ArchiCAD or Revit Which BIM Software is BEST

[@John_Mack]

Fun fact, I first used ArchiCAD back in 2003. It was BIM before BIM was a thing. It was a true 5D program back then. Another fun fact, Revit was designed by Architects first. The Rev in Revit comes from Revise, that was its initial concept, quick revisions. Autodesk bought Revit because AutoCAD Architecture was a dead horse out of the box. Today, I only use Revit because of integration and collaboration as well as a trained work force. Only two firms use ArchiCAD where I live.

[@vladi2993]

I think everyone should learn both. There shouldn’t be a question of which one is better because it depends on the project type. In some cases is much more enjoyable to work with ArchiCAD and in other with Revit because there are some tasks that you can do very easy in one and in the other could be a real pain. What I’ve learnt is that it is easier to work with ArchiCAD at existing buildings, or new buildings with basic shapes, but it is easier to create a complex building with Revit. My advice is to learn them both and to start with Revit, because if you start with ArchiCAD you will find Revit a nightmare.

[@DavidTomic]

Haha that is very true and good advice Vladimir!

[@Nicholas.Tsagkos]

But one can't be perfect in all programs, there are dozens of programs out there, one can be good in one or two programs, all the others will be just basic knowledge which more or less is similar in all programs.

[@victorias.2443]

Just my opinion...🤷 It is better to know one program at a high level than two programs at low or medium levels...

[@willyvendy5310]

smart

[@januzportz7367]

Agree on this. For the last year we are using AC software at school then now I attend a short course of Revit. Man, i like to quit the course as I think Revit sucks.

[@spacyspice]

Awesome video. Team archicad here :) For residential design I think that Archicad + BIMx is really the best for quick presentations. Hopefully there will be soon a datasmith for macs between archicad and unreal engine 4.

[@LearningArchicad]

Shared!! A good video comes 2 days before the launch of archicad 24. But it is a very sincere opinion that is much appreciated. The new version is already an open competition to gain the appreciation of structural engineers. Things are going to get good. Competition is good for everyone.

[@DavidTomic]

Thank you! Considering the great response this video has had, I will be making a follow up for sure!

[@LearningArchicad]

@@DavidTomic We will be attentive to your channel 😀

[@RomarioFouardo]

True

[@RomarioFouardo]

@@DavidTomic yes please

[@SKYLIMI]

Learning ArchiCAD why don't you play clean and show the prices

[@Avisale]

Dear, congratulations for your channel. Just to inform, the latest version of Archicad (AC 24) includes MEP, it is no longer necessary to incorporate Plug-in.

[@DavidTomic]

This video was made pre-24. Mondays video will explain v24 in great detail. Thank you for the feedback

[@maitrachaitra176]

Yes , true !!

[@martinmallet3983]

Wow really, that’s my answer! Thank you for this great video

[@kijkrond1084]

Loved to hear your view on both programs. A big thing you could've coverd is the teamwork of both programmes... It comes with a cost also to get it up and running. Like BIMcloud for archicad or setting up an office server... Would love to hear how Revit handles teamwork 😊

[@nmangali107]

I started with Revit in university but you're right, it's far more difficult to learn which wasn't ideal as a student because I had to do sketches, then study for History and Philosophy of Architecture then do a million other things. I found that ArchiCad won hands down in that respect. It was quicker to learn, had a friendlier interface and unlike Revit it's amazingly intuitive. In practice I still use ArchiCAD and if hasn't given me problems and gets better and better with each new version. Architects and designers already have too much to deal with, the complexity of our design program shouldn't be one of them and that's what ArchiCAD has gotten right from the start. ArchiCAD is powerful once you can learn to harness it's true power.

[@RM-xk6iu]

Agree completely. The beauty of archicad is that its extremely flexible; It can be as simple or as complex as you make it to be and still get the job done. It took me a while to get around some of its quirks, which werent quirks in the first place just different way to do things, but now i know it i wouldnt change it for the world

[@11POWEI11]

Beautiful response. ArchiCAD feels great. My question is, is it possible to form an hat using ArchiCAD. If yes please how?

[@darakhera7988]

Really good to hear an unbiased opinion. Well done!

[@DavidTomic]

Thanks!

[@fallone.studio]

Great analysis. I used Both for several years, both are great softwares. I agree that overall AC is better for smaller projects, multi platform and really stable. I do believe both have insane price tags, no other big industry has such pricing strategies.

[@DavidTomic]

Agreed. I guess when you look at the next most used program (sketch up) the differences in quality and ability are insane. The price difference somewhat makes sense but at the same time is extremely high, especially for small or new firms just starting out

[@halinakoval]

Revit is easier to learn than archicad. Archicad is much more complicated. Revit is intuitive.

[@dipac_hr]

I'm engineer and hate ArchiCAD files exported to CAD. You see a layer named "0.1"and you know your gonna expend 2 days adapting the damn file to used it in your work. Revit otherwise exported files clean and beautiful. You find a layer named 'A-DOOR' and you thank God for the 2 days saved of your life.

[@jean-francoisnantel3019]

I would say that CAD software for industrial application is typically (a lot) more expensive than 3D tools like Revit. Look at Aveva PDMS & Smartplant 3D... Premium piping/muti-disciplines software, with a price to match...

[@edstrykcer]

Try to drag and drop an Autocad file into Revit and then tell me about intuitiveness.....

[@ghassankanaan1767]

I have already made my decision...I ❤️ Archicad !!

