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/

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

ForceEffect provides an intuitive drawing environment for drawing, constraining and simulating concepts using free body diagrams by simply tapping objects to select, move, rotate and scale. Real time solving capabilities provide immediate feedback on the performance of a design, enabling users to bring engineering to the point of the problem–whether they’re in the field, at the office or in the class room.

01 - Autodesk ForceEffect for iPad is a statics solver, useful for engineering students, architects and DIYers.

A Static Problem Solver

ForceEffect for iPad solves static systems analysis using free-body diagrams. Users simply create diagrams by leveraging existing design images or by creating new systems from scratch. You scale images, create joints, support loads, and compute reaction forces.

The program is free and can be obtained through the Apple iTunes Store.

What We Think

Autodesk is seriously on a roll with Apple iOS based applications, and it is delightful to see. Sure, some of the i-apps they have created are more fluff and fun than serious work apps but the simple fact is they are making apps for the iPad and iPhone and that experience programming for iOS works for them–not against–in all future mobile endeavors.

Although we have not reviewed it yet, ForceEffect seems useful. This app compliments a range of other professional or practical iOS apps such as: Buzzsaw, Constructware Field, Design Review Mobile, SketchBook Express and SketchBook Pro for iPad, and AutoCAD WS. And that is not the c0mplete list. You can check out all iOS apps through the iTunes store by searching for Autodesk.

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

With the student edition of HyperWorks 11.0 college students can gain access to and experience in computer simulation with the same software used by professionals who design everything from aircraft and automobiles to computer silicon chips and golf clubs. “Simulation is the fastest-growing market sector in the PLM market, from the earliest phases of conceptual design through to manufacturing the product, and demand is high for graduates with simulation experience,” said Dr. Matthias Goelke, business development director for academic markets at Altair Engineering.

As part of the program’s global roll-out, the first 200 students in each country to register at the Altair Online Store will receive HyperWorks 11.0 Student Edition for free. The HyperWorks 11.0 Student Edition is available for purchase through the Altair Online Store and includes access to core HyperWorks commercial technologies that support the complete CAE workflow process for various solution types and applications.

To learn more visit this online link.

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

CityEngine

We last wrote about CityEngine back in April of this year when Procedural announced a joint-partnership with GTA Geoinformatik GmbH. The acquisition by ESRI further brings this digital content creation tool–often used in Hollywood entertainment–further in alignment with the world of GIS.

01 - CityEngine is now owned by ESRI, a global leader in GIS software systems.

CityEngine is used to rapidly create cities using complex procedural algorithms. In addition to use in movies and films the product is valuable to architects and urban designers and planners.

Many of ESRI’s GIS products address problems that can only be solved in 3D. Procedural’s technologies can greatly assist ESRI’s solutions.

Procedural’s Zurich-based offices will be maintained by ESRI–a California-based company–and turned into a world class R&D center in the field of urban design and 3D content creation. ESRI has also said the product CityEngine will continue to remain a stand-alone product even though many of its technologies will be brought into ESRI GIS software solutions.

The next version of CityEngine is expected soon and was presented live at the ESRI 2011 International User Conference.

To learn more about CityEngine and Procedural visit them online here.

NCS helps architects, constructors, and operators, by providing a way to classify electronic building design data. Streamlining information across disciplines, can save the expense of transferring building data from design applications to facility management applications. By improving communication, owners and teams can avoid or cut costs of developing and maintaining company-specific standards.

“CSI and its partners, AIA and NIBS, are pleased to introduce NCS Version 5,” said CSI Executive Director and CEO Walter Marlowe, P.E., CSI, CAE. “The refinements to the NCS, including round-the-clock online access, reflect the changing needs of the industry and how they work with design data.”

