It is an exciting time to be working in the AEC industry, as it is rapidly accelerating the pace of change. For years, it was branded one of the laggards of the third industrial revolution, the digital revolution, and cast as an unlikely candidate to drive the latest fourth industrial revolution. Looking on how buildings and structures are delivered today, we see different speeds of digital maturity among the many stakeholders. However, a combination of fast-evolving trends and continued investment will position the construction industry right at the center of the industry 4.0 revolution. The very tools and technology that are used today and underpin projects need to be re-architected to ensure that they deliver on this revolution and support as users’ needs change.

Why do you see there is a need for transformation in the AEC industry?

Eduardo: There is a significant challenge of decarbonizing our economies today, and the AEC industry plays a vital role. Besides that, the requirements for better – more efficient, comfortable, adaptative and environmentally friendly – buildings continue to evolve. To achieve these challenges, we believe in supporting our customers, architects, engineers, and construction companies, with more efficient design to build workflows. To do that, we are continuously implementing innovative technology to our solution stack and helping accelerate the digitalization of workflows.

The digitalization trend itself is being fueled by continued data processing capacity and access growth, via both hardware and software innovations. More IoT devices connected through considerably faster telecommunications, and fundamental changes of enabling IT-systems to self-evolve through artificial intelligence and machine learning have been changing the technological landscape for the industry.

Ultimately, it’s all about the data! And that brings about challenges. How best to create, use and store that data? And that is where we must evaluate our products, workflows and approaches to future proof and ensure we meet the needs of clients both today and in the future. Is desktop alone the answer? Well as a provider of BIM solutions for buildings and infrastructure, we took the decision several years ago to also invest in our cloud services to enable some re-architecture of workflows and the implementation of technology that connects and enables greater efficiency than is possible by desktop alone.

How does a software company like ALLPLAN that has been around for decades prepare for this data revolution?

Eduardo: The need to share, coordinate, and manage information in a BIM framework is required now more than ever. However, connecting desktop modeling software to a multitude of stakeholders, managed and unmanaged programs, and different processes used in a project generates significant challenges. With information being gathered from different systems, data can quickly and easily become mismanaged.

By expanding Allplan capabilities with cloud-based technology, an integrated BIM workflow and data management system is created, streamlining processes, making data instantly available to the right people at the right time, and ensuring that the single source of truth is maintained through the project lifecycle.

It’s vital to keep pushing the boundaries and developing our desktop software – every innovation, every enhancement, every bit of increased performance, all helps and adds value. But we all know that hardware performance has its limitations and cannot continue to increase like it has in the past. And from a performance perspective, this is also where cloud powered workflows can come into the picture. Often, we don’t need the complete project locally. Take our multi-user functionality, we can control and access projects over the cloud and synchronize data simultaneously between users, reducing local storage needs, improving performance and enabling more efficient collaboration.

Is this just better coordinating and sharing of data?

Nigel: No, it’s way more than that, but we need to start there. In fact, we invest quite some time in making sure we can deliver distributed and coordinated sets of data amongst project teams, whether that is through desktop to cloud or cloud to cloud workflows. Of course, once you have the basic requirements dealt with it is then possible to build processes on top of the distributed data, just one of which is issue management. This is an incredibly important workflow that requires a well-managed data set that is accessible across the relevant teams. Without this we often see poor communication leading to project delays. The close integration of cloud functionality into Allplan means issues can be efficiently managed from within the desktop but powered and improved by cloud technologies and then further connected with other tools to ensure a seamless flow of information.

It is often more about delivering a connected environment – desktop and cloud based. One example of utilizing a well-coordinated dataset from desktop to cloud can be seen with our recent integrations with Solibri. By synchronizing model and issue data through our cloud platform we are then able to move that data on – in a coordinated way to Solibri’s desktop environment, utilizing their BCF Livesync functionality, and then further enhance the quality of the model by also connecting to new cloud-based model checking tools delivered through Solibri Inside.  The value these types of workflows offer to our customers is huge; as we are developing a ‘live’ model in the cloud – one which can adapt over time, is continuously enriched through open, but controlled, connectivity with multiple different data sources. And because this is all in the cloud anyone with access and the right permissions can perform these tasks, so we remove the barriers for access immediately, resulting in no more data silos.

So what is this? Is it integrating BIM? Or raising BIM levels?

Nigel: I think on every level you can say that – yes.  We are removing barriers to access data, as I mentioned before. I believe that a connected BIM environment ensures that the level of BIM is raised. We have a commitment to the industry and to our customers to ensure project data is made accessible, but also that a history of the project is available through a digital platform for both model data and document data throughout all disciplines involved.

Our strategy is to ensure an open data environment, so we support OPEN BIM initiatives at every opportunity, and to also support a further enhanced connected BIM environment through our open API. This then allows our customers to deliver their own value both upstream and downstream in projects.

We like to think that with the environment we have created we are able to create a rich and diverse set of solutions which cover the more widely adopted workflows, like the previously mentioned issue management, to more specialized workflows to facilitate the structural analysis of buildings and bridges, for example. For the engineers in these fields we have built specialist functionality where users can take a structural model and convert it to an analytical model, using a format that can be used in numerous structural analysis solutions. The clever thing is that the data from the structural analysis solution can be managed back via our cloud services to enable an end-to-end solution.

There are many other examples of connecting data – both into our desktop applications and out via our cloud services. From road or bridge alignments in other industry solutions to workflows that enable and support change management. We see the possibilities with our framework as limitless and are working hard with industry leaders to bring their requirements to reality.

Looking into the future what do you see as the Allplan software of the next decade?

Eduardo: I’d say that where it makes sense from a user, project, and value-based perspective, to deliver more efficient workflows via our cloud services, we will continue to do so. And we expect more hybrid working. As not everything must be centralized on the cloud, we have taken the approach that a mix of desktop and cloud working efficiently enables adaptive working processes today – and in the future. We are also ensuring that we have multiple entry points to support and integrate disruptive technologies as and when they come along.

In the next ten years, Allplan software will undergo significant changes and improvements as technology continues to advance rapidly. Here are some potential developments – cloud and desktop powered – that we can expect to see:

1. Greater integration: ALLPLAN will continue supporting OPEN BIM and becoming more integrated with other software tools, such as construction management, project management, and analysis software. This integration will enable architects, engineers, and construction professionals to work more efficiently and collaboratively.
2. Cloud-based solutions: As discussed, cloud powered workflows will continue to evolve, as they offer a more flexible and accessible approach to design and collaboration. With cloud powered solutions, architects and engineers can work on projects from anywhere and collaborate with team members across the globe.
3. Visualization: Virtual and augmented reality, but also cloud and desktop-based rendering technologies are becoming more advanced and accessible, so we are continuously investing in making the most advanced solutions available to Allplan customers in the most efficient way – we can talk about Maxon’s Redshift, Unreal’s Twinmotion and Act3D’s Lumion integrations for another hour – and we see that playing an important role in Allplan software in the coming years. Efficient visualization can be used to create immersive experiences for clients and stakeholders, allowing them to experience and interact with designs in a more realistic way.
4. Sustainability and energy efficiency: As sustainability and energy efficiency become more critical concerns for the built environment, Allplan will continue growing efficiency in design to build workflows, including LCA solutions. Solutions that enable architects and engineers to design more sustainable and energy-efficient buildings will become increasingly important.
5. Increased use of AI: AI and machine learning will play a more significant role in ALLPLAN solutions in the coming years. AI can be used to automate certain processes, such as design optimization, project management, and even construction. AI can also help architects to make more informed decisions by providing insights based on data analysis.

In summary, ALLPLAN will continue focusing on the delivery of building and infrastructure projects with an emphasis on equipping customers to increase efficiency in design to build workflows. As more technologies become available, we will continue developing effective workflows for architects, engineers, and construction professionals, to support them in building the future.

The post AEC Software Technology to Build the Future from ALLPLAN appeared first on AEC Magazine.

It’s been nearly three years since the pandemic closed offices around the world, and most staff have yet to return to their desks full time. The global pandemic accelerated adoption of hybrid work models. This incredible shift in the way we work is here to stay, due in part to the many benefits it has introduced, such as fewer commutes, greater work-life balance and the ability to hire diverse talent from almost anywhere. It’s not surprising that the majority of employees prefer a hybrid model. But along with the benefits, companies have seen some challenges that affect employee productivity, the ability to collaborate effectively, and employee satisfaction.