[@minahilkashif344]

Dear mentor can you tell me where im learn archicad please.

[@felipemelo285]

Bad decision.

[@mr.martex]

why?

[@ghassankanaan1767]

@@mr.martex Because Archicad is built upon a beautiful concept imitating the real construction process ( the ATTRIBUTES ). Modifying Elements on the run with the "PET PALETTE" is a wonderful thing...I likeThe way Data is extraxted for use in Schedules...and many more other things...

[@Neufertful]

@@ghassankanaan1767 I would like to work with ArchiCAD to see if it less messy than Revit. Unfortunately I would use it only working independently, since big architectural offices use Revit here in Canada. Revit is strange to use, restricts design and makes it less creative. It collapses if walls are not perfectly parallel and will not let you place dimensions, meaning that Frank gehry and Daniel Libeskind need special assistant to use this program.

[@Polyphemus.]

I learned ArchiCAD first and then Revit when I was a student. I hated ArchiCAD right off the bat. Everything about it seemed needlessly convoluted and complex modelling simply wasn't possible. Even placing drawings on sheets was ridiculously over-complicated. The following year I was introduced to Revit and I haven't looked back for almost 10 years now. Way more customisation, better UI, better drawings, better renders and just generally better to use. I'm baffled by all the comments claiming AC is more intuitive. It just isn't, unless your intuition is to add a whole bunch of unnecessary steps to simple tasks such as cutting holes in geometry and joining walls to roofs. Wait until you try doing a door and window schedule! I use Revit exclusively in my own business. Unfortunately this year I agreed to assist a fellow designer by doing some drawings for him here and there when he gets bogged down, and he uses ArchiCAD. So far I've managed to resist the temptation to suggest that maybe the reason he's bogged down is due to his software choice. After refreshing my AC knowledge for the past few months, nothing's changed. I still hate it and it's just as backwards as ever. In summary: AC makes simple things complicated and complicated things simply aren't possible. Revit might have a steep learning curve but once you've got it down, you can do just about anything - and much more quickly.

[@miguelcarrillos]

I’ve been using Revit for 9 y and recently Enscape as render plugin. Most of the people involved in BIM software here in USA are Revit. I’ll probably learn AC. You need to talk about Structural-Civil-MPE, which one does better for consultants.

[@MrEsquire7]

Yes, please do make a video on the topic of parametric designs.

[@MrArch21]

Yes Yes

[@abdelhakyac7285]

Exactly.......... Revit is a software made by engineers for engineers ........ Archicad is far more intuitive and flexible

[@safi606]

Mmmmm

[@HairyMTB]

I work in Revit, and have started using Twinmotion to render our projects. This software is exceptional with a very short learning curve .... the renderings that I have been doing have been excellent and I still have lots of learning to do

[@DavidTomic]

Twinmotion is amazing and its only getting better!

[@123nyanna]

You did a great explanation about both softwares. In uni we learned first Revit and after it was Archicad(it was like ten years or more ago). Back then I really did not liked the Archicad workflow and how the whole software was design, so I sticked with Revit until now. It was interesting to see that Archicad was further developed. A guess it is important for each of the users how they feel in the program and if the modelling process comes natural or not. I wish success to everyone who is starting with a 3D modelling.

[@DavidTomic]

I think because you learnt revit first you liked it more. I find the 3D views in archicad nicer but the UI or revit better.

[@ivanivanov7671]

Archicad is the fastest and simpliest way to create something very complicated. For instance: A complete roof sceleton - 2-3 clicks, editing windows and doors - 4-5 clics, creating composite walls or slabs - 3-4 cliks. Entire 2 story house will take you less than 2 hours with all documents prepared.

[@vishnunot7920]

Revit or Archicad?

[@warrenmaugo4489]

Thanks for this amazing information on the two.. Been using Revit wonderful to know archicad capabilities

[@DavidTomic]

Next mondays video is on archicad 24 which was just released today. Youll be surprised how much of a competition archicad is to revit now! Hope to hear from you on that video too :)

[@shbo6012]

I like the verdict portion, saying that, it depends on who do you want to be, what kind of architect do you want to be.

[@Larsbor]

The time it takes to learn a software good... learn revit.. when you comes out you can easily learn archicad... I would like you to find someone to explain the Vectorworks compared to Ac and Revit.

[@alexlj09]

I started in a Vectorworks office while I was studying in university, really regret that choice in desperation to land a student role. It took me so much time to find a better job later on because every large office disregarded my vectorworks experience. now I have been using Revit for a year I can share some comparison. Pros 1. The learning curve for vectorworks is much less steep. most people will pick it up in no time. it's as intuitive as illustrator. Revit on the other hand will take a couple years to master. 2. The 2D drawings are somehow more eye-pleasing than Revit. the lineworks and fills are sharp and smooth. Revit on the other hand has an instant recognizable style that feels a bit rough. 3. Easier to land a job because fewer people are trained for it or willing to use it. Cons 1. The offices who use vectorworks tend to be small and very likely it's because the boss and colleagues still use it as a 2D drafting tool. That's the main reason I left the platform. It was painful to watch them manually update every drawings for amendments. 2. I used vectorworks to model some large buildings such as school complex. Despite Vectorworks claims it's a true BIM software, its BIM ability is rather basic compared to Revit. It's parametric and you can attach BIM info to the components that's pretty much it. 3. Limited team collaboration, limited Engineering integration. There is no "sync to central" and worksheets. the team members basically work on individual files. Basically Revit is a much more advanced package but come with a steep learning curve.

