The Designers 3D CAD Shootout 1999
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The Designers 3D CAD Shootout 1999 |
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Required Drawings and Images :
A. Coordinated Plans, Sections, Elevations
As gif/jpg files ready for Web - These are conceptual and schematic drawings.
B. 12 Perspectives (at least one of the required 3D detail)
As gif/jpg 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)
As gif/jpg 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/qtvr/3dmf 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. We are accepting QuickTimeVR and 3DMF as essentially the same for these purposes. Due to the current technological limitations of VRML we assume this would be a simplified portion of your model.
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. ** This presentation is moved to Vignette B to be done during the charrette. **
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 the Design the Team did -- Presentation Format Order
Each Team will have 10 minutes to present their design solution, presenting the required drawings/images in the order listed above - Plans, Sections, Elevations, 12 Perspectives (at least one of the required 3D detail), 2 Renderings, VRML/QTVR, 2D Detail, Animation, Composite. The Jury Graders will then have 3 minutes to ask questions.
H. A Composite View of the Finished Building Overlaid on a Photograph
of the Site
As gif/jpg files ready for Web. You will be furnished with 2 image files of which you may use either one to show your building in context.
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.
J. Vignette Interview Mini-Problems
During the charrete to design the main building complex, there will be several very quick design problems, most involving a simple architectural feature and then showing how that feature can be changed. Unlike the main design problem, these mini-problems are known in advance. More details are on the Vignette Interview web page.
K. A 2D Detail Section ** New **
As gif/jpg files ready for Web. We will ask that you take a small portion of your building and turn it into a proper 2D construction drawing.
We will use the color HP DesignJet we have on site to print out 4 images of your design (your choice) to post at A/E/C SYSTEMS.
Please print out the files at high resolution at your office after the competition and send them to us for publication.
We will collect the gif/jpeg images the day of the competition, via zips or CD-R.
Deliverables, after the Presentation : (via Zip or CD-R)
1. All the 21 still images listed above as gif or jpeg files ready (or already) for publishing to the Web.
2. The animation and VRML/QTVR files
3. DXF and or DWG file versions or translations of the project
4. Any ScreenCam or QuickTime movie files used in the Vignette presentations
5. A written statement from the Team about their software and the design they did in the competition, to be included on their Team Results web site.
6. For print publication - higher quality printed images of certain selected views - the Teams will have two weeks after the competition to submit these. Obviously no changes to the design or model.
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, an important element of the Vignette Interviews is how the Team shows how changes are accomodated.
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 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 two hours will involve evaluation, presentations, and judging.
Design Criteria for the Main Building Complex
The design criteria for the Main Building Complex will be given to the teams only at the start of 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 may require subtractive boolean 3D solid modeling.
A Design Criteria committee develops the specific requirements to be revealed at the shoot-out competition.
Required Changes
In the past we had required changes every 30 minutes, for the first 90 minutes, a significant change in the criteria will be announced. The change required 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. The new Vignette Interview format obviates the need to change the main building design criteria.
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.