Posts tagged Software
Sneak Peek: Object painting in 3ds Max?
Feb 17th
Here’s a sneak peek at some things we’ve got cooking. We’re going to do a series of these and you can classify them as “developer art” because either developers created them or we’ve had our sales engineers throw them together while training them. Don’t confuse these with the professional videoas that will come later.
Sneak peek: Object painting in 3ds Max
That crazy wizard, Carl-Mikael, developer of Polyboost and Graphite has been busy. Here’s a sample of what he’s been up to (and trust me, there’s more coming):
Trelligence Affinity for Revit Pre-Design | Programming | Schematic Phases
Feb 8th
How can I automate the collecting/managing of a design project’s conceptual/programming data while connecting it with my Revit project?
Which is easier and less costly to obtain?
- Asking a client to “sign off” on a design that’s been “lightly modeled” according to their design scope or waiting until its been fully modeled in Revit?
Trelligence President, Larry Ciscon PhD, demonstrated Trelligence’s value for capturing, visualizing, analyzing and bi-directionally syncing a design project’s programming data (scope) with Revit models.
Business value points from my Madison Revit User Group notes:
- Trelligence is designed to “inform the designer, without forcing the design programming onto the designer”.
- Start your project in Trelligence Affinity or in Revit – Changes syncs using Revit’s API
- Import spreadsheet data sources & connect/sync to Revit project properties
- Template driven for specific project-type & prototype programming; schools, hospital, medical clinics, restaurants, etc.
- Templates store your standard client questionnaires, pre-defined room layouts, space types, equipment requirements, room areas & volumes
- Provides visual color coding (text, 2D or 3D) to compare programming to design: spreadsheet views, bubble diagrams, graphing, mass modeling, single-line or color filled walls between spaces
Quantifies spaces-volumes between multiple buildings, floors, wings, departments, alternates, design options and phases - Sets relationships, dependencies & priorities between spaces-rooms | informs designer when these conflict with original programming.
- Revit-BIM Interoperability: Importing, connecting & syncing 2D/3D plans between Revit & Trelligence
- Export to IFC and gbXML formats
Trelligence has been available for Revit 2008, 2009 and now 2010.
Trelligence Affinity provides significant value for the best phase of a Revit project; before its fully modeled.
Additional Revit Conceptual / Pre-Design Phase Tools
- WinEstimator Revit-BIM Workshop | Marquette University-College of Engineering
- January-February 2010 Free University Seminars | WinEst Revit-BIM Construction-Estimating Technologies
Original article from the Revit-BIM Playbook
SmartBIM Library® Has Been Updated
Feb 4th
SmartBIM Library 3.8 Now Available
The SmartBIM Library from Reed Construction Data has been upgraded in its new release. We’ve added new content and enhanced features to ensure that SBL is a single source to simplify BIM content management. It is a cost-effective solution for Autodesk® Revit® users that:
- Streamlines design workflow
- Facilitates the generation of catalogs from Revit objects
- Simplifies storage, organization and location of Revit objects including user’s existing content
- Enables manufacturers, architects, engineers and building owners to easily share catalogs of objects
Get a product demo and/or download a trial version now!
Click here to determine your ROI with SmartBIM Library!
Industry Comments
The latest family update to SmartBIM is major. Impressive amount of plumbing fixtures, ceilings, mechanical equipment (!) has been added. And also too easy to drop too much stuff in my model… They’re doing a nice job.
Andrew Watkins, AIA, LEED AP, Senior Associate
Over 23,000 Quality Architectural Objects
SmartBIM Library comes pre-loaded with over 22,950 high quality Revit architecture family types. Reed, an AIA partner, created these SmartBIM objects to meet the high standards architects demand.
One Source To Simplify BIM Content Management
Automatically publish and load Revit families into SmartBIM Library from a user’s file system, Autodesk® Revit project files or Autodesk® Seek. Users can easily manage all BIM content in one place.
Create New Catalogs & Merge Content
Easily navigate the SmartBIM Catalog, find the object and simply drag-and-drop it into a Revit project. Architects have the flexibility to create a master office catalog, a catalog for each project or a catalog for each building type.
Search, View, Tag & Manipulate Objects
Users can view Revit Families by category and type, hierarchies, 3D thumbnails, DWF views or by searching family, property, type and userdefined tags. Drag-and-drop can also be used to insert families into a Revit project or save families to a directory folder.