[@modernvillageconstructiong7499]

@@alexlj09 very informative

[@nikouer]

what is a little bit annoying to me in Archicad compared to Revit is the fact that in ArchiCAD when you design in one view you don't have immediate results in other views. The other views updated only when they became active. I am a student who uses Revit a lot but I am also interested in learning ArchiCAD. From my first experience after getting a student license, this was immediately noticeable to me.

[@DavidTomic]

I'm not entirely sure what you mean because archicad auto updates everything. Unless your talking about layout pages and you've set them to manual update?

[@nikouer]

@@DavidTomic places two views side by side in ArchiCAD so you can simultaneously see both at the same time. One plan view and one 3d view. Start drawing a wall in the plan view. You are not able to see nothing in 3d view. End the wall command. Still nothing in 3d view. Then click inside 3d view. Now the view regenerated and you are able to see the wall. For me, this is a major minus in ArchiCAD.

[@archist9789]

@@DavidTomic No, David. What he means is AC does not support interactive multi-viewport. It's one of the most ridiculous things from AC. All other BIM sofwares-Revit, Vectoworks, ALL PLAN, ArchLine.XP supports multi-viewports and multi-monitor.

[@iiamkerr4698]

This was an extremely good review and comparison. Best i've seen TBQH. I'm an ArchiCAD user and based on what you're saying ArchiCAD is best for me. Still would like to know the basics of Revit though.

[@JoshHarris9395]

I guess it comes down to your needs and what your company uses. I taught myself Revit during my undergraduate degree and ended up using in practice for 2 years. I went back to university and just finished my master's, and a couple of places I've recently had interviews use ArchiCAD so I'm looking to transition.

[@minahilkashif344]

Can you tell me how to learn archicad online plz.

[@ProjectSkrillexNL]

@@minahilkashif344 get yourself into an organization that uses archicad as a student while following an internship for a degree in architecture, or buy the online course (my supervisor did this for me) and do that. You could also do it through youtube but good luck with that, getting stuck in bim modeling software can suck.

[@CONTRABIM]

Nice comparison video David! On the visualization side, I'd definitely give Archicad the advantage as it's way more immersive and smooth in 3D OpenGL, and has much more realistic presentation while live in the software. Keep the vids coming!

[@glennmennie9055]

I got into Revit back in 2002 with release 4.5. I got trial copies of Revit and Archicad at the same time to compare before buying and I found Revit so much easier. I picked up my copy on Friday and played with it over the weekend and by Monday was producing drawings. I believe the Revit tutorials are rubbish but fortunately I picked it up pretty quickly and this was before we had KZbin tutorials everywhere. The main choice probably comes down to what is being used at were you want to work. Either way i hate autocad now and would never go back!

[@DavidTomic]

Hahahaha the sadest thing is people still use autocad 😂

[@flanjaja]

@@DavidTomic heeey i still use autocad lmao 😥

[@Simon-Simon-Simon]

@@DavidTomic I still use pen and drawing board autocad and revit Can import into sketchup and other render packages And send off shore for serious stuff What KZbinrs don't say is most documentation is going over seas Kids learn it all and learn manual drawing designwork Everything will go offshore

[@bahamut149]

I bumb into a really old project recently, everything was in cad 2004. And the guy drawing it back them won't bother to use Xref and paper space. Everything was in model space. On the otherhand, I used revit since I finished university, so working on that cad file is a torture. But it's covid time and job is limited😕. I may hate CAD after this project.

[@VIA-studio]

In Europe Revit costs 2.900€/anno without any plugins. Archicad costs 3.750€ once and you pay around 150€/anno for getting the latest version every year, but you are not forced to pay that, so you can keep the old license forever. If you don't want to pay the Revit abonnement, you lose your license. Regarding to this Archicad costs much less than Revit.

[@DavidTomic]

Both are very expensive to start with, especially considering euro to aud is basically double! But there is a big partition from major firms in the works sent to autodesk because the price of revit is too high

[@izoyt]

150€ per year? where?

[@kmoses8191]

Very good review! I learned Revit in Design school but my current job uses Archicad and so far I like it. Like you said, pretty easy to learn for basic building and I really like the easy documentation abilities. The only thing I wish is that, as you mentioned, they had a larger library. Their library, for lack of better words, sucks! And as an interior designer, having a strong, flexible and editable furniture library is a must! They need something like the sketchup 3D warehouse (whose items can actually can be imported into Twinmotion, and I think Archicad too) but if they had a larger platform like this where people could build models and share them to be automatically imported into Archicad, it would take Archicad to an interior designer's dream level!

[@DavidTomic]

I've found a few websites that are useful for furniture but they are SO expensive! Nobody is willing to share good libraries anymore because they are a very big asset to companies now, especially with social media rendering firms

[@kmoses8191]

@@DavidTomic That makes sense. It's too bad because it would make the program so much more effective. But I do believe that 3D warehouse models can be imported into Archicad.

[@DavidTomic]

I've tried one or two before and the issue was materiality. It imported it as a white model with no parameters. Never tried too hard to figure it out but im sure its possible

[@flowerdi1458]

Hi! I’m learning design too! Can you recommend what program I should use for more unique forms?

