ArchiCAD 29.2.1 — Mac build

The Rotate command in ArchiCAD 28 had an input problem — values typed in were interpreted wrong. The 29.2.1 update fixes that, along with a crash when scrolling through Attributes and a Teamwork sync slowdown on BIMcloud SaaS. If you are evaluating the Mac version, these are the questions that usually come up first.

Building design with virtual building technology

• Building design with Virtual Building technology — the model holds the data, not the drawings.
• Creating, searching, uploading, and downloading BIM components straight from the object dialog.
• Exchanging components with a web portal integrated into the app.
• Coordinating with consultants and specialists in other fields through shared model data.
• Development work — an API site exists for Archicad scripting and extensions.

Requires macOS 14 and runs on both Intel and Apple Silicon

• Requires macOS 14 or later. Runs on both Intel and Apple Silicon.
• Interface languages are Russian and English.
• The update cannot be installed without the main version.
• Migrated projects sometimes carried shifted dimension values — the update addresses that too.

Check the Rotate command for input issues from version 28.x

Once ArchiCAD 29.2.1 is up, open an existing project or start a new one using the default template. Go straight to the Rotate command and enter a few values — this was the input issue in the 28.x branch, and the fix is the main reason for this release. Confirm the angles match what you typed. Then open the Attributes panel and scroll through the list. If the crash happened before, it should not now. The fix is narrow, so if you see no crash, you are fine.

Next, test the Teamwork flow if you use BIMcloud SaaS. Run a Send and Receive cycle on a small project first. The update addresses the inconsistent sync times. If you are on a private BIMcloud server, the fix does not apply — the issue was specific to the SaaS offering. A few minutes spent on this early saves confusion later.

Scenario: a sole practitioner switching from an older version

An architect working alone from a home office had been on ArchiCAD 22 for years. The move to 29.2.1 brought the newer interface and the BIMcloud SaaS option, but the immediate work was a two-storey house with a simple roof. The first task was adjusting a rotated wall segment. In version 22 the Rotate command worked fine, so the architect expected the same precision. Typing "45" in the Rotate field produced a slight offset — that was the old bug. After installing 29.2.1, the same input rotated the wall exactly 45 degrees. No extra clicks, no workarounds. The Attributes crash never appeared because the project was small, but the architect noticed the zone wall surface area recalculation after a geometry change. The fix for incorrect zone stamp values saved a manual check that would have taken fifteen minutes per floor.

For someone working alone, the main benefit is not needing to second-guess the input fields. The architect kept the BIMcloud SaaS sync for backup only, so the Teamwork fix did not matter directly. But the project export to a structural engineer — who uses a different BIM tool — went through without shifted dimensions, a problem that plagued earlier migrated projects. The architect saved a round of redlined PDFs.

How ArchiCAD fits with other macOS tools and workflows

ArchiCAD 29.2.1 runs alongside the usual macOS productivity apps without conflict — no surprise for a professional BIM application. The web portal for BIM components opens in the default browser, so whether you use Safari, Firefox or Chrome, the workflow for uploading and downloading objects is the same. Screenshots and PDFs generated from the model use the macOS system fonts and printer drivers, so output matches what you see in Preview or Acrobat.

For teams that also use Slack, Teams or email for project communication, the Share dialog fix matters. The update corrected a bug where ArchiCAD could pick the wrong host server for the current folder. That meant outgoing links pointed to a server the recipient could not access. After 29.2.1, the dialog selects the correct server, so shared links work the first time. No extra IT support ticket.

If you use macOS virtual desktops or Spaces, ArchiCAD behaves well — it does not force its own window management. The application window can be moved to a separate desktop if you prefer a clean view while working in other apps. The installer follows standard macOS conventions, so uninstalling, if needed, leaves no orphaned files beyond the application folder.

Skipping the main version before applying the update

A common one is skipping the main version before applying the update. The installer for 29.2.1 requires the full ArchiCAD 29 base install. Trying to run the update alone produces an error message. Users coming from Windows sometimes expect a self-contained installer — on macOS, the update is a delta package. Check that the base version is present before downloading the update.

Another mistake is assuming that the Teamwork fix applies to all BIMcloud setups. The release notes specify BIMcloud SaaS. If your office runs a private BIMcloud server, the sync time issue was never present, or at least not addressed here. Do not waste time testing it.

New users also open the Rotate command, type a value, and assume it works if the field accepts the input. In the previous version, the accepted value produced a wrong rotation. After 29.2.1, the input is interpreted correctly, but it is worth double-checking for the first few projects. The same applies to zone wall surface areas — after a geometry change, the Zone Stamp and schedule values update correctly now, but verify against manual calculation until you trust the fix.

Finally, beginners sometimes ignore the language selection. ArchiCAD 29.2.1 ships in Russian and English. If the interface appears in a language you do not read, open the Graphisoft Downloads portal and select the correct version, architecture, and language. Registration is only needed for the first download of the main version — updates do not require it.

Compatible with Apple Silicon on macOS 14 or newer

Can I use ArchiCAD 29 on a Mac with Apple Silicon?
Yes. The compatibility list includes both ARM (Apple Silicon) and x86 (Intel) architectures on macOS 14 or newer. The installer detects your architecture and applies the correct version.

Does the update fix all the bugs from version 28?
No. Version 29.2.1 is a hotfix that addresses specific issues: the Rotate command input, the Teamwork Send and Receive slowdown on BIMcloud SaaS, the crash when scrolling Attributes, incorrect zone wall surface area values after geometry changes, shifted dimensions in migrated projects, and the Share dialog host server selection. Other bugs from earlier versions remain unless they were fixed in previous updates.

Do I need to uninstall the old version first?
No. Install the main ArchiCAD 29 version, then apply the 29.2.1 update on top. The installer handles the upgrade without removing previous settings or libraries.

Can I keep using the 28.x version alongside 29?
ArchiCAD versions do not conflict on the same machine if installed to different folders. However, project files saved in 29 are not backward-compatible with 28. Test a copy of your project first if you need to revert.

Is the BIMcloud SaaS fix relevant if I only save locally?
No. The Teamwork fix only affects projects synced through BIMcloud SaaS. Local file saves are unaffected. If you never use Teamwork, you can ignore that part of the changelog.

How do I verify the update installed correctly?
Open the About ArchiCAD dialog from the application menu. The version number should read 29.2.1. Then test the Rotate command and the Attributes panel as described above.

• Fixes a remaining input issue in the Rotate command.
• Improves Teamwork Send and Receive timing on BIMcloud SaaS.
• Fixes a crash when scrolling through Attributes.
• Corrects migrated projects with shifted dimension values.
• Fixes a Share dialog that could select the wrong host server.

• macOS 14 or later
• Intel or Apple Silicon