ASCON Group is pleased to announce its newest 3D CAD package, the new Renga Architecture for AEC design. Here is a single tool that combines the convenience of object-based CAD, the creative freedom of 3D direct modeling, and the simplicity of 2D editing.
Renga Architecture is the first in a new line of AEC software from ASCON Group. It is designed to be a technological platform for solving a variety of design and construction tasks. Over time, the Renga family will expand to handle building construction and utilities design— systems which are already under development.
3D Modeling and 2D Drafting
The new Renga Architecture system is the result of a multi-year effort by ASCON Group, in which programmers worked with many design organizations to learn their needs. The primary objective guiding the development of the new software was that users not be held hostage to external reference materials or missing element configurations; users should be able to create new building designs without facing obstacles.
The goal is realized. Renga Architecture lets designers and architects work in an unrestricted 3D workspace, creating architectural projects quickly with the help of typical 3D design elements, such as slabs, walls, columns, windows, and roofs. The software gives users the opportunity to design buildings with complex architectural forms and solve non-standard issues thanks to its built-in style editor and model explorer.
Renga Architecture is designed to create not only 3D models, but also produce data models of buildings by specifying information about cuts, facades, levels, and so on.
The full-scale (1:1) 2D editor operates in drawing mode. It lets users add required graphics to drawing layouts manually, such as lines and arcs, hatches and fills, elevation marks and sections, and dimensions. Drafting views are associated with the 3D model, and so any change made to the model is reflected immediately in the geometry of the layouts.
User Interface and Visualization
A unique aspect of this revolutionary product is its user-sensitive interface, which is the result of deep research into user interactions by ASCON Group. It offers a muted color gamut, an efficient model placement in 3D space, a convenient navigation system, and a just-right number of commands grouped by function, whose options won't overwhelm users. All this ensures that users feel comfortable designing architectural elements over the course of typical eight- to twelve-hour workdays.
Renga Architecture offers real-time visualization through the application of HBAO+ technology from NVIDIA Corp. Horizon-Based Ambient Occlusion makes model visualization all the more realistic thanks to correct shading and subtle shadow effects applied to every building element— even while they are moved and edited. HBAO+ lights up 3D scenes to look perfect all the time. For the most effective graphics, the program's developers recommend running Renga Architecture with NVIDIA graphics cards.
File Formats and Data Exchange
The system imports or exports several industry-standard file formats. This helps make the architect's concepts clear to other designers and engineers. Even more important is the program's ability to use 3D and 2D data generated by the project in all stages of collaborative work.
To maximize Renga Architecture's integration into existing design environments, the program works with the following universal formats:
- .ifc for BIM data exchange
- .dxf for CAD drawing exchange
- .obj and .3ds for output to advanced rendering and animation software
- .csv for output to data processing
- .stl for 3D printer output
