Tag Archives: File exchange

GRAPHISOFT ArchiCAD Receives IFC Certification 2.0, Passes COBie Design Challange

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Screen Shot 2013-03-26 at 9.59.46 AMBUDAPEST, March 26, 2013 – GRAPHISOFT announced today important milestones in its support for Open BIM with ArchiCAD having successfully passed both IFC Coordination View 2.0 (Certification 2.0) and the buildingSMART alliance 2013 COBie Challenge.

ArchiCAD is now certified for the IFC 2×3 Coordination View Version 2.0 export, making ArchiCAD among the very first to achieve this certification as of 12 March 2013, and is 100% COBie compliant (“buildingSMART alliance January 2013 Challenge”, Washington, DC).

Screen Shot 2013-03-26 at 9.59.59 AM“It’s not enough for us to champion IFC as an open-code standard format; we strive to support our customers with reliable open collaboration workflows with other building professions as well.” – said Ákos Rechtorisz, Open BIM Program Manager at GRAPHISOFT.

The Coordination View was the first Model View Definition developed by buildingSMART International and is currently the most widely implemented view of the IFC scheme. Its main purpose is to allow sharing of building information models among the disciplines of architecture, structural engineering, and building services (mechanical).

The COBie specification requires the support of the IFC 2×3 Basic FM Handover View, an extended version of the Coordination View developed by buildingSMART. It defines general requirements for information handover to facility management. Support for COBie is important in the US as well as in the UK and all other English-speaking countries.

About GRAPHISOFT

GRAPHISOFT ignited the BIM revolution with ArchiCAD, the industry first BIM software for architects. GRAPHISOFT continues to lead the industry with innovative solutions such as the revolutionary GRAPHISOFT BIM Server™, the world’s first real-time BIM collaboration environment and GRAPHISOFT EcoDesigner™, the world’s first fully-integrated building energy modeling application that have fundamentally changed how architects worldwide design and collaborate today. Since its 2007 acquisition, GRAPHISOFT has been part of the Nemetschek Group.

gbXML add-on, How to export model from ArchiCAD for engineering analysis

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Many users battle with placing of zones when exporting ArchiCAD model to gbXML for use in engineering analysis, as a result elements like walls do not show when imported into other softwares,this add-on simplifies all 3D geometry to the bare essentials and structured for applications such as thermal analysis and augmented with engineering data like material properties, power usage, plant and occupancy. Refer to the suggestions below, they may be helpful to get the zones working and ready for export.

1. Firstly, when placing room zones, they must bound with walls-any walls not adjoining the zones will be ignored. Zones identifying a room must be traced around the inside faces of the bounding walls, refer to figure (a) below. Any zone stamp, category, or layer may be used.

(a) Screen Shot 2012-12-05 at 11.26.43 AM

2. In multiple storey buildings, zones have to be independent storey by storey, refer to figure (b) below.

(b) Screen Shot 2012-12-05 at 11.26.33 AM

3. Zones bounding the exterior wall are also required to allow the add-on to calculate the relationships between surfaces, spaces and the out-doors. Zones must be traced around the exterior faces of the building, refer to figure (c) below. Any zone stamp, category, or layer may be used.

(c)Screen Shot 2012-12-05 at 11.26.02 AM

4. Site properties must be specified, and can be extracted from the project model, and most importantly, its location and  orientation. The site post code will be exported if specified in the “project info” dialog (from File/Info menu), figure (d) below.

(d) Screen Shot 2012-12-05 at 12.18.15 PM

The remainder are found in the ArchiCAD sun settings accessed through the “3D Projection Settings” dialog ( from “View/3D View Mode” menu) specifically the site location and project north, figure (e) below.

(e) Screen Shot 2012-12-05 at 12.18.27 PM

5. Zones may be placed manually but it can be a long process hence the add-on provides the automated zone placing  by going to Design/Design Extras/Place Zones fig (f) below, but this tool may not find all the rooms which might be due to some modelling problems like gaps between walls, and this leaves the user to adjust or add unidentified zones manually.