To understand the state of hybrid work and the challenges firms are facing, the HP Anyware team surveyed more than 270 IT leaders across a range of industries, including from AEC organizations. The report shows that businesses are already investing in digital workspaces technology. More than three quarters of respondents reported staff were actively using remote desktops. A further 13% were either looking into implementation, or already trialing it. Only 9% reported no interest in the technology.

But the report also found that hybrid businesses are facing significant challenges, many of which hold true for AEC businesses. For instance, 29% of respondents felt remote desktop performance is their biggest hybrid technological challenge, followed by the potential negative impact on company culture (23%), decline in collaboration (20%), potential decrease in productivity (19%), and data security risks (17%).

As a result, IT teams are busier than ever trying to meet a variety of employee needs in the office, remotely, and a combination of both. Company policies are also evolving, and ensuring employees are productive no matter where they’re working has become a top priority for businesses in the AEC space.

AEC collaboration in a hybrid world

Architects and clients aren’t just working in offices and at home in the same city. Many are working from different cities, job sites, or even separate parts of the country. Yet, they still need to collaborate to complete their best work, on time, no matter where they are working from.

Typically, working on a project using multiple applications requires exporting and importing from one format to another, often causing creators to lose information and compatibility along the way. Adding more people into a workflow can create challenges in file merges and maintaining a single source of truth. NVIDIA Omniverse Enterprise¹ resolves these challenges, enabling true real-time collaboration for teams, seamlessly syncing file changes between creative tools, maintaining their integrity throughout the pipeline.

With the Omniverse platform, design teams can easily publish content on a server, then access it to simultaneously collaborate with each other in real time. Omniverse allows multiple users to collaborate while concurrently using design and visualization software like Autodesk Revit and 3ds Max, McNeel Rhino/Grasshopper, and Unreal Engine 4.

Enabling this kind of real-time collaboration from wherever designers are, without losing visual performance or compromising data security has tremendous value for firms in AEC. Collaborative design iteration can speed up decision making, and time to project completion. Designers can create compelling, high-fidelity visualizations of complex scenes for clients and see modifications come to life in real-time. Maintaining project data in a central location improves security of valuable information too, especially when used with the digital workspaces solution, HP Anyware².

No matter where AEC designers are based, or what type of device they use, with HP Anyware and a network connection, designers can access company data and applications securely and easily.

HP Anyware is built on industry-leading PC-over-IP (PCoIP®) technology, which delivers a rich and lossless user experience securely across all network conditions, on a variety of desktop and mobile endpoint devices. HP Anyware is designed for colour-accuracy, text clarity, and interactive responsiveness, and the solution builds to lossless, so the moment the user stops interacting with the image, it displays the exact image as it appears on the host workstation. Additionally, AEC data remains secure in the data center since only AES 256-encrypted image pixels are transmitted to client endpoints.

Watch how AEC collaboration works with HP Anyware and NVIDIA Omniverse Enterprise in this video with Robert Cervellione, AECO Design Specialist at NVIDIA. Cervellione designs with connected data from different applications, such as McNeel Rhino, Autodesk Revit and 3ds Max, and Unreal Engine with NVIDIA Omniverse Enterprise and HP Anyware. Based on Universal Scene Description (USD), Omniverse Enterprise enables teams to connect and customize 3D pipelines and simulate large-scale, physically accurate virtual worlds. With over 1.5 billion polygons and 2000 lights, the scene below requires a great deal of computing power. Working from a laptop, Cervellione is able to remotely access his NVIDIA RTX-powered workstation via HP Anyware software. Since Anyware offers low latency and GPU-accelerated connections, Cervellione can achieve the same user experience as if he was working at a deskside workstation.

For companies that need to support greater creativity, collaboration and productivity across teams, it’s time to take a closer look at NVIDIA Omniverse Enterprise. This scalable, end-to-end platform unites teams, their assets, and software tools in a shared virtual space, enabling diverse workgroups to collaborate on a single project file simultaneously. Using HP Anyware in conjunction with Omniverse, team members working from different locations can securely work with the colour-accurate, lossless, and distortion-free user experience needed to create and iterate together efficiently.

HP Anyware also supports the peripherals that AEC professionals are accustomed to, including Wacom pens and tablets, 3D input devices like 3DConnexion Spacemouse®, 4K multi-monitor set-ups, with VR headset support coming soon.

Together, HP Anyware and NVIDIA Omniverse offer a solution that delivers an outstanding user experience for collaborating across AEC applications from anywhere.

Request access to a free 30-day NVIDIA Omniverse Enterprise software trial and free 30-day HP Anyware trial by clicking here.

1. NVIDIA Omniverse Enterprise is sold separately.
2. Network access required  HP Anyware supports Windows®, Linux® and MacOS® host environments and Window, Linux, MacOS, iOS®, Android®, and Chrome OS® end-user devices. For more on the system requirements for installing HP Anyware, refer to the Admin Guides here.  HP Anyware is based on the Teradici CAS software and licensing platform and is available through a 1- and 3-year subscription. HP Anyware subscriptions are based on the number of concurrent PCoIP connections used (pay for the number of host connections, not the software) with a minimum order quantity of 5. HP Anyware subscriptions gives you a licence key to activate a connection to a hosted desktop as well as support and updates to the PCoIP Agents, PCoIP Clients and the Anyware Manager available for download here. For a limited time, an HP Anyware subscription also includes access and support for ZCentral Remote Boost and ZCentral Connect and is available for purchase through an HP Teradici seller or by contacting sales here.

The post Reshaping the way work gets done appeared first on AEC Magazine.

Niknaz Aftahi, co-founder and CEO of aec+tech,  reviews ARES Commander features that automate the creation of DWG-format floorplans, elevations, and sections from Revit and IFC projects.

Building information modelling (BIM) has been a cornerstone of digital transformation in the AEC world. Over the past 20 years, the rate at which buildings and their associated systems and components are designed, rationalised, fabricated, and built has increased exponentially.

This is largely thanks to the most significant attribute of BIM: It embeds information about building components with their corresponding geometries. As a result, collaboration among the various disciplines that create a building has become easier and more convenient than ever.

Ready access to necessary project information and clearer, faster communication among collaborators yield big benefits. BIM practices enable all stakeholders to save time, money, and effort that is otherwise wasted in rework and updates over numerous design iterations.

ARES Commander doesn’t target BIM users, and it’s not intended to replace existing BIM workflows. Instead, the software is primarily designed for CAD users stuck using inefficient CAD software.

What Do Current BIM Practices Lack?

Although BIM is a comprehensive platform for solving problems and producing information-rich representations of buildings in three dimensions, the usable output of BIM frameworks is still limited to two dimensions in practice. It is always a DWG file that makes it to the site for execution, not the entire BIM model.

Unfortunately, existing BIM frameworks fall short when it comes to producing these essential 2D drawings and layouts. And the BIM workflows that most AEC organisations use are still riddled with inefficiencies stemming from the manual involvement required to create DWG drawings in BIM environments (and to update them over and over as the BIM project evolves). These processes present opportunities for the further evolution of common drawing production practices.

DWG for BIM Connects 2D and 3D in a Smarter Way

ARES Commander is part of the ARES Trinity of CAD Software, which encompasses integrated DWG solutions for desktop, mobile, and cloud platforms. Created by the German software developer Graebert GmbH, ARES Commander boasts a suite of features that make DWG production from BIM files quick and efficient.

ARES Commander enables users to work with multiple BIM and IFC files at the same time, while still retaining the simplicity and familiarity of existing CAD tools. What differentiates ARES Commander is its ability to read and extract information in BIM files that are embedded with geometries. This information is in turn used to automate drawing creation, and to update construction documents each time the design changes — so files are kept current without any effort on the user’s part.

Let’s dive deeper into the features that make ARES Commander a better DWG production tool than conventional industry practices!

As an example, let’s say you have successfully completed your project’s BIM model in the Architecture scope. It is prone to a number of changes downstream, but you nonetheless need to create construction documents from it. ARES Commander solves this problem by creating drawings that maintain their associativity with BIM objects. This means they’re resilient — they don’t become obsolete as soon as the BIM project is updated.

That’s just one way in which ARES Commander makes life easier for BIM users; now we’ll take a look at some others. And for more insights, be sure to join the free 30-minute webinar I will be offering on April 13, 2023, at the Graebert neXt event.

Import and Combine Multiple BIM Files

Using ARES Commander, you can import one or more RVT and/or IFC files, combining multiple files as needed for your drawings. After importing, you can assign each reference BIM file to its respective disciplines, and you are free to work with projects from various scopes — such as terrain and engineering, for example.

Organise and Filter BIM Elements

Right after you import each BIM project, ARES Commander creates a structured data tree that enables you to explore all the different kinds of elements, objects, and families that the source BIM files contain.

