Archive for October, 2009
V-Ray 1.5 Service Pack 4 released
Oct 26th
The upgrade is free of charge for all current V-Ray customers of Chaos Group.
The new build is available from the download section of the Chaos Group site.
chaosgroup.com/en/2/downloads.html
The V-Ray® 1.50 Service Pack 4 is compatible with Autodesk® 3ds Max® 8, Autodesk® 3ds Max® 9, Autodesk® 3ds Max® 2008, 3ds Max® 2009, Autodesk® 3ds Max Design 2009, Autodesk® 3ds Max® 2010, Autodesk® 3ds Max® Design 2010.
The new V-Ray build supports both 32-bit and 64-bit OS.
Changelog since SP3:
New features:
Modified features:
Bug fixes:
I.T./B.I.M.
Oct 26th
It is all about Information Technology, which is technology to help share information. The technology for the construction industry is building information modeling.
Building Maker: Create 3D buildings online
Oct 22nd
Building Maker is a 3D modeling tool for adding buildings to Google Earth. It’s fun to use, and an easy way to get on the 3D map. Here’s how it works:
- Select a city from around the world.
- Make a building with photos we provide.
- Save your building and it will be reviewed.
- See your 3D building in Google Earth!
Millions of people will be able to see your model in Google Earth. Get Started »
V-Ray Image Sampling Demystified
Oct 22nd
Here is a wonderfully presented tutorial by http://3dats.com/ on V-Ray’s Image Sampling.
Relocate Elevation Base in Revit 2010
Oct 21st
Here is a quick screencast illustrating how to create a Revit topo-surface using shared coordinates.
DWG/DXF import plug-in
Oct 20th
DWG/DXF import plug-in
As you may know, the DWG/DXF importer isn’t available in Google SketchUp 7.1. Please note that this functionality continues to be offered in Google SketchUp Pro.
For those of you who depend on this feature, you can download this optional plug-in for Windows or Mac that enables the DWG/DXF importer. This plug-in will only be available for a limited time, and it will not be supported in our next major release.
You may also consider downloading the SketchUp Pro trial, which allows you to try all of the features of SketchUp Pro including LayOut and Style Builder.
LEED Silver Certification
Oct 16th
Nor-Son, Inc. Receives LEED Silver Certification for Green Building at Fairway Pines, a Grand View Lodge Golf Course Community.
You can read the full press release here LEED Silver
Hotfix available for 3dsmax 2010
Oct 15th
Resolved Issues in this Hot Fix
Camera Maps
The Camera Map texture and modifier projected a bitmap behind and in front of the camera, instead of in front of the camera only.
Solution: The problem is now fixed, with the default settings (projecting to the front only). However, if you want to restore the legacy behavior (projecting in two directions), do so with MAXScript as follows:
* For the texture map, both scanline and mental ray®, if the texture is applied to the diffuse slot of a Standard material on the selected object use:
$.material.diffuseMap.affectBehindCam = true
* For either of the modifiers, if the modifier is at the top of the stack on the selected object use:
$.modifiers[1].affectBehindCam = true
Exception: For scenes using the Camera Map texture, then saved to an MI file, and rendered in mental ray standalone, there is no solution. The shader for mental ray standalone will continue projecting in two directions as before.
Customer Error Reports (CER)
The data is now transmitted for CERs originating from a machine with the Microsoft Windows® 7 operating system.
DirectX Shader Material
The DirectX® Shader material now respects the vertex normal.
DWG File Format
If DWG Files contain double-byte characters, such as Korean characters, in the file path or name, you will now be able to import the file.
InfoCenter
Capabilities such as one-time login, login less, and in product renewal related to the Subscription Center did not work from InfoCenter. These issues have been resolved.
FX Files
If you had two FX files, both with the same variable names, the parameters were being lost when you switched from one file to another. This has been fixed so that the parameters are retained.
Material Editor
In the Material Editor, when you choose a material map source which contains a double-byte characters, such as Korean, you can now select the associated image file.
MAXScript
* The command filenameFromPath now returns the filename as expected.
* You can now query a server list with MAXScript in the 32-bit version of 3ds Max/3ds Max Design.
mental ray
When you rendered using mental ray® and certain overlay scripts, the software would stop working. This issue has been resolved.
