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AEC Newsletter archive:
Geoffrey Moore Langdon
CADENCE AEC Tech News # 37 (November 1, 2000)
AEC Tech News 11/1/2000
In This Issue:
Modular Architectural Assemblies
AutoCAD ArchitecturalDesktop2i and ADT3
Modular Architectural Assemblies
Now that all the basic architectural elements - walls, doors, windows, floorslabs, roofs, stairs, and columns - are firmly established in virtually all architectural CADD programs, you may wonder what there is left for development, and whether we are slipping into an era of stability and look-alike design software offerings. Actually, we are just now entering the most interesting phase of architectural CADD, as finally there are established building blocks with architectural intelligence to begin building vast libraries of parametric objects which represent everything the built environment has in existence. While new software versions do offer minor refinements in the core workings (better wall cleanup, more flexible entities such as curved or battlement walls, more detail and control of stairs, railings or columns) and occasionally add new entities such as ramps and elevators, most of what we are seeing are assemblies of building components in growing libraries. To a large extent any user could use the existing features of their CADD software and, given enough time, build/model countless architectural components from arches with detailed doors to roof dormers with windows already inserted, detail wall sections, and, of course, furniture. What they really are selling is time. We could save vast amounts of time if we could merely plunk down whole building components which have all sorts of attributes, materials, colors, layers, and so on already attached. While symbol libraries have existed since the early days of CADD, the difference now is that these objects can be parametrically changeable, are 3D, and frequently interact intelligently with other building components (automatically cutting wall openings, stretching to current floor to floor heights, and so on).
Third party building component libraries, such as ObjectsOnline for ArchiCAD GDL and VectorWorks objects, are certainly growing. There is also a huge battle going on for which 3D format the various building product manufacturers and furniture makers will use, from Autodesk's iDrop, to Graphisoft's GDL, to o2c, and more. The trend from the latest offerings of architectural CADD, is that each company includes a great deal of these pre-done building assemblies along with a few special purpose macro "mini-programs" (and minor bug fixes) all to add value to the user but also to gain more of a foothold on the potentially enormous building products procurement market. They are also offering more such objects, for free, on their websites, and are building internet and web oriented drag and drop features into their CADD software specifically to encourage designers to start getting used to adding elements to their designs in this way.
The "architect" modules of VectorWorks Architect and the upcoming MicroStation TriForma, as well as ArchiCAD 6.5, AutoCAD ArchitecturalDesktop2i, and AllPlan 15, all fit this pattern of adding value by offering large libraries of pre-done intelligent changeable architectural assemblies, with just a few fixes and improvements, as opposed to being radical changes in the program or interface. Revit and DataCAD will join this same pattern as soon as each finishes some core changes. This does make for a "tough sell" for a lot of the CADD dealers, as the users of previous versions don't immediately see much new. Also, if those dealers are demonstrating to the MIS and CADD managers of firms instead of the designers who would get the most use out of those pre-done modules their job is even harder. It is time to start demonstrating all this design software to real designers.
AutoCAD ArchitecturalDesktop3
With the ADT3 version, ArchitecturalDesktop matures into true complete design and production package for architecture. A few of the features fix things users may not have realized needed fixing, such as NOW the automatic dimensions are linked to the model, and now you have a "pack and go" which puts together all the xrefs/fonts/images resolving conflicts, and now you can collapse those huge dialog boxes to get them partially out of the way. There is also, now a "floor slab" entity. Additionally, the ADT3 version of ADT brings the software up to speed with the new AutoCAD2000i abilities, such as web interactivity - publish to web, built in netmeeting (called meet now), startup into the PointA customizable web resource and buzzsaw extranet, iDrop to drag and drop furniture from manufacturers web sites, and the ability to download new AutoCAD extensions. Notable extensions which we recommend that you download (which are kind of like major autolisp add-on modules) are the "CADD Managers Extension", which does things like check drawings against office standard dimstyles, and the "European Extension" - an option from the CD on installation - which adds quite a number of wall and layer styles as well as those improvements to the automatic dimensioning.
Possibly the biggest news for AutoCAD designers is that there will indeed BE an ADT3 (due out by 12/31/00), and that Autodesk is very committed to continuing development of software specific to architecture. The new offices in Manchester, NewHampshire are devoted entirely to developing AEC solutions. The main benefits to users of ADT2 to upgrade to ADT3 will be a plethora of new building assemblies and parametric objects, from open-web joists and railing styles to rules-based curtainwalls and complete window/door assemblies. Numerous wall styles (including countertops, backsplashes) and automatically adjusting structural elements (for steel, concrete, and timberframe construction) have been added, based on the internet xml language - which means that there is more drag and drop from the Web to come.
What has been changed in ADT3 is the new Style manager, the Display Manager, how you do Elevations and Sections, and now the walls clean up and merge in virtually any condition. The most significant thing that has been added is the ability to turn any ACIS solid (which you get from extruding or revolving a polyline in AutoCAD) into an ADT wall (which of course can have inserted parametric doors/windows) which means that almost any special wall can be accommodated. Also added is a roof slab entity, and a more robust floor slab entity so that ADT3 has ADA ramps as well as multi-level parking ramps. All the entities seem to have more "smarts" so that they will automatically project to other elements - stairs can follow curved walls and have turn-arounds on their first steps, roofs and walls will project to their various faces. A very nice addition is a "live" 2D section which will continuously update to the model, but still allow you to add or remove lines from it.
Links :
ObjectsOnline = www.objectsonline.com
iDrop = http://idrop.autodesk.com
GDL = http://www.graphisoft.com/gdl
o2c = http://www.o2c.de/englisch/index.html
VectorWorks Architect = http://www.vectorworksarchitect.com
MicroStation TriForma = http://www.bentley.com
ArchiCAD = http://www.graphisoft.com
AllPlan = http://www.nemetschek.com
AutoCAD ArchitecturalDesktop = http://www.autodesk.com
ADA = http://www.access-board.gov/bfdg/adaag.htm
About Geoffrey Moore Langdon, AIA
Prof. Langdon is a registered architect and is the principal of Architectural CADD Consultants, a firm that specializes in helping architectural firms with computing and CADD. He has taught Design, Solar Energy, and Architectural CADD at a number of colleges in the Boston area. He is the author of Architectural CADD: A Resource Guide to Design and Production Software Appropriate for Architects, a guest speaker at many AIA events, and the founder and organizer of the Designers 3D CAD Shootout competition. contact him at aectechnews@architecturalcadd.com, or through his website: http://www.architecturalcadd.com
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