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As part of a worldwide rollout that began with the English release in September 2017, global design and BIM software developer Vectorworks, Inc. announces the release of the Chinese version of its Vectorworks 2018 software line, which includes Vectorworks® Architect, Landmark, Spotlight, Designer and Fundamentals, as well as BraceworksTM, a structural load analysis add-on module. The Chinese language version is the final installment to join other languages, including Dutch, French, German, Japanese, Polish, Italian, Norwegian, Portuguese and Spanish. “Year after year, Vectorworks makes strides to continue as a superior, global design tool, and this year is no different,” said Cecil Fung, managing director of Mad Macs Technology Distributions, Ltd., the Vectorworks distributor in China. “Chinese designers choose Vectorworks because it offers dual platform capability, 2D tool flexibility and a variety of tools for the landscape and entertainment industries, such as plant tags, truss tools, reporting functions, stage analysis and more. They can look forward to the even more robust and efficient workflows with Vectorworks 2018.” To showcase the new features of Vectorworks 2018, Mad Macs Technology Distributions Limited will host the following free events this spring across China: Shanghai: April 17 Nanjing: April 19 Hangzhou: April 20 Guangzhou: April 23 Wuhan: April 25 Chongqing: May 4 Chengdu: May 7 During each launch event, attendees will have the opportunity to hear about successful projects completed with Vectorworks software. Attendees of the events can also enjoy free refreshments. Space is limited, and registration can be completed here. Questions about the events can be emailed to events@vectorworks.cn. Some of the well-received updates in the Vectorworks 2018 Chinese version include: Multiple drawing views: Use multiple views of a project simultaneously and begin work in one view pane and finish it in another. Switch effortlessly between viewports, views and visibility settings — simply set up panes and view them all at once. Instantly gauge the impact of a design change across 3D, plan, section and elevation views, and even start a rendering in one view while working in another. Direct section and elevation editing: Edit models directly from viewports: add openings, align and distribute windows, reposition doors across multiple layers, reshape walls — it’s all possible. Change the 3D views while in the section to see how edits simultaneously affect plans and model views. And, create better-looking, more-accurate drawings in a fraction of the time. Improved graphic output for architectural documents: Generate documentation from a BIM file much more efficiently. Improved graphic controls within section views of wall joins and wall, or slab and roof components provide the flexibility to quickly achieve high-quality documentation from a 3D model. Braceworks – New Product Module: An add-on module for Vectorworks Spotlight and Designer, Braceworks provides design, production and rigging professionals with an easy way to gauge the performance of temporary entertainment structures under load to ensure safety and compliance with engineering standards. Direct site model contour editing: Edit a site model easier than ever with improved site model settings and direct 2D contour editing. Modify each contour line as easily as editing a polyline. Learn more about Vectorworks 2018 at vectorworks.cn. To purchase Vectorworks in your local language, find your regional distributor at vectorworks.net/international.

Today, Vectorworks, Inc., MA Lighting and Robe lighting announce a new development for the entertainment design and production industry that will change the way lighting designers, lighting fixture manufacturers, lighting console manufacturers and lighting visualizers will work together. The three companies have jointly led the charge to develop a new data format, named the General Device Type Format (GDTF), which creates a unified definition for the exchange of device data between consoles, CAD and previsualization software. Currently, most device manufacturers use a proprietary way to define their luminaires. This lack of a standard or unified definition requires lighting console manufacturers to support and maintain a complex web of file formats. Moreover, it makes it virtually impossible for designers to leverage CAD files into consoles and makes it very difficult to link CAD software to previsualization software. “The industry has long been plagued by the absence of a standardized way to define the description of intelligent luminaires,” said Dr. Biplab Sarkar, CEO of Vectorworks. “Today’s exchange process is fraught with challenges. The workflows are disconnected, time-consuming and often require the manual mapping of data with a high chance of error. General Device Type Format simplifies the entire process. It creates a common data exchange language that will be the basis of a fully connected workflow, from CAD to previz to console and back. We look forward to collectively working with additional manufacturers to extend the benefits of this high-quality workflow to the professionals of the industry.” With GDTF, luminaire manufacturers now have an open and universal data exchange format that can be read by any console manufacturer and be included in any CAD or previsualization software. No longer will custom, one-off interpretations of DMX values and conversions for specific control data be needed. The format is human-readable, royalty-free and easy to implement and maintain. “The General Device Type Format is a fantastic new development that will revolutionize the way professionals can specify and control our products,” said Josef Valchar, CEO of Robe lighting. “It’s easy to adopt, and it makes it possible for us as manufacturers of intelligent luminaires to fully describe our fixtures with detailed information without the need for any additional computational interpretation by control or visualization manufacturers.” “Our main motivation was to make everyone’s life easier,” said Gerhard Krude, managing director of MA Lighting Technology. “Users of any lighting control system, CAD and previz software that can process GDTF will benefit by the ease of use and the amount of details provided. GDTF contains all the information required to control and visualize all kinds of devices like fixtures, video, pyro, special FX or lasers in a standardized manner. It supports the manufacturers to structure and provide all the data to make their devices look best — onstage and during visualization. We count on the device manufacturers to contribute. They already have all the information their customers need to perform. Once our industry has adapted to the new GDTF standard, all our lives will become much easier — for good.” The three companies will discuss the announcement and present information about the GDTF during the upcoming Prolight + Sound show in Frankfurt, Germany. Stop by Hall 3.0 to visit MA Lighting at C51 and C61, Vectorworks at E60 and Robe lighting at D80. A press briefing will be held at the Vectorworks booth on Tuesday, April 10 at 2 p.m. For Vectorworks users, devices in Vectorworks Spotlight are currently being updated to support GDTF. Updates will be released in future 2018 service packs.

Global design and BIM software developer Vectorworks, Inc. is helping designers harness the power of the cloud with the release of its new reality capture feature, Photos to 3D Model, as well as its virtual reality feature, web view VR. The two technologies, along with the Bluebeam integration announced earlier this week, are available with the latest update to Vectorworks Cloud Services in addition to the third Service Pack (SP3) for the Vectorworks 2018 product line. Create 3D Models in a Snap from your Mobile Device The Photos to 3D Model feature is a new reality capture innovation that allows designers to create 3D models without having to measure or re-create existing 3D geometry or pay for expensive laser scanners to re-create existing conditions before modeling. Simply snap some photos on a mobile device and use the Vectorworks Nomad app to send that data directly to Vectorworks Cloud Services to process the 3D model. Communicate Designs in Groundbreaking Ways The latest update to web view Virtual Reality (VR) provides the ability to toggle shadows off and on and to control shadow direction in the web view. The ability to interactively section or isolate parts of the model allows designers more flexibility and precision to communicate their designs in groundbreaking ways. Plus, for those with access to higher-end VR gear, the web view feature now also offers support for HTC Vive, Oculus Rift and Google Daydream, upping the ability to use web views on five different types of headgear. “At Vectorworks, we look forward to continued innovations and improvements in solutions that will incorporate reality into the design process,” said Steve Johnson, vice president of product development at Vectorworks, Inc. “We think designers will love our new Photos to 3D Model and web view VR capabilities, as they can now easily capture and share data using cutting-edge technology that’s already in their pockets.” Other improvements in SP3 include the Cloud Services and Bluebeam Studio Integration, truss section data for Global Truss and Prolyte, a modified user interface (UI) design for Vectorworks Nomad and other fixes. This Service Pack is available as a downloadable updater for all U.S. English-based versions of Vectorworks 2018. To install, click here or select “Check for Updates” from the Vectorworks menu (Mac) or Help menu (Windows). To find out more about this release, read the tech bulletin. Contact tech@vectorworks.net with any technical questions.