Navigating the BIM elements works both ways: from the viewport to the data tree and vice versa. Going further, you have the ability to create filters, and to select and extract only the BIM families and classes you are interested in. For repetitive tasks and actions, you can save time by creating macros for selection, and filtering out just the required element classes you need for a particular type of drawing.

View and Extract BIM Object Data

From a BIM user’s perspective, the most distinguishing feature of ARES Commander is its ability to read and extract properties and other BIM object data — rich information that’s not typically available in CAD drawings. Because ARES Commander imports full BIM projects (not just their geometry), the Properties palette can display all the attributes and information associated with any entity you select.

The instantaneous availability of building information — including the object’s dimensions, thermal properties, material, colour, and texture, to name a few — enriches the drawing creation process. Commander also lets users export certain attributes as schedules or tables, which are further used for calculating quantities, costs, etc. Similar to the filtering feature, this tool lets you create macros to extract and export particular attributes for repetitive actions, as DET files. You can also obtain CSV files from the extracted object schedules, and edit them later as you see fit.

Use Automatic and Manual Features to Create Drawings

When extracting a DWG drawing from a BIM project, ARES Commander creates a 2D flatshot of a floorplan, elevation, or section view that consists of just the object classes you selected by filtering. Multiple flatshots can be combined on one sheet for printing, and they can automatically include links to other views of the project.

Right after you create a drawing, it appears on the Drawings tab of the BIM Navigator, where you can edit and modify the object classes to convey the required information.

In addition to displaying the objects extracted from the BIM project, users can enrich the drawings manually, using the CAD toolkit available in ARES Commander. The extra level of detail added on top of the BIM elements may consist of furniture, for example, or other details not included in the original project. Whatever additions the user makes to the drawing — including smart labels, dimensions, annotations, text, etc. — will remain when the BIM project is changed and the associated drawings are refreshed, and will automatically update just like the geometry does.

Prepare Drawings for Printing

Once drawings are created, they can be laid out on sheets. You can do this from either the Sheet Set Manager, as in other CAD software, or by using the BIM Navigator — simply right-click and place drawings on sheets, where they will be set to the required scale instantly.

This comes in handy to lay out on a sheet all the drawings and details required for a particular project phase. You can also freely modify the paper sizes, title blocks, etc. as you would normally do before sheet production.

Once all your sheets are ready, you can export the sheet set into a ZIP file with the “Pack and Go” feature. You can navigate between your sheets in the Sheet Set Manager, which helps you organise your drawings efficiently.

Instant Refresh: Time for the Magic!

The value that ARES Commander brings to the BIM table lies largely in its ability to update the source BIM files, and in turn, to instantly update the drawings created from them. It’s just like magic! When you refresh the source BIM file, the modifications made to it are visible in the BIM Navigator — in the elements, objects, and families. This feature adds even more value after you add annotations, call-outs, dimensions, and symbols, as follows.

Add Labels, Annotations, Dimensions, and More

When you have finished your drawings and you place them on your sheets, ARES Commander automatically creates callouts identifying each drawing.

Furthermore, it has an extensive BIM Labels library for annotating rooms, walls, doors, and so on. The best part is that these labels behave as blocks, pulling information from the BIM properties of the objects.

Labels for doors, windows, walls, or spaces are automatically placed on the drawing, identifying the objects by their name, type, dimensions, etc., substantially reducing manual work. You can either use pre-existing labels from the library, or create your own labels that can virtually extract any kind of information from the BIM properties, providing a high degree of customisation.

As with labels, you can also save significant time when dimensioning your drawings. Using dimension chains, for instance, enables you to obtain all the dimensions of a wall and all its openings in one click.

The “refresh magic” works on every element: once the source BIM file is updated, everything you’ve added to the drawing — including callouts, symbols, labels, annotations, and dimensions — gets updated, together with the geometry of the drawing itself. All with one click!

Quickly Configure Component Materials

This feature comes in handy to assign material hatches and enrich your section drawings. You can directly use the materials in your BIM project, or assign them from the ARES material library. Like the other features, you only need to do this once, and you will see the changes instantly when you update and refresh the source BIM file.

New Features to Come!

A number of powerful new features will be added to the software in ARES Commander version 2024, which introduces end-to-end drawing automation.

In the current version, each floor plan, elevation, or section is created by the user manually.

While the manual drawings creation process is still available in version 2024, the BIM Auto Drawings feature provides a new alternative: The user can generate a set of drawings automatically, following a pre-configured, customisable script.

By default, the BIM Auto Drawings command will create a floorplan, sections, and elevations for each cardinal point of the building at each level. The user can customise this script as well. Companies can make their own version per their standards, and apply it to every single project they work on, regardless of the size and type of the work.

Labels automation will also become possible, thanks to the BIM Auto Label feature. Users can insert labels — such as those for doors and windows — into drawings automatically by extracting information from the BIM objects. These labels also auto-update if the original BIM project is modified and reloaded in ARES Commander.

In addition, BIM Auto Dimensions enables users to create smart dimensions that are automatically updated after reloading the uploaded model.

Sheets automation will be another extremely useful and time-saving tool. The “BIM Auto Sheets” command will automatically create a sheet and will insert drawings on it at a chosen scale.

These automation tools have the potential to transform the construction documentation phase of the project, which is the lengthiest — and often the most tedious — phase of the design. In every project, architects and engineers spend a tremendous amount of time manually creating drawings, adding dimensions and tags, assembling the sheets, and keeping everything updated until the completion of the drawing set.

The BIM Auto All command combines all the aforementioned automation-related features into one, launching all the steps successively. It’s important to keep in mind that after running each of the automations, the user still has full control over the drawings, and can continue to further customise what has been automatically generated. The script automatically carries out tasks the user would have done manually, and it requires less time and energy to do so.

My take as an AEC Professional

ARES Commander solves a crucial problem that lies at the intersection between the more tech-savvy BIM user and the more conventional CAD user. AEC organisations continuously encounter information-related  problems when switching back and forth between CAD and BIM, because they lack a robust bridge between the two paradigms. ARES Commander answers this need: It enables CAD users to access BIM information, and on top of that, it substantially automates the drawing creation process.

ARES Commander doesn’t target BIM users, and it’s not intended to replace existing BIM workflows. Instead, the software is primarily designed for CAD users stuck using inefficient CAD software. It represents a leap forward for them, not only in providing access to BIM geometry and information, but also in making the drawing creation process from BIM as efficient as possible.

It takes advantage of the rich information that is abundant in BIM files, and uses it to automate repetitive, manual, and error-prone tasks. For organisations both small and large that rely on BIM, this software is a powerful addition to their workflows, reducing the amount of time, money, and effort spent on producing and updating DWG documentation. ARES Commander is a versatile and indispensable DWG tool for BIM projects!

At every type and size of architectural firm I have ever worked for, there was always a time when I needed to connect a BIM model to some DWG files. Even though BIM is becoming more central to and common in the architect’s and engineer’s workflow, DWG CAD drawings are still used to document projects with a higher level of detail than what BIM produces. At many firms, 2D detail libraries (e.g., wall section details) are still stored in the DWG format. There is basically no way to import these reference details into the drawing set, and keep them updated per the ever-changing and ever-evolving BIM model, unless we use ARES Commander to connect the two! For many projects, we put together some of the sheets in CAD (mostly details), and all the other drawings and sheets were in Revit. It was tedious and an absolute waste of resources to manually keep everything updated and consistent.

Also, there are always some members of the office staff, as well as some senior designers or principal architects, who are more comfortable and efficient in the CAD space, so they prefer to work on the project drawings and details in the DWG format. Additionally, as an architect you almost always work with a group of consultants (e.g., electrical, mechanical, etc.) who may send you CAD files and ask you to check the drawings per your BIM model. The architect is usually responsible for reviewing all the consultants’ drawings, and making sure there is no discrepancy in the drawing set. If someone in the team updates part of the project (e.g., building entrance design or dimensions), there is no fast and easy way to learn about the update, and quickly connect the BIM model to the updated CAD drawing. With ARES Commander, however, it all becomes possible!

I would like to invite you all to join my 30-minute keynote during the free online Graebert neXt event in April, where you will learn more about the software, and how all the aforementioned features can enhance your workflow!

The post CAD in DWG for BIM: ARES Commander appeared first on AEC Magazine.

Everyone loves a compact workstation. They save valuable desk space – both at home or in the office – and are easy to relocate. And at just 3.9 litres in volume, the Lenovo ThinkStation P360 Ultra is one of the smallest out there. But unlike other sub-4-litre machines, this innovative new workstation has few compromises when it comes to specifications and performance.

