Troubleshooting speed issues in Archicad

Issue description

Archicad performance may be affected by project complexity, software settings, computer hardware, graphics drivers, preferences, add-ons, or interfering third-party applications. This article outlines step-by-step instructions to isolate and resolve speed problems.

Solution

Note: Some trial and error may be necessary to narrow down the source of speed issues. Once the following items have been checked, if they do not solve the problem, you will at least have a better idea of where to focus on an investigation.

1. Does the problem happen in a new file?

As a baseline test, to isolate if the problem is specific to one project or if it is a general problem experienced on your computer, open Archicad and go to File > New > New... and create a new file from one of the default templates which ship with Archicad. Model a few basic elements and test to see if you can reproduce similar performance results.

• Pan, Zoom, Orbit and navigate through the models.
• Use Trace and References and 3D Cutting Planes
• Copy and paste the entire model once, twice or 3 times.
• Repeat the Pan, Zoom, Orbit, 3D Cutting Planes, etc.
• Notice if there is any lag or graphic distortions

Obviously, a new file with only a few elements can't be fully compared to a project that has been worked on for many days. However, it still serves as a good baseline to determine whether the issue is related to the file’s content. If the problem only happens with one file or a group of specific files, we can also use this to test whether those same files show similar performance issues on other computers.

2. Is the performance issue in teamwork only?

Sometimes issues only happen in a file when it is in a Teamwork (BIMcloud/BIM Server) format. Please try saving the file as a PLN ( File > Save As... Format: Archicad Solo Project .PLN) and see if the speed issue occurs there as well.

1. Open the Teamwork project
2. Go to File > Save As… Format or Filetype: PLN (ARCHICAD Solo Project)
3. Open the file.
4. Pan, Zoom, Orbit and navigate through the models.
5. Use Trace and References and 3D Cutting Planes
6. Copy and paste large portions of the model once, twice or three times.
7. Repeat the Pan, Zoom, Orbit, 3D Cutting Planes, etc.
8. Notice if there is any lag or graphic distortions

3. File size and content

Sometimes, performance issues are simply due to the amount or quality of data in the project or its linked content. For a summary of common 2D and 3D speed issues caused by the project itself, click here.

4. Work Environment settings

The following Work Environment settings may affect performance in Archicad. Try each of the steps below to see if making the suggested changes improves the issue you are experiencing.

• Go to Options > Work Environment > Advanced Redraw Options and remove the checkmark for both 2D Drawing Antialiasing and for 3D OpenGL Antialiasing.
  STOP and see if the problem is gone. If not go to the next step.
• Go to Options > Work Environment > Advanced Redraw Options and move the 2D Drawing Hardware Acceleration to the opposite of it’s current setting. If it is OFF change to Full or vice versa.
  STOP and see if the problem is gone. If not go to the next step.
• Go to the Options > Work Environment > Data Safety and Integrity menu and set “Saving to Recovery File” to Safe (save every 5 minutes). 
  STOP and see if the problem is gone. If not go to the next step.

These display-related options are outside the Work Environment settings but may still impact performance.

• Go to the View > Elements in 3D View > 3D Cutaway and notice if there is a checkmark next to 3D Cutaway. If so, click it to disable the function.
  STOP and see if the problem is gone. If not go to the next step.
• Go to the View menu and notice if there is a checkmark next to Editing Plane Display. If so, click it to disable the function. 
  STOP and see if the problem is gone. If not go to the next step.

5. Reset Work Environment

If the previous changes didn’t help, try this test:

• Save and export your current custom Work Environment for backup, then apply the Standard Profile xx as explained in the article Store and Export Work Environment.pdf.

• Check if the issue still occurs. If the problem goes away, it’s recommended to start from the Standard Profile xx and rebuild your Work Environment from there.
  Stop and test. If the problem remains, continue to the next step.

6. Preferences cleaning

Try clearing out Archicad preferences. Please refer to this document: https://gsoft.link/prefscleaningwprepsteps

7. Graphics card considerations

Graphics performance can play a major role in how smoothly Archicad runs. Here are platform-specific tips to ensure your system is using compatible and up-to-date graphics drivers:

macOS Users

• Apple provides graphics card drivers through macOS system updates. We recommend installing regular system updates to ensure your drivers stay current. However, we do not recommend upgrading to a brand-new macOS version immediately upon release, as Archicad may not yet be fully compatible.

• Before upgrading your macOS, always check that your current or planned version is supported by your version of Archicad:
  System Requirements

Windows Users

• Check for updated drivers directly from your graphics card manufacturer:
  • NVIDIA: nvidia.com
  • AMD: amd.com
• Both manufacturers offer auto-detection tools to help you find the correct driver.

General Recommendations

• We recommend using the latest stable driver version unless you encounter performance issues.
• If problems persist, try switching to one of the driver versions listed in our tested configurations:
• Graphics Cards for Archicad – Tested Driver List 

Note: Avoid using third-party software bundled with driver installers (such as gaming overlays or performance boosters), as these can occasionally interfere with Archicad’s performance or stability.

8. Contact Technical Support

If none of the above steps resolve the performance issue, our team will be happy to review your project file to help identify the cause. Please provide the following:

1. A step-by-step description of a specific scenario where Archicad is slow.
   • Example: "I open the view Elevation/West Elevation with Trace Reference ON. I select and drag a couple of lines. The feedback during dragging is instant, but after I click to place the elements, the hourglass cursor appears for 6–7 seconds."
   • More information that can be include with your request
2. Your system specifications:
   • macOS:
     1. Click the Apple icon in the top left corner of your screen and select About This Mac.
     2. Click More Info…, then select System Report….
     3. Go to File > Save… and save the report to your desktop.
     4. Attach the saved file to your email to Technical Support.
   • Windows:
     1. Click the Start button and type “dxdiag” in the search field. Select the DxDiag.exe application when it appears.
     2. When the DirectX Diagnostic Tool opens, click Save All Information… and save the file to your desktop.
     3. Attach the saved file to your email to Technical Support.
3. Send a PLA file of your project:
   • Click here to learn how to save your file in the required format.
4. If possible, include a screen recording that demonstrates the issue. It’s especially helpful if you can narrate the steps you’re taking so we can clearly understand the behavior.
   • Click here to learn how to record your screen.