Intergraph Talks Technology, Software, Marketing Strategy at A/E/C Systems.ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 6, 1995--Intergraph Software Solutions (ISS ISS See Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS). ) introduced its advanced graphics technology, products based on a completely new software strategy and product suites based on a new marketing strategy, to the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC AEC US Atomic Energy Commission Noun 1. AEC - a former executive agency (from 1946 to 1974) that was responsible for research into atomic energy and its peacetime uses in the United States Atomic Energy Commission ) industry here, today. The highlight of ISS's A/E/C A/E/C Architect/Engineer/Contractor SYSTEMS presentations was a new technology code-named "Jupiter," a Windows-based component software architecture that will be the foundation of new computer-aided design computer-aided design (CAD) or computer-aided design and drafting (CADD), form of automation that helps designers prepare drawings, specifications, parts lists, and other design-related elements using special graphics- and calculations-intensive , manufacturing, and engineering (CAD/CAM/CAE) and geographical information (GIS) applications developed and sold by ISS, the software business unit of Intergraph Corporation (Huntsville, Ala.). ISS officials predict that Jupiter technology will bring benefits of increased productivity, dramatically improved software performance, reduced costs and greater flexibility to users. The company pulled back the curtain on some early Jupiter products, several of which it will deliver toward the end of the year. Imagineer Imagineer may refer to:
Imagineer Technical, the newest graphics software from the Jupiter effort, was demonstrated publically for the first time at A/E/C SYSTEMS. It is native Windows software for 2D precision drawing and concept design. Imagineer Technical is a Microsoft Office Microsoft's primary desktop applications for Windows and Mac. Depending on the package, it includes some combination of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access and Outlook along with various Internet and other utilities. Compatible 95 product, that will boost drawing productivity through its innovative SmartSketch drawing capabilities. Unique integration capabilities with leading CAD software make Imagineer an excellent low-cost choice for expanding precision drawing to areas of the design and engineering office that, to date, have been unable to afford automation. Written to the OLE D&M Applications specifications, Imagineer enables users to link and embed drawings with other OLE-compliant applications, and even use native AutoCAD or MicroStation data through special OLE Data Servers, available with Jupiter products. Imagineer Technical will be available for Windows 95 and Windows NT (Windows New Technology) A 32-bit operating system from Microsoft for Intel x86 CPUs. NT is the core technology in Windows 2000 and Windows XP (see Windows). Available in separate client and server versions, it includes built-in networking and preemptive multitasking. . It will be offered initially for an introductory price under $500 (U.S.). Jupiter Developer's Kit (JDK (Java Development Kit) A Java software development environment from Sun. It includes the JVM, compiler, debugger and other tools for developing Java applets and applications. Each new version of the JDK adds features and enhancements to the language. ) ISS officials discussed a software development kit, code-named the Jupiter Developer's Kit (JDK). JDK enables users to extend Jupiter Applications or develop new ones. With the JDK, users can rely on standard, off-the-shelf programming tools, such as Visual C++, to develop applications. Because the environment is Windows-based, there are no proprietary architectures or languages to learn. The JDK will be the only toolkit that will enable users to develop complex technical applications using object-oriented programming object-oriented programming, a modular approach to computer program (software) design. Each module, or object, combines data and procedures (sequences of instructions) that act on the data; in traditional, or procedural, programming the data are separated from the techniques in a nonproprietary environment. The JDK includes an application executive, or engine required to build applications, optional Jupiter Software Libraries, generic Windows utilities, software development tools and wizards. MOGLE 2.0, introduced in February and now shipping, was the first Intergraph product to use the Jupiter display technology. MOGLE 2.0 is a graphics accelerator A display adapter that performs a specialized set of graphics functions to render an image on screen. Today, all display adapters provide basic rendering functions in hardware, but many have graphics processing units (GPUs) that are sophisticated computers. that can improve performance of MicroStation graphics operations as much as 11,000 percent using multi-threading and OpenGL under Microsoft's Windows NT release 3.5. Jupiter technology is based on Microsoft's Component Object Model (COM (1) (Computer Output Microfilm) Creating microfilm or microfiche from the computer. A COM machine receives print-image output from the computer either online or via tape or disk and creates a film image of each page. ) framework. Jupiter leverages, enhances and augments Windows, enabling ISS to develop Windows-native advanced engineering and technical applications. These Windows-native software components will be