AECWeekly is a news magazine featuring important industry news profiles, a summary of recently published AEC product and company news, customer wins, and coming events. Brought to you by AECCafe.
AECWeekly examines select top news each week, picks out worthwhile reading from around the web, and special interest items you might not find elsewhere. This issue will feature Industry News, Acquisitions/Alliances/Agreements, Announcements, Financials, Contract Awards, Awards, New Products, Letters to the Editor and Upcoming Events.
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Industry News
Physical and Analytical Modeling Join Forces in Revit Structure 4
by Susan Smith
Olimpio DeMarco, product marketing manager, Structural Solutions for Autodesk, spoke this week about the company's newly released Revit Structure 4.
DeMarco came to Autodesk last year after working with manufacturing and structural analysis since the early '80s. A lot of energy is being spent on this product line, with particular emphasis on building partnerships with analysis providers. The API works such that any analysis vendor can build a link to Revit Structure.
"The way Revit Structure works is you have the simultaneous physical model, which drives the documentation and an analytical model which drives the interface to the third party analysis programs," explained DeMarco. "We've made improvements in both areas. In physical modeling we've made a lot of improvements on reinforced concrete documentation. Revit Structure is a multi-material system that handles steel cast in place concrete, reinforced concrete, masonry, etc. and you can put all those different types of materials in one model."
DeMarco said that concrete is used more commonly around the world for construction. Steel buildings are almost limited to North America and some major cities in Europe. In response to that, the concrete documentation in Autodesk Revit Structure is now substantial, as Autodesk launches the product in different parts of the world. Last year it launched in North America, and earlier this year it launched in northern Europe, Australia and New Zealand for English speaking countries. This fall, Revit Structure 4 will be made available in Italy, France, Korea and Japan.
"On the modeling side, we've created a truss wizard, which is a little application that runs off the Revit Structure API, made available only to subscription customers. This feature allows users to take a beam and automatically build up a library of different kinds of trusses. It's a much faster way to model a truss," said DeMarco.
There is also a part of modeling called the 'one-click beam system.' Before release 4, if you had some girders and you wanted to stretch some beams between them, you had to put them in one by one, but now Revit Structure allows you to automatically put in a whole system of beams. "You can hover your mouse over the outside boundary type and say how many beams you want, and you can put them all in," DeMarco said.
Another important feature to the new release is analytical tools. "We have new "boundary condition" elements," noted DeMarco. "Boundary conditions are what happens at the edges of the model, so let's say you have a model built on a concrete foundation. When you do the analysis, you must tell the software what happens where the concrete meets the foundation. You might tell it, there's movement here, or it's rigid, and you need a visual way model these elements."
"The analysis software does the mathematics that describes how the beam can bend. It needs to understand what the end conditions of each beam are in the structure. They have different conditions such as 'fixed or pinned or hinged.' We've provided a way to actually assign these boundary conditions and visually look at the model and understand what the conditions are in each of the boundaries of the model."
Other features include:
- Clear spacing layout rule, where you can establish spacing between the exterior edges of framing elements. One rebar can now represent a set of evenly placed identical bars. In the past release, you had to do multiple rebar placement, now you can enter a rule with a fixed number of bars or spacing rules.
- Beam system direction tool improvements - where you can specify Beam System direction with a sketch line between any two points
- Precast concrete framing families
- Steel framing families
- boundary conditions elements
- elements to model how the structure is attached to its points of support
- point boundary - only structural beam, column and brace ends are available for point restraint
- line boundary - line restraint is limited to the individual analytical lines for structural beams, walls and wall foundations, slabs and slab foundations.
- area boundary - area restraint applies to analytical lines for structural slabs, walls and foundation slabs.
- automatic adjustment of analytical models, where you can auto-detect parameters for analytical project such as beams, columns, walls and slabs. There are also two new user-defined tolerances for horizontal and vertical auto-detect.
- display options for hidden non-rectangular concrete beams.