Non-Uniform Scale
When you rotated and scaled while using Non-Uniform Scale, unexpected rotation and scaling occurred. These issues are resolved.
ProCutter
* When you try to restore a material with ProCutter, the original UVs are now retained.
* When using ProCutter, smoothing groups are no longer lost.
Render Window
You can now save an image to a path that contains double-byte characters, such as Korean.
Third-Party Plug-ins
* Lightscape: The issue which caused the software to stop working when lights were copied has been resolved.
* The issue with drag and drop operations causing third-party plug-ins to stop working has been resolved.
Vertex Color
Vertex colors are no longer being overwritten when switching between Vertex and Polygon sub-object modes.
Viewport Performance
High Dynamic Range Images
Oct 6th
I just made an HDRI purchase over at http://www.hdrsource.com.
HDRSource website specializes in 360-degree High Dynamic Range Images and libraries. The images have great resolution and a high dynamic range. They are priced nicely too!
Autodesk and Vela Systems Collaborate
Oct 5th
Autodesk and Vela Systems Collaborate to Provide Building Information Modeling for the Field
Vela Systems Field BIM Software Suite Bi-directionally Integrates with Autodesk Navisworks Software
San Rafael, Calif., August 5, 2009 – Autodesk,Inc. (NASDAQ: ADSK), a world leader in 2D and 3D design, engineering and entertainment software, has announced that it has collaborated with Vela Systems, Inc., a provider of mobile field automation software for the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industries, to integrate Vela Systems Field BIM Software Suite with Autodesk Navisworks. Navisworks is a software tool for combining project contributions into a single, coordinated 3D building information model. This technology integration extends the building information modeling (BIM) process to the field by making it possible for Autodesk Navisworks 3D project models to reflect the state of objects within the design based on field-gathered data.
Using Vela Systems software — including bar-coding and radio-frequency identification (RFID) tracking technology — builders on-site can access a data-rich Autodesk Navisworks project model during the construction phase. Instead of leaving the Autodesk Navisworks model and its data behind in the office or job trailer, jobsite users can work with Vela Systems software on mobile tablet computers to access the intelligent model on-site. This makes it possible to track material production and installation, manage commissioning, conduct quality assurance/quality control inspections, do punch lists and create electronic owner-handover documentation. Autodesk Navisworks users may designate which information will be managed in Vela Systems and, as a result, the Vela Systems software enables this data to be properly managed and used in the field. The integration between the products is bi-directional and automated. The result is that the information from the field connects the “should be” state-of-design to the “as-is” state-of-construction.
New Solution Applied to Autodesk AEC Headquarters in Waltham, Mass.
During the construction of Autodesk’s new AEC headquarters on Trapelo Road in Waltham, Mass., Tocci Building Corporation utilized Vela Systems Materials Tracker and Issues and Punchlists software products. By combining Vela Systems software with Autodesk Navisworks, all parties were able to monitor and track office workstations at the new Autodesk facility. Vela Systems Materials Tracker pulled objects from the Autodesk Navisworks model through an automated integration, and then captured their status information (for example, delivered, ready-to-install, installed, or damaged) from the field. This field gathered data was then deposited into the Autodesk Navisworks model. Tocci and subcontractor Creative Office Pavilion were then able to visualize and monitor the installation and quality status of workstations in real-time, making it possible to plan for shortages or discrepancies accordingly.
The benefits of extending BIM to the field on the Autodesk headquarters project were threefold. First, upon delivery, the inventory of available workstations was confirmed against the model – this revealed that all necessary components were on-site ahead of the actual delivery manifests so the next phase of work could begin sooner. Then, the staging, assembly and installation processes for workstations were tracked from Vela Systems back into the Autodesk Navisworks model through color coding of model elements. This enabled the team to visualize available inventory and coordinate installation processes more efficiently. Last, the quality control processes of final inspection and owner punch lists were automated in the field with Vela Systems and linked back to the Autodesk Navisworks model, improving team communication and project delivery.
“Tying together field data with the model creates new opportunities for construction delivery methods and oversight,” said Tocci Building Corporation general superintendent, Bob Tierney. “By using the integrated Autodesk and Vela Systems solution on this project, we demonstrated how we can connect the ‘virtually built’ building to the ‘physically built’ one. The model gives us better oversight because everyone can instantly visualize problem areas as ‘hot spots’ with live data from the field. It is the obvious next step for contractors looking to maximize the value of BIM.”
