The National Institute of Building Sciences buildingSMART alliance has released the first-ever consensus-based standard governing building information modeling (BIM) for use in the United States. The National BIM Standard-United States (NBIMS-US) Version 2 (V2) covers the full life cycle of buildings—from planning, design and construction to operations and sustainment. Part of an international effort, the NBIMS-US V2 will serve as the kick-off point for a number of other countries around the world to adopt as their own BIM standard. To view the new online web-based NBIMS-US V2 or download a PDF version of the standard at no cost, visit www.buildingsmartalliance.org.

Bentley Systems announced today at its annual BE Conference in Philadelphia that it has acquired InspectTech Systems, Inc., a Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania-based provider of field inspection applications and asset management services for bridges and other transportation assets. Among current InspectTech users are federal and state departments of transportation, major transit agencies, toll authorities, counties, cities, and national and local consultants across the US, as well as a major roadway authority in Australia.

Limitless Computing, a provider of 3D mobile Augmented Reality, and ArtVPS Ltd, developers of Shaderlight, the interactive rendering software for SketchUp, today announced the launch of Shaderlight Cloud Rendering powered by Limitless Computing. Combining the highest quality rendering from Shaderlight and proven technology from Limitless Computing, this innovative new tool delivers the fastest, most effective workflow for SketchUp users.

Applied Software has released Revit Connect, a purpose-built solution that improves and accelerates multi-team collaboration for BIM projects developed with Autodesk Revit Server 13. Revit Connect enables multi-team collaboration, team workflows and information exchanges of BIM data, preventing architectural and design firms from being at the mercy of slow or unreliable data connections between satellite offices and partner companies when sharing large project files over the Internet.

 

Adobe Systems Incorporated  recently announced the release of Adobe Creative Suite 6 software. The CS6 product line includes new releases of Photoshop, InDesign, lllustrator, Dreamweaver, Adobe Premiere Pro, After Effects, Flash Professional and other products as well as four suite versions – Creative Suite 6 Design & Web Premium; Creative Suite 6 Design Standard; Creative Suite 6 Production Premium; and Creative Suite 6 Master Collection.

Trimble's purchase of SketchUp last week came as a surprise to many analysts and AEC software observers. It was widely believed that Dassault Systemes would be Google's customer for the 3D conceptual design software application and platform. When Trimble, instead, made the acquisition (the deal is expected to close by June 30), it was the third acquisition Trimble made in the last year. My conversation with Trimble Vice President Bryn Fosburgh about the Sunnyvale, Calif., company's plans for SketchUp touched on several other recent acquisitions as well.

Graphisoft announced today the May release dates of ArchiCAD 16, the latest version of its BIM design software for architects, designers and planners. ArchiCAD 16 introduces an ecosystem of solutions to ease the creation, sharing, and finding of custom BIM Components. Built-in Energy Evaluation has been added in this edition.

A new version of LRFD SIMON, the National Steel Bridge Alliance’s steel plate and box girder bridge design and analysis program was released in April at the North American Steel Construction Conference and the concurrent World Steel Bridge Symposium. Since the '80s, Simon has served hundreds of bridge engineers as a key tool to efficiently design and analyze steel bridges. It is intended to be used in the preliminary design phase to realize efficiencies and demonstrate the practicality of a steel bridge for a specific application.

Bentley Systems recently announced the release of Bentley Map V8i (SELECTseries 3) and Geo Web Publisher V8i (SELECTseries 4).

Trimble Navigation has agreed to buy the Sketchup 3D modeling platform from Google, Inc. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Trimble, which makes surveying, mapping, 3D BIM software Tekla and marine navigation equipment, said SketchUp will enhance the integration of its field presence with the wider enterprise.