FREE Architectural Record webinar: The benefits of BIM collaboration

"The benefits of building information modeling (BIM) tools yield the greatest advantage when used across an integrated project team. According to many BIM proponents, the rewards multiply when the technology is deployed along with a delivery method that fosters a collaborative environment and ensures early involvement of key stakeholders. Design and construction team members working on a 289-bed hospital complex on the Mission Bay campus of the University of California, San Francisco, are relying on such a process. Although the approximately $1.5 billion project will not be complete until 2014, they are already realizing benefits." -- Architectural Record

Click here to register for a FREE continuing education webinar on September 30, entitled "Combining BIM with Alternative Project Delivery," sponsored by GRAPHISOFT.

Artlantis tutorial: Creating an Object

In an effort to help our users become better acquainted with Artlantis, we are pleased to announce that a number of Artlantis tutorials have been posted to YouTube.com Click here to learn how to create an Object in Artlantis.

Enjoy!

ArchiCAD 14 Russian version released

GRAPHISOFT has announced the release of ArchiCAD 14 Russian version. Shipping started September 10. For more information on where to get the Russian version, please click here.

ArchiCAD 14 Norwegian version released

GRAPHISOFT announced today the release of ArchiCAD 14 Norwegian version. Shipping starts today. For more information, please click here.

SB2 launches Render[in] for SketchUp

SB2 announced today the launch of Render[in], a fully-integrated, real-time radiosity engine developed for SketchUp Free and Pro users. Render[in] gives SketchUp users the high-definition, realistic renderings they've been looking for, in a powerful, easy-to-use application.

Render[in] users can:

• quickly create a high definition rendering with no size limitation
• use existing SketchUp parameters and add new ones
• create a photo-realistic project environment (water, sand, grass) and a 3D sky with clouds
• create artificial light sources
• see the final result in a real-time radiosity preview window

Because Render[in] is fully-integrated into SketchUp and uses the same settings, learning how to create high-definition renderings is fast and easy. Once the model is ready, Render[in] brings designs to life, by offering realistic additions like a 3D sky, four types of clouds, and modifiable lighting sources. Render[in] also offers additional texture settings to choose from, like specular reflection and shininess, and auto-bump for materials.

During the beta phase, Render[in] is available in a free download from http://www.renderin.com

ArchiCAD Academy

October 14-17, 2010, Novi Sad, Serbia

Watch this space for details...

ArchiCAD 14 Swedish version released

GRAPHISOFT has announced the release of ArchiCAD 14 Swedish version.

The Swedish version is the twelfth of 26 local versions in ArchiCAD 14’s global release schedule, and follows the release of the International, German, Austrian, New Zealand, US, Italian, Australian, French, Polish, Hungarian and Dutch versions. All local versions are planned to reach the market by the end of Q3 2010.

For more information about the Swedish version, please visit www.graphisoft.se.

Shipping started August 16.

II. International Architectural Model Festival

The Hungarian Center for Contemporary Architecture (KÉK), has announced a Call for Participation for its 2nd International Architectural Model Festival, which will be held November 13-16, 2010, in Budapest.

The organizers welcome all built projects, visions, competition entries, research and experimental projects that were created between 1995 and 2010 and are related to modeling museums and exhibition venues.

Projects must be submitted between August 18 and September 30 to be considered.

ArchiCAD 14 Dutch version released

GRAPHISOFT announced today that the Dutch version of ArchiCAD 14 has been released. The Dutch version is the eleventh of 26 local versions in ArchiCAD 14’s global release schedule, and follows the release of the International, German, Austrian, New Zealand, US, Italian, Australian, French, Polish, and Hungarian versions. All local versions are planned to reach the market by the end of Q3 2010.

For more information about the Dutch version, please visit http://www.kubusinfo.nl/main.asp.

Shipping starts August 3.

Abvent launches Animated Working People DVD

The Abvent Group, editor and publisher of Artlantis software, announced today the release of its newest Media DVD, Animated People Workers 1 for Artlantis 2 and Artlantis 3. The CD includes ten 3D human models in work clothing, with 5 pre-calculated behaviors each.

Objects are optimized to 3000 faces per character. These new 3D people can be used in still images as well as in animations. They can be made to sit, stand, lean against a wall, or move. In the animation mode, once a path is determined, the 3D character will automatically move along this path. In a still image, a pointer within the inspector allows the user to choose the most appropriate placement in the current view. In addition, the clothing color of the 3D people can be modified.

A simple drag & drop is enough to place these objects in Artlantis. These objects are created from the aXYZ Design Collection. This latest addition brings the total number of Artlantis Media CDs available to 33.

The suggested retail price of Animated People Workers 1 is €149. In the US, the suggested retail price is $240/mail order; $230/download. The CD is available through the Artlantis International Distributor network.