Architectural CADD News by Software |
Last Updated : July 29, 2001
PalladioX
Nemetschek Systems Inc. = http://www.nemetschek.com
Latest Version : PalladioX
Web Site : http://www.palladiox.com
Online Forum : ?
Note from Architectural CADD : PalladioX is an add on package for AutoCAD14 that adds extrodinary architectural design power to AutoCAD. It is sold in modules, starting at only $95, through their web site. There are seven modules - each with a different purpose such as automatic window schedule generation or roof design - but the entire suite is available for $495. The 3D modeling module, which is $95, is highly recommended for any architectural firm to buy - if for no other reason, the ability to stretch 3D solids.
The software uses ObjectARX, a modular language introduced with AutoCAD 14, so that it will only work with AutoCAD14, AutoCAD2000, and AutoCAD ArchitecturalDesktop. The solid models it creates, are indeed in yet another proprietary format, so that, yes, it is different from either the ACIS modeler or ADT.
Help, learning, and support are all provided online. The CD comes with wonderful help internal to AutoCAD, including very helpful illustrations. Additionally, there is an online forum on the web, at the http://www.palladiox.com web site.
Comments from Architectural CADD : Apparently PalladioX is no longer being sold, or marketed. Two forces seemed to cause this great software to supernova - 1. within Nemetschek, the conflict of selling an add-on to their arch-competitor AutoCAD, and 2. Autodesk's lack of cooperation with any 3rd party developers in giving them access to ARX, DWG, or other proprietary formats necessary for deleloping PalladioX further (i.e. Autodesk pushed ArchitecturalDesktop instead). There was also a lack of people in the company knowledgable (or even wanting to be come knowledgable) in what they universally regard as an inferior program (i.e. AutoCAD).
Nemetschek Systems Inc. makes AllPlan, and PalladioX (formerly Arch14)
From: glangdon@shore.net (Geoffrey Moore Langdon)
Subject: PalladioX
Date: Thu, 9 Apr 1998
What happened to PalladioX between the last time I beta texted Arch14 and the finished version of PalladioX ? Wow. This is a lot more impressive than I thought it was going to be.
Here I had just finished a week of teaching two classes and some 4 offices ArchT by Ketiv, when I finally got a chance to sit down with the new PalladioX. I find that, with people new to ArchT, I first have to go over a number of the AutoCAD basics and idiosyncracies of Autodesk products (F6, F7,F8,F9,F6 again, units, zoom out to an architectural scale, set snap, set drawing limits, and so on).
I was impressed when PalladioX not only automatically set all that stuff up (exactly the same way I usually do (cooincidence ?)) but also automatically sets up a standard 3 view window wint axonometric precicely as you would want it to do such architectural models. You click on walls and what happens then is obvious, intuitive and easy (I am shocking myself in saying that about any product associated with AutoCAD) and everyone in the classes figured out everything completely on their own (my god, those Nemetschek people are going to put me out of my AutoCAD training business!).
Another, too cool feature is the dynamic dimension as you are drawing, placing or moving walls, windows, or doors, which works even in axonometric and perspective (reminds me of something I liked about that 3D Home Architect software).
So with very very complex roofs easy (with graphical help too) STRETCHABLE ACIS solids for walls and everything else, detailed reveals and mullions on windows, niches into walls, multilple stories, and so on, you have an enormously powerful design program here - unequalled ever before in the AutoCAD world.
I can see every AutoCAD firm that actually designs buildings adding at least part of the PalladioX suite to their repetoir, even if they already also use ArchT or AutoArchitect. I imagine that the best way to seperate what market and abilities the different programs have is to describe ArchT and AutoArchitect primerily as production tools (big symbol libraries, detailing tools, automatic paperspace sections and elevations) as opposed to PalladioX as a freeform architectural modeler. Thus, depending on the phase of a project, or the specific persons skills, different people may use any combination of these add-ons.
Anyway, the BSA AllPlan Designers Group in Boston really needs to have our next meeting devoted to this new product. Perhaps, a joint meeting with the BSA AutoCAD group would be interesting. They usually meet over at the Designers CADD Company, near Central Square in Cambridge. Exciting times!