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.

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

Autodesk’s BIM solutions are part of Autodesk 360 for BIM, a comprehensive set of on-premise and in the cloud solutions that enable more efficient and document and project management of AEC projects.  These solutions consist of:

• Autodesk AEC Vault —  This solution lets teams manage and track digital models without leaving their BIM design tools, including Revit Architecture, Revit MEP, Revit Structure, AutoCAD Civil 3D and Navisworks.
• Autodesk Buzzsaw – A cloud-based project collaboration solution that provides secure exchange of designs, documents and information with external partners.
• Autodesk AutoCAD WS – a web and mobile platform based solution for reviewing DWG documents with multiple particpants across a range of platforms, including Apple’s iOS devices like iPad
• Autodesk 360 Nexus — introduced this week at AU, and initially ready for the manufacturing industry, it is also planned to support AEC workflow and business process management needs.

To learn more about Autodesk’s new 360 BIM initiatives you can read the released information online here.

Architosh Analysis

We think Autodesk’s cloud-based solutions are aimed in the right direction but this announcement consists of existing solutions stitched together rather than a completely new and integrated new software offering. Make no mistake about it, these tools combined do amount to opportunities for AEC businesses to streamline complex scenarios and information. But the solution many may be dreaming of is centralized, efficient, simplified and truly platform open and neutral. Vault for instance only runs on MS Windows. Parts of the collection of tools work on certain platforms and not others.

The presentation at 2011 PCI Annual Convention and National Bridge Conference, illustrates the benefit of openBIM and how the Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) file exchange is allowing architects, engineers and precast manufactures using preferred software applications from multiple vendors, to leverage today’s BIM process to increase efficiencies, reduce errors and ultimately deliver higher preforming precast structures.

“The demo is just an initial stepping stone to deal with all the major exchanges facilitating precast workflows,” said Eastman.

This educational session demonstrated how a design model created by an architect using an IFC-capable BIM authoring application can be imported into a structural analysis software for optimization and code checking.

This optimized IFC model can then be moved downstream and converted into a detailed precast fabrication model. The parts and Bill of Materials of the fabrication model can be used as the inputs into the fabrication process and ultimately to manage the scheduling and project completion on the job site.

“We expect other companies aspiring to support precast work will be joining later,” said Eastman, Professor and Director of the Georgia Tech Digital Building Laboratory.

For more information on Chuck Eastman’s work at the Laboratory the Georgia Tech Digital Building Laboratory
visit.

PCI, the Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute (PCI) is the foremost developer of standards and methods for designing, fabricating, and constructing precast concrete structures. PCI develops, maintains and disseminates the industry’s body of knowledge and publishes a broad array of periodicals, technical manuals, reports, and other informational documents, including an award-winning technical journal.

For more information on PCI

Or any company that is apart of the open BIM Interoperability. See below:

About Nemetschek Vectorworks Inc.

About Tekla

About StructureWorks

About Nemetschek Scia

Liverpool embraced BIM as a means to plan, administer and control processes used in the construction, expansion, and modification of its stores. After considering ArchiCAD and another BIM solution, Liverpool chose ArchiCAD as the BIM solution best-suited to meet its growing needs. Liverpool’s Store Planning Team, represented by Martin A. Perez, Fernando Parrillat and Carlos Jimenez, pointed out several areas where ArchiCAD surpasses its best rival.

“ArchiCAD allows the management of large files without the need for major hardware and infrastructure,” the team said. “Furthermore, ArchiCAD’s Teamwork function makes collaboration on even overseas projects easier to manage.” The team also chose ArchiCAD due to the strength of the technical support back in Hungary and its Spanish offices in Europe, in addition to its Mexico representative. “No other company dedicated to BIM even comes close to Graphisoft in Mexico,” they said.

To learn more about ArchiCAD and Graphisoft’s BIM solutions visit them online here.

What We Think

It is becoming increasingly common for large retail businesses to implement their own BIM standards. This is just a natural evolution of those same companies’ CAD standards. Many architects may wonder how such large corporate clients and their technology standards work in conjunction with independent architects serving these same clients. Often in the past CAD standards by such clients could impede on architect selection and working methods and the sharing of data. But BIM promises by its very nature a more flexible approach to these same challenges. ArchiCAD’s strong IFC and Open BIM standards orientation makes it a very flexible solution. It was noteworthy to hear the Liverpool team mention overseas support, something Graphisoft is very strong in with its best-in-class BIM Server.

