Since Evan Shu released his May edition of Cheap Tricks, I've noticed that there's been much discussion in the DBUG group concerning his editor's notes regarding the upcoming version X4. It seems that, for the most part, the biggest concerns are over the Sun Shader as well as the apparent lack of information regarding new "smart" entities. I'll give my personal thoughts concerning the matter as well as some items that I would like to see addressed for the new version. I've been regularly using the smart walls, doors, and windows since before version 12 was released, so I'm well aware of their advantages as well as their current limitations. I've used them on log cabins, conventional lumber, cmu buildings, and other projects.
First of all, I'd like to address the Sun Shader. I have been wondering about the future of the O2C and DataCAD since about the time that version 12 was released. DataCAD has been recommending us to NOT upgrade to the latest version of the O2C for quite some time now. In my thinking, regardless of whether or not the O2C players would be discontinued, it has seemed obvious to me that DataCAD would be needing to go another direction, whether using another type of player or by developing their own. With the Sun Shader, it seems that their decision is to develop their own. Really, is this possibly the reason why, or maybe one reason why, the smart objects have been seemingly put on hold? I personally don't know enough to say for sure, but it does seem like a realistic possibility to me. After all, what point is there to develop more smart and other 3D objects if there isn't a good way to actually view or present them? I would say that if the Sun Shader works out as specified and is the fastest or one of the fastest rendering programs of its type, then this is a major step in the direction of further development of the 3D side of DataCAD.
Now for a wish concerning the Sun Shader. If it is indeed a fast rendering program, then I would love for it to be able to be permanently open and automatically updated with the floor plan. Even better would be to be able to change and move windows, doors, walls, and other items in the Sun Shader. This is definitely something that DataCAD could never be able to offer without developing their own rendering program. This is one thing that has always enticed me a little with Revit, ArchiCAD, Vectorworks, and others. Something like this could significantly increase the usefulness and speed of using the smart entities and make the 2D and 3D more seamless.
Now concerning the smart entities. I must admit that I've been a little disappointed on the lack of improvements in smart walls, doors, and windows in X3. However, it would be unfair to suggest that they haven't done anything in regards to smart objects. There were a couple of minor improvements to the walls, doors, and windows. The improvements to the symbols is a pretty significant addition to smart entities. As I stated above, the start of the development of the Sun Shader could be viewed as an improvement in this area as well. Polyline improvements should also be grouped together with this. Could it be that smart walls could essentially become vertical polylines? While this is just speculation, perhaps the polyline improvements is a step for improving the smart walls and/or maybe smart roofs, floors, and other items.
Since I've stated my wishlist for smart walls, doors, and windows before, I won't go into great detail, however, I would like to see the cleaning of smart walls improved as well as having doors and windows insert into curved walls correctly. Curved headers for doors and windows as well as sidelites would be good. Custom trims as well as the ability to add things like shutters. Automated wall fills. Wainscote smart walls in a single wall.
Finally, I would like to thank everyone at DataCAD for all of the work that they've done. For all of the "free" improvements that they give us with each version. I'm sure that it must be difficult deciding which projects to work on with a limited budget. They surely feel the effects of the current architectural/construction economic state that the rest of us are. They also seem to have a better understanding than most of us have concerning the direction that CAD, in general, is taking and the trends with BIM and other related things. As long as they have a sufficiently large group supporting them, I'm sure that they'll keep progressing in the direction that will enable us to be competitive in the changing industry.
First of all, I'd like to address the Sun Shader. I have been wondering about the future of the O2C and DataCAD since about the time that version 12 was released. DataCAD has been recommending us to NOT upgrade to the latest version of the O2C for quite some time now. In my thinking, regardless of whether or not the O2C players would be discontinued, it has seemed obvious to me that DataCAD would be needing to go another direction, whether using another type of player or by developing their own. With the Sun Shader, it seems that their decision is to develop their own. Really, is this possibly the reason why, or maybe one reason why, the smart objects have been seemingly put on hold? I personally don't know enough to say for sure, but it does seem like a realistic possibility to me. After all, what point is there to develop more smart and other 3D objects if there isn't a good way to actually view or present them? I would say that if the Sun Shader works out as specified and is the fastest or one of the fastest rendering programs of its type, then this is a major step in the direction of further development of the 3D side of DataCAD.
Now for a wish concerning the Sun Shader. If it is indeed a fast rendering program, then I would love for it to be able to be permanently open and automatically updated with the floor plan. Even better would be to be able to change and move windows, doors, walls, and other items in the Sun Shader. This is definitely something that DataCAD could never be able to offer without developing their own rendering program. This is one thing that has always enticed me a little with Revit, ArchiCAD, Vectorworks, and others. Something like this could significantly increase the usefulness and speed of using the smart entities and make the 2D and 3D more seamless.
Now concerning the smart entities. I must admit that I've been a little disappointed on the lack of improvements in smart walls, doors, and windows in X3. However, it would be unfair to suggest that they haven't done anything in regards to smart objects. There were a couple of minor improvements to the walls, doors, and windows. The improvements to the symbols is a pretty significant addition to smart entities. As I stated above, the start of the development of the Sun Shader could be viewed as an improvement in this area as well. Polyline improvements should also be grouped together with this. Could it be that smart walls could essentially become vertical polylines? While this is just speculation, perhaps the polyline improvements is a step for improving the smart walls and/or maybe smart roofs, floors, and other items.
Since I've stated my wishlist for smart walls, doors, and windows before, I won't go into great detail, however, I would like to see the cleaning of smart walls improved as well as having doors and windows insert into curved walls correctly. Curved headers for doors and windows as well as sidelites would be good. Custom trims as well as the ability to add things like shutters. Automated wall fills. Wainscote smart walls in a single wall.
Finally, I would like to thank everyone at DataCAD for all of the work that they've done. For all of the "free" improvements that they give us with each version. I'm sure that it must be difficult deciding which projects to work on with a limited budget. They surely feel the effects of the current architectural/construction economic state that the rest of us are. They also seem to have a better understanding than most of us have concerning the direction that CAD, in general, is taking and the trends with BIM and other related things. As long as they have a sufficiently large group supporting them, I'm sure that they'll keep progressing in the direction that will enable us to be competitive in the changing industry.
"No other success can compensate for failure in the home." - David O. McKay
