What's New: OFCDesk Connect Features

You can view your designs within the Connect web interface before you start your render.

Show your true colors

Now you can view your designs on the web with enhanced clarity and vibrant color, before you render.

After opening your uploaded design in Connect, you can apply finishes and see the results in stunning color.  You will see the colors applied to all designs that have associated color swatches.

This will help you visualize your designs even better, before sending them to be rendered.  

Revit materials in color: All of the colors that you have applied in CAP, or in the Connect interface, will be attached to the Revit Families that you translate through color materials. 

This means that your customers who use Revit will be able easily change materials inside designs you send them, visualized the way that you created them....with color. 

Take a better picture

Before you render, you can place the camera anywhere you want in the space.

Our Connect camera, found in the viewer window, is new and improved. 

There are no limitations as to where you can place the camera. This allows you full control over what portion of the design you would like to render.

Zoom in nice and close. Pull all the way back, or view from underneath the object, for a long shot of your design.  The choice is yours.

Here is the finished product, after it has been rendered:

Click HERE to learn more about Connect.

7 Ways The Furniture Industry Will Benefit From Cloud Computing

Keep your head in the clouds.

Cloud computing has been around for years, but companies have revolutionized the way they have embrace and use this technology in the last 20 years.  The fundamental process of connecting devices and data through the web has made business easier and will shape the way sales are handled in the contract furniture industry.

So what is "the cloud" anyway?

In short, the cloud is the Internet.  If you wanted to be more practical you could say the "cloud" is a server that is connected to the Internet, where all of your files and designs are stored in one central place that can be accessed on various devices.

A good example of a "cloud computer" these days is a cell phone, an iPad, a laptop, desktop, or even a watch.  This includes any device connected to the web that is ready to interact with information from the cloud.

The cloud gives you the ability to save, manage, and edit your data on the web, where it is safe from theft and lost data.  Let’s look at the 7 ways that the cloud will benefit designers who work in the contract furniture industry:

1. Control costs

Let's discuss the bottom line first.  When you look at software for your business, numbers are the first thing you evaluate.  Each software user in your business equates to another hefty expense added to your yearly budget.

One of cloud-based software’s top benefits is its pricing flexibility.

The modern software model today is moving toward subscription-based licenses. This step reduces your costs to a monthly expense which can be adjusted as your business expands and contracts.

Because the technology resides in the cloud, these changes will be made instantly. The beauty of the cloud is that it helps you avoid costly, long-term software license commitments.

2. Backup and recovery

Did you spill coffee on your laptop again?  Did you drop your cell phone into a full sink of water?  Did you throw your tablet across the room after a bad day at work?  How about the virus that deleted all of your files on your work computer?

Accidents happen.  We all know that files or designs residing on a laptop or desktop computer are vulnerable and could be lost at any moment.  Maybe you remembered to back them up on the network drive, but often this isn't the case.

When your files are in the cloud, they are not only accessible anywhere, they are also backed up automatically, no matter what happens.

3. Improved collaboration

You may remember the days when you had to email a shared document back and forth multiple times until you finally reached the final draft. Oh wait... You probably still use this editing method now!

When your files are in the cloud, they can be accessed from a central point on the web.  Now it’s much easier to edit documents, make notes, and view designs in real-time with your co-worker or client who could be miles away. 

This concept has been popular in the past couple of years on the document level (sharing Excel and Word files).

Take it a step further, at OFCDesk, we want to explore this concept on a grander scale. We give you the ability to share your designs via the cloud.  We love the cloud and that is why our software lives there.

In the contract furniture industry, clients can be located anywhere. Often, you may work with multiple partners to close a deal or assist a customer.  Cloud computing allows this to happen faster, making work easier and gives you instant peace of mind.

4. Instant software updates

 The days of the annoying, recurrent pop-up that tells you to update your software will be a thing of the past. 

Soon, there will be no need to have your IT person imprison your computer for hours during valuable work time.

Cloud computing gives the software developer the ability to change and update software constantly, without disrupting work or making you wait weeks for a new update to fix or improve functionality.

This also means that new features will be readily available to you. You'll have new tools to increase your efficiency monthly and often weekly, as developers make regular changes to the software.

