Add-Ons are specific products with which you can extend the functionality of the standard ARCHICAD software package. Below you can find Add-Ons for ARCHICAD created by GRAPHISOFT and third-party developers.

Add-Ons by GRAPHISOFT

Goodies

Goodies are free Add-Ons developed by GRAPHISOFT to complete ARCHICAD with specific abilities and features, such as 3D Studio In, Interior Wizard, Mesh to Roof Tool.

Download Goodies for ARCHICAD

ARCHICAD Goodies are language specific. Please select your ARCHICAD language version to continue to the download page.

Rhino – Grasshopper – ARCHICAD Toolset

Designers have various options to connect ARCHICAD’s professional BIM work environment with the modeling power of Rhino and Grasshopper.

Rhinoceros and Grasshopper – developed by Robert McNeel & Associates – are considered market leaders in industrial design modeling and algorithmic design.
Now, designers have various options to connect ARCHICAD’s professional BIM work environment with the modeling power of Rhino and Grasshopper.More about Rhino – Grasshopper – ARCHICAD Toolset

Prerequisites

Before installing any connections, make sure that ARCHICAD, Rhinoceros3D and Grasshopper is installed on your computer. Get the latest ARCHICAD
Get Rhino & Grasshopper

Table of Contents

Grasshopper – ARCHICAD Live Connection
Rhinoceros Import/Export Add-ons
Rhinoceros – GDL Converter

Grasshopper – ARCHICAD Live Connection

Important Notes:

• The v23 of Grasshopper – ARCHICAD Live Connection supports Rhino 5 and Rhino 6 on both platforms (Win & macOS).
• On Windows both v21,v22 of Grasshopper – ARCHICAD Live Connection supports Rhino6.
• On macOS both v21 and v22 of Grasshopper – ARCHICAD Live Connection supports Rhino5. They don’t support Rhino6 WIP.
• Grasshopper – ARCHICAD Live Connection is not compatible with ARCHICAD STAR(T) Edition.

Rhinoceros Import/Export Add-ons

Important Notes:
Rhino 6 format is not supported in the built in Rhinoceros Import/Export function in ARCHICAD 22.

From ARCHICAD 20 on these Add-Ons are part of the ARCHICAD package. In ARCHICAD 19 and 18 install these free Add-ons to enable ARCHICAD to import and export models using Rhino’s native (.3dm) file format.

Import Rhino Model to ARCHICAD

Rhino Importer Add-on enables ARCHICAD users on both the Mac and Windows platforms to pass on the model or part of the model produced in Rhino to ARCHICAD. This Add-on, available for ARCHICAD 18 and 19, enables you to open or merge native Rhino (*.3dm) files directly in ARCHICAD.

Export ARCHICAD Model to Rhino

Rhino Exporter Add-on enables ARCHICAD users on both the Mac and Windows platforms to pass on the model or part of the model produced in ARHICAD to Rhino. This Add-on, available for ARCHICAD 18 and 19, enables you to save the ARCHICAD 3D model as a Rhino file (*.3DM).

Rhinoceros – GDL Converter

Install these free plug-ins to convert Rhino models to native ARCHICAD GDL elements – standalone objects (.gsm) or library containers (.lcf).

Please watch this video to find out more about how to install the necessary plug-ins, and how to import a model created in Rhinoceros into ARCHICAD as native GSM objects. The video first presents the “Single Object Import” workflow using.gsm files and then the “Complex Structure Import” using .lcf files.

Steps to import Rhinoceros models to ARCHICAD

Download and install plug-in for Rhino

Download and launch this “GSM-LCF exporter for Rhino 5” Rhino plug-in to be able to save/export Rhino models.

 GSM-LCF exporter for Rhino 5

Choose import method

Depending on the size of the Rhino model, choose one of these two import methods:

Single Object Import to ARCHICAD

Use this workflow to import small-sized single objects or groups of small objects saved in GSM format to ARCHICAD.

Save Rhino model as GSM file

In Rhino, select the model or its parts you want to export and save them as GSM Object File using the “GSM-LCF Exporter for Rhino 5” plug-in. Go to File/Save or File/Export Selected and in the upcoming dialog choose the “ARCHICAD GDL Object” file type (extension .gsm).

Place the object in ARCHICAD

In ARCHICAD, add the object to the Embedded Library, then place it into the ARCHICAD project as an Object.