In fact, the ThinkStation P360 Ultra has many of the hallmarks of an 8-litre Small Form Factor (SFF) workstation, even a standard desktop tower, which is typically five or six times larger by volume.

But what does this mean for architects, engineers, and construction (AEC) professionals – the very people that push the limits of powerful pro software, including CAD, visualisation, reality modelling, and simulation?

This article focuses on three of the leading components within the ThinkStation P360 Ultra – GPU, CPU, and memory – and explores what they mean for the most demanding AEC workflows.

GPU (Graphics Processing Unit)

The GPU is traditionally one of the big compromises of a small workstation. Sub-4-litre machines are typically limited to entry-level professional GPUs. These are fine for certain 3D design projects, as the graphics requirements for smaller 3D CAD and Building Information Modelling (BIM) applications are relatively low. However, for larger 3D models and more demanding workflows, designers and engineers need more powerful GPU solutions.

The ThinkStation P360 Ultra breaks the mould with the option of a much more powerful GPU than other machines in its class. The NVIDIA RTX A5000 Laptop GPU with 16 GB of VRAM is a big jump up from the NVIDIA RTX ‘2000’ or ‘3000’ class GPUs often found in compact workstations. It means the ThinkStation P360 Ultra can be used for a much wider range of workflows beyond CAD and BIM, including Virtual Reality (VR), GPU rendering, real-time visualisation, ray tracing, and photogrammetry. It delivers both faster processing and expanded memory to handle very complex datasets.

In order to fit the powerful RTX A5000 Laptop GPU into a desktop chassis, Lenovo developed a custom MXM board driven through a PCIe standard riser. Currently, no other major OEM offers anything similar for such a powerful workstation-class GPU.

Processor (CPU)

The ThinkStation P360 Ultra offers an extensive choice of 12th Gen Intel® Core processors, making it extremely well suited to a wide range of AEC workflows. This includes 35-watt, 65-watt and 125-watt processors, up to the Intel Core i9-12900K, which has 8 Performance-Cores and 8 Efficient-Cores for a total of 24 threads.

In contrast, some competitive workstations only offer 35-watt or 65-watt CPUs. This gives the ThinkStation P360 Ultra an advantage, particularly in highly multi-threaded workflows such as rendering, analysis or reality modelling, where more power means more cores can run at higher frequencies. It can help minimise the time it takes to ray trace render architectural scenes, solve complex non-linear structural simulations, register colossal laser scanned point clouds or generate engineering ready reality meshes using photogrammetry and images captured by drones.

With a max turbo frequency of 5.2 GHz, the Intel Core i9-12900K processor also delivers excellent single threaded performance, which is important for CAD, BIM and for general operations.

But performance is not just about specifications – components need to be expertly engineered within the workstation to deliver on their full potential. 125-watt processors produce more heat, so to maintain the highest frequencies, they need to be kept cool. And this must be done over a sustained period. In design visualisation, for example, multiple frames of an animation can take hours to render, so it’s important that processors don’t clock down after a few minutes.

A small chassis brings significant thermal challenges, but the ThinkStation P360 Ultra excels thanks to its advanced cooling system, which has been optimised by Lenovo’s thermodynamics engineers with the help of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software. The unique design features a motherboard that resides in the middle of the chassis, thus allowing for active components on both sides. This dual chamber design allows for better isolation of high thermal components (i.e. CPU, GPU and storage) thus maximizing thermal dissipation, and helping get the very best out of the powerful 125-watt processor.

Memory

Thanks to a close collaboration with Intel, the ThinkStation P360 Ultra stands out from the competition because it can support up to 128 GB of memory. 128 GB is double that of other sub-4-litre workstations, which typically max out at 64 GB.

While most CAD and BIM models will fit comfortably into 64 GB, some of the larger datasets used in AEC – both upstream and downstream – may struggle. In this respect, the ThinkStation P360 Ultra opens new possibilities for architects, engineers and construction professionals, as it can handle a much wider range of workflows than other super compact workstations. This includes complex engineering simulation; visualisation with very large models and textures; and reality modelling with colossal point cloud datasets and reality meshes.

The ThinkStation P360 Ultra’s 128 GB of DDR5 memory is spread across four SoDIMM slots. Fully upgradeable, users can start with a smaller amount and then add more as necessary. With AEC datasets continuing to grow in complexity, particularly around evolving workflows and technologies such as autonomous survey, construction verification, digital fabrication, digital twins and artificial intelligence (AI), demands on workstation memory will only increase in the future, so this gives users real flexibility.

A game changing workstation

Compact workstations used to be largely limited to CAD and BIM-centric workflows, but the ThinkStation P360 Ultra transforms that completely, particularly when it comes to 3D graphics.

The game changing workstation means architects, engineers and construction professionals no longer need to rely on larger towers to fully support more challenging workflows like VR, real-time viz, GPU rendering and reality modelling. Such demanding users can now get the performance they need in a super compact sub-4-litre form factor, now and well into the future.

To learn more about the practical benefits of the Lenovo ThinkStation P360 Ultra’s space-saving design, read this article

Lenovo ThinkStation P-Series workstations

Lenovo ThinkStation P-Series workstations come in a wide range of form factors from minute desktops to fully expandable powerhouses. All workstations can be configured for a range of different workflows and budgets

www.lenovo.com/workstations

Find this article plus many more in the March / April 2023 Edition of AEC Magazine

Subscribe FREE here

The post The power of small – Lenovo ThinkStation P360 Ultra appeared first on AEC Magazine.

For years desktop workstations were bulky towers that took up lots of space. The inevitable drive towards miniaturisation saw machines shrink down, but there was always a trade-off in performance, particularly when it came to graphics-intensive workflows like real-time visualisation, virtual reality (VR) and GPU rendering.

This all changes with the Lenovo ThinkStation P360 Ultra, a compact sub-4-litre workstation with a mighty CPU, a choice of powerful pro GPUs, including the NVIDIA RTX A5000 Laptop GPU, lots of memory, and levels of performance you’d expect from a full-sized tower. It means architects, engineers and construction professionals can benefit from the space saving design, without having to limit their workflows.

The ThinkStation P360 Ultra can be used throughout the design to construction process, from reality capture and Building Information Modelling (BIM) all the way through to engineering simulation, ray trace rendering, visualisation and beyond. This is explored in more detail in this supporting article.

But why is this compact workstation so desirable to architects, engineers and construction professionals, and why is it particularly relevant today?

The hybrid workplace

Over the last couple of years, Covid has led to a huge shift in working patterns. More people than ever are working from home. For many, Tuesday to Thursday is the new office working week.

But architects, engineers and construction professionals don’t want to make compromises when it comes to performance. They demand the exact same experience from their workstation at home as they have in the office.

Moving a bulky tower between locations is not practical. But it’s eminently possible with the ThinkStation P360 Ultra, which starts at 1.8 kg and fits comfortably in a small bag, measuring a mere 87 x 223 x 202mm.

Small desk, less clutter

One of the biggest benefits of the ThinkStation P360 Ultra’s compact design is that it saves significant desk space compared to a traditional desktop workstation. This is not only important at home, in space-constrained home office environments, but it helps keep design and engineering offices clutter free, making space for other tools used in AEC, such as Wacom tablets, 3D printers, reality capture devices, or even the humble sketch pad.

The ThinkStation P360 Ultra can be placed directly on a desk, vertically or horizontally. With a sleek, aesthetically pleasing design, it can enhance any design studio or home office. For a true clutter free desktop environment, it can be paired with a wireless Bluetooth keyboard and mouse. Or, for precise control over your 3D models, even a 3D mouse, such as the 3D Connexion SpaceMouse Pro Wireless. WiFi is built-in so there’s no need for an Ethernet cable.

Of course, some peripherals still need to be wired in. With (5) USB Type-A ports (1 front, 4 rear) and two Thunderbolt 4 USB Type-C (front), the ThinkStation P360 Ultra has plenty of options. Compared to a desktop tower hidden under a desk, access to ports is incredibly easy.

For the ultimate clutter free working environment, the ThinkStation P360 Ultra can be VESA mounted, hung on a wall, under a desk or behind a monitor.

Power on the construction site

AEC workflows are changing, and the reality on site is now being captured with greater precision and with greater frequency than ever before. Data can be acquired from many different sources. The process can even be automated using drones or quadruped robots.

