In a significant stride toward unifying the architecture, engineering, construction, and operations (AECO) sector, Esri and Autodesk have taken their collaboration to new heights by integrating Esri’s ArcGIS geospatial data directly into Autodesk Forma. The integration, announced at the 2024 Autodesk University in San Diego, brings transformative enhancements to the design and planning phases of AECO projects, arming professionals with precise geographic data to inform critical early decisions. This groundbreaking partnership promises to reshape the way buildings and infrastructure are conceived and constructed.
The announcement comes at a pivotal moment when AECO professionals are increasingly relying on digital tools to navigate the complexities of modern urban design. Traditionally, planners, architects, and engineers have had to juggle multiple platforms, often resulting in disjointed workflows and data loss between tools. This new integration of Esri’s comprehensive spatial data into Autodesk Forma addresses those inefficiencies head-on, creating a seamless experience that allows AECO professionals to access real-time geographic data from the outset of any project.
“Forma represents a new foundation for Autodesk in the 2020s, potentially akin to the impact AutoCAD had in the 1990s,” said Marc Goldman, AEC Industry Director at Esri, during our conversation at Autodesk University. He noted that incorporating ArcGIS data in Forma bridges critical gaps in the planning process. “The partnership between Esri and Autodesk is transformative. It combines the power of GIS and BIM in a way that allows teams to start projects with comprehensive geographic context—something that has been sorely lacking in the past,” Goldman emphasized.
Last month, Zebra Imaging launched a new Web GL integration service that will be available on the Autodesk 123Dapp.com website. The new integration will allow 123D users to seamlessly print a 3D holographic display from a 3D model.
Through the agreement, the partnership aims to further strengthens both Zebra Imaging’s and Autodesk’s ability to provide 3D design and fabrication tools to organizations across the globe.
This partnership extends holographic prints as a new medium for 3D modelers to share their designs. The Autodesk 123D family of apps provides users with the ability to capture, design and make their ideas in 3D, and connect with others for support and inspiration. Zebra Imaging will now be part of that inspiration as a featured Fabrication Partner, offering users the ability to print their creations in a true 3D hologram, also known as a ZScape® 3D Holographic Print.
“With our technology and 3D print services, 3D data can be brought out of the computer and into the consumer 3D display market at an affordable price. The partnership is about inspiring creativity and new approaches for visualizing in 3D,” said Brian Hill, GM Zebra Imaging Print Division, in a recent press release.
Following is a video from Zebra Imaging that shows users how to prepare a hologram for printing once they have made their model or selected a model from the Autodesk 123D Gallery. (more…)
Highlights from Autodesk’s Carl Bass’ address at the BSR (Business Social Responsibility) Conference 2011.
About the BSR Conference
Ranked at the top of corporate responsibility events globally, the annual BSR Conference attracts more than 1,000 senior business executives, entrepreneurs, and distinguished leaders from the public sector and civil society.
The Corridor Solids Technology Preview for AutoCAD® Civil 3D® 2012 software provides functionality to create AutoCAD® solids from AutoCAD Civil 3D Subassembly shapes that are contained in an AutoCAD Civil 3D Corridor Model. By creating solids from subassembly shapes, representative real-world objects such as tunnels, retaining walls, and pavement layers can be more easily used for visual analysis, design verification, and construction coordination through enhanced model sharing between various project team members who are using applications such as Autodesk® Navisworks® 2012 products, Autodesk® Revit® Structure 2012, Autodesk® 3ds® Max Design 2012, and the new Autodesk® Infrastructure Modeler 2012 software.
The two videos below give a good overview of the Corridor Solids technology.
Mosaic is an online peer-to-peer resource that provides an aggregate perspective into the existing set of Autodesk User Communities. The industry media, social media, AUGI, and discussion groups (just to name a few) are invaluable stores of knowledge. Mosaic aggregates these resources and connects users directly to them from one convenient web destination. For more information, visit mosaic.autodesk.com.
