Allplan+2018+top
Released in late 2017, Allplan 2018 marked a significant turning point for the Nemetschek Group, shifting the software from a powerful "standalone" CAD tool into a fully integrated, cloud-ready BIM (Building Information Modeling) platform. This version introduced the ActionBar, revamped the IFC4 workflow, and launched Allplan Share, making it one of the most stable and productive releases for architects and structural engineers. Top Features of Allplan 2018 1. The New ActionBar
The most visible change in Allplan 2018 was the introduction of the ActionBar.
Role-Specific Menus: Tools are grouped by specific tasks (e.g., Architecture, Engineering, Drafting), ensuring you only see the commands you need.
Efficiency: This UI overhaul significantly reduced the learning curve for new users and minimized "click fatigue" for pros. 2. Advanced BIM Collaboration with Allplan Share
Based on the Bimplus cloud platform, Allplan Share allowed teams to work on the same project data in real-time from different locations.
No Local Server Needed: It eliminated the need for complex local workgroup servers, enabling remote collaboration through the cloud.
Task Board Integration: Users could assign tasks and track project progress directly within the model via the integrated Task Board. 3. Enhanced IFC4 Export and Import
Allplan 2018 was at the forefront of "OpenBIM," providing superior support for the IFC4 format.
Lossless Data Transfer: It allowed for the exchange of complex free-form geometry and reinforcement data without losing detail.
Precision: The improved interface ensured that all stakeholders—from architects to MEP engineers—worked with the most accurate model data. 4. Certified Quantity Takeoff Accuracy
For the 12th consecutive year, Allplan 2018 received the TÜV SÜD certificate for software quality.
Cost-Reliable Planning: In combination with NEVARIS, it provided highly accurate graphic quantity takeoffs, ensuring that budget statements were reliable from the start. System Requirements for Allplan 2018
To maintain peak performance, your hardware should meet or exceed these specifications: Minimum Requirement Recommended Processor Intel Core 2 or compatible Intel Core i7 or i5 RAM OS Windows 7 SP1 (64-bit) Windows 10 (64-bit) GPU OpenGL 3.3 compatible (1 GB) OpenGL 4.2 compatible (8 GB) Screen 1280 x 1024 resolution Up to 2560 x 1600 Why It Still Ranks at the Top allplan+2018+top
Even as newer versions like Allplan 2024 and 2026 are released, the 2018 version remains a benchmark for its balance of speed and reliability. It was the first version to truly bridge the gap between traditional 2D drafting and the modern 3D BIM environment, offering a flexible "work at your own pace" transition that many firms still value today. SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS ALLPLAN ALLFA 2018
Maximizing BIM Efficiency: A Deep Dive into Allplan 2018 Top Features
As the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry continues to transition toward fully digital workflows, Building Information Modeling (BIM) solutions have become the backbone of modern design. Allplan 2018 stands as a pivotal release in this evolution, introducing a suite of features designed to streamline usability, enhance cross-discipline collaboration, and refine high-end visualization.
This version was specifically engineered to bridge the gap between initial conceptualization and detailed construction documentation, ensuring that data remains consistent and accessible throughout a building's entire lifecycle. 1. The Revolutionary Actionbar
One of the most immediate changes in Allplan 2018 was the introduction of the Actionbar.
Intuitive Tool Access: Replacing cluttered toolbars with a context-sensitive ribbon, the Actionbar organizes tools by role (Architecture, Engineering, etc.) and task.
Enhanced Productivity: By placing the most relevant tools directly in the user’s workflow, it significantly reduces the number of clicks required for common operations.
Continuous Updates: In subsequent service releases like Allplan 2018-1, the Actionbar was further refined based on direct user feedback to ensure even smoother navigation. 2. Advanced BIM Collaboration with IFC4 and Bimplus
Interoperability is the core of any BIM project. Allplan 2018 made significant strides in how users share and manage data.
IFC4 Export and Import: This version optimized the IFC4 data export, improving the quality and accuracy of information shared with external partners. Service release 2018-1 further enhanced import capabilities, making it easier to integrate models from different software environments.
Allplan Bimplus Integration: The software features a direct connection to the cloud-based Allplan Bimplus platform. This allows teams to centrally define attributes and manage tasks, ensuring everyone—from architects to structural engineers—is working from a "single source of truth". 3. High-End Visualization with CineRender
For architects, the ability to present realistic previews is essential. Allplan 2018 integrated the CineRender engine from MAXON. Released in late 2017, Allplan 2018 marked a
Realistic Textures: This integration allows users to create high-quality visualizations directly within the BIM environment.
Efficient Rendering: By leveraging the same engine found in Cinema 4D, professionals can produce professional-grade renders without needing to export to external standalone software. 4. Engineering Precision: Reinforcement and Modeling
Allplan 2018 continued to excel in its core strength: detailed structural engineering.
3D Reinforcement: The software allows for the rapid modeling of complex reinforcement shapes in 3D, which can then be automatically translated into precise steel lists and construction plans.
