New AI in Trimble Connect

Trimble Connect is the company’s CDE (common data environment) for the AEC industry and is widely used across all sectors of the construction industry, including heavy civil. The new AI capabilities span design, build, and operate segments of the total lifecycle of construction.

Trimble Dimensions has an exhibit hall with company and third-party solutions that work with its ecosystem of products. Trimble’s new Agent Studio is shown on the right, while its CDE, Trimble Connect, is on the left.

This means AI that assists with generative design and customer-designed agents in Trimble Agent Studio, advanced AI governance and transparency, and other cutting-edge AI solutions.

At the Trimble Dimensions User Conference, Trimble highlighted several new AI capabilities integrated across its platform. Let’s look at them and summarize per phase:

Design Phase

Trimble’s premier design tool in AEC is SketchUp, the world’s most popular 3D modeler. In its latest 2027 release, the company made a massive update to its modeling capabilities alone. Here is more:

• Generative Design: Designers can generate new architectural design options while referencing live, as-built point clouds streamed directly into their design environment from Trimble Connect.
• Automated Structural Modeling: Converts natural language prompts and spatial data in Trimble Connect directly into constructible steel models and generates fabrication files without manual data entry.
• Design File Verification: Automatically audits heavy equipment design files for civil projects to catch geometry errors before sending data out to machinery in the field.
• One-Click AI Indoor Classification: Automatically categorizes millions of raw point cloud scan points into structural regions (including floors, walls, pipes, and temporary structures) directly from mobile or desktop devices.

Build Phase

For the build phase, Trimble is providing contractors with real-time site intelligence to prevent issues in the field and keep operations on schedule. These tools and capabilities include:

• AI Diagnostics for Field Hardware: Parses live system telemetry, machine logs and GNSS signal data to provide real-time, root-cause diagnostics for machine control issues on site.
• 360 Reality Capture: Utilizes computer vision natively embedded in Trimble Connect to transform 360 sitewalk videos into highly accurate 3D point clouds aligned to project drawings.
• AI Punch Walk: Embedded within Trimble Connect, it enables field engineers to conduct voice-driven inspections on mobile devices while an AI agent transcribes observations, tags locations, and pins punch items to drawings in real time.

During the operating phase, Trimble Connect synchronizes field progress directly with financial ledgers, schedules, and enterprise ERPs to ensure that teams stay on schedule and protect profit margins.

• AI Procurement and Invoice Matching: Streamlines procurement by automatically matching supplier invoices against purchase orders and field delivery receipts to flag billing discrepancies.
• Contract Risk Analysis and Change Order Automation: Analyzes contractual risk across project documents and drawings to automatically draft ERP-synced Potential Change Orders (PCOs), complete with labor, material and markup details for human review and approval.
• Trimble Connect Scheduling: Powered by an agentic planning engine natively built into Trimble Connect, it links master CPM timelines directly to live jobsite data, including field look-aheads and RFIs as well as weather forecasts and submittals. It continuously evaluates risk, recommends mitigation and puts new plans into action before micro-delays snowball into project-wide overruns.

Availability of new AI Features

These new AI capabilities are ready for customers to experience today, while others are open to select customers, and yet others are still in development.

Available Today

• Automated Structural Modeling
• AI Indoor Classification
• 360 Reality Capture
• AI Punch Walk
• AI Procurement & Invoice Matching
• Trimble Connect Scheduling

Available for Select Customers

• AI Diagnostics for Field Hardware

In Development

• Design File Verification and Change Order Automation

In Trimble Labs

• Generative Design — an early engagement program enables customers to explore new concepts and provide user feedback

Architosh is present at Trimble Dimensions 2026 as part of its media group, and we will continue to report on all the exciting announcements this week. Stay tuned for some super exciting news coming up next!

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emTech, AI and Agentic BIM

Xpresso-4X will also feature extensive coverage of new AI technologies and solutions, as well as other emerging technology (emTech), which is the newsletter’s focus. We will also share additional insights into what is happening at the Nemetschek Group (public information) and our speculations on where we think things are headed, and should be headed.

This image is of neoBIM’s industry-first BIM tool written from the ground up for agentic AI. We will publish a contribution article from these new folks in Xpresso-4X in the upcoming issue and will be covering them in another special feature around Thanksgiving time (later mid November). 

The agentic AI race is a faster-paced competitive landscape than the earlier AI chatbot phase. The stakes are tremendous. And it shows in the sheer number of AI-focused startups that we noted came to AIA San Diego in June.

To sign up for our special double issue of Xpresso-4X, please click here. 

Not sure? You can read back issues here.

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The official Archicad support comes after the product launched with Redshift for Architects for Vectorworks and then Revit. Adding Archicad closes the loop, and now Redshift’s real-time, high-end visualization system works on the top three global BIM solutions.

Redshift for Architects

The 2027 release builds on previous releases with additional features and improvements. Architects can visualize and refine designs directly within their preferred BIM environment, then move projects into Maxon’s Cinema 4D when they need deeper creative control, advanced animation, simulation, or cinematic-quality (film- and broadcast-level) presentations.

Key Takeaways

• Version 2027 adds official Archicad support for Max Redshift for Architects, adding support for the new Archicad 30
• Ray-traced Refractions improve the accuracy of glass and transparency and deliver an advantage over competitor solutions that only approximate refraction
• New Material Creation native in the app, plus dedicated Light Manager

“Architectural visualization increasingly has to do more than show what a building will look like; it must help communicate an idea, tell a story and, in many cases, become a finished marketing asset in its own right,” said Nicolas Burtnyk, Executive Vice President of Rendering at Maxon. “Redshift for Architects provides a path from fast visual feedback all the way through to the kind of high-end rendering, animation and simulation workflows used in film and advertising, within an environment that keeps them in their creative flow.”

Version 2027 now supports Archicad in addition to Revit and Vectorworks.