More data means more processing is required to register point clouds or generate reality meshes. There are huge benefits to doing this on site, instead of having to return to the office or wait for huge files to sync to the cloud over a slow connection. The ThinkStation P360 Ultra’s compact footprint makes it ideal for use in construction site offices. It can handle all types of reality modelling workflows from CPU-centric point cloud processing to GPU-centric photogrammetry.

If construction teams can process this data while still on site, they can ensure nothing has been missed and get actionable insights much earlier on. Construction verification, for example, can help ensure the quality of construction matches the design and planning requirements and any mistakes corrected quickly, before they become costly errors later on.

Easy serviceability

Some compact workstations, by the very nature of cramming powerful components into a small chassis, can be hard to upgrade or repair, but the ThinkStation P360 Ultra has been designed with serviceability in mind.

This could prove particularly important when working from home, as IT support staff are not on site. The workstation’s cover slides off at the push of a button, giving easy access to dual M.2 slots for SSDs and four DIMM slots for DDR5 memory. No tools are required.

The ThinkStation P360 Ultra also includes a user-serviceable dust filter to help maximise airflow and cooling and hence maintain its high-performance levels.

Keeping a workstation on a desk, rather than underneath it, can also minimise the accumulation of dust in the first place. This can be particularly important in construction site environments, especially retrofit projects.

Remote work

As well as being extremely portable and easy to move between locations, the ThinkStation P360 Ultra can also support distributed workers remotely. Multiple workstations can be rack mounted and users can then remote in from anywhere using a low-powered laptop or desktop PC. With remote graphics protocols, and a high-bandwidth, low-latency Internet connection, users can get the same workstation experience they would expect to get in the design office.

Because the ThinkStation P360 Ultra is primarily a desktop workstation and is designed to run quietly, racked machines can be kept in the office. They do not need to be in an air-conditioned server room or datacentre.

The ThinkStation P360 Ultra stands out from other sub-4-litre workstations because it can house two NVIDIA® T1000 GPUs and therefore support two users per machine to increase user density. Using virtualisation and GPU passthrough, each user gets access to a dedicated GPU for great performance in CAD and BIM-centric workflows.

Clear thinking

The ThinkStation P360 Ultra is a great choice for demanding architecture, engineering and construction professionals that want to declutter their workspace without sacrificing performance. The stylish design makes it suited to any setting, while providing more space for other tools used in AEC, such as peripherals.

Furthermore, the workstation can easily be transported between places of work, the construction site, or client offices for presentations.

But the ThinkStation P360 Ultra is also incredibly flexible, offering remote access to more than one user through its dual GPU capability.

Whether you’re looking for a compact, but powerful desktop workstation for the office, home or site, the ThinkStation P360 Ultra is the perfect way to go.

Lenovo ThinkStation P-Series workstations

Lenovo ThinkStation P-Series workstations come in a wide range of form factors from minute desktops to fully expandable powerhouses. All workstations can be configured for a range of different workflows and budgets

www.lenovo.com/workstations

Find this article plus many more in the March / April 2023 Edition of AEC Magazine

Subscribe FREE here

The post The no-compromise space saving workstation appeared first on AEC Magazine.

With its efficient coordination and collaborative workflows, Allplan is a popular choice. Now, the 2023 version of Allplan acts as a connecting platform for multidisciplinary collaboration between architects, engineers, precast plants, and construction companies. The multi-material solution covers everything users require for delivering masonry, cast in-situ concrete, timber, steel, and – the newest addition – precast concrete design and construction, all from one solution.

“Our corporate vision is to make Allplan the most widely used central platform for the global AEC industry, enabling users to realise sustainable, functional and outstanding buildings and infrastructure,” said Eduardo Lazzarotto, SVP Products and Strategy at ALLPLAN. “Our clients are already delivering projects faster and easier, and the new updates will help them even further.” Here’s how existing projects have already benefitted.

Expanded multi-material support

Coordinating different materials and construction methods in one common model supports sustainability goals and enables time, cost, and material savings. Architects can analyse the economical use of building materials earlier in the process. Engineers and contractors can then build directly on the architects’ design and use it as the basis for their work.

For example, the multi-material support was instrumental in helping the construction company Nägele, based in Austria, save time on their Aglaya garden high rise project. By using Allplan Precast, the company managed to save approximately 206 working hours through automated processes, corresponding to an increase in efficiency of around five working weeks. They created 824 plans and manufactured 1,770 precast elements.

“We managed to design all the precast elements very efficiently and precisely thanks to our experience and our Allplan software. What we find particularly great about Allplan is the 1-click reinforcement and the automated generation of the shop drawings,” says Raphaela Breu, Operations Management and Project and Site Management at Nägele.

With extensive precast functionality now integrated in Allplan 2023, engineering offices and precast plants can easily create even complex precast components in one platform. This simplifies project coordination and enables more efficient workflows.

For steel, the improved steel framework modelling workflow means more detailed frames can be created quicker and more accurately, improving communication with other BIM stakeholders.

Design buildings even more efficiently

Productivity is the goal of every Allplan release, particularly for designing buildings. “We focus on the delivery of buildings and infrastructure, equipping our clients with increased efficiencies in design-to-build workflows,” continues Lazzarotto. Tools such as terrain and point cloud survey support, BIM attribution, integrated rendering, and automated reinforcement modelling have always been stand-out features of Allplan, and these have been strengthened even further.

For example, leading architects Schmidt Plocker modelled an entire hospital building in 4-6 weeks. Specification and attribution were key for this BIM project. In order to have certainty and to ensure the necessary quality, they used Allplan BIM software.

“With the model created in Allplan, we were then able to collaborate efficiently with the various specialist disciplines. For the MEP-specialist consultancy, for example, it is enormously important to have an attributed overall model. This enables them to implement their specialist design throughout and for the entire building,” says Alexander Dill, project manager and partner at Schmidt Plöcker.

Now, Allplan 2023 processes terrain and point cloud survey data directly on the graphics card so that large volumes of data can be handled without time delays or memory limits.

Reinforcement can be designed and detailed much more quickly by reinforcing identical walls and columns at the same time. Reinforcement attribution has been extensively revised, and the cycle-accurate ordering of reinforcement improved.

Allplan 2023’s powerful visualisation options have been further enhanced to include visualisation effects. The visualisation workflow has also been improved with the Lumion LiveSync connection.

Enhanced support for infrastructure design

Allplan excels at infrastructure design, particularly for roads and bridges. Take the Highway 24 in Germany, for instance. In a model project, the planning, execution, and maintenance are being carried out with BIM from a single source for the first time. As an open BIM project, interaction between different solutions was vital.

“The model-based method of working was able to highlight both spatial and schedule collisions early on in the project and the Allplan model could be integrated into the federated overall model without any problems. Similarly, 4D construction sequence planning could be created without any problems on the basis of the Allplan model. Using the IFC interface, the Allplan data could be exchanged via BIM coordination software and linked to the schedule from MS Project,” says Thomas Tschickardt, BIM manager at Wayss & Freytag Ingenieurbau AG.

Now, users can create road and terrain plans faster with Allplan 2023’s improved and automated plan rendering. An IFC road-compatible building structure and attributes have also been added.

For bridges, Allplan Bridge 2023 now includes the free parametric modelling of basic shapes such as prisms, as well as associated Boolean functions. Users can create and modify bridge components, bridge abutments, and integral bridges with maximum efficiency. Calculation options have also been enhanced, and now include components such as external tendons.

Improved construction site planning

Planning construction sites is now easier than ever. With Allplan 2023, users can undertake the detailed design of accurate excavation shoring, including bored pile and soldier pile walls, and ground anchors. Intelligent placing of cranes, containers, or fences is included, with collision detection and capacity checks for cranes. Manufacturer data like dimensions can also be included, for easy, centralised access.

A complete AEC platform

Alongside the powerful planning tools, users can manage issues more seamlessly with the Solibri BCF Live Connector without needing BCF files. However, sharing information is easy with the updated interfaces, libraries, and newest file formats. “With Allplan 2023, we have a comprehensive platform for efficient coordination and multidisciplinary collaboration that covers the entire design and construction process, from initial design to execution planning for site and precast design. Allplan is your AEC platform to design and build together,” concludes Lazzarotto.

For more information, visit: https://www.allplan.com/allplan2023

The post Delivering projects even quicker with the BIM Platform, Allplan 2023 appeared first on AEC Magazine.

Collaboration and communication can get muddled when each team member works independently on their assets. Teams typically run design draft visualization on local hardware, which is difficult to review since they can only share on a single application through a shared screen. The pandemic brought a rise in contractors and designers working remotely resulting in a further disconnection within the team. Time spent rendering, exporting, and delivering is time spent not designing. These past years have highlighted the importance of collaboration, in and out of the studio, with a huge demand for increased efficiency, higher quality, and lower TTM (total time to market).

