From Budapest, Hungary, Graphisoft–a pioneer in Building Information Modeling (BIM) software has announced ArchiCAD 15, its next design and documentation tool for architectural professionals. The well-respected pioneer and leader in the virtual building concept, Graphisoft addresses its competitors by advancing in the areas of complex building forms and renovation workflow support.
(to read more about Graphisoft’s leadership read here)
“ArchiCAD 15 addresses architects in their native language with an innovative approach to handling design spaces and forms,” said Miklos Szovenyi-Lux, vice president of product management at Graphisoft. And in an era where it is far more sustainable to reutilize existing structures than build brand new ones, the company has smartly established its BIM program as a superior design and documentation tool for architects doing renovation work–which in Europe is approximately half of all building activity.
Redefining Design Space
The evolution of forms has always walked hand-in-hand with the evolution of structures. From the simplest barrel vaults to the most sophisticated rib vaults, the architect has always aspired to combine durability, utility and beauty (Vitruvius). These very principles can be seen in the finest examples of modern architecture as well.
ArchiCAD 15 expands the design capabilities of its BIM tools, including new Shell structures, to support the broadest spectrum of architectural shapes and forms found in both classical and modern architecture.
(read our Smartgeometry coverage to learn more about advanced form making)
Graphisoft has increased design freedom in the third dimension with new 3D guidelines, 3D snapping and editing planes to revolutionize the 3D space definition, making the perspective view the natural, 3D design development environment for building design.
Life-Cycles of Buildings
In most developed areas of the world the refurbishment of existing buildings is approximately the same volume of activity as new buildings. Due to sustainability and pressures to conserve and reutilize previously developed lands and buildings, this renovation side to AEC should likely increase.
Most design CAD and BIM tools have failed to account for a proper “renovation workflow.” Graphisoft in version 15 of ArchiCAD have addressed this thoroughly, making it seamless and easy to account in the BIM the existing from the new.
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Also, Graphisoft has further refined existing design tools in ArchiCAD as well as improved in the areas of IFC support and the Open collaborative workflow with engineers. New in ArchiCAD 15 is full 64-bit support on Mac OS X. Also new are improvements to its parametric object libraries.
ArchiCAD 15 will be released on 23 May 2011. Shipment to customers will begin a few weeks after the official release. Following a tight schedule, all 26 local versions are planned to reach market by the end of Q3 2011.
For more information about Graphisoft ArchiCAD 15, visit them here:
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