Review
Autodesk FormIt 2018 Conceptual design has always been the neglected child of the industry, perhaps because SketchUp is seen as all-dominating in this space. But looking at Autodesk FormIt, Martyn Day sees a worthy contender that has come a long way.
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hen Autodesk decided to take up arms against SketchUp, it was owned by Google and was free. For a commercial organisation such as Autodesk, while achieving equivalent technology seemed possible, the SketchUp business model meant that FormIt was always going to have to be a low-priced product, if not free. More than that, it would need to offer a plethora of capabilities to tempt architects away from the incumbent. What seemed like a daunting task has required perseverance on Autodesk’s behalf, in terms of maintaining development and investment – two things which the company has a history of withdrawing from products that prove slow to gain traction, in a ‘fail-fast forward’ style of going to give seamless geometry in Revit. And I’ve heard many BIM managproduct development. Autodesk’s first foray into conceptual ers complain about architects coming design, Architectural Studio, wasn’t given back with edits in SketchUp, when the much of a chance. But having not reviewed detail modelling is already well down FormIt since 2013, our first look at FormIt the road in Revit. Autodesk has really grabbed this opportunity and 2018 shows that it has evolved FormIt is now much more considerably, to offer a seriousFormIt is, tightly integrated into a Revit ly impressive suite of tools. BIM process, wasting little of FormIt started life as an iPad above all, time spent creating early application. It’s now available fun. Once the the model geometry and being on Windows, Mac, iOS, modelling there to work on geometry Android and in the web browsthroughout the process. er, so pretty much anywhere, skills have The free version of FormIt for around $25 a month. On the been offers basic 3D modelling iPad, it works with the Apple mastered, it tools, native Revit compatibilPencil as well as with could ity, support for geographic Autodesk Sketchbook Pro and Autodesk Graphic. It comes in actually be locations, mobile and via web three flavours: free, Pro, and used as a lot browser. It’s a good introduction into FormIt modelling FormIt Pro as web version. It’s more than a and models can be imported part of the Architecture massing from SketchUp, but the Pro Engineering & Construction version really does have all Collection, for a hefty annual modeller the good stuff and having subscription. However, those access to the desktop applicawith a Collection subscription get FormIt Pro included for free and access tion enables bigger models. to Energy Analysis with the Insight 360 Pro features analysis engine. Conceptual design should drive BIM. The Pro version is delivered as a When a conceptual design is in Windows application and can build largSketchUp, the geometry really isn’t er models. Solar Analysis is built-in,
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Autodesk University 2017 special edition
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based on geography; this can be selectively computed for facades in seconds, with a vivid colour scheme giving clear feedback. More precise radiation levels appear dynamically at the end of the tool tip as you move about the model. Glazing studies can be calculated monthly or throughout a full year. Collaboration is also included; this makes it possible to initiate a collaborative session and invite colleagues or clients into a shared FormIt workspace. Collaborators do not need to have a Pro licence, but can access it through the web, or via A360 mobile apps. It’s possible to share the camera view, to ensure everyone is looking at the same view. Camera views can be shared between collaborators and there’s a built-in chat capability. In the past, Autodesk experimented with a separate product called Vasari, which provided a conceptual model space where all sorts of analyses could be carried out on early designs to estimate performance and optimise building orientation, layout, glazing and shading. This tech was acquired from Ecotect and substantially rewritten to be more accurate. Autodesk wired up its own HQ in Boston with sensors to use as a reference test for its software analysis and simulation tools in development. The company also has Green Building www.AECmag.com
