Nemetschek North America has introduced the latest version of its CAD software, Vectorworks 2010. The company has made improvements including new architectural, landscaping, and entertainment design tools; enhanced rendering; simpler 2D functions; and a unified 3D modeling environment.
Graphisoft on Tuesday announced ArchiCAD 13, an update to its architectural design software. The latest version integrates BIM Server technology, marking a completely new approach to collaboration between large numbers of users. The system is designed to overcome problems associated with model accessibility, rights management, element control and sharing, and overall reliability.
Siemens PLM Software has announced that its MCAD software suite, NX 6, is almost ready to launch on the Mac platform. The Mac variant will include all of the same technology and features as NX 6 for Linux and Windows. The user interface is completely customizable, with tools for managing and sharing information throughout an organization. The company's Synchronous Technology combines history-based and explicit modeling to allow inexperienced users to edit or transform 3D models without needing to know how the models were created.
Punch! Software is now shipping Shark LT, a professional-level CAD application. The software is aimed mainly at generating 3D models, but is also used to produce related 2D drawings, which can be generated automatically for items such as section and detail views. These can then be imported into apps more suited to 2D editing, such as Illustrator.
Graphisoft has released its latest building information modeling (BIM) tool, MEP Modeler for ArchiCAD 12. The software is designed to help architects integrate mechanical/electrical/plumbing (MEP) models into projects. Users can create and edit 3D MEP networks from within the program, or import files from third-party applications via the IFC format. Visualizations can be created that use wireframe representations of the structures and color coding of the mechanical systems.
Rhino – a 3D CAD development tool – for Mac sits at least a year away and a new CAD application, StreamCAD is now available as a beta for Mac users. Architosh reports that Robert McNeel of Robert McNeel & Associates has given a time frame of over a year on Rhino for Mac project, saying "It is a huge project. It will be at least a year away before we have a released version." McNeel said progress on the project was good. A Mac beta is available for users who need to work with Rhino now.
Ashlar-Vellum is preparing updates to its line of CAD software tools and 3D-tool Grasshopper is progressing towards the Mac platform. Ashlar-Vellum has announced Graphite v8 SP1 Beta, which has new features, and it is about to release Cobalt, Xenon and Argon v8 for PowerPC-based Macs according to Architosh. Also, Grasshopper is coming to Mac OS X, although it may have problems with Microsoft .Net incompatibilities.
A updated rendering application and a new 3D plug-in for Google Sketchup have been announced, according to Architosh, a site for Mac-based architects and CAD/3D professionals. IMSI/Design has unveiled IDX Renditioner, a plug-in for photo-realistic rendering in SketchUp. Architosh is also reporting the release of Maxwell Render 1.7, bringing new features and improved realism to that company’s rendering software.
Punch! has announced an open beta of ViaCAD 2D/3D V6, the upcoming version of its design suite; its name derives from the ability to start out in 2D, and then extend to 3D using surface modeling commands. V6 makes the crucial additional of 2D architectural tools, letting users quickly specify walls, windows and doors; walls in close proximity will automatically "heal," and dimensions are handled automatically.
Ilexsoft today unveiled HighDesign 1.8, a major update to its professional CAD application, featuring over 50 new features and improvements. HighDesign Professional supports the AutoCAD DWG and DXB file formats, from v9.x to 2008, while both Standard and Professional versions support DXF from v12.x to 2006. The Professional version can export projects as high-quality TIFF images. HighDesign 1.8 Standard sells for $150, while the Professional version is available for $350.
Punch! Software has released ViaCAD Pro for Mac and PC. The news CAD software expands the ViaCAD family and delivers highly functional, low-cost 2D/3D design product for sophisticated, precise, general-purpose design. Positioned as a step up from its $100 entry-level solution, the Pro version gives designers the power to push beyond the boundaries of traditional curve, surface, and solid modeling by including deformation and warping technology which can bend, stretch, twist, and deform NURB bodies independent of design history. Additionally, ViaCAD provides sophisticated modeling features such as: associative NURBS-based surface creation and editing; history & feature based solid modeling, and constant and variable radius blending and chamfering.