Complex Structure Import into ARCHICAD

Use this workflow for larger and complex Rhino models to convert them into a set of (smaller) GDL objects. This process enables the user to retain separate logical parts within the same model while providing a functionality to monitor and easily update the imported Rhino models in ARCHICAD. The LCF option is also advised to enable ARCHICAD’s performance optimization algorithm to work seamlessly on an imported large Rhino model.

Save Rhino model as LCF file

In Rhino, select the object(s) you want to export as a reference model to ARCHICAD. Go to File/Save or File/Export Selected and save them as LCF Container File using the “GSM-LCF Exporter for Rhino 5” plug-in. In the upcoming dialog choose the “ARCHICAD GDL Object Library” file type (extension .lcf).

Download and install the “Rhino LCF Observer” Add-On for ARCHICAD

 Rhino LCF Observer 20 for Windows  Rhino LCF Observer 20 for Mac OS X

 Rhino LCF Observer 19 for Windows  Rhino LCF Observer 19 for Mac OS X

 Rhino LCF Observer 18 for Windows  Rhino LCF Observer 18 for Mac OS X

Place LCF model in ARCHICAD

In ARCHICAD, add the LCF file as a Linked Library in Library Manager, then place it into the ARCHICAD project as an Object. Using the “Rhino LCF Observer” Add-On you can place all objects from the LCF files, and/or to update any placed instances as needed.

Guides for Rhinoceros-GDL Converter

Download the Rhinoceros-GDL Converter Guide for ARCHICAD 20

Download the Rhinoceros-GDL Converter Guide for ARCHICAD 19

Download the Rhinoceros-GDL Converter Guide for ARCHICAD 18

IFC-based Interoperability

GRAPHISOFT supports the IFC (Industry Foundation Classes) standard, which enables ARCHICAD to communicate with other disciplines within the context of the building model, and to coordinate a building project entirely in 3D.

Generally about IFC-based Interoperability

ARCHICAD Connection plugin for Autodesk Revit applications

IFC reference guide, hotfixes

Downloads for COBie

Solibri Connection

The ARCHICAD-Solibri Connection Add-On provides fast and automated code- and constructability checking. The updated Add-On automatically detects and sends only those elements that are changed in the ARCHICAD model, resulting in faster round-trip collaboration. BCF-based issue reporting was introduced to this workflow, enabling designers to assign the detected issues or solve them later on.

The ARCHICAD-Solibri connection add-on provides fast and automated code- and constructability checking. The updated add-on automatically detects and sends only those elements that are changed in the ARCHICAD model, resulting in faster round-trip collaboration. BCF-based issue reporting was introduced to this workflow, enabling designers to assign the detected issues or solve them later on. This add-on allows fast BIM updates and the use of Solibri while working in a real time design scenario. No longer do you need to save files and upload back and forth between programs. Simply design, check and amend as necessary.Find more info on Solibri here.

Installation of Solibri Connection Add-On for ARCHICAD:

Before installing the Add-on, make sure that ARCHICAD 23 is installed on your computer.
Please be aware that Solibri 9.10.3.5 or newer is required.
When installing Solibri Connection Add-on, you must be logged on as a member of the Administrator Group.

Locate the desired OS version in the list below and download the installer.

Technology Preview features provide early access to upcoming product innovations, enabling users to test functionality and provide feedback during the development process.Technology Preview features are not fully supported, may not be functionally complete, and are not suitable for deployment in production.We are considering the future iterations of technology preview, and will attempt to resolve any issues that customers experience when using these features.
End users can reach support by email at SolibriConnection@graphisoft.com to raise questions and provide feedback.

Launch the Setup Wizard:

• On Windows: Double-click on the .exe file to launch the Setup Wizard.
• On MacOS: Double-click on the installer file to launch the Setup Wizard.

After installing, the Add-on will be placed in the following folder:

• On Windows: Program Files\GRAPHISOFT\ARCHICAD 23\Add-Ons\Solibri Connection
• On MacOS: Applications/GRAPHISOFT/ARCHICAD 23/Add-Ons/Extras

Notes on Uninstalling:

Windows:
Navigate to Program Files\GRAPHISOFT\ARCHICAD 23\Uninstall.SB and click on Uninstall.

MacOS:
Navigate to Applications/GRAPHISOFT/ARCHICAD 23/Uninstall.SB and click on Uninstall.