Global design and BIM software developer Vectorworks, Inc. and Bluebeam, Inc., a leading developer of innovative technology solutions for the architectural, engineering and construction (AEC) industries, announced today a new integration between Vectorworks Cloud Services and Bluebeam Studio that supports a modern, online review and approval process for digital construction drawings and 3D models. Vectorworks is the first BIM software company to connect its cloud services via the Bluebeam Studio API, allowing project team members to host real-time, online markups and review sessions. The new integration creates a streamlined, cloud-based process for designers, architects, contractors and owners to collaborate on PDF drawings and models. Vectorworks users can publish drawing sets as data-rich 2D PDFs or models as 3D PDFs to Vectorworks Cloud Services, where they can launch a Bluebeam Studio Session and then invite participants to compare, mark up and collaborate in real time using the tools in Bluebeam Revu. Marked-up PDFs can then be saved back to Vectorworks Cloud Services for easy storage and file management. “In a traditional drawing review process, PDF files are typically exchanged by email, then printed and manually marked up,” said Daniel Monaghan, VP of marketing at Vectorworks. “By moving to a cloud-based review workflow, collaboration among project team members becomes easier and helps avoid mistakes, and ultimately allows projects to run more smoothly by reducing review time and costs. By making it easy to share and review files digitally, we’re helping to connect design and construction workflows in ways no other BIM program can offer.” Vectorworks has optimized its PDF publishing to better support Bluebeam’s workflow. For example, Vectorworks can batch publish PDF drawing sets, map layers or classes to PDF layers and maintain Vectorworks hyperlinks in exported PDFs. Most recently, Vectorworks Architect’s space object was updated so room data defined in Vectorworks can be mapped to native spaces in Bluebeam Revu, saving time in the review and estimating process. “Bluebeam is excited to have Vectorworks bring this integration between Vectorworks Cloud Services and Bluebeam Studio to the industry," said Bluebeam Chief Technical Officer Don Jacob. "Platform integrations like the one announced today, based on open standards such as PDF, create powerful workflows for project teams and are a big step forward in creating seamless exchanges between design and construction solutions.” To learn more about the integration of Bluebeam Studio and Vectorworks Cloud Services, click here. This new integration is available at no charge to all Vectorworks Service Select maintenance program members. A Bluebeam Studio Prime subscription is required to enable the integration with Bluebeam Studio.

Global design and BIM software developer Vectorworks, Inc. sponsored the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF) for the second year and congratulates the winners of each region for their recognition as emerging entertainment design professionals. Eight regional festivals took place from January 9 to March 3, 2018 and included workshops, discussions, regional-level scholarships and award programs, which allowed students the chance to present their best productions and receive feedback from professionals. For each of the regional festivals, a winner in the Design, Technology and Management category received a professional license of Vectorworks Spotlight 2018 software. Entries were evaluated and chosen based on excellence, efficiency, innovation and visual presentation techniques. “Year after year, the KCACTF Regional Awards produces impressive and inspiring projects,” said Alice Lowy, marketing programs director at Vectorworks. “We jumped at the chance to be a sponsor again this year, as we believe it’s important to empower and support young designers who are beginning their professional careers.” Congratulations to all the winners: Region 1: Liam Day from Clark University for “The Little Mermaid.” Region 2: Christopher Erbe from Montclair State University for “Company.” Region 3: Allison Granat from Valparaiso University for “His Dark Materials.” Region 4: Shelby Ashley from Northeast State Community College for “Crimes of the Heart” and “The Foreigner.” Region 5: Mattie McIntosh from University of Nebraska-Lincoln for “Stupid F8cking Bird.” Region 6: Eric Armstrong from The University of Arkansas for “Avenue Q.” Region 7: Amy Beery from George Fox University for “Sunday in the Park with George” and “Deus Ex Millennia.” Region 8: Christiana Kuey from Cal Poly Pomona for “Intimate Apparel.” “Being awarded Vectorworks was a great privilege,” said Ashley. “No one in my college has it, including the professors, so I am excited to teach myself and others how to use it. This will advance my skills in drafting and will help me continue my career as a designer.” To learn more about how Vectorworks supports the academic community, visit vectorworks.net/education.

The American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS) is proud to announce a new partnership with Vectorworks, Inc., a global design and BIM software developer. An initial partnership began this fall, with the launch of the AIAS InStudio Render/Sketch competition. “With the success of such a relevant competition to our membership, we discussed broadening our relationship with Vectorworks, a company who is at the forefront of this technology,” said Kimberly Tuttle, director of Leadership & Career Services at the AIAS. Vectorworks has signed on for a Gold Partnership and will be sponsoring the AIAS InStudio Render/Sketch competition, which will launch in the fall of 2018. AIAS members will be asked to share their sketches and renderings to highlight their studio work and to provide inspiration for those looking to enhance their own skill sets. This competition is open to students of all years and skill sets, which makes it an attractive competition to the AIAS membership. The first-place winner will receive $300, with second and third place winners taking home $200 and $100, respectively. Last year’s winning entries can be viewed here. “Vectorworks is passionate about supporting the next generation of designers, so partnering with the highly-respected American Institute of Architecture Students was an obvious choice, because we desire to inspire students by showing them what’s possible with design and BIM,” said Daniel Monaghan, vice president of marketing at Vectorworks. “We look forward to doing so by collaborating with the student-run organization on upcoming projects, competitions and events.” Join us at AIAS Grassroots Leadership Conference in Washington, DC July 19-22, 2018, to meet and hear more about Vectorworks’ products and programs. The conference is a platform to discuss chapter leadership and business leadership, community involvement and innovation. Attendees can learn from local CEOs, founders, government officials and professionals. Additionally, Vectorworks will be at the AIAS FORUM on December 29, 2018 – January 1, 2019 in Seattle, WA. Held every year over the winter holiday, members hear from sponsors, learn from other leaders, discuss issues relevant to architecture and design education and conduct official AIAS business. “AIAS members like to live on the edge of design, technology and innovation. As the next generation of architects, the AIAS is excited to partner with Vectorworks, a next-generation technology company. Vectorworks' products and technology can help propel AIAS members to the forefront of the design and architecture professions,” said Nick Serfass, executive director of the AIAS.

Vectorworks, Inc., a global design and BIM software developer, congratulates its Japanese distributor, A&A Co., Ltd., for receiving a 2018 BCN AWARD in the CAD software category. A&A received the award due to its 37.6 percent Japanese market share. Vectorworks outranked software providers Lilac System Inc. (27.3 percent market share) and Photron Limited (20.9 percent market share). Market share is based on statistics accumulated from 2,608 stores of 23 companies providing sales reports to BCN Co., Ltd. For 19 years, BCN Co., Ltd. has collected the sales data of major domestic electric appliance mass merchandisers, personal computer specialty shops and net shops in Japan. Based on these numbers, the BCN AWARDs recognize manufacturers with the highest total annual sales volume. “It is a great honor to receive the best prize for the CAD software category for two consecutive years with Vectorworks software,” said Takashi Yokota, president of A&A Co., Ltd. “This is a result of our customers’ support and partners’ collaboration, and we deeply appreciate them. We will continue to do our best to deliver attractive products and services to the market.” This year, 56 product provider companies received prizes in 117 different categories, with a range of software categories including Business software, Communications software and Education/learning software. This win marks the eighth year that A&A was recognized with a BCN AWARD, winning first place in 2017, second place from 2013 to 2016 and third place in 2012. “A&A’s achievement with this award victory is extremely impressive, because despite the highly competitive Japanese market, they were able to not only win, but they also managed to increase their market share growth by 5.6 percent,” said Vectorworks CEO Dr. Biplab Sarkar. “We are extremely grateful for A&A employees’ hard work and dedication, which made achieving this accomplishment possible.” To learn more about the award-winning Vectorworks line of design software for the architecture, landscape and entertainment industries, visit vectorworks.net.