Graphisoft now offers Tekla BIMsight for its professional and educational users for BIM model coordination. The software is a free download on MyArchiCAD.com

Built on Tekla’s proven modeling technology, BIMsight enables architects and engineers and others to coordinate BIM models and share data. “It is crucial for architects and structural engineers to be able to coordinate and construct with contractors, seamlessly,” said Laura Virros, director of the Project Delivery segment at Tekla. “We are happy to share a common belief in open BIM collaboration with Graphisoft, and we are delighted to have them along as a Tekla BIMsight distributor.”

To learn more visit: www.teklabimsight.com

The OrthoGraph Survey supports floor-plan survey, elevation survey as well as cross-section survey. These then can be transferred into 3D BIM models that can be opened in a 3D CAD software such as ArchiCAD, AutoCAD and Google SketchUp.

OrthoGraph is excited to have a cutting edge surveying solution, that makes the measure – survey – 3D model work flow even faster.

Users can try OrthoGraph’s free fully functional trial version of OrthoGraph 3.0 here.

On top of that, OrthoGraph has teamed up with Leica Geosystems, an industry leader in durable, accurate, and reliable distance meters, to create some great software/hardware solutions.

The Leica D8 includes:
Digital Pointfinder with 4x zoom
Large color display screen (2.4 inches)
360° Inclination measurement
Bluetooth – reliable data transfer

A discount is available on OrthoGraph 3.0 + Leica distance meter when you order through e-shop.

OrthoGraph can be tried out even on Windows 7/XP/Vista by downloading a PDA Emulator preinstalled version from our website. This way OrthoGraph can be tried out even without having a PDA/Windows Mobile Phone!

Graphisoft Asia sales director, Robert Greenfield, and general manager of JZFZ Zhang Yuhua, signed an agreement that lays out the terms for a strategic partnership. The parties will cooperate in an effort to promote the application of ArchiCAD within China as well as foster the development of China’s architectural design and construction industries.

Several Years

JZFZ has been evaluating Graphisoft’s ArchiCAD for several years and has become convinced that ArchiCAD is the BIM (building information modeling) software that will take JZFZ to the next level in their competitive advantage and performance.

During the course of the next three years, Graphisoft will assist JZFZ in setting up a design workflow and platform based on Graphisoft products and relevant BIM technology according to JZFZ’s overall development strategy and business characteristics.

“We are eager to achieve a total BIM workflow from design to construction,” said Zhang Yuhau, General Manager of JZFZ, “It can help us to to increase productivity, improve design quality, and improve our competitiveness.”

Robert Greenfield of Graphisoft Asai commented: “Our mission is to help the Chinese building and construction industry move from 2D to BIM, while helping China achieve a qualitative leap in increasing efficiency, saving money, and designing environmentally sustainable buildings.”

To learn more about ArchiCAD visit Graphisoft online here.

What We Think

Expanding into China with strategic partnerships like this makes a lot of sense. BIM technology is complicated to implement; BIM software providers should all be taking advantage of unacknowledged desire by AEC firms to adopt the technology via a custom tailoring process. Larger firms in particular have the resources and various flexible arrangements can be constructed to benefit both BIM maker and the use-firm in the partnership.

“We are honored to be recognized by the Construction Computing Awards,” says Sean Flaherty, CEO of Nemetschek Vectorworks. “We have worked hard to make Vectorworks 2011 a breakthrough release, strengthening its 3D technology and BIM capabilities, and it’s rewarding to be recognized by members of the AEC industry in this way. We are also very fortunate to have partners like Computers Unlimited, whose efforts have been essential to our success in the U.K.”

The awards ceremony was held November 28 at The Guoman Tower Hotel in London. About 200 attendees from industry-leading companies attended the event, which included a champagne reception, a three-course dinner, and entertainment by comedian Adam Bloom. Team members from Computers Unlimited, the Vectorworks distributor in the U.K., were in attendance to accept the award.

Now in their fifth year, the Construction Computing Awards (also known as The Hammers) showcase and reward the technology, tools, and solutions for the effective design, construction, maintenance, and modification of commercial buildings, residential and social housing, and civil engineering projects of all sizes. Results are determined by Construction Computing Magazine reader votes and decisions by a panel of judges. Paul Morrell, the U.K. Government’s Chief Construction Advisor, presented this year’s awards.

