| 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. |
For Mold Designers! Cadalyst has an area of our site focused on technologies and resources specific to the mold design professional. Sponsored by Siemens NX. Visit the Equipped Mold Designer here!
For Architects! Cadalyst has an area of our site focused on technologies and resources specific to the building design professional. Sponsored by HP. Visit the Equipped Architect here!