Best Practices & Help in Organizing Data
SmartBIM Library’s flexible interface includes guidelines describing best practices for modeling objects in Revit. These guidelines include modeling advice for each Revit category, recommended family and type name conventions, tips on modeling for ‘count ability’ and design representation.
Product Features
- Support for Revit 2009 & 2010
- Over 23,000 high quality Revit architecture and engineering family types, including manufacturer specific objects and generic objects
- Family Content Publisher plug-in generates libraries for existing Revit objects
- Improve productivity by dragging objects from SmartBIM Library directly into Revit
- User-defined object tags allow users to identify objects according to their preferences
- Automatic content update service delivers new Revit families directly to the user desktop as soon as they are available
- Powerful search tools allow users to easily find content by family, type, properties, or object tag
- Create new catalogs and merge content for maximum object management flexibility
- Flexible navigation to Revit objects by thumbnail or by tree hierarchies including categories, families, and family types
- Open and search across multiple catalogs for increased efficiency
- Customized desktop allows users to turn panes on and off and re-size, move, arrange, and drag panes outside of the application frame for maximum flexibility
- Contains Revit modeling guidelines and suggested object naming conventions
Deployment
SmartBIM Library currently installs on the desktop or to a Local Area Network.
Learn More!
Learn how SmartBIM Library can load objects from architects’ files or other 3rd party sites, and create thumbnail and DWF views to make object selection easier. Demos are provided to demonstrate how SmartBIM Library organizes, displays and inserts Revit objects which assemble into Revit design projects. Also see Quick Cost Estimator and Quantity Take-Off tools as value added aspects of SmartBIM Library.
Get a product demo and/or download a trial version now!
Click here to determine your ROI with SmartBIM Library!
Download the SmartBIM Library Overview Sheet by clicking here.
Apple announces ‘iPad’ tablet
Jan 27th
After months of rampant speculation, Apple
Wednesday announced a touchscreen tablet computer, the “iPad” for consumers who want to take their movies, TV shows, music, games and reading with them, be it around the house or on the go. Pricing starts at $499, and it should be available in 60 to 90 days.
“We want to kick off 2010 with a truly revolutionary and magical product,” CEO Steve Jobs told a packed audience at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco on Wednesday.
The wireless device can be used with Wi-Fi, as well as run on AT&T’s 3G, or third-generation, wireless network. AT&T has been the exclusive carrier of the iPhone in the United States since its release in 2007, and some were hoping that Apple’s new tablet would also work with other carriers’ networks, including Verizon Wireless.
InterSpec Releases e-SPECS® Version 5.0
Jan 27th
January 25, 2009 – InterSpec Inc., the industry leading provider of BIM integrated construction specification software and services, today announced the release of version 5.0 of e-SPECS® with new functionality, more BIM integration and additional Building Product Manufacturer (BPM) Content. This year also marks the 6th Year Anniversary of the first commercially available releases for the e-SPECS for Revit and e-SPECS for AutoCAD applications.
New e-SPECS version 5.0 functionality includes:
e-SPECS for Revit Integration
- Over 100 new e-SPECS bindings to MasterSpec enables more “out-of-the-box” integration reducing initial implementation time
- New e-SPECS Model Validation Report supports linked models, filtering and direct assembly code assignment
- New Executive Summary and Table of Contents Reports within Revit provide early outline reporting and additional validation
- Omni-Class is now supported through e-SPECS BIM parametric bindings
- Uniformat assemblies with bindings are now bold for visual confirmation
- Custom family parametric values are now associated with their assembly enabling more detailed binding integration
e-SPECS Building Product Manufacturer BIM Model Integration
- e-SPECS Revit bindings associated with parameter field values enable tight BPM Revit family and system integration and coordination
- BPMs can ensure their product specs are included in the spec manual when their BIM families are used in the model
- Out-of-the-box e-SPECS binding integration includes BPM Program Members in the construction specification manuals
e-SPECS Designer
- Style Manager integration for creating, managing and using style guides within e-SPECS Designer
- Automatic checklist tagging of custom master sections supports SectionFormat 2008
- Paragraph formatting can be used on any style
- Tables may be added and managed in edit mode
e-SPECS Updates and Enhancements
- New Section History Report lists Imported, Inserted via Checklist, or Inserted via BIM Model Integration
- e-SPECS Editor includes bracket insertion and use with double-click editing
- Project Notes Reports have been added and Project Notes may be open while editing sections
- Existing Projects may be converted to Base Document Template Projects
- Direct links from e-SPECS to MasterSpec On-Line Supporting Documents
“We pride ourselves in listening to our customer and partner requests for new functionality to help further reduce time and cost associated in producing quality construction documents,” stated Gilles Letourneau, InterSpec CTO. “e-SPECS was first released in 2004 supporting the Microsoft SQL Server platform, leading CAD/BIM applications and MasterSpec guide specifications. In response to an e-SPECS customer survey, we focused our development in the area customers requested the most which included more BIM integration and validation, reporting and editor enhancements. It is truly gratifying to hear the testimonials and success stories from our customers and partners and we encourage as much feedback as possible to continue to improve the customer value that e-SPECS is enabling.”