discipline-focused, meeting specific user needs. "In addition to OLE/COM, Open GL and multithreading/multiprocessing are key components of our Windows strategy," said ISS President Tommy Steele Tommy Steele OBE (born December 17, 1936 in London, England) is an English entertainer. Steele is widely regarded as Britain's first pop idol. Born Thomas Willam Hicks . "This is what gives our applications the performance they need when running under Windows. This was a key deficiency for CAD applications before Microsoft Windows See Windows. (operating system) Microsoft Windows - Microsoft's proprietary window system and user interface software released in 1985 to run on top of MS-DOS. Widely criticised for being too slow (hence "Windoze", "Microsloth Windows") on the machines available then. NT 3.5 and the reason why many CAD users hesitated to move from UNIX UNIX Operating system for digital computers, developed by Ken Thompson of Bell Laboratories in 1969. It was initially designed for a single user (the name was a pun on the earlier operating system Multics). or DOS to Windows-based solutions." Steele said Jupiter is the next logical step in a process that began in 1992 when Intergraph made the decision to replace its UNIX workstations with Intel Pentium workstations and to work with Microsoft to convert UNIX software to Microsoft Windows NT. In addition to creating the most open environment in the company's history, this strategy made ISS the largest NT developer in the world and put it in position to make a major contribution to Windows development with the creation of Object Linking and Embedding See OLE. (operating system) Object Linking and Embedding - (OLE) A distributed object system and protocol from Microsoft, also used on the Acorn Archimedes. OLE allows an editor to "farm out" part of a document to another editor and then reimport it. for Design & Modeling (OLE D&M) Applications, a major element in the Jupiter strategy. Jupiter technology uses OLE D&M Applications to integrate with other OLE-compliant software -- including office automation products. OLE D&M Applications is a Microsoft OLE Industry Solution that extends the OLE standard to enable linking and embedding of CAD/CAM/CAE and GIS data in OLE-enabled container documents, maintaining characteristics integral to working with technical data. "Jupiter technology, with its use of OLE D&M Applications, has the potential to break down the barriers between corporate information systems and technical information systems," Steele said. "No longer will CAD/CAM/CAE and GIS be islands of automation in the enterprise. Using OLE D&M Applications, technical information can enter the mainstream and be available to more individuals and departments than ever before -- purchasing, marketing and subcontractors." CAD Neutral Steele said that an important element of the ISS software strategy is the concept of CAD neutrality. This means that Windows applications work together regardless of the platform -- MicroStation, AutoCAD or Jupiter. AutoGL -- Graphics Acceleration for AutoCAD Highlighting the expansion toward AutoCAD, ISS's Visualization product center introduced AutoGL, an Open GL engine that promises to significantly improve the rendering and graphics display of Autodesk AutoCAD release 13. Preliminary tests indicate rendering performance gains up to 5,200 percent, as compared to native AutoCAD performance. AutoGL, another Jupiter-based application, is multi-threaded and runs under Microsoft Windows NT 3.5 or higher. ISS expects to ship AutoGL in July. ModelView Advantage Visualization also introduced ModelView Advantage Versions 3.3 and 3.4. ModelView Advantage provides an integrated environment optimized specifically for the visualization process. ModelView Advantage lets AutoCAD and MicroStation users view, manipulate, render and animate 3D models. ModelView Advantage supports OpenGL running on Intel/Microsoft Windows NT systems, as well as DOS/Windows systems. Transportation Design ISS's AEC Product Center added civil engineering solutions for transportation design to the list of Intergraph applications for AutoCAD users. ISS transportation, site design and coordinate geometry (COGO (COordinate GeOmetry) A programming language used for solving civil engineering problems. (application, engineering) COGO - A subsystem of ICES aimed at coordinate geometry problems in civil engineering. ) products enable civil engineers and designers to share data freely between platforms and use many of the same civil capabilities -- regardless of the graphics platform being used. Intergraph's civil engineering solutions will be available for Windows 95 or Windows NT and provide the interactive tools, flexibility and ease-of-use needed to more effectively use existing CAD investments, ISS officials said. ISS transportation and site design applications were developed to handle the most complex roadway and site design projects. Capabilities include advanced COGO, comprehensive alignment design, powerful 3D digital terrain modeling, intelligent surfaces, easy extraction of cross sections and profiles, extensive analysis tools and complete earthworks earthworks: see land art. volumes. The interactive COGO application enables users to see results immediately. Key features include planimetric pla·nim·e·ter n. An instrument that measures the area of a plane figure as a mechanically coupled pointer traverses the perimeter of the figure. pla design, alignment and geometric intersections, coordinate transformations and extensive reporting. AEC also introduced Explorer, a feature of Intergraph's civil