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AECWeekly is a news magazine featuring important industry news profiles, a summary of recently published AEC product and company news, customer wins, and coming events. Brought to you by AECCafe.
AECWeekly examines select top news each week, picks out worthwhile reading from around the web, and special interest items you might not find elsewhere. This issue will feature Industry News, Top News of the Week, Alliances/Agreements/Acquisitions, Announcements, New Products, Around the Web and Upcoming Events.
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Industry News
Freeform Modeling Comes to Archicad 15 Release
By Susan Smith
Graphisoft was the first company to come up with the concept of building information modeling (BIM), an approach which has since become a defacto standard in the AEC industry. Graphisoft’s Archicad 15 takes on in the same release freeform modeling which in the past, has been often seen as a technology somewhat contrary to BIM as it is “freeform” where BIM is parametric. Yet Graphisoft’s pairing of these two technologies in their newest Archicad release gives architects the opportunity to do all their modeling inside one product – from concept through to modeling to management. The release is geared to expanding the horizons of architects with its enriched architectural forms, parametric object building “shells,” and specific retrofit and renovation support.
Enriched Architectural Forms
Due to the popularity of unusual shapes and forms and the demand for unconventional approaches in some architectural projects, Archicad 15’s addition of enriched architectural forms brings new Shell structures to support a broad spectrum of architectural shapes and forms that have been resident in classical and modern architecture. This type of approach is what we have come to know as “generative design” from other software companies, but this product offers this capability within the main flagship product, integrated with BIM.
The Shell Tool is a general modeling capability or a new element in Archicad that can be used both for building shells and architectural pieces and objects, according to Archicad director of marketing, Akos Pfemeter. What is unique for ArchiCAD 15 and the Shell structure is that it is inside the same product as BIM. Most freeform modelers are one of two types: #1 either mass modeling tools without real structural attributes, #2 or nurb modelers that don’t have structural characteristics either. In ArchiCAD when you model the envelop of the building you are actually creating its shell structure and not only the mass.
“Another improvement in freeform forms related to traditional structure is the pitched roof which is the most versatile structure in any traditional building," said Pfemeter. "With building shells in Archicad 15 we greatly improved the roof capability and now it’s a very intelligent system helping architects create and modify very complex structures.”
Complex roofs help to model any conventional roof structure in a few clicks, according to Pfemeter. Shell Structures make it possible to design a wide range of architectural shapes including revolved, extruded and rules based geometries. Shell is a natural BIM element that fits organically into the design and documentation workflow with features including polygonal openings on any surface, in place profile editing or solid element operations correctly projected on floor plans.
Another improvement in terms of modeling capabilities is now you can put together primitive structural elements into larger structural systems.
SHELL, ARTechnic architects, www.artechnic.jp, Photography: (C) Nacasa & Partners Inc.
Design Space Improvements
Pfemeter noted that although BIM has been available for two decades, most of the editing and creation in BIM such as floor plans, sections, and elevations is still being done in 2D. Archicad 15 introduces “a big improvement in modeling freedom,” allowing for some elements of design to be modeled in freeform and a whole new design environment for 3D. The new features are freely placeable editing planes that have accurate drafting in 3D plus very selectable 3D guidelines to help set up the frame work for complex structures in 3D.
These guidelines help users find their way in 3D views and create elements in relationship to other elements.The editing planes and the 3D guidelines make it possible to accurately sketch or create these relationships in just a few clicks.
New Renovation Workflows
Renovation and retrofit are a major focus for the architectural industry today. In Europe half of all building projects are renovations or retrofits, and in the U.S., almost all building projects are renovations of aging infrastructure. “If an architect needs to submit on these jobs they will need an integrated workflow,” said Pfemeter. “Next to design capabilities, the next area of importance is renovation and retrofit.”
Supporting renovation with Archicad 15 is done with BIM. Every element of drawings or documentation is created in the BIM workflow. Archicad supports all renovation standards around the world, and have a flexible set of options for CAD standards and local standards.
Archicad 15 includes Element Level Renovation Status, for existing, new and to be demolished structures, pre-configured renovation plan types that follow local CAD standards and customization options that facilitate renovation plan types using custom renovation filters.
Archicad 15 includes improvements in collaboration with other disciplines like structural and MEP. ArchiCAD 15 includes improvements to its IFC interface, full 64-bit support for the Mac OS, and improvements to its parametric object libraries such as new objects for medical equipment and sustainability as well. Archicad’s parametric objects technology, GDL, supports highly complex objects. It also supports automated change management, and IFC basic improvements in the BIM model.
In addition, Archicad 15 manages large files easily, and supports the latest version of Graphisoft’s EcoDesigner building energy modeling application with support for green workflow for building. In Archicad 15 you can design your building to be compliant with green building standards such as LEED. You can also export a BIM model or data in a preferred format for further editing or evaluation. In Archicad, architects begin with the BIM model as a design tool rather than beginning in another program.
