Spotlight: Archicad 30, and an IFC 4.3 handoff that is not a waitlist
Graphisoft’s downloads catalog now lists Archicad 30. IFC 4.3 mapping, a native Forma upload, and a Max plan are the parts BIM leads should test.
Last week’s leftover checker was Solibri 26.9. The unused authoring note is Archicad 30. Graphisoft unveiled the 2026 portfolio on 7 October. The downloads catalog now lists 30 FULL, build 3001, for USA, International, UK and Ireland, Japan, Turkey and the other usual locales. Japan and Turkey came back on 12 October after a short pull. IGNITE is today. That is enough to treat it as a product, not a teaser.
Do not write the AI roadmap. AEC Magazine already covered the unveil. MCP is Beta. Nemetschek Creator early access is dated 28 October. The Open Collaboration Platform is still “now in development.” The useful change for mixed shops is how an Archicad model leaves the seat.
What actually changed
Archicad 30 Help extends IFC4x3 import with more of the schema’s infrastructure types, while IFC2x3 and IFC4 stay in the same translators. On the way out, IFC4 or IFC4x3 Type Mapping can send an Archicad Classification to IfcSpatialZone for Zones or Morphs. Those containers then show in IFC Project Manager, so thermal, lighting or construction zones can leave as spatial zones instead of a flattened group. That is the sentence to test on a file your consultants already issue.
The other handoff is Forma. Help says the connection is in the default Archicad install from 29.2.0 on, including 30. You still install the matching app in the Forma hub. Then you sign in, pick a Forma Data Management folder, and upload a 3D model view as a native Data Exchange, a Publisher Set as PDFs, DWGs or IFCs, or both in one pass. Graphisoft’s US plan page lists that connection on Collaborate and Max, not Studio. Do not promise it to a Studio seat.
The rest of the authoring release is documentation. Dark Mode arrives on Windows. Walls get finer Show on Stories controls. The Navigator can hold custom viewpoint folders. Project Info is searchable and regroupable. Labels and dimension witness lines are more flexible. RFA import can pick one Revit family type instead of dragging the whole family in. None of that replaces an exchange standard.
ProKit is the former CI Tools pack, split into Core and Suite, and it is not on every seat. Suite is Collaborate and Max worldwide. Core is regional on Studio and Collaborate, and worldwide on Max. MEP Designer sits on Collaborate and Max and is listed for more than 40 additional markets. Graphisoft still hedges dates, packaging and regional availability. On macOS 27, Graphisoft also warns that 30 can crash at startup. Restarting the Mac usually clears it. Version 29 is not affected.
What a BIM or VDC lead should do
If the firm already authors in Archicad and federates IFC or sits on an Autodesk CDE, this is worth a side-by-side on a copy of a live job. Confirm the downloads catalog still shows 30 for your locale. Install it next to 29. Check Help, About for build 3001. Then run three tests: an IFC4x3 import that uses the newer types; an export of Zones or Morphs mapped to IfcSpatialZone; and, if the seat is Collaborate or Max, one Forma Data Exchange plus one Publisher Set. Keep the same coordinate statement and classification you already use.
Do not move the office library because Dark Mode looks finished. Do not buy Max for MCP or Creator. Count the plan first. A US Studio list is the local-language seat. Collaborate adds cloud Teamwork, MEP Designer, ProKit Suite and Forma. Max adds every language, ProKit Core and Suite, and the higher AI credit pool. If ProKit is the reason you are upgrading, read the country list before you tell a Studio office it is included.
Start at Graphisoft’s What’s new page, the 7 October newsroom note, and Archicad 30 Help.
Frequently asked questions
Is Archicad 30 actually downloadable?
Yes, from Graphisoft Downloads under Products, with a Graphisoft ID, the same gated path as Archicad 29. The catalog lists 30 FULL for the main locales, including Japan and Turkey after those two listings were pulled last week. Graphisoft’s 7 October note still says dates, feature scope, packaging and regional availability may vary.
What should a BIM lead test first?
The IFC and Forma handoffs, not Dark Mode. Import an IFC4x3 file that uses the newer infrastructure types, then export Zones or Morphs mapped to IfcSpatialZone. On a Collaborate or Max seat, send one model view as a Forma Data Exchange and one Publisher Set as PDFs, DWGs or IFCs. Write down what survived.
Does every subscription get ProKit and Forma?
No. ProKit Suite is included with Collaborate and Max worldwide. ProKit Core is regional on Studio and Collaborate, and worldwide on Max. The US plan page lists the Forma Connection on Collaborate and Max only. Confirm the plan and locale before you promise the office a tool that lives on a higher seat.
Should we wait for the AI features?
Treat them as optional. Archicad MCP and AI Assistant are listed as Beta. Nemetschek Creator early access is dated 28 October. The Open Collaboration Platform is still in development. The shipping work is documentation, IFC mapping and the Forma upload.