CIMdata PLM Industry Summary Online Archive
12 February 2008
Product News
Autodesk Launches New Solutions for Building Information Modeling
At its World Press Days event, Autodesk, Inc. announced updates to its comprehensive software solutions for building information modeling (BIM) including Revit Architecture, Revit Structure, Revit MEP, AutoCAD Civil 3D, and Autodesk NavisWorks. BIM is an integrated workflow built on coordinated, reliable information about a project from design through construction and into operations. By adopting BIM, architects, engineers, contractors and owners can easily create coordinated, digital design information and documentation; use that information to accurately predict performance, appearance and cost; and reliably deliver the project faster, more economically and with reduced environmental impact.
"Demand for innovation and efficiency in building design, civil engineering and construction continues to drive the AEC industry's adoption of BIM," said Jay Bhatt, senior vice president, Autodesk AEC Solutions. "Autodesk is continually working to provide our customers with technology that provides competitive advantage and design innovation. Our BIM solutions offer complete, effective design and analysis tools and continue the revolution in AEC workflow catalyzed by our Revit platform."
Autodesk's 3D modeling technologies are helping customers understand and improve the performance and operation of their designs before they are built. Through highly regarded analysis technology from Robobat, Intelisolve, and NavisWorks -- all now part of the Autodesk portfolio -- Autodesk's 2009 BIM solutions help architects, engineers and designers to make better design decisions earlier in their process. The updated BIM solutions also improve project collaboration and integration between the building design, civil engineering and construction disciplines.
2009 Revit Platform
The Revit platform for BIM features improvements to each of the purpose-built solutions for architects and engineers. It keeps information coordinated, up-to-date and accessible in an integrated digital environment, giving project teams a clear overall vision of their designs and streamlining the decision-making process. New updates to the Revit platform include:
*Revit Architecture 2009 (BIM for architects and designers) allows customers to capture early design concepts with improved analysis and visualization capabilities via:
Increased sustainable design and energy analysis capabilities through easy exchange with partner applications
Improved visualization functionality with the new Mental Ray engine for rendering, improving speed, quality, and usability
*Revit Structure 2009 (BIM for structural engineers, designers and drafters) has been enhanced with greater modeling and documentation capabilities and is compatible with the newly acquired Robobat solutions. The AutoCAD Revit Structure Suite now includes AutoCAD Structural Detailing, enabling:
Steel and reinforced concrete detailing and shop drawings
State-of-the-art formwork drawing
*Revit MEP 2009 (Revit for MEP engineering) provides customers with detailed, specified modeling functionalities, including:
Air handlers, commercial condensing units, packaged rooftop units, and high-efficiency water source heat pumps
Autodesk NavisWorks 2009
Autodesk NavisWorks extend the value of BIM by enabling the aggregation of building information with data and geometry from other sources. By integrating building information, data, and geometry, Autodesk NavisWorks solutions enable the most complete understanding possible of the overall project, despite the use of multiple software platforms and applications -- improving coordination, collaboration, and project sequencing for design and construction projects. With Autodesk NavisWorks solutions, users can:
*Aggregate design models and data from documents created on both Autodesk and non-Autodesk software applications
*Develop more comprehensive views of projects and analyze and simulate designs before construction
*Make better design and construction decisions, and extend the value of their investments in design software.
The Autodesk NavisWorks solutions consist of four software products: Autodesk NavisWorks Review provides basic model aggregation; Autodesk NavisWorks Simulate includes NavisWorks Review and adds time line and 4D capabilities; Autodesk NavisWorks Manage also adds clash detection functionality, enabling seamless visualization of all types of models, precise replication of designs, accurate simulation of 4D construction schedules, and clash detection to keep all project stakeholders on the same digital page, whether they are creating, viewing, or reviewing 3D models. Autodesk NavisWorks Freedom is a free viewer for files in Autodesk NavisWorks NWD and 3D DWFTM formats.
AutoCAD Civil 3D 2009
AutoCAD Civil 3D 2009 enables the benefits of BIM for civil engineering, from surveying and design through to documentation submittal and the delivery of 3D models for GPS machine control during construction. Important new functions in AutoCAD Civil 3D 2009 include:
*A comprehensive stormwater hydraulics and hydrology solution for storm sewer design, watershed analysis, detention pond modeling, and culvert analysis.
*Complete survey functionality that allows users to directly import raw data; edit survey observations; and create points, figures, and surfaces that are directly integrated into the model to support the design process.
*Criteria-based road design that ensures local design requirements such as stopping and passing sight and headlight distances are being met.
*Easy to implement solution for sharing model data across project teams using standard AutoCAD xrefs and intelligent Civil 3D data shortcuts (without requiring Autodesk Vault).
Availability
Product availability will vary by country. Details and purchasing options will be accessible starting March 25, 2008, at: http://www.autodesk.com/purchaseoptions. Information and selected content from Autodesk World Press Days may be found at http://www.worldpressdays08.com/.
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