Veras is Chaos’s popular AI-powered visualization tool and has been a hit within the larger Archviz professional community, competing against a sea change of new AI visualization platforms. This largely has to do with the integration of AI into the professional Chaos visualization tools that AEC visualization professionals already know and love.

Veras Integration

For years, Chaos’s library of visualization tools has been used from the earliest stages of design through final deliverables, and as the company’s software ecosystem grew, it became increasingly logical to tightly integrate Versa across it.

Key Takeaways

• Chaos is now issuing a single installer for all products, simplifying deployment and installation of Chaos ecosystem products, including Veras. With this comes a more unified licensing toolset.
• There are broad new updates for Enscape, V-Ray, and Corona beyond the Veras integration
• Veras is now deeply integrated across the product range listed above. 

“Our customers have spoken. Tool-hopping and disconnected workflows are burdens to anyone tasked with complex projects,” said Petr Mitev, Vice President of Product Development at Chaos. “Today, our ecosystem begins feeling a whole lot smoother, letting users tap a shared infrastructure, cross-product features, and the most purpose-built AI in the industry. This will speed up any workflow, without sacrificing quality or control.”

Veras is now fully integrated into all Enscape, V-Ray, and Corona renderer solutions.

Veras is highly important to the Chaos ecosystem of visualization tools because with it, designers, architects, and archviz pros can quickly turn hand sketches, 2D images, and 3D models into presentation-ready images and animations far faster than workflows that are missing the AI (artificial intelligence) technologies embedded in Veras.

Whether professionals are working in 3D modelers like SketchUp, Rhino, or 3ds Max, or working in BIM tools like Archicad, Revit, or Vectorworks, they can explore early design ideas, moods, and visualization styles easily when working in Chaos’s rendering tools.

Hybrid Licensing System

Chaos is also introducing a new hybrid-licensing system that adapts to the actual way users want to work. This license works on a new credit system that provides access to cloud rendering and AI services, and users can scale up or down the credits depending on what they actually need.

New ability for light to override materials, rendering example.

“Having AI capabilities integrated directly into our tools has made a big difference to our workflow,” said David Law, BIM Manager for Bellway Homes. “Going from Revit into Enscape with a click, and then into Veras with another click, is far more efficient than opening separate software and moving files around. Any design changes we make are instantly reflected, which keeps the whole process moving smoothly.”

Enscape Updates

As part of this launch, Chaos is also announcing fresh updates for several products, including Enscape. The new features include:

• vEnvision Live Link — Moving scenes from Enscape to Enscape Envision is now a one-click affair, helping users jump into advanced animations without a complex export-import process.
• 2500+ New Chaos Cosmos Assets — Chaos’ massive 3D asset library gains new real-time optimized people, vegetation, accessories and branded assets, making it easier to add AEC-ready entourage to a scene. In addition, a new AI-driven search tool will help users find their “perfect” Cosmos assets in seconds using natural language (also in V-Ray and Corona).
• Chaos Cloud Video Collaboration — New access to remote video collaboration tools connects the design, presentation and feedback process into a visually robust loop.

V-Ray and Corona Updates

• 1000+ New Chaos Cosmos Assets — New archviz-ready assets are available to visualization teams, including new high-quality accessories and furniture.
• Vantage in the Viewport — Chaos real-time rendering engine Vantage is now accessible within the V-Ray viewport, enabling rapid scene exploration and smoother design reviews, even while working with massive, fully ray traced scenes.

Corona-Only Updates

Today, also marks the launch of Corona 15, which will see Chaos’ push-button simple renderer continuing to evolve beyond visualization, as it brings AI ideation, photoreal rendering, and cinematic animation into one intuitive environment.

• Enhanced Material Detail — The new Glints layer simulates the sparkle of small, angled surfaces, making it essential for replicating metallic flakes in car paint, sand and snow.
• Improved Gaussian Splats Blending — Gaussian Splats now accurately bounce Global Illumination light onto 3D models, allowing captured environments to blend naturally into the scene.
• Faster Animation Parsing — Users can now reduce animation render times in 3ds Max, using a smarter rendering workflow that no longer reprocesses the entire scene for every frame.
• 3D Streaming — Anyone can now walk through their vision in real time. Users simply share a 3D streaming link and stakeholders can instantly explore the visualization interactively, at their own pace, on any device.

For more ecosystem updates, product tips and user stories, check out Chaos’ blog and social channels.

Pricing and Availability

All updates are available now. For full pricing information, please visit the Chaos pricing page.

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Bluebeam Max

First shown at Bluebeam Unbound 2025 in Washington, DC, last fall, Bluebeam Max ushers in powerful new AI-powered workflows, including deep Revu and Anthropic Claude integration, automatic stitching, magic markups, and intelligent overlay and review technologies.

Key Takeaways

• Bluebeam Max has a tight integration with Claude from Anthropic via MCP (model context protocol), thus giving Bluebeam Revu users a natural language path to prompt Revu into automating numerous regular and repeating Bluebeam Revu workflows.
• Smart Overlay and Smart Review are new AI-powered features that quickly enable teams to identify design changes and discrepancies across entire drawing sets and disciplines, as well as provide clear, actionable insights. 

Max brings smart automation so that Bluebeam Revu customers can accelerate their workflows by automating away tedious and time-consuming tasks.

This image shows Bluebeam Max with Revu and Claude integration. Click the image to read the AI prompt workflow and the output that can be generated.

Usman Shuja, CEO of Bluebeam, stated:

Bluebeam Max delivers these specific functionalities that are either entirely new or substantially automated from regular Bluebeam Revu prior, including:

• Revu + Anthropic Claude via MCP — enabling natural language prompts to automate repetitive tasks and transform markup data into actionable insights.
• Stitching — automatically combines multiple drawing sheets into a single, navigable, to-scale view for large and linear infrastructure projects.
• Magic Markups — to automate repetitive markup and reduce manual clicks, making takeoffs faster and more accurate.
• Smart Overlay — allowing teams to quickly identify design changes and discrepancies across entire drawing sets and disciplines.
• Smart Review — provides clear, actionable insights into design discrepancies, scope gaps, and missing information to catch issues early and prevent costly setbacks.
• Connected Studio Sessions with Revit, linking Bluebeam markups directly to the correct location in Revit drawing and model views to collaborate effectively across PDF and BIM.

The results from over 2,000 beta program users reported that productivity gains from Bluebeam Max were substantial, calling it a “game-changer” for design and planning workflows.

Client Success Stories

Martin-Harris Construction 

Martin-Harris was a Max beta tester firm. They benefited from Bluebeam Max with multiple Revu workflows, including utilizing Max’s Smart Overlay and Smart Review features to compare revisions for pricing and impact analysis during both design and construction.

The Bluebeam Max supports a deeper integration between Bluebeam Revu and Autodesk Revit.