Additional functionality is listed in the e-SPECS v5.0 Release Notes. All new customers and those customers under subscription or maintenance will receive e-SPECS version 5.0 and the new e-SPECS BPM libraries.
About InterSpec
InterSpec provides construction document management solutions and services built on its patented e-SPECS specification management technology. e-SPECS software automates the specification process by extracting the product and material requirements directly from the project’s BIM models and drawings. e-SPECS integrates directly with all Autodesk Revit-based BIM products as well as with Autodesk’s AutoCAD, AutoCAD Architecture and AutoCAD Systems products and supports all libraries of MasterSpec and custom office masters. For architects and engineers who spend many hours on every project preparing construction specifications, e-SPECS software saves time and money while ensuring that the construction drawings are coordinated with the specifications. For more information visit www.e-SPECS.com or contact sales at +1-207-772-6135 or email to .
e-SPECS is a registered trademark of InterSpec. MasterSpec is a registered trademark of the American Institute of Architects. Autodesk and Revit are registered trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., and/or its subsidiaries and/or affiliates in the USA and/or other countries. All other brand names, product names, or trademarks belong to their respective holders.
BIM app for the i-phone
Jan 27th
Of course this instantly put me into “what if” mode. What if we were able to walk through models on site using our hand helds? What if a facility manager could pull out his blackberry and it locates him in a 3D building using GPS and he can scan an object with it and it will tell him everything he needs to know about it? Ah, the mind runs wild…
Piranesi 2010 has arrived in my inbox!
Jan 25th
The first to get the upgrade! There something special about being the first!
Piranesi 2010 Pro
Jan 22nd
The world-leading 3D model visualiser Piranesi that the official releases of Piranesi 2010 Pro and Piranesi 2010 Lite will be Monday next, January 25th.
The new Piranesi 2010 website will go live on that day, but in the interim sales descriptions are included at the end of this email.
Already aware of your existing interest in Piranesi, we have pleasure in extending a special pre-release offer to you.
Based on the list price of the new flagship product Piranesi 2010 Pro of £495, and the new entry level product Piranesi 2010 Lite of £225, we are offering an additional discount as follows;
Piranesi 2010 Pro Special Price £434
Piranesi 2010 Lite Special Price £199
This offer will remain open until end of business on January 31st, 2010
Piranesi 2010 Pro users will also now have an option to purchase a twelve month upgrade and support contract. This will retail at £85 per annum. Any customer who takes up this special Piranesi 2010 Pro offer can at the same time take advantage of the above upgrade and support contract for just £65. The contract must however be placed at the same time as the upgrade above.
Here is what just one of the many 2010 Beta code testers had to say:
“I have to say that after playing around with the layer functionality for an hour or so, I think you have succeeded! The ability to apply filters and fills independent of the model layer, as well as change the way they interact with each other, is a huge development in my opinion. It makes the final image so much more editable. I have to admit that I am a layer junkie in Photoshop, so I am very excited about this new addition to Piranesi.”……. Andrea Starkey www.starkeyart.com
Piranesi 2010 Pro
As the name portrays this is the all encompassing version of Piranesi 2010. Although fully loaded with the tools needed to tackle the largest and most complex of projects, and based on new layering technology, it still remains highly competitively priced. Included in these price are two massive raster “Entourage” galleries, an optional twelve months upgrade and email support cover, a private Pro Forum, 3D glasses for viewing the amazing new 3D Anaglyph Images, and a choice of 64 or 32 bit Windows or 32bit Mac implementations.
