GDL: Still Around

Graphisoft invented GDL as a way to define intelligent objects and parameterize symbols. Geometric Description Language works with ArchiCAD and even AutoCAD, but never got much further than ArchiCAD.

Yesterday the Hungarian CAD company (now owned by Germany's Nemetschek) made noises about GDL for the first time in a long time.

FormFonts, the leading provider of high quality Google SketchUp models, is partnering with Graphisoft to develop, host and share GDL building content libraries.

Okay, so marketing managed to work "Google SketchUp" into the press release, but neither SKD nor Google Warehouse have anything to do with GDL. Instead, this is about third-party GDL developers maybe making some money by letting FormFonts resell their 3D models.

Customers get access to formfonts.com starting at $16.58 per month when the annual subscription cost is prepaid -- but only if your computer runs a supported Web browser.