MEP Modeler

The GRAPHISOFT MEP Modeler™ is an Add-On to ARCHICAD®. Firms using ARCHICAD can use the MEP Modeler to create and edit 3D model-based MEP networks (ductwork, pipework and cabling) and coordinate them within the ARCHICAD Virtual Building. The MEP Modeler uses a familiar interface and tools integrated right in the ARCHICAD environment.

Download MEP Modeler for ARCHICAD

Cinema 4D

Sending the whole ARCHICAD project to Cinema 4D, users can take the advantage of its animation and rendering capabilities to create animation or professional images.

About Cinema 4D

Cinema 4D Exchange Add-On Downloads for ARCHICAD 23

The CINEMA 4D product family has everything to satisfy your professional 3D modeling, texturing, animating and rendering needs. CINEMA 4D is a robust, professional, easy to use 3D Animation software that offers customizable configuration suitable for any industry and all skill levels.

Note: For architectural visualization, CineRender, the built-in rendering engine of ARCHICAD, provides most of the rendering capabilities of the CINEMA 4D R20 version. For professional purposes and to further exploit the texture mapping, rendering and animating capabilities of CINEMA 4D, please use the built-in export command in ARCHICAD. The export feature lets you precisely export the ARCHICAD model, together with the surface- and the rendering settings, into CINEMA 4D with one click. You can learn more about the Add-On on HelpCenter.

Installation of Cinema 4D Exchange Add-On for ARCHICAD 23

Locate the desired language and OS version in the list below and download the installer. Further language versions are uploaded continually.

Important: When installing Cinema 4D Add-On, you must be logged on as a member of the Administrator Group.

Windows:
Double-click the downloaded executable file, which will open the unpacker application. Specify a temporary location for the installer files, then click Extract. After files are extracted, the installer wizard will automatically start and guide you through the rest of the installation.

macOS:
Double-click on the downloaded image file to be automatically mounted by the system. Then double-click on the Cinema 4D Add-On Installer application in the mounted volume’s root directory. The installer wizard will automatically start and guide you through the rest of the installation.

User Guide:
After installing CINEMA 4D add-on properly, you can find an electronic version of the CINEMA 4D add-on User Guide in the ARCHICAD/Documentation folder.

Notes on Uninstalling:

Windows:
Go to the Windows “Control Panel” and select “Programs and Features” to remove all Cinema 4D Add-On components from your computer. You can also browse to your ARCHICAD 23 folder and execute the uninstaller in the Uninstall.C4D subfolder.

macOS:
Browse to your ARCHICAD 23 folder and execute the uninstaller in the Uninstall.C4D subfolder. This will start the uninstaller, which will remove all Cinema 4D components from your computer.

Limitations

Limitations at importing CINEMA 4D models into ARCHICAD by loading, merging c4d type files and by freeform modeling:

• During the import process only the material and geometry data is being converted.
• CINEMA 4D offers much more material setting possibilities than ARCHICAD does. There are a large number of parameters for setting the materials’ visual behavior when affected by direct or indirect light or like glowing, transparency, etc. Some of these parameters have according material settings with exactly the same functionality in ARCHICAD, some others can be converted, but there are some that cannot be interpreted by the rendering engine of ARCHICAD, these are simply ignored.
• CINEMA 4D also offers textures that are based on singular algorithms that are computed during rendering. These cannot be converted, while these algorithms are not implemented in ARCHICAD. The only textures one can convert are the bitmaps loaded from image files (jpg/png/bmp). While in CINEMA 4D textures can be applied to many kinds of settings (like luminance, transparency), ARCHICAD use textures only for determining object colors, so even the bitmap textures are ignored during the conversion when applied to non color material properties.
• Beside the default material model structure there is the possibility in CINEMA 4D to create materials based on different lighting model. In these cases parameters and parameter categories are used that are not known by the converter, so these settings are ignored, and if there is not any parameter among the material’s settings that could be converted, the whole material conversion is skipped, and no material is assigned to the converted object in ARCHICAD. One should use the default material model for creating materials for conversion.
• There are differences in the texture projection algorithms of ARCHICAD and CINEMA 4D, and CINEMA 4D also offers more projection methods than ARCHICAD. Those projections for that it is possible will be converted into the corresponding projections in ARCHICAD, in other cases UV mappings are computed from the projections, and these mappings are used in ARCHICAD. As UV mapping cannot be used for solid models in ARCHICAD, one should use convertible projections for objects that should take part in solid operations, and for the other situations, one should set the resulted GDL objects’ model behavior parameter to ‘Preserve textures’.

