mzex Posted May 4, 2005 Share Posted May 4, 2005 could you tell me which one is better for architects? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ihabkal Posted May 4, 2005 Share Posted May 4, 2005 both are great. they are both widely used in the industry. see which is cheaper, which has cheaper upgrading costs. I see my clients using Autocad more though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angelo Posted May 4, 2005 Share Posted May 4, 2005 In general terms, ArchiCAD is is a BIM application (Building Information Model), while ADT is somewhere in-between. Revit would be a closer comparison to ArchiCAD. ArchiCAD and Revit share one model for the entire building, while ADT splits the model up into many files (xrefs). In terms of ease of use, ADT 2006 is just now getting up to about even with ArchiCAD/Revit (it was complex and rudimentary in many of the earlier versions). If you already own any Autodesk products, there might be a good upgrade path (for ADT or Revit), if you don't, remember that Autodesk doesn’t allow reselling their software. Request tryout packages online, or even download the tryout versions and play with them. Angelo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bricklyne Posted May 5, 2005 Share Posted May 5, 2005 ........... Prices? $4695 for ADT $4695 for REVIT8 $3950 for ArchiCAD +$227 Archiglazing(parametric windows and curtain wall modelling module) +$999 Plan to model (dwg import to 3d model module) Total: $5176 for fully loaded Archicad ............ Good Luck I think you've needlessly over-inflated the price of ArchiCAD, making it seem more expensive in the process. Plan-to-Model and Archigalzing are plug-ins that are by no means absolutely vital for ArchiCAD to function properly and are merely supplementary to more advanced ArchiCAD users. I've been using ArchiCAD for over 5 years and have never needed neither one of those plug-ins to either model or draft. And even now while I have them, I rarely ever use them as I am more accustomed to doing stuff by myself. For one thing, ArchiCAD imports and works with DWG files( up to 2004 format) just fine and has a very robust translation module and template also facilitating the use and update of X-refs from AutoCAD. Plan-to-Model, merely allows one to automate the process of converting a 2D plan into a 3D-model with a few button strokes and as useful and nifty as it is, is by no means a straightforward nor complete plugin. Same thing with Archiglazing, which I personally have never really required for day-today projects. One of the strengths of ArchiCAD is its open API that facilitates the development of numerous third-party plug-ins that extend the versatility of the original program. But the plug-ins are no more integral to the program than Realflow is to 3D Max for example and it can run relatively flawlessly without any plug-in at all. The best bet in a situation like this is to get a working demo from all the companies involved and see which program you would feel more comfortable working with on a day-to-day basis, in terms of user interface and layout because they all are capable of roughly the same level of benefits in the hands of their respective expert users. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
only3d Posted May 8, 2005 Share Posted May 8, 2005 i wont explain exactly why but archicad is better by far! ive been using both (and others) for 2 years or so and trust me- in terms of ease of use and ease of learning there is no competition. REVIT on the other hand is another story and it is closer to arch' level. still i think it has the better hand. try and see Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evansen Posted June 21, 2005 Share Posted June 21, 2005 Hi The famous two cents and a Link Have been asking the same questions recently (Archicad Vs ADT) not least of all due to past (disapointing) experiences with the 2d Computer Print board mentality of Autocad (Thankfully this is changing!-) and of course its still an amazing package. In the hope of a viable alternative to our beloved market Leader (autodesk)- I have just started using Archicad (student version). To be honest this is the first drafting/modeling tool I have actually enjoyed using, not least because I can switch between 2d & 3d continually in the design stage (a bit like when we used to do that kind of thing with blue styrene/ cardboard and those feverish almost precise sketches !! ) And I have found it incredibly fast to learn! Although my fellow Autocad professionals are giving me hard time telling me Its a waste of effort (re: Autodesk = market leader ...restance is useless etc.) And how can they edit my files !!!(I understand its possible just have not tried it in practice). If there is a major plus on the horizon for the likes of Archicad (at least in Denmark and I assume rest of Europe at some point) it is as of 1st jan 07 it will be legal requirement for all future public building projects to be submitted using BIM (Building Information Model or Virtual models ) Something Archicad has been working with since 1984 !! and excels at. Although it may or may not help the large architectual offices make the leap to world of 3d modelling but a very impressive research project is going on in Aalborg (denmark) They are building two multi storey residences one with Archicad the other in ADT - that will no doubt be an interesting report !! http://www.iprod.auc.dk/bygit/Web3B/index.htm Its part English part Danish Cheers C Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stefkeB Posted November 4, 2005 Share Posted November 4, 2005 Pricing is rather difficult, since that differs much over the world. In Europe, these applications are much more expensive. I wouldn't choose ADT but compare Revit with ArchiCAD. I am an ArchiCAD user and learning Revit now. Both have their advantages, but both seem to overclass ADT for architectural use. Best advice: try them out and talk with some offices in your region that use these applications. You can't learn everything with a demo, since it's just too complicated. And AutoCAD being the "standard", that would not be the best reason to stick with it... If you have a need to keep working in DWG, if you have to work with both architects, engineers, modellers and 2D draftsman for the same project, then you have a scalable solution with AutoCAD/ADT and AutoCAD LT for drafting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STRAT Posted November 4, 2005 Share Posted November 4, 2005 for plain old 3d drawing and modelling i wouldn't change my ADT for anything Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomwaltz Posted January 6, 2006 Share Posted January 6, 2006 Plan-to-Model is pretty useless, so I would not spend the $999, and I do not see any reason to purchase ArchiGlazing and spend that $227. