Archicad 20

Archicad 20 was announced on May 3, 2016. Archicad 20 – A fresh look at BIM! Archicad 20 features a number of important functional improvements that put the emphasis on the “I” in BIM, increasing the value for both Archicad users and external stakeholders alike. Its brand new, “flat-design” graphical UI sets the new version apart from run-of-the-mill BIM tools.

Fresh look at BIM

Compatibility

See System Requirements for Archicad 20

Archicad 20 can open or import the following file formats: See all the file formats that can be used with Archicad here.

  • Archicad projects (.pln, .pla, .bpn) from Archicad 8.1 or newer
  • Archicad Teamwork (Archicad 12 and earlier) file formats (plc, .pca, .plp, .plc, .bpc)
  • Archicad Project Template (.tpl)
  • Archicad 2D Lines (.2dl)
  • Module File (.mod)
  • Archicad object (.gsm)
  • PlotMaker layout Book (.LBK) and drawing (.PMK) files
  • IFC2x3 IFC ZIP (IFC compressed), IFC XML, IFC XML ZIP (IFC XML compressed) - 2D and 3D content
  • IFC4, IFC ZIP (IFC compressed) ) - 2D and 3D content
  • DWF - up to v5.5 - 2D content
  • DXF
  • DWG (2000 to 2013) - 2D and 3D content
  • DGN (Microstation Design file) v7 - 2D content
  • 3DStudio (through the "3D Studio In" goodie tool) - 3D content
  • C4D (Cinema4D R14+ files through the Cinema 4D add-On) - 2D and 3D content
  • SKP (Integrated Connections with Google Earth, Sketchup) - 2D and 3D content
  • KMZ (Integrated Connections with Google Earth, Sketchup) - 2D and 3D content
  • STL (Stereolitography)
  • PDF
  • BCF (BIM Collaboration Format)
  • All Images (.bmp, .dib, .rle, .jpg, .jpeg, .jpe, .jfif, .gif, .tif, .tiff, .png, .hdr, .exif, .lwi)
  • HPGL File (.plt)
  • Windows Enhanced Metafile (.emf)
  • Windows Metafile (.wmf)
  • Surveyors’ data (.xyz)
  • Point Cloud File (.xyz, .e57)
  • Rhino 3D Model (.3dm)

Archicad 20 can save or export the following file formats:

  • Archicad 20 Solo Project file (.PLN), Project Archive (.PLA), and template (.TPL)
  • Archicad 19 Project (.PLN) file
  • Archicad Module (.MOD) file
  • Archicad object (.gsm)
  • Archicad object script (.GDL)
  • Archicad 2D Lines (.2DL)
  • Archicad drawing file (.PMK) through the publisher when publishing Views
  • PDF, PDF/A
  • EMF, WMF
  • DXF
  • DWG (2000-2013 format, 2D and 3D)
  • DWF - up to v5.5 - 2D content
  • DGN - v7 - 2D content
  • IFC2x3 IFC ZIP (IFC compressed), IFC XML, IFC XML ZIP (IFC XML compressed) - 2D and 3D content
  • IFC4, IFC ZIP (IFC compressed) ) - 2D and 3D content
  • 3DStudio 3D studio file
  • SKP (Integrated Connections with Google Earth, Sketchup)
  • KMZ (Integrated Connections with Google Earth, Sketchup) - 2D and 3D content
  • C4D (Cinema4D R14+ files through the Cinema 4D add-On) - 2D and 3D content
  • OBJ Wavefront file (3D)
  • EPX Piranesi File (3D)
  • FACT ElectricImage file (3D)
  • WRL VRML file (3D)
  • STL Stereolithography file (3D)
  • LP Lightscape file (3D)
  • ATL ArtLantis Render Studio file (3D)
  • U3D file (3D)
  • BCF (BIM Collaboration Format)
  • various image formats (BMP, JPG, PNG, GIF, TIFF)
  • 3DM - Rhino 3D Model
  • DOC - Document
  • XLS - Excel file
  • TXT - Tabbed Text

See all the file formats that can be used with Archicad here.

License Types

Archicad 20 comes with several license types:

    • Commercial license requires a CodeMeter Hardware-based or Software-based protection key
    • Trial license is a fully functional 30-day license that can be downloaded from http://myarchicad.com and comes with a license number
    • Demo version does not require neither a protection key nor a license number. All save/export options are disabled, but printing is possible. Archicad can be downloaded from www.graphisoft.com/downloads.
    • Education license is available through http://myarchicad.com. A 1-year license number is available upon approval.
    • Pay-Per-use (PPU) license requires a hardware key. PPU license lets you run Archicad for the number of hours purchased. (not available on all markets)
    • Rental license requires a Hardware-based protection key. A Rental license lets you run Archicad for 1,3, or 12 calendar months.
    • License Borrowing - available from Archicad 16 – when a temporary Archicad Commercial license is borrowed from a multi-license CodeMeter Hardware-based or Software-based protection key.

Note: From Archicad 19 on there is no support for Wibu key protection

New Features

For detailed description and videos of new features, see the product page

Enhanced Information Management
  • Store the Information: Information is the most valuable part of BIM and Archicad 20 helps architects and designers get the most of it! Archicad 20 allows users to utilize their Building Information Model as the central storage place for all related information. They can even easily store and maintain design information that was not created using CAD or BIM tools, like Excel spreadsheets.
  • Display the Information: Archicad 20 leverages well-structured information resulting in informative design visualization, which ensures enormous efficiencies throughout design and construction. With the help of smart filters and brand new graphical override, designers can freely change the representation of any 2D and 3D views of elements with similar properties. This feature allows a number of workflows that make communication, coordination and model checking much more efficient.
  • Share the Information: Archicad 20 is among the first BIM applications to fully support the IFC 4 open-source standard. IFC 4 supports new coordination workflows (Design Transfer View and Reference View) and provides great help when coordinating with other disciplines. Information sharing via purpose-made tools such as BIMx or generic tools such as Excel enables a much wider target group to get involved and use the wealth of information stored in BIM.

Graphical Favorites

Brand new Graphical Favorites provide excellent visual feedback about saved element settings with automatically-generated, colored 2D or 3D thumbnail previews -- available instantly for every Tool. This not only helps BIM managers in setting up and enforcing office project templates, but also speeds up everyday design development work.

  • Instant visual feedback
  • Fast, organized access
  • Project standardization

BIM Visualization

Archicad 20 brings project visualization to the next level by updating the CineRender Engine and enabling more accurate handling of "free-form" (Non-Uniform Rational Basis Splines) shapes.

  • CineRender
  • Two-Point Perspective
  • Non-Uniform Rational Basis Splines (NURBS)

Renewed Graphical User Interface

Archicad 20 features a completely revamped graphical user interface, making it the most modern-looking BIM application available on the market today. The design language used on the renewed GUI gives Archicad a look and feel much closer to mobile apps than to traditional desktop software, making it especially appealing to the younger generation.

  • Refreshed User Interface
  • Tab-cased navigation
  • Fresh & crisp appearance