Instant renovation tracking. Slide the overlay left/right to see exactly what walls were removed or added by the client between survey dates. No more manual redlining. The Verdict: Is it worth the upgrade? If you are on Archicad 27 or earlier, yes, immediately. The Point Cloud snapping and Designer Pattern alone pay for the upgrade within two weeks of renovation work.
One-click free all dimensions. Instead of scrolling through 500 reserved elements, you type "Dim" into the filter, select all, and release them. This is a lifesaver on deadline day. 10. The "Goodie for Draftsmen": PDF Underlay Comparison You can now import two PDF basemaps (e.g., "Existing_2023.pdf" and "Existing_2025.pdf") and use a split-screen slider to visually diff them. goodies for archicad 29
Cross-system searching. You can now filter a schedule by "IfcWall" and "MasterFormat 1010" without double-tagging elements. It exports clean IFC 4.3 with zero duplication errors. 4. Dimension Geometry Method Previously, dimensions only snapped to "hot spots" (nodes, endpoints). In v29, the Dimension tool can now detect and dimension to virtual intersections—even if that intersection doesn't have a node. Instant renovation tracking
Code compliance. Specify "18 risers max" and draw any flight length. Archicad adjusts the going (tread depth) to fit, flagging only if it goes below legal minimum depth. No more manual decimal math. 7. IFC 4.3 Export for Infrastructure While architects focus on buildings, this goodie is for site planners. Archicad 29 exports native IFC 4.3 support for alignment-based elements (roads, rails, bridges). The Verdict: Is it worth the upgrade
Cleaner facade dimensions. Need to dimension the outer edge of a curved curtain wall to the inner edge of a structural column that doesn't physically touch it? One click. Done. 5. Updated Surface Catalog & PBR Materials The built-in library received a massive overhaul with Physically Based Rendering (PBR) materials. Beyond the visual upgrade, the goodie is the "Material Burn" slider .