CADLearning Releases Enhanced eBook for Autodesk Revit Architecture 2014

Learn the new features in the latest release of Autodesk Revit Architecture. Watch our tutorials and view our full eBook guide with embedded videos.

4D Technologies, Autodesk Authorized Publisher and maker of the industry-leading CADLearning products for Autodesk software, released today a new CADLearning eBook Series title for Autodesk Revit Architecture 2014. The Autodesk Revit Architecture 2014 New Features and Enhancements – Revealed! e-book is over 190 pages containing 28 lessons which include embedded videos, text, images and interactive galleries, software simulations and chapter reviews. This enhanced e-book has been designed to be the basis of both self-paced and instructor-led training and is now available to Revit users who want to learn the new and enhanced functionality of the recently released Autodesk Revit Architecture 2014 application.

This enhanced eBook was developed by Jason Boehning and David Cohn. After helping an engineering firm adopt Revit in 2009, Jason began teaching other building professionals how to use Revit and how to take advantage of Revit for building analysis. He served as the 2011 President of the Houston Chapter of the US International Building Performance Simulation Association. He has also spoken at Autodesk University and is an Autodesk Revit Architecture certified professional. Jason has a degree in mechanical engineering and a minor in mathematics.

David is a licensed architect and practiced for 10 years before leaving his firm to focus on CAD consulting, training, writing, and development. He has been using AutoCAD for more than 25 years and has also taught the program both professionally and to students at the college level during much of that time. He is both a Revit Architecture and AutoCAD certified professional and has written numerous books and magazine articles about both programs.

The e-book can be viewed online or downloaded to your desktop. Visit http://www.cadlearning.com/revit-2014-new-features to learn more.

Moldex3D Releases Free New Tools to Enhance Collaboration and Productivity

CoreTech System, the true three-dimensional (3-D) CAE simulation solution innovator today announced the official release of its new free software—Moldex3D Viewer and Moldex3D eDesignSYNC.  Moldex3D’s new free software products are designed to strengthen the collaboration with project team members and upgrade overall productivity.

NEW!! Moldex3D Viewer–Strengthen the Collaboration
Moldex3D Viewer is a standalone Moldex3D result visualization tool, and it can be used to visualize Moldex3D analysis projects interactively. With Moldex3D Viewer, benefits or defects of the designs can be shown and discussed visually, and therefore better communication among the project team can be achieved.

For a CAE engineer who utilizes injection molding simulation software to study and optimize his design projects, it is essential for him to share knowledge acquired from simulation results with his team members, including part designers, mold makers, or even customers. Those results are more than often best explained through visualization. Moldex3D Viewer is designed specifically for this need, it is exactly a comprehensive platform to expand the collaboration and strengthen your competitiveness. Both Moldex3D users and non-users will be greatly benefited.

NEW!! Moldex3D eDesignSYNC –Upgrade Overall Productivity
Moldex3D eDesignSYNC is a free interface for Pro/ENGINEER and SolidWorks users to have direct access to the full analysis power of Moldex3D/eDesign. With a simple button embedded inside Pro/ENGINEER or SolidWorks, eDesignSYNC converts CAD models in their native format for direct analysis with Moldex3D/eDesign true 3-D plastic injection simulation software. From now on, there is no need for CAD users to export the model into a neutral format, such as STEP or IGES, or clear up the mess after importing any more. With eDesignSYNC, CAD users can fully concentrate on analysis for part design and manufacturing optimization.

“We believe the release of Moldex3D Viewer can highly strengthen the collaboration with project team members, in the meanwhile the release of Moldex3D eDesignSYNC will highly benefit CAD users to access CAE simulation more easily. Many companies recover rapidly from the severe economy crisis with using Moldex3D to speed-up product cycle and optimize mold design, we hope with the release of Moldex3D Viewer and Moldex3D eDesignSYNC, CAD designers as well as project partners will be benefited from the simulation result of Moldex3D true 3-D injection molding simulation”, said Dr. Venny Yang, President of CoreTech System.