In an effort to better provide ready-to-use LED video solutions for your entertainment, architectural and commercial designs, PixelFLEX™ is proud to announce that it has joined the Vectorworks, Inc. software content community. Used by over 650,000 designers worldwide, the design symbols, images and specifications for the PixelFLEX FLEXTour, FLEXLite Plus and FLEXCurtain HD video solutions, including accessories, will be available for download in all Vectorworks CAD and BIM design programs beginning in March. “As we have continued to expand our LED video solutions into a multitude of different markets, it has become imperative that we provide designers with the tools necessary to quickly complete their designs,” said Jon Chavez, technical director at PixelFLEX. “We have been very fortunate to have many talented professionals incorporate our solutions into their design portfolios, and our partnership with Vectorworks will only allow them to further their creativity.” A Nashville-based LED provider, PixelFLEX offers creative solutions and dependable service for their award-winning LED video display technologies. Working with architects, designers, engineers and consultants, PixelFLEX LED video solutions can create a one-of-a-kind design for any tour, live event or permanent installation, and can be downloaded through the latest updates of the Vectorworks design software. Vectorworks is a global design and BIM software developer serving professionals in the architecture, landscape and entertainment industries. With their 2D/3D cross-platform software, designers can build data-rich, visual models without sacrificing the design process, while collaborating efficiently throughout a project life-cycle. “LED video walls are arguably the fastest growing part of the live event world,” said Chris Baccala, content development manager at Vectorworks. “This partnership with PixelFLEX will give Vectorworks users a massive advantage in accuracy, speed and flexibility in designing events and installs, as well as retail and hospitality projects.” This content is exclusively available to Vectorworks Service Select members now with rollout to all users in Vectorworks 2019 software this fall. For more information on the complete line of PixelFLEX LED video walls and video screens, visit PixelFLEX at pixelflexled.com, follow us on Twitter at @pixelflexled or find us on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn.

For the fourth year in a row, global design and BIM software developer Vectorworks, Inc. invites design professionals, educators and students in the architecture, landscape and entertainment industries to the annual Vectorworks Design Summit. The Summit will take place from November 4 to November 6, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona at the Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass, and this ultimate training experience will consist of industry workshops, inspirational design and networking. “The architecture and landscape in Arizona are very different from the city backdrops we have had in the last three years, and I think our customers will enjoy getting away from the hustle and bustle of their daily lives to enjoy this scenic desert location,” said Nicole Davison, vice president of sales at Vectorworks, who is originally from Tucson. “The weather in November will be beautiful and allow us to network outside and enjoy the mountains, sun and native Arizona landscape.” Located in the Sonoran Desert, the Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass celebrates the Gila River Indian heritage and culture, offering a quiet serenity combined with a high-tech hotel experience. Attendees are encouraged to extend their stay and enjoy everything the resort has to offer, including an 18-hole golf course, horseback riding, a world-class spa and much more. Become a Speaker/Trainer The call for speakers and trainers at the Vectorworks Design Summit is currently open. Presentations should be one or two hours and cover best practices, efficiency gains, tips, tricks or techniques that streamline workflows and empower designers to create innovative design solutions. In addition to completing a short application, candidates who have not spoken at a past Design Summit must include a short video demonstrating their presentation skills. Proposals are due February 21, 2018, and those chosen will be notified March 9, 2018. Become an Exhibitor/Sponsor Businesses can promote their products and services to hundreds of creative visionaries across the architecture, landscape and entertainment industries by becoming an exhibitor/sponsor at the Summit. There is no fee to exhibit in the Expo Hall, and businesses can apply and also ask about sponsorship pricing here. To stay up-to-date about registration deadlines, speakers, sessions and other conference news, bookmark vectorworks.net/design-summit and follow #VectorworksDesignSummit.

Augmented reality (AR), which superimposes a computer-generated image on a real-world view, is now available for consumer mobile devices, making immersive and compelling viewing available to everyone. In response to the fast-moving development of this technology, tech companies are creating new workflows. As a prime example of this, global design and BIM software developer Vectorworks, Inc. has added AR capabilities to its free Vectorworks Nomad mobile app, specifically a new viewing mode that is available on iOS devices that support Apple’s ARKit technology. While many third-party ARKit-based apps are available on the App Store, few exist for viewing CAD/BIM models. None allowed Vectorworks users to view their models in AR directly — until now. Nomad already had a 3D model viewing mode that let the user orbit around a model or walk through a model. However, with this new viewing mode, users can view Vectorworks models at their actual size and in context with the real world to make design decisions before they are built. The AR viewing mode removes the barrier between the virtual model and the real world, helping users and clients to better understand the design at scale, as well as illustrate potential design problems and facilitate discussion about the design. A few key benefits of the new technology that’s available to designers in the architecture, landscape and entertainment industries include: · Ease of use: Simply upload a 3D Vectorworks model to Cloud Services and select “View in AR” from the Nomad app. · Effortless manipulation: Use standard gestures for zooming in and out, and move with an iOS device to experience a model in the current reality. Vectorworks users are already embracing the new AR technology. “As a must-have companion to Vectorworks, Nomad with AR represents a defining moment in working interactively with models,” said Brian Goodridge, principal at Thor Studios. “It’s a powerful tool when designing kitchens and custom cabinetry, because AR allows me to project my Vectorworks models into real-world spaces. Clients are now able to view and interact with my new kitchen designs inside their home before the cabinets are ever built.” The new Nomad AR mode works with Apple’s new iOS 11 operating system and devices that support the ARKit. Users must have one of these iOS devices to be able to run the AR viewer: · iPhone 6s and 6s Plus · iPhone 7 and 7 Plus · iPhone SE · iPad Pro 1st generation and 2nd generation (9.7, 10.5 or 12.9) · iPad (2017) · iPhone 8 and 8 Plus · iPhone X “The Research and Mobile teams have been demonstrating prototypes of this technology in various forms internally and at public events, learning about the technology and gathering feedback,” said Alex Nicol, mobile team manager at Vectorworks. “This is the first iteration of AR for Vectorworks, and we won’t stop here. As users begin adopting the new technology, we’ll continue making enhancements based on their feedback.” To learn more about the new AR functionality in the Nomad app, watch this video. Download the free Nomad app from iTunes.

