Abvent releases iVisit 3D for ArchiCAD

Based on the success of its earlier launch of iVisit 3D for Artlantis Studio, Abvent has announced the release of iVisit 3D for ArchiCAD Public Beta. Available in English and French, this extension installed in ArchiCAD allows users to insert panoramic cameras into ArchiCAD projects, link them together, and generate iVisit 3D panoramas viewable on a website and on mobile devices. The players that can read these interactive panoramas are available in Flash, Android and iOS, and are free to download and royalty free

Create panoramas and nodes

iVisit 3D for ArchiCAD is a simple palette added to ArchiCAD, accessible from the ArchiCAD menu: Design > Design Extras > iVisit 3D> Show Palette. These tools allow users to create, delete and link the nodes, graphically, in the ArchiCAD project and, finally, to generate an iVisit 3D Panorama. Each node is a panoramic camera, which calculates the six necessary images for a cubic panorama giving a 360° view. The different nodes are then linked together for smooth navigation inside the project.

iVisit 3D panorama calculation
As when using ArchiCAD's rendering tool, setup the rendering engine that will be used with iVisit 3D. When it's done, launch the panorama calculation with one click. ArchiCAD calculates all the images necessary for the selected panorama and calculates a plan view of the project at the same time that will be used to navigate in the project.

On a website or on mobile devices
The result is an HTML folder, which includes a webpage, the Flash player and a folder including all the images. Upload the contents to the server to view it online. To view the panorama on a mobile device, use the free iVisit 3D Builder to create a PNO file, the file format used by both Android and iOS players. Transfer the PNO file to your mobile device using iTunes, Dropbox or Box.com accounts. The iVisit 3D player is available in a free download from the Apple and Google websites.

Download iVisit 3D for ArchiCAD here!
Watch the iVisit 3D video here!
Check out examples of iVisit 3D for ArchiCAD here!
Join iVisit 3D on Facebook!

About iVisit 3D 

iVisit 3D is an innovative and easy way to present panoramas of your projects online or on an iPad/iPhone or Android device. iVisit 3D uses only still images and not a real 3D model or animation, making the calculations and navigation very fast. Developed especially for architects and designers, iVisit 3D allows users to view and share a project by navigating between viewpoints on the floor plan, in a palette of thumbnail preview images, or directly within the 3D views. 

About Abvent
Since 1985, the Abvent Group has offered innovative image and design solutions for CAD professionals in the fields of architecture and design, and photography. For over 25 years, Abvent's cutting edge approach to digital imagery has resulted in products and services that are innovative, powerful, and easy-to-use. Abvent develops and publishes Artlantis, a family of stand-alone 3D rendering applications developed especially for architects and designers, ideal for quickly and easily creating high-resolution 3D renderings, iVisit 3D Panoramas, iVisit 3D VR Objects and animations. A recognized leader in preview window technology, Artlantis is the rendering software used by architects, designers and urban design professionals in more than 80 countries. With headquarters in Paris, Abvent also has offices in Switzerland, USA, Hungary, and Luxembourg.

Objects Online closes its doors

It has been a long, wonderful journey, but as they say, all good things must come to an end. Objects Online is closing its virtual doors and is now redirecting to artlantis.com. With the introduction of Abvent's online store and the Artlantis media store, Abvent will now be handling the distribution of Artlantis in the U.S. and Canada. Abvent will continue working with its existing reseller network to bring you localized sales and support.
 
For our ArchiSuite and Artlantis Members customers, please contact those developers directly for future sales and support. Cigraph (ArchiSuite) is online at www.cigraph.it and Artlantis Members is online at www.artlantismembers.com. For those of you in need of ArchiCAD objects, which is where it all began for us, don't forget to check out our good friends at BIMobject and BIM Components for high quality, FREE ArchiCAD content.
 