For more information, visit http://www.moldex3d.com/

ArtrA v6.2 Released for Virtual Design, Construction/BIM

ArtrA Ltd has released a new version 6.2 of the two time award winning product ArtrA VDC/BIM. AEC Design Group is proud to introduce this new release to the United States. It contains new, very significant features including:

• New Import/Export functions which allow project data to move from one ArtrA Server to another
• Backing up of ArtrA Data and backup jobs
• Viewable tag histories which give the ability to review tag changes
• Navisworks 2010 compatibility

"You will not completely understand VDC (virtual design & construction)/BIM (building information modeling) until you see what ArtrA can do,” said Peter Moyes managing director at ArtrA Ltd. “With this release, ArtrA is better and more cost effective then ever. If you use NavisWorks than you owe it to yourself to understand how ArtrA takes NavisWorks to the next level.”

ArtrA is a unique BIM solutions platform independent interface that links 3D CAD models, design data, and documentation. The ability to extract graphics and associated design data from leading 3D CAD packages makes ArtrA the most flexible program in its field. With ArtrA you can interrogate and link documents to your models without the need for CAD software.

To learn more about ArtrA BIM, please visit www.artra.co.uk/index.html or www.cadpipe.com

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SolidACE Ships BuiltWorks 2010 for SolidWorks

SolidACE announces today the launch of the first commercial release of BuiltWorks 2010, a computer aided structural design and engineering software suite for use in the SolidWorks environment.

“With so many years of experience in structural engineering, we are excited to bring the benefits of the SolidWorks’ 3D modeling and design environment to our particular field of use with this great product.” commenting on the commercial launch of BuiltWorks said Dr. Vladimir Popov, the CEO of SolidACE, “Users will greatly benefit from the integrated workspace BuiltWorks provides in seamlessly combining various engineering analysis applications and industry standard drawing formats within the SolidWorks modeling environment. We are engineers proudly developing tools for our fellow engineers, based on our in depth knowledge and experience.”

BuiltWorks was developed to meet the Architectural, Engineering, Construction and Plant industries requirements for flexible and versatile tools, while being able to integrate with leading engineering analysis and design software. Customers throughout the structural engineering industry will benefit from the fully integrated workspace that BuiltWorks provides, particularly those who are familiar with the SolidWorks design environment. BuiltWorks provides intelligent modeling tools that facilitate the creation of a 3D parametric model of a steel structure under design. The use of both SolidWorks Weldment and BuiltWorks Structural members, either as Part or/and Assembly, seamlessly integrates solid physical model to leading analysis and design engineering application STAAD.Pro.

BuiltWorks also includes functions for component modeling using international standard libraries of steel shapes as well as connection detailing by setting relations like alignment, joining and cutting structural members at intersections and placing endplates. Drawing generation and calculated bills of quantities are fully available. Full SDNF import/export functionality allows for flexible and efficient workflow with third party Structural and Plant applications.

Visit http://www.solidace.com/ for more information.

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ODA Announces First Production Release of DGNdirect

The Open Design Alliance (ODA) today announced the first production release of DGNdirect available to ODA members globally. DGNdirect includes a comprehensive feature set for DGN files, including the ability to load V7 and V8 files, convert V7 to V8 files, save V8 files, access data, edit data, render data, and export to PDF and SVG file formats.

Early work on DGNdirect began in 2003 as an independent project. As the ODA platform expanded and matured, the decision was made in 2007 to restart DGNdirect development as an integrated part of the platform. Integrating DGNdirect into the ODA platform provided a number of key benefits: consolidation of common functionality such as geometry and rendering, consistent API styles between DWGdirect and DGNdirect, and clean support for features which utilize both formats such as mixed external references (DWG files referenced from DGN files and vice versa). The new DGNdirect was released for testing in March 2008, and during the past year and a half the feature set and overall quality have grown steadily.