To learn more about Vectorworks 2011 visit: www.nemetschek.net

As a result of the agreement, students will be assured that they will be using the latest cutting-edge BIM technology in their studies. “Working with BIM is exciting and educational for the students,” said Anita Tjelta, Recruitment and Education Consultant for BNL. “It is important for the construction industry that future employees learn and master this technology.”

Approximately 200,000 students in Norway will be affected by this agreement, integrating BIM software technologies into their studies in mathematics, science and arts and crafts for furthering industry in Norway. BIM is the future of the construction industry and the use of BIM improves communication and data exchange between all parties involved in the entire design-build-management of facilities cycle.

To learn more about Graphisoft’s BIM technologies in ArchiCAD visit them here.

ACCIONA is one of the foremost Spanish business corporations with leadership in the development and management of infrastructure, renewable energy, water and services. Listed on the select Ibex-35 stock exchange index and the Dow Jones Sustainability indices, it is benchmark for the market. It has presence in more than 30 countries and a global employee base of over 35,000. As part of its R&D department, which has a budget over 500 million euro, Graphisoft’s BIM solution will standardize their practices.

“This is all about an integration system that will help link all departments–education, quality control, engineering, et cetera–allowing us to work interactively on a single projec file and share our progress in real time,” said Fernando Blanco, Visualization and Sub-area Coordinator of 3D Modeling at ACCIONA’s R&D department.

ArchiCAD was used for the new Leon Airport Terminal.

To learn more about ACCIONA go here. To learn more about Graphisoft’s ArchiCAD visit them online here: www.graphisoft.com

With MADCAD.com v3.0 you can search 7000 codes and standards in less than one second over a high-speed internet connection. You can browse easily through state codes under the Local tab in the interface and new in this version is that amendments are listed for each local code as well as linked to URL sources outside the MADCAD.com web service interface. 

MADCAD.com v3.0 offers search of over 7000 building codes and standards.

Under the Products tab users can browse 10,000 manufacturers listed under the CSI (construction specification institute) format. 

To access MADCAD.com you purchase a subscription to what the company calls iPubs. You can create a custom eLibrary subscription to the codes and standards of your choice and there are packages for individuals and companies. 

To learn more visit them at: www.madcad.com

BIMserver: Understanding the Paradigm Shift

Today BIM and CAD tools essentially store data on local workstations and local area network (LAN) servers. However, the idea behind BIMserver is that the data inside a BIM should be stored entirely on a centralized server accessible to the Internet. It could also be hosted out on the cloud as a service. This idea is not new and the team behind BIMserver acknowledge that. What is new is that the technology is ready to move beyond the research lab into production software.

BIMserver: A new paradigm for BIM deployment and configuration.

BIMserver interfaces with client-side BIM, CAD and analysis tools via a set of SOAP and REST web services. All client applications read from, and write to, the same digital [BIM] model. Compared to today’s various client-sided and server-sided BIM tools, BIMserver users are always working with the latest information and it is not necessary for them to confirm this. 

An interesting aspect of BIMserver as discussed here at Stress-Free.co.nz is that third-party web services, like companies that manufacturer products for buildings (eg: doors, windows, floor materials, lighting, etc.) could enable a direct link to data in the BIM under BIMserver since  the building model exists as a live entity — much like the databases behind Facebook for example. What users find when they connect to Facebook is the very latest “state” of the unified database as updated by its many participants. 

Using REST web services manufacturers could provide live-linked data on objects (again like doors for example) that update with new price information and schedule of delivery availability information without the user taking action to update that information. Today BIM tools require the participants feed this information into the building model and then constantly maintain it in order to keep information current.

BIMServer: Free, Java-based and runs on Mac

Today BIMserver is free and released under the GPLv3 open-source license. Besides the two sponsors listed above, CSIRO and the VTT are investigating ways to participate and nine businesses have expressed interest in making compatible client software to plugin to BIMserver. 

BIMserver is written entirely in Java and can be deployed to any modern Java web application server or run as a standalone application using the light-weight Jetty library. BIMserver can therefore run on Windows, Mac OS X and Linux, and in a production environment it could be deployed from within Tomcat, JBoss or GlassFish Java web application servers.

