Edificius by ACCA software
Edificius by ACCA software is a Windows-first 3D BIM building design suite that combines architecture, interior work, terrain and landscape, MEP modeling, time-linked phasing, and quantity-linked estimating in one install, with IFC import and export backed by buildingSMART certification.
When a small or mid-sized firm wants BIM without juggling five different subscriptions, a single desktop suite that spans concept models, working drawings, and early cost rows can feel like a relief. Edificius targets that pattern: you model in 3D with parametric objects, derive plans and sections, and keep bills of quantities tied to the same elements so a wall edit ripples into both graphics and measurement lines.
The workflow sits squarely in openBIM conversations. ACCA documents IFC exchange, links coordination to its usBIM.clash offering for interference checks on federated IFC models, and states that Edificius has completed buildingSMART IFC certification. The same materials describe imports and exports involving DXF, DWG, IFC, SketchUp, Blender, and Rhino with Grasshopper, plus satellite imagery for site context, which matters when you are trying to keep consultants aligned without forcing everyone onto one vendor stack.
Rendering and review receive heavy emphasis on the product side. Built-in AI-assisted rendering (branded AIrBIM on ACCA pages), optional real-time walkthrough (RTBIM), and optional VR headsets appear as add-on modules rather than a single bundled tier, so hardware requirements jump when you turn those features on. On pricing, ACCA advertises a 30-day full trial with support and cites subscriptions starting from 799 EUR on the public product page, while detailed tier names and payment schedules live behind the official plans URL; always confirm the live quote before you buy.
Deployment is desktop Windows with internet needed for activation, updates, and online libraries, which is typical for this class of tool. ACCA also documents running under virtualization on Intel Macs (Parallels, VMware, Boot Camp) with caveats for real-time rendering, so Mac-only studios should read the system notes before assuming parity with a native PC rig.
Specifications
Pricing
Platforms
Used for
Used by
Tasks
Pros and cons
Pros
- Many disciplines in one subscription compared with buying separate vertical tools.
- IFC certification and explicit clash-detection path via usBIM.clash on ACCA materials.
- 30-day trial advertised as full professional functionality with support.
- Large online BIM object library integrated with the modeling environment.
Cons
- Native macOS build is not advertised; Mac use relies on Windows virtualization with rendering caveats.
- Internet required for activation, updates, and online services even though modeling is desktop-based.
- Advanced rendering, RT walkthrough, and VR modules add cost and steep GPU requirements.
- Public marketing pages highlight a starting price while full tier matrix needs confirmation on the plans page.
Key features
Parametric BIM modeling: Walls, openings, and objects stay linked so 3D, plans, and sections update together.
IFC and openBIM: Import and export IFC; ACCA cites buildingSMART IFC certification for collaboration workflows.
CAD exchange: Work with DXF and DWG alongside native ACCA CAD tools bundled into the suite.
Interiors and landscape: Dedicated flows for furnishing and outdoor modeling, including terrain from CAD or imagery.
MEP in context: Model mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems against the architectural host.
Quantities and estimates: Link model elements to price list lines so BOQ totals track design changes.
4D-style phasing: Tie schedule phases to model objects and preview a simple timeline animation.
Rendering and VR options: AI-assisted stills, optional real-time views, and optional VR modules with separate GPU rules.
Pricing
30-day professional trial
30-day trial
Free
ACCA states full professional features and support during trial; confirm on accasoftware.com/en/trial/edificius.
Subscription (starting price cited on product page)
per year
€799.00
799 EUR starting figure appears on the English Edificius product page as of research; monthly and multi-year options exist on accasoftware.com/en/plans/edificius. EU VAT rules may apply. Verify current list price before checkout.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Edificius cost and is there a free trial?
ACCA offers a 30-day trial of the professional Edificius build with technical support according to the product page. After the trial, pricing is subscription-based; the same page cites subscriptions starting from 799 EUR and points buyers to accasoftware.com/en/plans/edificius for current plans, taxes, and installment rules. Confirm the exact monthly or annual row you need before purchasing because ACCA states that rates can change with notice.
Does Edificius run on Mac or only Windows?
Official system requirements list 64-bit Windows 8 through Windows 11 for native installs. ACCA documents running on Intel Macs through VMware, Parallels, or Boot Camp with Windows guests, but warns that VirtualBox is unsupported and that real-time rendering can misbehave inside virtual machines. Linux is not listed as a supported host.
Which file formats does Edificius support for BIM and CAD exchange?
Marketing and FAQ copy on ACCA pages name IFC for openBIM exchange, plus DXF and DWG for CAD, and imports involving SketchUp, Blender, OBJ, Collada, and Rhino with Grasshopper for free-form solids. Revit families appear in library discussions for object exchange. For coordination, ACCA directs users to export IFC and continue checks in usBIM.clash.
Can Edificius handle MEP, terrain, and heritage projects in one tool?
The English product page describes dedicated environments for MEP systems tied to architecture, terrain and garden modeling from CAD or map sources, and HBIM-oriented tooling for historic buildings including vaults, orthophotos, and damage mapping. Each area is presented as part of the same Edificius install rather than a separate SKU, though optional rendering modules still layer on top.
Edificius vs Autodesk Revit for a small architecture studio: what should I compare first?
ACCA positions Edificius as an all-in-one desktop BIM suite with built-in rendering, VR options, estimating, and scheduling, whereas many Revit studios bolt on extra tools for each task. Revit remains the dominant authoring platform for large federated jobs in many markets, so interoperability tests on IFC round-tripping, consultant templates, and deliverable standards should drive the decision more than feature checklists alone.
Who is Edificius aimed at in the AEC market?
ACCA addresses architects, engineers, and surveyors who need a single package for architecture, outdoor work, interiors, MEP, phasing, and quantity-linked estimates. The tone on pricing pages stresses affordability for firms adopting BIM without stacking many separate subscriptions, which tends to fit small and mid-sized practices more than global enterprise IT shops.
Does Edificius include clash detection inside the model?
The onsite FAQ explains that clash detection runs in usBIM.clash after exporting IFC from Edificius, rather than promising fully automatic hard clash resolution inside every Edificius session. That pattern matches how many openBIM shops federate models in a dedicated checker anyway.