ArchiCAD 13 Makes Ground-Breaking Leap in BIM File Sharing

New technology in the latest version of the building information modeling (BIM) solution will allow multiple users to work on a building model simultaneously and virtually in real time as well as communicate with one another within the application itself, eliminating common BIM workflow bottlenecks.

Announced on September 1 and shipping in the second half of September, ArchiCAD v13 introduces a client-server-based collaborative environment that has been years in development. The new GRAPHISOFT BIM Server is a major technology leap beyond current file-based team collaboration solutions, Pfemeter says. Optimized to minimize network traffic, it lets users model and collaborate in real time over standard Internet connections. Updates by other users can appear in the model in as little as a few seconds and work can be synchronized even across continents in real time.

ArchiCAD v13's new Teamwork environment provides live visual feedback about element reservation by users. If one user wants access to elements currently in use by another team member, he or she can request access via an instant message sent inside the application, which automatically displays the elements in question for the message recipient. "Any [model access] conflicts can be resolved in a matter of seconds with the exchange of just a few messages," Pfemeter explains.