BIMobject launches global BIM objects portal

PARIS, February 16, 2012 -- The Abvent Group, editor and publisher of Artlantis, is pleased to announce the launch of BIMobject, a new resource for architects and designers working with BIM/CAD modeling software. Architects, designers, interior designers, engineers, and construction companies can search, filter, and download BIM objects into their own CAD/BIM systems such as ArchiCAD, Autocad, Revit, or Allplan. Many of the objects are in Artlantis format.

The web-based portal supplies the building industry with digital replicas of products used by architects, designers, and construction companies. BIM objects can be downloaded free of charge. Users will have access to products with the product information integrated into their BIM system. As a result, manufacturers gain high visibility for their products and are integrated into the design and construction process.

"Abvent is pleased to share the news about this innovative architectural and design resource with Artlantis users," Xavier Soule, CEO of Abvent said. "BIMobject offers obvious benefits for architects, designers, and manufacturers alike," he continued.

All product information is integrated into each BIM object. Architects and designers do not have to interrupt their design process to look for product information. Materials, configurations, types, classifications, custom 2D symbols, optimized 3D geometry as well as other relevant product information are immediately available. Links to the manufacturers' websites and PDF files for installation and maintenance documentation are included with each BIM object as well.

-end-

About BIMobject
BIMobject creates virtual product and web catalogues for use by CAD/BIM users. BIMobject links CAD/BIM technology to the building industry to develop and manage digital replicas of their products as BIM objects. BIMobject also assists companies with market analysis, business and lead generation, and helps manufacturers publish their BIMobjects in the most effective way possible. BIMobject puts building and interior design products at the architects' fingertips, allowing them to download and use them in their design and specification process.

About Abvent
Since 1985, the Abvent Group has offered innovative image and design solutions for CAD and BIM professionals in the fields of architecture and design. Abvent's cutting-edge approach to digital imagery has resulted in unique products and services that are innovative, powerful, and easy-to-use.

Daytona Discount Days at Objects Online

The roar of the engines. The smell of gasoline and scorched rubber. It can only mean one thing...and before you say it, no, the police aren't chasing us again. It's Daytona Discount Days! That time of year when you can get 3D cars for Artlantis at a great, no-haggle discounted price. That's right! The price you see is the price you pay. If you've been telling yourself that your renderings need a new set of wheels, now is the time to take action.

We've got two of the new volumes for Artlantis 4 on sale: 3D Cars 2010 Asia and 3D Cars 2010 Europe. These sets have cars from the major players on both continents...Honda, Mazda, Nissan, Subaru, Toyota, Audi, Jaguar, Mercedes, Renault, Saab, Volkswagen, and many more. The vehicles are represented in stunning detail, optimized and able to take advantage of Artlantis 4's new Fresnel shader made especially for metallic car bodies.

For those of you out there who rock to the world beat, we've also got 3D Cars 2007 on sale. This collection features popular vehicles of car manufacturers from around the world, including Alfa Romeo, Aston Martin, Audi, Ford, Jeep, Land Rover, Lexus, Mercedes, Opel, Peugeot, Pontiac, Saab, Skoda, and Toyota. All of them peacefully co-existing in one virtual showroom and compatible with Artlantis 2 or higher. If you don't have this collection, you need it!

And because we're starting this sale the day after Valentine's Day, we're showing you the love by discounting new and additional licenses of Artlantis Render 10%, now through the end of March 2012. Like a fine-tuned street machine, Artlantis perfectly balances ease-of-use and rendering speed. Take the 30-day demo for a spin and see what we mean.

Daytona Discount Days Pricing and Ordering

Preview 3D Cars 2010 Asia

Preview 3D Cars 2010 Europe

Preview 3D Cars 2007

Download the Artlantis 30-day Demo

Render[in] for SketchUp announces contest winners

Paris, February 14, 2012 – Following an overwhelming response to the call for entries in January, the 30 lucky winners of the Render[in] for SketchUp beta tester contest have been chosen. These talented Render[in] users will be invited to beta test Render[in] 2, scheduled for release in early 2012. View the 30 winning entries here. During the Render[in] 2 beta test phase, this fully-integrated, real-time radiosity engine developed especially for SketchUp Free and Pro users will be available for US$80.00, a 50% discount off the regular price! The upgrade from Render[in] 1 to version 2 will be available for US$80.00. About Render[in] for SketchUp Powered by Artlantis, 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. Watch the Render[in] for SketchUp teaser! -end-

Creating iVisit 3D panoramas in Flash format

Here at Abvent, one of the nicest things about our job is the overwhelmingly positive feedback we get from Artlantis users around the world. Some of our users so often go above and beyond a simple 'Hey, I love Artlantis!' when letting us know what they think about this amazing software.

