ArchiCAD 18 Update-1 package (build 4020) was released today. You can read about all the details and download the hotfix (if your ArchiCAD isn’t set to automatically notify you) here. There are a whole host of updates, from BIMx fixes to speed improvements to some crash fixes. As always this Hotfix applies to ArchiCAD, BIM Server and all other components: BIMx, MEP Modeler and all GRAPHISOFT-distributed Add-Ons and Goodies. Additionally this Hotfix (and all future hotfixes) now also pertain to BIMcloud, for those of you using it as well.

This Hotfix, according to the Mac OS X 10.10 Yosemite page on the Help Center, is also considered the compatibility update for ArchiCAD 18. If you are only using ArchiCAD 18 (and not 17, which is still waiting for its compatibility update), then you should feel comfortable with upgrading to 10.10-caveats below. If you still need ArchiCAD 17 on a regular basis, read the notes on the link above and decide if you are comfortable upgrading or not.

Some interesting fixes are:

• 177358 EDIT: Building Material names were limited to 64 characters.
• 177475 EDIT: Selecting a Favorite with a double click disabled the Tracker on Mac
• 178259 EDIT/SPEED: Placing an object that writes to a text file took a lot longer than in previous versions
• 144452 USER INTERFACE: The last visited view was not highlighted in the View Map upon reopening the project

What I find fascinating about many of the changes (if you spend the time to skim them), is that you’ll often learn something new about ArchiCAD. Did you know that it’s possible for ArchiCAD Objects to write to a text file? I’m sure it takes GDL wizardry, but it’s doable! Also have you ever noticed that the last view visited is highlighted in the View Map when you reopen a project? I’m not sure I did.

As mentioned above, there are some fixes that are related to OS X 10.10 Compatibility. Make sure you align your Mac OS upgrade with this Hotfix release. And if you have some deadlines very soon, you might want to hold off updating both your OS and ArchiCAD. Things should be okay, but one never knows. Best to play it safe. That said, I’ll probably update this weekend, because I’m living on the edge. And have no deadlines this week or next. Just more writing to do.

Remember to update everyone using Teamwork 2 (including the BIM Server and BIMcloud) at the same time. I continue to work on Teamwork 2 projects that I’m not in charge of all the users, so I need to coordinate with my teammates to make sure we align our ArchiCAD upgrade.

For more on ArchiCAD compatibility with the never-ending cycle of new OS, click here.

10/31/2014 Update: Did you notice that this isn’t a Hotfix? It’s an Update. I guess starting with this Update, Graphisoft has changed its terminology. Interesting. Or maybe there is a real difference between a Hotfix and an Update. We’ll see.

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