Background Updating in ArchiCAD

Background Updating uses idle processor capacity to generate the 3D model and its associated BIM data for open windows and tabs. – Graphisoft

Background Updating is an excellent feature, making updating other views happen almost instantaneously. There are three settings:

1. Enable Background Updating
2. Enable Background Updating when device is plugged in
3. Disable Background Updating

By default, Enable Background Updating is selected (bottom right-hand corner, next to “Graphisoft ID.”)

There are circumstances where you may prefer one option over another. I will go over each of them and the reasons as to why. It is important to understand that the Background Updating feature uses four cores worth of CPU power.

To take advantage of background updating, at least 4 cores for the CPU are required. – Graphisoft

The more processing power you are using in any application, the more resource-hungry that application becomes.

Enable Background Updating

If you’re using a desktop workstation, it is most likely to be quite powerful and is always plugged in. For this reason, enabling background updating is a no-brainer. Use it.

Enable Background Updating when device is plugged in

This second option is great if you’re working from a laptop. Using this second option will conserve your battery power while you’re working unplugged to power.

Disable Background Updating

This third option is useful for several scenarios. It’s great if your working on a laptop to conserve the most out of your battery, and it is also great if your laptop is older and limited on resources.

Note: Whatever setting you decide to use, remember to apply it in your Work Environment Profile too, under User Preference Schemes to keep it consistent with all of your ArchiCAD projects.

Here’s a great video explaining more about Background Updating: