Combining the highest quality rendering from Shaderlight and proven technology from Limitless Computing, this innovative new tool delivers the fastest, mosts effective workflow for SketchUp users.

30 Times Faster SketchUp Rendering

Launched at the AIA National Convention and Design Expo, in Washington, DC, the new Shaderlight Cloud Rendering service offers up to 30x faster performance rendering out animations in SketchUp and 5x faster scenes, delivering high resolution, photorealistic visualizations direct from SketchUp in hours, not days.

01 - Martin Cox, who we sat down with us at AIA, is demoing the new Shaderlight software that is now able to be served up on the cloud for far faster performance than desktop computers. (see our analysis below for why).

Additionally, it frees up destkop computers for other work, enabling Shaderlight users to handle multiple projects simultaneously. Pricing starts at 10.USD and offers companies savings in rendering hardware investments.

Show Notes and Analysis

At AIA we sat down with Martin Cox (seen in the image above) and he told us some of the background details about why Shaderlight Rendering for the cloud is so powerful. “Shaderlight is 64-bit and highly multi-threaded,” said Martin Cox, “and for this reason is scales powerfully on the cloud servers.” We asked about the details of the cloud servers and he said they were powerful 64-core Opteron systems with 16-core multiprocessors and 128 gigabytes of system memory. Because of the scale of such big servers, applications which are highly tuned for multi-threading can be greatly accelerated. This scales further for creating animations, which are simply large collections of single rendered images.

Shaderlight is the first cloud-based rendering solution for Google’s popular SketchUp modeling application. It installs as a plugin and provides simple, built-in photo-realistic rendering from within SketchUp. It runs on Mac and Windows.

To learn more visit: http://limitlesscomputing.com/

We are not going to talk about Bluebeam Revu 10 here on Architosh at this moment because…well, let us remind ourselves that Architosh’s focus is on serving professionals and students on Apple’s innovative Mac and iOS platforms. But here is the good news. Bluebeam is on the iOS platform with its Bluebeam Vu iOS app for iPad.

01 - Bluebeam Vu for iPad. This new iOS app is just the beginning for mobility on iOS.

Bluebeam Vu for iPad is a free PDF viewer application that has been designed to work swiftly using the company’s very solid PDF engine technology and its excellent markup capability. This version of Vu for iPad is simply a “viewer” application and while there are many PDF viewers on the market, including GoodReader, IMSI TurboViewer and others, some users–especially those using other Bluebeam tools–may prefer this app for their iPad over others.

Bluebeam Vu has a very nice interface! One of the better interfaces we have seen on the iPad for apps like this. With Bluebeam Vu you can access your PDF files from the cloud using common methods like DropBox, Box.net and others. Or you can sync files directly using iTunes file transfer or access them via email.

Another nice feature in Bluebeam Vu for iPad is that it supports the intelligent Markup List technology. With this you can click on a markup in the drawing and it will highlight that data in the Markup List. From there you can gain insight into the markup’s author, date, time and comments associated with it. Or you can work backwards and start with the intelligent list and it will highlight the markup in the drawing and automatically navigate to that section of the drawing.

We asked about actual markup capabilities and Mac support for its popular Revu product line and the company expressed that both are very popular inquiries. Karen Tantzen of Bluebeam Software, Inc., told us that the company will have more Apple-centric announcements later this year. Of the record, we gained a bit more insight and we look forward to this company providing more robust solutions across all of Apple’s popular and growing platforms.

To learn about Bluebeam Software, its Revu 10 suite and its Vu app for iPad visit them here at: www.bluebeam.com

True UNIX

While Windows-based systems have some tools available that can mimic a Unix-like environment, they often come with limitations to their capabilities, especially when working with large files. Mac OS X however is a true Unix operating system and can handle large files exceptionally well.

01 - HyperWorks now available for Mac OS X. Future iOS apps in the making.

“Much of my work deals with being able to transfer data from very large files into formats that allow further specialized analysis and visualization,” says Mary Leibolt, a structural acoustics analyst at the Naval Warfare Center, Carderock Division. “Having the capability to use the Mac OS X operating system allows me to get my work done on one machine without having to deal with compatibility, transfer media issues, et cetera.”