(f) Screen Shot 2012-12-05 at 12.22.50 PM

6. Then specify which zones to place and their properties in the “Zone Placement” dialog, fig (g).

(g) Screen Shot 2012-12-05 at 12.25.50 PM

7. Saving as gbXML, first select “Save As” from the “File” menu. In the “Save As” dialog, select “gbXML” as the export type, specify the file name and location, click “Save” ( The illustration below ( fig. (h)) is for Mac OS, but the principle is the same for Windows).

(h) Screen Shot 2012-12-05 at 12.39.24 PM

The “gbXML Export Settings” dialog will appear, select the properties of the room and exterior zones to export. If no layer or category is selected, the add-on will export all zones. Refer to fig (i) below.

(i) Screen Shot 2012-12-05 at 12.44.21 PM

MEP-modeller tool setup and user instructions

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Here is the license checking, software installation checking, tool activation in ArchiCAD work environment and beginner user instructions for the use of MEP-modeller in ArchiCAD 16:

1. license:

  • verify whether your MEP license has been loaded on your dongle, by logging onto this website with your dongle connected: https://upgrade.graphisoft.com
  • once there, check whether the MEP license is available on the dongle and ACTIVATED

2. installation of software:

  • you can install MEP on as many workstations as you like
  • the license quantity on the dongle, will allow only “X” instances to be run at a time
  • if you do not have the MEP installer, the instructions and download are here: http://www.graphisoft.com/products/mep-modeler/MEP_downloads.html
  • after installing, a restart of the ArchiCAD software is advised

3. using the tools:

  • the screenshots below clarify the installation of MEP modeller on a workstation as follows:
    • A. refer to the “options menu”, “work environment”, if you see MEP modeler as a choice, it is installed on that workstation, activate the MEP work environment:
    • B. after activating the work environment, you will see the tool menu change, as per next screenshot, it will now have the MEP tools available for use:
    • C. there is an MEP routing palette which can be opened from the window menu as per the next screenshot:

4. tutorials and user guides:

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GDL Object Adapter for AutoCAD 2012

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GRAPHISOFT have released the GDL Object Adapter for AutoCAD 2012. The plugin can be downloaded from our official website.

Also review GRAPHISOFT’s cloud based object solution, BIMcomponents.com

BIM Components Concept
This cloud-based ArchiCAD-integrated community database collects and provides direct access to tens of thousands of GDL elements in one place. The easily searchable collection continually grows with users’, GDL developers’ and manufacturers’ new elements. BIMcomponents.com helps you obtain trustworthy 3D or 2D elements in the form of parametric GDL objects by bringing the elements directly into your ArchiCAD project library with easy embed and drag & drop methods. Seek community opinion and share your custom objects with a click, widening the available selection. Built-in quality filters, user evaluations, and recommendations result in a high overall object quality.

More information
http://www.graphisoft.com/products/archicad/bimcomponents.html
https://bimcomponents.com/

Download ArchiCAD for free:
https://myarchicad.com/

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architectural visualisation made easy in R14: new C4D camera matching feature

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Wouldn’t it be great to take a photo and have your model elements behave as real 3D elements in the scene created by the photo? ie. A background photo that you take, becomes a real 3D scene, no modeling required, just drop in your model and move it around the 3D photographic scene, with correct perspective.

It is possible…it is called camera matching and it is available in C4D R14!

Match your 3D camera to virtually any image with the Camera Calibrator in CINEMA 4D R14. Simply draw lines or grids on top of the image, and the vanishing point, focal length and orientation of the camera will be calculated. Add a pin to solve the camera’s position, and set the scene scale by adding known lengths for any line. Quickly create a background object, or generate a camera mapping tag to begin using the image as part of a matte environment.

More info on workflow improvements: http://www.maxon.net/en/products/new-in-cinema-4d-r14/workflow.html

More info on R14: http://www.maxon.net

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BIMx for Android Released

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BUDAPEST, July 26, 2012 – GRAPHISOFT announced today its latest innovation specifically targeted toward Android device users.  GRAPHISOFT BIMx™, the ultimate communication and presentation tool for BIM projects, is now available as a 3D viewer app for a range of Android devices, in addition to the iPad/iPhone.  The Facebook-integrated BIMx community and the new Model Transfer site help spread this innovative technology among architects, clients and all other stakeholders. 

