ArchiCAD 13 Frequently Asked Questions

What are the new features of ArchiCAD 13? The new features of ArchiCAD 13 among others are: Next Generation Teamwork, Oriented Views, Annotated Schedule Drawings, More Flexible Setup/Display of Interactive Schedules, Expanded Listing Options Using Calculation Rules, Direct Editing of Curtain Wall Reference line, Editable Curtain Wall Height Parameter, Objects Saved into the Project, Model View Options for Library Parts, Enhanced Automatic Dimensioning Options for Doors/Windows, Symbolic Soft Insulation, Image Fill as Cover Fill, Gradient Fill Enhancements, Slab/Roof Edge Custom Settings, Improved OpenGL Display for Smooth Edges in 3D, Ruler, Dynamic „Fit in Window” Zooming when Navigating Among Views, Improved Find & Select, Boundary Contour Options for Section/Elevation/Interior Elevation, Export Multiple Layouts into Single DWG, Filter DWG Elements by Layer when Opening as ArchiCAD File, Improved Options for Saving to Custom Layers, Keep Exploded DWG Drawings on Single Layer, Standard Steel Column/Beam Profiles, Define Load-Bearing/Non-Load-Bearing Structure for Construction Elements, 64-bit Computing on Windows When will ArchiCAD 13 ship? ArchiCAD 13 starts shipping in mid-September with a very compact release schedule that brings all 26 local versions to the market in the fall season. What are the System Requirements for ArchiCAD 13? Please visit our Support page for detailed information on the system requirements for ArchiCAD 13. Does ArchiCAD 13 run on Windows 7 and Mac OS X 10.6 (Leopard)? Yes, ArchiCAD 13 is designed to run on both upcoming major operating systems. What will happen with my existing EcoDesigner license in AC13? GRAPHISOFT will create a compatibility update and will make it available for download for the EcoDesigner customers for free. What will happen with my existing MEP Modeler license in AC13? GRAPHISOFT will create a compatibility update and will make it available for download for the MEP customers for free. What will happen with my existing Virtual Building Explorer license in AC13? GRAPHISOFT will create a compatibility update and will make it available for download for the VBE customers for free. What is the main difference between ArchiCAD 13 Next-Gen Teamwork and other work sharing solutions? ArchiCAD 13 introduces a brand new active server-client solution for team collaboration. Other systems only employ passive file servers to store the central projects and all the synchronization project maintenance is done by the client computers. This basic difference in the main scheme of the collaboration environment provides significant advantages for the active server-client setup over its competitors: the central BIM project is simultaneously accessible for the entire team at all times, reservations and project synchronizations can happen in real-time, user roles are managed and element access conflicts are resolved with strong server level support. The whole collaboration experience is much more instant and integrated. What is GRAPHISOFT BIM Server? GRAPHISOFT BIM Server is a standalone application that ships with AC13 for free. This application is the core of ArchiCAD Next-Gen Teamwork solution and can be installed as a separate application from the ArchiCAD 13 installer. This application synchronizes the changes in the new Teamwork solution between client computers and the central model on the server. What is GRAPHISOFT BIM Server Manager? GRAPHISOFT BIM Server Manager is the “interface” to the GRAPHISOFT BIM Server, and is installed automatically along with the BIM Server. However, you can also optionally install the BIM Server Manager as a stand-alone application on remote machines. Separate, stand-alone installation of the BIM Server Manager is necessary only if you plan to manage the BIM Server remotely, from a machine other than the server itself. What is Delta Server Technology? Delta Server Technology™ is one of the core features of the GRAPHISOFT BIM Server. It is the basis for drastically decreased network traffic during the synchronization of Teamwork clients and the server. The name ‘delta’ comes from the main characteristics of this solution which is only changes (deltas) are transmitted through the network. Are there any special system requirements for the GRAPHISOFT BIM Server? The GRAPHISOFT BIM Server runs on any computer that is appropriate for running ArchiCAD 13 on. If you want to work on large projects with large and distributed team it is advisable the the BIM Server is running on a 64-bit server computer with excellent network connections. What type of internet connection is necessary to access the GRAPHISOFT BIM Server remotely? Standard high-speed internet connections should be sufficient to access your BIM projects through the internet. We recommend however that the internet connection is being tested before starting a collaborative project over the internet. What is 64-bit good for? 64-bit computing is, in layman’s terms, a larger “address book” for the computer so that it can address larger memory than 4 Gb. Why 64-bit is only available for Windows? 64-bit is initially available on Windows only, but will also be available on Mac in a later version of ArchiCAD. The reason is that implementing it on the Mac is a much larger undertaking.

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