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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Thunderbolt Technology

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

01 - Matrox's DualHead2Go Digital Mac Edition.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Explicit Modeling

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

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

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

BIM Components in the Cloud

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

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

EcoDesign Becomes Integrated

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

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

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

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.

A T-Splines Challenger

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

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

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

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

Pricing and Availability

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

Submissions will be accepted from 18 April 2012 to 16 August 2012, in the following categories:

• Rendering with Renderworks 2012
• Rendering with CINEMA 4D
• Monochromatic model (rendered in Renderworks or CINEMA 4D)

“We are excited to collaborate again with our sister company, MAXON Computer,” says Theresa Downs, communications director at Nemetschek Vectorworks. “It is evident that more and more designers are using both programs to create renderings, and we expect great things from the entries this year.”

01 - 2012 Inspired Visions Global Rendering Competition

The panel of judges includes Daniel Jansenson, principal at Daniel Jansenson Architect and author ofRemarkable Renderworks, from Santa Monica, Ca.; Tyler Littman, principal designer and owner of Sholight, LLC, from New York; Nicholas Dunand, freelance designer and sculptor, from Melbourne, Australia; Erik Recke, freelance architectural visualizer at Datenland, from Hamburg, Germany; Alejandro Nogueira, CEO at DECC Arte 3D from Tecamachalco, Edo. de Mexico, Mexico; and René Racz from Lichtmaschine Multimedia GmbH, Basel, Switzerland.

Prizes

2500.USD is on the line for the winner of each category and will be featured in official media releases from both companies and promoted on social media sites belonging to both companies. These include Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

In addition, there will a “Fan Favorite” winner from all the entries, which will also be posted on the competition’s website with the other winners. Voting takes place directly on the site.

Designers may enter multiple categories. However, all entries must be built on a Vectorworks model. Interested competitors who lack the current versions of the software can request a free, 30-day version of Vectorworks with Renderworks software at http://www.vectorworks.net/trial/form or http://student.myvectorworks.net (for students), or they can download a 42-day free version of CINEMA 4D at http://www.maxon.net/downloads/demo-version.html.

To learn more, enter or vote for Fan Favorite, visit the competition site at: http://inspiredvisions.vectorworks.net

With Autodesk Inventor Fusion for Mac, designers can freely explore complex complex shapes and forms, enabling rapid design changes with fewer limitations. This updated technology preview includes these capabilities:

• Surfacing Suppport – users can now work seamlessly between solids and surfaces, expanding their confidence and capabilities to tackle design changes. Translators for Parasolid, Rhino, IGES and AliasDesign have been enhanced
• Simplified Wizards – Simulation users now have one button simplification of designs. This makes simplifying common geometry fast and easy and ensures that mesh and solves times are as fast as possible
• Ease of Use Improvements – New menu marking, sketch ease of use and modeling ease of use have all been improved

01 - Autodesk Inventor Fusion for Mac. A new Mac-native ground-up mCAD modeling program for emerging mechanical engineers and design professionals.

Inventor Fusion for Mac Technology Preview 2012 is fully interoperable with AutoCAD and Autodesk Inventor software, enabling customers to choose the modeling approach that is right for the task at hand. The Apple OS X compatible version of the technology preview expires on 1 January 2013. That means users can embrace and enjoy this new Mac MCAD product now until the end of the year.

To learn more and signup to get it go here.

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/

Renato Candusso is a partner in Candusso Arquitetos. We learned that his rather good sized architecture practice was centered around a strong belief in 3D visualization as a key component of their design and business processes and we invited him to talk to us about his firm, their creative process, and how he uses key tools like Maxon’s CINEMA 4D as part of their workflow to achieve their consistently outstanding design.

The Interview

Anthony Frausto-Robledo (AFR): Renalto, tell me a little about your firm. How long has your architecture firm been in business, what is its background?

Renato Candusso (RC): Sure. We have been in business since 1976. Candusso Arquitetos has always stood out by the characteristics of our designs, which besides being bold and noticeable, seek to balance aesthetic appeal and functionality. Moreover, the constant concern we have to provide the best service to our clients, managing deadlines with organization and efficiency, the investments we make in new technologies, and the attention we apply to the development of construction processes, has all turned the office of Candusso Arquitetos into a reference between the professions and companies that make up the building industry in our country.