HyperWorks for Mac OS X offers users more flexibility in choosing which platform to use for their CAE work. Moreover, it opens the world of CAE to a broader range of industries and professions that traditionally work with Mac systems. “With this platform, we extend the availability of HyperWorks to designers and other creative professionals,” says Paolo Sansalvadore, senior vice president of modeling and visualization, Altair, “people who don’t crunch numbers but who interact with the software to visualize their creations and can benefit from the HyperWorks user experience. Altair’s concept and industrial design products, solidThinking Evolve and Inspire, are already available on both Windows and Mac OS X.”

Scientists comprise another important user group that will be able to take advantage of HyperWorks running on the Mac, since much of their work is designed and executed on Mac computers. Last but not least, the new software version also makes CAE more accessible to a broader range of computer-aided design professionals conceiving products largely on Mac systems.

Extending Platforms: iOS and Mac

The extension of HyperWorks to the Mac OS is part of the evolution of Altair software to new devices and platforms. A cloud-based software-as-a-service, HyperWorks On-Demand, is now available through a modern service oriented architecture web-app for running, monitoring and managing simulation workloads and results (Altair Compute Manager). Altair will also offer enhanced mobility through several iOS apps currently under development.

To learn more visit: http://www.altairhyperworks.com/

Bentley, Autodesk, Graphisoft and Nemetschek (all four AEC-BIM players) will have larger booths at the show. We have formal visits planned with three of these companies and one of them (can’t say just yet) is planning on introducing a new software product that will work in tandem with its main AEC offerings.

ArchiCAD 16 of course was just announced and we are still working on our Product In-Depth feature, which should be out around the time of the event. We look forward to seeing live product demonstrations more fully and that can help us round-out our understanding of this big update for Graphisoft.

While there are some interesting smaller companies at attendance this year we are sad to see that are actually less software companies planning to exhibit than the last time we were at AIA two years ago. Clearly the economy has hit the industry quite hard this year. We don’t see the formZ folks who are  regulars and are also nearby. We also do not see the Rhino folks there as well. In a prior show Robert McNeal and Co. had a very larger booth and were showcasing smaller third-party add-on developers for Rhino at the show. Perhaps there will be some last-minute changes?

Luxology’s modo has made great strides in the AEC market and we would appreciate saying modo shown at AIA as well as companies like Abvent and many of the SketchUp rendering add-on developers. Google will be at the show and we are assuming SketchUp will be shown despite it being acquired recently.

We look forward to producing these reports in the new few days and learning about what is new.

“We are very pleased to offer the benefits of cloud computing directly to our UK customers through Vectorworks Cloud Services,” said Martyn Horne, product development manager at Computers Unlimited, the Vectorworks distributor for the United Kingdom and Ireland. “Coupled with the new mobile app, Vectorworks Nomad, this capability adds a very useful and new dimension to the Vectorworks workflow and product portfolio.”

01 - Vectorworks Cloud Services (VCS) is now available in some European countries and the UK and Ireleand.

Vectorworks Cloud Services offers users greater convenience, collaboration and freedom for accessing their designs from any location, at any time. Offered exclusively for subscription-based members (users) Vectorworks Cloud Services frees up desktop computing power and enables greater collaboration with remote team-members, clients and consultants on both desktop and mobile platforms.

“Vectorworks Cloud Services will be a nice opportunity for Danish Vectorworks users,” said John Hansen of MikroGraf who represents Vectorworks in Denmark. “Smaller firms, in particular, will benefit from the backup and presentation features of this inventive service.”

Vectorworks Cloud Services was launched in the United States and Canada on April 2, 2012 as a free trial. To learn more, please visitwww.vectorworks.net/cloudservices.

The support for 3Dconnexion’s 3D mice is built into the newest service pack for modo 601 (SP1) which is currently available for download.

“modo users now have a powerful new option for navigating within the application,” said Brad Peebler, president and cofounder, Luxology. “Our 3Dconnexion 3D mouse implementation provides a very granular level of control to ensure a natural user experience.”

