At Autodesk University (AU) this week the design and CAD software giant has shown and announced its latest versions of Autodesk FormIt, a conceptual modeling tool similar to the popular Trimble SketchUp application.
Unique to FormIt, the application was birthed on the Apple iOS platform while a full browser-based version has been developing itself in beta for quite some time.
FormIt, which was first launched a year ago at AU 2012 is a free, BIM-based conceptual design app. It can be synced with Autodesk 360. The app runs on iOS and Android tablets and via the Mac and Windows browsers (Chrome and FireFox). In addition to the new beta browser compatibility, the new iPad version includes “ground breaking” mobile energy analysis tools powered by Autodesk Green Building Design (formerly Green Building Studio).
Energy Analysis on the iPad — A First
The iPad is the leading tablet in the world’s second larger industry–the global AECO (architecture, engineering, construction and operations) building industry. Autodesk is the market leader in supplying the iOS-based iPad platform with dozens of design, drawing and engineering tools and Autodesk FormIt with energy analysis tools tied into Green Building Design is a first of its kind.
01 – Screenshots of the new Autodesk FormIt from the Apple App Store. As you can see, this app combines a SketchUp-like modeling environment with real-world site data all on your iPad.
Autodesk FormIt was an Architosh BEST OF SHOW winner for AIA National 2013 in Denver in the Mobile category earlier this year.
Other AU HighLights
Other updates include a new version of Dynamo which is now merged with Autodesk DesignScript to deliver powerful “computational BIM.” DesignScript is the backbone language behind the computation engine in Dynamo’s Visual Programming environment which runs on top of Revit.
Autodesk also announced Autodesk Structural Bridge Design 2014, software based on a recent acquisition of UK-based Bestech Systems Limited.
We will report more Autodesk University items as we learn of them.