- improved concrete joins and cleanups (No UI)
- automatic joins for some concrete structural elements (no UI)
- sketch path reinforcement
- creation of rebar sets where one rebar can represent a set of evenly placed identical bars
- snap point for rebar edges
- temp dimensions for placed reinforcement
- rebar element visibility control
The new Revit 9.1 API is based only on the .NET 2.0 framework (Microsoft DevStudio 2005). Application integration includes integrated journaling and regression testing, and performance improvements using Suspend update. Advancements in element creation include numerical units type, model lines, material class and openings. Revit Building 9.1 includes expanded support for rooms and room tagging.
At press time, Autodesk announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Robobat, a privately-held company based in Grenoble, France, a provider of structural engineering analysis, design and steel and concrete detailing. The acquisition purchase price is $33 million in USD cash, subject to a working capital adjustment. According to the press release, the acquisition is in keeping with Autodesk's goal of providing a complete set of integrated solutions for the structural engineering community. Robobat ROBOT Millennium, a structural analysis and design solution for structural engineering, has been integrated with Autodesk Revit Structure, and Robobat has also developed steel and concrete detailing software on the AutoCAD platform. Robobat's existing product line will continue to be supported by Autodesk, while Autodesk plans new solutions that will incorporate both Autodesk and Robobat technologies.
Agreements/Acquisitions/Alliances
Excitech, the UK's leading CAD supplier, has been accredited with Autodesk's new Premier Solutions Provider status for the Building Solutions Division. This acknowledges Excitech's experience and expertise in this industry and also provides Excitech with a higher level of direct support from Autodesk.
Announcements
Intergraph Corporation, global provider of spatial information management (SIM) software, announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to be acquired by an investor group led by Hellman & Friedman LLC and Texas Pacific Group in a transaction valued at approximately $1.3 billion. Under the terms of the agreement, Intergraph stockholders will receive $44.00 in cash for each share of Intergraph common stock, representing a 22% premium over Intergraph's average closing share price for the last twenty trading days.
The Student Engineering and Design Community was officially launched by Autodesk, Inc. Students in the fields of architecture, construction, civil engineering, and mechanical engineering now have free* access to the professional tools they need to bring ideas to life.
Autodesk, Inc. announced that it is the patron sponsor of the United States Pavilion at the 10th International Architecture Exhibition at the 2006 Venice Biennale held in Venice, Italy, from September through November. This year the focus for Biennale is on issues facing large metropolitan areas around the world: from migration to mobility, from social integration to sustainable growth. Autodesk will help showcase innovative and sustainable architectural proposals for rebuilding New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina. Autodesk will also present the European premiere of design: e2 (The Economics of Being Environmentally Conscious) an Autodesk-sponsored television series about sustainable design narrated by Brad Pitt scheduled to air across Europe this fall.
People
CADCAMNet, Cyon Research's weekly subscription newsletter and online resource of news and analysis of CAD and CAM technologies, announced the appointment of Randall S. Newton as Editor-In-Chief.
GiveMePower Corporation, an innovator of next-generation computer-aided design and digital-blueprint management software for "anytime and anywhere" use on any Windows® computing platform, announced that Clifford Carr has joined the company as Vice President of North American Sales. Carr will head all national sales and channel development initiatives in North America. With the addition of Carr, GiveMePower has in place the expertise to meet its sales growth and national expansion targets.
New Products
IMSI/Design announced the release of DesignCAD(tm) 3D Max v17. Created for the home professional designer on a budget, DesignCAD 3D Max v17 continues a long tradition of innovation, ease of use, and performance
A new, intuitive Light Source menu gives the user control of the lighting schemes of their drawings, as well as enhanced OpenGL rendering and shading that now make DesignCAD drawings even more realistic. Enhanced DXF and DWG support includes support for AutoCAD PaperSpace, as well as Layers, LineStyles, Views, Viewports and Blocks.