Redshift for Architects 2027 includes updates such as better interactive previews with faster shader compilation, refraction, transparent shadows, and ray-traced depth of field. The latest version also adds a new Custom Material Creation manager and a dedicated Light Manager, giving architects and archviz professionals more direct control over how their designs and scenes look and are presented.

In-App Real-Time Interactive

Maxon’s solution works like its chief competitors, letting the rendering technology embed directly into the creative authoring packages they know and love. Whether that’s Vectorworks, Revit, or now Archicad, users build scenes in the environment they already know.

MORE: AIA26: Maxon’s new Redshift for Revit and More

The new ray-traced depth of field (DoF) technology improves how the live preview presents glass, transparency, and camera effects. The ray-traced refraction is also critical in architectural visualization, where glass and transparent materials play a central role in design. Unlike competitor real-time renderers, Maxon’s Redshift for Architects doesn’t approximate refraction; it can now trace these interactions directly, helping architects trust their design decisions as the preview delivers more realistic light behavior.

Custom Materials Creation

Architects can now create custom materials from scratch in Redshift using physically based rendering (PBR) controls, rather than relying only on materials converted from the host BIM application or pulled from the Redshift Library.

This gives users more creative control when a specific material isn’t already available in the model or library. Users have full control over base color, specular, transparency, fuzz, coat, emission, and geometry channels. When materials come from your host BIM application, they convert to Redshift materials and lock. To modify them, users must unlock them and create a copy. Adjustments to the copy overwrite the existing objects assigned this material.

Dedicated Light Manager

Architects now have dedicated controls in Light Manager to create and manage supplemental Redshift lights directly in the visualization workflow. These lights remain separate from the host BIM model, letting users shape the final image without altering the architectural lighting scheme.

Redshift 2027 features a new dedicated Light Manager for finer control of scene lighting.

Users can place and aim lights visually in the Redshift viewport, then fine-tune properties such as intensity and color temperature with fully ray-traced feedback. The net result is greater separation between design lighting and presentation lighting, in other words, between intended built environment and artistic freedom.

Push to Cinema 4D

Maxon’s new push into real-time interactive rendering with Redshift for Architects marks a much-needed use of the company’s industry-leading visualization technologies, traditionally used in markets such as film and broadcast television. Cinema 4D, its flagship application, has long had a strong following among agencies and archviz pros. Bringing this technology downstream to typical architects follows a natural evolution in the market’s democratization of rendering technology.

When architects want to take their visualizations further, they can push their scenes directly to Cinema 4D, either in-house or to third-party professionals.

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Morpholio Trace is an application that runs on tablet computers like the Apple iPad and works with the Apple Pencil to enable sophisticated hand sketching, drawings, markup, and annotation, and can interact with Vectorworks. (More info below.)

Trace for Business

Trace for Business is a new enterprise tier that gives organizations a streamlined purchasing set of options and centralized access to Morpholio Trace via the Vectorworks Customer Portal. For experienced Vectorworks users, the Portal is your online hub for all things licensing management for Vectorworks products.

Trace for Business is a new enterprise offering from Vectorworks for Morpholio Trace.

Until recently, Trace purchases have been exclusively through the Apple App Store, a model that has helped build a loyal following among individual designers and small teams around the world. The Portal option is more ideal for larger organizations, offering business-friendly invoicing, centralized license management, and enterprise deployment capabilities.

“Trace was built to preserve the joy and immediacy of drawing, and now we’re making sure that joy scales to an entire firm without losing any of its soul,” said Mark Collins, Vectorworks Principal Software Engineer and Morpholio Co-Founder. “Business tools shouldn’t get in the way of design tools. Trace for Business gives IT the control it needs and gives designers the sketching experience they already love.”

Trace for Business fits into existing IT environments, supports MDM (Mobile Device Management), and can align with internal IT controls for access, storage, exports, AI features, and other application settings.

“Enterprise deployment shouldn’t be tedious,” said Vectorworks Chief Revenue Officer Nicole Davison. “With MDM support, IT teams can deploy Trace the same way they deploy the rest of their design software, and designers keep drawing working exactly the way they always have.”

Trace Ultra Coming Soon

Trace for Business also introduces the first capabilities of Trace Ultra, a new product tier that will be available to the public later this year. The new offering will expand Trace’s role as a vector-based BIM and CAD companion app.

Trace Ultra will include new capabilities, such as an increase in the maximum number of layers per project from 25 to 50. Other Ultra features will roll out throughout 2026.

Morpholio Trace was an Architosh AIA BEST of SHOW winner this year. Architosh wrote at the time of the announcement, “In addition to bringing the sketching-thinking process closer to an advanced BIM tool—where there are so many layers of interaction opportunities—Morpholio [Trace] can serve as the ultimate first step to sketch-to-AI rendering and animation.”

About Morpholio

Founded in 2011 by four architects, Morpholio began with the belief that hand drawing was critical to the increasingly digital design process. Together, they envisioned a creative renaissance for design through the iPad and Apple Pencil. With a global community of users, they have been recognized on numerous “Best Apps” lists.

The suite for iPad and iPhone includes Trace for sketching and drafting, Board for mood and design boards, and Journal, a digital sketchbook.

In 2026, Morpholio became part of the Vectorworks family, bringing its suite of mobile design tools together with an industry leader in technology and an expert in CAD and BIM solutions tailored to design. Today, the original mission remains: to empower designers of all types with intuitive tools that support creativity and innovation from sketch to reality.

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Trimble’s Conference

Attendees can enjoy deep-dive technical sessions on Trimble products, keynotes and presentations, plus cross-industry networking.

MORE: AIA26: Expo Show Floor Report 3 — Trimble and SketchUp

Industry speakers this year include Jason Li of global workplace design firm M Moser, who will demonstrate how their firm customizes and scales SketchUp workflows to drive efficiencies in commercial spaces.

