Installing a Trial Version of Archicad 28 & the Ci Tools

Install Trial Version of Archicad 28

As of Feb 2025 Graphisoft's Trial site is currently down, Archicad 28 Trial is available for download by following this guide. Central Innovation will provide a 30-day temporary license code for those wanting to trial Archicad.

Archicad Hardware/Software Requirements

Hardware/Software requirements are modified from time to time. For up-to-date information on system requirements, please consult the following link:

http://www.graphisoft.com/support/system_requirements

Download Archicad and create your Graphisoft ID

https://graphisoft.com/resources-and-support/downloads/ 

Installation Process

Once you have created your Graphisoft ID and downloaded Archicad 28 follow the below instructions.

1. Start the installer to open the Welcome Screen.

Click Next to continue.

2. License Agreement

Read the license agreement carefully and accept it. (Click Open in Browser to see the agreement in a new window.)

Click Next.

3. Select Installation Directory

On this page, define the file path of the installation. As a rule, you should choose the path suggested by default, to simplify the installation of any future updates.

–On Mac: Installation must be in the Applications folder or any of its sub-folders.

To confirm the file path, click Next.

4. BIMx Desktop has moved:

BIMx Desktop is no longer part of Archicad installer. To get the latest version of BIMx Desktop, click the Download link provided here.

Click Next to continue installing Archicad.

5.Choose Setup Type

–Typical (recommended): Installs Archicad 28 together with all of its components (e.g. Library).

–Custom: Installs only specific program components.

- Trial (pending)

Click Next.

6. Installation Summary

This screen summarizes your chosen configuration.

Click Install to begin installation.

7. Installation Underway

Depending on your hardware configuration, this process may take several minutes. In addition to other components, CodeMeter, and the License Manager Tool are all installed in the background.

8. For Mac users: if you are installing Archicad on a macOS system, you will see a warning: for Archicad to run properly, you must enable Full Disk Access in macOS settings. Follow the steps described in the warning dialog.

See MacOS: Enable Full Disk Access

9. Create Shortcut

•Optionally: Create Archicad desktop shortcut (Win only).

Click Next.

10. Complete Installation

Click Finish. You may be prompted to restart your computer.

How to activate an Emergency License? - For Archicad 23 and newer

• Upon Archicad launch, a window pops up to inform you that no Archicad license was found.
• Choose the option to activate Archicad with “Emergency license code”

• Enter the License Activation Code you received from our team.
• Press “Check Activation Code”

• This will send the activation request to Graphisoft’s servers to validate the Emergency license.
• If the validation is successful, the License information window shows what type of License you obtained and when it will expire.
• Simply click on “Activate on this computer” to continue

• The process of downloading and activating the license will start.
• Please allow a handful of seconds for the operation to be completed.
• You’ll see a Successful license activation window
• Restart Archicad to run it in fully licensed mode.

• How do I get a Trial for the Ci Tools?

• Getting Started with BIMx Playlist

• Getting Started with Archicad