“Bluebeam is already the backbone of how we review and collaborate on projects, but Bluebeam Max takes that to another level,” said James Miranda, Director of Preconstruction at Martin-Harris Construction.  “Features like Smart Overlay help us instantly see what’s changed and where to focus, which is critical when you’re managing complex projects at scale. As the full AI capabilities continue to evolve, this has the potential to significantly reduce manual effort and free up our teams to focus on higher-value coordination and decision-making.”

KPFF Consulting Engineers – Los Angeles Office

KPFF also found notable gains with Bluebeam Max, where its LA-based civil and structural engineers benefit from Bluebeam Revu in their day-to-day work.

“Even small improvements can have a big impact on our workflows,” said Dillon Wilke, Associate and Bluebeam Max early adopter at KPFF LA Civil Office. “Features like offset are reducing the need to go back into CAD for certain tasks, especially when working with parallel utilities or curved geometry. What used to take multiple manual steps can now be done much more efficiently in one place.”

Bluebeam Max is available now, and readers interested in learning more can do so by following this link and reading more in our analysis and commentary section below.

Architosh Analysis and Commentary

Last year, Bluebeam announced it was acquiring AEC AI startup Firmus-AI. That technology included the foundations for Smart Compare and Smart Review, based on Firmus-AI’s. Bluebeam already innovated the industry’s first “compare” features, but Firmus-AI took it to another level, and now that technology is inside Bluebeam Max. 

Firmus-AI’s solutions were cloud applications, and we can see that the newly integrated AI-powered capabilities in Smart Compare and Smart Review are also cloud-based. Notice the browser window. But notice the dashboard summary.

The Smart Review AI technology is equally impactful, if not more so. AEC design professionals struggle to maintain consistency and catch conflicts and omissions in their drawings due to the sheer volume and time pressures to get projects out the door. Now Bluebeam Max has the tools to help solve that glaring issue in the AEC. This AI technology can read AEC industry drawings and identify scope gaps, contradictions, errors, and omissions. Running Smart Review and Smart Compare can help architects and engineers increase accuracy and consistency in their documentation before it heads out to the construction site, helping prevent construction issues and embarrassing conflicts that cost owners money and increase liability for design and engineering professionals. 

Another impact-building new feature is the stronger tie-in to Revit so that comment markups link back into the right locations in Revit, where architects, engineers, and designers live to take action on these issues. 

And last but not least, the Anthropic Claude integration enables Revu users to leverage AI to compare two documents (document 1 and document 2) and highlight the differences in the Bluebeam issues markup list. A perfect example would be different versions of a section in the building code. See how the building code or any kind of document has changed. 

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Sketch-to-BIM

This integration comes with Vectorworks 2026 Update 5 and connects iPad sketching directly to Vectorworks.

Key Takeaways

• New Export to Morpholio Trace command — sends selected, scale-accurate sheets or viewports from Vectorworks via the cloud to a dedicated Vectorworks folder in Trace on their iPad.
• New Import from Morpholio Trace command — brings sketches from Trace back into Vectorworks files as images or vector-based linework, streamlining tracing to CAD/BIM workflows.

Architects today still begin design processes with hand sketching, and many use tablet-based software products like Morpholio Trace. The Apple Design Award-winning iPad app has been labeled “dream software for architects,” and combines the power of Apple Pencil technology with the incredible processing power of the Apple iPad.

Vectorworks 2026 now has full integration with the Apple award-winning app Morpholio Trace, now part of Vectorworks, Inc.

From initial concepts and design details to construction administration stage markups, Morpholio Trace delivers intelligent workflows for architects using the power of immediate hand to sketch workflows.

MORE: Vectorworks acquires popular Morpholio—Leading Mobile Design App

The new Trace integration with Vectorworks reflects a market-proven fact that drawing, tracing, and sketching remain central to how designers think, explore, and communicate ideas. Through the connection with Vectorworks on desktop, designers can move between various workflow scenarios and personas, from the immediacy of hand sketching to the intelligence of their BIM and CAD models.

“With this integration, we’re bringing the power of sketching and the precision of BIM closer together than ever before,” said Vectorworks Product Planner Iskra Nikolova. “Drawings and sketches now move seamlessly in both directions through Vectorworks Cloud Services. Designers can start in Vectorworks and then sketch in Trace, or begin in Trace and bring those ideas back into Vectorworks, enabling a fluid, flexible creative process without extra steps or friction. The release of this integration in Vectorworks 2026 Update 5 marks another milestone in our commitment to connected, mobile-friendly workflows that honor the craft of design.”

Getting Features

This new integration comes with Vectorworks 2026 Update 5, available now. This update is now accessible for all currently released English-language versions of Vectorworks 2026 through subscription and Vectorworks Service Select customers. Vectorworks users can install by selecting “Check for Updates from the Vectorworks menu (Mac) or Help menu (Windows).

To explore the new Morpholio Trace integration and all the latest features, start a free 7-day trial of Vectorworks Design Suite and download Morpholio Trace for iPad and iPhone in the Apple App Store.

Architosh Analysis and Commentary

Morpholio Trace works with more applications than just Vectorworks, as it can ingest 3D models created in various applications, from BIM to professional 3D modelers. Usually, you export your model out to a (.USDZ) or (.OBJ) file format to bring into Trace. Of course, the Vectorworks integration is even smoother than this, and it’s automated in the cloud. 

Beyond Morpholio Trace, Morpholio Journal is another sister app for simply having a digital sketchbook. It features amazing pens and brushes, and you can also write in it. Then there is BoardPro, a mood board application. ELLE Décore magazine called it “addictive” and awarded it “Best Apps” for interior design, home decor, and interior architecture. This particular app is interesting because Vectorworks, as a company, has toyed with the idea of an industry vertical version of Vectorworks for interior professionals. Currently, interior professionals buy Vectorworks Architect or Vectorworks Design Suite to use as their CAD-BIM environment, but we could see an evolution in which both Vectorworks and this suite of apps (especially BoardPro) develop into a consolidated solution or package called Vectorworks Interiors. 

The advantage Vectorworks has created through its industry vertical solutions is the delivery of a tailor-made solution for a particular type of AEC/O professional. Architosh has written about this in the past in some detail: the one-size-fits-all approach will eventually lose out to highly focused, more pointed, and specialized solutions. We don’t know for certain if that is where the company will go next, but the acquisition of Morpholio Trace offers interesting suggestions. 

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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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Claude Meets SketchUp

A new SketchUp Connector brings in the power of an MCP (model context protocol) service that allows Claude to interact directly with SketchUp (.SKP) files.

Key Takeaways

• SketchUp users can utilize Claude AI to generate 3D models from prompts, including both text prompts and pictures.
• SketchUp users will need a Claude AI account to utilize the new SketchUp Connector for Claude.

The connectivity benefits users by enhancing their ability to create 3D models, regardless of their SketchUp 3D modeling skill level.

