In interview with ceo Sean Flaherty of the awkwardly-named Nemetschek North America, he tells me that the emphasis of the just-released Vectorworks 2010 is on continuing to move the software from CAD to BIM [building information modeling].
That means moving architectural design away from specific design patterns, and towards a more flexible "any kind" of design. He gives renovation work as a prime example: contractors don't know what is behind those old walls. Solid modeling gives Vectorworks users the ability to add solid primitive chunks to smart walls -- and the walls stay smart.
"That the architectural market is not focused on solid modeling is the biggest problem for BIM moving forward," he asserts. The solids modeling in his software contrasts with the inability of other architectural packages to handle surprises; Revit is the one brand name he mentions. Vectorworks 2010 allows wall sculpting, where users can add and remove portions of smart walls, and they retain their parametrics.
He is pretty excited about the abilities the Parasolid kernel gives Vectorworks. "We are on a steady path integrating PLM from Siemens," he says. 'Steady path' tells me that there will be more forthcoming, a hunch Mr Flaherty agrees with.
New to Vectorworks 2010 is the D-cubed Constraint Manager, which allows bi-directional editing between 2D plans and 3D models, as well as modifying object by changing their dimensions. Multi-core CPUs were supported by Parasolid modeling for Windows, and now Macintosh users get the same benefit -- at the cost of PowerPC Macs users no longer being supported.
As for the economy, Mr Flaherty reports that he sees it recovering after a bad summer, based on sales of his software. Vectorworks Spotlight (for theatre lighting design) really helped the company through that rough patch.
Vectorworks Fundamentals 2010 starts at $1,295; their most popular version is Vectorworks Architect at $1,995. Learn more at www.nemetschek.net/fundamentals/fundamentals-new-features.php
That means moving architectural design away from specific design patterns, and towards a more flexible "any kind" of design. He gives renovation work as a prime example: contractors don't know what is behind those old walls. Solid modeling gives Vectorworks users the ability to add solid primitive chunks to smart walls -- and the walls stay smart.
"That the architectural market is not focused on solid modeling is the biggest problem for BIM moving forward," he asserts. The solids modeling in his software contrasts with the inability of other architectural packages to handle surprises; Revit is the one brand name he mentions. Vectorworks 2010 allows wall sculpting, where users can add and remove portions of smart walls, and they retain their parametrics.
He is pretty excited about the abilities the Parasolid kernel gives Vectorworks. "We are on a steady path integrating PLM from Siemens," he says. 'Steady path' tells me that there will be more forthcoming, a hunch Mr Flaherty agrees with.
New to Vectorworks 2010 is the D-cubed Constraint Manager, which allows bi-directional editing between 2D plans and 3D models, as well as modifying object by changing their dimensions. Multi-core CPUs were supported by Parasolid modeling for Windows, and now Macintosh users get the same benefit -- at the cost of PowerPC Macs users no longer being supported.
As for the economy, Mr Flaherty reports that he sees it recovering after a bad summer, based on sales of his software. Vectorworks Spotlight (for theatre lighting design) really helped the company through that rough patch.
Vectorworks Fundamentals 2010 starts at $1,295; their most popular version is Vectorworks Architect at $1,995. Learn more at www.nemetschek.net/fundamentals/fundamentals-new-features.php
When will Vectorworks have AccuFrame System for template creation added?
Posted by: Mike Scatine | Sep 29, 2009 at 04:57 AM
Thanks Ralph for posting this informative interview with Sean. We Nemetschekians are very excited about Vectorworks 2010 and appreciate you spreading the word!
Posted by: Theresa Downs | Sep 29, 2009 at 07:15 AM
I'd like to know more about the following comment: "As for the economy, Mr Flaherty reports that he sees it recovering after a bad summer, based on sales of his software. Vectorworks Spotlight (for theatre lighting design) really helped the company through that rough patch." Who can I contact for more information?
Posted by: Bruce Wiebusch | Sep 29, 2009 at 03:53 PM