“The combination of using 3D modeling tools and practicing BIM is helping to transform the building industry,” said Tim Douglas, Autodesk industry solutions manager, construction. “The integration of Vela Systems Field BIM solution into Autodesk Navisworks software provides our customers with better accuracy and efficiency for the duration of the project–beginning in the design phase and continuing through field implementation and handover.”
“By integrating Vela Systems and Autodesk Navisworks, our joint customers can leverage the transformative power of BIM beyond design into the construction process,” said Tim Curran, CEO, Vela Systems. “By leveraging the model in the field, contractors benefit from greater efficiencies and owners get a better end product.”
BIM is an integrated process that allows architects, engineers and builders to explore a project digitally before it’s built. Coordinated, reliable information is used throughout the process to design innovative projects, accurately visualize appearance for better communication, and simulate real-world performance for better understanding of important characteristics such as cost, scheduling and environmental impact.
About Autodesk
Autodesk, Inc., is a world leader in 2D and 3D design and engineering software for the manufacturing, building and construction, and media and entertainment markets. Since its introduction of AutoCAD software in 1982, Autodesk has developed the broadest portfolio of state-of-the-art Digital Prototyping solutions to help customers experience their ideas before they are real. Fortune 1000 companies rely on Autodesk for the tools to visualize, simulate and analyze real-world performance early in the design process to save time and money, enhance quality and foster innovation. For additional information about Autodesk, visit www.autodesk.com.
About Vela Systems, Inc.
Vela Systems construction field software automates the execution and oversight of field activities on construction and capital projects for architects, engineers, contractors and owners. Instead of carrying a field notebook and paper plans or specs, jobsite users work with Vela Systems software on mobile computers to electronically access documents and to complete field reports, QA/QC inspections, worklists, punchlists, update the BIM and many other critical field activities. Vela’s customers routinely save 5-10 hours per week per user, accelerate project delivery by two days per month, capture the true Cost of Quality® and reduce litigation risk through standardized documentation. Construction happens in the field – Automate it™
THE BUSINESS VALUE OF BIM
Oct 5th
McGraw Hill recently posted a new market report on BIM titled: THE BUSINESS VALUE OF BIM. You can download the document here.
Headsup Technologies
Oct 5th
I just got off the horn with Headsup Technologies and saw a web demo if their web-based project management application. It has all the features we need and is priced below the others thus far. The interface was a little clinical, but it is what is under the hood that counts.
Creation on the Fly
Oct 2nd
Aviary is on a mission to make creation accessible to artists of all genres, from graphic design to audio editing. We’re a privately held company currently headquartered in Long Island, NY, with team members around the world. Our founders also created Worth1000.com, a talented community of 500,000 digital artists that participate in amazing daily contests.
Creation on the Fly
Procore Construction Software
Oct 2nd
I just meet on-line with the Procore guys, which have a great on-lin construction management solution, and I am impressed. You can check them out at http://www.procore.com
Vernor beats Autodesk
Oct 2nd
The judge ruled for Vernor in a final summary judgement issued today. There is a lengthy examination of the facts in yesterday’s ruling on some of the claims and counter claims, followed today by a short and sweet final adjudication that ends with “The court declares that Plaintiff’s sales of Defendant’s copyrighted AutoCAD software do not violate the Copyright Act to the extent Plaintiff acquired them in the manner described in the order. Defendant is hereby enjoined from asserting its rights under the Copyright Act as a basis for preventing or otherwise hindering Plaintiff’s sales of AutoCAD software.”
building model work flow
Oct 1st
This month’s task is to review varies 3rd party applications that will support our 100% move to a 3D building model work flow. I am currently checking out Green Building Studio, which will allow us to perform energy studies on our BIM models. Check back for my reviews.
Autodesk® Green Building Studio®
NVIDIA GPU Technology Conference
Oct 1st
mental images®, an NVIDIA company, today introduced iray® – the first fully GPU accelerated, commercially supported, turn-key rendering solution for a wide range of 3D graphics application developers. iray technology leverages NVIDIA® graphics processing units (GPUs) to deliver unbelievably fast photorealism to designers, engineers and consumers.
NVIDIA GPU Technology