What Can You Model

Users can create new geometry by simply describing their design goals, such as building massing models, landscapes, or furniture.

SketchUp Connector for Claude AI powers AI-generated 3D modeling in Trimble SketchUp.

They can provide plain-language inputs, reference images, sketches, photos, floor plans, and dimensions that they upload to give Claude the necessary context to understand the design modeling objective. Claude then builds the geometry in a cloud SketchUp session, iteratively verifying the dimensions.

Chris Cronin, vice president and general manager of architecture and design solutions at Trimble, says:

“Natural language prompts and the power of AI make it easy for anyone to get started and excel,” adds Cronin, “including inexperienced and non-traditional 3D design users, bringing us closer to our ‘3D for everyone’ goal.”

This new specialized Claude integration with SketchUp is consistent with Trimble’s overall initiatives to democratize advanced technologies and make them available to a wider range of users.

More Claude Advantages

SketchUp Claude Connector also tracks version history within a single chat, allowing users to quickly navigate, troubleshoot, and refine their models. If the design is not quite correct, the user can describe what is wrong, and Claude will make adjustments based on what is specified as wrong.

MORE: Trimble set to acquire AI-powered Document Crunch

When a model is complete, the Connector creates a 2D preview thumbnail and provides a direct download link to the (.SKP) file. Once downloaded, the user can then manually edit the model.

And one more final note. Users can train Claude on core skills and unique workflows to complete competitive tasks.

Availability

Users can get started today by enabling Trimble SketchUp in Claude’s MCP directory connector settings. Accessing the connector does require a Claude account and a Trimble ID for authentication. Users receive a free SketchUp entitlement that allows them to save up to 30 SketchUp models; after that, a paid entitlement is required. Resulting files can be opened in SketchUp for Web, Desktop, iPad, or iPhone.

Architosh Analysis and Commentary

As some additional directions. When you log into your Claude account, go to Customize, click on Connect your Apps, and then you will have a list of all of Anthropic’s partners. Search for Trimble. Hit the plus icon to connect Claude with SketchUp. 

View of Claude’s main sign-in page. You need an Anthropic Claude account in order to link SketchUp to Claude for AI-powered modeling.

In watching some users explore this technology, the results are varied but also quite solid. Reference images only type Claude-generations may be off quite a bit, while others are strangely very good. Perhaps most positive is that a combination of detailed reference images (those including dimensions), combined with detailed prompts with dimensions, can yield substantially good results. We are talking about whole combinations of rooms, like a bedroom suite. Another positive side is that Anthropic‘s Claude appears to be quite fast. Trimble doesn’t really note that in their announcement, but user tests are showing good speed for results. You still have to download the file, but that doesn’t take a lot of time in the grand scheme of things, especially if Claude saves you 30 minutes of modeling. 

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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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However, new research from Bluebeam recently reveals encouraging signs of recovery momentum.

Recovery Efforts

Bluebeam, a leading developer of solutions and services for AEC professionals worldwide, reports that more than three-quarters of respondents (76%) have begun rebuilding, while a third say they remain dissatisfied with the pace of progress. This sentiment reflects not just new construction, but also the necessary new permitting initiatives put in place. Here are some details:

Hurdles For Homeowners:

• Nearly one-third (29%) remain uncertain whether their home can be fully rebuilt, underscoring the complexity of current requirements.
• Costs and financing challenges (43%), insurance issues (34%), and labor shortages (29%) are the most frequently cited obstacles.

Positive Momentum:

The reports show that delays in permitting persist as a significant frustration and point of uncertainty for homeowners navigating the rebuilding process:

• 27% of impacted residents cite permitting timelines as a key barrier to rebuild efforts.

• 88% of those homeowners who have applied for a permit in the wake of the wildfires have experienced delays.

• Only 4% of those surveyed said they were able to obtain a permit in under a month, and only 25% within two months, with most approval timelines far exceeding 30- to 60-day targets.

Despite this mix of signals, new initiatives pave hopeful paths forward.

Standard Plan Pilot Program

Based on the research, two-thirds (66%) of impacted homeowners are rather positive about the city of LA’s Standard Plan Pilot Program, which aids owners by offering a library of pre-approved, code-compliant home designs.

The use of standardized plans simplifies processes in meeting new requirements. One example is Bluebeam partner The Foothill Catalog Foundation (TFCF), a non-profit formed in response to the wildfires. TFCF offers pre-approved home designs in compliance with new permitting programs, helping residents rebuild more quickly. The organization has preapproved over 40 new unique designs to date, designs that help preserve the community identity as well.

Resilience for the Future

California ranks first in the nation for the number of homes at risk of extreme wildfire exposure (1.2 million), and homeowners are prioritizing long-term safety and resilience as they rebuild. Based on Bluebeam’s research:

• 83% of impacted residents plan to incorporate wildfire-resistant materials or design features into rebuild plans. Many are considering upgrades such as fire-resistant roofing, ember-resistant vents, defensible space planning, and use of non-combustible materials.

• 65% say they feel more confident in their preparedness for future wildfires because of these upgrades.

“With our global headquarters in Pasadena, the recovery from the 2025 wildfires is deeply personal to our team,” said Don Jacobs, Chief Innovation Officer at Bluebeam and local Los Angeles resident. “As homeowners rebuild, we’re seeing a meaningful shift toward resilient design that prioritizes long-term safety and durability. This research also highlights the opportunity to simplify and connect the systems behind rebuilding – particularly permitting – to remove delays and uncertainty. By streamlining permitting pathways, embracing resilient design, and fostering collaboration across all parties involved in the rebuild effort, we can help families return home faster and build communities that are stronger, safer, and better prepared for future wildfires.”

About the Survey

The survey was conducted in February and March 2026 with more than 500 Los Angeles County homeowners whose homes were damaged by the 2025 wildfires. The report provides insights into rebuilding progress, key challenges faced, and plans for future preparedness.

To learn more about the state of rebuilding efforts, visit: https://blog.bluebeam.com/from-cleanup-to-rebuild-project-mindset-wildfire-recovery/.

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MEP Designer

MEP Designer is Graphisoft’s BIM solution for engineers responsible for designing and documenting MEP systems in buildings. The solution is built on the Archicad BIM core engine, the industry-leading platform for architects, delivering complex collaborative BIM workflows between engineers and architects.

Graphisoft MEP Designer is a BIM design and documentation solution for MEP engineers in the AEC industry. It is built on the same Archicad core BIM engine and thus features some of the same visualization capabilities as Archicad, as well as being fully native for both macOS and Windows.

Available as a subscription-based product, MEP Designer is easy to learn and use, featuring an intuitive user interface and smart modeling tools that automate and simplify the MEP design process. Engineers and architects can obtain the software through MEP Designer Studio or Archicad Collaborate subscription plans. A flexible and adaptive solution, MEP engineers will discover how easy it is to develop MEP BIM models for their projects.