Client applications interact with BIMserver through a SOAP web service interface that implements the Building Information Exchange Protocol (BIEP), which is a new protocol from the Open Source BIM Initiative.

Those behind the BIMserver project acknowledge that while the technology concept behind it is very promising its adoption within AEC is fraught with challenges imposed by the current paradigm of a workstation-centric culture. 

BIMserver.org is the official site for BIMserver, the open-source project, and about a week ago the first public release came online — version 0.1 release candidate 1. You can download the software here as well. 

[Ed. note: This article has been updated from its original publication time. 2 Mar 2009.]

Earlier in the week Autodesk made announcements concerning its unveiling of its new 2010 software portfolio for BIM. In a virtual press conference last Friday, the San Rafael-based company announced several new Revit series products including:

• Autodesk Revit Architecture 2010
• Autodesk Revit Structure 2010
• Autodesk Revit MEP 2010
• Autodesk Navisworks 2010
• Autodesk Civil 3D 2010

Autodesk’s new 2010 series products for BIM feature an “aligned” user interface, giving the entire series of products a consistent look and feel. A focus on interoperability across not just the Autodesk portfolio but to other industry products was also important in this update. New support for green building extensible markup language (gbXML) format is included. Product availability starts on March 24, 2009. For more info go here.

Earlier this year we had several feature news reports on Autodesk and the Mac. Click here.

solidThinking CAID software reaches out to India

With India now possessing such important manufactured brands, such as the once British automaker Landrover, the country naturally needs more design tech. Enter Italian-US based solidThinking Inc.

solidThinking enters India via DesignTech Systems Ltd., based on Pune, India. solidThinking is a world renowned industrial design software and is being launched in India at CII NID Design Summit and Indian Design Festival 2009.

Mr. Vikas Khanvelkar, Managing Director, DesignTech Systems said, “solidThinking is the ultimate solution for all the design needs of the industrial designers. It facilitates free-style designing with excellent real-life rendering features thereby enhancing the creativity and boosting the designers to create a number of rich stylish design options.”

DesignTech Systems Ltd., will be the exclusive distributor of solidThinking in India. 

Vectorworks 2009 News

New York City-based V-Construct will be hosting several Vectorworks 2009 series classes in February. The classes are:

• Vectorworks 2D Essentials Session 1 (Saturday) – Feb 21, 9-5pm
• Vectorworks 2D Essentials Session 2 (Saturday) – Feb 28, 9-5pm

Classes are $395 each. The venue is Computer Tech Center, 352, 7th Ave. 16th Floor, New York, NY 10001. To learn more and register visit the V-construction website: http://www.v-construct.com/

Private onsite training is also available and starts at $1250 per day.

The report finds a growing enthusiasm and take-up for BIM (building information modeling) among architects, engineers, contractors, and owners, and usage is expected to grow rapidly in the coming year, despite the economic recession. Users plan to significantly increase their investment in BIM in 2009 to realize greater productivity, improved communications, and a competitive edge. 

The report shows that companies that are tracking BIM value metrics are reporting returns on investment (ROI) as high as 300 – 500 percent through improved project outcomes, better communication, enhanced productivity, and a positive impact on winning projects. 

The report aims to educate users to the value of BIM and introduce BIM concepts. BIM promotes a more collaborative environment. 73 percent of BIM users are at least moderately involved in green building projects and find BIM to be helpful with those projects. BIM tools can help analyze energy use and efficiency within a building design. 

“BIM is quickly becoming the gold standard by which firms do work,” said Steve Jones, Senior Director of Business Development, McGraw-Hill Construction, and one of the co-authors of the report. “It is a notable differentiator among competitors, a time-saver, and a cost-reducer. BIM dramatically shifts businesses’ productivity and ROI. This is why we are seeing such rapid growth.”

To read the full press release go here.

Pythagoras GIS+CAD is a GIS program written specifically for the Mac OS X platform. It is extendable by means of Pythagoras VBA, an open programmable tool also available. 

Pythagoras GIS+CAD

Pythagoras GIS+CAD is designed to be used by local authorities, cadastral services, utility companies, urban planning and for scientific research. Its application is to analyse and visualize spatial information, without being limited to geographical objects only. 

