San Rafael, Calif.-based Autodesk today unveiled Autodesk BIM 360 during a nationwide media webcast. The software giant touts the service as the next generation of Building Information Modeling (BIM) cloud services. Autodesk BIM 360 includes a set of cloud services that will provide anytime, anywhere access to BIM project information throughout the project lifecycle. Autodesk BIM 360 will work with BIM solutions for design, construction and operations including the Autodesk Building Design Suite and Autodesk Infrastructure Design Suite. BIM is an intelligent 3D model–based process that provides insight for creating and managing building and civil infrastructure projects faster, more economically, and with less environmental impact.

The ability to use web based software on the Dulles Summit business park ensured a smooth project. According to Sam Simmons, Project Superintendent at EE Reed Construction, the general contractor, they chose to use the web- based software Tilt-Werks by Tilt-Up Design Systems to create drawings for panel dimensions, openings, reveals, embed locations and elevations.

The software provides an automated way to design tilt-up structures and produce structural drawings from design data input. Simmons noted that they needed to produce accurate panel drawings for the project that incorporated all of the specific materials and dimensions per panel sheet, and therefore selected Tilt-Werks.

Trimble announced today that a SITECH Technology Dealer has been established in Arkansas. SITECH Arkansas joins the premier network of SITECH dealerships— a dedicated global distribution network offering a portfolio of construction technology systems available to the heavy civil construction contractor.

HP today announced that its Designjet web-connected printer portfolio will offer direct access to ARC's cloud-based PlanWell Collaborate project collaboration application. Architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) project managers can use the touchscreen of HP Designjet ePrinters to access, print from and scan to PlanWell Collaborate. The integrated solution shortens project cycles up to 30% with one-step markup distribution and mobile printing capabilities. It also can lower costs by reducing travel and courier use and eliminate errors caused by multiple document repositories.

-San Rafael, Calif.-based Autodesk, Inc., a manufacturer of 3D design, engineering and entertainment software, announced the acquisition of Vela Systems, a provider of cloud and mobile field management software for the construction industry. The addition of Vela Systems field management products to Autodesk’s growing portfolio of cloud and mobile products is helping to extend the value of Building Information Modeling (BIM) and project data to construction customers in the field. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Aconex, an Australian producer of online collaboration platforms for construction and engineering projects, recently announced that it has acquired the assets and business of privately-held Grazer Pty. Ltd. Based in Adelaide, Australia. Grazer provides products and services that digitize one of the last paper-based areas of construction – Operations & Maintenance Manuals. This transaction is the first acquisition for Aconex and extends the company’s information management services from the design and delivery stages of a project into the ongoing operations phase.

HP recently announced the release of the HP Z220 Workstations and HP EliteBook Mobile Workstations. HP’s most affordable workstations, the Z220, features next-generation Intel Core and Intel Xeon processors, the latest integrated and discrete professional graphics from Intel, NVIDIA and AMD and four integrated USB 3.0 high-speed ports. The Z220 entry-level workstation is available in a choice of an expandable, Convertible Mini-Tower (CMT) or a highly compact Small Form Factor (SFF) that’s 65% smaller.

Graphisoft recently released an update for its BIMx mobile app that the company claims is the first to take advantage of Apple's iPad 3's retina display. The BIMx 1.2.455 update for iPhone/iPad app provides native support for the iPad 3 Retina display, resulting in crisper images and better virtual reality.

San Rafael, Calif.-based Autodesk, Inc., a manufacturer of 3D design, engineering and entertainment software, today released Autodesk Fabrication software, a new set of applications designed to help extend Building Information Modeling (BIM) across the building lifecycle to support the fabrication and construction of mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) projects. The new software line marks the latest step in Autodesk’s portfolio of solutions aimed at MEP contractors and engineers, and is based on products provided by Micro Application Packages Limited (MAP Software), which Autodesk acquired in October of last year.

HP announced new mobile and cloud-based printing solutions for its HP Designjet systems, including an HP ePrint & Share application for the Android operating system yesterday at the American Institute of Architects Convention and Design Exposition in Washington, DC.