To complete successful building projects, we’ll always need a full arsenal of design and planning software. We all know Revit, Sketchup, and Rhino. But the number of options has been growing on a seemingly daily basis.
Selecting tools that augment our design capabilities is just one of the software-related challenges architects and building professionals face. We also need tools that help us work more effectively on teams, tools that help us convey our ideas, and tools that ease the use of more complex programs. As the demands of an interconnected global workforce increase, the building industries need to embrace tools readily available to them if they’re going to succeed in the long run.
In this post we’re going to present three innovative tools you can use to deliver the best buildings for clients and enjoy a more seamless process.
Cl3ver
What is it?
As its name suggests, Cl3ver is an innovative 3D presentation tool that pulls in information from a variety of modeling applications including industry standards 3ds Max, Revit, Rhino, and Sketchup. It seamlessly integrates models into interactive and editable slide presentations.
Why use it?
Architects, planners, and designers rely on visual storytelling to convey their ideas. Cl3ver’s simple import feature allows users to leverage the modeling tools they use every day, helping clients walk through future spaces without exposing any clunky software interfaces to them. The platform has collaborative features like annotations and notifications, making work easier across project teams. Presentations also include a variety of editing and flexible visualization elements and can viewed online or offline, making their distribution a breeze.
What’s unique about it?
Cl3ver has the ability to integrate external non-model content like images and text panels with documentation clients are always asking to see like schedules and contracts. Their development team is working on new multimedia integrations, so more are on the way.
A free trial is available at www.cl3ver.com
Ladybug Tools
What is it?
Ladybug Tools is an open source group of free apps that connect design models with simulation engines. Currently the 3rd most popular plugin for Grasshopper, Ladybug Tools has been downloaded over 170,000 times. Among its many platforms, the collection includes Ladybug, which analyzes climate data to produce custom visualizations; Honeybee, a daylight analyst and simulator; and Butterfly a plugin for computational fluid dynamic simulation.
Why use it?
Ladybug’s tools are most known for being flexible due to modular composition and Phython scripts, which mean they can be run on pretty much any operating system and modified to suit a specific project’s needs. This means your project teams can pick and choose which types of analysis and simulations you’re missing or may have hired a large number of consultants to help with otherwise. Perhaps the biggest reason to use Ladybug tools is that you’ll be able to pull together data you didn’t even know existed, informing designs and analyses of more sustainable, comfortable buildings.
What’s unique about it?
Unlike many tech tools, the Ladybug collection is community-supported, meaning feedback and development don’t happen in a vacuum. Ladybug Tools is proof that a more connected, collaborative building industry is necessary to create a more inclusive and productive built environment.
Join the community at www.ladybug.tools
Mattermost
What is it?
Mattermost is an open source communication platform with a massive amount of flexibility and integration options. Described as an alternative to Slack, Mattermost can be run and operated through your company or organization’s IT division.
Why use it?
Design projects are always changing. Mattermost can be leveraged to make decisions as a team quickly and refer to decisions made in the past via search functions. It supports file sharing and delivery, as well as over 500 plugins for custom integration with pretty much any other tools you may be using. It serves to connect designers with owners or developers, who often require frequent communication. Updates and changes to project documentation, delivery, timelines – all of this can be discussed and handled more easily with Mattermost.
What’s unique about it?
Among Mattermost’s numerous benefits are its security and compliance features. It can be customized to match requirements of your company, industry, or even your region.
Get connected at www.mattermost.com.
Building projects require extensive collaboration, time-efficient procedures, and near-perfect visual representation. Tools like these ones will undoubtedly help you along the way. The earlier you use tech tools in the design process, the better, and that’s where METABUILD comes in – providing you with informed architectural design and budget options, unlocking the full potential of your building project.