Limitations at exporting ARCHICAD models to CINEMA 4D by saving 3D view and freeform modeling:

• During the export process only the 3D geometry data, materials, lights and the 3D view are being converted.
• When using the ‘by Class’ option for element grouping in the CINEMA 4D Settings of the Add-on, all texture projections are converted during the export, but because of the differences in texture projections algorithms of the two programs, some projections in CINEMA 4D do not get displayed the same as in ARCHICAD. To avoid this situation, the UV mapping information should be used, which is also exported. When using the ‘by Material’ option, only the UV data is being exported, because of the object hierarchy, so this option is recommended to be used only for quick rendering tasks.
• When using the ‘by Class’ option for element grouping in the CINEMA 4D Settings of the Add-on, Openings won’t be exported into separate groups, although holes will appear on walls/slabs in Cinema4D.

Earlier Cinema 4D add-on versions

• Cinema 4D add-on downloads for ARCHICAD 22
• Cinema 4D add-on downloads for ARCHICAD 21
• Cinema 4D add-on downloads for ARCHICAD 20
• Cinema 4D add-on downloads for ARCHICAD 19
• Cinema 4D add-on downloads for ARCHICAD 18
• Cinema 4D add-on downloads for ARCHICAD 17
• Cinema 4D add-on downloads for ARCHICAD 16
• Cinema 4D add-on downloads for ARCHICAD 15
• Cinema 4D add-on downloads for ARCHICAD 14
• Cinema 4D add-on downloads for ARCHICAD 13
• Earlier Cinema 4D add-on installer files are available for download here.

Bluebeam Connection

ARCHICAD’s Bluebeam Connection palette provides direct access to those features that are the most commonly used during the PDF review processes.

Bluebeam, Inc.’s innovative technology solutions set the standard for collaboration and workflow efficiency for architecture, engineering and construction professionals worldwide. ARCHICAD’s Bluebeam Connection palette provides direct access to those features that are the most commonly used during the review processes. Thanks to the bi-directional connection, all mark-ups created in Bluebeam Revu will be imported as native ARCHICAD Markup entries, and will appear in the correct location on the design layouts, without the need for any manual interaction. You can learn more about Bluebeam Connection on HelpCenter.

Installation of Bluebeam Connection for ARCHICAD

Locate the desired OS version in the list below and download the installer.

Note: The Bluebeam Connection Add-on for ARCHICAD 21 requires ARCHICAD 21 Update 5021 or newer.

Important: When installing Bluebeam Connection Add-on, you must be logged on as a member of the Administrator Group.

Windows:
Double-click the downloaded executable file, which will open the unpacker application.Optionally, specify a temporary location for the installer files, then click Extract. After files are extracted, the installer wizard will automatically start and guide you through the rest of the installation.

Mac OS X:
Double-click on the downloaded file to be automatically mounted by the system. Then double-click on the Bluebeam Add-On Installer application. The installer wizard will automatically start and guide you through the rest of the installation.

Notes on Uninstalling:

Windows:
Go to the Windows “Control Panel” and select “Programs and Features” to remove all Bluebeam Connection components from your computer. You can also browse to your ARCHICAD folder and execute the uninstaller in the Uninstall.BB subfolder.

Mac OS X:
Browse to your ARCHICAD folder and execute the uninstaller in the Uninstall.BB subfolder. This will start the uninstaller, which will remove all Bluebeam Connection components from your computer.

Google Earth Connection

The Google Earth Connection Add-On provides compability with Google Earth, Trimble SketchUp and Google 3D Warehouse. Starting from ARCHICAD 17 this Add-On is part of the standard ARCHICAD package.

Generally about Google Earth Connection

Google Earth Connections Downloads

Google Earth Connections Overview

Google Earth Connections FAQ

ARCHICAD 16 is the last release of ARCHICAD to support Windows XP and any 32-bit operating system. ARCHICAD 17 is 64-bit only, and supports only 64-bit Operating Systems, including Windows 7 and Windows 8: Discontinued32BitSupport

Some features of the Google Earth Connections Add-On are 32-bit only, therefore these functionalities are not available in the 64-bit version of ARCHICAD. All other functions of the Google Earth Connections Add-on are available on 64-bit, and will be integrated in the next version of ARCHICAD. For more information please visit: Help Center

Google Earth Connections for ARCHICAD 16

The Google Connections Add-on enables integration between ARCHICAD, Google Earth, Google 3D Warehouse and SketchUp through .kmz and .skp file formats.

