ArchiCAD is a complete design suite with 2D and 3D drafting, visualization and other building information modeling functions for architects, designers and planners. A wide range of software applications are integrated in ArchiCAD to cover most of the design needs of an architectural office
2D CAD software drawing tools for creating accurate and detailed technical drawings
3D Modeling software 3D CAD interface specially developed for architects capable of creating various kind of building forms
Architectural rendering and Visualization software, high performance rendering tool to produce photo-realistic pictures or videos
Desktop publishing software with similar features to mainstream DTP software to compose printed materials using technical drawings pixel-based images and texts
Document management tool central data storage server with remote access, versioning tool with backup and restore features
Building Information Modeling software not just a collection of the above-mentioned applications with an integrated user interface but a novel approach to building design called BIM
Features
ArchiCAD allows the user to work with data-enhanced parametric objects, often called "smart objects" by users. This differs from the operational style of other CAD programs created in the 1980s. The product allows the user to create a "virtual building" with virtual structural elements like walls, slabs, roofs, doors, windows and furniture. A large variety of pre-designed, customizable objects come with the program.
ArchiCAD allows the user to work with either a 2D or 3D representation on the screen. Two-dimensional drawings can be exported at any time, even though the model in the program's database always stores data in three dimensions. Plans, elevations, and sections are generated from the three-dimensional virtual building model and are constantly updated if the user 'rebuilds' the view. Detail drawings are based on enlarged portions of the model