PythonParts: Significant enhancements were made to PythonParts, which are parametric objects that allow for automated, rule-based modeling of standard components like columns or fixtures. ALLPLAN 2018-1-1
Allplan 2018 is a comprehensive Building Information Modeling (BIM) software that introduced significant usability and collaboration updates, most notably the integration
. It is widely recognized for its precision in 3D modeling and detailed structural engineering, particularly for reinforcement and civil infrastructure. Top Features & Improvements The Actionbar
: This task-oriented interface replaced traditional menus with a context-sensitive bar that displays relevant tools based on your current role (e.g., Architecture, Reinforcement, or Modeling), making the software more intuitive for new users. Enhanced Collaboration (Bimplus) : The integration with the
portal shifted Allplan from a standalone tool to a team-based platform, allowing real-time collaboration and centralized attribute management across different disciplines. Advanced Visualization : It utilizes the CineRender engine by MAXON
for high-quality, realistic rendering, including physical rendering methods and improved animation window quality. IFC4 Support
: Improved data exchange with other BIM software via optimized IFC4 export and import, ensuring better data integrity when working with external partners. Accurate Quantity Take-offs : The software is certified by
for high-performance graphic quantity determination, allowing for reliable cost analysis when used with NEVARIS software. Performance & System Requirements Reviewers from Part 3: Required Top Hardware for Allplan 2018
note that while Allplan is powerful, it can be overwhelming due to the sheer number of tools, though the 2018 updates aimed to streamline this experience. Minimum Requirement Recommended Specification Intel Core 2 or compatible Intel Core i7 or i5 OpenGL 3.3 compatible, 1 GB RAM OpenGL 4.2 compatible, 8 GB RAM 5 GB free disk space High-speed SSD recommended Windows 7/8.1/10 (64-bit) Windows 10 (64-bit) Comparison to Industry Alternatives ALLPLAN announces the new BIM solution Allplan 2018-1 12 Apr 2018 —
Part 3: Required Top Hardware for Allplan 2018
If you are searching for "Allplan 2018 Top," you might also be looking for the optimal hardware to run it. Because this version was released just as GPU technology was exploding (the GTX 1080 Ti era), it has specific sweet spots.
5. The "No Subscription" Hangover
The biggest selling point of Allplan 2018 Top today is the perpetual license.
- Revit 2018: If you stop paying, you stop working.
- Allplan 2018 Top: You bought it. You own it. Forever.
Many small engineering firms are still running Allplan 2018 because they refuse to move to the subscription-based Allplan 2020+ model. The software doesn't phone home every 30 days. It sits on a local server, and it works. For a firm doing repetitive residential or industrial work, upgrading offers zero ROI.
Phase 5: Output
Finally, you create a Layout Book. Because Allplan is German-engineered, its 2D documentation is legendary. You can cut live sections through the 3D model. If you move a window in 3D, the floor plan, section, and elevation update automatically. You print to PDF or plot directly to a large format printer.
3. 2D Derivation from 3D Section
Cut a complex section through your freeform model. Allplan 2018 Top is exceptional at generating clean, hatched, dimensioned 2D drawings from a messy 3D section cut. Use the Derive 2D from Section tool to keep the drawing live-linked to the model.
5. Photorealistic Rendering (Cineware)
Integrated directly into the viewport was Cineware by Maxon (the makers of Cinema 4D). Unlike basic shaded views, Allplan 2018 Top allowed for real-time ray-traced shadows, material previews, and global illumination. You could present "render-ready" images directly from the model environment without switching to Lumion or Twinmotion.
Error 3: Bimplus Sync fails after Windows Update
Fix: Allplan 2018 Top uses TLS 1.0 for legacy sync. You must enable TLS 1.0 in Windows Internet Options (Security tab) – though this is a security risk. Better to export as .PLN file manually.
Why Search for "Allplan 2018 Top" Today?
You might be wondering: If newer versions exist, why write an article about a 2018 release?
- Stability: Some firms stick with 2018 Top because later subscriptions changed the licensing model. Allplan 2018 used a perpetual license (if purchased). Later versions moved heavily toward SaaS (Software as a Service). Many firms find the 2018 version "feature-complete" with zero risk of forced updates breaking workflows.
- Hardware Compatibility: Older workstations that can't run the latest DirectX 12 requirements run Allplan 2018 Top flawlessly.
- Learning Curve: For students and professionals learning BIM, Allplan 2018 Top contains 95% of the core logic used today. Mastering the 2018 interface means you can jump to Allplan 2025 easily.
- Legacy Projects: Many infrastructure projects (bridges, tunnels) started in 2018 are still under maintenance. Engineers need to reference or modify those original files without conversion errors.
Allplan 2018 Top: Why This “Old” BIM Release Still Punches Above Its Weight
Published by: Digital Construction Archive Reading time: 8 minutes
In the breakneck world of BIM software, where Autodesk pushes a yearly subscription and Graphisoft updates Archicad like clockwork, looking back at a 2018 release seems counterintuitive. But ask any veteran engineer or architect in the DACH region (Germany, Austria, Switzerland) or Eastern Europe, and they will likely have a soft spot for one specific version: Allplan 2018 Top.
While Allplan 2024 is packed with AI-driven rebar detailing and cloud workflows, Allplan 2018 represents the peak of the software’s “golden era” of stability, raw modeling power, and unfiltered German engineering logic. Here is why the 2018 “Top” tier is still a secret weapon for many firms—and what it did better than the competition.