AutoCAD or ArchiCAD – which one to use?

A Building Information Modeling (BIM) platform designed by the Hungarian company Graphisoft is ArchiCAD. It was primarily developed for Apple Macintosh in the year 1982. This software is basically used by urban planners, architects, designers and interior designers. ArchiCAD is the solution to many engineering aspects required to build models of buildings, interiors, urban areas, etc. ArchiCAD is created keeping the demands of 2D or 3D designs and BIM functions right from the groundwork through plan execution to resource management. ArchiCAD is supported by Windows, Mac and mobile devices.

Difference between Autocad vs Archicad

AutoCAD is a three-dimensional computer-aided design software. AutoCAD is created for manufacturing, planning, building designing, and construction. This software was developed by Autodesk in the year 1982 as a desktop app running on microcomputers. In 2010, AutoCAD was released as a mobile and web app which was commonly called AutoCAD 360. AutoCAD is an amazing software and a guide to many architects, entertainment industries, educators, students, freelancers and even to freshers. AutoCAD is a master of making 2D drawings, drafts, and documents, it also has the ability to create 3D models and visualizations.

Head To Head Comparison Between Autocad vs Archicad (Infographics)

Below are the top 3 differences between Autocad vs Archicad

Key differences between Autocad vs Archicad

Both Autocad vs Archicad are popular choices in the market; let us discuss some of the major Difference Between Autocad vs Archicad:

AutoCAD is a CAD system which helps in drafting, 3D modeling, and rendering. It can also be improvised using scripts in various languages. Whereas ArchiCAD, on the other hand, is built for BIM and Virtual Building Modelling. It is basically used to create building models.
In ArchiCAD, drawings are blended or meshed within the model. While in AutoCAD the user would create the drawings independently.
With ArchiCAD, Users can create buildings virtually from real constructed elements like walls, windows, roofs, slabs, etc. Whereas in AutoCAD the user creates drawing from 2D-line.
ArchiCAD offers a significant increase in productivity and has a better-coordinated design and a computer model based on the building process. While AutoCAD lacks in this feature.
While AutoCAD may be easy to use and understand the program, ArchiCAD requires more time to understand because of too many option settings.
AutoCAD can generally be called an electronic drawing board which is based on 2d representation but is also able to create 3D geometry. While ArchiCAD is for creating virtual electronic buildings. The application can understand the attributes of building elements and how to connect them.

Autocad vs Archicad Comparison Table

Below are the topmost comparisons between Autocad vs Archicad

The basis of comparison between Autocad vs Archicad	Autocad	Archicad
Definition	It is a 3D CAD software developed by Autodesk	It is a 2D/3D and BIM platform designed and developed by Graphisoft
Usage	Used for product designing, civil infrastructure, 2D drawings, drafts, documents, as well as 3D models.	Used for Virtual Building Modelling. It has specific building tools like walls, slab, door, windows, etc. It is also used to create 2D/3D models
Characteristics	AutoCAD is used worldwide across industries, by architects, engineers, town planners, and many experienced professionals. AutoCAD offers 3D modeling and visualization. It helps in applying different 3D modeling techniques to create robust 3D models of the product and their parts. AutoCAD aids the user to create and design better buildings, deliver scalable and feasible infrastructure assignments, manage production costs and predict project outcomes. In AutoCAD, the users are able to control the appearance of the materials attached to the 3D models, they can view lighting and shadows in their scenes, thus helping them in attaining many realistic renders of 3D models. Section planes one of the best features of AutoCAD, which helps to obtain the cross-sectional views of 3D objects. These section planes aids in examining the minor details of 3D objects that help them to cut through solids, surface meshes, and regions. The user can also control the text appearance in 2D drawings. They can have full control and can change the font, line spacing, color, etc. A special feature in AutoCAD is that the user gets to link the tables within their 2D drawings directly to Microsoft Excel Spreadsheets. With this feature, they can even import formulas and data from Excel into the table. Also, this feature has an auto-update default setting. The users can even import the PDF files into AutoCAD. They can import 2D geometry, TrueType texts also. It also comes with an SHF text recognition tool that allows the users to convert text with SHF fonts into a text object. Any non-Autodesk 3D models, geographic locations and online maps can also be imported into AutoCAD.	Some of the exceptional features of ArchiCAD are parametric custom profiles, expression-based properties, productivity, and interface intensification and speedy 2D navigation. ArchiCAD is available as a mobile application called BIMx. ArchiCAD supports Geometric Description Language (GDL) which is used to create new and improvised components. ArchiCAD is a very important program as it is the first application that includes both 2D/3D geometry and BIM program as well. This software is used for real-time editing and communication which helps in boosting the overall BIM experience of the user. It allows aids in working more progressively and competently. This software is a master in workspace arrangements and the only widely-used functions are displayed. Rest all the functions are saved as favorites. ArchiCAD is a smooth application for its use in 2D zooming and panning experience, despite any complexity. ArchiCAD enhances multiple workflows and productivity. The enhancements deliver realistic buildings, designs, accurate construction documentation, and precise cost estimations. With ArchiCAD, the user gets a façade design workflow that boosts to develop, design and detail hierarchical curtain wall systems with a lot of simplicity.

Conclusion – Autocad vs Archicad

We cannot compare Autocad vs Archicad. Both are very different from one other. And both Autocad vs Archicad have extremely useful features in their own genre. On one hand, where AutoCAD is a CAD software used by almost all the technicians and professionals for 2D and 3D modeling, ArchiCAD is a Virtual Building Modeler which uses real-time editing. Both the software has clean workspace and interface but still are used for different types of work.

Both Autocad vs Archicad have their own advantages and disadvantages, but both are widely used by different groups of people.