Márton Kiss, Chief Product Officer at Graphisoft, stated:

Key capabilities of the software include:

• Detailed documentation generated automatically — from floor plans and sections to schedules and parts lists — customizable and ready for submission.
• Built-in visualization tools and parametric libraries.
• Smooth communications and model consistency — on-site or remotely.
• Accurate planning and efficient coordination — CALHYDRA now connects to MEP Designer via a dedicated interface, enabling direct transfer of water and HVAC systems for hydraulic calculations; results are updated in the model for a seamless BIM-based workflow.

MEP Designer is currently available in select Asian and European markets on both Windows and macOS. It is the first native macOS BIM authoring and design tool for MEP engineers. For more information, visit graphisoft.com/mep-designer.

Architosh Analysis and Commentary

Graphisoft appears to be rolling out MEP Designer first in markets where it already has established bases of users in the engineering disciplines, as well as where engineering-focused sister subsidiaries of the Nemetschek Group consistently work with architects on the Archicad platform. These are likely Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Scandinavia, and perhaps Hungary. An exact list may be available only through Graphisoft sales channels. These European markets, plus select Asian markets, are the first targets for the rollouts. Graphisoft also owns DDScad, a MEP specialist software popular in Europe. The MEP Designer strategy seems to be tied to migrating DDScad users to MEP Designer adoption. 

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This year, Nirva Fereshetian (CIO of CBT Architects) and Niknaz Aftahi, CEO of aec+tech, will be hosting a similar event at the beautiful Carrier Johnson + Culture office in downtown San Diego during the AIA National Conference on Architecture & Design, the United States’ premier annual conference and exhibition for the architectural industry.

‘archi+tech’ Social Night

The evening event is a mixture of a social get-together with short presentations by technology providers and leaders in the global AEC industry. But largely, it’s a social event where attendees can have real conversations with members of the digital tech community in attendance.

A kind of class picture from last year’s first-ever ‘archi+tech’ Social Night at AIA National in Boston 2025. The event had sponsors from numerous AEC digital technology providers, including the industry’s largest companies.

Carrier Johnson + Culture is a larger architecture and planning firm in San Diego (with offices in Los Angeles and Seattle) with an award-winning portfolio spanning project types. They have graciously offered to host the event in their San Diego office.

Event Details

‘archi+tech’ Social Night will take place at 5:30 pm, Friday, 12 June 2026 (register here), during the week of the AIA Conference in San Diego. This year, the event is focusing on “innovation” and bringing together people who are actually shaping how technology is used in the architecture and AEC industry.

Nirva and Niknaz are curating a group of around 100 to 120 people at the intersection of design and technology, including:

• Architects and firm leaders
• CIOs, CTOs, and innovation directors
• BIM and design technology leaders
• AEC technology founders, investors, and accelerator teams

What is special about this event is the intimacy of the room and the opportunity to showcase the host firm’s location as a bit of an exhibition of their technological prowess. Last year, CBT Architects displayed a stunning set of digital solutions, specialty technology spaces, model shops, and interactive technology tools to give attendees a sense of what practice is like at a tech-forward large firm.

Registration

If you are attending AIA San Diego in early June and would like to attend this event, please register here: https://luma.com/dfmu0kut

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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.

The post ALLPLAN intros Steel Genie—AI Powered Cost Estimation appeared first on Architosh.

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.

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V-Ray 7 Update 3

“By bringing real-time ray tracing directly into the V-Ray viewport, artists can iterate faster while maintaining the quality that V-Ray is known for, all within a single, unified workflow,” said Vlado Koylazov, Head of Innovation at Chaos.

Key Takeways

• Final-frame-quality real-time rendering is now possible in V-Ray Viewport for those with a Vantage account
• V-Ray 7 update 3 is now out for Rhino and SketchUp, with 3ds Max coming soon
• AI Mood Match technology brings the atmosphere from a reference photo into your render

Real-time ray tracing technology in Chaos Vantage transforms how archviz teams work because it is able to handle complex lighting, large scenes, and large-scale geometry without slowdown. Now, V-Ray 7 users with a Vantage license can tap the power of real-time rendering without leaving the V-Ray workflow.

Parallax Interiors is the software that uses interior shaders from Cosmos. The effect holds from any camera angle and can be varied across a facade to avoid repetition, bringing convincing life to every window, especially during night scenes.

While real-time final-quality ray tracing rendering is a powerful update, Update 3 has eleven other great new features we discuss below, including impactful new AI capabilities.

New Features

There are multiple new features beyond the new capability to tap into Chaos Vantage technology directly in V-Ray 7. These include a new Gaussian splats relighting, Quick Caustics, Chaos Cloud Reviews, new Cosmos Sets, and New Assets.

AI Mood Match technology will be a hit with users who can use a reference photo and have AI match the lighting and atmospheric mood of the image and implement that in the rendered scene.

Moreover, there are multiple new AI tools that bring the power of AI deeper into the production process. An important one is the new AI Mood Match feature. Now, a user can use a reference photo to automatically align a scene’s lighting with the image’s look and atmosphere, reducing manual setup and achieving desired outcomes faster. Other AI features include the ability to AI-generate materials at 4K resolution for eye-popping renders.

Other features include in summary:

• Parallax Interiors — Architects can now add realistic interior depth and lighting to exterior renders without modeling or heavy geometry. Using parallax interior shaders from Cosmos, the effect holds from any camera angle and can be varied across a façade to avoid repetition, bringing convincing life to every window, especially in night scenes.
• Node Material Editor (V-Ray for SketchUp and Rhino) — Users can now build and adjust V-Ray materials visually using a node-based editor, making it easier to understand material logic and create complex shaders with greater control. The node editing workflow offers a more intuitive and visual alternative to traditional material creation and editing. The tool is now available as a preview, with more possibilities to come in future releases.
• AI Enhancer: Large Surfaces Coverage — Architects can add more realistic details to large surfaces, such as floors, walls, asphalt, and terrain, adding natural variation at the correct scale without manual re-texturing.
• AI Enhancer: Improved Accuracy and Single Object Creative Enhancement — Users can achieve more precise results across the board, with new support for applying creative enhancement to individual objects.
• Video Collaboration — Chaos Cloud becomes a professional-grade video review platform for animations and render sequences, with precise commenting tied to timestamps, ranges, and visual annotations.
• Cosmos Sets and New Assets — Cosmos sets provide a fast and simplified way to populate scenes with grouped assets that naturally work together. This update adds 700+ new Cosmos assets, including 400 high-poly Globe Plant models and new branded models.

To learn more and explore what’s new, visit the V-Ray Collection page on chaos.com. Or watch the video below:

Pricing and Availability

Launching first on V-Ray for SketchUp and Rhino, real-time rendering in the V-Ray viewport is available to users with an active Chaos Vantage or V-Ray Collection license. AI Mood Match and real-time rendering in the V-Ray viewport are expected to be introduced to V-Ray for 3ds Max.

