ArchiCAD plug-in update from Abvent

Abvent has released new export plug-ins for ArchiCAD 14, 15, SE 2011 and SE 2012 export plug-ins to Artlantis 2, 3 and 4.

Fixes:

• In ArchiCAD, when the geometry was too far from the origin, it would cause an offset of the position in Artlantis when merging a scene or using the Use Reference File command;

• When updating an Artlantis 2 scene with objects through the ArchiCAD export plug-in's Use Reference File command, the geometry disappeared.

Artlantis Pricing and Ordering

Download the Artlantis 30-day Demo

Download the Export Plugins

Spring has sprung at Objects Online!

Punxsutawney Phil, the groundhog of Gobbler's Knob predicted a long winter this year. The weather is finally starting to warm up, flowers are in bloom, and butterflies fill the air. This means Spring has sprung and it's time for you to spring into action.

We've got four of the Artlantis plant media volumes on sale through May 14, 2012: 3D Pines & Conifers, Asian Trees, Exterior Plants 1 and Exterior Plants 2. These sets have various species of plants at various stages of growth.

The 3D Pines & Conifers volume includes 24 photo-realistic 3D models of trees. The 3D Asian Trees volume includes 20 photo-realistic 3D models of trees. The objects on both of these volumes are created from Bionatics seeds.

The Exterior 3D Plants 1 volume consists of 95 photo-realistic close-up capable 3D plants. The plants are adjusted automatically in their development of leaves (color, amount, size.) The Exterior 3D Plants 2 volume consists of 185 photo-realistic plants and trees. The plants have various stages of growth, starting from seedlings to fully grown plants. This volume contains a choice of plants from different latitudes.

Spring has Sprung Pricing and Ordering

Preview 3D Pines and Conifers

Preview 3D Asian Trees

Preview Exterior 3D Plants 1

Preview Exterior 3D Plants 2

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Experience the power of ArchiCAD and Artlantis together

We received this jaw-dropping animation from Francisco Vidigal, an architect working at ND 3D in Lisbon, who is also an Abvent/Artlantis beta tester and an instructor of both ArchiCAD and Artlantis.

This project, Liberdade Atrium (Freedom Atrium) is a luxury development that represents a new quality of life in the center of Almada. With residential, commercial, leisure activities, and excellent access, the Freedom Atrium is the ideal retreat in the city center.

There are 36 apartments T2, T3 and T4 to 10 box and garage shops, trade and services, which have garages, parking and an excellent location. Freedom Atrium also boasts plenty of green spaces, a sports field, and miniature golf.

"I used ArchiCAD for modelling, Artlantis for rendering (in this situation I used both versions 3 and 4) and for composition Adobe Premiere and after effects. The soap bubbles are after effects," Francisco said.

A fine example of what can be accomplished with ArchiCAD and Artlantis together!

Tips for sharing iVisit 3D panoramas

Everything you need for viewing panoramas is automatically created by Artlantis 4. The .html file, the Flash player and the assets are all part of the final panorama folder, which can be shared in the following ways:

1. Zip the panorama folder and send it through e-mail, Skype, or any file sharing service: This is the simplest way to share it with other people. After unzipping the folder, a double-click on the .html file is enough to start the navigation.
2. Upload the panorama folder to www.artlantis.com and create your own Artlantis Book! The Artlantis Book is the public page of any member of the Artlantis website. This page automatically gathers and displays all uploaded renderings, videos and panoramas of the site member, even if they weren't admitted into one of the Artlantis galleries. The individual public profile can be found in the My profile area of each member. Completed with a short biography and other information, this page acts like a portfolio of one's achievements with Artlantis. Visit the Artlantis Book of one our key users here!
3. Add the panorama to any website: Upload the panorama folder to the FTP server storing the website and link it to the other pages. If the name of the panorama is "ivisit" for example, the link will look like this: websiteaddress/ivisit/ivisit.html Check out a panorama shared through a private website here!
4. To share an iVisit 3D panorama on iOS devices without Flash, users should transform the folder into a format iPhone and iPad can read: The video tutorial showing how to do it can be seen here!

Have fun with iVisit 3D, the presentation tool developed especially for architects and designers!

Artlantis training opportunities!

We're happy to report that the list of Artlantis training opportunities is growing by the day. Regardless of where you are, there are lots of ways you can get to know Artlantis better -- either online or in person. Whether you're an Artlantis veteran or a newbie, here are a few events you may want to consider for yourself or for your staff in the months ahead:

March 12 - Introduction to Artlantis Render and Artlantis Studio - Online
http://graphisoftus.com/register.php?id=3061

March 13 - FREE Artlantis 4 + iVisit 3D demos - Multiple locations across France
http://www.abvent.com/events/rdv.php

March 19 - Fine tuning materials in Artlantis 4 - Online
http://graphisoftus.com/register.php?id=3062

March 21 - Artlantis Essential Skills Training - Birmingham, UK
http://artlantis.uk.com/artlantistraining.html

March 26 - Creating Animation Paths in Artlantis Studio 4 - Online
http://graphisoftus.com/register.php?id=3063

March 27 - Artlantis Render Training - Vienna, Austria
http://a-null.com/Artlantis-Kurs.php

March 29 - Artlantis Basic Training - Oslo, Norway
http://www.graphisoft.no/agk.aspx

March 30 - Artlantis Advanced Training - Oslo, Norway
http://www.graphisoft.no/agk.aspx

April 10 - Artlantis Render Training - Linz, Austria
http://a-null.com/Artlantis-Kurs.php

April 12 - Artlantis Basic Training - Tiel, The Netherlands
http://www.design8.eu/en/training/classroom/details/70-atl-class

April 24 - Artlantis Render Training - Vienna, Austria
http://a-null.com/Artlantis-Kurs.php

May 8 - Artlantis Render Training - Linz, Austria
http://a-null.com/Artlantis-Kurs.php

May 22 - Artlantis Render Training - Vienna, Austria
http://a-null.com/Artlantis-Kurs.php

June 7 - Artlantis Basic Training - Tiel, The Netherlands
http://www.design8.eu/en/training/classroom/details/71-atl-class

June 12 - Artlantis Render Training - Linz, Austria
http://a-null.com/Artlantis-Kurs.php

June 26 - Artlantis Render Training - Vienna, Austria
http://a-null.com/Artlantis-Kurs.php

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