The new product generation of Nemetschek's Allplan 2006 provides architects with extensive support for their many and varied tasks. Nemetschek provides an integrated solution for architectural design, visualization, civil engineering, quantity takeoff, cost planning, structural design, energy advice, and building services. This intelligent system makes multiple entries, data discontinuity, and interface problems things of the past. As a pioneer of BIM (Building Information Model) technology, the company has further rounded out its building model in Allplan 2006.
Graphisoft announced that Archicad 10, the latest version of its award-winning Virtual Building(TM) modeling technology, is now supporting Apple® Macintosh OS X running on the new Intel® Core(TM) processor platform.
"Our close partnership with Apple enabled us to quickly bring to our users the best platform that Apple has ever released. Our users will definitely benefit from the innovation and performance that these machines bring." says Viktor Varkonyi, VP, Archicad Development.
Upcoming Events
| PLASA06 | |
| Date: | September 10 - 13, 2006 |
| Place: | Earls Court Exhibition Centre
London, SW5 9TA United Kingdom |
| PLASA06 is THE international event attracting buyers and specifiers within the entertainment, event, corporate, architectural and installation industries from all over the world. If you work professionally with lighting, sound, rigging or staging, then PLASA06 is the event w you can see the latest innovations in one place at one time. PLASA06 is steered by people from within the industry, ensuring it is receptive to market changes: the 2006 show promises to deliver precisely what the market requires - information, ideas and a strong forum for doing real business. |
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| Integral Sustainability | |
| Date: | September 11 - 15, 2006 |
| Place: | Westin Hotel - Lakeview Pavillion
Westminster, CO USA |
| The 2006 Integral Sustainability Workshop Learn to use the Integral Framework to improve sustainability practice. This framework enables: deep clarification of sustainability complexity; identification of the highest leverage points in systems, culture, and stakeholder psychology; and up to 10 times increased personal effectiveness. Learn how leaders within the United Nations system, the US Environmental Protection Agency, and corporations use this approach to design more effective sustainability initiatives and leadership development programs. The Integral Framework is a comprehensive map of systems, culture, psychology, and behavior. It is used worldwide in some of the
highest levels of business, government, and civil society. The framework was crafted over the past 30 years by Ken Wilber and other scholar-practitioners and is delineated in 20+ books. It offers a breakthrough way to understand, manage, and respond to complexity. Contact information: Nicole Fegley +1 303-545-5445 seminars@integralinstitute.org |
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| The Canalys Navigation Forum 2006 | |
| Date: | September 11 - 13, 2006 |
| Place: | Crowne Plaza
Geneva, Swaziland |
| From 11-13 September, CEOs and top-line management from around the globe will gather in Geneva to take part in the first ever Navigation Forum. This exclusive gathering of business leaders, industry analysts and respected visionaries will provide an unrivalled event focused on the rapidly expanding and evolving world of mobile navigation. |
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| Apple Expo 2006 | |
| Date: | September 12 - 16, 2006 |
| Place: | Porte de Versailles, Hall 5
Paris, France |
| Wallingford Software International User Conference 2006 | |
| Date: | September 13 - 14, 2006 |
| Place: | Howbery Park
Wallingford, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom |
| This year's event will cover all the main Wallingford Software products and - apart from key plenary sessions - will feature multiple presentations running concurrently. During the 2 days t will be a good cross-section of user presentations, interesting and useful papers from Wallingford Software and a wide variety of product demonstrations and updates. |
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| UGS Digital Manufacturing Symposium | |
| Date: | September 13 - 14, 2006 |
| Place: | Ford Conference & Event Center
Dearborn, MI USA |
| Learn how UGS digital manufacturing helps you transform the process of manufacturing. Join UGS and your peers in other companies at this annual two-day event to see how Tecnomatix digital manufacturing software solutions are helping the world's leading companies gain an edge on their competition. |
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| Livable Communities: Walking, Working, and Water | |
| Date: | September 14 - 17, 2006 |
| Place: | Seattle Marriott Waterfront/Bell Harbor Conference Center
Seattle, WA USA |
Connecting Urban and Environmental Issues with Design Opportunities Presented by The American Institute of Architects Center for Communities by Design Committee on the Environment Housing and Custom Residential Regional and Urban Design Committee Young Architects Forum and AIA Seattle The Livable Communities conference will engage design professionals, public officials, and others in an exploration of the intersecting sps of community and environment through design. The focus will be on creating sustainable places that connect opportunities related to walking, working, and water.