The post Real-time rendering comes to V-Ray viewport in V-Ray 7 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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New in Revit 2027

Revit 2027 focuses on three primary areas: AI and data-driven BIM, production efficiency, and a modernized experience, which includes UI improvements.

Key Takeaways

• Autodesk Revit 2027 features on-board MCP (model context protocol) AI technology to enable context-aware AI.
• Autodesk Assistant can perform common workflow tasks, like finding and tagging elements, generating views and schedules, and more. 
• Revit 2027 features deeper connectivity with updated Forma Cloud offerings
• Accelerated Graphics is no longer in tech preview—Section Box offers real-time graphics

Revit 2027 now features Autodesk Assistant, an AI text prompt tool that leverages MCP technology to help you implement a large array of BIM functions, from finding and tagging all elements of a certain type, to generating certain views and organizing schedules, to providing in-product guidance to complete tasks and resolve issues.

Autodesk Assistant (tech preview), shown in this image of the new Revit 2027, helps users more deeply with context-aware AI assistance.

Autodesk’s AI agent (Autodesk Assistant) leverages Anthropic’s MCP (model context protocol) and is the first version of Revit to officially leverage a built-in MCP server. Introduced in 2024 by Anthropic, MCP is an open-source standard designed to solve “isolation” problems in AI models. What that means in short is that MCP enables AI to look into live BIM model data as if it were a native part of the Revit software, thereby bypassing the long-standing problem of BIM data being isolated within the walled garden of a software application. (see Architosh Analysis and Commentary for more).

MORE: Event: ‘archi+tech’ Social Night at AIA Conference in San Diego

This enables Autodesk Assistant to help you manage and accelerate your BIM workflows, refine those BIM workflows, and automate them. Autodesk Assistant can also save your prompts, so repeatable work goes faster. While early AI tools in Autodesk software helped you understand the application and what it can do, MCP-based AI actually helps you run the Revit 2027 software.

Forma Connectivity

To aid efficiency across teams and multi-stakeholder workflows, Revit 2027 has new connections to the newly updated Forma Cloud. Revit 2027 connects to the new Forma Data Management Essentials, Forma Site Design, Forma Building Design, and Forma Board. All of this comes as standard with a Revit 2027 subscription. For the user, this establishes a cloud foundation for Revit 2027 users, from early-phase site analysis and preliminary design through CDs to construction-phase workflows.

MORE: Autodesk intros new Forma Building Design

Issues for Revit are now part of the core Revit 2027 version. Users can display pinned issues from Forma Data Management directly in their model or create the issues directly in a Revit 3D view, assign responsibilities and due dates, and associate models. The Revit 2027 user can continually monitor and track issues from inside Revit.

Revit 2027 also improves interoperability with more granular control over the model, generating superior IFC exports for consultants. There is a new updated IFC parameter mapping control toolset. Recap Pro and Revit are also more tightly integrated.

Modernized Experience

Revit 2027 is also improved under the hood. Revit’s Accelerated Graphics is no longer a tech preview but is fully supported. The Options Bar is now removed, offering a cleaned-up modern UI/UX. And under the hood, Revit 2027 has been updated to .NET 10 runtime, which provides a faster, more modern, and stable foundation for Revit and its add-ins.

Accelerated Graphics is now foundational in Revit 2027 and works in tandem with .NET 10, which enables Revit to keep pace with modern software development on chips with unified memory (Intel Core Ultra, Apple M-series, etc.). Improved multi-processing due to .NET 10 fundamentally changes how the GPU and CPU process their memory tasks simultaneously, this time during Section Box manipulations.

Dynamo 4.0.2 now runs on .NET 10, resulting in dramatically faster geometry operations, helping complex parametric workflows. As for day-to-day use, the graduation of Accelerated Graphics from tech preview is the biggest win for users, says Autodesk. This is especially true for the user with a powerful GPU.

The section box now updates in real-time as you drag it, a huge win for Revit users who have longed for this since seeing it in rival BIM solutions offered years ago. Archicad’s 3D Cutting Planes have felt instant for well over a decade, and Vectorworks introduced its Clip Cube back in 2014. Why did Revit lag on this for so long? The difference goes back to how Revit was originally coded. Revit has worked by recalculating the entire model’s visibility and graphics every time the box moved. (see our Analysis Section below for a more technical explanation).

With Accelerated Graphics now foundational to Revit in version 2027, it should mean users experience much improved model navigation, increasing speed and responsiveness.

To learn more and watch some videos of the new Revit 2027, visit here. 

Editor’s Note

15 Apr 26 — The article has made a correction with Model Context Protocol, correcting “control” for “context.”

Architosh Analysis and Commentary

Software applications have long been a “walled garden” for data, especially for CAD and design applications like BIM. The long-held way to get data out of the walled garden was through a gateway we call “exporting” into industry-standard file formats like DWG, STEP, or IFC, for example. Another way data has been accessible outside the walls of the application is through a dedicated API (application programming interface) provided by the application itself. However, MCP solves technical limitations in an API. Every application API has its own inherent structure, and an AI model like Claude or ChatGPT doesn’t necessarily know how to talk to a Revit API. Without having to write thousands of lines of code to teach an AI how to translate AI prompts into API commands, MCP offers a plug-and-play MCP server model where you can point a generic AI like Claude at the server and the AI self-discovers what an application (like Revit) can actually do by reading its menus and available tools, commands, and knowledge. 

You can think of it like this. With Revit 2027 now having its own MCP server, an AI agent can learn nearly everything about Revit, map its software’s capabilities, and understand your specific BIM model’s data. The MCP server itself provides a list of JSON-based schemas that define what the AI can actually do. And the AI instantly understands your BIM model in context. There is so much to be said about the MCP technology in Revit 2027. (see, BIMsmith, “Revit 2027: What the Built-in MCP Server Actually Does in Practice,” 7 Apr 2026).

Finally, on the live section box, catch up. Why so long? The answer is that Revit was originally built as a massive relational database—a parametric spiderweb, if you will. In Revit, every element is aware of every other element. Historically, when you moved the Section Box, Revit tried to “re-solve” those relationships for every element being cut. The foundational issue is how Revit “thinks” about the model versus how other BIM solutions think about the model. 

In the case of Revit’s primary rival, Archicad separated the visual representation from the “database” much earlier. Well over a decade earlier. The same with its sister BIM, Vectorworks. The 3D visual environment of Archicad is more like a video game environment, built for real-time speed and interactivity. So, in short, Autodesk finally decoupled the “visual state” from the “database state” as part of its Accelerated Graphics technologies. We believe it now keeps a cached version of the model’s geometry in your GPU’s memory, enabling the user to interact with that geometry while the CPU waits for the mouse to stop before it rebuilds the Revit database. .NET 10 enables these actions to happen in simultaneous multi-processing threads. 