engineering solutions for AutoCAD. This function controls project standards and data. It enables users to drag and drop A graphical user interface (GUI) capability that lets you perform operations by moving the icon of an object with the mouse into another window or onto another icon. For example, files can be copied or moved by dragging them from one folder to another. files, workflows and alignments, allowing firms to take advantage of past experience, concepts and results when creating or modifying projects. Plant Design Systems The ISS Plant Design Systems product center introduced applications for low-end use and additional modules to its As-Built Visualization System and Plant Design System (PDS (1) (Processor Direct Slot) A single expansion slot on certain, early Macintosh models that was used to connect high-speed peripherals as well as additional CPUs. Providing a channel directly to the CPU, the PDS coexisted with NuBus slots on some models. ) products. These products include: PipeGen PipeGen is a general purpose, standalone pipe routing software package developed specifically for small plant design and revamp projects with projects under $10 million. Based on MicroStation, PipeGen offers simple techniques for routing pipe, and producing and extracting isometrics isometrics n. Isometric exercise. . PipeGen will ship in September. ISS is offering PipeGen for $2,395 (U.S.) through Sept. 5, 1995. After that, the regular price will be $2,995 (U.S.). PhotoBrowser An emerging technology for plant revamp projects is close-range, or industrial photogrammetry photogrammetry: see aerial and satellite photography. , which enables engineering/construction firms to capture, process and analyze photographic data of a plant and use the data to create a "visual database." A component of ISS's As-Built Visualization System for close-range photogrammetry, PhotoBrowser is a window into the visual database that can be run on an Intel-based PC with a JPEG JPEG in full Joint Photographic Experts Group Standard computer file format for storing graphic images in a compressed form for general use. JPEG images are compressed using a mathematical algorithm. board. PhotoBrowser will be available in the third quarter for $2,950 (U.S.). PLANTGEN PLANTGEN is a MicroStation-based application that enables users to build 3D models of existing process plants, based on measurements taken from stereo photographs stored in a visual database, such as PhotoBrowser. PLANTGEN uses a series of shape fitting algorithms to generate the 3D plant components from points digitized from the stereo photographs. The model created from PLANTGEN and associated data can be used in conjunction with Intergraph's Plant Design System (PDS) for interference checking and drawing production. A part of ISS's As-Built Visualization System, PLANTGEN is now available through Intergraph Business Partners. Instrument Data Manager Instrument Data Manager (IDM (1) See identity management. (2) (Integrated Device Manufacturer) A company that performs every step of the chip-making process, including design, manufacture, test and packaging. Examples of IDMs are Intel, AMD, Motorola, IBM, TI and Lucent. ) is a multifaceted solution that provides the instrument engineer with the capability to design, document, and manage instrument data. IDM is a module of the PDS. IDM gives the engineer complete freedom to prepare the design data for a project. IDM offers the "workdesk" concept to guide the engineer or designer through their own defined work process. This enables users to preset and save a work environment to execute a specific task, such as control valve A device that modulates the flow of fluid in a conduit in response to a signal from a process measurement control system. specifications or loop wiring. The "workdesk" method is flexible but, at the same time, enforces project-specific practices and a uniform design approach. IDM is available now. IDM delivers standard ISA (1) (Instruction Set Architecture) See instruction set. (2) (Interactive Services Association) See Internet Alliance. (3) (Internet Security and Acceleration) See .NET. data sheets, instrument lists, wiring diagrams and it interfaces to the DCS (1) See also DSC. (2) Digital Cross-connect System) A network switching and grooming device used by telecom carriers. See digital cross-connect. system. IDM is easy to use and has few commands to learn because the commands are designed to be independent of the project data. IDM differs from similar products because the same copy command can be used on documents, loops, wires and other objects. Users do not need to be database experts to use IDM. It contains a query-by-example feature to assist users in extracting information from the database. IDM also has a fill-in forms that enable fast input and review of instrument data. Scanning Systems Division Powerful graphics software and a sleek scanner head the list of new products from the ISS Scanning Systems Division. Pixel PRO ISS Scanning Systems Division today announced the availability of Pixel PRO, its Microsoft Windows 3.1 and Windows NT raster utilities software. Pixel Pro is a powerful graphics application for enhancing and translating high-resolution raster images. This production-strength software can work with images of all sizes, from the smallest to E-size and beyond. Pixel PRO reads, writes and translates more than 30 industry standard file formats including Hitachi, Image Systems, Intergraph, JPEG and TIFF. Pixel PRO lists in the U.S. for $495. I/RAS ProEdit Bundle Scanning Systems also announced the availability