ADW Software asks in their literature, “is it GIS or CAD?” Actually…it is both. Pythagoras GIS+CAD is part of a new generation of GIS software that is more intuitive yet very powerful, offering the many benefits of CAD added to the capabilities of GIS.

The program can handle the most complex drawing requirements, defined to scale at both real and paper space dimensions. An intelligent cursor technology aids in snapping to vertices (points) smartly. A context-sensitive control panel intelligently shows you data for the items under the intelligent cursor. Pythagoras GIS+CAD supports WYSIWYG for perfect prints, and there is a new Viewports technology to allow you to show both overviews and details in one document at any scale. And support for Sheets is a powerful way to manage the visualization of large projects. 

You can learn more by reading the PDF brochure here.

Pythagoras CAD+GIS

Pythagoras CAD+GIS is the upgrade path from Pythagoras 10, a CAD plus GIS software package designed for land surveyors, civil engineers (road design & urban planning), and construction companies. The updated and renamed program contains more than 50 new features, including the newly integrated GIS functionalities. GIS functions are fully integrated giving Pythagoras the advantages of both the CAD and GIS worlds. 

Pythagoras CAD+GIS and Pythagoras GIS+CAD are the only applications of their kind made fo the native operating system environments of both Windows and Mac OS X. To learn more read the PDF brochure here.

To visit their website go to: http://www.pythagoras.net/

Graphisoft Helps Lead AEC Industry to BIM

Graphisoft continues to help lead the entire AEC industry towards BIM, moving building design, engineering and management towards a full 3D intelligent model driven world. With these latest learning tools Graphisoft is offering continued support to designers in understanding the benefits of BIM. The suite is free and can be downloaded here.

BIM Learning Studio Details

The Graphisoft BIM Learning Studio is a complete suite of voice-led resource learning materials that support experienced architectural practitioners of BIM to gain relevant hands on experience. The suite includes a core of technology tools called the Experience BIM module, which won the 2008 International Stevie Award for Best Training Technology and was a finalist in the 2008 Codie Award for Best Workforce Training Solution. 

“There is no other BIM learning resource in our industry that has been so highly commended,” said Akos Pfemeter, Director of Marketing at Graphisoft. 

The BIM Learning Studio consists of:

Experience BIM - A voice-led QuickTime animated interactive training tool that leads users through a thorough understanding of BIM using Graphisoft’s award-winning BIM application, ArchiCAD 12. This provides a conceptual overview as users work through designing the Massaro House, a famous project by Frank Lloyd Wright. 

ArchiCAD Essentials - A voice-led QuickTime animated interactive training tool that leads users through the design, layout and documenting of a modernist Microsoft campus building in Budapest, Hungary. This tool provides insight into some of the latest features of ArchiCAD 12 including its new systems-based Curtain Wall tool. 


Advanced Modeling - An introductory guide to advanced modeling techniques for creating complex forms and structures in ArchiCAD.


Advanced Collaboration - An overview of workflows for project sharing and strategies for team working.


Building Object Creation - An introduction to building object creation methods and techniques.

Advanced Modeling

Advanced modeling is a growing area of importance within the architectural industry as advances in manufacturing technology make it easier and less costly for architects to implement curved and complex-shaped components within their building designs.  To this end Graphisoft is providing architects with more tools and power behind creative form and design innovation.

“This is an introductory guide to advanced modeling techniques,” Akos Pfemeter, told Architosh today. “This is approximately six hours of material that covers the making of complex forms and structures in ArchiCAD 12.” 

With the Advanced Modeling component of the BIM Learning Studio users can learn about everything from generic modeling of basic shapes and volumes to structural grids, terrains, slanted and composite walls, columns, beams, stairs and roofs. “There is also special treatment on special openings such as skylights, corner windows and trusses and roof structures,” said Mr. Pfemeter. 

For very complex free-form modeling Graphisoft recommends that users look to the highend 3D package Cinema 4D, produced by Nemetschek Group sister company Maxon Computer GmbH, of Germany. “ArchiCAD has an intelligent bi-directional connection to this solution,” Akos Pfemeter told Architosh today, “so architects’ imaginations are not limited by any software constraints.”