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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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This year’s release is quite large, with the global CAD/BIM company again needing over 100 pages in a PDF product brochure to review all the features. This has now happened three years in a row, a powerful indication of the pace and commitment to innovation from the Berlin firm.

What’s New: Highlights

ARES Commander this year focuses on multiple features of time-saving workflow enhancements. For example, the PROPERTYPAINTER command now allows users to copy properties from one drawing file to another. Select an entity in one file and copy it over to the entities in a separate file. This will be useful for those larger projects split across multiple files, as just one example.

Graebert’s ARES 2027 ecosystem of DWG native CAD offerings span all compute platforms and devices and deliver impressive range of new AI features and Autodesk Forma cloud integration.

Another large improvement is optimized path management for XREFs. In version 2027, the software issues warnings automatically for critical location changes to referenced drawings and offers a batch workflow for correcting missing reference paths in a single step.

MVSETUP is a command familiar to AutoCAD users to create and align viewports (as in AutoCAD). This new capability also helps facilitate the transition to ARES Commander as well. This command automates key steps, helping users save time, maintain standards, and reduce setup errors.

MORE: ARES 2027 Deep Dive: AI, Automation and BIM-to-DWG Workflows

LAYTRANS is a new Layer Translator command. It lets you map layers — and entities belonging to these layers — from one drawing to another, and in doing so, translates their names and properties (such as color, line type, line weight, plot settings, etc) so that your drawing matches a desired layer standard.

These are some of the highlights in ARES Commander 2027, but there are many more as we discuss below and at the link here.

Performance Updates

And in this release, ARES Commander boosts performance by opening drawings 20 percent faster, and copy operations now run at 50 percent faster. Moreover, general navigation in the application is now 25 percent faster, and Save and Autosave run without blocking the interface.

ARES Commander 2027 boasts new XREF features with new automatic issues warning system and batch workflow for correcting reference paths to external file resources in a single step.

These performance updates were calculated using over 65 reference files from 1MB to 167MB on five different hardware configurations compared to version 2026.

Graebert has also focused a lot this year on reliability, creating a rock-solid foundation. Version 2026 delivered 94 percent uptime (no crashes) for users.

ARES Kudo

ARES Kudo in 2027 has several new capabilities and enhancements. Kudo is a web browser-based DWG CAD system with a full set of 2D features unmatched in the CAD industry.

As the offering designed for CAD professionals on the go, one of the best new features is the AREANOTE tool, which allows users to quickly calculate areas from a region they define and visually communicate this region with colored and transparent fills, and labels showing the measured output. This is the same feature in ARES Commander, and it is also new in ARES Touch (see below).

ARES Kudo 2027 introduces a contextual ribbon for Hatch. This new dynamic interface adapts to the user’s current action, showing only the relevant tools directly on the ribbon.

New hatch features onboard the latest 2027 ARES Kudo feature a new contextual ribbon that dynamically adapts its interface based on the user’s current actions.

Kudo 2027 gives users the ability to edit blocks directly from the Trinity Block Library, saving users time working with blocks in a file in order ot edit them and share such edits to teams. There is now an Edit button in the Trinity Block Library palette and an edit option in the contextual menu on the Resources page.

ARES Kudo 2027 also gains significant performance enhancements with faster file saves, undo, and thumbnails are generated more reliably.

Other new updates for ARES Kudo include Drawing Insights feature and the introduction of Quick Print to PDF and Print styles support.

AI and Automation for DWG

No area of innovation and new capabilities is greater in ARES 2027 than in the area of artificial intelligence. The new AI features are concentrated in ARES Commander and ARES Kudo.

A3, the name of ARES’s AI agent can now select, create, and modify DWG entities. The new technologies are powered by OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT. These OpenAI technologies have been especially trained to help ARES users.

With the same prompt, users can use A3 to select and modify elements, including rotation, mirroring, scale, hatch, stretch, and delete. A3 can also make blocks. And A3 can now be used with user voice input in lieu of text prompts on ARES Kudo Professional.

Users can use their voice for A3 (AI) input and talk to the ARES AI system rather than typing out text prompts.

There is also a new AI-powered command recommendation system that analyzes what the user is doing and suggests the next commands. The system also learns your work patterns and builds an adaptive profile.

Users will also have AI-driven block generation in the ARES Trinity Block Library. You can essentially describe what you want, such as a door swing, a table, or a power outlet, and the system will generate an accurate, standards-aligned symbol for you.

In the domain of Drawings Automation — a focus area where Graebert already has a strong industry lead — ARES 2027 now places these capabilities (which existed in previous versions in the cloud) directly inside ARES Commander 2027. The work itself is still offloaded to the ARES cloud, where it is processed. This includes batch-processing, scheduling, and recurring jobs. As an example, you can schedule to have your DWG converted to a PDF every night with the output saved to a particular cloud storage folder.

AI can be used inside the Trinity Block Library to create blocks for the user based on prompt input.

These automations can happen on files stored in common cloud storage providers, rather than in ARES Cloud folders. These new features are available in the Cloud Storage palette. Say, if you use Dropbox, you can right-click on a PDF file and select Convert to DWG. The automation tools will then perform the PDF-DWG conversion. Finally, users have one additional automation job type available to them—Print Sheet Set (.DST) to PDF.

Some of the AI features noted above are in Commander or Kudo only, but many are in both, and some were there before in one product and have now been added to the other product. For example, AI-driven Text Tools was previously in ARES Commander, but is now in ARES Kudo. Kudo’s MText editor has been expanded with AI tools to help translate, refine writing, check spelling, and summarize text.

BIM to DWG Automation

Graebert has had BIM-to-DWG automation technology for several years now, but this release continues to evolve it. These features are available in both Commander and Kudo in various ways. The core automation ingests either Revit or IFC files and generates floor plans, sections, and elevations in DWG files for further editing. It also automatically generates labels for rooms, doors, and windows.

New this year is the ability for ARES Commander to manage linked BIM models from different disciplines as part of an integrated project. This means BIM models from MEP and structural professionals and architects can all be linked into an integrated project and avoid duplicating plans, for example. And users can select the disciplines they want to work with, like a coordinated architecture + MEP plan or similar with structural.

Autodesk Revit 2026 is fully supported and ARES supports versions back to 2011.

Autodesk Forma Connection

The BIM automation features work with connected cloud storage providers such as Dropbox, Box, Google, OneDrive, et cetera, but now you can connect to Autodesk Forma Data Management (formerly Autodesk Construction Cloud).

Both ARES Commander and ARES Kudo can save and synchronize with your project folder in Forma. This includes the previously mentioned drawing automations. They too can be run connected to Forma.

We know of several AEC software companies with new Autodesk Forma connections coming out this year but Graebert is delivering that capability first with ARES 2027. This document highlights ARES workflows that engage with Autodesk Forma Data Management (formerly ACC).