Because NCS Version 5 is web-based it is available any time, where references within the text are cross-linked, and spreadsheets are available for tabular data. Users can print each section separately, avoiding the need for a hardcopy of the entire document for reference

NCS has many new updates for Disciplines such as “Distributed Energy” and “Real Estate” etc. Many of the previous existing Disciplines, such as “Survey/Mapping”, have been expanded.

For NCS users who have purchased the previous version of the NCS within the past six months are eligible for a discount on NCS Version 5. This discount will be available for the next six months.

For more information.

Carl Bass, CEO, Autodesk, says, “Martyn has been a strong and outspoken advocate for the community of users – a curmudgeon with wit who speaks out for what he believes in. I’m very pleased to see this award given to Martyn.

“Martyn has always impressed me with his insight and unrelenting search for the truth,” said Roopinder Tara, editor of Tenlinks. “In an industry that often mistakes the ordinary with the important, tries to impress with mediocrity, and whose champions hope that whatever was stated last year will not be remembered, there’s Martyn to take them to task.”

In 2008 Martyn Day co-founded X3Dmedia, which publishes the new Develop3D magazine in partnership with partner Al Dean and others. This publication is now recognized as one of the best out there serving the entire CAD industry.

Martyn studied engineering and publishing at Oxford Brookes College and has spent his entire professional career pursuing, commenting and writing on the CAD industries from his UK homeland.

The award was presented at COFES (Congress on the Future of Engineering Software) this year, April 14-17, in Scottsdale, Arizona. Past winners include Roopinder Tara, Richard Doyle, Evan Yares, Michael Payne, Sean Dtoson, Chris Yessios, and many other respected industry participants.

SkyCourt Accomplished with ArchiCAD

The completed SkyCourt officially opened on March 18, 2011. It represents the first phase of a larger expansion currently underway at Budapest Ferihegy Airport. The inspiration for the SkyCourt’s curved design was that of open hands greeting or bidding farewell to both arriving and departing passengers.

01 - Zoltan Tima of Tima Studio used ArchiCAD for the winning design. (photo: courtesy of Graphisoft, copyright Tibor Seidl)

The architectural team was led by Zoltan Tima of the Tima Studio at Kotzti and used Graphisoft’s ArchiCAD Teamwork to ensure a seamless collaboration between architects and other designers. “Our team consisted anywhere between 4 and 10 people, and ArchiCAD Teamwork helped everyone stay on the same page throughout the design and construction phase,” said Tima.

Kozti is one of Hungary’s largest architecture firms. Originally a state-run organization, it was privatized and is now made up of six individual design studios. The company’s profile includes architecture, interior design, structural, mechanical, electrical engineering, and public utilities studios.

To learn more about ArchiCAD visit them online here: www.graphisoft.com

Georgia Tech’s DBL

The Georgia Tech DBL serves as a research and development link between the building industry and the building-related capacitities at the university. Made up of industry partners, faculty and graduate students from architecture, computing, building construction and civil engineering that work in building-related areas, the consortium strives to solve technological and cultural challenges in the industry and improve the cycle of innovation.

“The Digital Building Lab fills a need for innovation and advancement in the AEC fields, and we are proud to support the research Georgia Tech is conducting,” says Robert Anderson, Vice President of Integrated Practice at Nemetschek Vectorworks. “With the continued evolution of requirements for projects in areas such as sustainability or building information modeling, it is critical to have new advances in technology and processes available to the industry.”

Chuck Eastman, Professor and Director of the DBL reports, ” We are pleased that Nemetschek Vectorworks has joined the DBL to address with our researchers and other companies the technology and process opportunities arising in the design and construction industries.”

To learn more about Vectorworks as a BIM software tool go here. To learn more about Georgia Tech Digital Building Laboratory go here: www.dbl.gatech.edu

Kathleen Maher of Jon Peddie Research has written a good summary article on the recent state of developments within the CAD community concerning the Mac OS X platform. Though her article title “The Mac World Goes Pro – CAD Space Growing on the Mac” is a subtle slight to companies like Ashlar, Graphisoft, Nemetschek and others–who have been doing professional, industry-innovative professional CAD for decades–it is likely more an accidental consequence of looking at the CAD world from a PC-centric perspective.