01 - 3Dconnexion's 3D mice are now supported in Luxology's newest modo 601.

To learn more about 3Dconnexion and their 3D mice go here.

Daniel has 15 years of industry experience and specializes in rendering 3D BIM models using both Maxwell Render and Luxology’s modo. He has worked extensively with BAR Architects and Walker Warner Architects and holds a degree from University of Colorado, Boulder.

What You Will Learn

In this class you will learn the art of visualizing a project as well as how materials and light can simulate the built environment. Daniel Hruby of Visualize It Built, an experienced visualization professional, will discuss strategies for creating renderings that simulate reality starting with BIM models from ArchiCAD, Revit and DWG’s from AutoCAD.

01 - Learn how to render your BIM models like this. (Image courtesy of LearnVirtual.)

Daniel will demonstrate work flows using modo 601 to produce a variety of renderings and animations to that can be used to visualize an architect’s designs.

Event Details

The event is Thursday, 17 May 2012 and is 2 hours long. 2 AIA CES LU’s can be earned and the price is 45.USD for AIA members and 55.USD for non-AIA members. More details and the ability to sign up can be found here.

Thunderbolt Technology

The new DualHead2Go Digital Mac Edition MDA works by connecting the small silver boxed unit to the Thunderbolt port or mini DisplayPort video output of Mac notebooks or desktops and drives two external DVI displays each with a maximum resolution of 1920×1200.

01 - Matrox's DualHead2Go Digital Mac Edition.

The device comes bundled with the Matrox PowerDesk desktop management software that lets the user configure their multi-display setups and easily maximize an application per screen. In addition, the new Desktop Divider feature enables users to further customize their desktop space and improve work flow by allowing displays to be divided into smaller sections, in each of which a program can be opened and maximized.

The device is also fully High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP) compliant and permits users to view copy-protected content on HDCP-enable displays.

“We are excited to launch the DualHead2Go Digital ME and make the benefits of an extended desktop even more accessible,” said Caroline Injoyan, Business Development Manager, Matrox Graphics Inc. “Simply put, DualHead2Go Digital ME’s enhanced feature set provides Mac users with an exceptional multi-monitor, plug-and-play computing experience.”

DualHead2Go Digital ME is compatible with MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, Mac Mini, iMac and Mac Pro systems. It retails for 179.USD. To learn more visit here.

ArchiCAD 16 introduces a comprehensive ecosystem of solutions which tie together Graphisoft’s various BIM software packages, addressing mobile as well as cloud solutions. The two largest new features of this release are ArchiCAD 16’s new Morph Tool modeling technology and Graphisoft’s introduction of BIMcomponents.com, a cloud-based repository of native ArchiCAD, GDL-based, BIM components.

“Building projects–by their nature–contain numerous custom building components and structures that may require modeling capabilities beyond the standard BIM tools,” said László Vértesi, VP of Products at Graphisoft. “ArchiCAD 16 introduces direct modeling capabilities and cloud-integration to help users create and find the custom objects, components, and structures they need to make their BIM models complete.”

Explicit Modeling

ArchiCAD has long been a BIM leader in parametric modeling capabilities within AEC but this release introduces the Morph Tool, bringing what is commonly referred to as “direct modeling” (or “explicit” modeling as compared to “parametric”) capabilities to its modeling powers.

01 - Graphisoft's new ArchiCAD 16. Introduces new Morph Tool for direct modeling and new BIMcomponents.com portal.

The new Morph Tool brings to ArchiCAD 16 popular modeling techniques such as Push/Pull and direct modeling transformations in an intuitive graphical way. The Morph Tool is an optimal solution for creating custom BIM components, custom structures, and custom elements of the built environment as well as custom-designed building interiors.

BIM Components in the Cloud

Building components is one of the most dynamically developing segments in the BIM industry and Graphisoft has addressed this trend with a user-friendly approach that encourages users–not just advanced scripting-capable third-party developers–to produce and share BIM components for the community of ArchiCAD users to tap into.

