Issue #792
Firms in Europe can do well when they adapt American software to local standards. Stabiplan is an example: its software sits on top of AutoCAD or Revit and does MEP [mechanical, electrical, plumbing] design specific to the standards of individual European countries -- despite the existence of the EU. Through a combination of TeamViewer and Skype, sales engineer Jos van Haaften and European sales manager Pascal Betten told me about the company and its software.
Stabiplan was founded in Holland in 1990, and today has 120 employees, mainly in support and product development. Its 8,500 users are at 3,500 customer sites mainly in Benelux [Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg] and France. The Dutch heritage shows through their 80% market share in Holland.
StabiCAD 9 runs on Revit and AutoCAD (2010 through 2014) as the engine, and can exchange data between the two. Updates to the software are released every four weeks. It handles ventilation, sewage, sanitary sewer sprinklers, lighting, power, communications, safety, and more; there is also support for building layouts, space management, and inventory.
Design, Build, Maintain, Operate
Mr Betten began by explaining the situation in the home country: "In Holland, we are in the midst of the BIM revolution. There are not enough projects at the moment for BIM, but our customers are getting ready for BIM. Most people use AutoCAD, and we don't want to force customers to Revit, even though Revit has more functions. So we exchange data between the two without loss." Stabiplan Services is their consultancy division.
MEPcontent.eu is the content source, housing 400,000 symbols from European manufacturers. It is free and open, meaning it can be used by any application that can read DWG and Revit drawing files; but StabiCAD users access more functions. A plug-in in Revit accesses the library directly. As the company enters a new country, the values are adapted to that country's standards.
Demo
Users start with StabiBASE, which is the dashboard for projects. Then they launch into AutoCAD or Revit. Mr van Haaften began with AutoCAD, which runs the colorful StabiCAD add-in as a palette.
Enter an item into the floor plan, such as an air grill: a dialog box pops up with all of its parameters, like type of grill, size, and flow pattern. At this early stage, the symbol is generic, and so lacks supplier name and other specific data. Symbols are dynamic blocks so that aspects can be changed, such as the vent type.
Once one air grill was placed, he used AutoCAD's generic Copy command to place more. He double-clicked the symbol to edit parameters, such as adding the manufacturer, whose names are included in the Stabiplan database.
The most exciting function is the Node Solver that draws ductwork for us: initially, it finds the shortest distance between the grill and the selected piping. Then it adds a flexible pipe to the end so that the pipe can be dragged aside to avoid beams and lighting. When more than one solution is possible, a dialog box pops up with a graphical list of available solutions.
When Mr van Haaften changed a pipe diameter, transitions were added automatically. He showed how the software recalculates all piping diameters to match a specified flow rate. A table is generated automatically to report pipe numbers and diameters, air loss, and so on. (By year's end, these calculations will also be available in Revit.)
A click switches the view between double-line, single-line, and 3D views. In most cases, you don't need to specify heights, as Stabiplan knows if things need to be in the ceiling, on the floor, or in the walls; you can, of course, override heights, including specifying a slope angle for pipes. (Sewers, after all, rely on gravity flow).
The symbols are linked back to Stabiplan's Web site so that up-to-date specs are available; it also stores the specs for obsolete parts.
Switching to Revit, he showed that the functions worked the same as in AutoCAD, for the most part. One change is that StabliPLAN adds its structure to the Revit project browser. It replaces Revit's default connectors with its own vendor-specific ones.
Q&A
Q: What happens when drawings generated by StabiPLAN in AutoCAD and Revit are passed on to clients who do not use Stabiplan?
A: It does not matter; they are plain AutoCAD and Revit models. The clients would use our MEPcontent browser to download content and access the product data. The blocks in AutoCAD are just AutoCAD blocks, and so it is possible to transfer data to another CAD package. Revit can export families as IFCs.
Q: What about other CAD systems, such as MicroStation, BricsCAD or Graebert ARES: do you plan to make StabiCAD work with them?
A: No. We focus only on AutoCAD and Revit.