3D Basecamp Summit 2026 and Trimble Dimensions take place in early November in Las Vegas.

Nationally recognized urban planner Devin Lavigne, FAICP, will show how he integrates GIS, CityEngine, and SketchUp for 3D urban planning. And Tola Ojuolape of Tola Ojuolape Studio will showcase her process of turning digital interior concepts into physical realities.

Other highlights include:

• Interoperability and ecosystem integration
• Reality capture and Scan-to-BIM
• The generative AI frontier
• Advanced workflows, engineering, and fabrication
• SketchUp Ascent Competition
• Trimble Global Construction Startup Competition
• and more..

The Trimble events are a single event and take place from 9-11 November 2026. Interested readers can click here to learn more.

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Newforma Konekt Teams

Their cloud-based Newforma Konekt platform now includes a Microsoft Teams Connector. This addition enables Teams conversations to be integrated directly into the Konekt project record, allowing firms to retain important communications without altering their existing collaboration workflows.

As more and more AEC organizations use Microsoft Teams as their default workspace for fast-moving project coordination, important decisions, clarifications, and issue resolution increasingly take place in this application channel.

Newforma Konekt gains new Microsoft Teams Connector integration.

The Konekt Teams Connector addresses this reality by automatically syncing public and shared Teams channels with their corresponding projects in Newforma Konekt. Messages, replies, reactions, and files are captured as part of the project record, giving firms a more complete, searchable, and durable history of project communication.

“Project teams should be able to work in the tools that help them move quickly without sacrificing the integrity of the project record,” said Carl Veillette, CPO at Newforma. “With the Microsoft Teams connector for Newforma Konekt, firms can capture the conversations where decisions happen while strengthening documentation, reducing risk and improving project continuity. Because when a question comes up later, it’s not enough to say a decision was made; you need to prove it. This integration captures what was decided in Teams, who was involved, when it happened.”

Beyond Teams Alone

One of the key advantages of the Teams Connector solution is its ability to preserve the Teams communication history beyond what is typically available in Microsoft Teams. Once a channel is connected, Newforma Konekt preserves the current version and previous versions with timestamps.

When a message is deleted in Teams, the deleted message remains in the Newforma Konekt record and is clearly identified as deleted. The integration also preserves thread structures, replies, reactions, and attached files, creating a more complete audit trail for firms managing compliance and contractual obligations and requirements, including project closeout and potential disputes.

“Construction communication is becoming increasingly fragmented,” added Peter Cannone, CEO of Newforma. “Instead of forcing every stakeholder into one tool, firms need to connect the tools teams already use and automatically bring the right information into a complete, reliable project record. That is core to what Newforma does: connecting people to the information they need, regardless of where it lives.”

For more info, go here.

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V-Ray 7 Update 4

This update has been rolling out incrementally across various deployment options, from Maya to Houdini, the latter coming out on 13 July 2026.

Overall, this update centers around deep AI integration, real-time viewport ray tracing, and smarter asset handling.

AI Ideation and Material Creation

The Veras AI architectural engine is now natively embedded directly into the V-Ray Frame Buffer (VFP) and host applications. This lets users use text prompts to test out their design and visualization ideas or material alterations.

Chaos V-Ray 7 Update 4 includes Vantage integration in the viewport. (see text below).

V-Ray also introduced machine learning tools that automatically analyze a single 2D reference image to generate fully textured, physically accurate PBR materials with proper displacement and scattering.

Real-Time Viewport Upgrades

For users with active Chaos Vantage subscription licenses, V-Ray users can now leverage Vantage in the viewport. You can now toggle 100% ray-traced, final-frame-quality real-time rendering directly within your core software viewport (like Maya, 3ds Max, etc.) without opening an external window. All geometry adjustments, light shifts, and material updates synchronize instantly.

Advanced Visuals and Camera Controls

Exterior renders can now leverage the new VRayParallaxTex system, delivering parallax interiors. This simulates deep, believable 3D interior rooms behind windows using lightweight 2D textures, removing the need to model complex interior geometry. Quick caustics and 3D Gaussian Splats that can be dynamically relit via V-Ray scene lights are also added.

New object-based autofocus is also added in this update, as well as per-camera visibility lists. This means, on a per-camera basis, you can exclude specific geometry from being visible.

V-Ray 7 is available for numerous host applications, including: Autodesk 3ds Max, Autodesk Maya, Maxon Cinema 4D, Houdini, Blender, SketchUp, Autodesk Revit, and Rhino 3D. To learn more about V-Ray for AEC, visit here.

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Considered by this publication to be among the top three BIM solutions in the world for architecture, based on global market share, total users, significance of their users (several Pritzker Prize-winning architects among users, product and technological innovation, and industry software awards, Vectorworks Architect is quite popular with design-forward practices as well as small-to-mid-sized architecture firms.

The resurgence of Mac computers in AEC, driven by Apple Silicon’s industry-leading performance (see, Architosh: “End of an Era: How Silicon Will Decide BIM’s Future,” 24 December 2025) means Mac-native software like Vectorworks is likely to gain a boost moving forward. Industry accolades clearly help the cause as well.

A+ Popular Choice Award

Presented by Architizer, the A+ Product Awards honor innovation in the building industry and the technologies shaping the future of architecture and interior design. With over 30 categories, the program recognizes tools and materials that help design professionals enhance creativity, efficiency, and transform the built environment. Winners are chosen by a distinguished jury of over 100 industry leaders and design visionaries worldwide, along with votes from the global architecture and design community.

Vectorworks Architect 2026 wins another Architizer A+ award.

“Being selected as the Popular Choice winner by the Architizer community is especially meaningful because it reflects the trust architects and designers place in Vectorworks to power their everyday work,” said Vectorworks Chief Marketing Officer Jeremy Powell. “With our latest release, we’ve doubled down on smarter workflows, better performance, and more intuitive tools so designers can move seamlessly from concept to completion while knowing their voices are helping shape the future of our software.”