For the second year, global design software developer Vectorworks, Inc. will sponsor awards at the annual Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF) in support of recognizing the diverse work of young entertainment designers. From January 9 to March 3, 2018, thousands of talented student artists, from eight regions across the United States, will have the opportunity to showcase their work. “In 2018, KCACTF is celebrating its 50th anniversary honoring excellence and offering student artists individual recognition through awards and scholarships,” said National KCACTF DTM Chair Rafael Jaen. “At its core, it provides opportunities for participants to develop cutting-edge skills and learn current best practices. We do this successfully by partnering with industry-leading sponsors, such as Vectorworks. The company's sponsorship will help the Design, Technology and Management (DTM) students expand their design approaches and achieve higher levels of professionalism.” The eight regional festivals KCACTF is hosting this year will be comprised of workshops, discussions, regional-level scholarships and award programs, giving students the opportunity to present their best productions and receive feedback from professionals. This program helps students develop their creative and technical skills and provides opportunities for participants to take important next steps in their careers. For each of the eight regional festivals, Vectorworks will donate a professional Vectorworks Spotlight 2018 software license to the winners of the Design, Technology and Management category. “The Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival gives young theater students a chance to be recognized for their creativity,” said Frank Brault, product marketing manager for entertainment at Vectorworks. “We appreciate this opportunity to support the next generation of entertainment designers, year after year.” Brault will be attending the Region 1 KCACTF festival that takes place from January 30 to February 4 at Western Connecticut University. He will be located at a table at the vendor expo to support the students, as well as offer demos of Vectorworks Spotlight, Vision, and Braceworks. Since its commencement in 1969, the KCACTF has given more than 400,000 college theater students the chance to have their work evaluated and receive national recognition. Learn more about KCACTF’s network with more than 18,000 student participants and over 600 academic institutions, as well as each festival, at http://www.kcactf.org/regions/

Global design and BIM software developer Vectorworks, Inc. congratulates Lindauer Schreinerei & Küchen AG, Adrian Streich Architekten AG, Fontana Landschaftsarchitektur and Maurus Schifferli for winning several accolades in two major Swiss award competitions. “I am deeply impressed by many of the projects our users are planning with Vectorworks,” said Andreas Kling, CEO of ComputerWorks AG. “I am particularly pleased when so many of these architecture and landscape projects are recognized by independent juries and experts. It reinforces how our software enables designers to transform the world.” The first award competition, the “Swiss Kitchen Award,” is held on a two-year cycle by industry association küche schweiz to honor excellence in kitchen design. Winners are selected by a panel of experts, combined with a public vote, and placed in gold, silver and bronze categories. This year, Vectorworks Interiorcad user Lindauer Schreinerei & Küchen AG won two gold awards for the firm’s kitchen design, “Fusion” — a blend of solid wood and ceramic materials with mechanical wood joints. Interiorcad is a CAD program built on the Vectorworks platform, that offers enhanced cabinet and kitchen design and manufacturing features. The second award competition is jointly hosted by Swiss architectural, planning and design magazine Hochparterre and the Museum for Design – Schaudepot to honor the best in architecture, landscape and design. Several Vectorworks projects won the highly sought-after “hares” — two gold awards and one silver. The winner of the golden hare in the Architecture category was Adrian Streich Architekten AG for the construction site B3 South in the GreenCity quarter of Zürich. As stated by jury chair Andres Herzog, editor of architecture at Hochparterre: “The building proves that the Zürich residential construction laboratory has arrived in its entirety and that architecture is changing society.” The other two hares were awarded in the Landscape Architecture category. The recipient of the golden hare was Fontana Landschaftsarchitektur for its design of “Schüssinsel,” an island park that runs through the city of Biel. Serving as a retreat in nature, the space also allows for leisure activities and connects older neighborhoods with residential areas. The silver hare was awarded to Maurus Schifferli, a landscape architect who transformed his own garden into a space that reflected both its historical roots and more contemporary 21st century design practices. “This is an incredible honor and accomplishment by our Swiss customers,” said Vectorworks CEO Dr. Biplab Sarkar. “It is fantastic to see what these firms have achieved with Vectorworks and support from our outstanding partners like ComputerWorks.”

On November 16, global design and BIM software developer Vectorworks, Inc.’s Cloud Services was named winner of the Cloud Based Technology of the Year 2017 award for the Construction Computing Awards. Vectorworks Architect software was also named runner up for the Architectural Design Software of 2017 award. “Leveraging the power of cloud computing is a huge productivity improvement, saving hundreds of hours a year,” said Lyuben Hadzhipopov, cloud infrastructure manager at Vectorworks. “Before the Cloud, computational-intensive tasks like photo-realistic rendering could take hours and sometimes even days. This would cause huge delays in work productivity as designers waited for these tasks to complete. By subbing these tasks to the Cloud, the web can handle processing, leaving your local machine free so work and collaboration can continue as planned.” Improved Cloud Services were released in Vectorworks 2018 software this past September, and designers can now easily share designs, drawings and 3D models with clients and partners by using Google Drive, in addition to Dropbox, which was previously available. The Cloud Services web portal has also been updated for better file organization, along with an easier-to-use sharing interface and the ability to generate Web View Virtual Reality links of files in the cloud. Additionally, designers can now render a 360-degree view of a 3D model with the panorama feature, and then export the file to cloud storage, receiving a link to view the rendered panorama on a laptop, desktop or any mobile device. “Looking forward, Vectorworks is investigating new innovations to bring to its Cloud Services, like augmented reality capabilities and other collaborative capabilities, which would give Vectorworks users new ways to interact with stakeholders in the design and construction process," said Hadzhipopov. Vectorworks Architect is an industry-leading architectural design and BIM software that helps connect the entire design process from concept to construction in one platform. With Architect, designers can take on a project of any scale, from urban planning; to residential, commercial, hospitality, and institutional buildings; to interior renovations and fit outs. Known as “The Hammers,” the Construction Computing Awards showcase and reward the technology, tools and solutions for the effective design, construction, maintenance and modification of commercial buildings, residential and social housing and civil engineering projects of all sizes. The winners were announced at the twelfth annual gala event at the Radisson Blu Edwardian in Bloomsbury, London. Over 220 guests came to see the result of the readers’ online voting and judging panel’s considerations. A full list of the award winners can be found here. Videos and photos of the gala will be available soon, and there will be a full round up of the evening with a mention of Cloud Services in the November/December 2017 issue of Construction Computing Magazine. Details for the 2018 awards have been announced. The date of next year’s awards event is November 15, 2018; project submissions and nominations will open in early July. More information about next year’s awards event will appear on the Construction Computing Awards website in March 2018. To learn more about Vectorworks Cloud Services, Vectorworks Architect and other offerings, visit vectorworks.net.

