Nemetschek Allplan announced Allplan 2009, the leading AEC platform (Architecture, Engineering & Construction) for 3D building modeling with quantity takeoff and cost determination. The current version contains new tools for renovation and conversion planning, as well as for environmentally-friendly and sustainable building projects. With an emphasis on user-friendliness, Allplan 2009 sets new standards in interdisciplinary cooperation: the integrated product family enables users to work on a virtual building model covering everything from architecture design to structural planning, building services and cost planning. High-performance interfaces also enable efficient communication and coordination processes.
"Modern design and building projects are extremely complex. They require integrated planning methods that connect architects, engineers, design professionals, tenderers, cost assessors and construction clients. With Allplan 2009, we provide an integrated solution that enables interdisciplinary cooperation among all project members using a shared database. This decisively improves the efficiency of building modeling", explains Peter Mehlstaubler, CEO of Nemetschek Allplan GmbH.
Optimized Processes When Designing in Existing Assets
According to the 2008 annual analysis of the German market research company Bauinfoconsult, designing and construction in existing assets has the greatest practical relevance for 66 percent of the architects asked. Nemetschek Allplan has reflected this trend in Allplan 2009, adding new functions for designing conversions and renovations. The new version therefore makes it possible to create designs for existing assets, conversions or alternations. Areas and quantities can be calculated quickly and costs can be planned precisely.
This is enabled by specific CAD libraries with predefined components that can be used easily via graphical wizards. They reduce the organizational workload and ensure uniform office standards. Users benefit from quick startup and increased productivity in conversion and renovation design.
New Tools for Energy Consulting and Timber Construction
Allplan 2009 also includes new energy consulting tools geared towards energy efficiency and sustainability. The initial screen acts as an energy indicator for the quick and clear analysis of renovation measures. The Allplan Energy Performance Certificate enables designers to derive energy-specific key figures directly from the building model. These allow real estate owners and operators to compare primary energy use with other objects. The software also takes into account country-specific rules and regulations.
The range of functions is rounded off with the Allplan Building Simulation for dynamic calculation of heating and cooling loads and tools for setting up photovoltaic and solar-thermal installations. The new functions in Allplan support engineers with energy consulting and provide optimized design results.
To meet the increasing demand for timber-construction buildings, the new version provides specific functionality for the creation of timber beams and walls. In addition, Nemetschek Allplan and Weto AG have cooperated in developing a complete timber construction solution that can also include construction planning and CNC machine controlling, as required. Architects and designers can enjoy the benefits of solid construction and timber construction in one program. And they can save money by transferring design data directly to trimming systems.
Integrated, Interdisciplinary Designing
The new version from Nemetschek Allplan supports cooperation between architects, engineers and building technicians. The basis for this is a virtual building model from which users can derive information for structural planning, cost planning and building services planning with no data loss. This makes it possible to identify conflicts between different designs early on, making it possible to avoid deadline and cost overruns.
The software makes it possible for all participants to access and forward comprehensive information on intelligent building models and design documents. Support for over forty file formats (such as PDF, IFC, DWG, DXF and DGN) ensures smooth transfer of information.
Long-term Archiving with PDF/A
With Allplan 2009, users create electronic documents in PDF/A format. PDF/A is an ISO standard for long-term archiving that ensures the readability of designs over many years. Unlike industry standards or proprietary CAD formats, the ISO standard provides disclosed certification.
It is possible to create a PDF/A in Allplan 2009 without additional tools - users simply choose the required file format. This enables them to comply with the legally mandatory retention periods of up to 30 years.
Convincing Client Presentations
Allplan 2009 has many new visualization tools that facilitate communication between designers and clients, enabling professional presentation at competitions. For the first time, the new version supports the Rhino 3D format for modeling of organic forms, as well as VRML for transfer to 3D printers (rapid prototyping). An interface to Maxwell Render is provided for realistic visualizations based on physical light calculation. A direct link in Allplan ensures shorter design times and improved design quality.
In addition, with Allplan 2009 users can place an ariel photo correctly on a digital terrain model. This allows the area surrounding the building site to be realistically displayed with little effort.
High-performance Façade Modeling
In order to model complex façades more efficiently, Nemetschek Allplan has developed a special tool for architects in its new version. It can be used to create free-form façades or to set up glass façades using different construction methods. Users no longer need to model every single component. Instead, they can use predefined façade types. The new functionalities give users greater creative freedom during the design process.
Optimized Working Methods for Engineering
The simplified user interface in Allplan 2009 Engineering enables quicker work processes for experienced users and a quick start for new users. Designing is optimized with modern properties palettes with components, lines, macros and symbols that can be applied immediately. Another new addition is the layout structure that simplifies the structuring of design documents (e.g. by position, formwork and reinforcement design). As a result, users are able to create technically-clear and easy-to-read designs extremely quickly, giving them an obvious competitive advantage.