Trimble SketchUp Studio, Tekla 2021 Structural BIM Software Solutions,  Piaggio Fast Forward (PFF), and Trimble proof-of-concept collaboration

Trimble (SketchUp) has integrated V-Ray, a leading rendering application for architectural visualization from Chaos, into SketchUp Studio. SketchUp software is a popularly used 3D modeling software and design platform for architects, engineers and construction (AEC) professionals. The integration makes it possible for users to generate high-quality renderings directly within Trimble’s SketchUp Studio.

Trimble SketchUp Studio V-Ray Integration

The rendering process helps to remove uncertainty around design, material and aesthetic intent, bridging communication gaps between project stakeholders. With V-Ray’s robust rendering options, Trimble SketchUp Studio users can add features such as global illumination, artificial lighting, realistic materials and textures, atmospheric effects and more to 3D models. The 3D models can be made richer with styles that can be rendered for each stage of a project, such as conceptual renders for internal buy-in, fast renders for comparing design options or photorealistic renders for the final design.

V-Ray’s web-based 3D content library called Chaos Cosmos will now be available to SketchUp Studio users as part of the V-Ray integration. This gives users a variety of render-ready content they can download into their SketchUp designs.  To access the library users can access it directly from the V-Ray toolbar in SketchUp and it allows searching, downloading and editing the 3D content.

Availability

Trimble’s SketchUp Studio subscriptions are available now. SketchUp Studio is a Windows-only solution and includes a suite of tools for AEC professionals, including Trimble^® Connect^™ collaboration platform for open sharing of building data, Scan Essentials for creating models from point clouds, and V-Ray for rendering. For more information, visit: www.sketchup.com/products/v-ray.

Robots Proof-of-Concept Collaboration

Robots are beginning to be used more in people’s lives to increase efficiency and makes lives easier. According to company materials, Trimble and Piaggio Fast Forward announced a proof-of-concept collaboration to enable robots and machines to follow humans and other machines in industrial applications. Together, the companies have integrated a patent-pending PFFtag™ smart following module prototype developed by Piaggio Fast Forward onto a Boston Dynamics’ Spot^® robot platform controlled by Trimble’s advanced positioning technology.

Robots have been controlled in the past solely by joysticks, but this collaboration eliminates that need. This proof-of-concept is one of the many robots and autonomous vehicles Trimble provides solutions for and could apply to many industries Trimble serves, including construction, mining, agriculture and logistics.

PFF studies how people navigate the physical world and develops innovative mobile technology solutions dedicated to improving human efficiency through intuitive collaboration with machines. The Trimble proof-of concept is a natural iteration of PFF’s technology and business activities.

PFF’s exclusive smart following technology allows humans to lead other robots and machines, so that they don’t have to be controlled by joysticks operated by a person or telepresence from a remote location. Users can use many methods —remote control, autonomous, and now, following—in dynamic environments. PFF engineers have componentized the smart following technology developed for PFF’s gita^® robot into a stand-alone module called PFFtag, which can be integrated on other machines or robots.

PFFtag enables external partners to leverage its exclusive algorithms and allow their software to communicate with PFF’s software, according to company materials. This enables a human to control the robot via pairing and improves the robot’s ability to sense direction and velocity as it follows the leader. By pushing a button users can activate a fused sensor array that will pair to a leader who will navigate Spot or some other robot in dynamic environments such as a construction site or other. This is expected to increase safety on the job and quality of work.

To view a 2 minute video showcasing PFFtag on-site, visit:  Piaggio Fast Forward Youtube.

Trimble New 2021 Versions

Trimble announced recently the 2021 versions of Tekla Structures, Tekla Structural Designer, Tekla Tedds and Tekla PowerFab. Trimble is excited to bring Tekla

Tekla 2021 Scaffolding tools

Structures to a wider audience through a new subscription offering. The lower upfront investment that accompanies a subscription license will make Tekla Structures more accessible and lower the cost to entry for smaller engineering firms. Trimble will continue to offer maintenance for existing perpetual licenses so that customers who wish to transition to the subscription offering can make the move at their own pace, when and if they are ready to do so.

The new carbon calculator in Tekla Structural Designer takes into account that a building’s structure accounts for 50% of its embodied carbon, making structural engineers essential players in the path toward carbon neutrality. The carbon calculator helps engineers understand a structure’s embodied carbon impact during design so they can compare alternative schemes to identify the most effective, sustainable and affordable option.

The three new subscription options that are introduced in Tekla Structures 2021 can reduce the upfront investment and provide flexibility to balance license needs with an annual subscription of the software solutions. With flexible subscription options, users can choose the appropriate Tekla Structures subscription based on their needs.

• Carbon: for viewing models and collaborating with project stakeholders
• Graphite: for creating constructible, intelligent BIM and structural documentation
• Diamond: for design, detailing and fabrication

Tekla Structures latest version also delivers enhancements, improvements and new features including:

• Simplified change management with enhanced clash detection and cloning tools
• Better usability with in-product guidance and localization
• Faster, more accurate modeling with drawing and object handling improvements, and new extensions for various modeling tasks including modeling scaffolding
• Increased interoperability with improvements for IFC and other formats, deeper integration with the Trimble Connect™ collaboration platform and continued enhancements to Tekla Model Sharing

According to company materials, Tekla Structural Designer 2021 structural analysis and design software introduces the “design-to-detail workflow” for more efficient modeling of reinforced cast-in-place concrete and transferring reinforcing bars, including slabs, foundations, beams, columns and walls, to Tekla Structures. A new carbon calculator provides the ability to understand a structure’s embodied carbon impact during design and compare alternative schemes to identify the most effective, sustainable and affordable option.

Tekla Tedds 2021 structural analysis and design calculation software offers new and improved calculations, including base plate, precast hollow core slab, concrete foundation and timber racking loads, to satisfy multiple design codes.

Tekla PowerFab 2021 steel fabrication management software delivers visual dashboard reporting, enhanced options for filtering and organizing data, and continued improvements for automated machine instruction on the shop floor.

In addition, extended integration with Viewpoint’s ViewpointOne connected construction management suite streamlines the flow of purchasing and inventory data from Tekla PowerFab to Viewpoint for North American users.

To learn more and to download Tekla 2021 versions, visit: www.tekla.com/2021.

Tags: 3D, AEC, architects, architecture, BIM, building, building design, building information modeling, collaboration, construction, reality capture, SketchUp, Tekla, Trimble, visualization

Categories: 2D, 3D, AEC, apps, architecture, BIM, building information modeling, Civil 3D, civil information modeling, Cloud, collaboration, construction, construction project management, engineering, field solutions, point clouds, Tekla, Trimble, virtual reality, visualization

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