Overview
What is Archicad: Archicad is the architectural BIM software developed by Graphisoft. Architects, designers, and engineers use it to design buildings from concept through construction. The platform produces coordinated documentation, parametric building elements, and structured model data with full property sets attached to walls, slabs, columns, and other components.
How to integrate Archicad with Datagrid
The setup starts with the Archicad plugin and ends with model data sync configuration. Authentication review sits between those steps. Complete the sequence so Datagrid can read selected model elements plus quantity and area schedule data from your Archicad model.
Set up the Archicad plugin
Before starting the connection, confirm that the required subscriptions and setup prerequisites are in place.
Active Datagrid and Archicad subscriptions are required.
The Datagrid plugin for Archicad must be installed.
A modern web browser such as Chrome, Safari, Edge, or Firefox is required.
Archicad 25+ requires a valid Graphisoft ID for mandatory online authentication.
Use these steps to create the connection and verify that model data appears in Datagrid.
Install the Datagrid plugin for Archicad.
Open Archicad with the plugin active.
Open integrations settings in Datagrid and add a new Archicad connection.
Sign in to Datagrid when prompted and confirm the connection.
Select the endpoints to sync.
Run the first data pull to verify element data appears in Datagrid.
Confirm authentication requirements
The connection uses network-local access rather than an Archicad credential exchange. The Datagrid plugin manages the connection between localhost and the cloud, so no separate API key or OAuth flow is required on the Archicad side. Datagrid account authentication still happens in Datagrid during setup.
Configure model data sync
The integration syncs nine element types: Beams, Columns, Doors, Lamps, Meshes, Roofs, Slabs, Walls, and Windows. Additional endpoints can be requested through Datagrid's support process.
Why use Archicad with Datagrid
Archicad model data becomes more useful when project teams can generate reports from model changes and route quantities into connected workflows without manual schedule exports.
Automated quantity tracking: Datagrid aggregates element counts and material quantities on a set cadence, so AI agents detect changes without manual schedule exports.
Snapshot comparison: Agents compare the current model state against previous snapshots and identify quantity changes by building zone.
Narrative progress reports: Agents synthesize written summaries of design progress from raw model data. They turn element deltas into readable updates for project teams.
Cross-system reporting: Datagrid connects Archicad model data with other project systems, so agents cross-reference quantities against cost or schedule data in one workflow.
Plugin-based architecture: The integration uses Datagrid's plugin bridge, which sidesteps the deprecated Graphisoft Python API path for automated workflows.
What you can build with Archicad Datagrid integration
With Archicad model data flowing into Datagrid, AI agents can turn element-level changes into reporting and QA outputs that feed downstream workflow updates.
Design progress reporting: Agents pull element counts and area schedules at each interval, compare them to the last snapshot, and write a summary of what changed by building zone.
Automated quantity takeoff: Agents extract element quantities by type from the synced model data and cross-reference them against cost data in connected systems.
Model QA reporting: Agents run completeness checks against synced element properties, flag missing parameters or counts that fall outside expected ranges, and deliver a structured QA report to the project team.
Cross-platform BIM data sync: Datagrid monitors Archicad model data for updates and routes changed quantities to downstream systems like cost management or scheduling. Project teams use the delta report for version reconciliation.
Resources and documentation
Graphisoft developer portal provides registration, DevKit downloads, and API docs.
Archicad IFC export reference explains attribute-to-IFC entity mappings and property export.
Frequently asked questions
What authentication does the Archicad integration use?
Datagrid account authentication happens in Datagrid during setup. The plugin handles the Archicad-side bridge, so no separate API key or OAuth flow is required on the Archicad side.
Which Archicad data objects sync to Datagrid?
The integration syncs the nine element types selected in the model data sync configuration. Additional endpoints can be requested through Datagrid's support process.
What can Datagrid agents do with the synced model data?
Agents aggregate element counts with area schedule and material quantity data on a defined cadence. They compare model snapshots, identify quantity changes by building zone, and write narrative summaries of design progress.
Similar integrations
Navisworks: Commonly used for multi-model clash detection and coordination. It ingests Archicad IFC exports into construction coordination workflows.
BIM Track: Automates BIM coordination issue tracking and cross-platform syncing. It complements Archicad's model QA and issue resolution workflows.
Autodesk Construction Cloud (ACC): Handles project data exchange and RFI/submittal workflows across platforms, useful when Archicad models must integrate with Revit-centric teams.
Procore: Syncs project documents, RFIs, and budgets with Archicad-derived quantities for centralized construction management and reporting.
Trimble Connect: Coordinates BIM collaboration, file classification, and structured data exchange so Archicad teams can share and manage model files.
Revizto: Automates BIM issue routing, clash visualization, and coordination workflows. It bridges Archicad model insights to field and coordination teams.