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/

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.

Architosh reader Jim Anders, wrote in to tell us that eDrawings for iPad also works fine with cloud services such as DropBox, SkyDrive and others. He notes: “This is a great app for us SolidWorks users and it works well on my first generation iPad.”  This tidbit compliments our report earlier in the week.

thinkLabs of Altair

Altair’s thinkLabs design studio team has come up with an ingenious device for handling the power cords of Apple MacBooks. The kickstarter project has developed a prototype and there is a good little video here to show you how it works. The kickstarter deadline is today so act quickly!

01 - Altair's thinkLab design studio team came up with this clever little device for your MacBook.

Vectorworks at AIA National in DC

The Nemetschek Vectorworks folks want people to be aware that they will be at the AIA National Convention & Design Expo this month. The note says….” ‘Like’ us on Facebook and then visit booth #2009 for a prize.” Each day until the festivities start on May 17, we’ll be revealing exciting ways for you to design, collaborate, perform advanced renderings and animations, simulate pedestrian traffic, and present ideas with augmented reality tools!

From their Facebook page (www.facebook.com/Vectorworks) you can get involved.

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.

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.

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.

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.

After more than 1.2 million downloads, the 3D program with revolutionary “augmented reality” technology has gained more features and a brand new user interface (UI). In this release there was focus on three major areas:

• Capture improvement through MagicAR – revolutionary augmented reality technology
• A brand new user interface with very intuitive navigation
• A full HD iPad version

“Following the release of MagicPlan 1, we were able to incorporate many improvements based on the valuable feedback gathered from more than one-million unique users who downloaded it. MagicPlan2.0 is our answer to all our customers and proof of our commitment to them” says Francis Malka, one of the Sensopia co-founders. “In less than 2 minutes, customers will have concrete proof that MagicPlan 2.0 is an efficient and time-saving solution for their planning needs”.

01 - MagicPlan 2.0 is now out and features a new UI and improved AR features.

In addition to MagicAR, MagicPlan 2.0 has a complete new user interface, significant improvements of the MagicPlan Cloud, a full iPad version and new pricing. “MagicPlan 2.0 has been a real technological challenge and one that we are confident that our customers will be thrilled with. MagicPlan 2.0 is a must-have tool that can be mastered within 2 minutes.” says Pierre Gaubil, Sensopia’s CEO.

MagicPlan 2.0 is free to download and free to use. MagicPlan Cloud offers different payable options to export floor plans.

MagicPlan 2.0 runs on iPhone 4 and 4S, iPod Touch (4th gen), iPad 2 and new iPad 3. You can learn more here: http://ww.sensopia.com/

CadFaster | Collaborate for Vectorworks is a powerful collaboration tool available through a plugin for Vectorworks software. CadFaster | Collaborate provides design and engineering professional teams the power to distribute their 3D CAD and BIM models effortlessly and to invite others to view and mark them up remotely and in “real time”, even from a laptop or iPad.

01 - CadFaster of Finland has been a hot new CAD technology and now its is available for Vectorworks users.

“Vectorworks users will enjoy the simplicity and convenience that CadFaster has to offer them for real-time, cloud-based 3D collaboration,” said Jeremy Powell, director of product marketing at Nemetschek Vectorworks. “We’re very proud to have CadFaster | Collaborate as the most recent addition to our third party partner product portfolio.

CadFaster works by compressing very large CAD data files into much smaller chunks of data that can be emailed or sent to users from a Web URL link. End users do not need to run a client application, simply clicking on the CadFaster file will launch the file in its own user-interface. From there users have the ability to view, rotate and annotate the 3D CAD data. Features include turntable mode navigation, selection of rotation center, standard views and measurement/markup in section views–all contributing to improved productivity.

“Collaborating closely with Vectorworks to offer our software as a plug-in will benefit many Vectorworks customers,” said Raimo Kuismin, chairman, CadFaster. “CadFaster | Collaborate for Vectorworks brings design and engineering professionals the ease of real-time multiuser collaboration with geographically dispersed teams; reduced engineering costs; increased productivity; and most importantly, the kind of functionality that can really drive revenue.”