The new BIMcomponents.com website is a cloud-based community website hosting thousands of GDL-based BIM components. Users can create, search, upload and download custom BIM components of their choice. The fully-integrated web portal makes sharing and obtaining BIM components simple.

EcoDesign Becomes Integrated

Graphisoft is introducing in version 16 a fully integrated EcoDesigner. The built-in Energy Evaluation functionality of ArchiCAD 16 is similar to the former standalone EcoDesigner product but is based on entirely new technology (eg: zone-boundary based building model geometry analysis, analytic weather data input option, etc.). This technology allows architects to perform reliable dynamic energy evaluation of their BIM model within ArchiCAD relying on BIM geometry analysis and accurate hour-by-hour online weather data of the building’s location.

Together with ArchiCAD 16, GRAPHISOFT also delivers important workflow and productivity updates to its growing portfolio of solutions. These include an upgraded BIM Server™, Cloud-integrated model sharing service for BIMx users with an active maintenance contract, and support for the IFC 2×3 Coordination View Version 2.0 for facilitating OPEN BIM.

ArchiCAD 16 will be released on May 30, 2012, with shipment to customers beginning within a few weeks after the official release. Following a tight release schedule, all 26 local versions are planned to reach the market by the end of Q3 2012. For more information about ArchiCAD 16, please visit: http://www.graphisoft.com/archicad. For a live demonstration of ArchiCAD 16, please register for the upcoming “BIM Components at Your Fingertips” webinar on June 19, 2012.

Now SolidWorks has released eDrawings for the iPad. eDrawings for the iPad is the only CAD viewer on the iPad that allows you to view native eDrawings files as well as native SolidWorks parts, assemblies and drawings files.

Multi-touch gestures let you pan, zoom, and rotate models easily. You open files from email, iTunes File Sharing or an internal network. You can view 3D animations, 3D static views and 2D drawing views.

01 - eDrawings for the iPad.

03 - eDrawings for the iPad. View animations, 3D and 2D views.

The eDrawings for iPad application is available now for 1.99.USD from the App Store.

01 - NewTek's Lightwave 3D at NAB 2012 showing Voronoi shattering.

Maxon of course also now includes the Bullet physics engine. The company showed CINEMA 4D at NAB and has a new way of outputting data wherein the three RGB components of every pixel are used to represent that pixel’s coordinates in 3D space. Maxon calls this a “world position pass.”

You can learn more about CINEMA 4D’s latest features here.

Physics in 3D

To check out a really cool physics bullet plugin 3D video check out this YouTube video here: http://youtu.be/143k1fqPukk

Meet Solidoodle

Now a company out of Brooklyn, New York, Solidoodle LLC, has put together a professional 3D solids printer that retails just under 500.USD. The Solidoodle 3D printer produces 6×6x6 parts (in inches) and is the brainchild of Samuel Cervantes, former COO at MakerBot, a leading low-end 3D printer company.

01 - The Solidoodle 3D printer produces 6x6x6 (in.) parts and runs on Mac, as well as Windows and Linux.

The printer produces solid plastic parts by melting the plastic and building up 3D parts one strand of plastic at a time. The printer works with 3D files in STL format, which is the leading 3D file format supported by solid 3D printers and numerous 3D CAD software.

Solidoodle runs on an open-source software that be installed on any Windows, Mac or Linux computer, opening up barriers of entry for the home and professional market.

To learn more visit this link: http://www.solidoodle.com/

SketchUp has become one of the most popular 3D programs worldwide but its momentum sped up only in Google’s reach not in its progress as a software application. Prior to the acquisition by Google the pace of new versions was rather quick and then slowed dramatically under Google’s ownership. Nevertheless, the 3D modeler has advanced well and tapped the power of Google’s brand and technology.

Under Trimble the SketchUp developers feel they will have a stronger wind at their back. Trimble is a AEC software company and it will be able to take SketchUp in interesting directions for architects, engineers, construction professionals and others.

To learn more about this change for SketchUp read here.

Analysis

We think this change of hands for SketchUp is very interesting. It is certainly not what we expected and we ponder how the SketchUp folks put this together. One thing we will want to ask them is why Trimble? If they desired deeper pockets behind them why not approach a larger software company in AEC like Autodesk or the Nemetschek Group of Germany or Bentley?

