Required Drawings and Images :
A. Coordinated Plans, Sections, Elevations
Printed out 8.5x11 and as GIF files ready for Web
B. 12 Perspectives
Printed out 8.5x11 and as GIF files ready for Web. They may be hidden line, greyscale, or color. They should represent typical fast study images for design.
C. The Best Two Renderings They Can Manage (not duplicating
any previous views)
Printed out 8.5x11 and as GIF files ready for Web. They must be in at least 8 bit color, printed out in greyscale or color. They should represent the best rendering their system is capable of within allotted time.
D. VRML - Virtual Reality Model for the Web
File in VRML ready for Web. Teams may use 3rd party software if this ability is not directly in their CADD software but must identify their need to do so.
E. Special Feature Drawing/Presentation
Each team will be required to produce another drawing or presentation which shows off a particular special ability of the software they are using. Examples of qualifying special features would be Framing Generation (plans or model), Cost Analysis, Space Planning Analysis, Structural Analysis, Elec.or Mech Layout, QuicktimeVR.
F. An Animation Sequence
Displayed in means of their choice, during their final 10 minute presentation. The length, quality, and size are at the descretion of the team. We will be putting this sequence later (after the event) onto videotape.
G. A 10 Minute Presentation on their Success and Failures in
the Shoot-Out
In addition to showing their animation and other drawings for the design, we ask the teams to comment on their successes and failures in accomplishing the design shoot-outs requirements.
H. (Optional) A Second Special Feature Drawing/Presentation
A further opportunity for the teams to show off another automatic design ability.
I. DXF file and DWG file Versions or Translations of the Project
Since collaboration and compatibility are critical issues - we will check to see how well these programs can transfer information to other designers and engineers.
Notes on Criteria, Required Changes, Time Limits, and Other Requirements
Results and Fun - not Keystrokes
As opposed to the 2D electronic drafting CADD shoot-outs of the past, where productivity was measured in counted keystrokes, the new generation of architecturally intelligent 3D design software gives us the opportunity to have a more fun and visual event where the software is evaluated on many levels.
Stretch to the Limits
The objective is to see what real architects have to say about the software, as well as sharing their insights on the limitations as well as the special features of their software. We would like to see the limits of what you can design with the software - so part of the design requirements will be to include certain 3D elements that would be a challenge to any 3D software.
Real Office Situations - Constant Changes
We would also like to see how well the software does in real, typical architectural office situations - thus the need for plan, section, elevation, construction drawings as well as perspectives. Also, we want to see how easily the designers can deal with drastic changes to their design. Thus, we plan at least 3 significant changes to the design criteria that will be announced to all when the teams are partway done, forcing them to make significant changes to their buildings.
Two Networked Systems
Additionally, design firms now are concerned at how well several designers can collaborate on a project across a network. Having two networked systems in each team will help everyone evaluate how well each particular software may help or hinder this collaboration.
Time Limits
The total event will be 5 hours. The first hour will include introductions of the teams to the audience, and information on the design criteria. Then the designers will have 3 hours to create, print, and Web post the required drawings. The last hour will involve evaluation, presentations, and voting.
Design Criteria
The design criteria will be given to the teams at the Shoot-Out (to prevent anyone from getting an unfair lead) and will involve a small enough building design project to be doable in the designated time. Certain challenging 3D elements will be required to be included (to test the design limits of various softwares) including elements that would require subtractive boolean 3D solid modeling.
A Design Criteria committee is forming to develop the specific requirements to be revealed at the shoot-out competition.
Required Changes Every Half Hour
Every 30 minutes, for the first 90 minutes, a significant change in the criteria will be announced. The change will require the designers to modify their designs in at least one of the following areas - roof, walls, and doors/windows. Virtually all of the new architectural CADD systems can parametrically and dynamically change design elements in these three areas. It will be interesting to see which teams need to delete and re-create some of these elements and which will simply modify parameters.
Teams Provide Hardware/Software/Network
Each team brings their own computer hardware. We realize that it may look inequitable, however, it is valuable to see what any given software may require to be optimal. For instance, if any given team could produce impressive results with older, slower, cheaper machines then that would obviously count in their favor. Currently the feeling is to limit each team to two machines for practical reasons. We feel that having two machines linked by network would shed valuable information on the networking and collaborating abilities of various CADD softwares.
We Do Not Count Keystrokes - Only Results !
Main Menu | | Event
| | Participation | | Requirements
| | Teams | | News |
| Voting | | Info