A hybrid course might be the right choice for you if you are looking for a way to supplement your traditional live classes with the flexibility of on-demand classes. With the hybrid course, you can go back and re-watch or review the information that you are having difficulty with.
Why do you need self-paced, on-demand software training?
Find the exact content you need to maximize your productivity with tools like global search, custom learning paths, and in-application contextual lessons. Assessments generate individualized learning paths targeted to your knowledge gaps, providing just the content you need to overcome roadblocks in your design work, master tasks, and avoid redundant learning.
Microsol Resources offers on-demand training with our partner, Eagle Point Software, the creator of Pinnacle Series, a perfect extension to our current Instructor-led training classes.
Pinnacle Series is a comprehensive learning management solution designed for architecture, engineering, and construction as well as manufacturing professionals. It features a vast library of videos, documents, and development resources that facilitate long-term employee training, on-demand problem-solving, and digital transformation.
Learning whenever and wherever your team needs it
With the Pinnacle Series learning management system, your employees can learn new software tools and brush up their existing skills on an ongoing basis, whenever it fits into their schedule. With on-demand resources, learning doesn’t have to be an occasional event — it can be a natural part of your team’s workday.
It gives your team the tools to improve their skills, share knowledge, work collaboratively, and boost efficiency. You can also:
Access to courses, documents, workflows, videos, and live events
Translations to over 90 languages
Robust reporting on learning and usage
Unlimited Windows Azure Cloud Storage
Content customization
Open API
Personalized learning
With Pinnacle Series, AEC and manufacturing organizations can harness the power of KnowledgeSmart assessments in creating personalized, targeted learning plans for their employees. Employees take an assessment on a certain software or skill, and then automatically receive a custom learning program within Pinnacle Series so they only have to train on the areas that need improvement.
Knowledge sharing & collaboration
Whether your organization has one location or offices around the world, Pinnacle Series can help streamline operations and improve collaboration. It’s packed with knowledge-sharing tools like Work Groups, which allows you to share project materials with internal and external team members; subject matter expert designations; and social features to help increase learning engagement.
What is included in the Pinnacle Series?
Standard Content Library
The Standard Content Library includes the following content libraries: All Autodesk Content, BIM Track, Bluebeam Revu, Enscape, ESRI, Global BIM Standards, Ideate Software, Lumion, McNeel Grasshopper/Rhino, Newforma, Pinnacle Series, Procore, Revizto, Solibri, Sketchup, Tekla, V-Ray.
Knowledge Gap
In addition, the Pinnacle Series is designed to generate custom courses based on your current skill gaps through the integration with KnowledgeGap, a benchmarking service provider.
KnowledgeSmart assessments are:
Easy to administer
Easy to use
And easy to personalize
Analysis and recommendations are delivered complete with links to training courses and other e-learning resources. Check out the video below for an overview.
Additional Content & Software
Additionally, Adobe, Microsoft, Healthy & Safety, Management Skills, SOLIDWORKS, and Bentley training are also available to be added to your own personalized platform.
For more information about Microsol Resources and Pinnacle Series by Eagle Point Software, please contact me, Brenda Araujo, our Training Coordinator at training@microsolresources.com.
Rhino 8 is here! And it brings powerful new modeling tools like ShrinkWrap, a huge speed boost for Mac users, SubD Creases, PushPull workflows, better drafting tools, a more customizable User Interface, a faster Render engine, new Grasshopper data types, and much more.
If you haven’t already purchased a license of Rhino 8, I hope that by the end of this article, you are convinced that it provides huge value out-of-the-box and great potential in the future.
Breaking Down the Updates: A Deep Dive into Rhino 8’s New Features
ShrinkWrap: Turn Garbage To Gold
ShrinkWrap creates a watertight mesh around open or closed meshes, NURBS geometry, SubD, and point clouds: ideal for creating meshes for 3D printing.
Built for Mac
Rhino for Mac is faster than ever, running natively on both Apple Silicon and Intel Macs, and using the Apple Metal display technology. There is also the User-Interface on Mac closer to its Windows sibling.
Metal: Blazingly fast 3D drawing, a massive speed boost for Mac users.
Window Layouts: Customize, save, share, and restore your favorite interface layouts.
Universal App: Rhino for Mac runs natively on Apple Silicon and Intel Macs.
Layer Manager: A complete rewrite, on Windows and Mac, including all new features.
Rendering: Updated the Cycles engine for faster, GPU-accelerated raytracing.
SubD Creases
SubD Creases create a feature between a smooth and a sharp edge, without adding complexity to the SubD control net, great for making fillet-like features.
Modeling: Simplified
Rhino 8 unlocks new modeling workflows — like PushPull — and adds intuitive new features to the Gumball and Automatic CPlanes.