Vectorworks Architect 2026, this year, boasted advanced new depth cueing, intuitive worksheet slicing, a sustainability dashboard for carbon calculations, and improved modeling tools.

To learn more about Vectorworks, go here.

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Importantly, Newforma announced a simplified, modular user-based software licensing model, which will help firms better align purchases with role-specific needs.

Newforma and AI

Artificial intelligence (AI) was front and center at Newforma World 2026, the company’s annual user conference. So was updating and modernizing the company’s product offerings.

Newforma announces its broad strategic visions for the AEC/O global industry.

Key new announcements include:

• Newforma Vojo — the company’s new AI assistant, built on an agent-driven framework that lets users search project information, analyze content, and complete tasks more efficiently. Initial capabilities include natural-language search across project data, AI-driven analysis of BIM models and documents, and AI-assisted submittal review workflows.
• Hybrid Modernization — continued investment in hybrid modernization with Newforma Project Center, a reflection of its strategic vision, helping with a seamless transition to the cloud, cloud-connected environments, and more.
• Newforma FedRAMP Moderate — new initiative to address ongoing work toward advanced compliance requirements.

At Newforma World 2026, the message was about flexibility towards the cloud, combining Newforma’s AI-driven automation and support of open integrations, and reinforced a “cloud-first, not cloud-forced” approach that supports customers wherever they are in their modernization journey.

Customers choose when and how they modernize. We decided not to be cloud-only, and it’s by design,” said Carl Veillette, Chief Product Officer at Newforma. “Everything we build must either lower risk, save time, or unlock scale.”

MORE: Newforma accelerates AI innovation and AWS expansion

The AI agent Vojo is embedding intelligence directly into project workflows, such as Smart Email Filing, an AI-powered capability that automatically associates emails with projects and recommends filing locations for RFIs, submittals, and action items, which aids firms in maintaining a more defensible project record.

These capabilities are supported by the company’s collaboration with Amazon Web Services (AWS), providing secure and scalable infrastructure for advanced AI innovation.

“AI is only as powerful as the data it’s built on,” said Ben Schreiner, Head of AI and Modern Data Strategy Business Development at Amazon Web Services. “Newforma’s approach combines secure, scalable AWS infrastructure with an agent-driven AI framework to help AECO teams surface insights, reduce manual effort, and make more confident decisions, and we’re thrilled to be partnering with Newforma.”

To learn more about Newforma’s latest announcements, go here.

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Benefits for AEC/O Clients

For firms in architecture, engineering, construction, and operations (AEC/O), Graitec’s new status provides tangible advantages, including deep expertise and technical product know-how. Additionally:

• • Expert Guidance: Access to one of the industry’s most highly trained Bluebeam teams 
  • Operational Efficiency: Proven onboarding frameworks for faster implementation and tailored workflow optimization 
  • Strategic Support: Priority support and strategic consulting to maximize ROI on software investments 
  • Future-Proofing: Early visibility into product innovation roadmaps and upcoming updates 

As a Sapphire-level partner, Graitec staff receive advanced training, next-level support, and early access to the latest software advances by the California-based software company. All of this ensures that AEC/O clients of Graitec’s receive top-level services on all their Bluebeam software deployment needs.

Graitec’s team received the award for Bluebeam Sapphire Partnership.

“Being named a Bluebeam Sapphire Partner is a tremendous achievement for our organization,” said Scott McMaster, Chief Revenue Officer of Graitec Group. “It reflects the strength of our strategic partnership with Bluebeam, investments we are making in our go-to-market teams, including the expanded expertise brought through Microsol Resources joining the Graitec Group. This recognition reinforces our commitment to delivering exceptional service, deep technical knowledge, and measurable value to our clients across North America.”

“We are proud to recognize Graitec as a Bluebeam Sapphire Partner,” said Curt Bramel, VP of Global Channel Sales of Bluebeam. “Their team consistently demonstrates a high level of expertise and a strong commitment to customer success. As the industry continues to evolve, partners like Graitec play a critical role in helping firms leverage Bluebeam to improve collaboration, productivity, and project outcomes.”

To learn more about Graitec, visit them online here.

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C4D on iPad

Naturally built for the iPad’s touch user interface, Cinema 4D for iPad delivers core 3D modeling and design capabilities in a streamlined, mobile-first interface.

Key Takeaways

• Cinema 4D for iPad will enable creatives to take their 3D and animation skills on the go, whenever inspiration strikes
• Cinema 4D for iPad is designed to complement the desktop versions and will be a mobile, touch-centric version with its own capabilities and functions
• Cinema 4D for iPad is due in late 2026

Moreover, the iPad version of Cinema 4D is meant to complement the classic desktop version of Cinema 4D, so artists can explore ideas on the go, when traveling, or whenever they have a creative moment, and bring that work back into the desktop version.

Maxon is slated to release Cinema 4D for iPad, a touch-optimized version of the award-winning 3D content creation software.

Now the iPad version of Cinema 4D will be tailored for mobile workflows and will not be a carbon copy of the desktop versions of the application. It will also support cross-platform workflows, dovetailing with both Mac and Windows versions of Cinema 4D.

Additionally, Cinema 4D for iPad will support Redshift rendering capabilities, and Sculpts from ZBrush for iPad will also open directly on Cinema 4D for iPad.

Availability

Maxon has only said the release and availability are late 2026. Readers interested can join the official beta program here.

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DACH Region

The news reflects the company’s interest in establishing a stronger European hub that builds on ComputerWorks’ market expertise, technical support structure, and sales channel developed over decades of service to German-speaking architects and designers. The acquisition is expected to be completed by 4 May 2026.