BIMx (Building Information Model Explorer) is an interactive environment with game-like navigation, allowing anyone to explore full BIM models without holding a license of the professional authoring software in which the building model was originally created.  ArchiCAD users have been able to publish self-running BIMx models to run on desktop computers (Win/Mac), and on the iPad/iPhone with a purpose-built app directly linked to the BIMx community for “social” model sharing.  Now, Android users can enjoy the same benefits BIMx offers to iOS users, by downloading the player.  With BIMx, GRAPHISOFT puts BIM into the hands of all stakeholders not actively involved in the actual creation of the BIM model such as contractors, builders, clients, owners, and principals of design practices.

BIMx Community and Model Transfer Site

The integrated BIMx community on Facebook is the central hub for sharing interactive 3D building models. Architects holding either a commercial or educational BIMx license can publish their models directly to this online community. Native Facebook functions such as comments, likes and share are extended with customized functions for filtering models, searching models using key-words or finding uploaded models of specific users, architects or clients. BIMx models can be uploaded, browsed and downloaded by non-Facebook users as well; only “liking” and “commenting” requires Facebook registration.

The BIMx Model Transfer Service is a brand new “cloud service” offered to BIMx users with an active ArchiCAD Software Services Agreement. Users are entitled to 1 GB free cloud storage space with each commercial BIMx license they own. For more security, users can also password protect their files.

Availability

The BIMx desktop application is part of the standard ArchiCAD 16 installation.  Click here for further information for the system requirements on desktop, iOS and Android devices: http://www.graphisoft.com/support/bimx/system_requirements/.

About GRAPHISOFT

GRAPHISOFT ignited the BIM revolution with ArchiCAD, the industry first BIM software for architects. GRAPHISOFT continues to lead the industry with innovative solutions such as the revolutionary GRAPHISOFT BIM Server™, the world’s first real-time BIM collaboration environment and GRAPHISOFT EcoDesigner™, the world’s first fully-integrated building energy modeling application that have fundamentally changed how architects worldwide design and collaborate today. Since its 2007 acquisition, GRAPHISOFT has been part of the Nemetschek Group

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Meeting the future OpenBIM components & partners…April 2012

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The last week has been filled with OpenBIM…

I have had the pleasure of meeting some of our existing and some exiting new OpenBIM partners. Let’s get some names on the board and complete the introductions:

