This MacNews Category Review begins our look at architectural software for Mac OS X. Products covered include ArchiOffice Pro, Artlantis, Ashlar-Vellu, AutoDesSyss FormZ, ava.bau, Balken, boujou bulett, Batimax, CADintosh, Cadmover, CADtools, CADViewer, CASAblanca, ConceptDraw WebWave, DAZ3D Ampai Pro, Deneba, Design Workshop, Dr. Frame3D, Dr. Beam Pro, ecOrganizer, Form-Z, Geometrica, Goldenseal, HyperArchi, Kefren, LazyJack and LibCompta.

° [url=http://archibald.bwmc.net/]Archibald BAU[/url] is a Mac OS X compatible business project planning/calculation tool for architects, engineers and general project organization.

° [url=http://www.graphisoft.com/products/archicad/]ArchiCAD[/url] is an object-oriented, integrated software solution for all phases of architectural work from schematic design through working drawings and construction management including renderings, animations, even "virtual reality" scenes. It requires Mac OS X 10.2 or later.

° [url=http://www.orangeloft.com]ArchiOffice Pro[/url] is a networkable, multi-user solution for business and project management within an architect office. The main menu provides access to eight different interactive modules: Contacts Database, Project Books, Time and Expense, Reference Library, Invoicing, Personnel Records, Calendar, and Brochure. It's compatible with Mac OS X and Mac OS 8.6-9.x.

° [url=http://www.abvent.com/]Artlantis[/url] is a photo-realistic rendering and animation tool used by lots of CAD editors. It's independent of the modeler used, on any Mac or PC configuration and is compatible with Mac OS X and Mac OS 9.x.

° [url=http://www.ashlar.com]Ashlar-Vellum[/url] makes several CAD and 3D modeling software, including: Graphite, a professional CAD application; Neon, a 3D publishing tool for print and the Web; Argon, a 3D modeling tool; Xenon, a software package that integrates associative and history-based modeling, free-form wireframes, class-A NURBS surfacing, and ACIS solid modeling; and Cobalt, a product design and development application that integrates advanced parametric free-form Wireframe, organic Class-A NURBS Surfacing, and advanced ACIS feature-based Solid modeling. The Ashlar-Vellum products require Mac OS X (10.2 or higher) or Mac OS 9.2.2.

° [url=http://www.vtc.com/]AutoDesSys FormZ[/url] is a 3D modeling application that incorporates drafting and rendering. It runs under Mac OS X and Mac 8.x-9.x.

° [url=http://www.koelsch-konsorten.de/]ava.bau[/url] is software for architects, which handles tender awarding, project management and accounting.
° [url=http://www.koelsch-konsorten.de/]Balken![/url] is project scheduling software for architects.

° [url=http://www.2d3.com/]boujou bullet[/url] is 2d3's automated matchmoving and motion tracking application. It's designed to provide a powerful automatic tracking capability to animators, compositors, designers, architects, and just about anyone who needs to match 3D animation and 2D (live action) shots, but "doesn't have the time to become a matchmoving expert." It exports to all major 3D animation and compositing programs.

° [url=http://www.batimax.fr/]Batimax[/url] is Mac OS X compatible construction planning system used to create cost estimates, bill of quantities, technical description (CCTP), planning, financial tracking , materials and labour management. it connects with CAD and accounting software.

° [url=http://www.lemkesoft.de/xd/public/content/index._cGlkPTM5_.html]CADintosh[/url] is a 2D CAD application for technical and architectural drawings. It features pen oriented and individual modes. CADintosh imports and exports HPGL, DXF and PICT files; offers 32,000 groups, six line types; and 1,024 layers.

° [url=http://www.kandusoftware.com]Cadmover[/url] provides graphic format file translation with a specific focus on CAD formats. The tool's vector translators are designed to bridge the communication gap between hardware, software, and a graphic environment.

° [url=http://www.hotdoor.com]CADtools[/url] is a plug-in for Adobe Illustrator 9, 10 and CS. It merges graphic and technical power with a complete set of 38 drawing and dimensioning tools. You can draw in any scale dimension artwork with a mouse click, and numerically control object.

° [url=http://www.cadviewer.com/]CADViewer[/url] is an enterprise-wide solutionfor sharing and collaborating on documents using the Web. It's made for Mac OS X.

° [url=http://www.jumbosoft.de]CASAblanca[/url] is a database application for architects. Based on 4th Dimension it can be used both stand-alone as well as in a client-server environment. It runs under Mac OS X and Mac OS 9.x.

° [url=http://www.conceptdraw.com/en/]ConceptDraw WebWave[/url] is specially designed for professional webdesigner, webmasters, developers, architects and webdesign companies management staff. The product is essential tool on the stage of web site/application prototyping and design, page mocking-up and site-mapping.

° [url=http://www.daz3d.com/]DAZ3D Amapi Pro[/url] is for product designers, architects and professional 3D modelers.

° [url=http://www.deneba.com]Deneba[/url] makes products of interest to architects, including various versions of Canvas, a cross-platform, technical drawing solution.

° [url=http://www.artifice.com/]Design Workshop[/url] is a 3D design tool for creating form in space. With it you can sketch spatial ideas in live 3D perspective, then develop and refine them with editing tools. It comes in a variety of flavors, but be warned: the Web site says it runs on the Power Mac, but gives no specific system requirements.

° [url=http://www.drsoftware-home.com/]Dr. Frame3D[/url] offers the users direct manipulation analysis in 3D. Dr. Frame3D allows users to manipulate a wide range of modeling components (loads, supports, members, etc.) while the structure's behavior is updated continuously on screen.

° [url=http://www.drsoftware-home.com]Dr. Beam Pro[/url] is a beam analysis program.

° [url=http://www.ecxs.com]ecOrganizer[/url] is a Mac OS X compatible, FileMaker Pro-based organizer, contact and project management systems with additional modules for quotations, invoicing and time/cost management.

° [url=http://www.autodessys.com]Form-Z[/url] is a general purpose solid and surface modeler that sports an extensive set of 2D/3D form manipulating and sculpting capabilities. It comes in Mac OS X and Mac OS 8.6-9.x flavors.

° [url=http://www.wolfram.com/products/applications/geometrica/]Geometrica[/url] is a program for exact drawing and geometry. Because it uses the symbolic engine of Mathematica, many theorems of geometry are integrated to let you create figures and perform analytical geometry and tests. Geometrica is suitable for mathematics educators at the high school and college level, researchers for exact diagram drawing of any complexity, graphical designers, architects, and engineers for CAD applications.

° [url=http://www.turtlesoft.com/]Goldenseal[/url] is software for handling accounting, cost estimates, payroll, accounts payable, accounts receivable, purchase orders, project management, rental management. Used by home builders, construction companies, remodeling contractors, architects, property managers.

° [url=http://www.abvent.com/index.php?site=fr]HyperArchi[/url] is a software package for the building industry that facilitates work between architects and contractors, from the initial estimations to the completed works. It provides a host of tracking tools, including costing, schedules, reports, and so on.

° [url=http://www.teknosw.it/]Kefren[/url] has tools to help geometers, architects and civil engineers planning works in building site and keeping track of their progress. It also provides tools for statistics, printing and comparison among different estimates.

° [url=http://www.onetools.de/]LazyJack[/url] is a solution built around tender, placing, accounting, budgeting for architects, engineers, building authorities and building contractors.

° [url=http://www.abvent.com/index.php?site=fr]LibéCompta[/url] is a management and accounting package for independent professionals who file the 2035 tax form in France (architects, attorneys, dentists, engineers, photographers, etc.).

Next week: the second and final part.