AECbytes Blog

This review explores the many impressive capabilities of the new version of Acrobat that are relevant to AEC, including the ability to combine multiple file formats in a single PDF portfolio, enhanced review capabilities with the ability to synchronize document views, ability to embed and play video within PDF, improvements in batch processing of AutoCAD files, and IFC import capabilities that provide support for BIM workflows.

URL: http://www.aecbytes.com/review/2008/Acrobat9ProExtended.html

In this Viewpoint article, Stewart Carroll, Chief Operating Officer of Beck Technology, follows up on John Tobin’s Proto-Building article and suggests that the issue is less about technology and more about acceptance. BIM 2.0 that allows virtual full-team digital participation is already here, but the building industry has shown great reluctance to enter into a true collaborative era — the “ours” zone.

URL: http://www.aecbytes.com/viewpoint/2008/issue_40.html

This review takes a detailed look at the capabilities of DProfiler, a new “macro” BIM software targeted towards the planning and conceptual design phase to get an accurate cost estimate of a proposed design, and explores how it compares with more common BIM applications such as Revit, Bentley, and ArchiCAD.

URL: http://www.aecbytes.com/review/2008/DProfiler.html

This article provides an analysis of the new interoperability agreement just announced between Autodesk and Bentley, including both the overt and possible underlying motivations that may have led to it, in the context of their past relationship characterized by many disagreements and criticisms.

URL: http://www.aecbytes.com/buildingthefuture/2008/
AutodeskBentleyAgreement.html

This article captures the highlights of Bentley’s 2008 user conference from the AEC industry perspective, including some previews of the next release of Bentley solutions, sessions on BIM implementation, integrated design and engineering, BIM in construction, sustainable design, interoperability, and next generation facilities management, and the products on display at the Exhibit Hall.

URL: http://www.aecbytes.com/newsletter/2008/issue_36.html