Modeling Simplified: Rhino’s model creation tools make it flexible, accurate, open, and very popular.
Auto CPlanes: Smarter CPlanes automatically align to eligible selections.
Gumball: The move, scale, and rotate widget gets new grips for extending and extruding.
PushPull: Grab a face and push or pull it, extruding or extending.
Inset: New Options and Support for Surfaces and Polysurface Faces.
Clipping and Sectioning
Rhino 8 introduces a number of clipping and sectioning enhancements to help support various drafting and fabrication workflows…
Section Styles: Use Section Styles to create section details of your model.
Selective Clipping: Selective clipping and viewing depth.
Dynamic Vector Drawings: Create dynamic vector drawings of clipping sections.
Clipped Views: Use Clipping Planes Views in 2D Layouts.
Sectioning for Fabrication: Extract section curves and slices for fabrication.
Presentation
Rhino 8 has updated the Cycles Render engine, smoothed out the UV Workflow, improved our procedural textures, and added a display mode.
Rendering: We’ve updated the Cycles engine for faster, GPU-accelerated raytracing.
UV Mapping: UV Mapping has been improved with a floating UV Editor, new unwrapping …
Procedural Textures: Native, per-pixel procedural textures in raytraced and rendered modes.
Monochrome: A clean, minimal Display Mode, perfect for showcasing architectural work.
Improved Rendering UI: More compact, efficient, and interactive management and editing.
Grasshopper: Rhino Data Types
Rhino Data Types allow you to bake geometry with custom attributes, import more file formats, control blocks, use native materials in the display pipeline, create hatches and annotations, and many other expanded workflows…
Object Attributes: Manage Rhino object attributes directly from Grasshopper.
Annotations: Define the look of annotations in Grasshopper.
Blocks: Create block definitions and instances in Grasshopper.
Live Baking: Live update existing Rhino objects from Grasshopper.
UserText: Add user text to Rhino objects.
Rhino Refined
Hundreds of bugs were fixed, along with new Linetypes, improved Mesh Booleans, and enhanced surface editing tools.
Linetypes: Linetypes in Rhino 8 can draw stylized curves with both width and taper.
RefitTrim: Take control of structure and continuity for well-made surface models.
Surface Fillets: FilletSrf has a new UI with dynamic radius previews.
Window Layouts: Customize, save, share, and restore your favorite interface layouts.
Supported File Formats: Now supporting USD export, glTF, E57 in Rhino for Mac, and Dynamic Blocks in.
SectionTools Integrated: Dynamic 3D Sectioning and 2D Drawings.
Reflected Ceiling Plans: A reflected parallel projection viewport mode, perfect for RCPs.
Blocks: The Block Manager is now more flexible and powerful.
Mesh Booleans: Completely rewritten and more reliable Mesh Booleans.
Offset: Offset can now create multiple closed regions.
Development Platform
Rhino 8 brings a new code editor, support for CPython and .NET 7, major improvements to the free SDKs, with API refinements, and some major new features that broaden and deepen the foundations of the geometry development platform.
Scripting: Entirely new editor for Python 3 and C#, in Rhino and Grasshopper.
Code-Driven File IO: Read/write any format that Rhino supports entirely through code.
rhino3dm Rendering Assets: Read and write rendering assets from openNURBS or rhino3dm.
.NET 7: Target Microsoft .NET 7 on both Windows and Rhino for Mac.
RhinoCommon: New APIs for Shrinkwrap, Flair, Code-Driven File IO, and more.
And More
Looking for a complete list of new commands? If you’re not seeing what you’re looking for above, please check out the documentation’s New in Rhino 8 for a complete list as well as new command options.
In the ever-evolving world of construction, precision and efficiency are paramount. Construction modeling software plays a pivotal role in ensuring that projects run smoothly, from initial design to project completion. These software tools allow architects, engineers, contractors, and other stakeholders to collaborate seamlessly, reduce errors, and visualize projects in 3D. In this article, we’ll explore the top 6 construction modeling software options: AutoCAD, Revit, SketchUp, DataCAD, Navisworks, and Vectorworks Architect and Vectorworks Designer. Let’s dive into the world of construction modeling and discover how these tools can revolutionize your workflow.
AutoCAD
AutoCAD, a well-known name in the world of computer-aided design (CAD) software, is a powerhouse for architects, engineers, and designers. While not exclusively a BIM tool, AutoCAD offers robust 2D drawing and 3D modeling capabilities, making it an essential part of the construction modeling toolkit.
Key Features of AutoCAD:
2D and 3D Modeling:AutoCAD enables users to create intricate 2D and 3D models with precision and ease.
