GRAPHISOFT announced the latest version of its BIM software solution for architects and designers. ArchiCAD 18 delivers innovations making the BIM workflow smoother, including CineRender, a brand new render engine with high-end photorealistic rendering capabilities found only in the professional visualization application CINEMA 4-D – now available right inside the BIM tool.
"BIM innovation has been shifting from adding new features to introducing innovative new workflows — this is exactly what ArchiCAD 18 offers end-users," said László Vértesi, Vice President of Product Development at GRAPHISOFT. "With ArchiCAD 18, we pinpointed the most important user requests related to workflow issues with the clear goal of providing our users with solutions that keep them in the creative design flow with as little disruption as possible."
About ArchiCAD 18
Built-in CineRender, the CINEMA 4-D render engine by MAXON Computer: High-quality, photorealistic renderings are still the most important client communication tool for architects. The integration of CineRender, MAXON's CINEMA 4-D rendering engine into ArchiCAD 18, brings this capability closer to a much wider range of users. One-button "photo-shot" rendering can be used to easily produce convincing, high-quality results, as with tweaking numerous sliders and parameters, allowing both novice and professional users to complete the rendering job right inside the BIM application. Fast preview and background processor support make the rendering workflow a smooth and uninterrupted process. The seamless file export from ArchiCAD 18 to CINEMA 4-D enables users to enhance their projects with high-end animation and visualization techniques and benefit from decreased render times thanks to the distributed rendering solution in CINEMA 4-D.
Integrated Revision Management workflows: Data exchange with clients, consultants and the authorities puts the legal burden on architects and designers. ArchiCAD 18 tracks and automatically documents changes to the building model so questions about responsibility won't be an issue later on. ArchiCAD 18's brand new Revision Management solution is integrated into the entire BIM workflow, providing solutions for 2-D, 3-D or any kind of hybrid workflows.
Improved PDF-based data exchange: PDF has become one of the worldwide drawing standards people use for multiple tasks. By introducing BIM-related intelligence and data hierarchies into PDF files, ArchiCAD 18 offers PDF-based smooth workflows for a wide range of stakeholders in the AEC process.
OPEN BIM and IFC-based workflow improvements: ArchiCAD 18 continues to deliver several IFC-related improvements, including professional scheme-driven data management and data mapping and high-quality export processes. In addition, to support highly iterative coordination with engineers and consultants, ArchiCAD 18 introduces full BCF support. The BIM Collaboration Format (BCF) is an open file format that allows the addition of textual comments and screenshots on top of the IFC model layer for better communication between the coordinating parties. ArchiCAD 18 integrates BCF information natively into the BIM model in the form of ArchiCAD Mark-Up entries. As a result, ArchiCAD joins major BIM applications (including model checker, structural and MEP engineering software) that support the BCF format.
GRAPHISOFT BIMcloud Integration: The true potential of BIM is best realized through a team effort with several contributors collaborating on the same BIM data. With its full integration with the GRAPHISOFT BIMcloud, ArchiCAD 18 offers industry-first, real-time BIM collaboration regardless of the size, location or setup of the collaborating team. Cloud integration allows the ArchiCAD team to soar without limits.
Workflow enhancements: In addition to introducing brand new innovative workflows, ArchiCAD 18 also unveils substantial enhancements to its existing workflows as well, proving that listening to customers is of primary importance when assigning development resources at GRAPHISOFT.
GRAPHISOFT ArchiCAD 18 will start shipping in June 2014 with an list of 26 local versions rolled out by the end of Q3 2014.
Slideshow & box cover photo: Cairns Family Health and Bioscience Research Complex, Canada; Architect: architectsAlliance; www.architectsalliance.com; Photo © Ben Rahn / A-Frame
