ArchiCAD is an architectural BIM CAD software for Macintosh and Windows developed by the Hungarian company Graphisoft.

ArchiCAD offers specialized solutions

for handling all common aspects of aesthetics and engineering during the whole design process of the built environment buildings, interiors, urban areas, etc.
Development of ArchiCAD started in 1982 for the original Apple Macintosh. ArchiCAD is recognized as the first CAD product on a personal computer able to create
both 2D drawings and parametric 3D geometry.In its debut in 1987, with Graphisoft's "Virtual Building" concept, ArchiCAD also became the first implementation
of BIM.Today more than 100,000 architects are using it in the building design industry.

ArchiCAD is a complete design suite with 2D and 3D drafting, visualization and other 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 a 3D CAD interface specially developed for architects capable of creating various kind of building forms
Architectural rendering and Visualization software a high performance rendering tool to produce photorealistic 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 a 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
Working with parametric objects
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, with 2D detail added in.
Collaboration and remote access
ArchiCAD released its first file exchange based Teamwork solution in its version 5.1 in 1997 which allowed more architects to work on the same building model simultaneously. A
completely rewritten Teamwork "2.0" solution with a new database approach came out in version 13 in 2009 named Graphisoft BIM Server. Since only the changes and differences
are sent to the central storage this solution allows remote access to the same project over the internet thus allowing worldwide project collaboration and coordination.
APIs and scripting
Third-party vendors and some manufacturers of architectural products have compiled libraries of architectural components for use in ArchiCAD. The program includes Geometric
Description Language (GDL) used to create new components. Also API (Application Programming Interface) and ODBC database connections are supported for third party Add-On
developers. Via direct API links to 4D and 5D software such as Vico Office Suite or Tocoman iLink, the ArchiCAD model can be exported to BIM-based cost estimation and scheduling.
ArchiCAD is also directly linked via API to Solibri's Model checking and quality assurance tools.
Data interchange
ArchiCAD can import and export DWG, DXF and IFC files among others. Graphisoft is an active member of the International Alliance for Interoperability (IAI), an industry organization
that publishes standards for file and data interoperability for architectural CAD.
ArchiCAD can also export the 3D model and its corresponding 2D drawings to BIMx format which can be viewed on a number of desktop and mobile platforms with
native BIMx viewer applications.