Global design and BIM software developer Vectorworks, Inc. has released the Spanish version of its Vectorworks 2018 product line, which includes Vectorworks® Architect, Landmark, Spotlight, Designer and Fundamentals. New this year is Braceworks™, a structural load analysis add-on module targeted to designers and riggers working on temporary structures. The Spanish version follows the English version, released this past September, and joins the additional language versions of the product line that will all be available by spring of 2018, including: Chinese, Dutch, French, German, Japanese, Polish, Italian, Norwegian and Portuguese. “The availability of our 2018 software in Spanish, along with the continued rollout of our other languages, solidifies our mission to empower designers worldwide, so that they can create unmatched experiences,” said Vectorworks CEO Dr. Biplab Sarkar. “What makes Vectorworks 2018 stand out from other releases is the emphasis on robust and efficient workflows, as well as the substantial usability improvements.” A few notable features from Vectorworks 2018 include: · Multiple drawing views: Use multiple views of a project simultaneously, and begin work in one view pane and finish it in another. Switch effortlessly between viewports, views and visibility settings — simply set up panes and view them all at once. Instantly gauge the impact of a design change across 3D, plan, section and elevation views, and even start a rendering in one view while working in another. · Direct section and elevation editing: Edit models directly from viewports: add openings, align and distribute windows, reposition doors across multiple layers, reshape walls — it’s all possible. Change the 3D views while in the section to see how edits simultaneously affect plans and model views. And, create better-looking, more-accurate drawings in a fraction of the time. · Easier title block customization: Customize items such as variables and orientation, choose from an unlimited set of information to include in a title block, and use styles to more simply manage many title blocks across one or multiple projects. · Direct site model contour editing: Edit a site model easier than ever before with improved site model settings and direct 2D contour editing. Modify each contour line as easily as editing a polyline. Spanish Launch Events: Vectorworks Spotlight 2018, Braceworks and Vision Vectorworks’ Spanish and Portuguese distributor, TechLimits Informática, will host two launch events that will cover Vectorworks Spotlight 2018, Braceworks and Vision, our lighting previsualization software, through a presentation from Vectorworks Senior Entertainment Product Specialist Jim Woodward, followed by a live Q&A. Vision is currently offered in the English version of Vectorworks only. Additionally, Jorge Matos, managing director at TechLimits, will present information about 2018 new features at both events. Carlos Torrijos, lighting designer at Studio & Light, will present at the first launch event, and Raúl Gómez, responsable técnico at Albadalejo will present at the second launch event. Torrijos and Gómez will both present about Spotlight. The events will take place on: · November 29, 2017, Madrid, Spain at 15.00 – 17.15 CET · November 30, 2017 in Barcelona, Spain at 15.00 – 17.15 CET Register for the Madrid launch event here and the Barcelona event here. Vectorworks 2018 can be purchased in Spanish by finding a local distributor at vectorworks.net/international. Additional information regarding Vectorworks 2018 is available at vectorworks.net/espanol and vectorworks.net/2018. Follow #Vectorworks2018 on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to stay in the know about Vectorworks’ latest release.

Global design and BIM software developer Vectorworks, Inc. has been named a winner of BUILD magazine’s Visionaries in Technology award. This inaugural award program was launched with a focus on companies who are shaping the future of the technology for construction and architecture sectors, and who continue to innovate and develop new techniques to keep both divisions moving forward. This award was judged purely on merit by the BUILD in-house research team with all potential winners assessed with multiple, relevant criteria, including previous accolades won; company performance over a specified period of time; influence within the industry, sector or region; and client testimonials or recommendations. “Vectorworks Architect was on our research team’s radar before the award process began. Throughout the process, we were highly impressed by the dedication to practical usability and the focus on translating architectural concepts into workable project files without compromising design freedom,” said Daniel Hornsby, head of features at BUILD magazine. “The BUILD team felt that the Vectorworks full product suite displayed exactly the kind of intuitive, user-focused design that we wanted to celebrate with this award.” Another core focus of the award is the ongoing modernization and digitation of the architecture and construction sectors. With BIM rapidly becoming an industry staple, a key part of the award’s mission was looking at the firms pushing the leading edge of this wave of innovation, and as noted by Hornsby, “Vectorworks’ programs are clear front-runners in the category.” “We are incredibly honored that Vectorworks is recognized by this prestigious award after careful research and consideration,” said Vectorworks Vice President of Marketing Dan Monaghan. “Our company works hard every year to create new innovations within the AEC industry, and our success with this award reinforces our role as leaders in the BIM market and demonstrates how our work continues to make an impact within the design industry.” The Visionaries in Technology Award was launched on the back of several smaller features BUILD has run over the past year. These features were well received by their readers, and they saw a rise in the demand for a focused award that both recognized technology firms and showcased their services to the BUILD readership. You can find out more about these prestigious awards here. As part of winning the award, Vectorworks will be featured in BUILD magazine’s January 2018 issue. To learn more about Vectorworks and Vectorworks 2018, visit our website or follow #Vectorworks2018 on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Global design and BIM software developer Vectorworks, Inc. has been nominated as a finalist in nine categories in this year’s Construction Computing Awards. Known as “The Hammers,” the Construction Computing Awards showcase and reward the technology, tools and solutions for the effective design, construction, maintenance and modification of commercial buildings, residential and social housing and civil engineering projects of all sizes. The awards categories are divided into three sections – those decided by reader voting, project submissions nominated by the principals themselves that will be judged by a panel of experts, and the Editor’s Choice award, which is selected by David Chadwick, editor of Construction Computing Magazine. “We are delighted that Vectorworks has been nominated for these prestigious awards, and that we are recognized in nine categories,” said Vectorworks UK Sales Director Adrian Slatter. “Year after year, Vectorworks continues to draw praise from its users and Construction Computing readers alike. Our involvement and success in these awards reinforces the value designers attach to Vectorworks’ ability to help them transform the world.” Featuring over 20 categories, the Construction Computing Awards allow companies from every segment of the AEC industry to obtain acknowledgement for their hard work over the past 12 months. Vectorworks, Inc. has been nominated in the following categories: · BIM Product of 2017: Vectorworks, Inc. · Collaboration Product of 2017: Vectorworks · Company of the Year: Vectorworks, Inc. · Product of the Year 2017: Vectorworks software · Architectural Design Software of 2017: Vectorworks Architect · Augmented/Virtual Reality Product of 2017: Web View Virtual Reality · Innovation of the Year: Web View Virtual Reality · Cloud Based Technology of 2017: Vectorworks Cloud Services · Best Mobile Technology of 2017: Vectorworks Nomad Voting closes on November 2, and the awards ceremony will be held on November 16 at the Radisson Blu Edwardian in London’s Bloomsbury. View the full list of nominations and cast your votes for Vectorworks here. Award winners will appear in the November/December ‘17 issues of CAD User and Construction Computing magazine. To learn more about Vectorworks, Inc. and Vectorworks 2018, visit our website or follow #Vectorworks2018 on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Global design and BIM software developer Vectorworks, Inc. announces the English-version release of its 2018 Vectorworks software. The release includes Vectorworks® Architect, Landmark, Spotlight, Designer and Fundamentals, as well as Vision. New this year is Braceworks™, a structural load analysis add-on module targeted to designers and riggers working on temporary entertainment structures. “With Vectorworks 2018, we focused on user workflows, making them more robust and efficient,” said Vectorworks CEO Dr. Biplab Sarkar. “In BIM, you can best see this in our direct section and elevation editing and multiview capabilities, and more subtly in all the Wall tool enhancements that allow designers to correctly model wall constructions so walls appear accurately in plan, section and elevation drawings. The direct site model contour editing and enhanced seating sections are other good examples of our usability improvements.” Another theme for this launch was the integration of analysis and design. With the addition of Braceworks to the entertainment portfolio that already includes the industry-leading Spotlight and Vision software, entertainment professionals can complete their entire workflow, from design to documentation to production, in one interface. Also, customers will notice the simplification of Vectorworks worksheet capabilities, which makes it easier for them to create custom reports from model or drawing data. This release is the first in the 2018 worldwide rollout, which will include the release of ten additional localized-language versions. Some of the highly anticipated additions for Vectorworks 2018 include: · Multiple drawing views: Use multiple views of a project simultaneously, and begin work in one view pane and finish it in another. Switch effortlessly between viewports, views and visibility settings — simply set up panes and view them all at once. Instantly gauge the impact of a design change across 3D, plan, section and elevation views, and even start a rendering in one view while working in another. · Direct section and elevation editing: Edit models directly from viewports: add openings, align and distribute windows, reposition doors across multiple layers, reshape walls — it’s all possible. Change the 3D views while in the section to see how edits simultaneously affect plans and model views. And, create better-looking, more-accurate drawings in a fraction of the time. For architecture, notable improvements include: · Improved graphic output for architectural documents: Generate documentation from a BIM file much more efficiently. Improved graphic controls within section views of wall joins and wall, or slab and roof components provides the flexibility to quickly achieve high-quality documentation from a 3D model. · Robust wall modeling options: Control individual component heights by instance, attach information to them, insert component caps and simultaneously edit multiple selected components from an easy-to-use dialog box. Plus, swiftly make wall graphic display changes with the new ability to switch all attributes by class. · Easier title block customization: Customize items such as variables and orientation, choose from an unlimited set of information to include in a title block, and use styles to more simply manage many title blocks across one or multiple projects. · Streamlined drawing distribution: Publish drawings based on issue date and a tightly integrated new title block object; generate and distribute drawing sets, issue information and reports throughout the duration of a project; and automate the typically laborious process of creating a BIM project or lighting a stage. Enhancements for entertainment design include: · New zoom option for video and blended screens: It's now easier than ever to manage the planning and visualization of video screens in designs. With new graphic output capabilities, more accurately understand, estimate and adjust available throw and zoom, to enable final equipment choices earlier in the design process. · Enhanced seating section: Choose from additional layout methods, multiple seat numbering options and graphic controls to easily set and modify seating sections from the Object Info palette. Generate more precise seating layout visualizations for an event and automate seating schedules for inventory and ordering. For landscape design, important updates include: · Direct site model contour editing: Edit a site model easier than ever with improved site model settings and direct 2D contour editing. Modify each contour line as easily as editing a polyline. · New import/export tree survey options: Generate existing site conditions from GIS and tree survey data without the need for external tools. Just use geolocated tree species data to create existing tree objects and export back to clients via Shapefile (SHP), TXT and DXF formats. As in past years, many updates to the software directly correlated with customer feedback. Designers with early access have already begun to share their thoughts on the new edition. “Truly amazing new features for Vectorworks, ones that will make working in 3D and using BIM workflows much easier and more compelling,” said Jonathan Reeves, director of Jonathan Reeves Architecture. Additional testimonials are below: “Multiple view drawing support will be one of the most celebrated features of Vectorworks 2018. It gives users the ability to think about projects in different ways and from different perspectives, all at the same time!” –C. Andrew Dunning, Owner of Landru Design “I really like the new improved title block — it is easier to use, and it puts the details needed for project information, and issue and revision data all in one place — for easier management and tracking.” –Chad Hamilton, AIA, LEED, AP, BD+C, Principal Architect at Hamilton + Aitken Architects “Braceworks is an extremely helpful tool to simplify and shorten the workflow within our projects. It allows us to calculate loads directly from the CAD plan and to analyze the feasibility at any time. The easy connection to our partners in the field of structural analysis considerably reduces the costs in this area and ensures faster results. This makes it possible for us to work in constant exchange and thus always to achieve the best solution with a comparable, favorable price.” – John van Look, Head of Production Rigging at PRG Germany “Direct contour editing, where have you been all my life? I’m In Love! Our digital terrain modeling workflow with the site modeling tools, was quite often a lot of experimentation and modification to achieve the desired grade. Now with the ability to directly edit the site model contours in Vectorworks 2018, our workflow has been cut in half. This has greatly improved our design production, giving us a higher profitability on site grading throughout!” –Bryan Goff, Director of Design + Sciences at Grey Leaf Design, Inc. “The new Renderworks is an amazing upgrade, with more detail and quality of lighting being delivered at the same speed in Vectorworks 2017, or shockingly — even faster.” –Ion Webster, Principal at Pults & Associates, LLP Beginning today, the English-language version of Vectorworks 2018 software is available by download for Vectorworks Service Select customers. To learn more about Vectorworks 2018, visit vectorworks.net/2018 or follow #Vectorworks2018 on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Press interested in learning more about this release can access the Vectorworks 2018 press kit at vectorworks.net/2018/press. For further information and requests, contact Communications Manager Lauren Burke Meyer at lmeyer@vectorworks.net.