CadFaster | Collaborate is available in English worldwide for all users of Vectorworks 2012 software. A retail price of 99.USD is listed on the Nemetschek website. For more information or to purchase CadFaster Collaborate for Vectorworks please visit: http://tinyurl.com/7r924nz.

Vectorworks in the Cloud

Vectorworks Cloud Services will allow desktop and cloud-stored CAD files to be synchronized automatically, enabling collaboration and remote work scenarios. As we have detailed in our feature, there are four components to the new cloud services offering: Vectorworks Cloud Services Server, Vectorworks Nomad for iOS mobile devices, a desktop version of Vectorworks Cloud Services which serves as an organizing and synchronizing application, and finally a Vectorworks Cloud Services web portal that enables collaboration, viewing and several other basic functions. (see image 01)

01 - Here is an image of Vectorworks Nomad app running on iPad.

With a Vectorworks Cloud Services account users select which files to upload to the cloud. Changes to these files will be automatically synchronized to the user’s private storage in the cloud, allowing them to browse, view, annotate, and share designs from the Web, iOS devices and email.

“The cloud offers important benefits in efficiency and collaboration to the design workflow, enhancing the value that Vectorworks products already offer on the desktop,” said Sean Flaherty, CEO of Nemetschek Vectorworks. “Vectorworks Cloud Services will provide the freedom and flexibility designers need to successfully meet the challenges of working in today’s mobile world. In particular, the ability to perform calculations in the cloud will be a significant advantage to our users.”

The Vectorworks Cloud Services server renders 3D views (in viewports) in various rendering modes, including higher-resolution Renderworks modes, thereby serving as a cloud-renderer. The cloud-based workflow shifts calculations needed from the desktop out into the cloud server where besides rendering it can generate sections and calculate BIM data. The results are automatically sent back to the desktop once completed.

Service Select members in the US and Canada can try out the service for free now, until 30 April 2012. Later this year the service will be available in other countries. To learn more visit here.

What’s New

A big new feature in AutoCAD 2013 are the new tools to connect with Autodesk 360 cloud-enabled services. This will allow AutoCAD 2013 users to access their data anywhere and collaborate with colleagues in remote locations. Free-form modeling has become more robust and modeling in general enhanced across both surface, solid and mesh model typologies. Powerful point cloud support allows you to import scanned data with up to 2 billion data points, helping you start your project with existing environments.

01 - The new AutoCAD 2013 has been announced by Autodesk. The release is simultaneous on both the Mac and Windows platforms.

There are some interesting new social connection capabilities in AutoCAD 2013. Besides the Autodesk 360 options you can now bring in Inventor files and maintain intelligent and associative relationships between AutoCAD and Inventor files. AutoCAD 2013 gains new built-in Facebook and Twitter connection tools for sharing your designs. And you can import and aggregate 3D model data from the top CAD industry model formats including PRO/Engineer, CATIA, SolidWorks, NX, and Rhinoceros.

There is new AutoCAD Apps on Autodesk Exchange, a programming interface and full interface customization. Autodesk 2013 has built-in 3D rendering tools and the program support 3D printing capability for physical 3D prototyping.

Architecture and design students and teachers are entitled to receive the fully-functional education version of ArchiCAD for free. Students and teachers are entitled to one year free education licenses of ArchiCAD after showing proof of their education status. In addition, architecture schools and academic institutions are entitled to equip their computer labs with the free academic version of ArchiCAD. Given that BIM is the fastest-growing trend in the AEC design industry, Graphisoft took the lead in developing the first, full-fledged BIM curriculum to support the university education of BIM to students. As a result, the number of universities taking advantage of this opportunity has grown as well. Since Graphisoft began offering free software to students, teachers, and universities through www.myarchicad.com, students are better-equiped to start their careers armed with the knowledge and practical skills they gain through the study of Building Information Modeling.