Maher does acknowledge both Graphisoft and Nemetschek Vectorworks (formerly Nemetschek North America) under the umbrella name and company that controls both–Nemetschek back in Germany–but only after touching down on recent developments concerning Solidworks, Siemens and Autodesk. Which brings us to the next point. The article does do an excellent job of rounding out news concerning these companies relative to Mac-developments–all of which have been touched upon here on Architosh, but Maher’s summary is brief and effective.

However, there is one note that we would be remiss in not pointing out in the article that needs correction. Maher, in writing about formZ (aka Form Z) makes note that the company’s users are “natural Mac users” but also says that the company has not always kept up with the times. This somehow suggest that formZ is no longer leading edge or that AutoDesSys, its developer, is no longer leading edge. The latter in particular is simply not true. AutoDesSys’ formZ is still arguably the strongest advanced NURBS modeler and combined integrated renderer on the Mac platform. Its closest rival is undoubtedly McNeel’s Rhino which as of this writing is still in beta form and without many of the features already found in formZ.

We should also point out that AutoDesSys has spent the past few years dedicating a lot of its development resources to its newest product Bonzai 3D, now at version 2.2. This product is aimed squarely at Google’s SketchUp and for a version 2 product competes very well with the popular SketchUp.

To read the full article go here.

Nemetschek Scia and Tilt-Up Concrete System

Tilt-Up Design Systems, LLC, and Nemetschek Scia announced in late September at the Tilt-Up Concrete Association’s 2010 Annual Conference the availability of a new software bundle that provides design-build firms, architects, engineers and contractors with an integrated whole-building solution for site-cast precast (tilt-up) construction.

The new software bundle links Nemetschek Scia’s Scia Engineer, one of the world’s premier 3D structural software packages with TDS’s Tilt-Werks. To learn more about this bundle and integration visit this website here: www.TiltupBIM.com

T-Splines and Architecture

Designer Mahsa Adib has won 3rd Place for a Wellness Center he designed using T-Splines with Rhino. The design is a superb example of the power, value and benefit of using T-Splines software, as can be attested by the image below

Wellness Center design by Mahsa Adib, courtesy of TSplines website.

To learn more about T-Splines and using it with Rhino read the full story and visit the T-Spline website here.

Computer-aided engineering applications were more commonly on the Mac back in the Mac’s heydays (early 90’s) and not many have been maintained on the platform since the late 90’s. With Apple’s continued resurgence and popularity even rarefied domains like CFD (computational fluid dynamics) have started to return to the Mac. These are precisely the types of tools that surround large-scale mechanical engineering (MCAD) enterprises which itself is beginning to take a turn back to the Mac as can be seen by the recent announcements from SolidWorks Corporation.

Caedium for Mac OS X

Caedium 2.1 is available for Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard) and 10.6 (Snow Leopard) in addition to Windows and Linux and is built on a robust cross-platform architecture. Functionally the Mac version is identical to the other platform versions so engineers can choose which hardware platform to run their CFD simulations on. Future updates will be rolled out simultaneously for all platforms.

Caedium for Mac OS X - brings CFD to Mac platform. Computer-aided engineering (CAE) picks up some steam on Apple's Mac platform.

New enhancements in 2.1 include better 3D selection, the properties panel and geometry creation for all platforms. Some details:

• Improved 3D selection and shortcut key conveniences
• The properties panel now switches tabs and expands new properties when altering aspects to the analysis, eg: when dragging and dropping an inlet boundary condition onto a face
• ASCII point sets can be imported as vertices and groups for easy spline fitting, which is ideal for defining airfoils
• Creation of rectangular grid as the basis for easy geometry placement and construction.

