All we need is an open interchangeable file format (that any piece of software both professions can read) so that we can consult with each other during the design and construction process easily. I really wish architects would stop listening to engineers for software advice since our job roles are quite different and the software should represent that. It seems strange that smaller companies such as McNeel and their dedicated users are driving design forward. Personally I really hope Archicad/allplan/vectorworks (all owned by the same company, although they really need to streamline them into one great product that beginners can use and experts customise and master to work at a fast pace) take a higher market share since Autodesk are just arrogant and aren't adding a lot of innovation (more like buying it). Revit and Archicad (as well as other BIM CAD apps) are being used more frequently and as the economy worsens and material prices go up developers are unlikely to allow costs to fluctuate within projects. it produces the same types of drawing, but it does so in different ways then traditional drafting programs. So to answer the question, no it doesn't function like autocad. you do have control over line weights and but you are not as free to do small sketch drawing or studies all over your "model space." in archicad you built a model of the project then cut all your plans/ sections/ details from that model. i choose it over archicad because you are constructing draws similarly to the way you construct them on paper. a friend of mine uses archicad and i am a huge autocad fan. different strokes for different folks i guess.Īs far as archi vs. its all about who is using the tool, rather then about what tool they are using. I have seen some really ugly computer draws, but i have also seen some really ugly hand drawings. I admire artistic value just as much as the next person, and i see more possibilities for artistic experimentation and innovation by embracing new technologies rather then romanticize old techniques.