The Superior Technical School of Architecture of Madrid (ETSAM) is the leading school of architecture of the Technical University of Madrid (UPM) of Spain. It prepares future architects and grants the title of Architect, as well as doctorates and diverse master degrees. ETSAM is considered by many professionals of the sector as the best in Spain and one of the best architecture schools word-wide.

BIM for Small and New Firms

“We recognize the importance of BIM within the building and construction process, as well as the financial realities many new firms face. The release of STAR(T) 2012 represents our commitment to providing a powerful software solution to those customers,” said Steve Benford, managing director, Graphisoft North America. “ArchiCAD STAR(T) Edition 2012 is an excellent option to gain a BIM solution that meets their needs now and will meet their needs in the future as they grow.”

ArchiCAD STAR(T) 2012

ArchiCAD STAR(T) Edition 2012 is a full-fledged BIM solution with critical features most smaller practices need. Architects can take advantage of a full BIM toolset and create any type of “virtual building” model and architectural documentation (floor plans, sections/elevations, 3D views, details).

There are several new features in the STAR(T) Edition users will enjoy, including:

• Intelligent Element Connections — automatic connections between building structures and elements to help the creation and maintenance of the BIM model while preserving the flexibility architects need
• 3D Design Space — the new 3D guidelines and editing planes to help the creation of the BIM model in the natural 3D environment, including axonometric and perspective views
• Latest DWG-DXF file exchange capabilities with the 3rd party applications of consultants

ArchiCAD STAR(T) Edition 2012 will be shipping for less than 2000.USD. For more information visit www.graphisoft.com to find a reseller.

Architosh Analysis

ArchiCAD STAR(T) Edition is an interesting product that we feel fits the majority of needs of the small office or sole practitioner very well. And a firm outgrows those needs a company can upgrade to the full version of ArchiCAD. The STAR(T) Edition can read files created with earlier version of STAR(T) (2007 and newer) as well as ArchiCAD 8.1 and 9.0.

What is different about this version versus the full version of ArchiCAD is that STAR(T) Edition doesn’t support the Teamwork functionality found in ArchiCAD proper. There is no XRefs support or Hotlinked Modules support. Also, some of the sophisticated modeling is not supported, such as shells, curtain walls, slanted walls, columns and the profile manager is not present. There is also no LightWorks rendering engine built in or Sketch Rendering. And finally there is no NET license or license borrowing. When it comes to documentation there are no limitations or differences between this product and ArchiCAD 15.

For those who have been interested in ArchiCAD but concerned about price STAR(T) offers them an alternative road map to migrating to a BIM practice.

Open BIM is a universal approach to the collaborative design, realization and operation of buildings based on open standards and workflows. Open BIM is an initiative of the buildingSMART organization and several leading software vendors using the open buildingSMART Data Model.

Benefits of Open BIM

The key benefits of the Open BIM workflow approach include:

• Workflow integration results in greatly reduced coordination errors compared to sheer file exchange-based coordination methods of various disciplines
• Project members can work with any of the “best-of-breed” solutions in their respective fields without risking “incompatibility” hence exclusion from certain BIM projects
• Project members can maintain full control over software upgrades independently from their peers on the different AEC projects they participate in
• Accessibility of BIM data is provided for the entire lifecycle of buildings including design, construction and operation

The Open BIM program’s aim is to help coordinate efforts related to the promotion and implementation of Open BIM collaboration workflows by providing common definitions, requirements and branding. AEC software vendors, AEC practices (designers, engineers, contractors) as well as AEC projects are all welcome to participate and use the OPEN BIM logo as a promise of successful and streamlined collaboration.

01 - The new Open BIM logo looks like this. Initiatives include the ability for a wider array of participants in Open BIM to co-brand their BIM workflow processes and philosophies towards open standards using this logo.

The buildingSMART organization is a neutral, international and unique not-for-profit industry alliance supporting Open BIM through the life cycle of a building. The group develops, maintains and issues certifications for the data model standard known as Industry Foundation Classes (IFC). The IFC standard was accepted by ISO (ISO/PAS 16739: 2005). Full ISO accreditation is in progress.