5. Scalability and Customization

Cloud based software shapes itself to your workflow and demand.  Because the software runs off an Internet server, it can be customized to match the changes in your business.

Cloud-based computing also helps with server space and licenses.

As I mentioned above, software subscriptions can be added or removed on a monthly basis, due to your current work demand.  This is important when you look at contract furniture dealers which are primarily project-based businesses.  Projects come and they go. Cloud software can easily adjust and track these changes.  

Server space is the next important flexible area for cloud-based software.

How much space do you need to store your award winning designs or renders in the cloud?  There is often a limit.  More server space can be purchased to adjust to the number of files and designs that you store in the cloud.

6. Work anywhere you want

This is commonly cloud computing's number one benefit.  Because your documents are in the cloud and the software is often accessed via a web browser--you now have the ability to access, edit, manage, upload, download, and review your files anywhere there is a device and an Internet connection.

We take this a step further with our new Connect tool. The cloud-based software gives you the ability to access your CAP designs and edit them on any web-enabled device.

7. Big computer capabilities

When I talk about a "big computer," I mean a computer that has the ability to work harder, longer, and smarter than the laptop or desktop sitting on your desk.

Big computers (servers in the cloud) help designers render and visualize their designs faster, without eating up their own resources. 

How long does it take you to render a product on your computer?  Did it take a long time, and were you able to work while your computer rendered your image?

Cloud technology gives you the ability to create your design and to render your masterpiece in the cloud, without slowing you down.  Let the computer in the cloud do all the work while you move on to the next task in your day.

Why GSA Encourages Use Of Revit And BIM For Projects

GSA is a major sales opportunity for most office furniture manufacturers.  Over the years, the organization has come closer to requiring BIM models for their projects.

Before we get lost in the world of acronyms, please remember that Revit is a "BIM" software.

Revit also has the largest market share of BIM software sales.  If it's easier to make sense of the following information about the GSA and BIM, you could swap out "BIM model" for "Revit model."

In 2003, the GSA (General Services Administration) established the National 3D-4D-BIM Program via the Public Buildings Service (PBS).

Since that time, through the Governance Board, there has been a strong collaboration between PBS and its sister organization the Public Buildings Information Technology Services (PB-ITS).

Across all PBS business lines, BIM is supported by the National 3D-4D-BIM Program.

Here is an older GSA video about BIM and why they like the process.  It's a bit dated, but the BIM concepts are still correct.

Why the GSA likes BIM

According to the GSA website, the GSA uses BIM to help their customers in design, construction, asset management, program requirements, and facility management.  BIM gives the organization the ability to simulate, coordinate, and visualize--all from BIM 3D, 4D models.

Not all 3D models are created equal.  Because a model is 3D does not mean that it is a BIM model. AutoCAD, for example, is not a BIM software.  BIM is more than just the geometric representation of the models used in BIM projects.

BIM models in projects

Including supplemental 2D and IFC BIM models, at all project milestones, the GSA often requires BIM deliverables.  All milestones, in these required BIM projects also must include open-standard facility management data.

As it stands now, the GSA requests 3D, 4D, and BIM technology as a solution to the data challenges faced during the project life cycle.  Although BIM is not yet 100% required, it is strongly encouraged by the organization.

The BIM "information" (product data--dimensions etc.) portion is important for optimizing, coordinating, keeping track of facility data, and simulating projects.

BIM, in the eyes of the GSA reduces re-formatting and re-gathering information and aids in project decisions.  The organization says that it is still looking into using BIM through the entire life cycle of a project.

In conclusion

Prepare yourself for a future where BIM models will be required to be considered for GSA projects. If you don't have them, your products won't be considered which is a missed sales opportunity.

Why AutoCAD Files Just Don't Work in Revit

Yes, its true:  AutoCAD .DWG files just don't work in Revit.  You can import a .DWG file into Revit, but you won't be pleased with the results.

Because of this, it's recommended that you don't send your customer, who uses Revit, your AutoCAD files.  Watch the video above to see why...