As part of the deal, ComputerWorks in Germany will be renamed Vectorworks Germany GmbH. ComputerWorks AG will spin off its CAD division to establish Vectorworks Switzerland AG, while the remaining business will continue as ComputerWorks AG.

Vectorworks has new corporate offices in Germany and Switzerland, acquiring its DACH region distributor, ComputerWorks AG’s CAD division. 

“For many years, ComputerWorks has represented Vectorworks to thousands of designers and planners in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland,” said Vectorworks CEO Jason Pletcher. “By bringing ComputerWorks into the Vectorworks family, we are not only expanding our presence in these specific countries, but also combining the strength of a global product organization with the expertise of trusted local professionals. This will enable us to help our customers move faster, collaborate more effectively, and deliver superior designs.”

German Language Market Needs

ComputerWorks AG has long localized Vectorworks products for the German language markets, tailoring the product line and offering complementary solutions to meet regional needs for the architecture, interiors, landscape, and entertainment industries.

“Designers in the DACH region face complex projects, demanding clients, and evolving regulations. They need partners who understand both the local context and global tools,” said Alexander Meier, CEO of Vectorworks Germany. “Becoming part of Vectorworks enables our team to bring our deep understanding of customer needs across all disciplines directly to the people building the software. Together, we can shape features, content, and services that reflect how our customers work today and where they want to go tomorrow.”

“With more than 30 years of development experience, we know that true innovation begins with a deep understanding of local needs and workflows,” said Andreas Hängärtner, CEO of Vectorworks Switzerland. “When that local insight is amplified through international collaboration and presented on a global stage, it creates new opportunities for our users to design with greater confidence and impact.”

German and Swiss Offices

The Vectorworks Germany office is located in Lörrach, Germany, and the Vectorworks Switzerland office is located in Basel, Switzerland. Vectorworks’s parent company, the Nemetschek Group, is headquartered in Munich, Germany, in the Nemetschek Haus, a large office complex that also houses several of its key brands, including Allplan and Bluebeam’s European offices.

Global Presence

Vectorwork, Inc., is an award-winning design and BIM software provider serving the entire AEC industry and the related entertainment design industry in 85 countries around the world. It is headquartered in Maryland, United States, with key offices in Newbury, England; Sydney, Australia; Vancouver, Canada; and Japan.

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Steel Genie is New

Already a global leader in structural steel detailing and fabrication software and part of the Nemetschek Group, the launch of Steel Genie by ALLPLAN marks an AI-first for the German company in the critical area of construction estimating.

Key Takeaways

• The new product is called Steel Genie by ALLPLAN and automatically analyzes steel structural drawings using AI technology to power estimating workflows
• AI technology understands steel structural members and generates quantities and estimating-level 3D models in minutes.
• Steel Genie integrates into the ALLPLAN ecosystem of products, linking estimators’ workflows with steel detailing and fabricators

ALLPLAN Steel Genie utilizes AI technologies to automatically analyze structural drawing sets, detect key structural members, and generate quantities and estimate-level 3D models in minutes.

MORE: ALLPLAN 2026 — New ALLPLAN Model Viewer, AI, IFC4 and More…

Critically, the software addresses the pitfalls in today’s AEC market where manual counting and manual measurements are done by cost estimators using traditional methods, be they manual via printed documents or utilizing PDF drawings with some level of quantification automation. These new AI-powered automated methods are faster, thereby enabling the cost estimator to focus time on higher-value workflows.

Steel Genie by ALLPLAN is a new AI-powered estimating software that reads structural drawings to generate intelligent cost estimates.

Sunil Pandita, CEO of ALLPLAN and Chief Division Officer Planning & Design at the Nemetschek Group, tells Architosh:

Steel Genie employs artificial intelligence to analyze structural drawings and identify key design parameters. These factors encompass dimensions, length, weight, moment connections, camber, and shear studs. It subsequently identifies structural elements such as beams, columns, joists, and braces to automatically create material quantities and models that are ready for estimating.

ALLPLAN Steel Genie also boasts its own connection engine based on the AISC Design Guide and can export its estimate data to downstream workflows and fabrication teams. It also integrates fully into the broader ALLPLAN ecosystem, enabling estimating professionals to collaborate more effectively with detailing professionals.

Early customer feedback highlights the impact of the new technology.

“Steel Genie is an industry-changing tool for structural steel takeoff,” said Steven Tillery, Vice President of Preconstruction & Business Development at Steel Service. “Even during testing, we’ve seen how it can dramatically accelerate estimating.”

Availability

Steel Genie by ALLPLAN is now available to steel fabricators, estimators, and detailing teams seeking to automate steel takeoffs, improve estimating efficiency, and gain a head start on downstream detailing workflows.

You can sign up for a demo here.

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AI and Risk

Document Crunch’s tools use artificial intelligence to address critical pain points that impact a general contractor’s profitability.

Key Takeaways

• AI tech in Document Crunch identifies risks in contracts, specifications, RFIs, and other types of construction industry documents so that teams can address issues and prevent misalignment between stakeholders and partners early, before problems arise.
• CrunchAI is the company’s purpose-built AI engine for the AEC/O industry that general AI tools like OpenAI ChatGPT and Google Gemini can’t match.

These pain points include risk provisions, payment disputes, specification non-compliance, and notification failures. Adding Document Crunch to Trimble’s construction industry solutions bolsters the company’s ability to continue to serve high-value business problems within the industries it serves, such as infrastructure and building construction.

CrunchAI is a construction-industry-focused, purpose-built AI engine driving Document Crunch and delivers capabilities that general AI tools can’t match.

“Success in construction relies on the ability of every stakeholder to understand and mitigate risk in real-time,” said Mark Schwartz, senior vice president of AECO software at Trimble. “Document Crunch will provide a ‘contractual rule set’ to serve as the intelligent DNA for the entire Trimble Construction One (TC1) suite, automatically pushing critical obligations, compliance requirements, and payment terms into Trimble’s robust project delivery ecosystem.”