As the manager of Objects Online for the past nine years, I would like to express my sincere gratitude and best wishes to all of our wonderful customers whom we have had the pleasure of serving over the years. Thank you so much! I hope to chat with many of you again in the future as I take on the role of support specialist with Abvent.  (Chris Stringer)
 

 Visit the Artlantis Online Store

Ancient city comes to life in 3D using ArchiCAD, Artlantis, and iVisit 3D

BERGAMA, TURKEY, July 18, 2013 – Bilkom has launched a project called “History comes to life in 3D” using 3D modeling software and mobile technology from GRAPHISOFT and Abvent.  As a result, the ancient city in Bergama can be explored in 3D, making it possible for visitors to experience a virtual tour of the historic area for the first time.

iVisit Anatolia, a 3D viewing application for tablets and smart phones developed for Artlantis by Abvent, enables users who visit Zeus Altar, the Temple of Athena, the Red Basilica, and Asclepion, the four ancient sites in Bergama, to explore these historic sites in a 360 virtual tour as they looked originally.  Universities, architecture students, municipalities, and Bilkom worked together to launch the project in a mere 2 months.

Under the leadership of architect Ender Aydın, Bilkom’s Digital Life Coach, 12 architecture students from the universities of Dokuz Eylül, Gedik and Yaşar and a research fellow met twice in Bergama with the coordination of Bergama Municipality Development and Planning Department UNESCO World Heritage and Area Management during weekend workshops. The 2D drawings of the ancient sites were exported to ArchiCAD and rendered in Artlantis, while the unique panoramas were created using iVisit 3D, Artlantis’s 3D presentation tool.

Stating that they were proud to develop iVisit Anatolia, a software opening the doors of the ancient wonders of Anatolia to both foreign and local tourists, Abvent professionals thanked Bilkom for the “great idea” that built upon a similar cultural contribution they developed for Versailles Palace in 2012.

Moreover, GRAPHISOFT, the leading Building Information Modeling (BIM) software developer for architects, stated its contentment to learn that the 3D modeling of the historic sites in Bergama came to life via its award-winning ArchiCAD software.  The next stage of the project, which started with Bergama will be shaped according to the demands from municipalities and universities.

To download photos from the event, please click here.

About Bilkom Bilişim Hizmetleri A.Ş
Having launched its activities in the IT sector in 1984, Bilkom is the distributor of pioneer brands like Apple, Adobe, and GRAPHISOFT in Turkey with the slogan of “your digital life coach”. With its brands and technologies that shape digital life, Bilkom, together with its business partners, directs all sales and support services across Turkey.

About Abvent
Since 1985, the Abvent Group has offered innovative image and design solutions for CAD professionals in the fields of architecture and design.  Abvent develops and publishes Artlantis, a family of stand-alone 3D rendering applications developed especially for architects and designers, ideal for quickly and easily creating high-resolution 3D renderings (Artlantis Render) and iVisit 3D Panoramas, QuickTime® VR Objects and animations (Artlantis Studio). Themed collections of materials, parametric textures, and objects available on CD-ROMs and online round out the innovative product line (Artlantis Media). A recognized leader in preview window technology, Artlantis is the rendering software used by architects, designers and urban design professionals in more than 80 countries.

About GRAPHISOFT
GRAPHISOFT® ignited the BIM revolution with ArchiCAD®, the industry first BIM software for architects. GRAPHISOFT continues to lead the industry with innovative solutions such as the revolutionary GRAPHISOFT BIM Server™, the world’s first real-time BIM collaboration environment, and EcoDesigner STAR™, enabling architects to use ArchiCAD's building information model (BIM) directly as a building energy model (BEM).  GRAPHISOFT’s innovative solutions have fundamentally changed the way architects around the world design and collaborate. GRAPHISOFT has been a part of the Nemetschek Group since its acquisition in 2007.

The BIMobject® App for ArchiCAD now available for Mac

The BIMobject® App for ArchiCAD has been a great success for Microsoft Windows users, and now BIMobject® has released the Mac version.

”The new App launched for GRAPHISOFT ArchiCAD is the most advanced version of our App technology we have developed so far. It shows a clear path where we are heading with BIM content cloud integration. Manufacturers enter the BIM world for real and can both communicate directly with users and supply them with updated and high quality BIM objects straight into the BIM software ArchiCAD,” said Stefan Larsson, CEO of BIMobject AB.