This is the challenge that manufacturers face: they offer symbols, but the majority of them are .DWG files (the most common AutoCAD file type).  This is great for your customers who use AutoCAD, but not so good for Revit users.

Your customers who want to interact with your products in Revit, won't like the fact that they have to insert a .DWG file into their precious design.  

Here are a two additional reasons your Revit design customers won't insert your AutoCAD .DWG files into their Revit projects:

1. AutoCAD .DWG files are HEAVY in Revit

Revit users often work on large scale projects.  Their designs could include entire buildings or floors, so .DWG files are not ideal.

Because .DWG files were not meant to reside in Revit projects, they are "heavy." 

This means that they slow down the Revit software, include too much detail, and are not parametric (the ability for users to turn product options on and off).  

In short, they're not made for Revit and don't allow the user to experience the best functionality that Revit can offer.  

Imagine adding a table and a chair 30 or 40 times into an entire Revit floor using clunky .DWG files. Your Revit project would come to a stand still.

The end result is a computer that crashes and an unhappy customer.

2.  AutoCAD .DWG files are not flexible in Revit

As we have shown in the above video, .DWG files used in Revit are inflexible and stiff.  

Let's say you've created a furniture typical configuration in AutoCAD and you then import it into Revit.  If your customer who uses Revit wants to make a change, they will struggle to adjust the model in Revit.  

The .DWG file in Revit imports just as you created it in AutoCAD and cannot be moved or easily broken apart.  The entire typical is essentially a stiff, unmovable block that slows down your customer's Revit project.

Also, .DWG files that are imported into Revit lose all "data," meaning that any specification information that the .DWG file contained will not show in Revit.

In conclusion: it's not a good idea to offer your AutoCAD files to a Revit user.  Give them the Revit version of your products they need, and they'll place an order.

Rendering: What You See Is What You Get

Render Image by Eduard Lefler

In the old days (less than 20 years ago!) designers, architects, and manufacturers used to rely on design sketches and pictures to help their clients understand their vision.  How did we survive before rendering?

For manufacturers, taking high quality images of their products in showrooms with set dressings was the only way to show new products in their true environment.

The cost was high to assemble furniture, find a suitable space, and hire a photographer for the shoot.  The furniture used often had to be sold at a discount as a "display" model.

Now, manufacturers create photo-realistic renders of their products in synthetic settings.  Their customers are also designing spaces with similar virtual products on their own platforms.

This is all great, and everyone is doing it, but what are the real benefits that renders offer?  How can dealers and manufacturers sell even more with render technology?

Dream faster in the cloud

Everything is moving faster and so are your customers.  Render technology is keeping up with business, but not everyone in business is moving faster.

Are you going overseas to create renders?  Many manufacturers go abroad and there are plenty of companies who create realistic renders in India and China, but that turnaround time is still not fast enough for time-crunched customers.

With new render cloud technology, you can render your designs in the web and not halfway around the world.  Make sure your design tool uses cloud render technology, so you can keep your sales momentum.

Speed is one of the most important elements that renders offer.  No physical products--everything is digital and your design teams across the country are creating professional photographic work on their own at a fraction of the cost.

Image by Fdecomite

Swap it out: quick

Think about how complex your products are.  Imagine showing your customer a finish library that has hundreds of options.

There was a time (and still today) where books filled with all of the variations of your products was the most efficient way to help your customer envision your product in a space.

The problem was, after the sixth book, your products turn into a heavy stack of cloth pasted in a binder.

Options, options, options.  Offer them quickly and at the touch of button in render software. Hundreds, and in many cases, thousands of options are digitized and ready to be applied to your render.

The faster the better.  You can send high quality render-able images off to your client before they decide to spend their money elsewhere.

Condensing your product offerings into a digitized state where the options you want to show are at your fingertips is the second most important way to increase sales with renders.

If the customer doesn't like something--change it, and know that you have thousands of options you can insert immediately.  This is the power of rendering to sell more.

Join us as we explore the world of rendering more in future posts, as ofcdesk adds this technology to their Connect tool.

5 Reasons Interior Designers Use Revit/BIM Software

Photo by Jakob Salovsky

For contract furniture manufacturers and dealers, understanding how their customers are using their products in a virtual space is becoming more and more important.

