ECONOMICS

Autodesk, Inc., the world's leading design software and digital content company, announced today expanded support for building performance analysis and structural design within the industry's only purpose-built platform for building information modeling. Architectural design process is also improved through additional modeling functionality and drafting and detail enhancements. With the immediate availability of Autodesk Revit 6.1 and the Autodesk AutoCAD Revit Series 2, building industry professionals can more effectively create, manage, and share design data throughout the building lifecycle. By adopting the AutoCAD Revit Series 2, firms can realize the benefits of building information modeling while preserving their investment in AutoCAD and maintaining the flexibility to deploy AutoCAD as needed on projects. "We are looking for ways to provide a more comprehensive design service to our clients and the Revit Series is helping us do so," said Ralph Linder, associate principal of Austin Veum Robbins Partners, an architectural and interior design firm in San Diego, California. "With the AutoCAD Revit Series, we can use both Revit and AutoCAD software as our projects and staffing require, taking advantage of how well the two products integrate." With this product launch, the Autodesk AutoCAD Revit Series will be available in English for the first time in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, facilitating the adoption of building information modeling worldwide. Advances in the Revit Platform Architects and other design professionals realize a number of competitive business advantages when implementing the Autodesk Revit building information modeling platform. In-process visualization and analysis features provide the best possible design information at every point in the project for the most effective design decision-making and communication with clients. The same features help firms more rapidly produce more complete and compelling proposals for new projects. Both are proven ways of increasing the amount and quality of business for architects. Several features in Revit 6.1 expand these capabilities: -- Data Exchange Tools: Revit 6.1 now supports export to gbXML for use in third-party energy and heat load analysis applications, such as the Green Building Studio by GeoPraxis and Trane Trace 700. With this capability, architects can more effectively use the information created in the building information model for testing building performance and validating design options. In addition, more ODBC export parameters are also available, including structural usage, room phase information, and additional stair and wall information. -- Structural Enhancements: Revit 6.1 includes a selection of new and improved tools for structural layout, including the ability to create beams on selected grid lines, plate and weld symbols, moment frame connections symbols, structural column creation at grid intersections, structural usage parameters, and stick symbol graphics on structural usage. These tools help architects to validate design options by providing more detailed information on structural systems. Revit software has always been known for "working like an architect thinks." New features in Revit 6.1 that support architectural design thinking include: -- More Modeling Functionality: Revit 6.1 supports increasingly elaborate geometry and modeling fidelity, including true curved ramps, sweeps along splines and ellipses, and more detailed control over how individual layers of a compound structure wrap at inserts such as doors and windows. These tools allow architects to more easily describe and express especially complex building forms. -- Drafting and Detailing Enhancements: Revit 6.1 includes single-click wall dimensioning that allows designers to dimension entire wall segments, including openings and intersecting walls with one selection. Also, filled regions can now be transparent so the background geometry within the region is visible. -- Selectable Scheduling Elements: Designers can now query the building information model directly from schedule tables: an element selected from a schedule is highlighted in graphical views of the project. This makes coordination easier and more effective and also makes the digital information more useful for other project members. Benefits of the AutoCAD Revit Series By bringing together Autodesk Revit 6.1 and AutoCAD 2005 in a single product, the AutoCAD Revit Series 2 allows architecture and interior design firms to implement the building information modeling approach at their own pace, supporting the most appropriate deployment of technology for their staff and for existing and new projects. With the AutoCAD Revit Series, firms can use both Revit and AutoCAD in complementary workflow scenarios, such as: -- Using Revit and AutoCAD on separate projects, from start to finish As an office implements building information modeling, some projects will still continue to use AutoCAD and others will have already transitioned to Revit. A staff member working on multiple projects may need both systems on their computer. -- Transferring legacy AutoCAD data to a new Revit model For projects that require a significant amount of legacy data or the contribution of design specialists expert in AutoCAD, staff members trained in AutoCAD can continue to work in that software while their work is integrated into the Revit model as DWG files. -- Use Revit for design and presentation and AutoCAD for later phases Selected design staff can use Revit software for schematic design, design development, and presentation material. Then, where staffing or office workflow require, existing AutoCAD-trained personnel specialized in construction documentation can complete the later project phases. "More and more companies are adopting the AutoCAD Revit Series because of the flexibility it affords," said Phil Bernstein, FAIA, vice president of Autodesk's Building Solutions Division. "Firm decision-makers can move confidently to building information modeling because they know they can choose how to most wisely deploy their technology based on their firm's project needs and staffing resources. With the expanded geographical availability of the AutoCAD Revit Series 2, architectural practices worldwide can take advantage of this powerful offering." Product Availability Autodesk Revit 6.1 and Autodesk AutoCAD Revit Series 2 are available immediately in most countries worldwide in International English. Other localized versions in European and Asian languages are expected to be available in the future. Existing Revit subscription customers may download Revit 6.1 from the Web. Autodesk(R) Subscription benefits customers with the latest releases and enhancements of Autodesk software, personalized Web support direct from Autodesk technical experts, and self-paced training developed by Autodesk to help extend product skills. For more information on purchasing an Autodesk Revit subscription or AutoCAD Revit Series 2 software, contact an Authorized Autodesk Reseller, call Autodesk at 800-964-6432, or visit www.autodesk.com.