NVIDIA Omniverse allows artists and designers to collaborate not as individuals but as a true team. Projects can be worked on and reviewed visually simultaneously. No longer do draft projects need to wait. Small changes can be made in real-time while viewing a high-definition render without having to export the project. Reducing the time required for processing models can drastically change how the AEC industry develops and launches projects.

“As an expert in leveraging the performance of NVIDIA GPUs for purpose-built systems and a supplier of NVIDIA-Certified Systems, it was only natural for Exxact to support NVIDIA Omniverse Enterprise so teams of any scale, from small workgroups to teams spread out across the globe, can collaborate remotely in real-time and quickly bring ideas to life,” said Andrew Nelson, Vice President of Technology at Exxact Corporation. “With many teams now working remotely, Exxact wanted to provide solutions that could bring teams together no matter where in the world they were and have them feel no different than if they were physically sitting next to each other, running graphics-intensive applications without sacrificing performance.”

How does NVIDIA Omniverse Work

NVIDIA Omniverse functions using Pixar’s USD file format (Universal Scene Description), a compressed code string that describes a scene, asset, and lighting. Pixar’s USD was originally developed for visual effects and animation but gained traction in industries with 3D models like Architecture, Engineering, and Construction. With the adoption of USD, connect your favorite design applications like Maya, Unreal Engine, Revit, Rhino, SketchUp, 3ds Max, and more, through NVIDIA Omniverse Connectors. Omniverse Nucleus enables a server in a host system for Live Sync, the unique ability to link these applications together to work simultaneously using Omniverse Create or Omniverse View.

Omniverse Create

Omniverse Create allows designers and artists to create and iterate on the same scene with ease. A connected platform enables users to easily navigate, modify, and render assets using connected applications within Omniverse. Changing an asset’s properties within a connected application edits the asset’s USD file numerical values resulting in an extremely lightweight parallel visualization and compilation in other connected applications. Omniverse Create includes the tools to combine design assets into one aggregate project that updates dynamically to change and build the world in collaboration. It is easy to use and incorporates an assets store where developers can use public assets and apply materials when staging their designs.

Omniverse Create includes RTX Renderer allowing design teams to render breathtaking realism that works in real-time. A team of designers can render a scene together within the same file system while viewing the changes instantaneously in Omniverse connected applications like a cloud-shared document.

Omniverse View

Omniverse View, in conjunction with Omniverse Create, allows designers, project leads, and clients real-time interaction within the environment and easily visualize requested changes. Each user can traverse the environment on their own system to explore and review the design to inspect for flaws or request changes. Use Omniverse View and Autodesk Revit simultaneously; updates in Revit are reflected in Omniverse View as high-fidelity ray-traced renderings without ever having to export. Pan, zoom, take pictures, set the weather, perform sun studies, and more with Omniverse View. Live sync collaboration among designers enables prop populating, position adjustments, material selector, and overall stylization of the scene while previewing the changes in real-time.

NVIDIA RTX Rendering produces photo-realistic elements within the scene to get high-quality renders that reflect how it will look in real life. Omniverse XR is a subset of Omniverse View where users can jump into the scene using a virtual reality headset to interact and gain valuable spatial understandings of their developed scene. Users can also review, manipulate, and annotate high-poly production assets without preprocessing.

Powering NVIDIA Omniverse

NVIDIA Omniverse Connector makes it easy to enable peak collaboration on existing machines by linking design applications. Keeping integration simple is a huge benefit of NVIDIA Omniverse. Download NVIDIA Nucleus, connect your applications, and start designing.

However, the real power of the NVIDIA Omniverse stems from the use of an RTX server. A dedicated Omniverse multi-RTX GPU Server can partition into multiple virtual workstations for designers on the road and allow access using Omniverse View from low-powered hardware such as phones, tablets, and laptops while still retaining realistic ray tracing.

By connecting to your Omniverse Cloud, client collaboration opens a new world of possibilities. A team of designers or clients can view, provide input, or interact with the project in development. An extensive material library takes advantage of RTX ray tracing for reflections and lighting when viewing, panning, and zooming for increased photo-realism.

NVIDIA Omniverse RTX Servers fuel collaboration across a multitude of users; Exxact provides solutions built specifically for your needs, fully turnkey.

Omniverse for AEC

• Building Designs: Architects and Designers can quickly create and reiterate initial designs in collaboration with the original artist or gather real-time input from clients and board members.
• Submissions: Teams can swiftly accelerate the design process to deliver high-quality renders to new clients with multiple eyes verifying details and ironing out imperfections.
• Presentation: Enabled through Omniverse RTX server, present beautiful and realistic renders with business partners remotely while retaining the ability to pan, zoom, and interact within the scene.
• Global Collaboration: Source design talent globally and remotely with NVIDIA Omniverse’s ability to develop and create in real-time without sacrificing communication and collaboration.
• Design Review: Project Leads and team members can join in on collaborative efforts to review and make small changes without having to import, export, or deliver assets.

Accelerate with Unparalleled Collaboration

NVIDIA Omniverse brings together teams to collaborate in a team-centric environment where industry-standard tools are provided to build, model, and construct beautiful Architectural and Engineering marvels.

“Exxact is an NVIDIA-Certified Systems supplier with the skills and experience necessary to provide powerful GPU workstations and servers for visualization, rendering, and AI,” said Sandeep Gupte, Senior Director of Professional Visualization at NVIDIA. “With Exxact solutions now supporting Omniverse Enterprise, engineers and designers can be confident that they have the performance to accelerate their workflows to keep up with industry demands, while simultaneously connecting their globally dispersed teams.”

As a leading systems integrator, Exxact wants to provide you with solutions that best fit your needs to propel and advance your workflows. Exxact offers enterprise-level scalable options running the latest NVIDIA RTX GPUs to support NVIDIA Omniverse along with high-powered workstations to increase your team’s workflow and productivity. Contact Exxact for an Omniverse Create Workstation or Omniverse RTX Server today.

The post Revolutionize collaborative architectural design appeared first on AEC Magazine.

With changing market conditions and rising business challenges, AEC leadership plays a pivotal role in navigating these business challenges, while also ensuring sustainable growth.

AEC teams around the world are leveraging DraftSight’s professional 2D design. 2D drawings remain critically important as a preferred method of sharing design data as they facilitate easy communication and exchange with design and construction engineers, vendors, and contractors. When hard copies are preferred on the job, 2D drawings still come in very handy.

Let’s look at the top five challenges impacting the AEC industry in 2022, and show how you can maximize your technology investment to alleviate business challenges and drive your organization forward.

Top AEC Business Challenges:

• Rising Costs
• Labor Shortages
• Remote/Hybrid Workforce
• Inefficient Processes
• Interoperability

Rising Costs

For AEC organizations of all sizes, rising costs are a significant concern. AEC professionals are reviewing budgets and looking for opportunities to reduce spending and minimize customer price increases.

Before your design software contract is set to renew, it makes sense to do a little homework and compare 2D CAD products and licensing options to help you find what you need at the best cost. Start by identifying what tools and capabilities will be the most beneficial for your team. Would you like network licenses? Do you need 3D design tools and advanced productivity tools?

It’s worth noting that a number of CAD providers have discontinued network licenses. For big companies that have casual users, network licenses can make a huge difference in extending team access to CAD without overspending on unused seats.

Are you paying more for your legacy CAD and not seeing an equivalent ROI? If increased costs aren’t connected to increased productivity or development, you may be paying for functionality that you don’t need.

To achieve business goals, AEC leaders are looking at technology investments that help save time and money. By focusing on sustainable business practices, you can guide your organizations into the next decade and beyond.

DraftSight is easy to use with comparable, if not greater capabilities than alternative 2D CAD solutions, while giving you more control in how you invest your resources.

Annika Andersson, EuroNorth CRE Business Development Manager, DraftSight

DraftSight provides the flexibility of network licensing and support for organizations. DraftSight can also help you increase ROI and free up your IT budget for innovation without sacrificing quality or productivity.

Griscia Pastacaldi Naval Architecture (GPNA S.R.L.), a naval architecture and yacht design consulting firm, creates high-quality yacht designs. GPNA needed a flexible, user-friendly 2D design application that enabled it to coordinate, communicate, manage, and collaborate on projects efficiently and cost-effectively. DraftSight is largely responsible for a 10 percent reduction in its development costs.