01 - The Brazilian architecture firm Candusso Arquitetos is an 80-person strong firm located in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The firm is one of the largest in South America and one of the larger Mac-based architecture firms we have profiled here on Architosh.

AFR: And who makes up the leadership of Candusso?

RC: The partners are myself (Renato Candusso) and my father Roberto Candusso. We now lead a team of over 80 highly qualified professionals who are divided into eight teams: concept, legal documentation, execution, computer modeling, popular housing, special projects, partnerships, and administration. Together we have developed over 1500 successful projects in various segments of the architecture industry.

AFR: Speaking of segments, what types of building types does your firm specialize in designing?

RC: We work on single-family homes, condominiums, residential buildings and towers, commercial buildings, retail, hotels and housing developments. The office always meets the market demands and therefore we can fit into all segments.

02 - A condominium project (set of towers) in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Such projects are entirely visualized using 3D renderings along the entire design process. Candusso Arquitetos continues to seek markets outside Brazil and South America as its services become more capable.

AFR: Your firm is noted for its excellent use of advanced 3D visualization. Can you tell us about how 3D models and renderings are utilized within your practice?

next page: How Candusso Works with Cinema 4D

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.

At this present time BIM, or Building Information Modeling, continues to gain significant traction within the AEC industry at various paces worldwide. While it may have begun sooner in Europe for instance, than in North America, the latter region has leapt forward more aggressively. Additionally, in the North American market software giant Autodesk, with its popular Revit BIM platform, has established a notable mindshare presence with regard to the industry transformation to BIM. Within this context a group of proponents of “open” coordination workflows have begun to work harder at clarifying the advantages of what they refer to as a true “Open BIM” process…a process that allows the benefits of BIM without many of the classic limitations that can emerge around centralized file formatting.

Our discussion begins by talking about the importance of this movement.

Open BIM: Context and Importance

AFR (Anthony Frausto-Robledo): Akos, talk to me about the importance of this Open BIM movement.

AP (Akos Pfemeter): Sure. Firstly, the AEC industry has changed a lot in the past 20 or so years. In the last century AEC processes were mostly sequential, meaning that things came one after the other. Now, we are dealing with the forces of an accelerating economy that require AEC projects to finish faster also. This results in the traditional sequential order of things now to have substantial overlaps and even be fully parallel–happening at many times. (see image 01)

AFR: And how does this change the nature of collaboration in AEC?

AP: Back in the time of paper, design coordination meant that everyone would exchange paper drawings and use light tables to coordinate differences. Then 2D CAD came along and instead of light tables we overlaid Xref’d 2D CAD layers in much the same way to coordinate and discover important differences.

01 - BIM today is addressing the very nature of the transformation from traditional project delivery to "integrated" project delivery (IPD). Methodology changes are responding to "parallelization" of typical "sequential" processes of design, manufacturing and construction. BIM addresses these fundamentally but Open BIM as an approach is formulating the ideal workable solution for all parties involved.

But BIM (Building Information Modeling) fundamentally changes things including interdisciplinary coordination as well. In contrast to the 2D drawing primitives as the least common denominators of the traditional workflow, BIM carries an abundance of information that does not make sense to coordinate using the traditional approach.

AFR: But it seems there are some different views or approaches to how “coordination” or collaboration takes place within the BIM workflow. Can you define these?

next page: Approaches to BIM: The Open BIM Way

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.

To be honest, Sean Flaherty, CEO of Nemetschek Vectorworks, left us a very good clue last summer when we spoke to him about the iPad in AEC. He said he felt the iPad was actually a “cloud device” and that was the moment when we began to think about iOS differently and how even Apple’s iCloud made sense in an emerging cloud-based world.

Now the company is announcing something big. In a few days Nemetschek Vectorworks, Inc., one of the largest CAD companies worldwide, is going to announce Vectorworks Cloud Services, an entirely new facet to the growing company’s products and services.