[@kmoses8191]

@@flowerdi1458 For interior design I'd definitely opt for Sketchup if you want a wide variety of models and easy access to Vendor models. Most vendors who supply BIM models offer them in a Sketchup file. Next would be ArchiCAD. They have a pretty flexible built in library, but if you need more, you can import from Sketchup 3D warehouse.

[@bshwayde]

Twinmotion is owned and now developed by Epic Games. Ever since they took over Twinmotion development has dramatically improved. It's really awesome now. It's also way cheaper than Vray and Lumion and super easy to learn. Twinmotion also has direct link plugins for Archicad, Revit, SketchUp and many others. I used to use Vray and am never going back at this point.

[@brescandragos]

Great Video David! I would like to make a small observation regarding the Archicad software price. The licence has multiple options. The base price is somewhere in the ballpark of what you said, but it is per licence dongle key (which you can use indefinitely) and in parallel you have the option to pay a subscription fee yearly which will guarantee any future editions of Archicad (in my case the subscription is around 500 euros). So if you want to stop paying for the subscription, you will keep the licence but will not be able to get future versions. Also if you want to skip a year or two of your subscription, you have a different offer to reinstate it. This might depend on the local retailer, but the subscription price in the case of Archicad is way better than Revit.

[@DavidTomic]

I think because my firm has been with archicad for over a decade, we have a very good subscription rate, they even provide us with a very low cost (if not even free) upgrade per year. The costings seem to vary so much across the world which I don't think is fair.

[@brescandragos]

@@DavidTomic I do understand this marketing retail strategy that they have, because the sales seem easier to manage. If it s fair, I really don't know, because it depends on the offer of the retailer. As I saw, the upgrades are free as long as you are subscribed (plus some online courses), or in my case part of Archiclub (that's what they call the subscription), and this is valid in Spain and Romania, from two different retailers. In the end I think the price fluctuations are normal, based on the local trends and retailer choices, but indeed it would be awesome for them to directly sell the licenses and subscriptions, it would give a little more transparency..

[@0criticalHit]

Great vid! Students should also consider what is most used in their territory too, almost nobody uses archicad where I live, while Allplan is starting to grow some leverage in engineering firms in my area.

[@tallstoreys]

Grasshopper/ Dynamo are not just for sweeping forms and “expensive” buildings. In fact, if used correctly, these tools can generate immense cost savings, help manage project data & automate tedious tasks that would otherwise make our jobs repetitive and boring!

[@RM-xk6iu]

Hi kiran. Could it be possible You provide some examples of those tasks You can automate?

[@lukaspromont980]

I've been working with ArchiCAD for a long time and with Twinmotion since day one. It's so much fun to see the grogram evolve. It just keeps getting better and better. Now we use ArchiCAD for laboratory planning and we build our own 3D GDL library, which worked perfect. Thanks for the Video!

[@vassil626]

Hi David, regarding your comment on why Revit is more easy to 3D visualize is simply because its an Autodesk software and 3ds Max is too. In fact if I am not mistaken there was is a shared library between these two when they are installed on the same system. Bottom line on this is that its not that Revit is “better” for 3D visualization but its because of the company’s portfolio of products. As for Archicad its in a similar position by using Cinema4D’s engine because both softwares are part of the Nemetschek company. Besides this both Revit and Archicad can use Vray which is a plugin render engine for both 3ds Max and Cinema4D which in reality means both can and do produce the same quality with the same render engine. The difference here is based on their parent companies which provide paths through either 3ds Max or Cinema4D. Besides this as you have mentioned there are other options as well.

[@deivclayton]

Pretty good analysis. Archicad is definitely my preference. Looks like your video came out just before Archicad 24 which improves collaboration with engineers even better.

[@DavidTomic]

This is correct. I have made a new video explaining archicad 24 and the new bim features :)

[@deivclayton]

@@DavidTomic , thanks! Just watched it.

[@jjsc3334]

New to Archicad, hope it will make me happy.

[@RM-xk6iu]

as long as you go with its flow it will! lots of luck

[@elsad7749]

What do u say about it?

[@MarioSeoane]

What I really like from Revit, is the "copy monitoring" to control the changes from the other consultants using Revit. I'm in the modular prefabricated buildings industry, where we have to create entire complex with different groups and parametric elements, the same applies for the mechanical and structural linked models that I can adjust directly with the copy monitor" tool, so they know what the required changes are almost in real time. I don't know if you have the same tool in Archicad, specially if you upload other models made with different programs.

[@DavidTomic]

Based on my understanding of that feature I think it has just been introduced in archicad 24.

[@MarioSeoane]

@@DavidTomic thank you for the info

[@MarioSeoane]

@@DavidTomic BTW, how good or bad is the Archicad support? Here in North America we have very good tech support from Autodesk, almost in real time. I had the chance to work in "massive" projects, up to 3Bll in one case, and when things get really difficult, the tech support is critical.

[@Rooktoven]

​@@MarioSeoane Not an architect, but I was an IT Director for quite a few years at a firm that ran ArchiCAD on macs. I'd say the support depended on who you got. Front line wasn't always great, but 2nd and third level were decent and diligent. I will add the one thing the author left out. If you don't want to go to the cloud, you can't control all of your projects in BIM 360. Graphisoft BIM Cloud will let you maintain a pretty big catalog locally--especially if you can go beyond the layman's BimCloud set up. ArchiCAD-->Bimserve/Cloud is ideal for VPN, because users work locally and only send deltas.

[@KarlowaSims-w5k]

This was most helpful! Thank you mate!