The Details

Document Crunch’s base of users, deployed across over 10,000 projects, is largely general contractors and subcontractors. The company reports there is also a growing base of designers, owners, insurance carriers, and others with an active interest in reducing risk in construction.

MORE: AIA Announces Strategic Sponsorship with Trimble

The acquisition will bring industry leadership and a seasoned AI engineering team directly into Trimble to drive immediate ROI for customers by:

• Preventing Costly Errors: Catching invoice payment term mismatches as well as broader contract, compliance, and scope risks before they escalate into disputes.
• Reducing Administrative Burden: Streamlining the review and generation of critical documentation, such as risk reviews, project playbooks, and delay notifications.
• Infusing Intelligence: Providing a contractual rule set that can push obligations and compliance requirements directly into project management and ERP workflows.

“The construction industry is at a tipping point for AI adoption, and our focus on risk reduction and automated compliance has positioned us to lead this next phase for the industry,” said Josh Levy, co-founder and CEO of Document Crunch. “We’re excited to build upon the strategic foundation of Trimble to help customers unlock new dimensions of value from data that resides across the construction lifecycle. Joining Trimble allows us to scale our vision and evolve to a core component of a widely comprehensive construction platform.”

Trimble AEC Segment

Document Crunch will be reported as part of Trimble’s AEC/O segment, which includes major AEC industry brands like SketchUp, Tekla, and Trimble ProjectSight. In fact, the software is already a Trimble Marketplace partner and integrates with ProjectSight today. The acquisition is expected to close in Q2, 2026.

To learn more about Document Crunch, go here.

The post Trimble set to acquire AI-powered Document Crunch appeared first on Architosh.

Infrastructure Focus

Founded in 1986, HCSS is a leading provider of software for the infrastructure and heavy civil sectors of the North American construction market. The company supports more than 4,000 construction companies with a total employee headcount of 550 professionals.

Key Takaways

• HCSS acquisition strengthens the Nemetschek Group’s position in valuable North American infrastructure construction market and aligns well with other Build & Construct segment brands plus Allplan
• HCSS generates well over USD 200 million in revenue, marking a new substantial revenue generator for the Group
• Thoma Bravo partnership means Nemetschek SE shares exchange hands but helps Group maintain a flexible balance sheet and sharp posture for future M&A deals

As part of the terms of the agreement, HCSS will become part of the Nemetschek Group’s Build & Construct segment, aligning with industry-leading brands like Bluebeam and GoCanvas, two brands with very strong North American market share. Nemetschek states that the Build & Construct segment and HCSS have comparable and unique growth and profitability profiles. In 2025, HCSS generated plus or minus USD 215 million in revenue, an ARR growth of ± 21%, and an EBITDA margin of ± 40%.

The Nemetschek Group is set to acquire US-based Heavy Construction Systems Specialists, LLC (“HCSS”). The Texas-headquartered company is a major software provider for infrastructure and heavy-civil construction companies.

These financials are not just strong but align with the Group’s Build & Construct segment’s historical performance. More critically, the Group says that HCSS enables the Group to expand into the heavy civil construction sectors where structural growth drivers include aging assets, large-scale government investments (eg, Biden era Infrastructure Bill), ongoing energy transition in the age of AI and datacenter expansion, as well as continued urbanization. This will strengthen Nemetschek’s position in the total market opportunity estimated at USD 12 billion by 2028.

Thoma Bravo Partnership

In an effort to preserve the Nemetschek Group’s balance sheet flexibility, the transaction is tailored such that Thoma Bravo will receive shares in the Nemetschek Group’s Build & Construct segment.

Nemetschek SE will hold approximately 72% of the shares in the Build & Construct segment, and Thoma Bravo will hold approximately 28% as a minority shareholder. As part of the terms, the Group will refinance all existing HCSS financial debt and liabilities, resulting in an impact of approximately EUR 450 million on the Nemetschek Group net debt position.

While this arrangement sounds as if the Build & Construct segment could be spun out of the Group, Nemetschek SE says that the Build & Construct segment will continue to function as an integral part of the Group.

Maintaining balance sheet flexibility enables the Group to support future growth ambitions through targeted M&A. The transaction has no impact on the shareholder structure of Nemetschek SE.

Yves Padrines, CEO of the Nemetschek Group stated:

“This acquisition significantly expands our size and our total market opportunity, deepens our footprint in North America, and perfectly complements our existing portfolio of leading solutions in the Build & Construct segment”, continues Padrines. “It will give us an even greater ability to innovate and expand our reach using our strong AI innovation abilities. We welcome Thoma Bravo as a partner and minority shareholder in the Build & Construct segment. We look forward to working with them and the HCSS team to unlock new growth opportunities in our Build & Construct segment and deliver even greater value to our customers and shareholders.” 

“The Nemetschek Group has built one of the world’s most incredible customer- and product-centric company cultures,” said A.J. Rohde, a Senior Partner at Thoma Bravo. “The opportunity to merge HCSS with Nemetschek’s leading Build & Construct segment is a truly defining moment and we look forward to supporting the growth of the combined business. We have barely scratched the surface on the scale and speed of innovation that we can provide to customers of both companies, and we will work tirelessly together to fulfill the potential that the market deserves.”

“HCSS is a perfect fit for our Build & Construct segment,” said Usman Shuja, Chief Division Officer of the Nemetschek Group’s Build & Construct Segment. “Together, we can offer a best-in-class, end-to-end portfolio that enables customers to manage complex building and infrastructure projects with greater efficiency and confidence. By combining our complementary strengths, we will expand our global reach, accelerate AI-based innovation, and continue to deliver the trusted solutions our customers rely on in their daily work.”