What is Vectorworks Cloud Services

Vectorworks Cloud Services is a multi-faceted offering which will serve as a future platform for the company. In this initial release it will provide a specific base set of functions and operations. In future releases it will expand and do even more. Let’s look at what is going to be offered very soon. (see image 01)

01 - Vectorworks Cloud Services (VCS) is an upcoming cloud-computing offering from Nemetschek Vectorworks, Inc.

For starters, Vectorworks Cloud Services creates presentation versions of your Vectorworks files up in the cloud. The cloud server automatically creates a PDF presentation file with each “sheet” in the Vectorworks file becoming a “page” in the PDF file. If you purchase premium 3D credits the cloud server will also update and render 3D viewports as part of this process. The cloud server is undertaking this operation while your desktop computer is free to do other Vectorworks tasks. When it is complete the PDF file is automatically saved back to your desktop.

The next thing Vectorworks Cloud Services does is allows you to upload and synchronize your Vectorworks files up on the cloud. This means you can synch your file or files from two desktop locations (syncing from an iOS device is yet another location) and work on them with colleagues. (see images 02-03)

02 - This image is what the Vectorworks Cloud Services Portal looks like.

03 - You get your files into the cloud by placing them inside this special folder.

Nemetschek’s chief technology officer, Dr. Biplab, Sarkar, spoke to us about the essential components of Vectorworks Cloud Services. “The first component is a small desktop application which is somewhat like DropBox,” said Dr. Sarkar. “It connects to Vectorworks Cloud Services, synchronizes your folder of files, updates viewports and creates PDF documents for you use.”

The second part is the Cloud Portal which is driven by a Web App. “From a web browser you can login through the portal and view all the published files that have been created,” said Dr. Sarkar. “You can also do additional things like email those PDF files to colleagues and clients.”

Lastly, Nemetschek Vectorworks finally has its iOS offering. The new Vectorworks Nomad software is an Apple iOS app that essentially allows you to login to the Cloud Services and do a bit more than just email and view files. “It lets you do basic markup and measurements,” said Dr. Sarkar, “as well as email and printing via Apple’s Airprint technology.”

Next Page: How You Can Use This

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

Siemen’s Parasolid Based Technology

CAD Loaders for modo 601 are based on the Parasolid geometry modeling kernel technology from Siemens, an industry-leading software technology that powers numerous Siemens and non-Siemens CAD and 3D software packages around the world and accounts for over 40 percent of all 3D model data stored worldwide.

01 - Luxology's new CAD Loaders for modo 601.

As models are loaded into modo 601, the CAD surfaces can be dynamically tessellated for optimal use in modo’s modeling and rendering operations. Real-time rendering previews and dynamic editing tools in modo can then be used to turn based designs into immersive, photorealistic graphics.

“Exchange of CAD data is absolutely business-critical to our customers,” said Brad Peebler, president and co-founder of Luxology. “CAD Loaders for modo offer users a flexible set of controls for optimizing incoming CAD data that goes beyond simple file importing. This opens up a world of CAD data for designers and other 3D artists who want to tap the power of modo for concept design and advanced visualization.”

CAD Loaders are now available and the advanced version retails for 695.USD while the basic loader is 495.USD. Both Loader products are available for Mac and Windows. To learn more visit here.

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.

modo 601 is now a full pipeline solution for professionals working in media and entertainment, engineering and architectural design visualization.

01 - A rendered image from Luxology's new modo 601.

modo 601

“modo 601 is our most significant release ever,” said Brad Peebler, president and co-founder of Luxology. “With new feature and workflow enhancements, modo now offers an end-to-end production solution that is both powerful and highly useable by artists and designers.”

02 - modo 601 has new character animation capabilities with full body rigging support.

