The Designers 3D CAD Shootout 2000
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The Designers 3D CAD Shootout 2000 |
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The Event and The Objectives
Architecture As A Spectator Sport
Teams of 3 designers each are invited to demonstrate their best and show us what their software can do.
Teams of 3 Architects who are advocates of their particular system would be given the challenge to produce as much as possible of a design project in 3 hours, including plans, sections, elevations, 12 perspectives, the best two renderings they can manage, a VRML model for the Web, an animation sequence, and other drawings, using any two networked machines of their choice (that they bring in).
A large 30x20 foot main screen will switch between each of the several teams while one of the three team members tells us what their team is currently doing (which is why each team needs at least 3 people). 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.
People attending the shootout will be treated to a plethora of information concerning the future and current development of their firms, and real practical useful tips and techniques. They will also get to vote for the design team and CADD software they feel has done the best job.
Voting results and the designs will be then posted on the World Wide Web.
Objectives :
Results and Fun - not Keystrokes
As opposed to the 2D electronic drafting CADD shootouts 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. To see how these changes can be accomodated, we have several more mini-problems to give the Teams during the main charrette during the vignette Interviews.
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.
The Venue
In 2000 the Design Shootout will be at the heart of A/E/C SYSTEMS - the premiere exposition and tradeshow for the Architectural CADD industry.
In 1996, 1997, and 1998 the Amphitheater of the World Trade Center Boston served as an ideal location for this kind of event. Steep seating and the best available computer display systems available brought the event right to each person attending.
The ten or twelve Teams totaling some 30 + people will have ample room on the stage floor. We have arranged for a switchbox to allow us to quickly switch the main screen the audience sees from one Team to another. Nearby attendees can take a break to get coffee or refreshments. At the entrance to the competition room, there is an area where the various CADD developers involved with the Shootout will have literature and information on how you can obtain their products.
Detail Summary :(also see other parts of this Web site)
Teams
Each team of three shall have at least one Registered Architect. One person on the team will be an official coordinator and contact for that team.
Time Limits
The total event will be 6 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 Shootout (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 advanced 3D abilities on par with subtractive boolean 3D solid modeling.
A Design Criteria committee is forming to develop the specific requirements to be revealed at the shootout competition.
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.
Team Web Page
Each Team will be provided with a free Web page, where they will be able to promote their Team, their favorite software, and even their own companies and personal abilities. Before the actual competition, the Team page will feature bios about the Team members (be used to recruit others too) and information about the Architectural CADD software they are using. After the competition, the Team page will post the designs of that team.
Companies / Sponsorship / Promotion
Venders, dealers, VARs, developers, consultants, user groups, and so on, will be given the opportunity to have displays in the entrance gallery to the auditorium hall. They can also help sponsor a team (t-shirts here we come !) or the event itself. In addition, they will have the opportunity to have a presence or links to the Web page of the Team using their software.
Evaluation
There will be a jury of architects as well as referees who are CADD experts who will be responsible to be there for the entire event and then write comments on each Team's work and their software.
The Architectural CADD Cup is a trophy meant to become a symbol of excellence in architectural CADD software. This stunning silver, crystal, and ebony trophy is inscribed with the names of the Teams each year, and displayed at numerous AIA conferences, AEC Systems Expositions, Build Boston and other events. The Cup also has a permanent Web page, where designers world wide can see the drawings and models the different Teams produced.