[@DavidTomic]

Glad I could help

[@johneikevik]

Thank you for making this video!

[@DavidTomic]

Glad I could help

[@r_syre]

Lumion is also an option for real-time rendering for both software

[@mohammadalammouri2986]

Lumion is a fast render ..real time is something like Unreal and twinmotion

[@steedlei1]

@@mohammadalammouri2986 enscape is the real deal and very big thing VR!

[@aarons1817]

Enscape for bang for buck everyday for me

[@steedlei1]

@@aarons1817 only issues for us are: 1, twilight render is hard to match Vray, 2, no interactive material change in VR, we have to use Eyecad VR for interior

[@imcyrahalasan]

Thank you for making this video sir. This is my first time watching one of your videos and I didn't mind that it's quite long (19mins) because the content is interesting and on point. Im a drafter living in the Philippines. Currently I'm using AutoCAD for work in our office and do the 3D models and rendering in separate software. I'm planning to transition in BIM but I don't know which software to use that's why I'm looking for this kind of videos or content. After watching this video, it helps me to decide and I go with Revit 💙

[@DavidTomic]

Glad i could help Mary! All the best and if you every want to see more content, just let me know :)

[@imcyrahalasan]

Thank you sir ☺️

[@vishnunot7920]

@@imcyrahalasan which you think to use Arhicad or revit?

[@imcyrahalasan]

@@vishnunot7920 It depends on your preference and budget sir because both software can deliver good result in BIM process.

[@faresjawad3096]

U r saying that we can use Archicad if we are designing a villa or ten floor building . Let me correct you , mega projects for ( EMMAR ) , it's a huge realstate company in Dubai is dealing with ( Bimes ) which is a B.I.M office and they r using and reseller of Archicad . Archicad was used to design many skyscrapers in dubai and abudhabi .

[@DavidTomic]

This is true and I understand that. It is just more common for revit to be used in these situations than archicad. But very good to know that archicad is used in Dubai and Abudhabi incase my career ever decides to venture that way!

[@faresjawad3096]

@@DavidTomic i know the manager of BIMES .

[@DavidTomic]

Good to know! Always happy to make new connections via YT. Let me know if you'd like to see anything content wise or if I can assist in any way.

[@BustyJosey]

Most 3D CAD/BIM tools can save to DWG and IFC format which can be linked into Revit. I would argue that Revit is an easier tool to learn if you haven't used other BIM tools before. Or if you are a seasoned, but open-minded CAD user AND understand how a building is put together. ArchiCAD is an object-based 3D CAD tool that evolved into a BIM tool. Revit is a purpose-built parametric BIM tool.

[@DavidTomic]

From someone who knows them both very well, I have to disagree. Revit is a better program but it is harder to learn. I always advise learning revit first though because it makes learning archicad easier if need be.

[@RM-xk6iu]

@@DavidTomic better in what sense?

[@uldistucs]

@@DavidTomic I started studying both programs at the same time 15 years ago. I came to Revit because it was easier to understand the structure of the program. A couple of years ago I tried to learn AC again, but I also came to the conclusion that Revit is easy to understand, very versatile and very friendly with other programs.

[@EmilMeijer]

The ARCHICAD - Grasshopper Live Connection has existed since AC18, so it's nothing newly added for ver 23. 😉

[@And_Rec]

dont you need 3 software tho? rhino, GS plugin and archicad, makes revit cheaper

[@EmilMeijer]

@@And_Rec Rhino and Archicad combined is way cheaper than Revit in the long run. And the GS plugin is free.

[@akashc96]

Hey David, the video is very informative and insightful, but I am afraid the point where you mentioned that ArchiCAD owns Unreal Engine and Twinmotion isn't correct. Epic Games owns the rights to both the software UE4 and Twinmotion. And they support a lot of platforms like Revit itself for visualization.

[@eztutor823]

Nice video! Likes watching it. Not the comparison I was expecting though. I think you should make a video explaining the pros and cons in both modeling and Documentation stage. Especially since you've got extensive experience in both. that would be very interesting to watch. U make a very good point on Revit being more up to task for complex parametric modeling. I've been a Revit user for the last 2,5 years at a firm which does both Arch and Structural, but mostly structural. Somehow I'm connived that ArchiCad is both faster and more intuitive. Mainly because of the UI and also because I realy dislike the family concept for doors and windows. I think what we all need from a comparison video is the differences in workflow from all disciplines (Arch, Structural and Installation/MEP). So depending on that your area is. It would be nice to see how you compare it. You've mostly made comparisons between their features. Would be more interesting to see/hear comparison between workflows in modeling and documentation stage. When comparing render options I think you should stick to comparing what's possible out of the box. Vray as plugin for Revit is most def. a winner. and exporting to 3Ds max well....you have Vray, Corona, Redshift, Octane etc. etc. not to talk the other apps like Cinema 4D, Blender etc. 1 more question: Whats your opinion on this new BricsCAD? At first I didn't took it serious, but after watching their videos It looks like Its gonna have the best of all worlds. it's like SolidWorks/Invetor has fused with a Arch/Strcutural/MEP BIM app. Of course the question is how It would hold up in a real project

[@tshepotseladikae]

Speed = Archicad Headache =Revit If you wanna change wall settings in Revit, 10 minutes wasted. Archicad Control T done. Roof in Archicad magic wonder 2 seconds. Revit 20 minutes and then error message that something is wrong. Learning curve. Archicad easier. Structural detailing perfect with Revit. Vray plugin for revit perfect. So in the end both softwares wins. Just learn the two and forget about others for now

[@DavidTomic]

Learning both is great but from a business point of view you want to focus on one.