Using the past, present, and potential future of Seattle and the greater Puget Sound region as a point of departure, the conference will focus on issues of national concern as well as the way those issues are experienced in the host community. The conference will also focus on issues ranging from regional to community to neighborhood scales. |
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| How Autodesk® Buzzsaw® Streamlines Agency-to-Agency and Private Sector Communications | |
| Date: | September 20, 2006 |
| Place: | Embassy Suites Hotel at BWI
1300 Concourse Drive, Linthicum, MD USA |
| Avatech Solutions, Inc. (OTCBB: AVSO.OB), the nation's leading provider of design, engineering, and facilities management solutions, has announced that it will be hosting a free executive breakfast seminar in Baltimore, MD, on Sept. 20, to help government executives discover and learn how Autodesk Buzzsaw can help them organize and simplify agency-to-agency and agency-to-contractor communications.
Attendees will learn how the use of Buzzsaw can streamline permitting, approval, and other processes that have direct impact on their ability to stay on budget, avoid duplication, and speed time to completion for their construction projects. Avatech's product experts will also demonstrate how Buzzsaw, in conjunction with a single integrated building information model (BIM), can help government agencies provide significant information for future and current homeland security initiatives, as well as comply with the federally mandated requirement for BIM. "The need to build tools to improve the sharing of key project information across agencies is on the minds of many government managers," said Avatech senior solutions expert Beau Turner. "This seminar will demonstrate how the superior collaborative capabilities offered by Buzzsaw can be executed simply and securely in virtually any public sector environment." |
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| FME Worldwide User Conference 2006 | |
| Date: | September 21 - 27, 2006 |
| Place: | Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada |
| Block off September 21-22, 2006 now to take advantage of this unique opportunity to learn new tips and techniques that will help you maximize your return on investment and improve your productivity with Safe Software products. |
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| II Bolivian Congress of Color | |
| Date: | September 25 - 27, 2006 |
| Place: | Universidad Catolica Boliviana
La Paz, Bolivia |
| Color in Architecture, Application of Paintings, Harmony, Semiotic, Estereoscopy, Engineering, Art, Design, Decoration, Trends, Mode, Cars, Photography, Lighting, Colorimetry, Advertising, Marketing, Medicine, Colorterapy, Graphical Impression, Odontolgy, Culinary - Eaten, Physics, Optics, Vision, Education of the Color, Industry, Signposting, Psychology, Ceramics, Textils, Leather, Pigments, Dyes, Television, Cinema, Systems Classification of color, Samples of Color, Communication, Scenery, Image, History, Monuments, Museums, Restoration, Security |
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| PLM Road Map 2006 | |
| Date: | September 27 - 28, 2006 |
| Place: | The Dearborn Inn
Dearborn, MI USA |
| Product Lifecycle Management Road Map 2006 represents a strategic conference focused on the critical trade-offs that shape product development. At PLM Road Map 2006, find out first hand which issues are currently confronting end users. Presentations will cover collaboration across the enterprise, knowledge capture and reuse, the business benefits of PLM integration, PLM interoperability, the tradeoffs of open CAD and tight integration, product development platforms to meet the needs of commonality and variety, up-front simulation, up-front manufacturing process constraints, SOA reuse of software modules as web services, the business benefits of PLM, and
more. |
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You can find the full AECCafe.com event calendar here.
To read more news, click here.
-- Susan Smith, AECCafe.com Managing Editor.