What is Background Updating?

Background Updating was introduced in ArchiCAD 19 – but what is it?

It is actually pretty smart and one of the things that make ArchiCAD 19 faster than previous versions.  Background Updating is when ArchiCAD uses the spare unused capacity from the processor(s) to generate background information such as the 3D model and associated data – but only for open windows or tabs.

In ArchiCAD 18 and all the previous versions, the processing would only be done when you switched to a new window (with a few exceptions in later versions).

With Background Updating in ArchiCAD 19, as much of the processing as possible is done in the background.  When you switch to another open tab or window, most of the updating will already be done.