AUTHOR: David Spergel

Enscape’s 4.2 update introduces powerful features designed to enhance real-time rendering workflows. Here’s a detailed look at what’s new:

1. Revit Graphics Override

This feature allows designers to achieve visual consistency across Revit views, giving presentations and exports a more cohesive look. Now, any adjustments to model appearances in Revit translate directly to Enscape, eliminating the need to adjust graphics between platforms manually.

2. World Coordinate System (WCS) Mapping for Rhino

For Rhino users, WCS Mapping enables material textures to remain true-to-scale regardless of object dimensions or transformations. This means materials such as wood grains and tiled surfaces retain accurate alignment, crucial for models requiring consistent, real-scale materials.

3. Improved Software Ray-Tracing

Enscape 4.2 enhances ray-tracing for software that allows more realistic lighting and shadow behavior, supporting better illumination in challenging spaces. Designers can create renderings that not only capture natural light more convincingly but also refine the level of detail in shadows and reflections.

4. Expanded Section Plane Support

Both Rhino and Vectorworks now support up to six section planes, giving users more flexibility in how they present or dissect their models. This added capability is particularly beneficial for large-scale projects or complex designs where multiple sections are needed to illustrate structural relationships.

5. Enhanced Artistic Visual Modes

For users looking to add a unique, stylized look to their models, Enscape has expanded its Artistic Visual Modes. The latest update includes more texture options and shading effects, ideal for exploring conceptual designs or creating high-impact visuals for presentations.

6. Enscape Impact Add-On

Sustainability has become increasingly integral to design, and Enscape’s new Impact add-on supports energy performance analysis directly within the render. This tool enables designers to make informed, sustainable design decisions right from the earliest stages, considering energy efficiency as part of the creative process.

With Enscape 4.2, designers have a toolkit that boosts accuracy, adaptability, and visual quality. These updates not only improve productivity but also empower architects, interior designers, and planners to deliver more engaging and sustainable designs.

To ensure a smooth transition to the new licensing experience, we wanted to share some of the most important aspects and provide you with additional information and updates that you may find helpful:

New Enscape Licensing Experience

• Configure your setup once, and all Chaos products will work seamlessly.
• Activate Enscape usage with just a login.
• Experience it with the upcoming Enscape 4.1 release.

Multiple License Assignment & Administration

• It will no longer be possible to assign one seat to multiple users. Each license seat you assign will be reserved only for the user (email) to whom it is assigned.
• For instructions on setting up a Chaos license server without assigning licenses to specific users, please refer to our step-by-step process below.
• For guidance on setting up administrator and member/guest rights when assigning licenses to specific users, please refer to our Self-Service Portal User Guide.

We are committed to making this transition as smooth as possible and are here to assist you every step of the way. If you have any further questions or need assistance, please do not hesitate to contact our Customer Support team.

Top things to know about your Chaos Licensing Setup

All Chaos products need to be connected to a Chaos License Server to function on your machine. It allows you to easily activate more licenses right after the purchase and provides a way to stay offline while using your Chaos products when you need to. 

An instance of the Chaos License Server that uses the same user account may be installed more than once on the same internal network when on different workstations or servers to act as a redundancy measure. This is to make sure licenses are still obtainable during server downtime due to failures or maintenance, which is especially useful for organizations with multiple locations that share the same internal network.

The following are a few examples of how to best deploy license servers in multi-machine environments, depending on the needs.

Chaos Licensing Setup for Two-Machines

In a case where there are only a couple of machines, such as users with a workstation and a laptop, it’s best to install and activate the License Server on both machines.

Please note that any borrowed licenses will be available only on the License Server from which they were borrowed.

Chaos Licensing Setup for Small Studio Office

In a small office or studio environment, for example, with 10 workstations, it’s best to install and activate a single License Server for the office that is activated by the user account. All of the workstations will then need their license settings configured to use the IP address of that one license server machine as their primary server.

The license server should be visible from the local network by default, however, you can check Settings > Expert mode to make sure that Network Visibility is set to Visible to Local Network.

To make configuration changes easier, a single vrlclient.xml file may be loaded from a shared network drive for all networked office machines requiring a license. For more details on how to do that, Sharing vrlclient.xml over a network page.

Chaos Licensing Setup for Large Studio Office

In a larger office or studio where there are many workstations and a render farm with multiple render nodes, install the license server on the network with a redundancy as discussed here. In other words, the license server is installed on 2-3 machines on the network which are all activated by the same user account. All of the workstations in that office will need their license settings configured to use the IP addresses of those 2-3 license server machines as their primary and alternate server(s), as discussed in the following section: Setting up multiple license servers for redundancy.

Chaos Licensing Setup for Multiple Regional/Global Locations

In offices or studios with multiple regional or even global locations, install up to three license servers for each location, all activated on the same account. This way, each office will have a local redundancy. All the workstations in that local office would have their license settings configured to use the IP addresses of those 2-3 local license server machines as their primary and alternate server(s).

Note that installing a license server for one location in a remote location may lead to connection issues when obtaining a license.