To learn more about Open BIM go here: http://buildingsmart.com/openbim

Vectorworks Landmark Tutorial Manual provides explanations of Vectorworks Landmark concepts and techniques for users of all levels. The topics covered apply to both residential and commercial projects.

01 - The new Vectorworks Landmark Tutorial Manual, Third Edition, by Jonathan Pickup.

“When people get started with Vectorworks Landmark, they often struggle with the complexities of planting,” said Pickup. “The goal of this manual is to make it as simple as possible, to get away from the mystery of how you can make a plan and get the information from the plant database, and to show people how quick and easy it can be do things like landscape budgeting and planting plans.”

The manual takes users through a series of exercises to reinforce the learning of Vectorworks Landmark features and workflow capabilities, starting with a very simple exercise on landscape budgeting. Content and exercises build in complexity, and b the end of the manual the user will be able to use the plant database, create custom plants, edit the plant graphics and import drawings from consultants.

Further Details

This tutorial book is part of the 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 the manual, which is 75.USD, please visit this page.

Rift Architects applied OPEN BIM collaboration workflow to design and build a high-end residential complex in the heart of Oslo fjord, 40 minutes outside of Oslo, Norway. The residential project offers residents an enviable way of life, with islands, reefs, sandy beaches and fishing all within arm’s reach.

01 - Graphisoft to host OPEN BIM webinar featuring this project in Norway. (image courtesy of Graphisoft, copyright by Rift Architects)

Webinar Details

In attending this webinar you can learn about:

• How OPEN BIM’s safe and streamlined workflow ensures seamless collaboration between architects and engineers using products like Graphisoft ArchiCAD, Tekla Structures, and DDS-CAD MEP.
• Learn how OPEN BIM projects are more easily shared among architects, engineers, builders and clients
• See how Rift Architect’s use of OPEN BIM saved the client time and money on the Norde Jarsberg Brygge project

Registration

The live webinar is on 27 March 2012, Tuesday. To register for different locales around the world you can visit this information page here. There is a Spanish-language version for this event as well. To register to here.

To learn more about Graphisoft visit this page.

“The reality is that BIM is more about process change than technology adoption,” said Thomas M. Simmons, series instructor. “With this program we are focusing on how to make the transition to BIM so that its benefits can be maximized throughout the design process.”

Individuals can register for one or all the six courses on the LearnVirtual registration page. The dates and topics of the sessions are as follows:

• March 14 — Defining Fundamental BIM Concepts, Terms & Tools.
• March 21 — Implementing BIM in the Design Phase
• March 28 — Visualization with BIM
• April 4 — Strategies for Creating Documents from a BIM Model
• April 11 — Collaboration from Small to Large Teams
• April 18 — Integrating Sustainability into the BIM Process

Course instructor Thomas M. Simmons has worked in architecture, engineering and construction firms in San Francisco, Houston, Portland and Seattle to implement BIM. He is a recognized expert in Building Information Modeling and the implementation of its technology.

LearnVirtual specializes in the design and implementation of educational programs for AEC professionals.

Pricing and Registration

Sessions are 29.USD, but all six can be had for 125.USD. You can learn more and register at: www.learnvirtual.com

Columbia Events

Vectorworks Core Concepts Course.

Monday, March 12 and Tuesday, March 13, 2012. Hands-on training will get you up-to-speed on core concepts behind this popular CAD/BIM program. The cost is 700.USD. You can register and learn more here.

Vectorworks Intermediate Concepts Course.

Wednesday, March 14 and Thursday, March 15, 2012. This continues on from the previous two days and advances knowledge of Vectorworks. The pre-requisite for this course is the Core Concepts course and you must have taken it within the past two years. The cost is 700.USD. You can register for this course here.

Virtual Events

Vectorworks Virtual Core Concepts Course.

This is the same course as above but taught virtually over the Internet. It begins on Friday, March 23, and extends to March 23, 2012. Virtual Training is a five-day course with three hours of training each day, where you can choose to attend classes in the morning or evening, freeing up the rest of your day. The cost is 850.USD. You can register for this event here.

To learn more about Vectorworks in general visit them online at: www.nemetschek.net