This post is a primer for members of the contract furniture industry to understand how their customers are interacting with their products in a BIM environment.

For those of you new to BIM, the acronym stands for Building Information Modeling. BIM is a streamlined, collaborative process used by architects, engineers, construction companies, and interior designers to efficiently plan and visualize buildings.  

Revit is a BIM software that works in this process.  In comparison, AutoCAD is not a BIM software.

In many cases interior designers may work with a manufacturer's products in a virtual space before even seeing the physical product.  

Designers may design a space using your task chair (provided you have Revit models available for them) before they've had the opportunity to sit in it.

This is the new reality for interior designers who collaborate simultaneously with other disciplines on BIM projects, the most popular BIM software being Autodesk Revit.

BIM has become an integral part of most large scale building projects and those who work with interiors have been in the process of making the switch for the past five years.

Here are 5 reasons that interior designers are making the transition to the BIM process using Revit:

1. Revit helps them visualize in 3D

BIM software, like Revit, helps designers create their space in 3D and then view that space. The ability to switch between 2D and 3D views helps the designers on both practical and creative levels.

In our interview with Linette Kilbourn, an interior designer working at Interior Architects, we learned the importance of BIM in the interiors space.  Linette told us:

"Personally, I feel that the (BIM) benefit for interior designers is even more than for architects.  First, we can immediately see the space in 3D, even right after the plan is drawn." 

For example, the concept of "clash detection," the ability to avoid errors when two objects are laid out in the same space, become more important. Designing in 3D makes inserting objects into a space as intuitive as placing a physical object in a room.

Revit designers use 3D Revit views to generate basic renders for their clients.  This is an opportunity for designers to impress and discuss their ideas for the layout for a given space within the building. 

It's in this phase that the designer showcases the furniture in the space, making it even more important for manufacturers to offer accurate Revit representations of their products.

Photo by stuart.childs

2. Data is easier to manage

There are a lot of 3D design tools on the market that the interiors community can use for free.  But the real power of BIM comes, not only in the ability to design in 3D, but in the easier management of all the data that can be used to plan the space.

Think of well made Revit/BIM models as little computer programs that hold data and options for manufacturers' products.  The bulk of the work that uses BIM models relies on product data and is not concerned with graphics.

Revit/BIM models often contain valuable data that assists with GSA and LEED requirements to be calculated for the space.

3. The Revit schedule helps them slice and dice data

Schedules provide an organized foundation for extracting and using BIM data as designers work through their projects.  If you're familiar with a Bill Of Material, schedules are a similar concept. Revit schedules provide an interface that could be compared to Microsoft Excel.

Revit designers use schedules to edit and view data in different ways.  For example, Room Data sheets are commonly created from schedules for an inventory of products which are added to the design.

Adding non-graphic data within the individual Revit symbols, enables interior designers to perform accurate quantity calculations in relation to surface areas and material amounts with ease.

Picture by GotCredit

4. BIM promotes collaboration

Furniture is just one aspect of a building project.  Interior designers involved with building projects are not only looking at their piece, they're collaborating in a virtual model that is simultaneously being worked on by other disciplines.

The days of passing architectural data from architect to engineer to construction and finally ending in the designers lap are fading fast.

BIM helps multiple disciplines work data for a building simultaneously.  That means engineers, MEP, electricians, and designers could theoretically still have their hands in a BIM model at the same time.

Creating in Revit helps designers capture and manage the design with multiple options such as space layout and material selection, within a single model, while communicating with their colleagues in other disciplines.

5. No fudging, accuracy is improved

With BIM/Revit there are fewer change orders as well as requests for information from the contractor and their subcontractors.

Revit doesn't let you fudge the numbers because its a 3D software.  In the old 2D software, dimensions can be overwritten, making the finished documents incorrect.

Revit doesn't let designers make up the numbers, and they appreciate the software for its accuracy and honesty.  In a BIM environment everything is as it appears, and if it is modeled incorrectly it will be caught in advance and fixed as soon as possible.


What have you heard about BIM technology for interior design?  Leave us comments below.