The acquisition is expected to close in H2 2026 and is subject to regulatory approvals and closing conditions. J.P. Morgan is serving as exclusive financial advisor, Latham & Watkins and Hoffmann & de Vries are serving legal advisors to the Nemetschek Group.

To learn more visit here. 

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Forma Building Design

Forma’s origins come from the Spacemaker.ai acquisition from a few years ago, where the Scandinavian SaaS offering was focused on pre-design and early design analysis.

Key Takeaways

• Forma Building Design is a new product offering from Autodesk and works like a specialized module within the broader Forma AEC industry cloud.
• Revit is the first official Forma Connected Client, and the implication here is that there will be more Forma Connected Clients in the future

Forma Building Design (FBD) enables teams to develop more complete architectural designs based on analysis data, including daylight, sun hours, and carbon energy impacts. It begins with teams geolocating their building site, which happens in minutes. FBD can then generate building design options, and architects can evaluate these based on a comprehensive set of analysis data.

Autodesk introduces Forma Building Design with Revit as first Forma Connected Client. The new application expands the existing Forma platform toolset and is a supplement to Forma Site Design.

Forma Building Design enables direct plan and massing manipulation so architects can work fluidly in a way that is much more difficult in today’s BIM tools. Program areas, unit types, and mixes are all definable and can serve as criteria in an outcome-defined workflow. The entire goal and purpose of Forma Building Design (FBD) is for architects and designers to explore and evaluate design options quickly before committing to more detailed design directions and pushing into other tools to continue the design work.

Sandra Petkute Roberts, Solutions Consultant at Arcadis, says:

“Forma Building Design is making it easier for us to explore more facade and layout ideas without heavy manual effort or in-depth expertise in more complex tools,” she adds. “With the potential to scale well across different teams and regions, Forma Building Design makes early design exploration more accessible for our designers during the schematic design process.”

To help teams do deeper energy analysis work in early phases, Forma Carbon Insights is also available now across Forma Building Design.

Revit as First Client

Autodesk Revit is the first Forma Connected Client and is now available as such in Tech Preview mode.

Forma Building Design also works with Forma Board as well as Forma Data Management Essentials.

Inside Tech Preview, teams can move building and sites into Revit from Forma Building Design and Forma Site Design, respectively, without manual file exchanges. The Revit connection is an important first step in the broader Forma Connected Clients initiative and will continue to expand to additional desktop solutions over time.

Availability

All current Revit subscribers now have access to Forma Site Design, Forma Building Design, Forma Board, and Forma Data Management Essentials. The Essentials version of Forma Data Management (formerly Autodesk Construction Cloud) provides all Revit subscribers with a more basic version of Autodesk’s cloud-based AEC industry CDE (common data environment). (see, Architosh, “Autodesk Construction Cloud (ACC) is now Autodesk Forma,” 31 Mar 2026).

To learn more about Forma Building Design, visit here.

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Update 4

This is the fourth major update to the Vectoworks 2026 product line, and it expands on capabilities that architects, interior designers, and other creative professionals are looking for, including enhanced data-driven design workflows.

Maxon Redshift for Vectorworks is a plugin for the BIM software adding real-time, photo-realistic, GPU-accelerated raytracing to Vectorworks workflows.

“Vectorworks 2026 Update 4 reflects our ongoing commitment to empowering designers with smarter, more efficient tools,” said Vectorworks Vice President of Product Development Hugues Tsafak. “From the first iteration of phasing, supporting various project types and sizes, to enhanced sustainability dashboards and Maxon Redshift for Archviz, this release leverages our strength in data management to help designers plan, document, and visualize projects more accurately and sustainably. We remain committed to evolving these tools to meet the growing demands of modern design.”

Details

Already covered in some detail in this report on Maxon, new in Update 4 is support for Maxon Redshift for Vectorworks, bringing next-generation visualization rendering features to the popular design and BIM software platform. Vectorworks is the first of the four major BIM platforms (Revit, Archicad, Vectorworks, and Bentley), used by architects worldwide, to leverage a direct integration with Maxon’s Hollywood-level Redshift rendering technology. As Redshift is available as a standalone product from Maxon, those with existing Redshift licenses can now access the integration directly from inside Vectorworks 2026, Update 4.

MORE: Maxon Enters AEC with Real-Time Rendering

Unlike export-based rendering workflows, the Maxon Redshift for Vectorworks plugin maintains a live synchronization between your Vectorworks main window and your Redshift rendering window. Geometry, lighting, cameras, and scene elements remain aligned between both environments.

Update 4 also introduces new renovation and multi-phase workflows technology. Now, a time-based dimension is embedded directly into your BIM model, assigning defined status conditions. With data visualization integration, Vectorworks 2026’s new phasing status capabilities can now control object visibility and graphic representations.

Other improvements included below in highlight format include:

• Updated Vectorworks Embodied Carbon Calculator (VECC)
• Improved Class and Layer search for AEC professionals
• Linear Material tool now includes world-based parameters for stucco and plaster
• Hedgerow tool is now fully integrated into the Styled Landscape Area object
• Refinement in Spotlight numbering device management tools for Entertainment Industry professionals using Vectorworks Spotlight 2026.
• New Cable tool insertion modes for enhanced efficiency

This update is now available for all currently released English-language versions of Vectorworks 2026 and is immediately accessible to subscription and Vectorworks Service Select customers. To install, select “Check for Updates” from the Vectorworks menu (Mac) or the Help menu (Windows).

Redshift Availability

Maxon Redshift for Vectorworks, which powers the new live rendering integration in Update 4, is available as a standalone product from Maxon and can be purchased either through Vectorworks or Maxon. To use Redshift for Vectorworks, customers must create a Maxon account and purchase a Redshift subscription.

The post Vectorworks 2026 Update 4—Next-Gen Rendering and More Added appeared first on Architosh.