  • ABVENT : Artlantis 4
    • Artlantis is a stand alone rendering application used by architects, designers and urban design professionals in more than 80 countries. A recognized leader in preview window technology, Artlantis is the ideal tool to quickly and easily create still image renderings, iVisit 3D Panoramas, VR Objects and animations.
    • In addition to quality and speed improvements, Artlantis 4 introduced iVisit 3D technology for panoramas.
  • Cigraph Factory Srl : ArchiSuite® for ArchiCAD®
    • The architectural design sector is so variegated that every designer would like to work with his or her own particular tools. With ArchiSuite, Cigraph intends to give ArchiCAD users customized functions for made-to-measure solutions to facilitate all stages of their work. The project is based on the Cigraph add-ons.
    • Our aim, however, is to continue enhancing this ever-open container over time to reflect our users’ suggestions.
  •  Data Design System GmbH : DDS-CAD
    • DDS-CAD is an advanced open BIM tool for the design and documentation of electrical, HVAC and plumbing systems for buildings. The software enables you to create building models yourself, or work with 2D floor plans or 3D models imported from an architect or building designer. The software supports 2D floor plan import in DWG or DXF format, and also is certified for import and export of buildingSMART/IFC data, either file based, or through direct connection to a model server.
  • Advanced Knowledge Laboratory Inc. : FlowDesigner
    • Air-flow simulation for everyone from Japan
    • Flow Designer is an air flow simulation software for architects. The Flow Designer is the world first IFC data transferable BIM friendly simulation software for airflow.
    • The distinction of Flow Designer, is its simple interface like Google sketch up, and quick calculation. It is possible to see a quick simulation in 5 minutes.
    • The software also has an inverse analysis calculation functionality, to find an optimised shape or arrangement for a better air-flow environment.
  • MAXON : CINEMA 4D
    • MAXON Computer GmbH is a developer for 3D graphics software, offering professional 3D modeling, visualization, painting, animation and rendering solutions.
    • CINEMA 4D Visualize, the package of choice for architects, offers a comprehensive suite of modeling and texturing tools, rendering options, import options for a large variety of 2D and 3D applications, and file exchange support for many CAD applications such as ARCHICAD.
    • MAXON Computer GmbH has offices in Germany, USA, United Kingdom, France, Japan and Singapore.
  • Nemetschek : Scia Engineer
    • Scia Engineer is a leading Modelling, Analysis & Design solution for Structural Engineers by Nemetschek Scia, a member of the buildingSMART Alliance. It is the only Structural Analysis Software that is certified for supporting Open BIM.
    • Based upon a powerful 3D structural modeller engine with parametric forms, detailing views & drawings, it allows the design of industrial structure, infrastructure and low-to-high-rise buildings.
    • The software has several international building codes integrated for the technical design and optimization of steel, concrete, timber, aluminum, … multi-material constructions.
  • Solibri, Inc. : Solibri Model Checker
    • Solibri is the global leader in BIM quality assurance, quality control and analysis. Solibri provides the AEC community with Solibri Model Checker, the out of the box tool for BIM validation, compliance control, design process coordination, design review, analysis, and code checking.
    • Solibri Model Checker improves the quality of design and building information models, and makes the entire design, review and construction process more productive and cost effective.
    • Solibri Model Checker supports implementation and enforcement of organization wide best practices.
  • StruSoft : VIPEnergy & FEMDesign
    • Structural Design Software in Europe AB (StruSoft) is a Swedish innovative software development company with more than 30 years experience in specialized software applications for the entire building industry.
    • Our main software packages FEM-Design, WIN-Statik, IMPACT and VIP-Energy have been applied in analysis and design, precast industry, detailing and energy. The software applications have been developed into well proven products, and are now used by more than 10000 users at more than 1000 customers in more than 20 countries around the world
  • Tekla Corporation : Tekla
    • With its software, Tekla Corporation drives the evolution of digital information models and provides thus more and more competitive advantage to the construction and infrastructure industries. The company was established in 1966, and today it has customers in 100 countries, offices in 15 countries, and a global partner network. Tekla became part of Trimble Group in 2011.
    • With an ambition to multiply its customers’ potential to think and achieve big, Tekla provides an accurate, detailed, and data-rich 3D BIM (Building Information Modeling) software environment that can be shared by contractors, structural engineers, steel detailers and fabricators, as well as concrete detailers and manufacturers. The highly detailed as-built structural models created, combined and distributed with Tekla BIM software enable the highest level of construct ability and production control.