[@HippieP629]

@@DavidTomic Agreed. 90%+ of AE uses Revit, for better or worse. Learn what'll be used in "the office" UNLESS one starts their own "office", consultancy, etc.

[@kemalaziz1723]

woah really, i've been 3 years using revit and now in mixused project, never had any issue on modelling, but if im worksharing there are some problem with warning, the last time im using archicad was in collage and never used it, but im curious about archicad now because in revit not so much improvment (but not bad either)

[@bimibericaMEP]

Thanks for your thoughts. But some serious functionalities have been addressed: Worksharing: Critical in small and large projects. Not mentioned. Model breakdown: The key to work management and keeping information in safe containers but above all stoping file size swelling. Not mentioned. BIM 360: Not mentioned. So, all in all, it is a biased review.

[@bimibericaMEP]

I meant haven't been addressed..

[@DavidTomic]

This is true, but there are hundreds of features i didnt mention not just those. Also, I ended up recomened revit for most people, so not sure if its entirely bias?

[@bartbug1]

Thanks for the video upload, now subscribed. Great content.

[@DavidTomic]

Glad to have you here!

[@nancy_5671]

Thank you so much for your help here. You made things more clear in my mind!

[@DavidTomic]

Glad I could help!

[@danielalien3017]

What If I'm a mechanical engineer that is fluent in both Autodesk Inventor and ArchiCAD and I want to be able to put self-designed machines into self-designed building constructions? Will Revit work better back and forth with Inventor (due to them both being Autodesk softwares) to such an extent that it's worth learning Revit?

[@DavidTomic]

I've never used inventor to the extent I can offer a certain answer. But my understand of revit would suggest you should learn it. Autodesk is focusing on MEP for revit for the coming years. Definitely will be more powerful for your work.

[@vojtacepelak7767]

Thank you for the video! I have 3 days remaining to choose one of the two programs that I'll be taught at college. I still can't make up my mind, but hopefully, I'll choose well.

[@vojtacepelak7767]

I guess I'll flip a coin if I won't decide by the day D. :D

[@DavidTomic]

If someone is teaching you, pick revit. Archicad is easier to learn on your own.

[@vojtacepelak7767]

@@DavidTomic Probably will do, thank you for the tip!

[@ozzim339]

I am in a same situation Vojta :) I will probably choose Revit too.

[@Eva-ch2wz]

Revit!!!

[@phankhoianh4146]

Thank you! It's very useful.After see video,I really know what I need.

[@braddyndjiotchou6263]

Well, no... great video. I've been following you for a while and I'm so happy, your videos are so instructive and detailed. 3 years later, what do you think of it today ?

[@mubashirmamupt7124]

Thanks a lot. Jazakallah khiren.

[@ibrahimahamedjalloh7823]

Thank you for the video but I love Revit as a junior architec

[@moatazhamde9019]

Great video man. Super useful.

[@DavidTomic]

Glad to hear it mate!

[@surfh3r0]

nice video! in the long run all softwares ends up having the same function, since they copy from each other. I think is really important choosing the one that is most diffused in your area since it's gonna be easier to find a job. If it's a tie then i simply choose with the user interface i like more

[@paco68it]

Nice review thx! I can use both but for my job Archicad is perfect I think that the future of archiviz will be more related to real time ray tracing sw like enscape and D5 render and twin motion of course once it will be really unreal engine based

[@DavidTomic]

Thanks! And yes I completely agree with you. The more powerful computers get and the quicker we can ray trace at high end levels the more accepted and widely used the software will become

[@SergiuLungu]

Great video. Thank you.

[@matthewlong8356]

I am a Revit user and my primary complaint is more with the company behind it. They have been very slow to make any major improvements to the software yet require a subscription to use it. It got to the point where multiple firms sent an open letter to the company asking them to address it. The companies reply was basically "deal with it we have our own plans".

[@DavidTomic]

Yeah I'm aware of that letter and response. It was pretty savage from autodesk if im being honest. But they know these major firms have invested millions into developing templates and systems that work with revit, so they also know nobody will change. Way too expensive for what it is in my personal opinion! Worth looking into archicad if you have the ability to switch, they truly are trying to invest and push further even though they are behind.

[@matthewlong8356]

@@DavidTomic Revit is the predominate software here and the odds of finding a firm that uses ArchiCAD are about 1 in 50. I would like to learn it just for the fact I enjoy learning new software and to open more opportunities.

[@DavidTomic]

Wow that is a serious stat! Where do you live if you dont mind me asking. I feel as if Australia is more like 1 to 10, but I could be wrong, that's my experience in Western Australia only.

[@matthewlong8356]

@@DavidTomic Central US. Very little ArchiCAD here.

[@DavidTomic]

Interesting! Thanks for the feedback!

[@alienbishop]

Talking about visualization, Archicad has Corona Render plugin, so . . . .

[@cevdarieradu4877]

Revit has vray...

[@mijohnheartsministries]

for real

[@cevdarieradu4877]

@@mijohnheartsministries kzbin.info/www/bejne/j6Cmh4WYiauAnZo

[@mijohnheartsministries]

How to i set corona render in archicad

[@nestofego2598]

For me, the only thing that matters between this 2 program is more about graphical display... Need to be enjoy with what we design and editing in 3D perspective view is really important.