Piranesi 2010 Lite
Lite only in name and by price, this product contains all the functionality that was found in the full blown 2009 version of Piranesi (Piranesi 5.1). To further bring Piranesi 2010 Lite to a staggeringly low entry price point the two raster entourages have now become optional selections for the product. Available as a 32bit implementation this product will now make the “Piranesi Experience” affordable to the smallest businesses.
AutoCAD® 20-20 CAD
Jan 15th
20-20 CAD is an AutoCAD® based product design tool developed specifically for woodworking professionals. Design cabinets, range hoods, entertainment centers, office furniture, store fixtures, or other “special request” items for customers and output to 20-20 Design catalogs or to machine ready code.
AutoCAD 20-20
20-20 Technologies Inc.’s Highlights
- Point of Sales & Manufacturing Solutions for both Residential & Commercial Industries
- Integrated package of applications that automates the design and specification/quotation process
- Autodesk Authorized Developer for more than 20 years
- AutoCAD based applications
- The most extensive manufacturer specific and generic catalog data available
- Enhanced Customer Experience
- Simplified process
- Improved accuracy and productivity
- Increase market penetration
Autodesk Selects FM:Systems to Partner on Building Information Modeling and Facility Management
Jan 14th
FM:Systems Named Autodesk Preferred Industry Partner for Facilities Management and Will Provide an Extended Support Program for Autodesk FMDesktop Software Products
SAN RAFAEL, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Autodesk, Inc., a world leader in 2D and 3D design, engineering and entertainment software for the manufacturing, building and construction, and media and entertainment markets, and FM:Systems, a leading provider of integrated workplace management systems (IWMS) and computer-aided facility management (CAFM) software, have joined together to ensure continued customer support for Autodesk FMDesktop software users. In keeping with Autodesk’s commitment to provide customers the best solutions, Autodesk will transition Autodesk FMDesktop customer support to FM:Systems. Under the terms of the agreement FM:Systems will provide Autodesk FMDesktop customers with extended support as well as an option to migrate to the firm’s FM:Interact Workplace Management Suite. In addition, FM:Systems has joined the Autodesk Preferred Industry Partner Program, a program that recognizes select third-party software developers for their innovative, industry-focused solutions.
“FM:Systems’ focus on customer success has always impressed the facilities team at The MathWorks”
“As a long-time member of the Autodesk Developer Network, FM:Systems was the natural choice to help us extend the value of BIM into the facilities management arena, and to provide our customers with continued support,” said Jim Lynch, vice president of Autodesk BIM Product Line Group. “Contractors and building owners are telling us that they want to take advantage of the valuable data in BIM for facilities management. We are excited to partner with FM:Systems to deliver this value.”
Building upon a shared goal to bring the benefits of BIM to the operations phases of a building’s lifecycle, the two companies will now work together to integrate BIM data from Autodesk software products, such as Autodesk Revit Architecture, with FM:Systems’ facilities software to support enhanced building operation and maintenance.
The FM:Interact Workplace Management Suite offers an integrated set of powerful web-based workplace management products designed to assist facilities and real estate professionals improve planning, manage performance and streamline processes. FM:Interact provides the space management, occupancy management and facility maintenance offered by Autodesk FMDesktop, and offers additional capabilities such as real estate portfolio management, lease administration, project management, move management and strategic planning.
“We are committed to supporting Autodesk FMDesktop customers,” said Michael Schley, IFMA Fellow and CEO, FM:Systems. “With a 93 percent customer satisfaction track record for our support desk team, and products that make the most of design and construction data, we’re confident Autodesk FMDesktop users will find FM:Systems a great resource for their immediate and long-term needs.”
“FM:Systems’ focus on customer success has always impressed the facilities team at The MathWorks,” said Bob Donahue, facilities planning manager of The MathWorks. “The initial roll out of our system was surprisingly fast, technical support has been excellent, and we appreciate having a voice in the ongoing direction of the products.”