To learn more visit: https://trialregistration.graphisoft.com/

With SketchUp 7’s new dynamic components users can build basic to sophisticated modeling components that can be stretched or manipulated as a group and watch intelligent modeling consequences emerge from that single manipulation. A good example would be to see a dynamic stairway component auto-adjust to a scale change by adding treads and risers to account for a new height or length. 

The new crossing line feature automatically breaks planes up for immediate push/pull modeling action and there is a new ability to program interaction into modeling components. 

Dynamic Components

There are several ways in which Dynamic Components can be deployed within SketchUp 7 Pro. Firstly, they can be configured as basic parametric modeling objects setting dimensional constraints to their location in space (x,y,z) or their relative dimensions across all three axes or a selection of axes. Secondly, they can be configured to allow for component options such as color and texture. Thirdly, they can be endowed with behaviors like animation and smart scaling. Through a spreadsheet like interface you setup and manipulate Dynamic Components. Google has several YouTube videos that showcase Dynamic Components. 

Other New Features

SketchUp 7 Pro and 3D Warehouse are more fully integrated with direct access from within SketchUp 7. You can perform and save searches. And in this new version you can take full credit for your models uploaded to 3D Warehouse as well as limit who has access to them. This last feature means you can utilize 3D Warehouse as an “cloud computing” store for your team’s models, only granting access to those on your project team. 

Another big new feature in SketchUp 7 Pro is the ability to tag metadata to your models. This means as a manufacturer you can attach part numbers, weight, or cost figures. On the presentation side of things you can now edit textures applied to your models in your favorite editing program and then see the results automatically updated within SketchUp 7.  

LayOut 2

LayOut 2 is fast becoming a sort of CAD container application, similar to Graphisoft’s old PlotMaker program. Essentially a holder of viewports of SketchUp model data, with LayOut 2 you can create sophisticated presentation or “working drawing” sheets for print or PDF production. LayOut 2 lets you create multi-page documents thereby allowing a complete setup of a set of drawings. 

In LayOut 2 your model data is linked to SketchUp 7 so that you can manipulate views of SketchUp models directly in the viewports within LayOut 2. Another key update is “scaled views.” Now with scaled views you can populate model views in LayOut 2 to exact scale. Lastly, LayOut 2 also integrates views for printing and files for presentation directly into the same file. LayOut 2 has a new presentation slide mode built right in. This enables you to showcase your project from within LayOut 2 without having to flip back and forth to SketchUp. You can orbit and fly around your SketchUp models, you can play animations and you can annotate on top of your view data. 

LayOut 2 also has some nice new little feature improvements like the ability to do both bounded and unbounded text, a new measurements entry window in the bottom right hand corner (a la SketchUp itself) and a new Vector rendering option.

To learn more visit: www.sketchup.com

For the first 9 months of the year, Nemetschek AG increased revenues 6% to 109.0 million euros, and adjusted to take into account currency fluctuations against the US dollar this figure would have been 7.5%. Outlookwise, Nemetschek AG expects to achieve median single-digit revenue growth with a stale EBITDA margin of more than 20%. 

Owing to its robust business model and successful first nine months, Nemetschek AG stands by its plans for 2008. The company has a broad customer base and gains 35%, plus or minus, of its revenues from software maintenance contracts, primarily in Europe. Its products are used by more than 270,000 companies in over 142 countries around the world. To learn more about this financial report visit: www.nemetschek.com

MEP Modeler for ArchiCAD

The MEP (mechanical/electrical/plumbing) Modeler extends Graphisoft’s market leading BIM application to more fully address the needs of architects and their engineering teams as they migrate to BIM and integrated project delivery processes. MEP Modeler for ArchiCAD 12 can allow users to create, edit and import 3D MEP networks (ductworks, piping, and cable trays) and from third-party applications and then coordinate them with ArchiCAD 12. 

“Coordination issues between trades are one of the biggest source of problems on medium and large building projects,” says Miklos Szovenyi-Lux, director of product management, Graphisoft. “These problems regularly cause as much as two to four percent cost overrun on total project budgets. Our MEP solution identifies problems on projects before they get to the construction site.”

Key features of MEP Modeler are:

• Powerful MEP modeling tools
• Powerful routing tools for both 3D and 2D views
• Rich library of standard parametric parts
• Interference Detection System – helps coordinate MEP to Architectural and Structural Systems
• Import capability from AutoCAD MEP 2008/2009 (in 3D)