How To Clean Up Your Designs With Connect

Photo by Kathryn Hile

Dealers use ofcdesk Connect to translate their CAP 20/20 layouts from AutoCAD to Revit.  Little do they know that Connect can "clean up" CAP designs as well.

In this post I'll show you how you can use Connect to analyze your CAP layout to find improperly scaled items, doubled items, or anything else that will muck up your design.

These symbols may cause problems, as you work to quote your project or translate your design to Revit. Connect's "clean up" will also make sure that your layout is accurate and ensures your Bill Of Material is correct.

This cleaning process is useful because it confirms that your masterpiece design translates properly to Revit, so your client receives an accurate design.

As you see below, after you select your layout in AutoCAD, using the Connect plug-in, a  pop up window will appear; this is the "Translation Analysis Window."

The Translation Analysis Window is the "broom" that helps you clean up your design.

Our server compares your design against our database of millions of up-to-date symbols and finds any discrepancies between what you've created and what the manufacturer can deliver.

The Translation Analysis Window shows you where there are troublesome symbols.  The window will also give you tips and fixes on ways to improve your layout.

Use this window as a way to get up close and personal with the problematic models in your design. The window contains buttons for zooming in, marking, and visually isolating the poor or customized models that you've inserted into your project.

For example Lets look at the most common types of models you insert into your CAP design that could cause problems for your Bill Of Material or Revit translation.

1. Invalid Item

This is an item that our system doesn't recognize.  This is a rare occurrence, though you may enter an AutoCAD file that is improperly named, so the Connect system can't find it.

2. Non-Block Reference

Connect will tell you if an item in your layout is a non block reference.  Connect typically suggests ignoring these items, as they don't have any data worth using in your design.

3. Duplicated Item

Duplicated items can ruin your design and your Bill Of Material.  Connect will tell you if there are two items with the same product number in the same position.  Delete the extra one and move on.

4. Revit Not Available

This means that Connect has concluded that there is no Revit file for the product that you inserted into your layout.  Connect will classify this item as a "Special."  Stay tuned for ways to work with Specials in future posts.

Even if you don't need to translate your CAP layout to Revit, you can use this simple analysis tool to clean up your design and avoid inaccurate quotes.

After that, take the next step to sharing and visualizing your award-winning layout to win the project.

Learn more about ofcdesk Connect.

ofcdesk's Connect debuts at NeoCon 2015

ofcdesk partnered with National Office to spread the word about National’s new Revit® models and to launch ofcdesk’s new Connect software. The turnout in National’s bustling showroom was magnificent. 

Excited dealers and reps, who sell National products, learned that National is now making Revit® versions of their products available for Revit® designers. Visitors also viewed ofcdesk’s new AutoCAD®-to-Revit® translation tool Connect in action for the first time. 

The ofcdesk team demonstrated the process by showing a National Office layout in AutoCAD® and the simple steps it takes to translate that CAD layout to Revit®. 

Ofcdesk uses new Autodesk technology to help contract furniture dealers speak the same language as their customers.

Chicago, IL (June 1, 2015) Ofcdesk llc, a member of the Autodesk Developer Network, released Ofcdesk Connect, a tool that translates 20/20 CAP Studio® designs to Autodesk Revit® designs, using new Autodesk cloud and web browser technology.

“We’d been hearing complaints for years about the disconnect between commercial office furniture dealers and designers using Revit®,” said Ofcdesk’s CEO, Mauricio Ritzmann, “so we decided to apply new Autodesk technology to make it easier for the two parties to share designs.”

Utilizing the new Autodesk technology, Ofcdesk developed Connect, a primarily web-based system that translates 20/20 CAP Studio® and AutoCAD® layouts to an equivalent native Revit® layout.  The user can view the final output in their web browser and email the Revit® file to their clients.

Ofcdesk’s new Connect software uses translation technology originally created for Ofcdesk IDC. The IDC plugin won Ofcdesk the Best of NeoCon Gold Award for Software Technologies in 2014.

While planning to sell the IDC plugin to the contract office furniture dealer market, Ofcdesk’s CTO, Fernando Malard, attended an exclusive cloud accelerator where Autodesk developers were invited to work together on their product ideas, using the new platform.