Vectorworks, Inc., a global design and BIM software developer for the architecture, landscape and entertainment design industries, has continued to help students reach their highest potential with its third annual Vectorworks Design Scholarship program. Nearly $40,000 in prizes were awarded for projects that demonstrate the creativity and high-caliber work of the next generation of design professionals. The pool of entries was competitive, with more than 2,000 submissions from students around the world. Ningxin Cheng (B.Arch. 2017) and Kalen McNamara (M.Arch. 2018) from Rice University’s School of Architecture were ultimately selected as this year’s winners of the prestigious Richard Diehl Award, with their project, “Open Pocket,” winning the $10,000 grand prize. For their submission, Cheng and McNamara entered an assignment from their fall 2016 advanced studio, taught by Assistant Professor Andrew Colopy. The studio is part of Totalization, a unique collaborative design program at Rice Architecture, which has been honored with distinction by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB), as well as the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ASCA). “We are thrilled by this news and by this distinguished and generous recognition of Ningxin and Kalen’s terrific work,” said Dean of the Rice School of Architecture Sarah Whiting. “Nothing is more heartening than having the professional world help to foster the next generation.” In addition to Cheng and McNamara’s recognized achievement, an international panel of design professionals and academics also selected student projects that were awarded $3,000 each from across the architecture, landscape, entertainment and interior design fields. Submissions were evaluated based on effective use of computer technology and originality, as well as design integrity and a well-articulated design vision. The winning projects are as follows: · “Next to Normal” by Ted Brown, University of Iowa · “The Other Place” by Alexander Drachenberg, University of Wuppertal (Bergische Universität Wuppertal) · “Wander” by Tineke Gol and Astrid Stevens, University of Antwerp (Universiteit Antwerpen) · “Zuerichwohnen – Clusterwohnen im Solarhaus” by Joël Héritier, ETH Zürich · “Sustainable Energy and Environmental Monitoring Centre, Saltaire” by Peter Markos, University of Sheffield · “Moerbekes Regeneratie” by Dries Pattyn, KASK, School of Arts of University College Ghent · “Siebenschläfer-Übernachten in der alten Scheune” by Sophia Rodermund, Hochschule Ostwestfalen-Lippe University of Applied Sciences · “The Wall” by Brecht Scheelen, UHasselt · “The Space Left Behind-Uncovered” by Filip Staszkiewicz, TU Dresden (Technische Universität Dresden) · “Wonderland” by Paula Wheeler and Trish Thuy Trang Nhan, Arizona State University Not only were these students given monetary awards, but they also received licenses of Vectorworks Designer software for their schools’ labs, as well as free training provided by a Vectorworks expert. Visit the Vectorworks Design Scholarship web gallery to view the winning designs and runner-up projects. Once there, interested students may sign up for an email list to receive notifications regarding future scholarship award cycles.

To best support and grow its rapidly expanding user base, global design and BIM software developer Vectorworks, Inc. is delighted to announce the formation of a new office in the UK. To facilitate this new corporate office, Vectorworks has acquired Design Software Solutions Limited, a long-time reseller of Vectorworks software. The Vectorworks UK office will build on the support, training and sales infrastructure developed by Design Software Solutions as a launch pad for further development in the region. The new office will be led by Tamsin Slatter and Adrian Slatter, former directors of Design Software Solutions. “With more than ten years of experience helping users make the most of their investment in Vectorworks software, Design Software Solutions has provided significant input to the growth of the UK market while also providing valuable support and training materials,” said Vectorworks CEO Dr. Biplab Sarkar. “Tamsin and Adrian Slatter and their dedicated team have the right mix of experience and passion for our products to help us to provide top-quality support for our existing community of designers and resellers in the UK, while expanding our user base even faster than we have to date.” In addition to its headquarters in the United States and its new office in the UK, Vectorworks has a network of 35 distributors around the world. Its software solutions are available in 11 languages, providing powerful tools to help designers capture ideas, nurture innovation, communicate effectively and realize their visions. “We’re thrilled to be part of the Vectorworks team. The UK and Ireland is a major market for designers of all disciplines, and Vectorworks’ decision to invest in creating a direct presence shows how highly the company values these clients and the market opportunity that exists,” said Adrian Slatter, UK sales director. “We passionately believe that Vectorworks provides the best 2D/3D design and BIM tools in the market today, allowing all disciplines to become more efficient without compromising on the elements of design and innovation.”