The entire integration with Forma can be explored in an enlarged infographic that you can find here.

And there is a lot more to say about the BIM-to-DWG drawings automation features in ARES 2027, so we’ll dive in deeper in a separate report.

Cloud-based Collaboration

We have written extensively about ARES Trinity before—the cloud-based collaboration layer that connects ARES Commander to ARES Kudo to ARES Touch. Now all three of these tools can connect with Autodesk Forma, in addition to existing support for Google Drive, Dropbox, Box, OneDrive, and Microsoft SharePoint.

This new integration with Forma means Graebert’s own DWG native tools can work directly with DWG files stored in the Forma CDE (common data environment). All of Trinity’s collaboration features are accessible with files stored in Forma, including session handling and take-over editing session controls, plus version control, markups, comments, and secure sharing.

Autodesk Forma integration extends to the free version of ARES Kudo as well.

ARES Kudo (Free)

ARES Kudo is a powerful online CAD application that this publication in the past has compared to Autodesk AutoCAD LT with feature parity plus unique ARES cloud features.

The free version of ARES Kudo offers the AEC market a compelling native DWG file viewing application with built-in commenting, plus limited access to cloud-based drawings automation features.

Other New Items

As you can see from our highlights of features, ARES 2027 is a massive update with dozens of major new features. However, we need to discuss Flex Cloud licensing improvements. Graebert already provides the CAD industry’s most flexible and extensive licensing arrangement offerings, but its Flex Cloud licensing is ideal for organizations with multiple team members working with CAD at various levels within the week. These licenses can be shared between concurrent users or computers to reduce the number of licenses and costs.

New in 2027 for Flex Cloud licensing is automatic license return. The license is now immediately returned to the cloud licensing pool once the user quits the application. And there are improvements with Internet disconnection scenarios.

Admin-level settings are now set in an Admin Space in the Graebert Customer Portal. AI features can be centrally managed. And there are several other improvements with regard to administration functions like licensing and networks, plus new online help resources and more.

To read all about these features in greater detail with copious images, visit the ” What’s New with ARES 2027 page.

Architosh Analysis and Commentary

In this year’s updates to ARES add considerable additional AI and automation features, in addition to numerous efficiency and core CAD capabilities. Even seemingly small things are not so small such s the dynamic ribbon for hatches in ARES Kudo. I really surprising and big change for Graebert’s ARES this year is the deep integration with Autodesk Forma Data Management (formerly ACC). The depth of integration is compelling and of big benefit to actually both companies. The Forma cloud openness we are beginning to see this year is making Forma much more compelling to AEC workflows than just what Autodesk delivers itself. 

Architosh will be doing a big review of ARES 2027 this month (not sure of the details just yet) so we will report more soon in much greater detail, typical of our in-depth product reviews. 

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AutoCAD 2027

AutoCAD 2027 this year offers numerous new features and capabilities, plus enhancements across a deep range of existing features. AutoCAD’s built-in AI systems have been improved and now include a preview technology that leverages one of the AI industry’s hottest technology standards—Model Context Protocol, otherwise known as MCP. The technology was established by Anthropic and we have written about MCP before, most notably last fall with regard to Bluebeam.

A big part of AutoCAD 2027 involves new functionalities connected to the rebranded and updated AEC industry cloud, Forma. Forma Data Management is the new name for Autodesk Docs and version 2027 has streamlined and improved integration with the cloud-based common data environment (CDE).

Autodesk AutoCAD 2027 with this image showing the new Checkout features, which are a big change in the world’s most popular CAD program.

Perhaps the biggest and most impactful new feature in AutoCAD 2027 is the new Checkout features. Now multiple parties can work on the same AutoCAD drawing at the same time by reserving specific objects or regions of the drawing. These big features complement a collection of more medium and smaller sized new capabilities that users will undoubtedly enjoy.

For AutoCAD for Mac 2027, including the LT version, the biggest change is that OpenGL has been fully replaced and is no longer supported. Apple Metal is now the sole graphics engine for the Mac version of AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT. This has led to enhanced graphics performance, especially in faster 3D navigation through the cross-platform 3D graphics system. This is part of the broader, unified Graphics System Framework (GSF), not to be confused with major graphics updates to Autodesk Revit. Revit’s new graphics engine is built on Hydra, a high-performance imaging framework originally developed by Pixar. (see further notes in our Analysis section below).

AutoCAD 2027’s GSF-based graphics improvements leverage OS-specific primary graphics APIs. This means Apple Metal for the Mac and DirectX 12 for the Windows version. GSF is not new in version 2027, but rather new in the sense that on the Mac version AutoCAD 3D navigation offloads the scene geometry to Apple Silicon via the Metal API. Metal is superior than OpenGL for 3D CAD performance because it is a lower-level API and reduces processing code complexity associated with the abstraction layers of OpenGL.

Aside from these graphics-related updates to the Mac version of AutoCAD 2027, the version shares most of the major new features of AutoCAD 2027 on Windows including the new geometry cleanup features, Smart Blocks-Detect and Convert, the AI-based Autodesk Assistant, and other features.

For AutoCAD 2027 the big new features are those listed below.

New Features

• New AI-powered workflows — reduce friction and surface the right guidance at the correct time
• New Autodesk Assistant (Tech Preview) — AutoCAD 2027 now leverages Anthropic’s Model Context Protocol (MCP) AI standard to better understand your context, what you are working on, and what you are trying to accomplish. This improves the AI’s responses to you, making them more situational and relevant.
• Forma Data Management Essentials — this is now included with standalone AutoCAD subscriptions and enables collaboration in shared project environments. Teams can view and markup 2D and 3D models, track issues, apply folder-level permissions, and share files with controlled access and clear version visibility. Forma Data Management Essentials is a trimmed down version of Forma Data Management (the new name of Autodesk Docs) and this is where one’s DWG files are stored and where version history and access control for sharing and collaboration is managed.
• Introducing Checkout — Checkout introduces a new way for teams to collaborate on AutoCAD files and to jointly make controlled edits to the same DWG file at the same time when stored in Forma Data Management. This means instead of locking entire drawing files so that one can edit them without the fear of a colleague also editing them at the same time, the new Checkout functionality lets you isolate parts of the AutoCAD file that you control and work on safely in a separate editing environment. When you complete you edits you can submit them as a Trace for review.
• Connected References — the Xref system is more tightly integrated into the cloud environment (now Forma Data Management). When referenced files are moved or renamed, AutoCAD detects this change and suggest automatic repairs directly from the Xref palette.
• Connected Support Files — new centralized control over cloud-managed support files, including tool palettes and CUI customizations. With project-aware tool palettes and CUI, the right resources for projects load automatically with each drawing. This aids consistency and scalability across teams.
• Geometry Clean Up — this technology is essentially project or file health checks features that identify geometry issues such as gaps, overshoots, undershoots, and misaligned angles. The feature after finding these issues then targets solutions to resolving them.
• Forma Data Management Issues Integration — this allows AutoCAD 2027 users to view, create, and resolve issues directly within the drawing, keeping feedback visible and actionable.

