Autodesk introduces the 2010 version of its building information modeling (BIM) software portfolio

The company Autodesk, a leader in design software, today announced new versions of software products for the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry that further enhance the attractiveness of solutions for creating building information modeling (BIM). Autodesk's updated BIM software portfolio includes Autodesk Revit Architecture 2010, Autodesk Revit Structure 2010, Autodesk Revit MEP 2010, AutoCAD Civil 3D 2010, and Autodesk Navisworks 2010.

“In the current economic climate, companies need collaborative and flexible technological tools for building information modeling that help implement projects faster and more efficiently,” said Jay Bhatt, senior vice president of Autodesk for architecture and construction solutions. “The 2010 version of our software takes advantage of the BIM methodology to further strengthen the connection between architectural and construction teams. These powerful tools will help our customers more effectively and quickly find answers to many 'What if...' questions they ask when considering their design options.”

Autodesk's software portfolio for building information modeling assists architects, designers, investors, and other professionals throughout the life cycle of a construction project to realize ideas more easily, make more efficient use of digital design data, and improve communication within project teams. Through solutions built on the BIM methodology, companies can perform simulations and analyses more accurately, create variants, and produce visualizations. This reduces costs during construction, mitigates its impact on the environment, and saves precious time.

The Autodesk Revit 2010 Platform
The Autodesk Revit platform, built on a unified user interface, offers a complete suite of products for design professionals in construction. The updated Autodesk Revit platform also allows for a higher level of collaboration in terms of environmental impact analyses. The individual products within the platform include the following key new features:

Autodesk Revit Architecture 2010 (BIM for architects and designers) enables customers to capture initial conceptual designs more accurately through: An intuitive working environment for conceptual design aimed at more easily creating complex geometric shapes. A new user interface that works exactly as an architect or designer thinks, offering a faster and clearer design workflow. Updated compatibility with programs like AutoCAD Civil 3D 2010, Autodesk 3ds Max Design 2010, and Autodesk Inventor 2010.

Autodesk Revit Structure 2010 (BIM for structural and dynamic engineers) integrates multi-material and independently adjustable analytical models to create more efficient and accurate documentation, analyses, and designs. Users will primarily benefit from: Enhanced conceptual design, modeling, and analysis capabilities for handling more complex architectural forms. A new user interface with a customizable toolbar. Improved performance and compatibility, including native 64-bit support.

Autodesk Revit MEP 2010 (BIM for mechanical, electrical, and plumbing designers) provides customers with tools for designing MEP systems and analyzing building performance, helping designers make more informed decisions. The 2010 version offers new functionalities including: Calculating heating and cooling loads, allowing MEP designers to determine a building's energy efficiency. Enhanced gbXML export with the ability to test the project’s analytical model before exporting to a gbXML file. Improved application performance, especially when handling large project files.

AutoCAD Civil 3D 2010, a powerful BIM solution for civil engineering designers, helps project teams digitally assess transport, land use, and environmental projects before they commence. New functionalities in AutoCAD Civil 3D 2010 include: A new application menu, user interface, and quick-access toolbar that provide a user-friendly working environment to increase productivity. Improved design and analytical capabilities allowing users to automate routine tasks while analyzing project interconnections to optimize performance. BIM workflow is now simpler. Broad support for file formats and interoperability standards streamlines and speeds up collaboration within a wide ranging design team.

The Autodesk Navisworks 2010 software (includes Autodesk Navisworks Review 2010, Autodesk Navisworks Simulate 2010, Autodesk Navisworks Manage 2010 and Autodesk Navisworks Freedom 2010) allows designers and builders to consolidate project components into a single synchronized BIM model. By enabling team members to reliably share, combine, review, and refine detailed 3D models of any size and format, Autodesk Navisworks applications are a critical part of the BIM workflow. New features in the Autodesk Navisworks product portfolio include: Enhancements to the user interface that increase productivity. Expanded measurement and section tools that accelerate the revision process. Higher levels of compatibility for better collaboration.

Autodesk 3ds Max Design 2010 enables architects, designers, and visualization specialists to explore, evaluate, and communicate creative ideas—from the initial concept to final film-quality presentations. 3ds Max Design offers digital continuity with Autodesk’s product lines AutoCAD, Autodesk Revit, and Autodesk Inventor, allowing previously used design data to be leveraged for visualization. New elements in Autodesk 3ds Max Design 2010 include: More than 100 new modeling tools make it easier for designers to create designs while enhancing their appearance through new photorealistic quality rendering. Interactive light analysis, which helps users iterate faster, evaluate the ecological aspects of solutions, and avoid costly mistakes in the early stages of the design process. A rich library of effects and rendering innovations in image stability for convincing vision communication.

Autodesk Revit Architecture 2010 offers a new user interface that improves work productivity and facilitates working with individual tools.

New modeling capabilities in Autodesk Revit Architecture 2010 allow for free sketching, rapid creation of 3D models, and working on designs from the concept phase to construction documentation within one environment.

New features for freeform modeling in Autodesk Revit Architecture 2010 aid in preparing structural models for fabrication and assembly using tools for cutting, templating, and paneling complex shapes.

With the Autodesk Revit Structure 2010 Connection Modeling Extension, typical connections for steel structures can be created directly within the parametric modeling environment.

In Autodesk Revit Structure 2010, inclined columns can now also be created using the same tools used for vertical columns.

Autodesk Revit Structure 2010 Conceptual Form Analysis Extension allows simulating loads and behaviors for any forms designed by architects even in the early stages of the design.

Traffic engineers can send information directly from Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D 2010 to structural engineers and collaborate with them on the design of bridges and other structures.

Integrated photometric tools in 3ds Max Design 2010 facilitate sustainable architecture design through sunlight and lighting analyses.

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