Vectorworks, Inc., a global design and BIM software developer for the architecture, landscape and entertainment design industries, announces the addition of seven new speakers to the schedule for the 2017 Vectorworks Design Summit, to be held Monday, September 18 to Wednesday, September 20, 2017 at the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront Hotel in Baltimore, Maryland. The conference will include 35 speakers, more than 75 hours of hands-on training, one-on-one technical support and networking events. Attendees will also get an inside view of Vectorworks® software’s future development cycle, including new features in the soon-to-be-released 2018 version of the application. “The fervor, overall enthusiasm and passion that has been on display among attendees at each of our past two Design Summits has made this a must-attend event for Vectorworks enthusiasts around the world,” said Nicole Davison, vice president of sales at Vectorworks. “From thought-provoking and inspirational keynote speakers, to tremendous training and learning, to the design-focused interactive activities and social events with Vectorworks staff, the Summit is truly a can’t-miss event. We can’t wait to continue our annual occasion to share in our mutual passion for transforming the world through great design.” Speakers and Continuing Education Opportunities As previously announced, Vectorworks CEO Dr. Biplab Sarkar and Brad Cloepfil, AIA, NCARB, founding principal of Allied Works Architecture, will deliver the keynote addresses. The first keynote, led by Sarkar, will include an introduction to the latest features in Vectorworks 2018. He will also invite industry leaders to share their business success stories, including, Paul Beaty-Pownall, MA, Dip, RIBA, managing director at bpr architects ltd; Marc Pancera, MSc ETH Arch, head of BIM and associate at IttenBrechbühl; Adam Greenspan, partner at PWP Landscape Architecture; and Remco Teunissen, owner at RTN Showsupport. In addition to Beaty-Pownall, Pancera, Greenspan and Teunissen, the new speakers added to the presentation schedule include: · Tamsin Slatter, director at Design Software Solutions, who will discuss time-saving tips for Vectorworks Landmark; and · Daniel Irvine, M.Arch, and Jean Dières Monplaisir, M.Arch, M.Sc.Eng, intern architects at Principle Architecture, who will demonstrate the process of designing an immersive, free-form, timber installation using Marionette scripting. The event will offer more than 21 Continuing Education Unit opportunities for attendees to earn HSW, AIA and ASLA CEUs, with presentations covering topics such as collaborative BIM workflows, DWG files, cartography, rendering, tech tips and graphical scripting to be more productive. Sponsors and Exhibitors To further support Vectorworks’ commitment to helping designers streamline their workflow, Bluebeam, Inc. has been named as the Gold Level Sponsor for the 2017 Vectorworks Design Summit. A leading developer of technology solutions for the architectural, engineering and construction (AEC) industries, Bluebeam software allows the world’s most document-intensive industries to share information and collaborate in real time. Additionally, Silver Level sponsors HP Inc. and 3Dconnexion, Inc., along with exhibitors Canon U.S.A., Inc., Solibri LLC and SCIA, Inc. will be available to help attendees find the right solutions for their software and design needs. Ticket Rates Design professionals can attend the Design Summit for $699, while design students and professors can register for the academic rate of $99. Interested attendees should register online now to take advantage of this valuable opportunity, as well as book a discounted hotel stay at the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront Hotel by mentioning Vectorworks when placing a reservation before the room block offer expires on August 18. Press can register and attend the Design Summit for free by emailing Vectorworks’ Communications Manager Lauren Meyer at Lmeyer@vectorworks.net. To see the full schedule for the conference, visit http://www.vectorworks.net/design-summit - Schedule. Join the Summit conversation by using #VectorworksDesignSummit on social media.

Brian Nicholson, senior landscape product specialist at global design and BIM software developer Vectorworks, Inc., has passed the Sustainable SITES Initiative accredited professional exam. Nicholson is among the first group of SITES Accredited Professionals (APs) to pass the exam and receive the resulting designation. First announced at the October 2016 ASLA Annual Meeting in New Orleans, the SITES AP exam uses the expertise of leading practitioners to assess a candidate’s competency in sustainable landscape design and development. For landscape professionals who successfully pass the exam, this new designation allows them to exhibit their knowledge and commitment to the profession, promote the value of landscape architecture and educate the public about how SITES can play a role in a more sustainable and healthy environment. The Sustainable SITES Initiative (SITES) is the first program of its kind to offer a systematic, comprehensive rating system designed to define thoughtful land development and management. SITES aligns land development and management with innovative design—defining what a sustainable site is and, ultimately, elevating the value of landscapes in the built environment. Land is a crucial component of the built environment and can be planned, designed, developed and maintained to protect and enhance the benefits we derive from healthy functioning landscapes. The four overarching goals of the SITES rating system are to create regenerative systems and foster resiliency; ensure future source supply and mitigate climate change; transform the market through design, development and maintenance practices; and enhance human wellbeing and strengthen the community. “It’s an honor to be in the first cohort of landscape professionals to earn this important and distinguished credential,” said Nicholson. “Being a newly minted SITES AP, I’m looking forward to developing tools and workflows within Vectorworks to help streamline SITES documentation on projects for landscape architects.” In addition to earning the SITES AP designation, Nicholson is a professional landscape architect, maintaining licenses in multiple jurisdictions and is an accredited Green Roof Professional (GRP) and LEED accredited professional. He also serves as the ASLA Colorado chapter president, where he develops value-added programs for members and advocates for the chapter at the national level. Since their release, Vectorworks product specialists have worked with users to recognize and facilitate design workflows that adhere to the design and performance standards set forth in LEED and SITES. With Nicholson becoming an accredited professional for both rating systems, those using Vectorworks® Landmark software for their own site design projects will continue to see more SITES supported features and workflows to ensure their project documents meet or exceed these standards. For more information about Sustainable AP, visit http://www.sustainablesites.org/sites-ap.