Take, for example, 'CemTech', one of our Facebook Page fans. This user, based in Malaysia, took it upon himself to create a Facebook page explaining to other users how to create an iVisit 3D panorama in Flash format. By doing so, he helps hundreds, if not thousands of other users take the first steps in creating an iVisit 3D panorama from an Artlantis 4 file. There are many, many users like CemTech, who create their own visual aids to help others become better acquainted with Artlantis.

Please share your tutorials with us so that we can, in turn, share them with the wider audience of Artlantis users around the world. The easiest way to do this is to join our Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/Artlantis

We look forward to hearing from YOU soon!

Artlantis 3 & 4 updates & new SketchUp plug-in!

Abvent has released a couple of Artlantis update patches and a new export plug-in. Artlantis 4.0.16 includes the following fixes:

• On Macintosh, the obj and fbx importers are corrected, as is the obj exporter


• On Windows, when the User_Name of a session was written with Japanese characters, the textures were ignored in the preview and in the list of materials


• On Windows, the dwg, dxf and 3ds file formats weren't properly read by Artlantis 4 64-bit version on some computers

Artlantis 3.0.8 includes the following fixes:

• On Windows platform with a Japanese User-Name, textures were ignored in the preview as well as in the list of materials


• When creating an object, the anchor point defined by the target of the camera wasn't taken into account

Abvent has also released an export plug-in from SketchUp 8 to Artlantis 4. All of the updates and plug-ins can be downloaded for free from artlantis.com. If you do not already have an account on that website, you may be required to create one in order to download the files.

Download the Artlantis Updater

Download the Export Plug-ins

Download the Artlantis Demo

Artlantis Pricing and Ordering

Artlantis 3 & 4 updates & new plug-ins!

Abvent has launched Artlantis 3.0.8, a new update patch that includes the following fixes:

• On Windows platform with a Japanese User-Name, textures were ignored in the preview as well as in the list of materials;

• When creating an object, the anchor point defined by the target of the camera wasn't taken into account.

In addition, Abvent has released Artlantis 4.0.16 for Mac AND Windows, as well as an export plug-in from SketchUp 8 to Artlantis 4.

All of the updates and plug-ins can be downloaded from the Artlantis website.

Download the Artlantis Updater

Download the Export Plug-ins

Download the Artlantis Demo

Artlantis Pricing and Ordering

Render[in] for SketchUp announces beta tester contest

Paris, January 17, 2012 – Render[in], a fully-integrated, real-time radiosity engine developed for SketchUp Free and Pro users, has announced a contest for potential beta testers of Render[in] 2.

Between now and February 1, 2012, users are encouraged to submit their best images for a chance to beta test the new version of Render[in] for SketchUp. The jury will select 30 users who will be invited to beta test the new version, scheduled for release in early 2012. Beta testers will be asked to send in bug reports, images, and panoramas. The best, most active beta testers will win a free, new version of Render[in] for SketchUp. Visit "Render[in] 2 Beta Tester Contest" on the Render[in] Forum page to submit images. All submitted entries must be done using Render[in] for SketchUp. Entries done using the demo version are also encouraged to enter.

About Render[in] for SketchUp
Powered by Artlantis, 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.

Watch the Render[in] for SketchUp teaser!

Fourth Artlantis Render Contest winners announced

Sonia Alonzo is the winner of the Fourth Artlantis Render Contest, sponsored by ArtlantisMembers.com and Design8 bv. The theme of the contest was 'Interior & Light' and the contestants really let their imaginations soar. With the help of Artlantis Render, the entries were really outstanding.

Sonia wins a free upgrade to Artlantis Studio 4; a 3D Plants Media CD; and a one day shopping spree in the ArtlantisMembers.com furniture section.

Anita Spencer and Patrick Bernhard won 2nd and 3rd place respectively. Click here to see their award-winning submissions, as well as the gallery of all the entries!

New Years High-Resolution Sale at Objects Online

Do you use billboards in your Artlantis renderings? If you don't, or are unfamiliar with what a billboard is, read on to learn how billboards might benefit you.

Billboards are flat 2D objects, usually positioned in an upright or "standing" orientation, onto which photos or textures are mapped. An alpha channel is often used to remove an unwanted background from the billboard's photo.

Billboards offer the benefit of allowing you to place photo-realistic objects (in this case, people) into a scene without the downside of adding hundreds or thousands of polygons to the rendering calculations, since a billboard is composed of only one rectangular polygon. The result? Fast renderings without any sacrifice in image quality.

If you've resolved to create better renderings in 2012, you'll want these high-resolution billboards. From now until February 14, 2012, Artlantis Shopping & Travel Billboards volumes 1 & 2 are on sale at 10% off. We're also discounting the 2-pack bundle. Take advantage of this offer to expand your media collection today!

Preview Shopping & Travel Billboard Volume 1

Preview Shopping & Travel Billboard Volume 2

New Years High-Resolution Sale Pricing & Ordering

iVisit 3D for the iPhone/iPad

Learn how to add an Artlantis 4 panorama to your iPhone or iPad using the iVisit 3D app available from iTunes. Click here for the tutorial!