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TriForma Feature Table

30 Apr, 2002 By: Lars Hesselgren Cadalyst


MicroStation v8 TriForma,
Architecture for TriForma,
Structural for TriForma
Bentley Systems, Inc.
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Web site
Product
MicroStation v8 TriForma, Architecture for TriForma, Structural for TriForma
Release date
Current
Initial price
MicroStation V8 TriForma, $4,795; Architecture for TriForma, $1,995; Structural for TriForma, $2,750. Monthly subscription pricing available for all products.
Annual maintenance fee
$625 (SELECT program)
Operating systems
Supported
Windows NT/98/2000/XP
Reviewed
Windows 2000
Multiple document support
Yes, by using multiple sessions or referencing and exchanging
Supports xrefs (or similar )
Identical to xrefs; supports DWG natively
Web-aware
Yes
Web tools
Collaboration tools
Format for sharing drawings via Web
DXF, DWG, PDF. HPGL
Attach hyperlinks to entities in drawing
Engineering links
Access/insert data/ content directly from Web
Engineering links
Other
Smart AEC objects
Predefined objects
Walls, doors, windows, roofs, trusses, stairs, handrails, stall sections, concrete sections, timber sections, fittings, cabinets
Easily exchange objects
All through DWG/DXF
Custom objects supported
Yes
View-dependent representation of objects
Always
Walls
Number of predefined
Hundreds wall styles
Customize wall styles
Unlimited
Curtain walls
Limited in TriForma, none in Architecture for TriForma
Curved walls
Complete support, including smoothly curved walls (no stroking)
Hatch fill
Yes
Solid fill
Yes
Doors/windows
Number of predefined
Hundreds doors and windows
Customize doors/windows
Unlimited
Work in 2D
Yes. MicroStation is a complete 2D package
Work in 3D
Yes, principal mode of operation
Work in 2D/3D simultaneously
Yes
Convert 2D to 3D
Yes. References both 3D to 2D (easy) and 2D to 3D (unusual)
Convert 3D to 2D
Yes, both export as 'pancaking' and extracting hidden lines (correct geometry, not stroked), orthogonal and perspective
2D detailing/drafting tools
2D drafting tools: comprehensive;
3D detailing tools:Structure for TriForma
Metric option
Yes
Space planning tools
Yes
Generate walls from space plans
Yes
Mass modeling tools
Yes
Generate floors from mass models
Yes, with Generate Section tool
Explicit multistory support
Not explicit; easily done with reference files
Layers
Maximum number of layers
4 billion
Alphanumeric layer names supported
Yes
AIA layer system
Yes
Other layer systems
Any system supported
Master layer controls
Yes, dgnlib
User-configurable layer system
Yes
Dimensioning (automatic or semiautomatic)
Both
Keynotes
Yes
Schedules; dynamic link with model
Excellent in Structure; limited in Architecture and TriForma
Reports; dynamic link with model
Excellent in Structure; limited in Architecture and TriForma
Symbols library
Doors
Hundreds
Windows
Hundreds
Plumbing
Limited
HVAC
Separate product HVAC for TriForma
Electrical
Separate product Electrical for TriForma
Furniture
Some; support for DXF/DWG means unlimited
Structural
Complete steel sections in Structure
Site
Limited
Landscape
Practically none
Vehicles
Few; support for DXF/DWG and RPC means unlimited
Other
Plotting
WYSIWYG preview
Yes
Color fills
Yes
Batch mode
Yes
Save configurations for multiple plotters
Yes
Other...
Plotter drivers for EPS, WMF, JPG, TIF
Visualization/rendering
Texture mapping
Yes
Ray tracing
Yes-fast!
Transparency
Yes
Reflectance
Yes
Refraction
Yes
Procedural rendering
Yes
Radiosity
Yes-also particle tracing
Animation
Animate camera/target
Yes
Animate textures
Yes-you can animate ANYTHING: lights, moving objects, object dependency
Customization tools
VBA support
Yes
Access ActiveX object model interface
No
Other
MDL is delivered with product, full C++ language with compiler
Data exchange
Import formats
DWG, DXF, IGES, Parasolid, ACIS, CGM, STEP, STL
Export formats
DWG, DXF, IGES, Parasolid, ACIS, CGM, STEP, STL
Tutorials
Printed version
Available on Web site in PDF
Multimedia
On-line explorer help
Other
Undo
Unlimited undo. Undo beyond session by using Design History
Surfaces
Full b-spline surfaces toolset. New mesh elements supports DXF-style meshes
Solid
Full solid modeling based on Parasolid kernel; simultaneous support for ACIS kernel.
 

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