Collaboration: It provides collaboration options, making it easy to share and work on projects with teams.
Customization:AutoCAD’s customizable interface allows users to tailor the software to their specific needs.
Architectural Features: While primarily a CAD program, AutoCAD offers BIM and architectural features for construction projects.
Why Choose AutoCAD:AutoCAD’s versatility and compatibility with other design software make it a go-to choice for architects, engineers, and construction professionals. It’s known for its reliability and wide range of functionalities, making it an indispensable tool in the construction industry.
Revit
Revitis a dedicated Building Information Modeling (BIM) software designed to cater to the needs of architects, engineers, and construction professionals. It excels in creating high-quality 3D models and streamlining the documentation process.
Key Features of Revit:
High-Quality 3D Modeling:Revit allows users to create detailed 3D models with accuracy and precision.
Documentation: It streamlines the documentation process with features like instant plan revision and elevations.
Collaboration:Revit’s unified project environment facilitates collaboration among teams, ensuring everyone is on the same page.
Interoperability: It offers interoperability support for various CAD and BIM tools, enhancing data sharing and analysis.
Why Choose Revit: For professionals seeking dedicated BIM software with a focus on architectural design and construction, Revit is the ideal choice. It offers advanced features for project analysis and documentation, making it a valuable asset in complex construction projects.
SketchUp
SketchUp, known for its user-friendly interface and versatility, is a 3D modeling software that finds applications in various industries, including construction. Its ease of use makes it accessible to both beginners and professionals.
Key Features of SketchUp:
3D Modeling: SketchUp provides powerful 3D modeling tools for creating intricate designs.
Plugin Support: Users can extend SketchUp’s functionality with a wide range of plugins.
Real-Time Visualization: It offers real-time model visualization, allowing users to see changes instantly.
Library of 3D Models: SketchUp boasts a vast collection of pre-built 3D models for quick project development.
Why Choose SketchUp: SketchUp is an excellent choice for architects and designers who prioritize user-friendliness and quick design iterations. Its real-time visualization and extensive library of 3D models make it an efficient tool for construction projects.
DataCAD
DataCAD is an architectural design and construction documentation software that combines drafting and 3D modeling tools. It’s recognized for its user-friendliness and short learning curve.
Key Features of DataCAD:
User-Friendly: DataCAD is known for its short learning curve, making it accessible to new users.
3D Modeling: It offers 3D modeling tools for creating detailed architectural designs.
Collaboration: Users can easily collaborate with team members using DataCAD’s 3D models.
Why Choose DataCAD: DataCAD’s simplicity and 3D modeling capabilities make it a valuable tool for architects who want to quickly create detailed architectural designs. Its collaborative features enhance teamwork in construction projects.
Navisworks
Navisworks is a review and coordination tool specifically designed for project delivery. It enables users to visualize and consolidate construction design data into one federated model.
Key Features of Navisworks:
Clash Identification: Navisworks helps identify clash and interference issues, saving time and preventing on-site errors.
4D Simulations: Users can create 4D simulations and animate model objects for project scheduling.
Integration: Navisworks integrates with software like Revit and AutoCAD, allowing seamless data exchange.
Takeoff Analysis: It provides tools for analyzing takeoff data, facilitating cost estimation.
Why Choose Navisworks: For construction professionals looking to streamline project delivery and prevent clashes and errors, Navisworks is an invaluable tool. Its ability to create 4D simulations enhances project planning and execution.
Vectorworks Architect & Vectorworks Designer
Vectorworks Architect and Vectorworks Designer are comprehensive design tools with modeling, drafting, and documentation capabilities. They excel in architectural design and offer features like site information modeling (SIM) and automated schedules.
Key Features of Vectorworks Architect and Designer:
Energy Analysis: Vectorworks Architect offers built-in energy analysis features for sustainable design.
Collaboration: Users can collaborate seamlessly and share multiple documents within the software.
Customization: Vectorworks allows for a flexible workflow, accommodating various design preferences.
2D and 3D Modeling: It offers both 2D and 3D modeling capabilities for comprehensive project visualization.
Why Choose Vectorworks Architect and Designer: Vectorworks Architect and Designer are ideal for architects and construction managers who require versatile design tools with a focus on energy analysis and collaboration. Their robust modeling and documentation features enhance project efficiency.
In conclusion, construction modeling software plays a crucial role in modern construction projects. These tools empower professionals to create high-quality 3D models, streamline collaboration, and prevent errors during the project lifecycle.
Whether you prioritize user-friendliness, in-depth BIM capabilities, or specialized features, the top 6 construction modeling software options mentioned here offer solutions for a wide range of construction needs.
Choose the one that best aligns with your project requirements and take your construction projects to new heights.
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