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ArchiCAD 13 (First Look Review)

New version from Graphisoft has a familiar look, but new Teamwork 2.0 and BIM Server may rock the world of building information modeling.

The first thing I do when I open a new version of any software is look for changes to the graphical user interface (GUI). Then I look for added functionality to existing tools. I like to find things that aren't on the list of documented new features.

When I opened ArchiCAD 13 for the first time, I thought to myself, "Well, this doesn't look new. Where's the ribbon?" As a matter of fact, at first look, the new version really doesn't look different than the previous three versions of ArchiCAD. Even the desktop shortcuts are the same! In a way, this lack of change is good because my colleagues and I won't be spending time trying to learn a new interface. On the other hand, I like to see visual evidence that I'm using a new version.

But don’t let my initial comments fool you. ArchiCAD 13 is a major release; in fact, some of its new features could be classified as game changers for the world of building information modeling (BIM).

Major Release
Here’s a look at the major new features and tools in ArchiCAD 13, including the following:

• Overhauled Teamwork environment
• New BIM Server with Delta Server technology
• Native 64-bit support for Windows OS
• Improved object handling
• Annotative schedule drawings
• Oriented views
• Enhanced DWG import and export
• Improved production tools 

BIM Server
Graphisoft’s brand new BIM Server technology is at the top of the list of improvements you’ll find in ArchiCAD 13. Based on Graphisoft’s new Delta Server synchronization, this new architecture improves productivity, data processing speed, and data protection. When a user makes a change to a model, only the changes (and not the entire file) are sent back to the shared file and forwarded to other users. For solo architects, this feature might not sound very useful, but for teams, this new system can dramatically improve remote collaboration and coordination, whether over a network or the Internet.

Teamwork 2.0
The new BIM Server is the foundation for Teamwork 2.0, the ArchiCAD file-sharing environment that Graphisoft describes as “next generation.” User roles in Teamwork have been completely changed. Previously labeled Teammate, Team Leader, Markup, View Only, and Administrator, roles in Teamwork 2.0 are Architect, Lead Architect, Drafter, and Viewer. You can customize each of these with different permission levels; Lead Architect (or office model manager) can give or take away specific rights to any or all of the Teamwork roles. Changes are maintained centrally, via the BIM Server, and apply across all model files on that BIM server. You also can create your own roles from scratch. All this is a great improvement over previous versions, in which permission levels and rights for each role were predetermined and unchangeable. Any model manager who has worked on a large project team should appreciate this level of control! I know I will.

In ArchiCAD 13, project access and permissions for various user roles are controlled at the server level.

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