 View the entire article

 Download the BIMobject App for ArchiCAD (Mac)

 Visit BIMobject

Knauf Danogips release BIM objects for ArchiCAD and Revit

BIMobject® has published Knauf Danogips wall system Multiregel s450 Classic Board on the bimobject.com Portal.  

Knauf Danogips is a member of the Knauf group, which is a global family business and one of Europe’s largest manufacturers of building materials. Knauf Danogips's focus is to develop building systems that lower the total amount of costs, without compromising quality, environmental- and/or esthetic values.

The BIM objects of the Knauf Danogips range are available for ArchiCAD and Revit.

 View the entire article

 Visit Knauf Danogips on BIMobject

 Visit BIMobject

BIMobject App for ArchiCAD

BIMobject® announced today that the cloud integration App for GRAPHISOFT's ArchiCAD, the leading Building Information Modeling (BIM) architectural software developer, has been launched. The App is completely free of charge for all users of ArchiCAD worldwide, giving the ArchiCAD user a toolset to find, source, update and check BIM objects supplied through the bimobject.com cloud completely integrated in their software.

The integration is completely unique and is the best-in-class web service integration inside ArchiCAD. The App has functions to quickly browse the BIMobject® cloud database online and find real products from real manufacturers. A simple click to download and the BIM objects are loaded in the ArchiCAD user's project, ready for placement and further configuration.

Another great feature is the ability to check for updates. The App will check to ensure the actual version of the placed object in your project is the same version as on the cloud. If there is a newer version of the actual product in the cloud, the product information can automatically be transferred to the already downloaded files. This is a feature not seen in any other solution and gives a completely new way for manufacturers to update product data and add new properties to already downloaded objects. This solves the issue of keeping and maintaining data up to date, great for both the user and manufacturer.

The App also consists of a BIMail integration. ArchiCAD users now have the ability to send and receive BIMails directly from inside their BIM software, making ArchiCAD "social." Manufacturers have the ability to use BIMail to inform users about product news and updates through BIMail inside the ArchiCAD system.

Another thrilling functionality is the featured manufacturer section where building and interior product manufacturers can obtain their own branded button. It opens the private cloud of that particular manufacturer inside ArchiCAD so the user can browse that manufacturer's products directly. The manufacturers featured will update on a monthly basis through web services, and is directly connected to the cloud solution at bimobject.com.

The App for Windows is available for immediate download at bimobject.com or from inside the ArchiCAD 17 application. The App is also compatible with ArchiCAD versions 15 and 16. The App will be available for Mac in the second half of July.

 Download the BIMobject App for ArchiCAD

 View the press release

 Visit BIMobject.com

 Visit GRAPHISOFT.com

Furniture manufacturer Stolab releases more BIM objects for ArchiCAD and Revit

Swedish manufacturer Stolab has just released 13 additional BIM objects on the BIMobject® Portal. The BIM objects are available for ArchiCAD and Revit. Additional formats for AutoCAD and Artlantis will be made available in the near future.

Stolab has been producing furniture since 1907. Stolab manufactures and sells its furniture, preferably made from solid wood, to the Nordic home and public interior market. Stolab's aim is to achieve a unique market position through consistent actions in agreement with core values regarding their own manufacturing processes, design, functionality and environmental responsibility.

 View Stolab's products on BIMobject.com

 Read the complete press release

 Are you a manufacturer? Get added to BIMobject.com

 Are you an architect or designer? Tell us what's on your 3D BIM object wish list

ArchiCAD 16 export plug-in for Artlantis 4.1 updated

The ArchiCAD 16 export plug-in to Artlantis 4.1 has been updated. The following issues have been corrected:

• When merging geometry, the coordinates did not align.

• While exporting to Artlantis 4.1, ArchiCAD crashed when the ArchiCAD project had no geometry.

 Download the Export Plug-ins

 Download the Artlantis 30-day Demo

BIMcomponents.com Channels BIM Objects from BIMobject®

GRAPHISOFT, the developer of ArchiCAD, the Number One choice of architects for BIM solutions, will now channel BIM objects from the BIMobject® cloud and integrate them into the organic search results on BIMcomponents.com.