Chief Technical Officer of the ODA, Neil Peterson, stated, “Delivering DGNdirect to ODA members is an enormous success for our development teams and for the ODA platform. Beta versions of DGNdirect have seen heavy use among ODA members for more than a year now, which has helped greatly to stabilize core functionality. DGNdirect builds on the success of our beta releases and contains support for a number of key features including dimensions, True Colors, and improved support for text.”

Arnold van der Weide, ODA President, added, “The ODA platform was originally developed to work with the DWG file format. Later the core platform was expanded to include ADTdirect, a vertical application which supports custom architectural objects, but still within the DWG file format. The release of DGNdirect marks a new level of achievement for our organization—it is a tangible example of how the ODA platform can be used to provide comprehensive support for new file formats. It clearly demonstrates the strength and versatility of the platform, and we expect this type of usage to increase in the future.”

For more information, visit http://www.opendesign.com/

kubit Releases PointCloud, Pro v5.0 for AutoCAD

kubit announces the latest release of PointCloud and PointCloud Pro version 5.0, which process 3D point clouds in AutoCAD.

The use of a 3D Laser scanner to survey can quickly result in a cloud of more than one million points; none of which contain any intelligence or reference information on the their topology or  what they are supposed to be representing.

PointCloud and PointCloud Pro from kubit allow the display and processing of point clouds directly inside AutoCAD. Every single point of a 3D cloud can be accessed (OSNAP) and thus be used in combination with all traditional AutoCAD commands. Furthermore, PointCloud provides numerous tools for an efficient analysis of 3D laser scan data.

Coordinate systems, polylines, planes and cylinders can easily be fitted to point cloud sections. Planes can be fitted and intersected to quickly derive the edges of houses or curbs. Corners can also be precisely determined using the intersection point of three planes. Full pipe-runs and routing lines can easily be fitted for pipe design programs.

The results of such post-processing techniques can vary between 2D plans or 3D models.

The latest release of PointCloud Pro 5 extends AutoCAD by adding a photogrammetric, multiple image analysis. Three-dimensional objects can now be modeled using digital photos instead of scanned point clouds.

Oriented images can be generated directly within PointCloud and then drawn on to get an image plan. Lines drawn on a two dimensional photograph are simultaneously displayed inside the 3D point cloud at the correct geometric position.

PointCloud license holders may deliver fully functional cloud files free of charge with the Free Edition version of PointCloud. Thus, service providers can hand their measured point cloud data to their customers for further processing in AutoCAD without the customers having to purchase a license of PointCloud.

Versions 5 of PointCloud and PointCloud Pro support AutoCAD 2007-2010 and all vertical applications (e.g. Architecture, Civil 3D). They run on both 32-bit and 64-bit operating systems. Prospects may try the software free of charge.

Visit http://www.kubitusa.com/ for more information.

Asuni CAD Released VisualARQ 1.0 Rhino Plug-in

Plug-in adds parametric 3D objects for modeling and documentation.

Designed for architects, planners, and interior designers, Asuni CAD’s VisualARQ is a Rhino plug-in for creating and editing architectural models. It adds parametric 3D objects like walls, columns, doors, windows, and stairs that are suitable for 3D modeling and 2D documentation.

VisualARQ offers a set of architectural tools that make the design and documentation process faster. A feature-based editor allows users to create and edit custom architectural objects. Other features include:

• User friendly wizards, dialogs and toolbars.
• Customization options for VisualARQ objects.
• Tools to create 2D documentation, including sections, opening elevations, schedule tables, and area calculation.
• A floor manager and other useful tools to work with multi-story models.
• A library of standard architectural objects and structural profiles.
• Savanna3D, a library of Rhino blocks with various collections of commonly used objects.
• Support for any render engine that works with Rhino 4.0.

VisualARQ 1.0 is available in 6 languages (English, Spanish, German, French, Italian and Czech).