03 - modo 601 also has available new CAD Loaders which enable the support of Parasolid-based CAD formats.

modo 601 features a number of compelling summarized below:

• Character Animation – modo offers a complete character animation functionality, from easy to use posing tools to fully rigged characters with inverse kinematics solver support and layered deformers
• Dynamics – modo supports rigid and soft body dynamics, based on version 2.97 of the Bullet Physics engine. These are now standard with modo 601 and provide realistic simulations of mechanical and organic motion
• Retopology Modeling – Focused on tools and a new dedicated retopology modeling layout that simplify the creation of clean models on top of imported geometry
• Rendering and Shading – New photorealistic rendering capabilities include volumentric rendering, render booleans, hair and skin shaders, and rounded edge control for hard surface models.
• 3D Paint – modo features a multi-purpose paint system for vertex maps and meshes
• Rendering Workflow – The Preview Renderer can now be used for final image production as it will progressively render an image to the desired resolution at full quality. A comprehensive render pass system, plus new interactive image processing and comparison tools, speed image refinement.
• Modeling – modo’s Pixar Subdivision surface modeling now includes the ability to crease individual vertices and control display resolution while rendering at full quality

“Throughout my 18 years in the 3D business, I’ve never seen a 3D software application become so powerful, so fast,” said Dan Ablan, President, AGA Digital Studios, Inc., “The additions to modo 601 are mind blowing, and the render boolean function, blobs, and new deformer tools are absolutely invaluable.”

Architosh Analysis

We were one of the first publications to dig into modo in the early days (see for instance our interview with Brad Peebler from 2006 talking about modo 202) and we’d have to agree with Mr. Ablan above. We are astonished at how quickly modo has grown up and become a full-fledged member of what we might call the “Elite  4″ (Maya, C4D, Lightwave, Softimage) making modo really the 5th member of that high-end 3D professional app group, along with 3ds Max and Houdini as well.

So what distinguishes modo from some of the others? Well, for starters, modo from the beginning supported the Mac and Windows simultaneously with more or less full parity. Maya for instance was ported to the Mac and Softimage to this day still has no Mac version.

Another distinguishing feature is modo’s UI. Their award-winning app was lauded by Apple for instance for its beautiful but powerful user interface. While many of the elites mentioned above have improved their UIs in recent years modo’s was superb from the beginning.

What is impressive about modo 601 today is its rendering technology. The boolean rendering features are incredibly powerful. The new and updated character tools really advance modo as a full-fledged studio production tool and good citizen within an existing pipeline. And like Maxon Luxology has done a good job of reaching out to CAD companies to tie-in modo as a CAD visualization tool of choice.

Pricing and Availability

modo 601 is available now and is 1,195.USD new or 495.USD for existing modo users who want to upgrade. Exising modo users can upgrade for only 395.USD for the next two weeks only as a special promo. And also for a limited time, a cross-grade is available for 795.USD for users of Maya, 3ds Max, Softimage, Houdini, CINEMA 4D and LightWave 3D.

To learn more visit: www.luxology.com

Verto Studio 3D 1.0

On the official Verto Studio 3D website the developer states clearly that Verto Studio 3D is a fully-functional 3D modeling program designed to rival over-complicated studio modeling software. The goal is to “push the boundaries of what is capable on the Mac while retaining as simplistic of an interface as possible.”

01 - Verto Studio 3D. Popular iOS modeling app comes to Mac OS X.

The program has robust support of model file formats, including the import of OBJ, 3ds, Blender 3D, AutoCAD DXF and 33 other file formats. This allows users to download thousands of available wire mesh models out on the Internet or produced in other programs.

Highlights include:

• Real-time Gouraud shading
• Dynamic lighting and self illumination
• OBJ file import/export
• DropBox file exchange in addition to email
• Mesh Generation and Mesh Augmentation
• Vertex Editing
• Multiple Camera Views
• Multiple Document Interface (open as many files as you need at same time)
• Drag and drop texturing

Verto Studio 3D can employ hardware-powered full scene anti-aliasing. Despite it’s power the UI features just 11 simple buttons in the upper tab bar of the modeling window. Apple was so impressed with Verto for the iPad that they featured it in one of its TV commercials.

02 - Verto Studio 3D for Mac has capable vertex editing features and drag and drop texturing.

Verto Studio 3D for Mac can be found on the Mac App Store and is 49.99.USD. The product requires Mac OS X (10.6 or later) and only requres 4.9 MB of space. To learn more visit: http://vertostudio.com/mac/