Archive Google Earth Connections Downloads

Add-Ons by Partners

Add-Ons by GRAPHISOFTAdd-Ons by Partners

Artlantis

The Artlantis export plug-in is installed by default in ARCHICAD. The plug-in offers you the possibility to update your second Artlantis file and take over the settings from the first one in case you need to change anything in the ARCHICAD model.

About Artlantis

Artlantis Interoperability with ARCHICAD

ARCHICAD exports the model in Artlantis file format through its dedicated plug-ins. You can transfer the geometry, textures, perspective cameras, the sun, lights and layers.
The Artlantis export plug-in is installed by default in ARCHICAD.

Export plug-in updates available for download

Generally, the Artlantis export plug-ins are installed by default.

Starting with ARCHICAD 20, new versions of the updated plug-ins are installed with the relevant ARCHICAD updates. For earlier versions, the updated plug-ins are available for download and need to be installed separately. The following add-ons support and automatically recognize English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Russian, Japanese and Greek operating systems. If you install it on any other language system, it will run in English. The installer runs in English on every operating system, independently of the regional and language settings.

Supported language versions: INT, FRA, GER, ITA, SPA, RUS, JPN

How does the export plug-in work?

Download a description about the export process here.

Install instructions for previous versions

Place the downloaded .apx and dll files to the corresponding locations in the ARCHICAD folder described below:

• Place the ArtlantisRender-Studio_6(5)_Out.apx file to the GRAPHISOFT/ARCHICAD/Add-Ons/Import-Export folder.
• Only on Windows: place the CAtl6(5)_64.dll file to the GRAPHISOFT/ARCHICAD root folder

Further Artlantis Downloads on artlantis.com

BIMcollab® BCF Manager – Complete Issue Management Ecosystem

The BCF Managers add BIMcollab connectivity as well as BCF file support to ARCHICAD. It provides the ability to create and modify issues and communicate these through BIMcollab or via BCF files (supports version 1.0 and 2.x) directly from within ARCHICAD. All features of BIMcollab are supported from the BCF Managers, like private issues, notifications and approval-workflow. Improve the reliability of your issue management and bridge the gap between BIM tools in every construction project.

Read more about the BCF Managers

BCF Managers 5 for ARCHICAD

build 5.2.390 (Mac OS X)
build 5.2.390 (Win)

Read more about BIMcollab

BIMobject® App for ARCHICAD

The BIMobject® App allows you, as an ARCHICAD user to browse and download manufacturer specific content from the BIMobject.com cloud directly into any ARCHICAD 15, 16 or 17 project.

About the BIMobject® Add-on for ARCHICAD

archifm.net – ARCHICAD’s BIM Facility Management Module

Built on the traditions of ArchiFM the new archifm.net BIM FM system provides comprehensive CAFM functionality utilizing ARCHICAD’s BIM model. Archifm.net uses all FM related data from the BIM model including MEP and also supports ARCHICAD’s COBIe compliant models even for building maintenance.

Read more about archifm.net

Download archifm.net ArchiCAD Integration Module

The archifm.net extension modules – like the ArchiCAD Integration Module – are available for download from our downloads website:

http://downloads.vintocon.com/

Please first choose the required product, the operating system, language and then click the Download button at the bottom of the page to get the required module you are looking for.

Solibri Model Checker link for ARCHICAD

This add-on directly integrates Solibri Model Checker and ARCHICAD. The building model is transferred from ARCHICAD to Solibri Model Checker with only one click. The exported models can be checked against several requirements in Solibri Model Checker. During analysis Solibri Model Checker automatically assigns severity classification to all design issues found. The identified design problems are directly sent back to ARCHICAD for clarification and fixing. The work flow is smooth, easy and productive.

Download the Solibri Model Checker (SMC) brochure to learn more about the SMC-ARCHICAD link.
Download the SMC-ARCHICAD link.

Partner solutions

Add-Ons and applications published by independent developers that work with ARCHICAD. Including ArchiFM, Tekla BIMsight, Solibri Model Checker, Cigraph Tools, Cadimage Tools and e-SPECS.

Read more about partner solutions