Labor Shortages

Along with rapid growth, the AEC industry is experiencing heightened competition for the top talent. There is a desire to invest in technology that will make everyone’s jobs better. The right design solution will help your team spend more energy advancing design and less on non-value-added repetitive tasks that can be automated. One of the biggest requirements in considering a new CAD product is maintaining and even improving current workflows.

DraftSight also helps expand team access to CAD as you’ll be able to purchase more 2D seats with lighter hardware requirements. For big companies with casual users, network licenses can make a dramatic difference in extending team access to CAD and not overspending on unused seats.

Remote/Hybrid Workforce

Remote and geographically dispersed teams make collaboration tools even more crucial in streamlining workflows. 3DEXPERIENCE DraftSight allows AEC teams to experience even greater benefits by connecting DraftSight to the 3DEXPERIENCE platform.

With technology connecting almost everything, your project stakeholders should be equally connected. 3DEXPERIENCE DraftSight enables teams to collaborate anywhere on any device, managing architecture, engineering, and construction workflows in the cloud, all on a single platform. 3DEXPERIENCE DraftSight integrates and shares data with project management and messaging tools for enhanced transparency and tracking.

With 3DEXPERIENCE DraftSight, you can access your data, share it with your internal and external teams, add revisions, and make changes, while maintaining digital continuity—all  in one single solution and collaborative workflow. You can seamlessly move from dashboards and project files to CAD designs, PDF files, and back with traceable, transparent activities.

“Whether you are on the road traveling to a new facility or are on site working through a project, you can work quickly and effectively without having to sit down, open a PC, and start to coordinate different documents from various sources. It really gives us the ability to work through the key components of projects swiftly and accurately while in the field.” – Treena Landers, 3DS Facilities, NAM East Real-Estate Senior Manager

Inefficient Processes

We are all working harder these days, which doesn’t necessarily equate to faster or better quality. The right tools can make all the difference in reducing repetitive work, saving time, and allowing designers and engineers to focus on high-value activities that lead to innovation. DraftSight has multiple productivity tools that can save your team hours, and even days including the enhanced Sheet Set Manager, Configurable Blocks, PDF Import, and many more. DraftSight helps automate simple processes, letting the software do the work for you.

MAC Design and Build, a family-owned custom cabinetry and remodeling business, uses DraftSight for designing the cabinets and woodworks that are at the core of the firm’s business. Transitioning to DraftSight Professional from its legacy CAD helped it cut design time by 50 percent, reduce 2D Design application costs by 83 percent, and eliminate errors related to fit.

“With the additional automated features in DraftSight Professional, I’ve been able to cut design time down to roughly three hours or 50 percent, which enables us to do more projects more efficiently and grow the business.” – David Cusick Jr., MAC’s Senior Draftsman

Interoperability

DraftSight gives you all the professional tools and functionality you expect, along with full DWG file compatibility. DraftSight is also known for its amazing file opening/saving capabilities and data compatibility, making it easy to work with legacy files. You can import, save, and export drawings in a variety of formats, and in some cases, DraftSight saves back even further than AutoCAD® does. You can save a DWG all the way back to Release 12 – from way back in 1992!

In addition to 2D CAD interoperability, DraftSight integrates seamlessly with other Dassault Systèmes and SOLIDWORKS solutions and services, including SOLIDWORKS PDM and the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, supporting easy collaboration and management of DWG file designs from first inspiration to outcome.

If you have a SOLIDWORKS PDM system in place, you can now include your DraftSight users in your workflows.

Embracing Change

Change isn’t something we often seek out, especially when your team has been using the same CAD software for many years. It’s easy to get comfortable, even when your application is no longer serving you. Creating new value and growth often requires us to step outside of the box and see what new tools and processes we can embrace. When is the last time you took a good hard look at your CAD software? Are you getting the most value out of your investment? Are there additional capabilities that would help scale your business? DraftSight helps you improve ROI and meet today’s business challenges head-on.

DraftSight Helps AEC Organizations Address Business Challenges

DraftSight makes it easy to create, edit, view, and mark up any DWG file with speed and ease. With DraftSight’s familiar user interface and common commands, your team will be acclimated in hours, not days. Your team will also gain some time with DraftSight’s productivity features and automations.

Your team can download DraftSight’s Free-30-day trial to put DraftSight through its paces or reach out directly for a demo.

The post Top Five Business Challenges Facing AEC in 2022 appeared first on AEC Magazine.

Cloud workstations have never been more relevant to the product development, manufacturing and Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) sectors.

In this age of flexible working, they provide a solid foundation to enable designers, engineers, and architects to work from virtually anywhere, on any device.

As all data stored in the cloud, cloud workstations can seamlessly connect global teams, streamline the management of large Computer Aided Design (CAD) datasets, and keep Intellectual Property (IP) secure.

They also give firms the power to scale resources up and down, to roll out new virtual machines to extended teams anywhere in the world, as and when projects demand.

Furthermore, with a per hour, pay-as-you go model, firms only pay for the resources they use, for the time that they use them.

Running powerful CAD software in the cloud does not come without challenges.

Cloud workstations need to have an optimised software stack, be GPU accelerated, and deliver very high levels of performance. Most importantly, they need to provide the designer, architect, or engineer with an excellent user experience.

Amazon AWS G4ad cloud workstations are highly optimised for CAD workflows. 2nd Gen AMD EPYC CPUs deliver fast single threaded and highly scalable multithreaded performance, while AMD Radeon PRO V520 GPUs accelerate huge 3D models that remain responsive to mouse movements, allowing users to position them quickly and accurately.

But for some AEC and manufacturing firms, the promise of good performance is not enough. They want assurances that their specific CAD software applications will run fast and stable on their workstation platform of choice.

This stamp of approval is achieved through extensive testing and validation via Independent Software Vendor (ISV) certification. ISV certification means a firm’s chosen software has been independently tested and validated on a specific workstation platform and the software developer has confirmed that it runs smoothly and reliably. Importantly, it also means users within an organisation will be fully supported when using the software.

To give design, engineering and manufacturing firms peace of mind, Amazon AWS G4ad cloud workstations go through the same stringent certification process as traditional desktop and mobile workstations with professional GPUs.

The list of certified applications continues to grow. This month PTC Creo and Autodesk AutoCAD joined Autodesk Inventor and Autodesk Maya as certified for use on Amazon AWS G4ad cloud workstations.

The way in which professional 3D applications are used varies considerably between firms and teams, so the workstation requirements of users can be incredibly diverse. Autodesk AutoCAD, for example, is deployed on range of projects from the design of small mechanical parts to expansive infrastructure developments, in 2D or 3D.

Meanwhile, PTC Creo is used from the early phases of product design into manufacturing, taking in simple part and assembly modelling or expanding into computationally intensive workflows such as generative design and simulation.

AWS G4ad cloud workstations are available in a wide range of ‘instance sizes’ to match different workflows precisely, each offering varying levels of GPU, vCPU and memory resources.

The G4ad.xlarge instance, for example, with 1 GPU, 4 vCPUs and 16 GB of memory, is a good fit for some entry-level CAD workflows, while the G4ad.2xlarge instance doubles vCPU and memory resources to support those working with larger datasets. For the most demanding users, those pushing the boundaries of simulation or visualisation, the G4ad.16xlarge instance features 4 GPUs, 64 vCPUs and 256 GB memory.

For more information about Autodesk AutoCAD certification on Amazon AWS G4ad cloud workstations click here.

For more information about PTC Creo certification on Amazon AWS G4ad cloud workstations click here.

For more information about Autodesk Inventor certification on Amazon AWS G4ad cloud workstations click here.

The post Cloud workstations for AutoCAD, PTC Creo and beyond appeared first on AEC Magazine.

The ThinkPad P16 is one of the most ambitious mobile workstations to come out of Lenovo in recent years. It marks the convergence of two different form factors – the 15-inch and 17-inch – into a new high performance 16-inch chassis.

With the desire to serve two types of power users with a single product, Lenovo knew there was no room for compromise.

“We wanted to bring the top-level performance of a 17-inch chassis into a much more 15-inch like offering,” says ThinkPad senior product manager, Lane Jesseph. “We knew we had to squeeze every ounce of performance out of the CPU, the GPU, and memory.”

This presented a huge challenge for Lenovo’s mechanical and thermodynamics engineers. The machine needed to run cool while satisfying the requirements of its most demanding users – architects, engineers, designers and CG artists that are pushing the boundaries of real-time visualisation, rendering, simulation, VR and more. “It was no small feat fitting this much performance into a form factor this small,” explains Lenovo industrial designer Sam Patterson.

