to 28 days, say, for a laptop while on site. It enables software rental erful entry-level system, a In the July/August edition based on three, six or 12 good starting point to get of AEC we quoted an months. Prices start at £657 into BIM from 2D CAD, incorrect price for full ArchiCAD 16. The actual per quarter (including with a no-loss upgrade path. price is from £3,899 plus upgrades in the rental period) Firms that need multiple VAT for a fi rst licence, and works out at £477 per seats will be better off with including upgrades and email support. Multi- quarter over a 12-month hire. the full version with licence discounts are also This could be used to evaluate Teamwork capability. available. In addition, the software or for overflow The omission of high-end rendering could be easily there is a special UK only version, ArchiCAD 16 Solo, which has been tailored to requirements should a project require more users, without rectified with the purchase the smaller design studio. adding to future software of the Abvents Artlantis, overheads. which costs from £391 and integrates well with ArchiCAD. Conclusion The entry level BIM market will become a Licencing battleground over the coming year. Autodesk ArchiCAD licencing works on a concurrent has quietly announced the availability of basis, with users free to install software on Autodesk Revit LT, formerly Project Spark as many machines as required. Both ver- on Autodesk Labs (see page 8). With sions use hardware keys as software protec- Graphisoft offering a very capable entry tion. While this locking annoys some, it level solution, designers will have a choice, allows considerable flexibility when using or could afford to have copies of each should the software dynamically. For instance a a project demand it. license of ArchiCAD can be ‘borrowed’ for ■ gsconnect.co.uk