Collaboration

The nature of the collaboration highlights Trimble’s trusted thought leadership in AEC, and this will manifest in opportunities to contribute to architecture and design continuing education programs, event panels, research, and knowledge community engagement. AIA members also benefit from this collaboration in that they gain technical expertise, professional development, and specifically learn how to bring vision to life using Trimble’s leading 3D design software under the SketchUp brand.

Trimble’s new SketchUp AI offers new tools.

“United by a shared vision for the future of the built environment, we’re excited about the opportunities this relationship will shepherd,” said Andrew Flank, Senior Vice President of Sales, Events & Exhibitions at AIA. “Strategic partners help fund key initiatives, empowering AIA to provide valuable resources to members while upholding independence and mission alignment.”

MORE: Trimble Launches SketchUp AI—New AI-Powered Modeling

“We are committed to helping architects move their digital designs from concept to reality,” said Chris Cronin, VP & GM of Architecture, Design, and Education at Trimble. “Teaming up with AIA creates meaningful intersections between technology and practice, empowering architects to design with greater confidence, iterate faster, and deliver more resilient, high-impact outcomes for their clients and communities.”

Trimble SketchUp

Trimble provides a large range of software and digital solutions for the AEC/O industry, but SketchUp is the primary software tool that millions of architects and designers know and utilize in their creative processes.

Trimble notes, “as the creative anchor for Trimble’s mission to bridge the digital screen with the physical world, SketchUp has evolved from a standalone 3D modeling tool into a comprehensive and collaborative ecosystem.”

The post AIA Announces Strategic Sponsorship with Trimble appeared first on Architosh.

This collaboration was unveiled at the Mobile World Congress 2026 in Barcelona, Spain.

Integrated HY 3D

The HY 3D engine is developed by Tencent Cloud and trained on the company’s vast library of games. This helps artists jumpstart their creative efforts, serving as a creative and explorative starting point. Once the engine generates assets, they are fully customizable in Cinema 4D and compatible with Maxon’s broader ecosystem, including ZBrush, Redshift, and Red Giant tools.

“At Maxon, our mission has always been to empower artists,” said David McGavran, CEO of Maxon. “This partnership is about giving creators additional tools to move faster when they choose to, especially in early-stage ideation and prototyping. The artist remains in complete control of the final result. AI can assist with iteration and experimentation, but authorship and creative direction stay firmly in the hands of the creative.”

Maxon and Tencent Cloud partner on AI integration path.

Maxon’s longstanding philosophy of meeting artists where they are at means understanding that while AI technologies are de riguer artists want creative freedom and ultimately creative control. Therefore, the use of Tencent’s HY 3D integration within Cinema 4D is entirely optional. If artists prefer traditional modeling workflows, they can simply stick to that.

“Artists care deeply about authorship and originality – and so do we,” said Philip Losch, Chief Technology and AI Officer at Maxon. “Our approach is focused on responsible integration of AI capabilities into our tools. We are not building an autonomous system that creates finished art. We are applying technology that accelerates certain steps in a broader creative process that remains artist-led.”

Partnership and Availability

Cinema 4D is widely used across multiple industries and disciplines, including AEC, film and broadcast, motion graphics, advertising, product visualization, and game development. The new HY 3D integration gives users options and can help them meet tighter deadlines.

Once an asset is created, artists can refine it in ZBrush, texture and light it in Cinema 4D, and render it in Redshift renderer.

The partnership grew out of a long-standing relationship between Maxon and Tencent, including the latter’s continuous use of Maxon technologies in game development pipelines.

The integration of Tencent Cloud AI technology into Maxon tools marks a significant milestone. The HY 3D integration will be introduced later in 2026. More details will follow closer to the release date.

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Over three days, Newforma’s user conference promises plenty of learning, certifications, networking, and fun. But there is more!

A New Wave Begins

Newforma World 2026 will showcase the next generation of innovation and collaboration tools shaping the future of AEC project delivery. Attendees will uncover the latest technological advancements from Newforma, deepen their expertise with practical sessions, and connect with a wide industry of peers and experts.

Erik Qualman will be the keynote speaker. He is the best-selling author of The New Wave and a global authority on digital leadership.

“Newforma World is where the future of connected AECO work takes shape,” said Peter Cannone, chief executive officer at Newforma. “The New Wave theme reflects how Newforma and our community are embracing innovation, enhancing collaboration and elevating performance across projects of every size and complexity.”

On Tap at Newforma World 2026:

• Keynote by Erik Qualman – Qualman, a bestselling author and global authority on digital leadership, will deliver a high-energy keynote on leading through change and navigating The New Wave, transforming the AECO industry.

• Inspiring & Informative Sessions – Hear from industry pioneers and Newforma experts on trends, strategies, and breakthroughs in AECO technology.

• Interactive Workshops & Certifications – Participate in hands-on sessions, including Newforma Konekt and Newforma Project Center certification tracks to take skills to the next level.

• Networking & Connections – Build meaningful relationships at premier networking events, including the May the 4^th Welcome Reception, Cinco de Mayo Fiesta, and Newforma World Birthday Bash.

• One-on-One Expert Access – Engage directly with Newforma leadership, developers and product specialists to share feedback and learn industry best practices.

The conference is ideal for AEC industry executives, project managers, CIOs and digital design directors, IT professionals, and project team members seeking to improve workflows across project portfolios.

Registration and Pricing

Early registration is now open with special pricing available through March 13, 2026.

Visit www.newformaworld.com for complete details on registration, agenda, speakers and travel planning.

About Newforma

Boston-based Newforma sets the standard for project and information management across the global AECO industry. By centralizing communication, documents, workflows, and decision records in one connected platform, Newforma empowers teams to work smarter, collaborate better, and deliver higher-quality projects.  Discover how your firm can achieve more with Newforma at www.newforma.com.

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