    • Centralising building information into the model allows for more collaborative and integrated project management and delivery. This translates into increased productivity and elimination of waste, thus making construction and buildings more sustainable.
    • More information at http://www.tekla.com, http://www.teklastructures.com and http://www.teklabimsight.com
  • VintoCON : Share Your Design : Helpdesk for ArchiCAD : Mobile extension for Helpdesk for ArchiCAD
    • This year we introduce our brand new ArchiCAD add-ons (Share Your Design – SyD and Helpdesk for ArchiCAD), advanced cloud solutions targeting ArchiCAD users and architects primarily. They open new dimensions for building professionals throughout the entire building lifecycle – from the design process through the construction stages till the facility operation/maintenance management.
    • SyD – Share Your Design – http://www.shareyourdesign.com - The ultimate BIM based cloud solution for architects to collaborate with their clients, to discuss design alternatives, plus bringing together all team members such as engineers, constructors, developers etc…, it uses simple web browser technology, there is no need to install anything on the client’s side.
    • Helpdesk for ArchiCAD – helpdesk.vintocon.com - BIM based Building Maintenance Management system – this intelligent cloud solution integrates with the ArchiCAD BIM file, allowing users to execute/track/record typical maintenance projects such as MEP Maintenance projects. This ArchiCAD add-on also extends the BIM model with document management capabilities, you can view, list and manage all related documents such as fact sheets, service manuals, photos, videos etc… through the web by using either desktop computers or mobile devices.
    • Mobile extension for Helpdesk for ArchiCAD - Facilities management goes mobile with this process oriented issue management tool, you can take your tasks on-site directly from ArchiCAD.
  • OrthoGraph Ltd – OrthoGraph
    • OrthoGraph supports building survey using an iPad. The system implements the BIM concept on- site, through site and object properties and building structure. The intuitive interface of OrthoGraph shows the measured drawings in real time ensuring that there is no need to re- measure any forgotten or false distance. The system also can use point cloud data or blueprint floor-plans. OrthoGraph is the only iPad CAD app that has a native ArchiCAD Add-On. The result of the survey can be imported into ArchiCAD (both on Mac and PC) in 3D with all properties, while DWG and SKP formats are also supported.
    • The functionality of OrthoGraph strongly enhances the renovation features of ArchiCAD 15 extending it to support your on-site work.
  • éptár ltd. : éptár
    • Éptár Ltd is a GDL and Add-On developer company. Our target is to develop ArchiCAD Add-Ons and GDL Libraries for Manufacturers. With our solutions, the Architects can implement Manufacturer designed building elements and systems in their ArchiCAD BIM model.
    • Tiling - Wall and floor tiling application for ArchiCAD. Photo realistic model, documentation and 3D design.
    • Din3D Importer - The application helps for the users to export ArchiCAD building models to 3DsMax software. This plug-in is a new version of AC4D+ plug-in by DINNYE.
  • BIMm GmbH : Flexijet4architects
    • Flexijet4architects is a new, revolutionary BIMmeasuring system (BIM – Building InformationModeling) whose diversity enables first-timeusers, all-rounders and specialists to create an ideal measurement.
    • “Measure-drawing” with Flexijet4architectsMeasuring, drawing and modeling altogether in one working step. With the ARCHICAD AddOn and the flexible and laser supported3D measuring system.
    • Flexijet’s recording of an object-oriented building measurement is possible – a Virtual Building model.The measured data is wirelessly transferred directly to ARCHICAD, whilst still in the field.
  • InterCAD Kft : AxisVM
    • Civil engineers on 5 continents use AxisVM for the analysis of structures with confidence that their final engineering product will meet the most up-to-date engineering analysis and design requirements.
    • Structural analysis software that is intuitive and graphically driven, it is exceptionally easy to use and truly easy to start.
    • Available Languages: English, French, German, Dutch, Czech, Romanian, Slovak, Hungarian, Spanish, Italian, Serbian
    • Linear, nonlinear, buckling, vibration, seismic and dynamic analysis for truss, beam, rib, membrane, plate and shell two dimension and three dimension structures. Pushover and time history analysis.
  • RIK Corporation : RIK LANDSCAPE PACK for ArchiCAD : ViewSTYLE for ArchiCAD
    • RIK LANDSCAPE PACK for ArchiCAD - “RIK LANDSCAPE PACK” is a dedicated landscape design package for ArchiCAD users. Installing “RIK LANDSCAPE PACK” ,users will be enabled to create spectacular exterior, gardening and landscaping design presentation in a sort time and improve their quality of drawings, as well.
    • ViewSTYLE for ArchiCAD - It is real-time walkthrough software with shadow simulation considering longitude, latitude,time and directions. When it becomes night, the illumination lightens up automatically. And the high- speed video encoding function enables you to easily export ideal movies into Youtube HD. By saving the images as viewer format, you can use the clients’ PC to experience the walkthrough without any special applications.

As always, keep an eye on the blog, we will be releasing more detailed overviews of the products and companies in the weeks to follow.

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