Q: Is there a market in which your software is used the most?
A: No, it is used for large and small buildings with a mix of building types, hotels, offices, hospitals, airports, and so on -- just like AutoCAD and Revit are used for many kinds of buildings.
Q: What is the pricing?
A: StabiBASE is Euro 1,650. Then for Revit, the mechanical design portion is e2,500 and the electrical is e2,000.
Q: Why isn't Autodesk's own MEP software used in Holland instead of yours?
A: It is too generic for local users. We are focused on MEP in specific countries. Manufacturers supply us with their parametric data and it is their responsibility to keep it up to date.
Q: Do you worry Autodesk will mimic what you are doing, by adding country-specific content for European users?
A: No, not at all. Users start with info from Autodesk's software, and then add ours. We make both products stronger.
DesignSpark is (mostly) SpaceClaim for free
Readers last week alerted me to a new software package that seemed to be based on SpaceClaim:
"Have you seen this new kid on the block? . Apparently it's free. What's interesting, this video clearly shows it is actually a rebadged (dumbed down?) SpaceClaim. DesignSpark's Web site does not seem to mention it."
- Normand Chamberland
"RS Components first released a hobby style PCB design software, now they released a 3D mechanical package. The EULA [end user license agreement] states, "BASED ON SOFTWARE ORIGINALLY DEVELOPED BY SPACECLAIM CORPORATION.' What exactly is the tie up there between SpaceClaim and this free download product?"
- Gordon Rigg
Our readers have reason to be suspicious, because bootlegged CAD software and even purloined code (such as RaceCAD) have been offered free. In this case, it is, however, legitimate: RS Components is a British distributor of electronics and products, calling itself "the world's largest." DesignSpark Mechanical is meant for its customers to design the mechanical side of electronic components: housings, positioning PCBs [printed circuit boards], connectors, and the like.
A rebranded version of SpaceClaim is not unusual, as SpaceClaim has a robust API and in the past the company has licensed its code to firms like ANSYS, Flow International, and Ignite Technology. The difference this time is that the software is free, a savings of a couple of thousand dollars.
There is a catch: while the company boats that "This is not a cut down version of an expensive product," it is a reduced-function version of SpaceClaim. The first function missing noticed by most is STEP export; STEP import is included. No 2D or IGES import, and other SpaceClaim functions are missing, although a definitive list does not yet exist.
What Ralph Grabowski Thinks
RS Components makes its money from selling components; the software and related component libraries are provided free to make it easier for customers to attach themselves to RS. This is not a new marketing tactic.
What is new is that a prestigious brand like SpaceClaim is being offered free, albeit discretely; RS makes no mention of the source, except in the license agreement.
In the forums and even in reviews, however, customers and bloggers complain of missing functions. They expect all of SpaceClaim at the price of a bootleg copy; one reviewer enthused how this software could be used for 3D printing. This is not the point to what RS is offering. Autodesk ceo Carl Bass has found the same problem: users of free software being more demanding than those who pay.
http://www.designspark.com/eng/page/mechanical
Out of the Inbox
First out of the gate, Vectorworks updates its Nomad software to work with Apple's iOS 7 operating system for portable devices. (Not all iPad or iPhone apps work with the OSupdate.) Vectorworks subscribers can download the viewer app from https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/nemetschek-vectorworks-nomad/id506706850
Paul Seletsky departs the AIANY technology committee to be full-time with his ArcSphere consulting service.
Randall Newton steps back from his managing editor position at CADdigest to devote himself fulltime to his new Consiliavektor consulting service.
