BBSC 303 Digital Craft Lecture 4 March 21 2006

Topics: Planning the 3D model for assignment 1 - what to document on the Reasonate web site for assignment 2 about the process.

On the topic list from the timetable were: CAD shootout. AutoCAD: geometry modeller with Architectural Desktop overlay; ArchiCAD: Architectural paradigm; Revit: Parametric Modeller Different approaches.

Discussed at length were the principles of making a model in tandem with another person. Examples were given of occluding surfaces; computer efficiencies when making materials; object / layer naming systems; testing ideas with small objects combined from two modellers; assigning object names so object exclusions, material assignments etc are efficient.

At the end of the session we covered a range of topics:

• the hand in dates for ALL the assignments are flexible around the dates in the timetable
  
• the hand in date for the Exercise, because of the delays due to the room closure (319) is 22 March 23:00pm
• email contact with the architects of your building - offering them something in return (by showing them examples from past years of what 303 students are capable of) - and asking for references to information not already found in library / Avery searches
• finding partners for the assignments is clearly becoming an issue and we are working on a partner finding solution
  

Google Earth Spins Into Revit
CADwire.net: Blurbs: "Google Earth Spins Into Revit"



And now for a lead to something you might like to try in the exercise just before you finish next week!

Google Acquired @Last Software - FAQ
CADwire.net: Blurbs: "Google Acquired @Last Software - FAQ"



Well, well, well. Shades of Autodesk's acquisition of Revit in the past - seems like we discover and start using an intereting product and the big boys and girls also notice and acquire the product. Watch this space. Let's just hope they do more with Google Sketchup than they have done with Google Earth in the past 12 months. Google Earth is an extremely frustrating an promising product because of the unrealised promise....



Check out the GE file on our R:\drive in the BBSC 401 folder some time from Rachel Ryan's work last year in BBSc Honours.

BBSC 303 Digital Craft Lecture 3 March 14 2006

Topics: RSS feeds; Global Illumination; an expert's view of Archicad

David came in and presented the RSS feeds he has set up, plus the Sage plugin/extension that can be entered into the Firefox (recommended) web browser for subscribing to feeds.

I presented information on the two Global Illumination render options in 3DS Viz that are required tools for rendering the models currently being constructed in the tutorial exercises and are required in the Render assignment as well. These two are Radiosity based photon tracking and Radiance based photon tracking. They each have pros and cons.

Andrew Johnston then presented a personal view of how he would approach the use of Archicad to model buildings for the assigned work in the course.

Great Uses for RSS
AutoCAD Tips Newsletter: "Basement.org has done a great job of putting together a list of great things that you can track with RSS feeds. You�re sure to find one that will hold your life together.

Part One



http://www.basement.org/archives/2006/02/taking_rss_beyond_headlines_pa_1.html">Part Two"



A preview of what David has to tell us on Tuesday 14 March - RSS feeds and what you can do with them.... Another of Ellen Finkelstein's interesting blog references.

AutoCAD 2007 new features! (EllenFinkelstein.com)
CADwire.net: Reviews: "

AutoCAD 2007 new features!

Source: EllenFinkelstein.com
by Ellen Finkelstein

Beta sites have been released from their non-disclosure agreement, so now I can tell you all about it! As you may have heard,...

"



Finally we might have some 3D objects in AutoCAD that mean something in terms of genuine 3D modelling - making objects that follow the imagination, rather than the strictures that have been imposed in the past. Now, all we need is access to the parametric tree of objects that created the final product - so we can change the (design) 'rules' AND the ability to 'declare' free-form solid objects as actual building components with all the normal properties of 'roof'/'wall'/'floor'...

Eyesore of the Month by James Howard Kunstler

Eyesore of the Month by James Howard Kunstler

Found this web site today - on the basis of this page alone, this is a site worth keeping an eye on. Checking the previous two months does not reveal the same trenchant commentary but rather much eaier targets. Nevertheless, promising.

Preview of AutoCAD 2007

Finally, an AutoCAD for the 21st Century (AECnews.com)
CADwire.net: Reviews: "

Finally, an AutoCAD for the 21st Century

Source: AECnews.com
by Randall S. Newton

The AutoCAD competitive landscape of the last few years can be summarized as encroachment from all sides. Tools like SketchUp...

"



WE are just installing and dealing with the operational characteristics of AutoCAD 2006 and they are announcing the imminent release of 2007, and at least this guy is raving about its potential.

BBSC 303 Digital Craft Lecture 2 March 7 2006

Topics covered today:

The importance of file management: a file naming system - to ensure file name reflect file content to enable easy searches; a file archiving system - to keep track of versions and dates of creation; a file backup system - to ensure no data loss if the coffee gremlin attacks a keyboard / hard disk drive; checking regularly that the backup medium can be read - to insure against disappointment when a backup is needed; never reading directly into the program off the backup - to ensure that the process that corrupted the working copy cannot attack the backup. .

Right Hemisphere's Deep Exploration a file management browser available on SoA computers for 3D file browsing and conversion and simplification. The sibling software package that permits the insertion of 3D models into Powerpoint, Word and Internet Explorer - Deep Publish - was also examined. A tutorial
on creating a web page in which a 3D model is embedded has been written for this course. This will be used for Part A of the modelling assignment. It should also be trialed for the exercise. If you are using Internet Explorer, the an interactive copy of the School of Architecture building can be viewed here. )Please note this is a large file and should only be viewed IF you have broadband access.)