AutoCAD 2027 also boasts improved 3D visualization with extended support for the Graphics System Framework (GSF). This boosts performance in AutoCAD 3D workflows and supports realistic visual styles, materials, and lighting.

There is also improvements with plotting, saving plots directly to the cloud, previewing PDFs and other improvements, along with Sheet Set Manager improvements, connecting support files.

Forma Board Integration

Finally, Autodesk Forma Board integration is included as part of general Forma integration. This means AutoCAD on the Web now integrates with Forma Board, connecting detailed CAD drafting with collaboration in early design phase workflows.

The features of Forma Board can be leveraged, enabling teams to view and edit DWG files within a shared canvas environment.

To learn more visit here.

Architosh Analysis and Commentary

Autodesk 2027 is delivering a powerful new feature in its Checkout capabilities, enabling teammates to work on the same DWG files at the same time. This is accomplished at the cloud level and bypasses the simple OS-level file locking. When a user “checks out” parts of a file, they are reserving specific objects or areas. The cloud-based data management layer in the Forma cloud keeps track of these reservations. This is a significant new capability and competitive punch to Autodesk’s native DWG competitors, one of which, we know for sure does not have a matching capability. 

Interestingly, the changes that are done using Checkout capabilities to the Trace Layer next for review and cannot be committed directly to the master file in the cloud by the person making the changes. The person who has permission to commit Trace Layer changes is the primary read-write owner. This is the person who has the master AutoCAD file open from the cloud with full read-write access. A collaborator (unlike the owner) is the one who checks out specific geometry or areas to work on. 

A big difference with Autodesk’s competitive posture with AutoCAD over its DWG rivals is that the company can build bridges and integrations from Autodesk ecosystem products to other products—especially those in the cloud. This is passing through the Forma AEC industry cloud now but with our coverage of version 2026, we noted industry toolkits were more tightly integrated into other Autodesk solutions like Fusion 360. 

Another big update in version 2027 is the MCP integration, a standard developed by AI company Anthropic. Some companies are using MCP to control the application via text prompt instructions but it appears that is not exactly what AutoCAD 2027 is doing yet, instead using AI to understand your drawing context and help with workflows. Finally, the new full Metal integration is a big and great new change for Mac AutoCAD users. 

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Autodesk Forma

This new consolidation will help unify disparate brands into a clearer identity model, while also introducing functional changes and updates to various tools in Autodesk’s AEC/O industry offerings.

Autodesk unifies design and construction cloud solutions under the Autodesk Forma brand with product renaming throughout the existing toolchain.

For example, the new Autodesk AutoCAD 2027 release offers new Forma connections and feature updates. But before we get into details, let’s quickly look at the new identity changes. Here’s what’s new:

• Autodesk Docs — changes to Forma Data Management: This is the most significant conceptual shift in brand names as it finally takes Autodesk’s industry cloud brand (Forma) and applies it to arguably the heart of the cloud system, the “common data environment” or CDE of Forma. Interestingly, Forma Data Management is seen as a “data management” layer intended to connect planning through operations, which is a bigger role than the most active perception and use of Autodesk Docs as a common data file repository in the cloud used for construction.
• BIM Collaborate Pro — changes to Forma Design Collaboration: This essentially aids in the desire to bridge the gap between design teams and construction teams.
• Autodesk Build / Takeoff / Estimate — become Forma Build / Takeoff / Estimate: These are core jobsite tools that now take on the “Forma” brand name rather than the company name

While the new brand and product identity names have changed, for users, they should realize that this is an evolution, not a migration. All existing project data and settings remain unchanged. And there is no immediate change to seat counts and licensing terms. Existing ACC licenses automatically roll into the new Forma-branded equivalents.

Unification Aids Dis-Fragmentation

“Organizations across AECO are recognizing that fragmented data and disconnected workflows limit productivity and decision-making,” said Jeffrey Hojlo, research vice president at IDC. “A platform approach that unifies project data and processes across the lifecycle is essential, and the evolution of Autodesk Forma reflects how the industry is moving toward more connected environments for planning, design, and construction.”

The strategic shift is more than just changing up names. It signals that Autodesk’s cloud-based tools and unified industry Forma cloud are aiming to move beyond just “file-based collaboration” or simply storing PDFs and DWGs and preparing for a near future of sharing “granular, cloud-native” project data.

This naturally orients toward AI and connectivity workflows. In other words, Autodesk Forma’s foundation for new AI-native workflows and the ability for data to move across one phase to another, and for decision support workflows leveraging data to be assisted by AI models that operate via cloud APIs.

New Essential Forma Offerings

While Autodesk Forma is the overall arching AEC/O industry cloud and brand for the building industry, the word “Essentials” looks to be utilized for smaller offerings.

For example, beginning on the 25th of March 2026, Autodesk Forma Build Essentials expands access to the Forma cloud to contractor teams. Forma Build Essentials brings together core jobsite tools that contractors need and rely on daily, all into one singularly-focused workspace.

A screenshot of Autodesk Forma Build Essentials on the Apple iPad. Most Autodesk cloud tools have dedicated mobile app versions, with the iPad being a particularly strong platform in North American construction markets.

And Autodesk Forma Data Management Essentials expands access to the CDE (common data environment) to a wider range of users. (see our Architosh Analysis section below for new interesting details). The Essentials version of CDE integrates directly into standalone desktop subscriptions of the latest versions of AutoCAD, Revit, and Civil 3D, as well as the Product Design & Manufacturing Collection.

Essentials will provide cloud-based DWG storage, version history, markup capabilities, and crucially, issue tracking directly within the desktop apps just mentioned.

Meanwhile, Build Essentials will enable teams to capture punch list items and issues, complete with photos and locations, plus view the latest files and BIM models, and enable drawing markup. Build Essentials will also support daily log reporting on the web or mobile versions of Forma. Forma Build Essentials is designed for mid-sized to small construction teams and helps crews stay aligned with work as projects advance through construction to occupancy.

To learn more about Autodesk Forma, Forma Data Management, and Essentials, plus Forma Build Essentials, visit the links on some of those terms.

Architosh Analysis and Commentary

This rebranding is more than just marketing; it actually helps simply a collection of disparate brands and product names. This should also aid in clarifying to the market the specific AEC industry product offerings, of which Autodesk has quite a few. However, what is really key about this latest update is the foundational aspects for a near future where AI is at the core of the Forma cloud. Additionally, there are new connections from stalwart AEC apps like AutoCAD to the rebranded cloud offerings, which are discussed in a separate upcoming report on the new AutoCAD 2027. 

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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.

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