SolidWorks Enters AEC Market

Last week at SolidWorks World '11 in San Antonio, TX, a new product called SolidWorks Live Building was introduced by SolidWorks management. The software was described as a conceptual process and planning tool aimed at owners and planners. The product marketing manager showed a demo of interior office design and build out of Dassault Systemes' new campus in Waltham, MA. In addition to doors, stairs, windows, cubicles, and offices, there was a solar energy analysis shown. Here is a link to a YouTube video that captured the demo on screen - http://www.deelip.com/?p=5487

The software was described as an “on-line offering based on the V6 platform available later this year.” While journalists and bloggers debate the merits of SolidWorks Live Building versus Autodesk, Bentley, Google, and other major AEC supplier offerings, I have a different take. My view is “Bring on more 3D design tools!” The more that architects and designers work in 3D, the better it is for the 3D printing industry. As somebody who has been promoting 3D design since the early 1980s, it has been, and continues to be a long transition march from 2D to 3D. Perhaps a new tool like SolidWorks Live Building will give those late adopters out there a reason to look at new 3D technologies, both digital and physical prototyping.

Please share your thoughts on SolidWorks entry into the AEC market, especially as it relates to your design process.

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