[@DavidTomic]

You must be an archicad user then 😂

[@rrr96100]

You don’t even need IFC files if the entire consultant team works on Revit… just create a federated model for clash detection. If you say ArchiCad is an open source BIM programme by allowing for BIM coordination with IFC files, Revit can be called open source BIM programme as well since it can link and export IFC files easily.

[@sarahlps3457]

Merci ! C'est super clair et très complet !

[@kelvinng7749]

Thank you for your sharing!

[@DavidTomic]

Glad i could help!

[@chuckfan0327]

thanks for your sharing!! by a freshly graduated architecture student

[@yassineazizou3799]

In the beginning, you can choose, but after working with companies, they impose on you what program you are working on, As for me, I worked with ArchiCAD for a long time, but after my resignation, It's very difficult to find companies that work with archicad, the majority of them working with Revit in my environment.

[@DavidTomic]

True

[@maxflores3391]

Buen video hermano, haces bien el análisis :) Un saludito desde México

[@DavidTomic]

Greetings and great to have you here! Loving all these comments with your locations around the world. amazing to see the power of the internet in person.

[@VancouverMarketReports]

Sharable licences?? I have two staff and myself that would use ArchiCAD or Revit . I would use it 5 hours a month and my second staff maybe part time. Question does either software allow ONE person at a time to use the software thus allowing two or 3 computers to run one licence

[@DavidTomic]

Archicad has a cloud based license hosting software. Might be what you need

[@juliandavidac]

I have to disagree a little bit, the people always says that Archicad is good for small projects, BUT you can make big BIG projects with archicad, from industrial, highrise to Master Plans , and runs perfectly *Edit: btw amazing video 👍

[@DavidTomic]

This is 100% true, and some of the worlds biggest firms use archicad. I just think if you had the choice to start from day one and planned on being a big firm, revit is better today. Maybe not tomorrow, but today it is still a better software. (I use archicad everyday too so thats hard for me to say haha). Thanks for the comment and kind words!

[@Gabriel-gy9it]

please produce a video about Archicad 24

[@DavidTomic]

If you subscribe i will :)

[@Gabriel-gy9it]

@@DavidTomic 👍🏻

[@castrope1969]

David Tomic I’m just subscribed. I’m waiting for the video about ARCHICAD 24. ;-)

[@jhanphillipco]

Thank you for the informative video. Now this confuses me more and I hope you thrown in your advise from where I stand. We are running a small firm here in the Philippines. As of now, we are doing residentail and medium rise project. Our firm is planning to migrate to BIM soon. Personally I am leaning towards Archicad but one thing that I noticed is the greater number of users using revit over archicad locally. This will also be factor for our firm to choose since most of the designers available for hire mostly knows Revit. As of the moment I have yet to survey our existing team on which platform they are knowledgeable with, and Im betting that its revit.

[@DavidTomic]

If you are looking to start a firm that does its own work, archicad is very good for what you said you will be doing. Archicad 24 (which is my video tomorrow night) has lots of BIM features. If you are planning on starting a firm that does work for other firms (like a drafting service for big firms when they're busy), revit will give you more companies to work with but archicad will let you charge more because not many contract drafting companies work on archicad so they're hard to find for firms. Hope this helps you decide my friend, if not, watch tomorrows video on archicad 24 and this should help more

[@robbyrobbyrobby]

Pinoy Architect here go for Archicad. It is more Architect centric. I can help you out if you have my questions

[@clintonramos448]

@@robbyrobbyrobby hi sir pinoy architect also here, do you use archicad? I also want to learn this software.

[@takiskgr]

Thank you for this! Super cool video! A+++

[@DavidTomic]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@N3p-DD]

Hi David. I like the way you explain things. I have been using Revit since 2009 and I have been trying to learn Archicad and Vectorworks, so I have more options to provide my services. Please, aan you make a comparison between Vectorworks and Archicad? Thanks.

[@DavidTomic]

Hi Nelson, I will do my best for you and try schedule it in soon

[@christophefortineau8600]

What about BIMCloud teamworks, BimX, objects, multithread, predictive calculation, openBIM and ifc certifications and translators ? Archicad is the best far far away !!

[@uniquekohphangan491]

thank you! Your video is very useful for making decision! Appreciate!

[@DavidTomic]

Glad I could help

[@lawrencemwai9316]

WOW!!!SUPERB COMPARISON

[@oleksandroliinyk1920]

Thank you very much!!! The best video) Very useful.

[@DavidTomic]

Glad i could help!

[@liombeendeley2167]

Revit for me. Acquisition difficulties shouldn't be a drawback.

[@zbieraj]

Wait, but Grasshopper plugin was presented in ArchiCAD 18... Each year it is being updated and new features are presented, but it is not something that came with AC23...

[@DavidTomic]

It is still considered an experimental feature even in AC24. Therefore i consider it a "new" feature.

[@zbieraj]

@@DavidTomic But using this logic Grasshopper is an "experimental plugin" for Rhino, since it has actually never been fully finished and it is still "under development" since 2007... That argument can be used for many types of software which for almost a decade have been "experimental". It doesn't change the fact, that official GH plugin for AC appeared with AC18. In AC23 it was just updated. As it was in AC22. And AC21, 20, 19.

