AEC Tech News #195

Budgeting It Right the First Time

BIM application helps owners make smarter design decisions early in the process, potentially saving them thousands of dollars.

Traditional BIM solutions deal with "micro" models that provide value based on enhanced coordination and communication, parametric change management and producing construction documents. Where they lack is in helping the owner answer the basic question, Should I build this project? Beck Technology's "macro" BIM software program, DProfiler, is the company's attempt to answer that question, saving the architect, contractor and client both time and money. After DProfiler's initial launch last October at the DBIA (Design-Build Institute of America) conference, the application's second iteration, DProfiler v2, was released March 21.

In the customary design/bid/build delivery method, wasted dollars and time are a given. Because construction costs fluctuate so rapidly, it is nearly impossible to provide a cost estimate that will hold true to project completion. After completion of the schematic phase, the architect provides the owner with a cost estimate, which in most cases prompts the design team to begin the oxymoronic value-engineering process that eliminates much of the architect's added value in the effort to cut costs. That's where DProfiler comes in. Read more>>

1-2-3 Revit: BIM and Analysis for Sustainable Design

By Rick Rundell, AIA

Not that long ago, most building professionals would have classified sustainable design merely as an interesting idea. But awareness of climate change and other environmental issues has catapulted it to center stage. The international movement toward sustainability has created a flood of new green building regulations and initiatives around the globe and sustainable design practices -- once considered niche -- are now widespread. Read more>>

Mark Your Calendar: AEC Events

Meridian Systems' Tenth User Conference
April 24-26, 2007 
San Diego, California
Enterprise project management software provider Meridian Systems' tenth user conference is intended to facilitate increased product satisfaction and knowledge sharing across its customer base. Attendees can meet Meridian executives and technical staff, participate in project management software sessions, earn advanced product certifications and attend new technology demonstrations. Read more

Webcast: Autodesk Civil 3D -- Pipes
April 25, 2007
12:00 p.m. PT
Autodesk Civil 3D allows you to design and lay out your pipes much more efficiently than Autodesk Land Desktop. In this Webcast, Ideate will demonstrate just how quick and easy it is to create and edit 3D pipe networks from 2D lines within Autodesk Civil 3D. Ideate will also show the ease of creating pipe profiles and how pipe interference checks can be automated to reduce errors. Read more

Webcast: Creating Shared Reviews
April 25, 2007 
10:00 a.m. PT
Working with the entire team, whether nearby or far away, has never been easier when you create shared reviews in real-time -- without IT assistance. Participate in this e-seminar by Adobe for AEC firms, and learn how. Read more

Portland Canstruction Design Competition
May 14-20, 2007
Portland, Oregon
The Portland Canstruction design competition combines the competitive spirit of a design/build competition with a unique way to help feed hungry people. Competing teams design giant sculptures made entirely of canned foods. At the close of the exhibitions, all of the food used in the structures will be donated to the Oregon Food Bank. Read more

For Cadalyst's full calendar of events, click here.

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Cadalyst Daily Update
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