Graphisoft, a global leader in BIM software for the architectural industry, today released its much-awaited Archicad 29 BIM platform. The company touts the updated BIM solution as setting a new standard for innovative, integrated design with key new AI technologies and a game-changing product in its new MEP Designer.
Archicad 29
Previewed at AIA25 in Boston earlier this year, MEP Designer is a new and fully integrated MEP solution integral to Archicad itself. It is therefore modular technology available in some versions of Archicad, and enables engineers to create accurate system layouts within a modern BIM environment. Because it is fully integrated with Archicad, MEP Designer is available on both Windows and Mac platforms, marking an expansion of the Mac platform availability for MEP professionals.¹
MEP Designer gives MEP engineers the tools to create detailed 2D and 3D layouts of MEP systems, including sections, schedules, and parts lists. Integral to Archicad, it features the same built-in visualization tools that architects enjoy using Archicad, and features parametric libraries for MEP elements.
Graphisoft releases new Archicad 29 at Graphisoft IGNITE Conference in Budapest this week. All Graphisoft products were updated, and Architosh will report more details in other reports.
“Archicad, together with Graphisoft’s MEP developments, enables faster coordination, consistent data, and reduced rework in a One-Model environment—strengthening both accuracy and efficiency in project delivery,” said Jasper Laguerta, Principal BIM Manager, Surbana Jurong Consultants Pte. Ltd., Singapore.
AI Assistant (BETA)
A pivotal new technology in the history of Archicad is the AI Assistant (BETA). The new AI feature set is fully integrated into Archicad 29, not a side-by-side separate application, and offers intelligent prompts, model queries, and expert guidance. The AI Assistant can help guide users, both new and experienced, through Archicad 29’s features and assist them in keeping projects on track.
Archicad 29 is the centerpiece in our Design Intelligence Strategy, and the backbone of the next generation of AI-enabled workflows and a superior user experience.
To boost Archicad’s reputation as a designer-forward BIM solution, Graphisoft is touting multiple improvements to deliver the industry’s premium design experience in Archicad 29.
Archicad 29 is more than a software update—it’s a bold leap forward in our drive for better buildings,” said Márton Kiss, Chief Product Officer at Graphisoft. “Archicad 29 is the centerpiece in our Design Intelligence Strategy, and the backbone of the next generation of AI-enabled workflows and a superior user experience.”
Key new Productivity features include all of the following:
- Quickly Rotate Elements by 90° instantly with simple shortcuts that speed up your workflow.
- Directly Input Openings in Section/Elevation for precise placement—even on non-parallel elements.
- Kitchen Cabinet Updates offer enhanced flexibility and user-driven improvements.
- Filter and select unused Views for tidier outputs and fewer errors.
- Set Resolution for 3D Views effortlessly and control 3D view DPI for sharp, high-quality outputs every time.
- Dark Mode on macOS offers a tailored visual experience when switching between Dark and Light Mode.
New Documentation features include:
- Renovation Status for Markers offers complete control over what appears in each drawing phase.
- Set Different Arrowheads for line tools at the start and end of lines—mix and match to clarify drawings with ease.
- Schedule Format Improvements enhance schedules with more formatting, color, and display granularity, resulting in custom data visualizations.
And new Collaboration features and tools include:
- Bimplus Connection for collaborative model sharing across disciplines and platforms.
- Native OBJ Import Support easily brings external 3D models into projects.
- Bluebeam Studio Connection simplifies Bluebeam Studio workflows with tight integration—turning annotations into actionable issues in Archicad.
More feature information can be found here.
After exploring the Archicad 29 beta, I’m genuinely thrilled,” said Martin Jan Rosa, Architect and BIM Consultant in Prague. “Archicad 29 tackles the issues I face every day, such as improved 3D output quality and advanced schedule formatting. I particularly appreciate the IFC 4.3 implementation and a genuinely useful AI Assistant. It’s clear that Graphisoft is listening to architects and making our workflows smoother and more efficient.”
AI Tech Expands
The AI Assistant (BETA) is not only embedded in Archicad 29 and MEP Designer, but it is also embedded in DDScad 21. A DDScad 21 user can leverage intelligent text prompts, investigate their design models with smart queries, and gain detailed step-by-step guidance from the artificial intelligence on how to use their software.
And the same applies to MEP Designer and Archicad 29, of which MEP Designer is fully integrated inside (depending on your Archicad license type).
AI Assistant uses data sources that include Graphisoft’s product guides, technical support articles, Community Insights, and Graphisoft Learn courses, so its AI responses should be accurate and up-to-date. Additionally, conforming to Nemetschek Group’s strict privacy data standards, customer data is not used for training the company’s AI agents, ensuring complete user confidentiality.
The new AI Assistant (BETA) is additive to the existing AI Visualizer rendering technology already included in several Nemetschek Group products, including Archicad. AI Visualizer 2.0 in Archicad lets users create images with prompts and adjust the results with further prompts, altering materials, backgrounds, fenestration, and form. Users can also compare results with a before-and-after slider tool, use a brush tool to edit specific areas in the image, and save the final images directly in Archicad.
These are the high-level updates to Archicad in version 29, and Architosh senior associate editor, Pete Evans, AIA, is in attendance at the Graphisoft IGNITE conference this week, where Day 2 of three days is underway. Virtual attendance registration is open to all, and those inside can watch keynotes on demand and live ones tomorrow.
Architosh will report on other news from Budapest, and readers should look forward to Evans’s more detailed feature report in the days to come.
Notes (added after the original publication)
- The MEP Designer toolkit is available in Archicad on both Mac and Windows with the Archicad Collaborate subscription plan.