We look forward to learning more about this change and we will be sure to report it to you here.

AR-works

The AR-works technology consists of a plugin for Vectorworks, an AR-works Viewer application and a physical Marker–a printed graphic used to trigger the experience. The only requirement to view the model is a computer with a webcam. If you do not have a webcam the model can still be viewed in “on screen” mode.

The client or architect can experience the model in the Viewer by turning and rotating the Marker in their hand, as if the virtualized building was sitting in their hand.

01 - AR-works is a new "augmented reality" (AR) plugin for Vectorworks Architect.

Viewing the 3D model in AR-works has several options for interaction. You can interact with it by holding the model in your hand and moving it around. You can read the building’s form by removing components like floors and walls or you can slice through the model across various axis to look inside the model.

AR-works is being offered at a special introductory price of 299.99.USD. It will normally go for 649.99.USD.

To learn more visit them online here.

Hillmar’s book acts as a guide to help users draft lighting plots more easily. In an easy-to-follow, insightful manner, Hillmar takes readers on a journey through the methods and techniques he uses to develop engaging plots.

“The new edition of Light Plot Deconstructed highlights some of the new features in Vectorworks 2012 that improve the lighting designer’s process of drafting the light plot,” says Hillmar. “In addition, reader requests drove the expansion of several topics, including a new section on using viewports to create ‘cardboards’ and other specialized views useful to the theatrical electricians in realizing the plot in the theatre.”

Light Plot Deconstructed is written for professional designers, as well as designers in education (students, instructors, schools). It is intended for use with Vectorworks 2012 software and is most applicable for Vectorworks Spotlight and Designer users. The book is a part of Nemetschek Vectorworks’ self-paced training options, designed for people who like to learn on their own and at their own pace. For more information and to purchase Vectorworks tutorials, please visit www.vectorworks.net/training/guides.

The latest localizations demonstrate over 17 years of commitment a growing community of users interested in its 3D character software.

“For artists who invest their time and creativity mastering animation software, being able to count on their software provider for support, enhancements and rapid corporate responsiveness is critical to their craft,” said Steve Cooper, Senior Product Manager of Graphics Solutions for Smith Micro Software, Inc. “For 17 years, the Poser team has demonstrated our commitment to making Poser the most robust, easy to use, exciting graphics software on the market. And that same dedicated team will continue innovating Poser and serving the global, expanding user base well into the future.”

Poser 9 SR2

SR2 provides substantial improvements for rendering, animation, rigging tools, the Content Library, as well as Cloth and Face Room. There is support for new PoserPython Methods. Poser Python support has been expanded to enable even more third party support products.

01 - Poser gets updated with SR2.

Poser SR2 is available now in English and the Japanese and German localizations will be available in May 2012.

Poser Pro 2012 is 499.USD and Poser 9 2012 is 249.USD. You can buy them directly from the Smith Micro website.

Installing SR2 is highly recommended for all current users. To learn more about this service pack read the ReadMe file linked to on this page.

A T-Splines Challenger

“Organic NURBS surfacing is no longer strictly the domain of T-Splines,” said Branden Coker, 3D artist and Power SubD-NURBS beta tester. “When you can model in modo and export at will to your CAD package of choice, you gain a powerful workflow. modo and NURBS are two great tastes that taste great together.”

The Luxology folks have tapped the power of IntegrityWare, a San Diego, California-based geometry modeling kernel and 3D API provider. Power SubD-NURBS bridges the worlds of highly flexible Subdivision surface modeling and CAD-accurate NURBS representations.

With the new plugin in modo industrial designers in the early stages of the design process can quickly create concept models that can be exported and refined within the users’ CAD systems.

Power SubD-NURBS comes on the heels of another CAD-centric Luxology product; the CAD Importers for modo. While CAD Importers provides new tools for loading CAD data into modo; Power SubD-NURBS addresses the other side of the equation–the export of parametric surface data from modo into CAD systems. Together, these products allow designers to effectively integrate modo into the design process as both a flexible organic modeler and as a high-end visualization tool.