FM:Systems as an Autodesk Preferred Industry Partner
Under the program, FM:Systems will work with Autodesk to create applications that complement Autodesk 3D products, such as the Autodesk Building Information Modeling (BIM) portfolio of products, and help customers simulate their ideas early in the design process as well as reduce time and cost in manufacturing or construction. Autodesk works closely with Preferred Industry Partners on a range of marketing and sales activities, and program participants may also receive other benefits, including early access to alpha and beta versions of Autodesk software, priority service support and feature requests, and access to additional co-marketing resources.
Existing Autodesk FMDesktop customers will be contacted by FM:Systems sales representatives during the next 30 days to discuss their extended support and/or migration options. A special website at www.fmsystems.com/fmdesktop has been established to provide Autodesk FMDesktop users with information and FM:Systems contact referrals. Existing customers may also call 1-800-648-8030 for immediate assistance.
About FM:Systems
By connecting people, place and process, FM:Systems helps facilities and real-estate professionals improve customer service, reduce costs and increase productivity enterprise-wide. FM:Systems Web-based software improves management of space, occupancy, moves, maintenance, leases and property. Customer results include: real-estate costs reduced by 15 percent, move spend reduced by 83 percent, enterprise productivity savings of $1.5 million and an internal customer satisfaction rate of 97 percent.
Many of the world’s leading organizations rely on FM:Systems products, including CA, Devon Energy, Freddie Mac, GMAC Financial Services, Herman Miller, Indiana University, Lockheed Martin, NASD, Northwestern University, Novartis Pharmaceuticals, Progress Energy, Target stores and Wyeth Pharmaceuticals.
FM:Systems is headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina, and conducts business in the Americas, Europe and Asia Pacific. For more information about FM:Systems, please visit www.fmsystems.com or call 1-800-648-8030.
About Autodesk
Autodesk, Inc. is a world leader in 2D and 3D design, engineering and entertainment software for the manufacturing, building and construction, and media and entertainment markets. Since its introduction of AutoCAD software in 1982, Autodesk continues to develop the broadest portfolio of state-of-the-art software to help customers experience their ideas digitally before they are built. Fortune 100 companies — as well as the last 14 Academy Award winners for Best Visual Effects — use Autodesk software tools to design, visualize and simulate their ideas to save time and money, enhance quality and foster innovation for competitive advantage. For additional information about Autodesk, visit www.autodesk.com.
Autodesk, FMDesktop and Revit are registered trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., and/or its subsidiaries and/or affiliates in the USA and/or other countries. Academy Award is a registered trademark of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. All other brand names, product names or trademarks belong to their respective holders. Autodesk reserves the right to alter product offerings and specifications at any time without notice, and is not responsible for typographical or graphical errors that may appear in this document.
© 2009 Autodesk, Inc. All rights reserved.
Tim Berners-Lee’s original WorldWideWeb browser in 1993
Jan 11th
A screen grab of the first web browser… isn’t it funny how long it takes for something to come to fruition? The browser doesn’t look much different than today browser and notice the 3D model in the back window.
http://info.cern.ch/NextBrowser1.html
The Third & The Seventh
Jan 5th
FREE DProfiler™ for Unemployed Americans
Jan 4th
BIM estimating software now available for free for those who are currently out of work.
Dallas, TX, April 13, 2009 – Beck Technology Ltd., announced today an assistance program to
help AEC professionals who have lost their jobs become trained and licensed in the DProfiler™
building information modeling (BIM) application. DProfiler is the first of its kind macro BIM
solution, and is used in the planning and conceptual design phases to produce an accurate cost
estimate of a proposed design.
This software program helps building owners answer the most fundamental question in the preconstruction
process: “Should I build this project?” Beck Technology created DProfiler to
improve building cost predictability by integrating 3D visualization with cost data. Floor and site
plans can be imported, and Google Earth can be integrated to easily apply costs for various
materials, structural systems and more to help teams make the most economical and wellresearched
decisions. Global project changes can be accomplished in just a few clicks of the
mouse.
Beck Technology’s assistance program will allow a 120 day full license of DProfiler and free
access to scheduled training events, both online and at the corporate HQ in Dallas. The license
can be renewed upon request after 120 days for those still unemployed.
“Good people have been let go around the country due to the economy. Our goal is provide a
way for them to learn BIM technology to leverage their construction experience and add value to
both the industry and to their own resume,” said Andy O’Nan, of Beck Technology. “There is a
current demand for those who can harness BIM technology for estimating and it will increase
many times over when the economy rebounds.”