Visit http://www.visualarq.com/ for more information.

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iCADsales Offer progeCAD 2010 Pro Free Upgrade

iCADsales.com has announced that those purchasing progeCAD 2009 Professional will receive a free upgrade to the next release, progeCAD 2010 Professional, coming soon.

New Features

Some of the features of progeCAD 2010 Professional will include read/write and create DWG 2010 drawings and new improved Adobe PDF printing, which will take advantage of the PDF layering capabilities designed for CAD. Other compelling features included in the upcoming release are described on http://www.icadsales.com/index.pl/progeCAD-2010.

Upgrades offered with Discounts

To celebrate this milestone release, iCADsales.com is offering upgrades from progeCAD 2009 Professional to the new release for its customers at 2009 Pro pricing, and an additional 10% discount.

50% Off Discounts for Selected Products

Both New Customers, and those who already own licenses of progeCAD Professional, can take advantage of special 50% discounts on progeCAD companion products available when they purchase either new licenses of progeCAD, or place a pre-order for the 2010 upgrade before it is released.

Updates and Upgrades

As always, progeSOFT gives its clients free updates to minor releases through a notification system built into the software. progeSOFT only charges an upgrade fee when changing major versions, such as moving from progeCAD 2009 to progeCAD 2010. The software will continue to function normally regardless of the users decision to upgrade or not.

Compatible with Windows 7

progeCAD 2010 Professional has been designed to be compatible with the new Windows 7 Operating system from Microsoft. Users planning to migrate to the new operating system are encouraged to upgrade to progeCAD 2010 Professional soon to ensure compatibility and secure progeCAD 2009 Pricing on their upgrade to progeCAD 2010 Professional. Those with older operating system will not suffer from any issues due to the new release running on the new Windows 7.

Industry Specific Add-on Products

iCADsales.com also offers the progeBILLD series, architectural building services design software add-ons, progeEARTH, a civil survey design software add-on, and the progeCAD Viewer DWG, which allows viewing, markup, and printing of DWG files. 30-day evaluations of these products are available for free download on our website.

Visit http://www.icadsales.com/ for more information.

City of Phoenix, Ariz., Acquires Bentley’s SewerGEMS to Enhance Analysis, Design, & Operation of Wastewater Infrastructure

The city of Phoenix, Ariz., has acquired Bentley’s SewerGEMS multiplatform software for sanitary sewer systems to enhance its ability to analyze, design, and operate its extensive wastewater infrastructure. The infrastructure serves approximately 1.5 million residents and includes about 5,000 miles of sewer mains and 92,000 sewer manholes. Through their use of SewerGEMS, engineers with the city’s Water Services Department will be able to create a dependable wastewater model that will facilitate flexible master planning, rehabilitation sequencing, development capacity allocation, and sanitary sewer overflow warnings, while improving the efficiency of daily operations.

Over the last few years, the water department’s wastewater planning efforts have been moving away from a “predict and plan” approach to the more proactive practice of “anticipate and prepare.” The problem is, predictions of future growth areas and likely growth rates, changing weather patterns, water appliance efficiencies, and customer behavior are highly unreliable, offering little insight into conditions for which the water department must prepare.

Erich Lais, P.E., city of Phoenix civil engineer III, said, “By developing and analyzing our wastewater model with SewerGEMS’ built-in hydraulic and hydrology tools, wet-weather calibration methods, Scenario Control Center, and many other capabilities, we will be able to explore a broad range of possible future factors and develop a plan to prepare for each. As a result, we will be better able to adapt to changing conditions and consequent wastewater system requirements, enabling us to continue to meet our customers’ needs.”

The city of Phoenix acquired SewerGEMS to complement the WaterGEMS license it acquired in 2007 to model and analyze its water distribution system. Because SewerGEMS includes the same model management tools and has a user interface very similar to that of WaterGEMS, it will be very easy for the city’s project teams to use this new software.

For more information, visit http://www.bentley.com/