Jeffrey W Ouellette

Please submit bugs and attach the files that are problematic. We are currently addressing a number of IFC import/export related bugs as we continue to pursue compliance with the GSA BIM Guide and compatibility with other IFC capable applications.

Allison, Use the TAB key to confirm the value after you have entered it, not the ENTER key, while in the Floating Data Bar. If this seems a bit counter-intuitive, its final design was not without a significant amount of debate and testing in many configurations.

Christiaan, My understanding from our engineers is that the Mac OS will allow VW (and other apps) to address 3GB of RAM, in theory, but more likely 2.5GB in the confines of reality. For Windows (all 32 bit versions)the limit is lower, about 2GB in theory, 1.5GB in practice.

Have you submitted a bug and attached the file and some screen shot images? The images would help our engineers immensely.

It is not possible.

Just to let you all know that I will be giving a presentation to the NY User Group, this Wednesday, 27 Feb 2008, 6:30-8:00 pm, at the Apple Store in SoHo (103 Prince Street). I will be talking about BIM, how VW Architect gives users the tools to engage BIM and cover some examples. I'll be trying to cover a lot of ground in a short period of time and hope to be able to do a Q&A for about 30min at the end. I always enjoy meeting users face-to-face and look forward to seeing some new, as well as familiar, faces on this trip!

Charlie, Et Al, At this point, I am going to beat the "BIM in Practice" web page drum again. There are a couple sample projects which address "best practices" for many issues, including this thread. In the Ellicott Heights project, ALL elements of the structural system (cast-in-place concrete) are included in the 'Mod-Slab-?' layers. This takes into account the monolithic nature of the construction, the workflow that assumes that the structural design will be done by an outside consultant and the project file setup that uses DLVPs extensively. Note that the Stairs are included. In the Alexandria Lofts project, the floors, stairs and a few miscellaneous items, such as pads, stoops and sloped roof surfaces, are included in the 'Mod-Slab'?' layers. In this case there are separate layers for the framing of the floors. The project file also assumes that all "work" done to the model (e.g. architectural, structural, MEP) and drawings, is handled 'in-house'. So, which information goes on which layer does depend on a number of factors, which include the following: - File structure (single vs. multiple references) - Project size - Workflow/division of responsibilities - Level of detail to describe systems This list is hardly exhaustive, but you should get the point.

Ariel, VectorWorks Architect has 1st Step IFC 2x3 certification. We are continually refining the IFC tools as we continue to develop new versions of VW. GSA BIM guide validation/compliance is ongoing. We are currently revising the IFC tools to satisfy the comments after the last review. To achieve Stage 2 certification, our users must demonstrate the use of VectorWorks Architect and IFCs in a real project and workflow. As per the IAI Implementer Support Group: "Step 2: after end-users have used the application for at least 6 months and approved, that the quality of it's IFC-interface is sufficient, the application will be tested in a second workshop using data from real projects." I am always on the lookout for users who are willing to step forward, to assist them in a real-world implementation.

The latest version of Ecotect, v5.60, is purported to support IFC 2x3. Our intent is to pursue this avenue of data exchange, once we can get someone from Square1 to return our inquiries.\

I'd like our users to take a look at the BIMstorm site and consider taking the time to participate in the next one, BIMstorm New Orleans, this spring. Ideally, we would have users in many of our markets, all over the world, working either together, on one team, or in parallel, on separate teams.

Sorry C W, I wasn't intentionally ignoring you, just a bit busy on this end. I'm glad you got it working. This will only go as far as our users push it. We will continue to collaborate with developers like Onuma to enhance options for our users to interact with a BIM methodology and processes. We will be on the lookout for more opportunities to create and expand our interoperability with other BIM-compatible apps and workflows. Initially, though, will will be focusing on using open standards (IFC) to do such communication.

Try 'Extrude Along Path". First create a 2D gutter profile (you can do this in plan view). Next draw a polyline along the edge of the roof you wish to gutter. You can draw it or offset from the edge of the roof as you wish. Select both objects and select 'Extrude Along Path'. From EAP dialog controls, highlight the path object. After the extrude is done, you'll need to 'Enter Group' and edit the location of the profile relative to the origin. By default it places the center of the profile along the path. Then, in a 3D view (front, back, left, right) move the whole extrusion up/down.

