So AC25... is it worth it?
It's been a few months now since #ArchiCAD25 was released, so I had a bit of time to get familiar with the new goodies brought by the upgraded version. It is safe to assume that not everyone has got the chance to upgrade their AC to the newest version, so this blog post is for my fellow users, still on the previous editions, who consider this #upgrade.
Although #AC25 pulled some new tricks out of the hat, which undeniably improves the #workflow, we, the ol’ humble users managed to overcome some of these missing traits in the past, which makes one wonder - is it time to move on?
While some of these brand new settings and tools, such as the #RealisticSurfaceTextures, the #GraphicOverrideOptions and the #NativeSurveyPoint cannot be surpassed, I thought it might come in handy to highlight some alternatives to the current features, or better put, the hacks that helped me make it through when these long-awaited properties were not implemented yet.
AC25 pulled some new tricks out of the hat, which undeniably improves the workflow.
Hide Selection Command
I must admit it, this is a good one (even #Skketchup had it long time ago), but there are two quick alternatives to this select and hide command (brand new #alt+F4/ #⌥F4). You can either select multiple elements in 2D, show selection in 3D (same F4), deselect the unwanted item and F4 that again, so you end up with the same selection minus the unwanted element/s, or, if selecting and deselecting doesn’t come in too handy, #wireframing the layer of the object you want gone is only 1 click away.
Polygonal Openings
Again, this is an actual improvement when it comes to creating openings throughout the buildings, but old me learned the power of solid element operation for creating custom-shaped #openings - my method: create a #morph or #slab element, assign a high-priority material to it ie custom made 3DSEO top priority, run the #substraction command under #solidelementoperations and move it a hidden layer. Although the end result is the same, the project file can become heavy in the long run, plus, you need to look after the plan views, so the hidden operators are not affecting other elements or popping up in the 2D views.
Amending Layer Combinations Simultaneously
This time-saving option allows for multiple #layerscombinations to have their layers’ status and intersection changed in one go, under the Layers’ view settings (ctrl/cmd+L). In the previous versions, this is still possible, but under the attributes manager only, as in the layers settings you’d have to do it one by one.
While it is true that a creative mind can find productive ways to get the model and drawings right in time when a CAD software doesn't have all the options one needs, this approach can become pointless when the upgrade is there to grab. However, it all comes down to the 3 ifs: IF you use the new features, IF the project you are working on can be safely migrated and IF you are willing to spend on another AC version. There is no right and wrong here, but I personally tend to choose the simplest way, as it turns out to be the most efficient, hence I would say yes, it pays off to upgrade to ArchiCAD 25. Would you agree? Please leave your comments below.
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