BIMcomponents.com, GRAPHISOFT’s portal for parametric BIM objects, will automatically channel objects developed, maintained, and published by real manufacturers in the central cloud solution at BIMobject.com.

The brand recognition of BIMobject® is well known and certifies that the objects come from real manufacturers and are real products that can be specified and sourced in real life. The unique channel concept developed by BIMobject allows building product portals to channel the BIM objects used by more and more websites around the world. For manufacturers, this offers convenience by centralizing the hosting and maintenance of their digital product data; the BIMobject® cloud handles all the building product searches to be updated.

The cooperation between GRAPHISOFT and BIMobject® will increase the visibility of the manufacturers’ BIM objects and simplify the way architects and engineers can search for BIM objects and download them to their favorite BIM system.

These high quality BIM objects are guaranteed to be by the manufacturers and quality controlled by BIM experts from BIMobject®.

”The integration with BIMobject.com, the world's leading manufacturer specific content provider, offers direct access to an extensive collection of high quality BIM content by real manufacturers available both in ArchiCAD 17 and on BIMcomponents.com. This creates a huge value for our users by providing the quality and details very much a standard for the BIMobject® content,” said Akos Pfemeter, Director of Global Marketing, GRAPHISOFT.

”We are very pleased to have BIMcomponents as the latest in a long row of channel partners. We continue to serve building and interior product manufacturers to create a dynamic and maintainable infrastructure for product content   management. We expect the BIMcomponents.com collaboration to be very useful for both ArchiCAD users as well as the manufacturers in the building industry,” said Stefan Larsson, CEO of BIMobject AB.

 Visit BIMcomponents.com

 Visit BIMobject.com

 Are you a manufacturer? Get added to BIMobject.com

LIVE! Online webinar: Rendering BIM models in Artlantis

On Wednesday, May 29, 2013 at 2:00 PM EDT, Chris Stringer of Objects Online will be joining Greg Conyngham of ICS for a webinar on rendering BIM models in Artlantis 4.1. In this webinar, we will introduce you to Abvent's Artlantis, the fastest stand-alone 3D rendering application developed especially for architects and designers. Artlantis is ideal for quickly and easily creating high resolution 3D renderings, iVisit 3D Panoramas, QuickTime VR Objects and animations. You'll learn how to:

• Export your model from your 3D modeling program and and import into Artlantis
  
• Quickly apply shaders and textures to create photo realistic building materials
  
• Add objects and cutouts to your Artlantis model
  
• Add and manage lighting and atmosphere
  
• Create an iVisit 3D Panorama for client presentations 

Direct plug-ins are available for ArchiCAD, Vectorworks, SketchUp, and Revit in order to make Artlantis's rendering more accessible to you. Additionally, Artlantis reads the latest versions of the most common file formats such as .dxf, .dwg, .dwf, .fbx or .obj.

With Artlantis's renowned ease of use you no longer need specialists in your firm to achieve high quality, photo-realistic renderings and animations. Webinar guests will be able to take advantage of a special Artlantis promotion, which will be mentioned during the webinar. Mark your calendar (Wednesday, May 29, 2:00 PM EDT) and register today!

U.S. participants only, please!

 Register for the Webinar

 Download the Artlantis 30-day Demo

 Artlantis Pricing & Ordering

IBERfibran develops objects in cooperation with BIMobject

Portuguese manufacturer IBERfibran, from the international Fibran group, has created BIM objects for their insulation systems. FIBRAN SA designs and manufactures products and solutions for thermal insulation, acoustic insulation and fire protection, bringing energy efficiency into building, industrial, and marine applications.

"IBERfibran started this project in collaboration with BIMobject® in order to allow engineers, architects and designers to have an easily accessible tool to develop their insulation projects. We believe that this collaboration will simplify the process of modeling a building. We also believe that to be successful, we have to anticipate our clients' needs, and designers are our first clients in the chain of promoting and selling our high performance isolation FIBRANxps," said Vera Silva, Product and Marketing Manager for IBERfibran.