To learn more visit their website here: http://www.symscape.com/news/caedium-cfd-mac

The announcement sent to press and industry reads, “Building Information Modeling (BIM) is changing the design and construction process. What does it mean for structural engineers and others they collaborate with?”  Join Nemetschek Scia for a discussion on how advancements in BIM are:

• Helping to connect today’s disjointed structural engineering workflows
• Giving engineers new ways of analyzing structures; better results, faster
• Making it easier for engineers to work iteratively with architects to maximize a structure’s performance while reducing materials
• Helping engineers better communicate ideas to owners and other non-engineers, share documents with drafters, detailers and fabricators
• Reducing requests for information (RFIs) and allowing designers to work out constructability issues before they get on site

Event Details

Dr. Jean-Pierre Rammant, CEO Nemetschek Scia, will be the event speaker. Dr. Rammant is a pioneer in the development of structural BIM technology. As a software specialist for over 30-years he has helping the world’s leading structural engineering companies create innovative, sustainable designs. He completed his PhD at K.U. Leuven, Belgium, and later worked as a research assistant at MIT in Cambridge before founding Nemetschek Scia, one of the world’s premier developers of 3D structural modeling, analysis and design software.

There will be beer, wine and light fare served so please stop by and bring a friend. The event is free. There will be three events later this month per below:

• New York City – Feb 16, 6:30 – 8:00 pm. Register here.
• Boston – Feb 17, 6:30 – 8:00 pm. Register here.
• Atlanta – Feb 18, 6:30 – 8:00. Register here.

For more information or questions please contact Dan Monaghan at: d.monaghan@scia-online.com or call 410-207-5501

Cartographica can bring in data from a wide range of sources, including direct imports, geo-referenced raster data, vector data from any source (eg: CAD/GIS) and even CVS text files. Its rapid filtering search capabilities  expose the Mac OS X’s latest operating system strengths. It has direct editing capabilities  of polygons and it can merge single feature consolidated roads, GPS tracks and join polygons.

Cartographica 1.1 has layers transparency on an object-basis enabling you to create sophisticated layered maps with multiple levels of data. It supports full geo-coding and GPS device support, including those from Garmin, Magellan and others and can import data using the standard GPX file format. And for structured data, Cartographica can load data directly using ODBC (the standard for database exchange) and geocode it. This and many other features make this a pretty robust and complete GIS application. This is not the only Mac GIS application but it is excellent news for the Mac market to see another competitive offering.

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

In Brief. Autodesk has acquired software assets from UK-based 3AM Solutions, a privately held company that develops visualization software for civil infrastructure. Dynamite VSP and Dynamite SIM technology will help Autodesk the process of creating visualization for projects made with Autodesk Civil 3D software. Dynamite VSP offers simple and efficient ways to bring Autodesk Civil 3D software data into Autodesk 3ds Max design software. The full press release is here.

AIA Report says BIM Use Increased Substantially

According to the newest report by the American Institute of Architects (AIA), architects using Building Information Modeling (BIM) software increased from 34 percent in 2005 to 69 percent in 2008.

Graphisoft ArchiCAD 13 Events Upcoming

Graphisoft has a number of ArchiCAD 13 events coming up this month starting this week. Here is a brief breakdown:

• Jan 6 – ArchiCAD User Group, Oakland, CA
• Jan 7 – IIT College of Architecture – BIM Training Workshop, Chicago, IL
• Jan 11 – 2D Drawing Coordination with Consultants – Exporting DWG, PDF and JPG Files – Online Training
• Jan 13 – So What’s In A Template, Anyway? Calgary, AB
• Jan 13 – ArchiCAD User Group, Seattle, WA

Mac 3D News

The list of native Mac OS X products has grown rapidly recently as Autodesk customers have driven demand for Mac support. Autodesk Alias Design and Alias Surface are two such products where demand prompted the company to support Mac OS X natively. Other native products came to Autodesk through acquisitions, such as Autodesk ImageModeler, Autodesk Stitcher Unlimited and Autodesk Mudbox. 