Retail price for Archicad is $4250.00 and it is available May 23, 2011, with all 26 local versions available until the end of Q3 2011.
Top News of the Week
Autodesk, Inc. announced the Autodesk Buzzsaw Mobile app designed for iPhone and iPad. The app provides Autodesk Buzzsaw collaboration software users with more secure, remote access and exchange of building project information. Buzzsaw Mobile enables users to view DWF files, standard office documents and images, as well as upload project photos to a designated Buzzsaw project site.
Cadac Organice, Microsoft Partner Network member and developer of the Cadac Organice Product Suite (a SharePoint based solution for engineering document management and document control), introduces a SharePoint framework for the mining industry.
The Cadac Organice Product Suite offers solutions for engineering document management and document control and is entirely based on Microsoft SharePoint. Leveraging SharePoint as the platform for Enterprise Content Management and Collaboration, Cadac Organice is especially suitable for project-driven engineering industries like the mining industry.
Alliances/Agreements/Acquisitions
Trimble Navigation Limited announced a public tender offer, to be made by its subsidiary Trimble Finland Oy, for all issued and outstanding shares in Tekla Corporation ("Tekla") for EUR 15.00 per share in cash representing an aggregate equity purchase price of approximately EUR 337 million (or approximately $489 million), and an enterprise value of EUR 311 million (or approximately $451 million). The consideration represents a premium of 52 percent to the closing price of Tekla shares on NASDAQ OMX Helsinki Ltd on May 6, 2011, the last trading day before this announcement. The Board of Directors of Tekla may, pursuant to the authorization granted by the annual general meeting held on April 6, 2011, resolve to distribute additional dividends or other funds to its shareholders in the maximum amount of EUR 18 million, or up to EUR 0.80 per share, before the completion of the tender offer. If this occurs prior to the completion of the tender offer, it would result in an equal reduction in the above stated per share offer price of up to EUR 0.80 per share.
Rand Worldwide announces that its IMAGINiT Technologies division is expanding operations into additional Australian regions including Western Australia and New South Wales. These newly expanded IMAGINiT territories will focus on offering Autodesk products as well as IMAGINiT professional services in support of those products.
Announcements
The Performance Monitor for AutoCAD has retired from Autodesk Labs. The technology preview stopped working on May 1. We learned a great deal from this technology preview. You provided great feedback about gadgets as a delivery technology to our customers - particularly those on Windows XP systems who could not leverage the gadget technology. You also confirmed our suspicions that AutoCAD performs quite well on 64-bit systems - with virtual memory used much less frequently than on 32-bit systems. Thanks to everyone who downloaded the gadget.
GRAPHISOFT will introduce ArchiCAD 15, the latest version of its flagship BIM software package to the North American architectural community, at the American Institute of Architects' 2011 National Convention and Design Exposition May 12-14 in New Orleans at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.
Bricsys NV, the developer of Bricscad, started the final beta cycle of its implementation of the Microsoft .NET Framework API (applications programming interface). This means that application developers can begin testing their .NET-based applications on Bricscad.
Bricscad is the powerful alternative CAD platform that enables .dwg-based applications to serve the growing markets of GIS, AEC, mechanical CAD, and civil engineering. This beta release of Bricscad pioneers support for managed client applications.
Nemetschek Vectorworks, Inc. and MAXON Computer GmbH have teamed up to present the Inspired Visions Global Rendering and Animation Competition.
The competition is open to all professional and student designers around the world, and entries will be accepted in three categories: rendering with CINEMA 4D, animation with CINEMA 4D and rendering with Renderworks 2011. The CINEMA 4D entries must be built on a Vectorworks® model. All renderings and animations will be posted on the competition website, and a prize will also be awarded to the “Fan Favorite,” as determined by votes from the public.
To enter, vote or learn more about the competition, visit the Inspired Visions
Financials
Autodesk, Inc. announced that it will broadcast its first quarter fiscal 2012 financial results conference call live via its website Thursday, May 19, 2011, at 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time.
Autodesk will host a live webcast call at www.autodesk.com/investors. An audio replay webcast and podcast will also be available after 4:00 p.m. Pacific Time on our website at www.autodesk.com/investors.
For more information, please call Autodesk Investor Relations at 415-507-6705.
Deltek, Inc. announced financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2011. See press release
New Products
Autodesk, Inc. introduced a new version of the company’s popular Autodesk SketchBook Pro for iPad app, designed to take full advantage of the new features and processing power of iPad 2.