What did we do? Well the "stuff" you saw in the Google Earth .kml file was all created by our team as a proposal for the re-development of part of LA (read the BIMstorm website information). We created the geometry in VW Architect and then translated and uploaded to the OPS. This geometry wa pretty basic -floor slabs and space objects. Onuma's system then made the geometry and data associated with it available to other participants to add more information, if they chose. We have had a solar analysis created by another participant for one of the buildings. Our plan is to post all of this "stuff" to the BIM in Practice page as an example of another BIM workflow using VW.

Onuma has essentially set up all the technology as a service to architects. We want to support his efforts for implementing support for open data standards like IFC to exchange even very basic building design information (e.g. footprint, massing, spaces) in a meaningful way. The OPS allows people to collaborate from many different aspects of the AECO process with different software for different puposes. Our interest is in showing our customers how they and VW can interact with other BIM-centric applications. I think Kimon Onuma's OPS (Onuma Planning System) is a great tool to help architects, developers and planners make decisions early in the design process, when it is still cheap to make changes and explore different avenues. It allows architects to put their ideas in context. It enables them to share what they know about a design, when they know it and get meaningful input from other sources of data (e.g. zoning/planning officials, environmental experts, energy analysis firms, etc.). It expands the potential of collaboration to get a project done and done right. It is not going to immediately affect every architect for every project right away. But I think events like BIMstorm show everyone the potential and eventual path of the future of architecture and technology.

Download the attachment to your desktop. Select the file and rename it by deleting the .txt off the end. If you have Google Earth installed, it should change the icon to a Google Earth file icon. If not, that's OK. Just open up Google Earth and from the File>Open... menu, select the renamed download file. On the left side of the Google Earth screen, under the Places menu, you should have a category, "Temporary Places". The new link "OPS Network" will be there. Just double-click on it and it should "transport" you to the site.

For those of you who missed it: Nemetschek North America Co-Sponsoring and Participating in BIMStorm LAX Columbia, Maryland, (January 31, 2008)--Nemetschek North America is co-sponsoring and participating in Onuma BIMStorm? LAX , an international event involving a wide cross-section of building industry professionals to design?in real time?over 30 Los Angeles city blocks encompassing 30 million square feet. The event, which takes place Thursday, January 31, will demonstrate how new technology and processes can improve design. ?Team V? will include members of Nemetschek North America?s integrated products group in Columbia, Maryland, collaborating with users from rojo Architecture in Tampa, Florida, and Shook Kelley, Inc., in Charlotte, North Carolina. ?We think of the BIMStorm events as ?Rapid City Prototyping,? using the Onuma Planning System to leverage industry-standard file formats for building information exchange (most notably IFC) in a graphic, collaborative environment,? says Robert Anderson, Nemetschek North America?s vice president of integrated products. ?VectorWorks Architect?s broad support of current IFC file formats gives us the ability to participate fully in this visualization process.? VectorWorks Architect 2008 currently ships with a level-one certified implementation of IFC export and import, including versions 2.0, 2x2, and 2x3. Using this capability and the unique space planning and 3D modeling tools included in VectorWorks Architect, ?Team V? will be able to demonstrate VectorWorks as a valuable participant in a Building Information Modeling (BIM) workflow, from initial planning and schematic design to the exchange of design ideas in various open-standard formats. These ideas are then available to other BIMStorm participants for energy analysis, cost and lifecycle analysis, and to examine ideas in the larger context of the city of Los Angeles. Believing that current design processes are inefficient when using traditional methods, Onuma, Inc., whose mission is simply ?Revolutionize Architecture,? is coordinating this historic architectural technology event. Calling the concept ?a Woodstock? for the building industry, Onuma?s BIMStorm creates a framework for putting the process into warp speed and maximizing the value of a design charrette. It incorporates the skills of worldwide teams in maximizing the ?information? part of BIM. Onuma announced plans to submit the entire BIMStorm LAX project and process to the 2008 AIA Technology in Architectural Practice (TAP) BIM Awards as the first-of-a-kind, real-time submittal to the BIM Awards. If you're interested in what Stan Rostas, Robert Anderson and I came up with, check out this link to Google Earth (you must have Google Earth installed). Just download the file and remove the .txt extension. If it doesn't automatically associate with Google Earth, try opening GE first and then open the link with File>Open...