Finalizing the agenda for the 2017 Vectorworks Design Summit, organizer and global design and BIM software developer Vectorworks, Inc. is announcing Vectorworks CEO Dr. Biplab Sarkar and Brad Cloepfil, founding principal, AIA, NCARB of Allied Works Architecture as the keynote speakers. Hosted from Monday, September 18 to Wednesday, September 20, 2017 at the Baltimore Marriot Waterfront Hotel in Maryland, the conference includes more than 70 hours of ROI-driven industry training on trends and tools, several networking events to help attendees make beneficial connections for their careers, as well as one-on-one face time with training and support staff. The first keynote, led by Sarkar, takes place on day two of the conference, September 19, at 9 a.m. ET. The keynote will include an introduction from Sarkar about the latest features in Vectorworks 2018, scheduled for release this fall. Additionally, customers will come on stage and share how Vectorworks software empowers their business to succeed. On day three, September 20, at 9 a.m. ET, Cloepfil will kick off the second keynote, “Applied Arts,” highlighting Allied Works Architecture’s design process through innovative case studies. Architect, educator and principal of Allied Works Architecture, Cloepfil creates culturally resonant architectural designs, forged by the defining elements of their mission and site. Cloepfil’s earliest influences lay outside of architecture — ranging from the vast landscapes and monumental works of civil engineering in the Pacific Northwest, to the simple, yet profound gestures of land and installation artists. His approach to design combines an intensive focus on the specific character of each project with an understanding of architecture’s transformative possibilities. “I hope attendees leave my keynote feeling inspired to explore the craft of making, whether they’re designing anything from buildings, landscapes or stage designs to plates, tables or perfume bottles,” said Cloepfil. “Although, this passion for making would be nothing without the means to do the job — tools like Vectorworks software that allow designers to explore and document innovative projects.” Cloepfil founded Allied Works Architecture in his native Portland, Oregon in 1994 and opened the New York City office in 2003. The recipient of numerous design awards, he holds degrees from the University of Oregon and Columbia University Graduate School of Architecture, and he has taught and lectured widely throughout North America and Europe. Allied Works Architecture is widely acclaimed for their arts and cultural projects. For the past 14 years, they’ve been using Vectorworks software on some of their most prestigious projects, including the Museum of Arts and Design in New York City; the Clyfford Still Museum in Denver, Colorado; the National Veterans Memorial & Museum in Columbus, Ohio; and the National Music Centre of Canada, in Calgary. The firm’s varied and rigorous design process ultimately comes to rest through the clarity of the drawing. Vectorworks’ team has worked as a partner to provide the best available digital modeling, scripting and rendering software, allowing Allied Works Architecture to maintain the forgotten power of the well-drafted sheet through a unique, drawing-like drafting environment. As part of the schedule’s finalization, the early bird special for registration has been extended until June 7, 2017. Interested participants should register now to ensure $100 in savings. To see the full schedule for the conference, visit www.vectorworks.net/design-summit#Schedule. Press can register and attend the Design Summit for free by emailing Vectorworks’ Communications Manager Lauren Meyer at Lmeyer@vectorworks.net. Join the Summit conversation by using #VectorworksDesignSummit on social media.

Global design and BIM software developer Vectorworks, Inc. is building upon its partnership with the American Institute of Architects, California Council (AIACC) to offer a second AIACC BIM Software Member Value Program, running from June 1 to June 30, 2017. After the initial program launch in November 2016 the special is running again to help connect emerging and start-up architecture firms to software that supports their entire design process. "We're passionate about helping young and emerging architects further their competitive advantage by providing an unbeatable offer to obtain Vectorworks® software, which provides powerful and intuitive tools tuned for the unique challenges faced in the design process of all architectural projects," said Mark Hewick, U.S. director of sales at Vectorworks. “The discounted offer isn’t the only benefit to these individuals because we also offer perpetual licenses.” Specifically, the Member Value Program offers a 35 percent discount to the 11,000 AIACC members on Vectorworks Architect licenses for new users. Architect software will cost $1,914.25, saving new users $1,030.75. AIACC will host an introductory webinar on Thursday, June 8 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. ET that will provide a program overview, feature AIACC members currently using Vectorworks, technical information and more details for members about how to access this opportunity. Register for the webinar here. Those unable to make the live airing of the webinar should still register to receive the recording afterwards. Vectorworks Architect is an industry-leading architectural design and BIM software that enables designers to tackle complex ideas in 2D and 3D, refine construction details, explore a project’s energy efficiency and streamline costs. As a flexible BIM tool connected with its 14 sister brands from the Nemetschek group, Architect empowers designers to plug into today’s BIM processes while keeping their focus on great design. To learn more about transitioning to Vectorworks software, register for the upcoming Getting Started Seminar on May 31, 2017 at 1:00 p.m. ET. Everyone participating in the Member Value Program can attend the seminar for free. To take advantage of the AIACC BIM Software Member Value Program, visit vectorworks.net/aiacc to sign up and receive the offer. Current users should call 888-646-4223 or email sales@vectorworks.net to learn more about what discounts may apply to them.

Global design and BIM software developer Vectorworks, Inc. announces version 2.5 of the pedestrian simulation software add on for Vectorworks 2017 software, SimTread. Created by Japanese Vectorworks distributor A&A Co., Ltd. in partnership with Waseda University and Takenaka Corporation, SimTread helps in simulating and analyzing a variety of crowd control needs, such as evaluating evacuation times, building egress and traffic flow. Updates for this version include improvements for video export quality and a more detailed analysis that offers the ability to efficiently add time-dependent events like evacuations, as well as account for different occupants, such as individuals in wheelchairs. As a flow-analysis tool, SimTread helps those working in disaster preparedness, public safety, facilities management, as well as event, municipal or campus planning. SimTread can assist in and optimizes a design’s circulation pattern – whether directing the slow meandering of people through an art museum or expediting the exit of tens of thousands of people from a football stadium. “We’re always looking for new ways to help designers work more efficiently by putting the information they need at their fingertips,” said Jeremy Powell, senior marketing director at Vectorworks. “Updates for this SimTread version will improve productivity for the design and planning of pedestrian flow and evacuation safety.” Updates for the latest SimTread release include: · Improved plot tracking, which provides a more in-depth analysis by enabling the ability to plot and display the specified path occupants take to reach their destinations. · The new Show/Select SimTread Object command helps users save time by showing or selecting all instances of specified SimTread object types. · The duplicate transfer points update provides a command that streamlines the creation of a simulation of a multi-story building by allowing the replication of transfer points at stairwells. · Enhanced anti-aliasing and H264 video codec parameters for higher-quality video output. “SimTread helps designers make better, more data-driven decisions when it comes to optimizing their layouts for crowd flow and safety,” said Dr. Takeshi Kimura, manager of product development at A&A. “As such, we continually work to improve the capabilities of SimTread based on customer feedback and provide Vectorworks users the best tool possible.” To purchase SimTread, or learn more, visit our partner page at vectorworks.net/simtread.

As part of the continued effort to help international designers take on projects across industries, global design and BIM software developer Vectorworks, Inc. is welcoming First Star Computer as the new United Arab Emirates (UAE) Vectorworks software distributor. With Vectorworks® Architect, First Star Computer adds the leading cross-platform BIM product to its portfolio, along with the rest of the product line, including Landmark, Spotlight, Designer, Fundamentals and Vision. “With the dedicated team at First Star Computer and their years of experience, we know that they will help us to reach new audiences, while providing top-quality support for our existing community of designers in the UAE,” said Vectorworks CEO Dr. Biplab Sarkar. With more than 12 years of experience in the CAD industry, First Star Computer has a team of expert engineers who currently develop and provide 2D drafting and 3D modeling solutions for sectors in the UAE, such as engineering, construction and infrastructure. Additionally, First Star Computer serves more than 2,500 building construction and design companies with more than 10 resellers in the UAE. “The UAE is a powerhouse in numerous areas, including construction, infrastructure, real estate and media, which, alongside its strong economy, provide an invaluable opportunity,” said Business Development Director Houssien Nassr, who started with the company as a partner in 2004. “Thus, the collaboration between First Star Computer and Vectorworks was natural, as Vectorworks provides the best-in-class 2D/3D design and BIM tools that are used in many interdisciplinary fields and can solve many technical issues in the fields of architecture and design.” To purchase Vectorworks through First Star Computer, visit caduae.com. Those outside the UAE can find their local distributor at vectorworks.net/international.