But the challenge for this new product didn’t end there. Lenovo also wanted to significantly elevate the look and feel of the laptop with a brand-new industrial design. “We wanted to bring it up to a modern standard so that we had something that would look amazing on the desk of any architect, or in the garage of a Formula One racing team.” adds Patterson.

Form finding

Industrial design (ID) is one of the first things Lenovo looks at for its design process. For the ThinkPad P16, the early stages focused on exploring new ideas around the new 16-inch form factor. The process was dominated by sketches and physical hand cut foam models to provide tactile feedback, as Patterson explains. “We try to stay as analogue and low fidelity as long as possible until we start ramping up with our constraints.

“If you jump really far forward into the design, you start making decisions before you’re ready to, and people start falling in love with certain ideas, and you kind of start handcuffing yourself.”

As the design develops, Lenovo uses a combination of CAD, physically-based rendering, and high fidelity physical models to explore new ideas in a continuously iterative process. “We’re making models, while we’re rendering new options, while we’re making new models,” says Patterson. “You have to use all of the tools in your toolbox to get the job done.”

Realism is key and for physical protoyping Lenovo uses a combination of CNC machining and 3D printing. “The parts that are supposed to be plastic are plastic, the parts that are metal are metal, and everything else is as close to the final product as you can get, even the weight,” says Patterson.

For the ThinkPad P16, Lenovo’s ID team was very considered about its choice of materials. “We wanted to bring in a metallic CMF [Colour, Material, Finish], but also did not want to stray too far away from our legacy ThinkPads,” says Patterson.

The machine is built around a magnesium subframe, which not only adds strength and rigidity, but allows easy access to both sides of the motherboard, to make upgrades easier.

Then in a departure from traditional black, the outside ‘A cover’ was built from anodized aluminium for a premium look and feel. This aesthetic is echoed on the palm rest ‘C cover’, using painted polycarbonate (PC) and ABS plastic to match the outside. The palm-rest utilizes painted PC+ABS for better antenna performance, which was informed through simulation testing.

Sustainability is also high on the list of priorities, explains Jesseph. “We try to choose materials, wherever possible, that use as much recycled content as we can. But also to make the machines recyclable after they’ve reached their end of life, out in the field.”

Red leader

With a red stripe across the rear, the ThinkPad P16 expands on an aesthetic from Lenovo’s desktop workstations. It frames the grills of the thermal exhausts, which expel heat from the CPU and GPU. “Because the rear of the system is such an identifying element, I probably sketched it no fewer than 500 times, really rough with markers. I was seeing this rear section in my dreams,” smiles Patterson. “I would wake up and doodle something and then roll over and go back to sleep.”

The final grill design is simple and elegant, featuring vertical fins which draw inspiration from the rear diffusers on sports cars and Formula One cars. But this wasn’t always the case. Early design cues were taken from Lenovo’s trademark honeycomb pattern on the front of its desktop workstations. But Lenovo’s thermodynamics engineers, who used advanced computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software to explore many different iterations of the design, found that when the design was scaled down for a mobile workstation it wasn’t the optimal configuration for keeping the system running fast and cool.

Patterson describes this process as a constant balancing act between industrial design, mechanical design, and thermodynamics. “I’d go back to the mechanical engineers and say, how thin can we make the different shapes, how thin can we make the wall section, and still be structurally strong?

“I think the development [of the ThinkPad P16] is probably the heaviest level of engagement, back and forth, with our development teams I’ve ever experienced on a product,” he says.

Power to the people

Thermal management is critical in all ThinkPads, but with a smaller volume for heat sinks, fans and airflow, the challenge was even greater when designing the ThinkPad P16.

“Not only did we want to take the performance of a 17-inch from a GPU perspective, with power in the 125-Watt range, we’re actually increasing CPU performance from 45 Watts to 55 Watts, as we adopt the new Intel HX processors – the first to use a desktop class CPU in a mobile form factor,” explains Jesseph. “We’ve never had to do that level of engineering in a mobile workstation for a CPU so powerful.”

The new 12^th Generation Intel Core HX processors also brought a unique set of cooling challenges, as Al Makley, Executive Director of Workstation Development at Lenovo explains. “The thermal solution had to be optimised around the processor’s ‘performance’ and ‘efficient’ cores,” he says. “Instead of just having one set of cores, where you have set hotspots that evolve over time, this was more of a revolutionary challenge where your thermal map, your hotspots, are very different.”

For optimal cooling, the ThinkPad P16 features a dual fan design with a vapour chamber that balances the thermal solution between CPU and GPU, as Makley explains. “If you have a high GPU load, low CPU load, you’re able to use some of the CPU thermal capabilities to extract some of the power from the GPU and vice versa.

“You got to make sure that airflow is entering the system in the right areas, so it’s going over the right components in the right fashion, to extract the heat, pull it to the fan, and then get it out of the system as efficiently and as quickly as possible.”

Lenovo relies on CFD simulation from the very early stages of design, so its engineers can start to understand the airflow patterns, where there might be areas of recirculation or trapped air, and how this is impacted by the placement of fans or the design of the fan blade impellers.

The software can also help  engineers discover new solutions. “We do batch testing, where you run different fin stack numbers, gaps in airflow, and it’ll actually find the sweet spot of the design,” says Makley. “We put in a range of variables and the software will do that generative solution solving for you.”

Simulation gives Lenovo a good idea of where, directionally, it wants to go with the physical design. However, due to the complexities of simulating thermals and airflow across tightly congested areas, physical testing remains a critical part of the design process.

“We try to jump into physical as quickly as possible,” explains Makley. “It’s very, very complex to get 100% accurate, even 95% accurate on simulation when you’re dealing with airflow, and vectors that change depending on system orientation, temperatures, humidity, or even elevation.”

Here, infrared cameras can be used for thermal imaging to look for hot spots or zones where temperatures start build up. “This gives you direction as where you need to apply more heat extraction, more airflow,” says Makley. “Then we’ll move into thermal coupling, actual data measurement of pretty much the entire system, where we will monitor actual temperature readouts under various workloads and modalities.”

Taken to the extreme

Lenovo designs the ThinkPad P16 for the most extreme cases, not just in terms of workflows where users push the machine to its limits over extended periods, but also in terms of how the machine is used.

“We design for corner cases, we design for the worst of the worst – worst case power, worst case modalities, worst case environmental, that could be 35 degrees or 7,000 feet above sea level,” says Makley. “There could be somebody that places a piece of paper on the keyboard while they’re running a very stressful application, and because there’s some [air] intake on top, that piece of paper is going to act like a brick wall

“If somebody’s in Ultra Performance mode, and has the system on their lap, cranking out GPU, CPU power, we need to make sure that we’re maintaining temperatures at a comfortable level.”

Ultimate strength

ThinkPad P Series mobile workstations are renowned for being robust and durable and the ThinkPad P16 is no different. Mechanical simulation plays a critical role throughout the design process, as Makley explains. “We use our CAD/CAM packages to do Finite Element Analysis (FEA), which will integrate all components at a system level, run it through different environmental variables to understand where we have weak points and where we need to start to beef up, or make the system a little bit more robust.”

30 years of experience in making laptops has also taught Lenovo which key areas to pay close attention to, particularly when it comes to understanding human behaviour. “People will hold their machines in one corner of the keyboard, or the palm rest area, and that becomes a stress area, says Makley. “So we have to understand how is that area flexing, what is it in contact with on the motherboard, are you going to stress components? So we look at the amount of flex in that area.”

The ThinkPad 16 gets its strength and rigidity from a solid magnesium sub frame, or ‘roll cage’ as it’s known as internally. “It does require some compromises on overall size – it adds a millimetre or two to the X, Y and Z dimensions, but it’s one of those things that’s not worth compromising on, because its value to the customer is so high,” says Patterson.

“When you have a system that is this powerful, it becomes heavy quite fast, so managing the body and managing the strength of this chassis is difficult, so a roll cage is the logical thing to do,” says Patterson.

There’s a similar magnesium subframe in the ‘A cover’. “16-inches is a lot of panel, and you don’t want to get those videos on YouTube where someone’s bending it and going ‘what is going on with this flex’?” smiles Patterson.

The next generation

The ThinkPad P16 is one of the most revolutionary designs to come out of Lenovo in recent years, but the product development team is always looking to the future.

Data from physical testing always gets fed back into the simulated model. “We’re always learning and trying to perfect the simulated model as best as possible. It may not have a significant bearing on the project that’s going forward today, but it may have a huge impact on what we’re working on tomorrow,” concludes Makley.

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