Autodesk Supports Boot Camp

To expand its support of Mac users Autodesk has officially announced support for running its Windows applications under Windows with Apple’s Boot Camp dual-boot technology. Since modern Macs today run the same processors as Windows PCs all of Apple’s computers can be setup to run Windows either under virtualization (which is a software process) or directly on the hardware under a dual-boot configuration known as Boot Camp. 

With Boot Camp Autodesk is announcing support of AutoCAD, Autodesk Inventor and Autodesk 3ds Max, three of its most popular products. Additionally, Autodesk Revit Architecture, Autodesk Revit Structure and Autodesk Revit MEP are also supported. 

To read the full announcement and listing of applications go here.

Part 3 of the HyperShot Webinar series continues today, May 21, 2009. The title is: Retouching, Understanding the Basics. Leon Carpenter, Bunkspeed Ambassador and 18 year veteran in the Rendering and Animation world, is returning to do a 4 part webinar series in May entitled, “HyperShot from Start to Finish.” This 4 part series takes a deeper dive into his popular webinar “Finishing in Photoshop” from April 2nd. 

In Part 3:

• Render passes revisited
• Building your layers in Photoshop
• Understanding the basics of adjustment layers
• Working with masks
• Adjusting your back grounds for more effect

Webinar is open for sign-up now and space is limited. To reserve your webinar seat go here: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/803137249

Graphisoft News: BIM in the Middle East with ArchiCAD

Graphisoft has strengthened its presence in the Middle East and Egypt with BIM Engineering Solutions, a new distributor of Graphisoft’s award-winning suite of 3D design products for AEC. BIM Engineering Solutions, with offices in Dubai, Cairo and Alexandria, is well positioned to serve all the Middle East markets with a core team of 55 qualified engineers, architects and modelers and project managers. 

“At BIM Engineering Solutions, the BIM package consists of architectural, structural and MEP, and now will include ArchiCAD as a core feature. Working in a market where BIM is needed but not practiced, the scope for the services offered by BIM Engineering Solutions has created an incredible awareness among architects, engineers, construction companies and contractors in the region,” said Jonas Salih, International Sales Manager for Graphisoft. 

To learn more you can contact BIM Engineering Solutions in Egypt here: archicad@bimengineering.com or visit: www.bimengineering.com

e-on Software releases Ozone 4.0

e-on Software, makers of the popular Vue line of natural environment 3D creation software solutions, this week announced the availability of Ozone 4.0. 

Ozone 4.0 makes atmospheres come alive in your Vue environments. The software  implements cutting-edge spectral 2 technologies to help simulate and render atmospheric effects. Ozone 4.0 atmospheres provide an accurately simulated environment that affects all elements of the scenes, and behaves according to nature’s rules. 

To learn more and see sample imagery go here.

GEM 2.0 for Mac (Intel only)

GEM 2.0 for Mac is a new release that now works with Intel-based Macs (see screen shots below), and includes many new features, making Generative Design (GD) easy and accessible to all users. The software works with SketchUp Pro, Rhino OS X, Autodesk Maya for Mac, Blender for Mac and any 3D software supporting OBJ format. A single professional user license is 795.USD. 

ParaCloud GEM 2.0 includes new mesh modeling features, including subdivision tools for designing and controlling your surface patterns. The SubD’s can be applied to face selection sets enhancing the control you gain over the mess. 

New rule-based offset methods are introduced in this release enabling the control of the offset section by “proximity” from target points, by height, and by distance from a focus point. 

The new GEM population engine handles up to 10 components. The population assignment is controlled using a color index face map. And the new GEM 2.0 features include a smart population pattern for generating rule-based patterns by proximity from targets, height or random selection. 

To learn more about ParaCloud GEM 2.0 for Mac go here.