Filter Foundry has announced that Autodesk, Inc. is now showcasing Autodesk Mudbox and Autodesk SketchBook Pro software on FilterFoundry.com, an emerging social marketplace for creative professionals. Through Filter Foundry's innovative "sponsor engagement" model, Autodesk has created a "Pad" for each product, where visitors to the website can preview and learn about the products in an educational and collaborative environment. Filter Foundry members and subscribers can also attend " studio sessions" for both Mudbox and SketchBook Pro on the site.
Eagle Point Software Corporation announced the release of the 2012 versions of Siteworks for Revit and LANDCADD for Revit. Updates to these solutions take advantage of new functionality in Autodesk Revit 2012 software supporting a more complete building information modeling (BIM) workflow.
Informative Graphics Corporation ( IGC) officially releases Redact-It 2.0, the newest version of its electronic redaction software. Professionals in legal and healthcare markets, law enforcement, government offices, financial institutions and more trust Redact-It to remove sensitive information from documents before releasing them to broader audiences.
Research and Markets has announced the addition of John Wiley and Sons Ltd's new book " Design Drawing, 2nd Edition" to their offering.
Get the completely revised edition to mastering the visual language of architecture.
Research and Markets has announced the addition of John Wiley and Sons Ltd's new book " Mastering Autodesk Revit MEP 2011" to their offering.
Master all the core concepts and functionality of Revit MEP
Informative Graphics Corporation (IGC), an EMC Certified partner, announced the availability of the latest release of Brava! web-based viewing and collaboration tool for EMC Documentum TaskSpace 6.7. The release debuts this week at EMC World at the Venetian Conference Center in Las Vegas, Booth 1304.
Informative Graphics Corporation ( IGC) announced the availability of Brava! 7, the latest release of its web-based viewing and collaboration tool, for EMC Documentum Webtop 6.7. The release debuts this week at EMC World at the Venetian Conference Center in Las Vegas (IGC Booth 1304).
SmartDraw Software announced key enhancements to SmartDraw VP, the world's first visual processor, that improve the user experience and increase ease of use while adding key functionality. SmartDraw VP empowers the 95% of PC users who create only written documents to reap the benefits of communicating visually, and the enhancements announced help users get the results they want faster than ever.
Limitless Computing Inc., the company that provides faster rendering with cloud computing for the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry, announced that it will debut its new CloudRender for Autodesk Revit Architecture 2012 and Limitless Rendering™ for Autodesk Revit Architecture 2009-2012 in booth 3509 at the AIA (American Institute of Architects) National Convention and Design Exposition. An exclusive preview of Limitless Computing's upcoming SightSpace 3D for Google SketchUp iPad 2 app will also be on display.
Integrated Environmental Solutions (IES), a provider of integrated performance analysis software for sustainable building design, with architectural programming, conceptual space planning and design software providers, Trelligence announced they have delivered on their promise to create an intelligent integration between their respective building analysis tools. The new software package, which enables sustainable programming decisions, embeds key early stage IESVE analysis tools within Trelligence Affinity software, and also enables seamless transfer of projects to the VE platform for access to IES’ full range of analytical tools.
Around the Web
AECCafe Today Blog
Democratizing Design: Autodesk’s CEO Carl Bass Announces 123D May 3, 2011, Wired
Events
| Deltek Insight 2011 | |
| Date: | May 16 - 19, 2011 |
| Place: | Gaylord Opryland Hotel
Nashville, TN USA |
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Deltek Insight 2011 is the only event of the year where you can exchange ideas and network with business peers,industry analysts, executives, product experts and consultants. |
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| Webinar Event: How Clayco Improved Cost Management with Integrated Financials and Prolog Construction Project Management | |
| Date: | May 19, 2011 |
| Place: | USA |
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Clayco, Inc. is one of the nation’s largest privately owned real estate, architecture and engineering, design/build and construction firms with a national reputation for excellence that has been earned through achievements in safety management, fast-track schedules and technology and design innovation. |
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| International CAD Consortium 2011 | |
| Date: | May 22 - 26, 2011 |
| Place: | Omni Fort Worth
1300 Houston Street, Fort Worth , TX 76102 USA |
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The International CAD Consortium (ICC) is a non-profit organization comprised of leaders working in the field of public safety to implement technological solutions for emergency response organizations (police force, fire department, 911, etc.). ICC members come from municipalities, emergency services or a regional corporation and they are namely responsible for providing emergency call dispatching systems, communication infrastructures, geomatics solutions and for managing communication centers as well as all other activities directly related to the routing of emergency workers to emergency response sites. |
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| Success Enterprise Class | |
| Date: | May 26 - 27, 2011 |
| Place: | Atlanta, GA USA |
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Seats are available in our upcoming Success Estimator class. Sign-up now because seating is limited! The course is two days in length. The registration fee for class is $995.00 per person with special pricing for multiple participants. |
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You can find the full AECCafe.com event calendar here.
To read more news, click here.
-- Susan Smith, AECCafe.com Managing Editor.