The minimum requirements for passing the course were also explained a second time: complete the exercises AND Part A of the modelling assignment, otherwise the grades for the modelling assignment and for the drawing documentation assignment will not be able to be awarded.

We made an abortive attempt to show off Rachel Ryan's Google Earth model of the Wellington CBD. Some incompatibilities between the laptop screen and the projector would seem to be the cause. We will return to this as the Modelling Assignment will require everyone to export their model into Google Earth, to allow the museums to be viewed in context.

David Harrison came in to show the stage II rollout of the blog system with the addition of tags. He showed examples from flickr and from deli.cio.us. Then showed how to tag the blogs that had already been posted.

This simulator is for real: 'Every physical product should be made with our software' (The Independent)
CADwire.net: Articles: "

This simulator is for real: 'Every physical product should be made with our software'

Source: The Independent
by Stella Shamoon

Never knowingly understated, the boss of a French powerhouse urges the world to look through his 3D glasses...

"



Test / demo in class - loaded because the link looked good when I was showing people how to use the news is free service. On second thoughts, it is one of those teaser offerings that are becoming more and more common. The article is from the independent newspaper web site. The first ~200 words are visible. To see the whole article one needs to pay real money.

The smart revolution (AEC Magazine)
CADwire.net: Articles: "

The smart revolution

Source: AEC Magazine
by Martyn Day

This month�s Cambridge-based workshop and conference, held at the British Museum in London, demonstrated that the momentum be...

"



Check this out! The revolution is (slowly) happening. It is already a couple of years at least since Robert Aish of Bentley (Microstation) presented this concept in a presentation on his research at Victoria University while on a trip to NZ. Then it seemed a revolutionary re-think of what is CAD. What is good to see is the idea gaining momentum.

Blogs vs. The New York Times: Who Will Win?
AutoCAD Tips Newsletter: "Is the New York Times becoming irrelevant? Will more people start getting their news from blogs than from the mainstream media? It�s a $1000 bet! Wired reports, �Wired 10.05: Long Bets,� on a bet on whether or not weblogs will outrank the New York Times Web site by 2007. The test will be a Google [...]"



Another highly relevant think piece referenced by Autodesk

2nd generation knowledge management
AutoCAD Tips Newsletter: "Dave Pollard explains his ideas about why the old knowledge management didn�t work very well and why a new approach is better in �Knowledge Sharing & Collaboration 2015.�

Basically, it�s about people rather than software.

He also updates his list of information behaviors which explain why people don�t share knowledge well. It�s amazing how much of this [...]"



AutoDesk referencing thought provoking stuff in their newsletter. There's hope in the old firm yet.

Housewrap and Roof Underlayment optimize home building.
Industrial News Room: Architectural and Civil Engineering Products: "Gorilla Wrap(TM) non-perforated, nonwoven, polymeric housewrap minimizes air infiltration, resulting in energy efficiency and moisture control. Translucent material offers tear resistance and enables contractors to see studs, nails, and windows on home's frame. Employing asphalt with nonwoven polyester reinforcement, DuraBase(TM) underlayment provides puncture resistance and waterproofing as it seals around nails. It can be exposed to sun for 6 months without performance deterioration."



The wonders of new materials - but how to know what is available? What google search would turn up this particular gem?

A Daily Dose of Architecture: Nelsons-Atkins Bloch

A Daily Dose of Architecture: Nelsons-Atkins Bloch The Daily Dose reference to 'Steven Holl's design for the Bloch Building addition to the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City, MO' - a great example of why blogs are so useful. Now all I need is the time to find all the relevant ones about architecture...

UN Studio Te Papa Museum Wellington, New Zealand :: arcspace.com

UN Studio Te Papa Museum Wellington, New Zealand :: arcspace.com

Autodesk completes acquisition of Alias
BSEE: "Autodesk has completed the acquisition of Alias� a leading developer of 3D graphics technology. This acquisition extends Autodesk�s 3D software leadership in the manufacturing and media and entertainment industries."



May and 3DS Max produced by the same firm? Where does that leave the consumer? Where is the competition regulatory commission in the software industry?

Fulbright Tower
Glass Steel and Stone: "This building is often overlooked in the city's skyline. This is partially because of its location, near the fringes of the business core, and because of the number of taller buildings shadowing it. The Fulbright Tower should get more attention as the area around it is redeveloped with a new baseball stadium, a new basketball and ice hockey arena, new hotel, and the assorted shops, restaurants and..."

Green Building Headed for USA�s Top Environmental Rating
PR Web: Architecture: "New Green Building Book Shows Portland Engineering Firm�s Strategies. [PRWEB Dec 17, 2005]"

Connell Mott MacDonald celebrates award
BSEE: "Connell Mott MacDonald along with architects, Foster and Partners and Gateshead Council were recognised for their role in the design of the Sage Gateshead when representatives collected the Best Local Authority Building award at the highly prestigious, British Construction Industry Awards in London."