Pricing and Availability

Power SubD-NURBS for modo 601 is available immediately for Mac OS X and Windows (32 and 64 bit) at 595.USD. The plug-in can be purchased on the Luxology website or via authorized Luxology resellers worldwide.

Basically Sweets Building Products for iOS allows you to search for building products by hundreds of manufacturers. You can browse by CSI-spec number, view, download and email files such as CAD, BIM, Specs and catalogs themselves (likely PDF files) and much more directly from your iOS device such as Apple iPhone or Apple iPad.

01 - McGraw-Hill's new Sweets for iOS puts the power of the old catalogs on your mobile iOS device.

You can download the free app from the Apple iTunes store.

In Brief

Adobe. The graphics software superpower released an interesting report that shows that people are increasingly accepting and viewing TV-like ad experiences on the Web. “Online video ad consumption is beginning to mirror that of traditional TV commercials”, says the report.  We find this interesting and note that companies doing marketing online should consider the ramifications of this news.

Adobe also previewed its upcoming Adobe Creative Suite 6 Production Premium product, which includes major updates for Adobe Premiere and Adobe After Effects. Adobe Premiere Pro CS6 incorporates OpenCL support, a technology Apple invented and has embedded in its OS and promotes. To learn more.

G-Technology. Taking a giant leap for all Mac-Kind” says the news release, G-Technology announced at NAB it is shipping the industry’s highest capacity, two-drive Raid O, Thunderbolt storage solution. The drive is excellent for large file storage and is available currently in Apple Stores. A 4TB starting drive starts at 699.USD.

Avid. Honestly we are not sure what is happening with video on the Mac platform these days, with all the hoopla over the latest version of Final Cut. Avid has a new iPad tool getting notice called Avid Studio for iPad. And it looks good! Check it out (we have an image below).

01 - Avid Media Composer 5. Professional video editing software runs on Mac and Windows. (image courtesy of Avid)

02 - Avid Studio for iPad brings Avid technology to the mobile world of iOS. (image courtesy of Avid)

Avid of course still makes professional Mac video and audio software. Its Mac software line up looks to include: Media Composer 5.5 and version 6. With version 6 Avid is claiming it is the most versatile tool for professional video editing. Media Composer 6 is a true 64-bit app. And is a full open app thanks to Avid Open I/O. Additionally, it has support for working with stereoscopic 3D materials.

Avid Symphony 6 is also native for the Mac and the entire Symphony system is available in three ways now. As is its Pro Tools 10 audio software and its Sibelius 7 music notation software. And Musition 4 and Auralia 4, music theory software.  To learn more about Avid go here. http://www.avid.com/

Maxon. The CINEMA 4D folks were at NAB and showing CINEMA 4D R13 and all its abilities. We announced recently their Live video feeds so that users who could not attend NAB could watch their list of great artists talking about CINEMA 4D technology and how it fits into the studio pipeline.

Autodesk. Lastly, Autodesk was at NAB 2012 and introduced what they are claiming is a radically redesigned Autodesk Smoke video editing and effects software for the Mac. In fact, Smoke is just for the Mac and competes with tools such as Avid and Final Cut Pro.

What’s New in Cheetah 3D 6

This new Cheetah also has support for Isosurfaces (Metaballs), the keying of mesh vertices and spline control points, improved iBooks Author compatibility, an upgrade to FBX SDK, support for 16-bit textures and many more improvements.

01 - Cheetah 3D version 6 features Bullet physics engine.

To make Cheetah 3D available to an even wider audience the price of Cheetah 3D has been cut from 149.USD to 99.USD. An upgrade from an older version cost 69.USD. For customers who bought Cheetah 3D 5.x after 12 December 2010, the upgrade to Cheetah 3D 6 is free.

There are other new features worth listing here:

• New Parametric object types — capsule, fractal, isosurface, line
• New Mesh modifiers — smooth, shell, crumble
• Global Scene Search Field
• Greatly extended Javascript API
• OS X Lion full-screen app mode

To learn more visit Cheetah 3D here: www.cheetah3d.com