Mac B, I'll point you to our new BIM in Practice web page, accessible through the Architect product page or selecting it from the Support pulldown menu at the top. Go to the "projects section and take a look at the Alexandria Laundry Lofts project. It contains examples of Interior Elevations created using the section viewport mechanism. Be on the lookout for more projects and more examples of more workflows in the future.

Michael, Ah, that file is nothing. The Ellicott Heights main building file is 2-3 times as big (mostly due to "Save Viewport Cache" turned ON). I use the same machine I started with almost two years ago, a MacBook Pro 17" 2.16 gHz Intel Core Duo with 2 GB RAM. (I like to joke that PCs/Windoze gives me the hives..).

Gentlemen, It would be helpful to our engineers if you listed the "obvious particulars" in a Wishlist Forum thread for each particular object/tool of concern. Without explicit architectural knowledge, especially from our different markets from around the world, they rely on succinct feedback from the users on ways to improve tools. Your help is appreciated. And timing is always crucial. All I'll say is, "Get your comments/wishes in NOW" (wink, wink, nudge, nudge).

Michael, One more note. You may need to "Edit Criteria" of the database row in order to count the doors/windows you want. By default, I believe the schedules look for all door/window objects in all the design layers with the "on schedule" option turned on (TRUE). If you have design layer viewports, which copy the information of one design layer to another (like old-style layer links) it will count them too.

Michael, In Architect select Tools>Reports>VA Create Schedule... and then select either "Door Schedule" or "Window Schedule". These will give you default schedules with most, if not all, PIO data fields in them. You can delete columns, as necessary and not affect the doors or their data. If you want an example, download the Alexandria Laundry Lofts VWX file from the BIM in Practice page on the website. Both schedules are contained within.

Chris, You can't embed the door object into the storefront/Window Wall(Straight) object. If you tweaked the Window Wall just right, you can "Ungroup" it in a 3D view/iso, break up the object to make room for the Door and then insert the door into the group. OR You could use the wall tool and create a glazing wall style. Then insert the Mullion object into the wall where desired. Next, insert the Door into the wall. For horizontal mullions, create a profile and draw a line for a path, then invoke the Extrude Along Path command. Group it all together. Copy the mullions vertically as needed within the group and subtract solids, as necessary. I used this technique extensively for the Ellicott Heights BIM in Practice file. Some I made into Symbols others were just groups.

The Nemetschek IFC Viewer is a Nemetschek AG product. As far as I am aware of, NAG doesn't directly produce any Mac OS compatible software (except those produced by its subsidiaries). Also, I am not aware of their plans or further support of the product. I would strongly recommend Solibri's products. We (NNA) are currently using Solibri Model Checker (SMC) as the standard against which our efforts for GSA certification and overall IFC implementation are judged. Besides SMC, Solibri also provides a free Model Viewer, almost identical to Model Checker. I'm sure after GSA certification is completed, we will be listed on the Solibri website.

Peter, If you have a VW design series product (e.g. Architect, Designer, Landmark), then you should have the IFC plug-ins. They are a part of the File>Export menu. VectorWorks Architect is currently shipping with a level-one certified implementation of IFC export and import. We support IFC 2.0, IFC 2x2, and IFC 2x3. We are currently in process on obtaining certification from GSA regarding compatibility with their BIM Guide as it relates to IFC. VectorWorks users can expect our IFC implementation to be aggressively maturing, in the coming months, as we continue to identify IFC-related workflows and third-party applications critical to our users' success with VectorWorks Architect as a BIM application. Your insight and request would be greatly valued as we continue to improve and develop IFC-related tools.

What about using a Framing Member object set to "Trimmer"?