[@Mayaabdulsamad-m6t]

Hello, im intrested to learn Archicad any suggestions

[@chrislabar22]

The thing I have found about AutoCAD, Revit, Fusion 360, and really most Autodesk programs is that they are all CPU bound. Revit rendering won't touch GPU at all, Fusion is the same way. I just use Lumion to do rendering and walkthroughs.

[@savoda747]

i'm using both . depend on project . Revit is True Bim and Archi Cad More Freedom and easier .

[@raphaeltschapek7720]

Wow It’s a great overview about this softwares. I think a big different is also the implementation of information in those programs. AC can easily put costs, fire resistance, materials and a lot more information in it just in the fist steps. So you’ll already receive a really detailed information in BIM IFC Model after the fist steps.

[@goncalomatos2824]

Thanks.. that really helped 👌

[@DavidTomic]

Glad I could help

[@garysantos7053]

A Brief History of BIM ArchiCAD was developed in 1982 in Budapest, Hungary by Gábor Bojár, a physicist who rebelled against the communist government and began a private company. Gábor wrote the initial lines of code by pawning his wife’s jewelry and smuggling Apple Computers through the Iron Curtain. Using similar technology as the Building Description System, the software Radar CH was released in 1984 for the Apple Lisa Operating System. This later became ArchiCAD, which makes ArchiCAD the first BIM software that was made available on a personal computer. -arch daily

[@DavidTomic]

I have read this a few times and do believe it to be true

[@cianarki3804]

Revit is still the best for me. Archicad gave me a lot of trouble because of their way of making too many modules for a simple multi-storey project and their sickening habit of constantly updating of the library once you need to syncronize it to your main module. It was a total waste of time! As for design workflow, I'd rather export the revit model to sketchup or lumion or twinmotion if I want to make a good presentation. The workflow is more enjoyable for me. Professionally I really don't like Archicad most of their procedures don't make sense compared to the simplicity of Revit once you've set your projects properly.

[@DavidTomic]

Valid points. It isn't for everyone but for me personal revit families drive me insane.

[@laskei]

Modeling: 1. Revit 2. Archicad = 3ds max .. 99. Sketch up Rendering: 1. Lumion 2. Twinmotion 3. Enscape = vray

[@themiphz]

is it worth to learn both?

[@DavidTomic]

Yes

[@memyadventures2730]

Love this video ❤️👌🏻 make video more about good way of small project documentation on revit, so we can get idea about how we can make it more efficient. P.S. I love your way of narration and the background Blue LED colour you added on wall.😁

[@DavidTomic]

Don't use revit too often anymore sadly. Happy to make videos on documentation but they'll have to be archicad related 🤣 shouldn't really matter too much as what you're looking for is productivity inspiration which can come from any software package! stay tuned ill add it to the list!

[@memyadventures2730]

@@DavidTomic yes 👏🏻 no problem. I’m also waiting for this video. Thanks a lot for making such wonderful videos. Love your channel.

[@kezzy_kezzy]

please talk about dynamo as well as rhino and grasshopper

[@abrahamlara8282]

Archicad 24 it has few improvement for MEP and Structure analysis, any opinions about it??

[@DavidTomic]

Check my archicad 24 review

[@edmarferreirajunior724]

I am a revit user in an engineering office in Brazil. I'm an architect, but the only one on a team of 15 engineers. So Revit was the team's choice, and I don't see any problem with that. But I would like to know Archicad a little more. It seems to be incredible software for architects. Thanks for the video

[@estagiarioshrarquitetura1233]

We started to use Archicad in our office recently

[@DavidTomic]

How are you finding it?

[@jms7265]

Yeah how are you finding it?

[@randomCADstuff]

Great video! I've never used ArchiCAD but I do recall that it's DWG exports were some of the most hellish files to ever have to work with (this being one of those firms forever stuck in 2D CAD). I think Revit is able to work with IFC files? If not I'd be very surprised.

[@DavidTomic]

Archicad still has average dwg export but it can also use IFC files.

[@MrChipMC]

Now it's OK with dwg export in Archicad.

[@palava8500]

I hope Archicad can Upgrade its modelling Potential. Its annoying to Model complex shapes in AC. I hope the take notes from revit and rhino

[@papugamer7686]

make Archicad vs sketchup Video

[@DavidTomic]

I don't see the comparison though... two VERY different programs

[@Farkas2011]

Great video. I use archicad since version 9 on Mac and i have too tell that is very stable. I was thinking about learning Revit to be compatible with the industry but I'm not that confident about the software stability. Also I'm not that confident about the versions compatibility. Exporting Revit 2020 is possible to 2019 for those who didn't update ? And is there a bimcloud teamwork alternative with Revit ?

[@DavidTomic]

I use archicad on a mac too and I think it runs flawlessly for the most part. In terms of revit, no it is not backwards compatibility sadly, but yes they do have a workshare system that is very similar to bimcloud. Rumour is on extremely large projects it is a bit slow and painful but otherwise works very well.

[@tommil7574]

Hi! Really good summary. Actually I was bit surprised how accurate this was. Only correction that I would like to make is that if you engineer in Europe then you might be better of with something else.

[@migueljmf]

IS there a way to convert an archicad model into a revit model without loosing the properties?

[@DavidTomic]

Export as IFC file is the best option

[@migueljmf]

Thank you so much@@DavidTomic

[@Naqibullah.Kargar]

Good Explaination

[@catsven1973]

I don’t have to see this video I just put my com and go .. nothing is like Archicad !! 20 years of using (2001-2021)