Archicad or Vectorworks

Enscape Host Applications Enscape for ArchiCAD
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Hello Enscape Community

We are currently utilizing Enscape with Sketchup for visualization, and AutoCAD/Sketchup for Construction Documents. I would like to move our office to a BIM solution. We are an architecture/interiors US based firm doing primarily custom residential renovations and new construction. I have tried REVIT in the past and not a fan at all. We are currently evaluating Archicad and Vectorworks Architect. I would appreciate any feedback on the workflow for CDS and Enscape integration. Thanks,

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The one colleague that uses Archicad also still uses Autocad for detailing and Sketchup

for Conceptuals. Is this a similar workflow of most AC users?

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archicad is an all-in-one solution so you should learn how to sketch, how to detail and how to visualise your concepts inside ArchiCAD.

Even for layouting it is capable - I did some giftcards in the past with it. at the moment we consider to cancel our Adobe Creative Suite.

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We Have used Both Archicad and Vectorworks in our office. Last year we abandoned Vectorworks and chose Archicad as our main architectural tool. Archicad is way more versatile in regards te 3d modeling. It works perfectly well with Enscape as well.

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Archicad In my opinion the best sofware for architecture and it works perfectly with Enscape.

I used to work with Autocad since 2000, Revit, also vectorworks…Archicad is by far the most intuitive and all in one Bim software.

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My opinion might be biased, but I signed on with ArchiCAD in the late 80’s and have not looked back.

I also used VECTORWORKS… While there is one thing I like better (spreadsheets)… there rest of the kudos go to ArchiCAD.

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ArchiCAD, in my opinion, is a more complete BIM package where Vectorworks is separated into different “suites”; Architectural, Landscape, etc. ArchiCAD has also been a BIM program from day 1. I am currently using ArchiCAD to produce complete construction documents for residential projects as well as urban design projects.

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The one thing drives me nuts about Archicad is the lack of multiple viewports support. You pretty much just have 1 viewport at a time.

How are you guys dealing with that?

In Revit you can have a plan view opened alongside a 3D view so you get to see what you are modeling in real time.

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back and forth !

And… a lot of editing directly in the 3d window…

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Have a look at the Affinity Suite

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No support for multiple viewports seems a dealbreaker for me.

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Have been using Archicad since start of 1990’s on small single houses, luxury mansions, but mainly on large mixed residential/commercial projects, some very complex in levels.
The great thing is you do not need any other software for the CAD/BIM side of things - from concept to construction it is so quick and easy and powerful.
Enscape adds some icing to the cake.

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Hi @JasonLawford , Any idea why ArchiCAD would be better than VW or REVIT ? In my opinion VW isn’t a truly BIM application. It’s a 2D app adjusted to 3D. Only REVIT could be taken into the scope.

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I would say VW has the most superior 2D Features and usability.

But VW is a true 3D App since decades.

Of course it is oriented to a kind of 2.5D approach, which is very handy

for typical architectural work and thinking, but this is which is even more

true or restrictive in Archicad.

Beside that VW offers sufficient and comfortable free form modeling,

like SubDs, NURBS, NURBS Surfaces, non destructive Boolean Operations,

true Parasolid Modelling Core Solids Modelling, Surface Arrays and what not.

And all that geometry can be easily bimified by adding IFC Tags and/or put

into a Hybrid object for proper plan generation.

It is just that the VW Architectural Object Tools are not as detailed and sophisticated

as in Archicad. On the other side you are far more less restricted in design freedom

in VW, when it exceeds the limitation of the given parametric Tools.

But yes, in VW you can create absolutely beautiful 2D Drawings, Layouts and Plans

very easy and comfortable.

As I like parametric modeling with components very much for architectural projects,

I am a big fan of Archicad and had much fun with it.

I own VW and have fun with it too.

I think on the App graph from Design down to Bureaucracy looks like this :

Vectorworks → Archicad → Revit

(where each has its pros and cons)

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I think this is a great way to summarize ;p