Thermal Analysis with IES

I know I'm a little tardy posting this, but wanted to get it out here just in case someone hasn't seen the article yet.

Integrated Environmental Solutions (IES) launched VE-Ware sustainable design software that provides limited access to the company's Virtual Environment Apache thermal analysis software.

VE-Ware reportedly gives instant feedback on a building's energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions based on real geometry and using international data on climatic conditions and the typical characteristics of different building, room, and system types. Because it facilitates iterative design, allowing the comparison of different design, layout, and system options, VE-Ware is appropriate for use at early stages of design.

Currently only models exported directly from Autodesk Revit can be accepted by VE-Ware.  However, the goal is to make VE-Ware available globally to anyone who wishes to use it, regardless of vendor or system.

VE-Ware will be released in June 2008. However, interested parties can register now at the IES Web site.

The entire article can be viewed here.

Another App to tie Revit Models and Specifications

BSD (Building Systems Design Inc.) recently announced they are entering in the game of integrating specs and models with an upcoming integration manager called LinkMan-E™, which will work side-by-side with their new release of SpecLink-E.  Speclink-E is the successor to the very successful BSD SpecLink+ software.  According to the press release, LinkMan-E will enter the beta phase of its development following the first full release of SpecLink-E, currently scheduled for BSD’s 2008-2009 winter quarter.

If you or your company is a user of BSD SpecLink or trying to decide if it's time to integrate your model and specs, this is definitely something to keep an eye on.

Tectonic BIM Library Manager now SmartBIM Library

Back in December, Reed Construction Data acquired Tectonic Partners and now they have launched SmartBIM solutions which will include SmartBIM Library™, SmartBIM Objects™ and RSMeans™ Quick Cost Estimator.  The SmartBIM Library™ takes the place of the Tectonic BIM Library Manager, SmartBIM Objects™ sound like they are basically the objects that will be included in the Library, and RSMeans™ Quick Cost Estimator looks to be a tool that will allow Revit objects to be linked directly to RSMeans data.  The press release can be read here and you can visit www.smartBIM.com for more information.

Autodesk Seek Released Today

Today, Autodesk released (see this press release) Autodesk Seek, a groundbreaking web service that allows architects, engineers and designers to search, select and specify building products using Autodesk’s advanced search technology.  The technology has already been integrated into the 2009 products.  If you haven't seen 2009 or maybe just haven't looked at the toolbars closely, there is a new toolbar for the Content Search.

Just type in what you are looking for (example; I was looking to see if Marvin had windows available, so I typed in Marvin) and as long as you are connected to the Internet, it will open up a browser and show you the results.  It has quite a few file types you can search for, just take a look at the image below to see the types of files you can search for...

As the press release mentioned, the amount of content will continue to grow.  I can only imagine how big of a database this is going to grow to!

Also, if you don't want to open up a piece of software, you can go directly to http://seek.autodesk.com/ to search for content.

Enjoy!