What is ArchiCAD and AutoCAD?

Archi CAD is an architectural BIM CAD software designed for Macintosh and Windows developed by the Hungarian company  Grafisoft . Archi CAD offers specialized solutions for handling all common aspects of aesthetics and engineering during the whole design process of the building environment such as  buildings, interiors, urban areas, etc.

        Development of  Archi CAD started in 1982 for the original Apple Macintosh. Archi CAD is recognized as the first CAD product on a personal computer able to create both 2D drawings and parametric 3D geometry. In its debut in 1987 ArchiCAD also became the first implementation of BIM under Graphisoft's "Virtual Building" concept. Due to the fact that it is a program essential for the next generations of architects ,  ArchiCAD requires higher  qualification than ordinary programs  for the computer on which you are working .

         Furthermore the popularity and the efficiency of this program is regarded to the amount of architects who are using it in order to project buildings .

What about AutoCAD?




AutoCad (computer-design and drafting ) is a CAD             program , developed and commercialized by the                 American company Autodesk.  This program is used for the construction of projects and plans in 2D and less in 3D.The files specific for this system are widely spread and they are known as :DWG and DXF.
        At the beginning the program has been created for specific platforms such as Unix and Macintosh but lately the development has been abandoned in favor of  Windows .This application is famous for its particular features such as :a smaller price than other competitors and the unique possibility of automation of the process .This includes Auto Lisp Visual Lisp ,VBA , Object ARX . Moreover, the first version MicroCAD  appeared in December 1982 and it was designed by John Walker and it has been improved until the version of 2013 due to the technology.


Similarities

1.      These programs (AutoCAD ,ArchiCAD) maintain dynamic links with construction of documents and specifications resulting in more accurate projects. As an example, when a person is able to  delete or modify the sizes , the schedule can be automatically updated .Spaces and areas are updated automatically when certain elements are changed ,calculations such as square footage are always up to date.
2.      Another similar point about the architecture programs is that they are able to open the most known and used extention in architectural process (DWG and DXF).Moreover ,both programs offer the possibility for architects to work at the same time on project by supporting and encouraging team work .

Particularities


1.       ArchiCAD is a more efficient program than AutoCAD due to the speed of work it provides .AutoCAD is the ideal programme for the 2D work because architects are able to modify each thing they draw in detail. However ,when people advance to another level (3D) it is an exhausting and unpleasant activity and it forces architects to spend more time in front of computer than a person who is working in Archi CAD.
         The program developed by the Hungarian company transforms automatically everything an architect designs from 2D to 3D.Furthermore, the changes  do not have a higher level of difficulty to be done. As a perfect example for this theory are two young architects who designed the same building with similar details one using Archi CAD and the other one AutoCAD. The person who chose the American programme finished in 3 days while the other one managed to finish in less than 20 hours.
2.       Despite the opportunity of working faster and prevent future generations of architects from health problems Archi CAD has some negative parts .Due to working at a higher scale than AutoCAD the Hungarian program is not able to make design at a lower one .The best solution for architects is to use both programs in order to improve their technical skills and improve their projects.