“This new technology helps Ofcdesk leverage all of IDC’s features in the cloud. By using the Autodesk Cloud API, Ofcdesk Connect will help dealers translate AutoCAD® designs to Revit®, collect information, and manage projects, all in a web browser,” Fernando said.

 “Because most of the Connect interface uses a web browser, we can offer a subscription model that means more price flexibility for dealers.” Ritzmann said.

A designer at a dealer can subscribe at connect.ofcdesk.com, download a simple plugin for AutoCAD®, select their CAP Studio® design, and upload it to the Connect web page, all for a minimal monthly fee.  From there, the Ofcdesk server will translate their CAP Studio® layout to the equivalent layout, using Revit® symbols.

Ritzmann added, “The Connect process makes it easy for a commercial office furniture dealer who doesn’t want a large upfront investment in Revit® technology, to be able to share their designs with their customers in a more cost effective way.”

Connect subscriptions are available at: http://connect.ofcdesk.com/

Interview: Linette Kilbourn, Interior Designer using Revit



 

 

We recently chatted with interior designer Linette Kilbourn about Revit / BIM and how she uses Revit for her designs. She also gave advice for contract furniture manufacturers who are looking to offer their products in Revit.   

Linette has over 20 years experience in corporate interior design and has worked for top design firms including HOK, RHK Design, and Gensler.

How do you see Revit/BIM benefiting Interior Designers in A+D firms as a tool and a process?

 

Personally, I feel that the benefit for interior designers is even more than for architects.  First, we can immediately see the space in 3D, even right after the plan is drawn.  Secondly, we can import pre-created Revit families that substantially speeds up the design process.  And in addition, we can use the BIM feature to verify quantities in the CD phase. 

 

 

On a technical level, what challenges are you confronted with, as designer, if you don't have Revit/BIM symbols for your Revit projects?

Accurate Revit families are extremely important to ensure that the actual furniture can fit in the space well.  This is so important when laying out systems furniture.  If we do not have the Revit symbols from the manufacturer, we have to create them ourselves, which can cost us hours of lost time.

There is a reason why clients continually see the same furniture over and over again in every Revit rendering or wireframe.  There are thousands of Revit families of furniture out there, but they are very difficult to find and tedious to download.  

What sorts of things are designers at A+D firms doing if they don't have the appropriate Revit/BIM symbols for their projects?
 

We use whatever manufacturers product that is most similar.   Then if the client sees it in the 3D, they may prefer to use the other product.  This is not the ideal situation for designers, as we want them to love the furniture we have selected!
 

Where are designers in A+D firms going to find their Revit symbols?
 

Best if easily obtained on the internet, rather than a CD.  In general, most of our work is done on a PC, so apps are not that useful at this time.

 

How has the emergence of Revit/BIM changed the relationship between the contract furniture dealer and designer in A+D firms?

 

The problem we are running into is that most furniture dealerships are still using AutoCAD, or worse, their own proprietary programs.  This creates a huge problem when incorporating their data into our Revit files.  Often it is imported, and then becomes very cumbersome to change when the interior architecture changes.   In addition, the BIM properties are lost, so quantities cannot be checked by the designers.

A popular question that I get from manufacturers: at what phases in a design project are Revit symbols from contract furniture manufacturers used?

 

I use Revit from the very beginning of a project, therefore it is extremely important that I have access to the Revit families at this stage.  

 

What are some positive ways that you've seen contract furniture manufacturers embrace Revit/BIM?

These days, designers are more likely to select furniture from the internet, rather than the office library.   The best websites have the option to download furniture symbols while browsing each item. 

 

Any final thoughts or advice that you would like to share with the contract furniture industry about Revit/BIM?

 

Almost all firms are now standardized on Revit or are planning to in the future.  The best way to ensure your product will be used in projects is to provide easy access to the Revit families, so the product can be displayed accurately from the very beginning of the design stage.

 




Linette Kilbourn is Managing Director at KDR with over 20 years experience in corporate interior design.  She has most recently worked as a Designer at HOK, Managing Director at RHK Design in their Shanghai office,  and as a Senior Designer at Gensler.