Performance-Boosting Strategies for Archicad Projects

When working on complex BIM projects in Archicad, performance can often become a challenge. From sluggish 2D/3D navigation to large file sizes and delayed loading times, even experienced users can find themselves stuck. Fortunately, there are proven strategies to significantly enhance Archicad performance.

In this blog, we highlight key methods to optimise speed, manage libraries, and reduce file size—helping you work smarter, not harder.

1. Library Management: Clean, Consolidate, Optimise

Poor library management is a common cause of slowdowns in Archicad. Let's break it down:

Embedded Library Overload

The Embedded Library is easy to overload. Once it exceeds 100MB, operations like sending, receiving, and general navigation can slow significantly.

Solutions:

• Delete unnecessary elements from the embedded library.

• Create library container files from frequently used objects and link them as Linked Libraries or upload them to BIMcloud.

• Avoid keeping large textures or old unused objects in the embedded folder.

Missing or Duplicated Objects

Missing or duplicated library parts can lead to longer load times, especially when opening or updating views.

Solutions:

• Use the Library Manager to identify and replace missing objects.

• Consolidate duplicated content—choose one version and eliminate extras.

IFC Libraries

When importing files from external consultants (especially IFC files), Archicad often brings in associated library parts. If not managed, these can clutter your library and impact performance.

Best Practice:

• Import IFCs into a dedicated folder in Library Manager.

• After import, extract a library container and remove form embedded library to streamline the workspace and reduce overhead.

  
  

2. Optimising 2D/3D Performance

Several factors can affect how quickly you can move, zoom, and model in both 2D and 3D environments.

Solid Element Operations (SEOs)

Overuse of SEOs can slow things down dramatically.

Tips:

• Remove unnecessary SEOs and keep Solid Element Operations minimal.

• Avoid selecting large numbers of elements not required in a single or specific SEO action.

Polygon Count

Excessive polygons—especially from detailed trees or imported objects—can bring even powerful machines to a crawl.

Solutions:

• Use Archicad’s Polygon Count Tool to monitor and manage polygon count in your model.

• Replace high-poly objects with lightweight alternatives or use LOD (Level of Detail) wisely and to requirememnts.

• Only use complex objects in views where they’re needed (e.g., renders), controlling visibility using layers.

Far from Project Origin

When elements are placed far from the origin point, calculations become slower due to large coordinate values.

Fixes:

• Use the Survey Point to keep your working area closer to the origin.

• Delete distant, unused elements.

• Hotlink the model in a clean workspace if needed.

Overlapping Fills and Lines

Excessive overlapping fills and linework can seriously affect 2D performance.

Solution:

• Use Linework Consolidation and Fill Consolidation tools.

• Apply these especially after exploding the imported PDF or DWG drawings.

Duplicates

Duplicated elements can go unnoticed and compound performance issues.

What to do:

• Use the Check Duplicates tool.

• Always verify in both 2D and 3D when placing hotlinks or copying elements.

Sun Shadows

Rendering sun shadows in 3D views or layouts causes constant recalculation.

Quick Win:

• Turn off sun shadow casting in viewpoints where it’s not essential.

• Set non-critical views to Manual Rebuild.

3. Reducing File Size: Less is More

Heavy project files can slow everything down—from opening the file to generating PDFs.

Best Practices:

• Keep the Embedded Library size small.

• Avoid using high-resolution textures unless required.

• Limit third-party add-ons that insert large objects or data.

• Minimise the number of Hotlink Modules—only link what’s necessary.

• Periodically clean your file and store only required data.

Bonus Tip: Split Model and Layout Files

As a project evolves, consider separating the Model File (with your building data) from the

Layout File (with drawings and documentation). This can dramatically improve performance—especially for large teams or projects.

Note: Splitting files is not a quick process and should be done with planning, especially if many layouts are already in place.

Need Help Optimising Your Archicad Workflow?

These strategies are just the beginning. For tailored performance reviews, library clean-up, or project optimisation support, reach out to the TotalCAD team.

📧 info@archicad.co.za