Following up on their plug-in for Revit, IMSI/Design ships their TurboSite plug-in for AutoCAD for viewing videos and photos taken at sites in the geolocated positions in AutoCAD drawings. Available through Autodesk's Exchange app store at http://apps.exchange.autodesk.com/ACD/en/Detail/Index?id=appstore.exchange.autodesk.com%3aturbositeplug-inforautocad%3aen
Quadrispace releases Share3D for downstream uses like project reviews, work instructions, part catalogs, and client reviews. The site does cloud-based distribution and collaboration service with native apps for iPad, iPhone, and PC users. https://www.share3d.com
NexGen Ergonomics updates HumanCAD v2.5 with new functions I can't understand, given my limited knowledge on things medical: custom anthropometry features; new somatotype feature; and more. http://www.nexgenergo.com
Letters to the Editor
Re: HP's Expanded Z Line
"You need to recheck your info on Tbolt. Lightning is not Tbolt and Intel's naming is not Thunderbolt."
- Steve Sien
The editor replies: "Intel indeed calls its technology 'Thunderbolt', and 'Lightning' is Apple's name for its proprietary Thunderbolt connector. AMD's competitor is named Lightning Bolt."
"With Thunderbolt 2 specs being so close to USB 3s, I wonder if they can manage to gain enough foothold to last a few years. I remember that DRAM that failed to make inroads about 15 years ago; I had a Dell Precision workstation that would have cost a fortune to add RAM to because of it."
- Ron Powell
The editor replies: "The USB consortium is this week showing USB 3.1 that doubles the speed to the Thunderbolt 1 level, which is already too fast for most peripherals. I've learned that Intel charges $10 for the Thunderbolt chipset (USB 3.0 chipset is free), and that Thunderbolt cables are typically an extra $30 each (USB cables tend to be nearly free). I have a feeling that Intel subsized HP to add Thunderbolt to its new workstations."
Re: Solid Edge License Numbers
"Solid Edge has 450,000 users now? Or did you mean to say SolidWorks?"
- Thomas Teger
The editor replies: "It is Solid Edge that now reports just over 500,000 users, commercial + educational, while SolidWorks is claiming 2.1 million for the same mix of commercial and education."
Mr Teger responds: "Wow -- crazy numbers. Seems insanely high. I was working off numbers much smaller than that!"
The editor replies: "I use a ratio of 1:3 commercial:education. If you want crazy-high numbers, try Autodesk's claim of 130 million users."
Mr Teger responds: "The 1:3 ratio makes a lot more sense. I always assumed 150,000 commercial seats for SE, and according to your formula this would be just right on."
"You wrote, 'Now we need to know the split between commercial and educational licenses [of Solid Edge's 500,000 licenses]; typically it's 1:3.' I was at the SolidWorks 2014 roll-out. My notes/recollection/understanding/misunderstanding were:
- 500,000 commercial users at 180,000 customers.
- 1,700,000 educational.
"I assume 'users' means 'serial numbers,' but I don't know if this means 'known to be currently active' or 'all licenses ever sold'. 'There are lies, there are damned, lies, and there are statistics,' said Sir Winston Churchill."
- Bill Fane
The editor replies: "The numbers you report confirm my 1:3 ratio. It appears that Autodesk wants to bump up its educational seat counts by making ALL educational software free. The trouble is that they stopped reporting seats, but maybe they will start again once they get numbers larger than those from SolidWorks."
Mr Fane responds: "At the SolidWorks media event, they were bragging that their educational sales are break-even, and they don't make any profit on them."
"You wrote, 'I am convinced that all this software that helps to test and predict product durability helps ensure products break one day after the warranty expires.' Glad to see someone FINALLY said it. Boy, would I like to see who's profiting from it and how much, eh?"
- Chris
Re: Spin Doctor of the Moment
"You misspelled Van Gogh, twice."
- Kent Elrod
The editor replies: "You are right. Well, maybe I used the British spelling. Also, I got the newsletter issue number wrong (in the email subject line), should've been #791 not $191."
"My professional occupation has moved away from mainstream CAD/mechanical engineering, Enjoyed your letters, though, when I had benefits knowing about stuff."
- Robert Fuchs
Notable Quotable
"Microsoft announces iPad amnesty for fanbois: Hand them in and we'll say no more about it. And heyyy, have a voucher."
- Jasper Hamill, The Register
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2013/09/13/microsoft_offers_fondeslab_exchange_programme
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