To register for the Beck Technology Assistance Program, go to:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=_2bgyGxrSDMz5VESfiMVP_2f9A_3d_3d
Point Cloud and Photosynth
Dec 31st
Photosynth creates an amazing new experience with nothing more than a bunch of photos. Creating a synth allows you to share the places and things you love using the cinematic quality of a movie, the control of a video game, and the mind-blowing detail of the real world.
Point Cloud and Photosynth
How Does it Work?
In simple terms, Photosynth allows you to take a bunch of photos of the same scene or object and automagically stitch them all together into one big interactive 3D viewing experience that you can share with anyone on the web.
Photosynth is a potent mixture of two independent breakthroughs: the ability to reconstruct the scene or object from a bunch of flat photographs, and the technology to bring that experience to virtually anyone over the Internet.
Using techniques from the field of computer vision, Photosynth examines images for similarities to each other and uses that information to estimate the shape of the subject and the vantage point each photo was taken from. With this information, we recreate the space and use it as a canvas to display and navigate through the photos.
Providing that experience requires viewing a LOT of data though—much more than you generally get at any one time by surfing someone’s photo album on the web. That’s where our Seadragon™ technology comes in: delivering just the pixels you need, exactly when you need them. It allows you to browse through dozens of 5, 10, or 100(!) megapixel photos effortlessly, without fiddling with a bunch of thumbnails and waiting around for everything to load.
We deliver this immersive viewing experience to users on multiple operating systems by tapping into the power of Silverlight, Microsoft’s rich web application technology.
Rafter+ FF for Revit Architecture 2010
Dec 30th
New Rafter+ FF v.2010.2 is released!
New features:
- improved existing functions;
- added specific functions for new market regions;
- extended functions for opening’s framing;
- introduced functions for dormer’s framing …
Touch screen monitors to be obsolete soonish
Dec 28th
MIT is showing its advances in 3D gestural computing with a bi-directional monitor: it senses your hand movements, and then directs the computer to move the 3D model. (Optical sensors are embedded behind the LCD screen.)
…gestural interfaces, which would, for example, allow computer users to drag windows around a screen simply by pointing at them and moving their fingers, or to rotate a virtual object through three dimensions with a flick of the wrist.
Gestures would certainly solve one problems created by touch screens (greasy glass) but not the other one, tired arms.
Performance Driver: 3ds Max Performance Driver 2010 D3D
Dec 21st
Now supporting 3dsMax 2010, the 3ds Max Performance Driver gives optimal Direct3D performance for Autodesk 3ds Max when using NVIDIA Quadro® FX professional graphics solutions. Developed in close collaboration with Autodesk, the 3ds Max Performance Driver is a free, downloadable performance driver capable of delivering dramatic performance improvements across a wide range of uses (up to 100% over native D3D support in some situations).
Fix Highlights for Standalone Installer:
-Crash when a mesh contained a zero-sized index buffer has been resolved
-There is no longer corruption where instantiated geometry was not displaye
QTO 3D Model Display Error – Solved!!!
Dec 13th
I figured out what is causing the 3D graphics issue with QTO 2010. As previously known, some graphics cards do not work in 3D mode in QTO with hardware acceleration turned on.
It seems that QTO and Design Review share the same registry switch for the model driver selection. So when you select “Direct3D” as your model driver for Design Review it turns it on for QTO which causes the problem. If “Direct3D” is selected as the View Settings for the model driver in Design Review, Deselecting “Enable Hardware Acceleration” in QTO does not turn hardware acceleration off.
To fix this, open the options dialog for Design Review, in the Model tab, in the View Settings section set the Driver to “OpenGL” or “Software (OpenGL)”.
The next time you open a 3D Dwf in Design review and “Direct3D” is not being used a message appears:
“Direct X Driver Found, Autodesk Design Review has detected the presence of the DirectX graphic drivers on this system. Would you like to switch to DirectX to take advantage of better 3D model performance?”
Select “Do not show this message again” and select the cancel button.
I have tested this both in Vista 64bit as well as XP 32bit and it appears to work in both.
