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Architectural CADD
News by Software
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Last Updated : June
29, 2006
Digital Project
Gehry Technologies = http://www.gehrytechnologies.com/products.html
Latest version : Digital Project for
CATIA v1 r2
Web Site : http://www.gehrytechnologies.com/products.html
Online Forum :
Note from Architectural CADD :
ArchiCAD is one of the most sophisticated
and complete architectural specific CADD programs in existance, and has
garnered the top rank in reviews here as well as in many other
publications,
and is the winner of the 1999 Designers 3D CAD Shootout for
Architectural
CADD Systems. It is a smart 3D object oriented architectural CADD
program,
where you usually draw walls in plan (you can now do that in many 3D
views)
and pop in windows, doors, stairs, and much more as parametrically
changable
smart objects. Elevations and sections are generated automatically and
amazingly
easily. Excellent file transfer ability with AutoCAD, including xrefs.
Image
overlay, inverse photogrametrics (i.e. match CADD perspective to
existing
photo), and the best network collaborating system in the industry
(called
Teamwork).
Comments from Architectural CADD :
Hard to see how ArchiCAD can
get much better - in fact, users of Autodesk ArchitecturalDesktop,
Revit,
DataCAD, and VectorWorks frequently point to existing features in
ArchiCAD
when sending in their wishlist features - but, every year they do
manage
to incorporate yet another feature specific for the AEC industry. Most
recently
they have integrated building engineering features - automatic HVAC
design
(does mech systems and pipe/duct sizing), structural design (sizes
beams,
columns, frames), and even energy analysis - all through their new
aquisition
of the CADlink software from England. The new ArchiForma (an integrated
visual free-form 3D modeler) and link to ZoomGDL (a "FormZ-like"
super-modeler), and some creative use of meshes and GDL primitives now
fill
the only former glitch in this super best-in-class software.
New in
ArchiCAD 10 :
Integrated plot sheet layout - (no more PlotMaker)
Tilt-able walls, that can have custom complex section profiles
and multiple parts, and still smartly accomodate doors/windows
Files are smaller, and Program more efficient, so that it runs faster
on less hardware than ArchiCAD 9
(We still recommend getting as much computer as you can afford -
it WILL run on only 512 meg of memory on a 900 mhz Pentium4 - but get 2
gig and 3.1 ghz speed)
The Student version of ArchiCAD 10 is Free
Anyone can download the student version, which will work for 30 days,
to use as a test trial version (full time students need to fax
their student info to continue)
The Pay-Per-Use version of ArchiCAD - at $195 - the best
deal in the whole world of architectural CADD - will be
continued, however, the policy is that they will only sell Pay-Per-Use
keys to offices that already have a regular full version, so you can
look at the PPU version as an inexpensive (pay as you go) second,
third, etc. copy
Links to Dealers, Resellers :
Integrated CADD Services (ICS) (Greg Conyngham) Cambridge, MA
----http://www.intcad.com
Envision Architectural Technology Services, LLC (Honolulu HI)
--- http://www.envision-ats.com
CADD Works (Woody Schempp) New York --- http://www.caddworks.com
Dimensions Design Group = http://www.ddgi.com
RealDoors and RealWindows for ArchiCAD
Neil McCann provides modeling, rendering, and
animation services. Writes
custom ArchiCAD macros in GDL
GDL Alliance = http://www.gdlalliance.org
GDL Object Viewer for Web = www.graphisoft.com/products/gdl_plugin
CADLink = http://www.cymap.com
ArchiForma / ArchiTerra = http://www.cigraph.it
GDL Toolbox = http://www.archidata.hu
Zoom GDL = http://www.abvent.com
Objectsonline = http://www.objectsonline.com
--- ArchiCAD objects resource
3D Model Store = http://www.3dmodelstore.com
--- online outlet for ArchiCAD Objects
DoorBuilder /WindowBuilder = http://www.theometric.co.nz
Graphisoft Prize international design competition = http://www.gsprize.com
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