Bluebeam software is a feature-rich solution designed to help architecture, engineering, and construction firms improve their collaboration through PDF documents.

With Bluebeam’s extensive list of markup features, team members can express concerns, suggest changes, and highlight specific aspects of project documents. However, before we get into these tools, it’s important to understand what markups are.

What are Document Markups, and Why are They So Important?

In the AEC (architecture, engineering, and construction) landscape, even the smallest detail can have a massive effect on a project’s overall success. So, precision and clarity are essential. Every line, dimension, and tag on a building document has to be meticulously reviewed by a team of professionals to ensure accuracy. This process is known as “redlining.”

In the not-so-distant past, redlining a document meant physically noting discrepancies on a set of plans in red ink. However, in the digital age of architecture and engineering, reviewing and redlining is done almost exclusively on computers. This is where markups come into play.

Markups are digital annotations and graphics added to a PDF document that allow users to ask questions and clarify details about specific aspects of a project. These notes’ color, style, font, and size can be fully customized to categorize or prioritize comments. While markups are made on existing PDF documents, they sit on top of the host document and can be edited or removed at any time. Additionally, because Bluebeam Revu provides a shared platform, live review sessions can be held remotely through other collaboration programs like Bluebeam Studio.

Understanding Bluebeam’s Basic Markup Functions

Within the Bluebeam Tool Chest, users can find all the tools needed to make effective markups. To access the tool chest, select Window > Panel > Tool Chest. You can also open the markup tools tab by typing Alt + x on your keyboard. 

Text Markups

The text markup tool is one of the simplest but most powerful features within Bluebeam’s user interface. Not only do users have the ability to add text of all different colors, fonts, and sizes, but they can also draw attention to specific areas of a PDF document with callouts and text boxes. These text customization options ensure that all annotations are as clear and concise as possible when the documents are handed back to an architect or engineer. 

Lines and Shapes

Sometimes, words alone are not enough to convey a specific thought or idea. For this reason, Bluebeam developers have added an entire toolbar dedicated to different shapes and lines. With these tools, reviewers can relay information visually by drawing over the existing PDF. The following lines and shapes can be accessed from the Tools dropdown menu or by typing the corresponding keyboard shortcut. 

• Line (L): Draws a straight line segment. It can be created at any angle or locked into vertical or horizontal positions. 
• Arrow (A): Creates a segment similar to the line markup with a customizable arrowhead at one end.
• Arc (Shift+C): Used to create curved markup lines. Can be configured to create both elliptical or circular arcs.
• Polyline(Shift+N): Creates complex shapes from a series of segmented lines. 
• Callout (Q): This tool creates a textbox with a leader pointing to a specific document aspect. 
• Dimension (Shift+L) Creates lines that represent measurements within a PDF.
• Rectangle (R): Creates a rectangular shape. Holding the Shift key while drawing will automatically create a square. 
• Ellipse (E): Creates an elliptical shape. Holding the Shift key while drawing will automatically create a circle. 
• Polygon (Shift+P) Similar to the Polyline tool, This tool creates a complex closed shape by connecting individual line segments. 
• Cloud (C): Creates a polygon with a cloud-like appearance to call attention to larger areas.
• Cloud+ (K) Creates a cloud with a callout box to describe the highlighted area.

Embedded Images and Videos

Bluebeam’s markups are not limited only to text and shapes. Photos, images, and videos can also be embedded into a file, providing a more comprehensive understanding of the project. For example, construction superintendents can upload videos of a site walkthrough to explain issues or concerns related to the project, and architects may include images to clarify questions regarding a design concept. 

Stamp Tool

Bluebeam offers several preset stamps, such as “Approved” and “Reviewed.” However, the software also allows users to create custom stamps with images, text, and company logos to cater to a firm’s specific needs. 

Format Painter

Format Painter is an essential tool for maintaining markup uniformity across multiple document pages. Bluebeam users can use this function to copy the style of one markup and apply it to others of the same type, helping to maintain an organized and professional appearance. 

Advanced Markup Techniques

Once a user has a grasp of the basic functionality of Bluebeam markup tools, they can begin to experiment with more advanced techniques that customize the user experience and maximize organization on larger and more complicated documents. 

Sequencing and Tagging

When working with many markups, keeping them all in order can be difficult. Sequencing and tagging markups can organize them into groups and numerical order, making it easier to find annotations on larger PDF documents.

Layering

Layering markups is another way to enhance document clarity. By placing related notes and graphics onto a specific layer, they can be separated from others, helping others to focus on relevant information. Many design firms create layers for architectural, structural, and electrical markups. These layers can be toggled on and off during group review sessions, helping to minimize distractions from other markup groups.

Custom Tool Sets

Bluebeam Revu allows its users to create custom tool sets that fit their workflow for a given project. These custom tool sets can later be shared with others to promote efficiency and consistency. 

Want to Know More About Markup Tools?

By mastering Bluebeam’s markup tools, AEC professionals can increase productivity, enhance collaboration, and reduce mistakes and miscommunications among team members. To learn more about markup tools and how to use them, check out our Bluebeam training services.