Hannah Jaracz
In December of last year, members of the COE Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) team presented a webinar titled “COE, Meet AEC: Architectural Design & Construction Moves to the Cloud on the 3DExperience Platform.”
The team described their process to upgrade their respective workflows from V5 to CATIA and ENOVIA "on cloud" environment. We recently spoke with Javier Glatt, CEO of CadMakers Virtual Construction and a member of the COE AEC team, about the team’s takeaways from this experience. Here are highlights from that interview.
How did you upgrade your workflow from V5 to CATIA and ENOVIA on 3DExperience cloud?
We tested 3DExperience 2014x on cloud first, taking one project and giving it a shot. There were challenges but we could see the improvements in each hot fix, and when 2015x went live, we made the switch. We started delivering all our new projects on 3DExperience, and each license we have added has been 3DExperience ever since. One key point is that the UDFs and tools we developed in V5 were able to be migrated into 3DExperience, so we didn’t lose that intelligence with the switch, which is very important for us in AEC.
What benefits did you see in your day-to-day and across your business with the move to 3DExperience and the cloud?
There are a number of benefits, including:
- The ability to access the platform remotely (out of the office) through a browser 24/7.
- The ENOVIA database is a robust backbone for our enterprise data management.
- The template designer role and EKL are key to allowing us to automate processes for AEC, and the .IFC interoperability is critical in AEC due to the number of 3D software being used in the industry.
How are you better able to collaborate on design and fabrication across different trades and facilities now that you are on the cloud?
The cloud allows us to connect multiple project members into one central model, which is critical to optimizing the project workflow in AEC. For example, we recently had a project where we were able to connect our model via the cloud with the local architects, the remote architects in Toronto and the site trailer. The team was able to collaborate in real time without having to leave their own workspace, increasing efficiencies and reducing costs to the project.
What was the evolution of the creation of the AEC COE Committee, and how will it be beneficial to members?
The creation of the AEC COE Committee was largely spearheaded by John Cerone at SHoP. Due to the size, complexity and variety of the projects in AEC, CATIA has many powerful attributes that have not been adopted at scale within the industry, and we are passionate about sharing the capabilities of the technology with the industry.
Is there anything else you’d like to add?
CATIA/DELMIA/ENOVIA 3DExperience cloud is the only software platform on the market that can execute all needed functionality for AEC projects, from design to fabrication and installation to facilities management for large assemblies. From early stage computational modeling and scripting with EKL to integrated clash detection tools, BOM, layout drawings, shop drawings, .IFC compatibility, .STEP for direct to CNC fabrication, and 4D for assembly evaluation and building lifecycle management, the 3DExperience can do this all in one platform. The majority of the AEC is trying to patch multiple software programs together in a nonseamless fashion.