The range of four IBERfibran xps products are made available as a complete set of library parts, covering main needs for building insulation. The objects are available both in Revit and ArchiCAD. Please follow the link below to see the products on the BIMobject® portal, and while there, register to download them free of charge.

 View Fibran's products on BIMobject.com

 Are you a manufacturer? Add your products to BIMobject.com

 Read the complete press release

Recorded webinar: Architectural visualization of ArchiCAD models using Artlantis

In case you missed GRAPHISOFT's live, online seminar featuring Artlantis, you can watch the recorded version here:

Sovella releases industrial furniture as BIM objects for Revit and ArchiCAD

Sovella is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of industrial furniture and workstations. Alongside quality and durability, Sovella workstation solutions are defined by ergonomics, modularity, and human-centered designs.

Sovella wallshelving systems meet the high demands set for storage in public spaces in terms of durability and load capacity. A wide range of wire shelves, pull out baskets, cloth rails and racks as well as perforated panels and hooks are available and compatible with each other. The system also includes a free-standing unit.

The BIM objects of the Sovella wallshelving system range are available for Revit and ArchiCAD, both in Finnish and English language. Please follow the link below to see the products on the BIMobject® portal, and while there, register to download them free of charge.

 View Sovella's products on BIMobject.com

Bombastik Attitude releases designer furniture as BIM objects

Bombastik Attitude has a wide range of exclusive and functional designer furniture and public furniture for conference facilities, offices, and all public places.

The BIM objects of the Bombastik Attitude range are available for ArchiCAD and AutoCAD. Please follow the link below to see the products on the BIMobject® portal:

 Bombastik Attitude

”We are very happy to be able to help Bombastik Attitude publish and market their products to a wide audience. The collaboration with BIMobject® gives them a fantastic opportunity to place their furniture on every architect and interior designers desktop,” said Ben O’Donnell, CTO of BIMobject AB.

Live, online seminar: Architectural visualization featuring ArchiCAD and Artlantis

GRAPHISOFT's next live, online seminar will take place on April 30, and will focus on architectural visualization. We will feature Artlantis, the fastest stand-alone 3D rendering application developed especially for architects and designers. Artlantis is ideal for quickly and easily creating high resolution 3D renderings, iVisit 3D Panoramas, QuickTime VR Objects, and animations. A recognized leader in preview window technology, Artlantis is the rendering software used by architects, designers and urban design professionals in more than 80 countries, including thousands of ArchiCAD users.

The graphic presentation of a design has always been a key factor in the success of a project. Architectural visualization allows us not only to place the project in its future environment and highlight the beauty of the design, but also to bring the concept to life through photo-realistic objects, colors, lighting, and textures.

We will be joined by Xavier Vanabelle of Asymetrie, a graphic design studio located in Beaumont, Belgium. Xavier will present an exciting new project modeled in ArchiCAD and rendered in Artlantis. With over ten years experience in architectural visualization, the team at Asymetrie has collaborated on a variety of projects, including the design of urban areas, private homes, museums, and schools.

Join us on April 30 to learn how to export an ArchiCAD model to Artlantis to create jaw-dropping, photo-realistic renderings and animations!

Space is Limited - Register Today!

Please register for any of the times below to join the FREE, online seminar!

For Australia and Asia:

• Tue, Apr 30, 2013 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM AEST
  register here: https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/170259694

For Europe, Middle-East and Africa:

• Tue, Apr 30, 2013 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM BST
  register here: https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/802537782

For the Americas:

• Tue, Apr 30, 2013 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM PST (12:00 PM - 13:00 PM EST)
  register here: https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/811137718

Once you have registered, you will receive an email confirming your registration with information needed to join the webinar.

System Requirements

• PC-based attendees: Windows® 7, Vista, XP or 2003 Server
• Macintosh®-based attendees: Mac OS® X 10.5 (Leopard) or newer

Don't have ArchiCAD yet?  Please proceed to the download & registration page to get it for FREE!

Don't have Artlantis yet?  Click here!

