Eric, we've been using ArchiCAD for 13 years now, and produce top quality work that successfully competes with much larger firms. I became an architect because I love to draw - buildings. Realizing that the computer was here to stay I purchased Autocad. This terrible, clunky (designed for engineers) program had me depressed in days.
Soon found ArchiCAD and haven't looked back. I now design in 3D like I used to draw on paper and find my designs are more richly complete. Clients are amazed to see their project spinning around on the screen, and at the click of a mouse 3-dimensional sections reveal even more. Your point about knuckling down and doing the modeling rather than drawing in 2D is well-taken.
With an intuitive interface you can expect from a Mac-based program, ArchiCAD definitely has a learning curve. But the possibilities are limitless. And to have such dynamic control over the building is more exciting than ever - I can't wait to get back to work! And clients and investors get excited in the process too, always useful. Cheers.
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Heather Johnston AIA
Principal
Heather Johnston Architect
La Jolla CA
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