In our spring 2024 edition we delve deep into a future where drawings are fully automated, look at a new approach to building performance analysis, report on a new massing tool for architects, plus plenty more on acoustic design, reality capture, workstations, modern methods of construction, and laptop processors It’s available to view now, free, along with all our back issues. Subscribe to the digital edition free + all the latest AEC technology news in your inbox, or take out a print subscription for $49 per year (free to UK AEC professionals). The dawn of auto-drawingsSeveral CAD software ..read more

We kick off 2024 with a bumper edition of AEC Magazine, where we gaze into our crystal ball for the future of BIM, explain how to best use 3D renderings in architectural portfolios, report on Rhino’s new push pull modelling capabilities, and lots, lots more. The new edition also includes our annual Workstation Special Report with over 40 pages dedicated to the very latest workstation technology for AEC workflows. It’s available to view now, free, along with all our back issues. Subscribe to the digital edition free + all the latest AEC technology news in your inbox, or take out a print subscri ..read more

A new integrated reality capture solution uses computer vision, AI and a proprietary handheld camera with GPS, to capture infrastructure at scale Over the last ten years the AEC industry has been inundated with a plethora of reality capture technologies, from affordable laser scanners and SLAM devices to aerial and terrestrial photogrammetry – even iPhones with LiDAR. Last month saw the introduction of a novel device and platform from Looq AI, a startup that claims to offer a ‘one-stop solution’ for surveyors, engineers, contractors, and asset owners to capture infrastructure, in minutes, with ..read more

Integrated solution uses computer vision, AI and a proprietary handheld device with multiple cameras and GPS, to capture infrastructure at scale Looq AI has launched the Looq platform, a ‘one-stop solution’ for surveyors, engineers, contractors, and asset owners to capture infrastructure, in minutes, with ‘survey-grade accuracy’. The platform is powered by what the company describes as a novel and fundamental computer vision and AI technology. There’s also a hardware component, a handheld proprietary ‘Q’ camera, which combines four high-resolution cameras (on either side, on top and ..read more

Nvidia highlights scalable AI performance to stand out from mobile workstation NPUs Nvidia has added new entry-level models to its line-up of Ada Lovelace pro laptop GPUs. The Nvidia RTX 500 and 1000 Ada Generation will be available soon in highly portable mobile workstations from Dell, HP, Lenovo and MSI. They will join the Nvidia RTX 2000, 3000, 3500, 4000 and 5000 Ada Generation laptop GPUs which launched last year. The Nvidia RTX 500 and 1000 Ada will replace the Ampere-based RTX A500 and A1000. On paper, there’s a significant generation on generation improvement in single precision floati ..read more

Real-time ray trace rendering software uses AI to match atmosphere and materials D5 Render 2.6, the latest release of the AEC-focused real-time ray trace rendering software, includes several new features that harness the power of AI. AI Atmosphere Match acts like an intuitive filter, allowing users to import an image that captures the desired ambiance for their scene. The software will automatically aim to replicate that atmosphere in terms of lighting and effects in the project, either by matching it with D5 Render’s Geo&Sky system or selecting an appropriate HDRI ..read more

Bluebeam to introduce new AI tools and invite customers to try out embryonic new AI technologies Bluebeam is to introduce two new AI features to its AEC collaboration tools: Auto Align for drawing overlays and comparisons in Revu 21 and Automatic title block recognition when importing drawings to Bluebeam Cloud. These latest AI innovations build on existing features like visual search, text recognition and batch processing which are designed to increase productivity, augment creative problem-solving, and automate repetitive tasks. Auto Align is designed to reduce the tedious, error-prone steps ..read more

Mix AI designed to help contractors prevent concrete overdesign and reduce embodied carbon emissions Converge has introduced Mix AI, a new tool that uses predictive AI to assist contractors in reducing concrete overdesign and embodied carbon emissions, promoting low-carbon construction practices. Mix AI complements ConcreteDNA, the London-based company’s AI-based concrete monitoring and data management platform. It analyses concrete data to offer AI-based forecasts of concrete strength, temperature, and carbon footprint, considering historical and future environmental conditions. “There is an ..read more

Software uses AI to generate visualisations from 3D models in Autodesk’s conceptual design tool Veras, the AI-powered visualisation tool for SketchUp, Revit, Rhino and the web, is now available for Autodesk Forma. The software uses 3D model geometry as a ‘substrate for creativity and inspiration’. Users input prompts or preferences, then the AI engine generates a spectrum of design ideas. Users have the ability to override geometry and materials with simple sliders. Geometry override, for example, specifies the amount the geometry will change from the original model. Other features include ren ..read more

Standalone and Revit-based software offers an ‘automated generative process’ to aid architects and site developers Kolega, a new site feasibility software that uses genetic algorithms and machine learning models to generate spatial urban layouts and floor plans, is gearing up for its beta release. The software is available both as a standalone tool and a Revit add-on. In terms of workflow, the user provides geometrical data, target site parameters and architectural preferences, then the software performs the ‘time-consuming and detailed analysis’ for architects and site developers. Solutions a ..read more