BIMobject® Weber Saint-Gobain Artlantis rendering in 3D

The products are the first in this range and include facade renders, Leca® Blocks as wall composites, and detailed BIM objects. The ranges are developed both to cover the needs for BIM users in visualization, project work, 3D detailing, and even in advanced construction and production models.

The Weber BIM objects are available for various 3D visualization systems, as system families for Revit, Composite wall structures in ArchiCAD, but also as individual parametric objects and wall systems. The Leca® Blocks can used in a very advanced way for construction analysis and quantity take offs.

Journées portes ouvertes

Amischampenois, le 21 mars c'est journée portes ouvertes chez SIC! Venez découvrir la gamme @abvent!abvent.com/events/jpo.php @archicad
— Artlantis(@Artlantis) February 20, 2013

Interoperability with ArchiCAD

ArchiCAD exports the model in the Artlantis file format through its dedicated plug-ins. You can transfer the geometry, textures, perspective cameras, the sun, lights, and layers. The plug-in offers you the possibility to update your second Artlantis file and take over the settings from the first one in case you need to change anything in the ArchiCAD model.

The Artlantis export plug-in is installed by default in ArchiCAD.

 Find more specific information about the plug-in and a Tutorial

Artlantis 4.1.8 update is now available!

The Artlantis 4.1.8 update version fixes a number of bugs and also includes an enhancement.

Enhancement:
Artlantis 4.1.8 introduces two new parameters for the DXF-DWG import: the distance between Knots, and the deviation angle between faces. They come in addition to the 2D conversion parameters and control the triangulation of the 3D geometry. As a result, Artlantis can correctly interpret and triangulate moldings or any curved body built in the CAD modeler.

Bug fixes:

Mac and Windows:

• ArchiCAD .gsm objects: the colors were not distinguished when saving by layers or on a unique layer.
• Reopening a file wasn't possible; now the Revert command allows it.
• The program would freeze when selecting an object.
• Artlantis crashed when using "Delete the material ID unused"
• When exporting a file from SketchUp 8 to Artlantis, some viewpoints were ignored.
• Export from ArchiCAD 16 to 4.1: the geometry was offset from the origin.
• DWF and OBJ export: the geometry wasn't exported if the current view was a panorama, a VR object or an animation.
• OBJ import fixes: missing textures.
• DWG-DXF fixes: Tessalation, distorted geometry and missing geometry

Mac only:

The Artlantis color picker didn't match the material in the preview.

Windows only:

• In the Objects Inspector, checking/unchecking a layer in the lower part of a long list would result in the display jumping back to the top of the list.
• Scene Information, Translate Origin command: displayed an incorrect icon.
• Issue when Activating/Deactivating layers from the perspective view inspector.
• iVisit 3D builder didn't work if XQuartz was missing.
  

Artlantis 4.1 users will be notified automatically about this free update and they can download it from www.artlantis.com. The Artlantis demo version was also updated; users can download this latest 4.1.8 version right away.

Download the Artlantis 4.1.8 update here.

Download the Artlantis 4.1.8 demo version here.

Artlantis export plug-in news

Vectorworks 2013 export plug-ins to Artlantis 3 and 4.1 are now ready for downloading.

ArchiCAD 14, 15, 16 export plug-ins to Artlantis 3 and 4.1 were updated and enhanced.

Fixes:

• Use Reference File, lights and cameras offset
• Use Reference File, the already created panoramas keep their nodes
• In spite of being unchecked, the textures were exported
• The ArchiCAD lamps were switched off when transported to Artlantis

Enhancements:

• More accuracy when merging geometry
• The exported materials are smoothed by 20% by default. As a result, all curved surfaces arrive smoothed into Artlantis
• The version number of the export is now displayed in the "Extension Manager" window.

The latest ArchiCAD 16 Hotfix includes and installs the updated Artlantis 4.1 export plug-in by default. This Hotfix can be accessed only from inside of ArchiCAD either by following the instructions of the automatic message, or by opening the Help menu and choosing the "Check for Updates" command.

 Download the Export Plug-ins

 Download the Artlantis 30-day Demo