Leading CAD Programs Demonstrate Integration in Frankfurt


IAI
In support of the International Alliance for Interoperability’s (IAI) initiative to
establish a universal CAD file standard, Graphisoft announces it will integrate
IAI’s Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) into coming releases of Archicad in
1998. Using IFC files, Archicad will facilitate high level object-oriented communication with other
software and building products manufacturers.
In a demonstration at the ACS Show held November 12 – 14 in Frankfurt, Germany, Graphisoft and other
leading CAD manufacturers demonstrated seamless file sharing using the IAI’s Industry Foundation Classes
(IFC) file format. The select group of CAD software developers gave a live
demonstration in which they collaborated to create a building by passing
a single 3D model containing rooms, windows, doors, columns and site
data as intelligent objects.
“Intelligent objects are deeply routed in our company history and philosophy,” says Tamás Hajas,
Graphisoft R&D’s vice president of development. “It is only natural that, as a leading developer of
object-oriented technology, we incorporate the work of the International Alliance for Interoperability into
Archicad.”
A member of the IAI since 1996, Graphisoft is committed to developing its own IFC version 1.5
Archicad-toolbox. The IFC file format will provide architects with a bridge between software programs
and building products manufacturers. IFC describes not only the physical dimensions of a given object, but
stores information about its composition and assembly and descriptive data as well. IFC can facilitate
bidirectional communication between CAD software and CAM, project scheduling, and facilities
management applications.
Graphisoft is a leading provider of computer-aided design (CAD) software
solutions for the architectural profession and the building industry.
Founded in 1982, Graphisoft is ranked today among the largest AEC CAD
software developers in the world, with 12 offices all over the world in
addition to its headquarters. Graphisoft’s flagship product, Archicad, is
used by more than 75,000 architects worldwide and distributed in 25
languages and 80 countries. Shares of Graphisoft are traded on the Frankfurt
Stock Exchange Neuer Markt under the symbol GPH. More information about
Graphisoft is available at www.graphisoft.com.