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danhogman Posted March 18, 2006 Share Posted March 18, 2006 ArchiCAD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danhogman Posted March 18, 2006 Share Posted March 18, 2006 I've been using Archicad for three years, but I had to switch to autocad, while taking a new job. I would still preffrer archicad, and I still use it at home. It really depends what you do, but, for plain architecture, archicad is far more dedicated to architects than ADT. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAYMOND Posted March 20, 2006 Share Posted March 20, 2006 Plan-to-Model is pretty useless, so I would not spend the $999, and I do not see any reason to purchase ArchiGlazing and spend that $227. what do you mean by this "Plan to Model is pretty useless" or do you mean doing a full plan in 2d and then do a model... i agree this double work.. but model to plan is where it is at.... not sure if Archicad is really any better that ADT... probably has to do with what concrete one has sunk there feet into... r Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bricklyne Posted March 20, 2006 Share Posted March 20, 2006 He was referring to the Plan-to-Model plugin for ArchiCAD that uses an rudimentary algorithm to convert 2D dwg plans to 3D ArchiCAD models. A promising idea, but not fully developed or easy to execute. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAYMOND Posted March 20, 2006 Share Posted March 20, 2006 ok, it would be better just to model in the first place. you can get the "plan" views you want from this.. however it is quite hard to get people to see this tho.. thus the plugins i quess that probably don't deliver to good. my 3 cents Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lup Posted March 20, 2006 Share Posted March 20, 2006 ArchiCAD is made BY architects FOR architects. Not the others. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAYMOND Posted March 20, 2006 Share Posted March 20, 2006 well, my opinion of that is architects don't have time to do programing programmers, get consulting from the disciplines to find out what they want if an architect wrote a program i wouldn't want it. just thot i would be cranky... its monday... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stefkeB Posted March 21, 2006 Share Posted March 21, 2006 ArchiCAD is made BY architects FOR architects. Not the others. That's marketing and doesn't really help this discussion. Try both and see which fits your work flow. ArchiCAD is made for architecture from the beginning, while ADT is put on top of AutoCAD. But both have their advantages. ArchiCAD is less complex then ADT, but don't underestimate the requirement for proper training and proper office templates. ADT is a complex beast, but there is the "backup plan" that you can always fall back on regular AutoCAD functionality to get things done in the end. Based on the complexity of setting up such applications, I would suggest to only use it with a dedicated prepared template system. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nildoe Posted March 31, 2006 Share Posted March 31, 2006 Archicad is best Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamesB Posted March 31, 2006 Share Posted March 31, 2006 You can't compare ADT to Archicad. As said before Archicad is equivalent to Revit and Adt to Microstation's Bentley Architecture. I'm a Revit user so my vote goes to Revit. However if you chose Archicad, that is fine too als long as you chose for a BIM package. BIM is the future as autocad was the future 20 years ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stefkeB Posted March 31, 2006 Share Posted March 31, 2006 Archicad is best Can you post at least some arguments to support this opinion? Makes the discussion more interesting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAYMOND Posted March 31, 2006 Share Posted March 31, 2006 no, not really... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Griger Posted March 31, 2006 Share Posted March 31, 2006 I typically used ArchiCAD in the past, but the new firm I’m at uses AutoCAD. They have ADT here, but don’t use it. I am trying to train them to at least start using the ADT. Personally I am more comfortable with ArchiCAD over ADT. It is a BIM package and feels intuitive for an architect’s thinking in spatial relationships, whereas ADT is flatline AutoCAD gift-wrapped in a cumbersome [iMO] 3D Architect overcoat. I think Strat uses ADT for his 3D modeling, so obviously people can use it successfully with proper training/experience. But as Stefen pointed out, the two packages are not really comparable. A better Q would be to compare Revit vs. ArchiCAD. There has been plenty of internet forum “discussion” as to which is best, and that decision seems to come down to personal preferences. As has been stated, the best bet is to get a demo version of both and try them out. Then regardless of whatever package you chose, be sure to get some level of training to make full use of the software Good luck, Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angelo Posted April 2, 2006 Share Posted April 2, 2006 If you are too lazy to go through the demo/trial tutorials, there are some traveling road shows that actually let you participate in a free full day workshop. I've seen this for Revit at least, ArchiCAD is a smaller company, so you might need to be on the east or west coast to find something beyond a canned presentation. Angelo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bhanu Posted April 2, 2006 Share Posted April 2, 2006 Just two cents here...too... I am experienced with ADT 3d modeling and I teach and impliement ADT in our office. I see lot ease and advantages to work with ADT for 3D modeling, 2d presentation drawings.(AEC Polygons, Mv Blocks used efficiently ) Most of the users feel ADT learning curve is steep and difficult, in spite of seeing the advantages...I have seen couple of demos in ArchiCAD, worked on demos..we can get into with basic training skills. But still if we decide to work with BIM, we prefer ADT / Revit as entire office is AutoCAD based...so more than software capabilities it makes sense to look at your background, support facilities , resource persons availablity to choose the best... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mzex Posted April 8, 2006 Author Share Posted April 8, 2006 But still if we decide to work with BIM, we prefer ADT / Revit as entire office is AutoCAD based...so more than software capabilities it makes sense to look at your background, support facilities , resource persons availablity to choose the best... You can very easily translate archicad file into DWG, the same you have to do with revit files I suppose. Revit is not AutoCAD based software. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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