Products: IT/CAD

Voice message systems that may save your butt - 9/1/2008
Palmtops, laptops, and tablet PCs are all great tools for processing project information. But no matter the speed of the microprocessor inside or the quality of the screen outside, the ultra-fast pace of today's fast-track projects often doesn't allow key people the time to work with any device more complicated than a cell phone.

New Tekla Structures 14 enhances BIM modeling - 8/12/2008 3:58:00 PM
Atlanta-based Tekla recently released Tekla Structures 14, the newest version of its structural engineering BIM software. Version 14 streamlines the design, detailing, fabrication, and construction delivery process by expanding the maximum model size the program can support, streamlining the user interface, improving data storage, and including previous add-on features—such as the ability to model rebar—in the standard license.

New Tekla Structures 14 enhances BIM modeling - 8/1/2008
Atlanta-based Tekla recently released Tekla Structures 14, the newest version of its structural engineering BIM software. Version 14 streamlines the design, detailing, fabrication, and construction delivery process by expanding the maximum model size the program can support, streamlining the user interface, improving data storage, and including previous add-on features—such as the ability...

Integrated Project Delivery builds a brave, new BIM world - 4/1/2008
Three-dimensional information, such as that provided by building information modeling, allows all members of the Building Team to visualize the many components of a project and how they work together. BIM and other 3D tools convey the idea and intent of the designer to the entire Building Team and lay the groundwork for integrated project delivery.

Autodesk strives for interoperability with new products, more acquisitions - 3/1/2008
At its second annual World Press Days event in San Francisco, Autodesk presented nearly 150 assembled journalists with a vision of how its 2009 AEC software will help AEC professionals meet the challenges of globalization, the infrastructure boom, climate change, and the “digital life.” The overriding goal of the new features in the Revit BIM platform and NavisWorks Suite 2009 is to...

BlackBerry makes inroads into construction - 12/1/2007
The handheld computing industry has been battling valiantly for years, trying to gain a foothold into the daily operations of most businesses. And while niche markets have emerged and the PalmPilot did achieve some measure of success, nothing has come even remotely close to the achievement of the BlackBerry, writes Matthew Phair, BD+C Contributing Editor.

Product selection linked to document production for BIM - 11/1/2007
Mention the practice of building information modeling to most people and they automatically assume it includes creating a 3D CAD project image. Yet in current practice, many of the BIM models built are missing the specific specifications needed by builders to procure the actual building products, writes Matthew Phair, BD+C Contributing Editor.

Acrobat 3D 8 makes 3D/CAD file-sharing easier - 8/1/2007
Just as Adobe strove to make its PDF file format the industry standard for sharing documents and forms, so now is the company aggressively trying to make PDF the standard for CAD and 3D file-sharing. Starting with the first release of Adobe Acrobat 3D in early 2006, that prospect is moving closer to being fulfilled with better format support and capabilities enhancements, writes Jeff Yoders, BD+C Associate Editor.

Standards for data sharing gain momentum - 9/1/2006
In the struggle to improve the process of designing and constructing better buildings, creating standards for software interoperability ranks as one of the most important battles. After a decade-long string of global meetings and conferences, a worldwide standard for data interoperability from one of the construction industry's most visible standard-setters is beginning to take hold.

Tech Briefs - 9/1/2006
• Have too many software licenses? Trade 'em in! For AEC professionals and IT managers that are continually frustrated by the large number of software licenses that go unused each year, Bentley Systems has good news for you. Earlier this month, the Exton, Pa.-based software provider launched a program that allows its customers to trade in unused or underutilized software licenses.