Make Way for Autodesk Quantity Takeoff 2010
Dec 9th
Autodesk® Quantity Takeoff cost estimating software helps cost estimators collect and synchronize multiformat design data and high-quality images, providing comprehensive support and enabling a smoother design-to-cost workflow. Use Autodesk Quantity Takeoff to leverage property data to automatically or manually measure, count, and price various building objects.
See this great little video, which introduces QTO 2010 and a number of new features.
Jason Pratt, a subject matter expert here at Autodesk, recorded this video and made it available to all of us.
Thank you, Jason.
Please let us know of any comments or suggestions you may have. Thank you.
Enjoy!
Sage Advances BIM Capabilities
Dec 9th
With advancements in Building Information Modeling (BIM) creating new opportunities for architects, engineers, contractors and owners (A/E/C/O) to significantly improve efficiency, integration with related systems is vital to realizing the potential gains. Sage today announced the market’s first integration with Autodesk Quantity Takeoff 2010, providing a critical link with Sage Timberline Office Estimating. The new integration will enable users to automatically export quantity information from Autodesk Quantity Takeoff 2010 to Sage Timberline Office Estimating and generate a cost estimate with one click, resulting in faster and more accurate cost estimating for BIM users.
“The beauty of BIM is that it gives designers and contractors the ability to quickly identify and resolve issues in the model, helping them avoid issues in the field where they’re more expensive and time consuming to resolve. We’re adding another layer of efficiency by automating cost estimating from the BIM model with absolute precision using the Sage Timberline Office Estimating plug-in to Autodesk Quantity Takeoff 2010. This will save real dollars on every job,” said John Geffel, Senior Vice President and General Manager Sage Construction and Real Estate Solutions.
Autodesk Quantity Takeoff 2010 is the highly anticipated design-to-cost tool that enables cost estimators to collect and quantify multi-format design data and high-quality images seamlessly with the Autodesk Revit platform for BIM. The new link to Sage Timberline Office Estimating is already in use at selected customer sites and is the first plug-in with Autodesk Quantity Takeoff on the market. It will be made broadly available in Summer 2009.
“Since the BIM process is built on the use of coordinated, reliable design information, Autodesk feels that providing an accurate link from design to cost estimation is a critical step in the process,” said Timothy Douglas, Industry Segment Manager, Autodesk Construction. “Our customers can now pull data from the model directly into Sage Timberline Office Estimating and use that quantity and cost information throughout the design and construction process.”
John Tocci, chairman of the Associated General Contractors BIM Forum and an ENR Top 25 industry newsmaker in 2008, sees this type of innovation as vital to progressing BIM.
“We were pleased to play a role in bringing together two of the construction industry’s most important software firms,” said Tocci. “The smooth exchange of vital cost and quantity information between the industry’s leading BIM application and estimating software is a major advancement toward our goal of a fully integrated virtual construction tool. This collaboration will measurably advance the promise of BIM and Integrated Project Delivery to eradicate waste, propel productivity and restore relationships.”
The plug-in is the latest in a series of new developments from Sage over the past six months designed to deliver improved customer experience through usability and performance enhancements in Sage Timberline Office, including 64-Bit compatibility, estimating with multicurrency functionality, and an innovative integration between Estimating and Project Management.
Sage has a growing portfolio of business management solutions specifically tailored for the construction and real estate industries. The portfolio is designed to provide support through the growth cycle of a business and includes Peachtree by Sage Premium Accounting for Construction and Sage Master Builder. For medium to large companies, Sage Timberline Office offers integrated financial, operations and estimating software and provides the most sophisticated level of functionality in the Sage portfolio of construction solutions.
About Sage North America
Sage North America is part of The Sage Group plc, a leading global supplier of business management software and services. At Sage, we live and breathe business every day. We are passionate about helping our customers achieve their ambitions. Our range of business software and services is continually evolving as we innovate to answer our customers’ needs. Our solutions support accounting, operations, customer relationship management, human resources, time tracking, merchant services and the specialized needs of the construction, distribution, healthcare, manufacturing, nonprofit and real estate industries. Sage North America employs approximately 4,800 people and supports 2.9 million small and medium-size business customers. The Sage Group plc, formed in 1981, was floated on the London Stock Exchange in 1989 and now employs more than 14,500 people and supports more than 5.8 million customers worldwide. For more information, please visit the web site at www.sagenorthamerica.com or call 866-308-2378.
