Architosh Staff ([email protected])

29 Oct 2002

 

Reader Q: The relative strengths of ArchiCAD, VW, and BOA

Architosh publishes reader questions of a nature pertinent to the larger Macintosh CAD/3D/AEC audience. If you have a question send it in. We usually get superb answers sent in by users and developers...helping people stay on the Mac and make the best of that decision.

Q: Tim wrote to us about [the] relative strengths between various CAD packages for the Mac. He writes:

I'm trying to get a handle on [the] ArchiCAD-Vectorworks-BOA thing, how they relate to each other and their relative strengths and weaknesses. All the people I talk to here are resellers for one or the other, and so obviously have their own agenda.

I also need to get an idea of how ArchiCAD stacks up against Microstation. Can it do the same job, basically?

A: This is a sticky question to answer. Inevitably any short answer striving to answer the "relative strengths" of any of these three CAD packages is going to step on somebody's toes. But here goes some key generalizations.

ArchiCAD's relative strength is that it is one of the oldest model-based (virtual building) architectural CAD programs, and as such is extremely mature and developed relative to others that strive to serve the same niche. We recently just saw ArchiCAD 8 and were quite impressed with how this program has matured over the years. To be fair, ArchiCAD cannot be truly compared to either VectorWorks or BOA -- as it is in a very different price bracket -- though BOA is a more appropriate comparison. VectorWorks' is a general CAD program that is both 2D and 3D focused, but not model-based per se. VectorWorks is popular with architects, and today the company offers an industry series add on called VectorWorks ARCHITECT. Compared to ArchiCAD, VectorWorks ARCHITECT is very affordable at one third the cost but it is not a model-based CAD system like ArchiCAD.

BOA is model-based like ArchiCAD and comes from the same code base as the legendary Architrion. Why 'legendary' you ask? Architrion was widely regarded for its model-based integration and innovative 3D navigation abilities way back in the 80's...but it is no more, thus the legend of Architrion. In any case, BOA is a promising virtual-building based CAD program singularly focused on the AEC world like ArchiCAD, but at less than one third the price.

Price is a key consideration and may actually be your starting point for evaluating your CAD options. If it turns out that price is not key, then in evaluating these three particular CAD choices, the next question may revolve around the idea of going with a true model-based CAD system versus a 2D/3D hybrid (non virtual-building) system. There should be serious thought given to that decision. At that point you will either be down to two or one choice.

We think all three are pretty special and offer something different. As for the Microstation to ArchiCAD comparison? I'm going to open that one up to the Architosh readership. What do you guys think? Write in.

Q:

I know (I think) that Microstation stores the building data on a central server and the designers then pull out the relevant data in plans, sections, quants, etc. Do you know if ArchiCAD uses this same model? I know that it uses a VBS model, but is the VBS stored centrally, or does each architect have the VBS on their machines?

Lack of Microstation availability is the major reason over here why Architects switch from the Mac -- usually against their will.

Also, BOA is an unknown quantity over here, so this may be a good chance to raise its profile. Is it done by the old Architrion team? OS X support?

Many thanks again, Tim.

A: We are not sure how similar ArchiCAD is to Microstation anymore since we stopped tracking Microstation when they dumped the Mac years ago. And it is a shame that architects are dumping the Mac today over Microstation. The general reason we've heard is that firms chose Microstation because they want an "enterprise level" CAD system. We think ArchiCAD is enterprise worthy and know of many large firms doing very large work on ArchiCAD...clearly enterprise scale work. If one checks the ArchiCAD website (www.graphisoft.com) you can learn more about the types of firms using it and the size of their projects.

As for BOA not being known outside the US? We are not surprised given the fact that BOA is relatively new to the market.

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