of the I/RAS ProEdit Bundle. This new product bundle includes MicroStation I/RAS B and I/RAS Engineer for a price of $3,000 (U.S.), a savings of $1,000 of the total cost of these components if purchased separately. I/RAS ProEdit Bundle provides binary raster manipulation for applications based on BENTLEY Systems Bentley Systems, Incorporated, provides software for the "Design, construction and operation of the world's infrastructure". The company’s software serves the building, plant, civil, and geospatial vertical markets in the areas of architecture, engineering, construction (AEC) Incorporated's MicroStation. Menus drive the commands for the raster display A TV or computer monitor that uses the raster scan method for creating the image on screen. Almost all displays use the raster method. See raster scan. Contrast with vector display. , manipulation and interactive raster-to-vector conversion. I/RAS ProEdit Bundle is available for Windows/DOS and Windows NT operating systems Operating systems can be categorized by technology, ownership, licensing, working state, usage, and by many other characteristics. In practice, many of these groupings may overlap. . ANA Tech Eagle SLI (Scalable Link Interface) A multi-GPU interface from NVIDIA for connecting two or four NVIDIA display adapters together for faster graphics rendering on one monitor or two monitors. 3840 Intergraph's ANA Tech Division unveiled the latest in its Eagle line of scanners, a unit that incorporates imaging sensor technology to bring large-format, cost-effective black and white scanning to the marketplace. Weighing less than 100 pounds, the Eagle SLI (Straight Line Imaging) 3840 is built around a revoluntionary large-format optical sensor head that uses no cameras. This enables the unit to capture an entire scan line A horizontal line (a row) in a video frame. Camcorders sense image frames a line at a time, and display systems create images a line at a time. The scan lines are the vertical resolution of the system; for example, an NTSC TV signal uses 525 lines, 480 of which contain image data of 15,200 pixels at a true resolution of 400 dots per inch. The optics are internally isolated from outside stresses through a patented three-point mounting technique only available from ANA Tech. The ANA Tech Eagle SLI3840 is available for $12,800 (U.S.). Value-priced Office Suites ISS's AEC product center used A/E/C SYSTEMS to demonstrate a collection of integrated software Separate software components or applications that have been combined into one package. See integrated software package. suites it is selling under the branding name -- Office. The Offices provide high-performance architectural and engineering design functionality that increases productivity and offers significant savings. "These desktop Office suites emphasize Windows technology and take advantage of the functionality in the Windows operating system operating system (OS) Software that controls the operation of a computer, directs the input and output of data, keeps track of files, and controls the processing of computer programs. , so they not only fit well with our current software strategy, but, more importantly, they lead the way into the future for ISS," Steele said. The four Offices are: Architectural Office, for building design professionals, provides easy-to-use design and production drawing tools that automate the entire architectural workflow. The package includes floor plans with parametric components, reflected ceiling plans and libraries of 2D/3D furniture, fixtures and symbols. User-definable and parametric attributes and material properties speed the production of schedules and reports. Facilities layout features enable designers to track and calculate space and occupants, and lay out furniture, fixtures and equipment Furniture, fixtures and equipment (or FF&E) is an accounting term used in valuing, selling, or liquidating a company or a building. FF&E are movable furniture, fixtures or other equipment that have no permanent connection to the structure of a building or utilities. (FF&E). This package also provides the tools needed to create photo-realistic images and animations from 3D design data. Architectural Office is priced at $4,250 (U.S.), a 50 percent savings or $6,545 (U.S.) with MicroStation, a 47 percent savings. Civil Engineering Office is an integrated set of field surveying, site design, COGO and drawing production tools for surveyors, designers and engineers in one low-cost package. It offers simple and efficient procedures for complete field data capture and integration of data from electronic field books (EFBs) into the CAD environment. Civil Engineering Office contains the most extensive digital terrain modeling (DTM DTM dermatophyte test medium. ) capabilities available on personal computers. Key features include automated parametric layout, alignment and COGO capabilities and surface evaluation tools. This office suite generates profiles, cross-sections and earthwork earth·work n. 1. An earthen embankment, especially one used as a fortification. See Synonyms at bulwark. 2. Engineering Excavation and embankment of earth. 3. quantities and includes Intergraph's DraftWorks for enhanced drawing and report production. Civil Engineering Office, available now for Microsoft DOS/Windows and Windows NT, is priced at $3,000 (U.S.), a savings of 25 percent, or $5,295 (U.S.) with MicroStation, a savings of 31 percent. Field Office is a CAD solution for surveyors, resident/site engineers and site inspectors. This office suite integrates surveying, COGO and graphical review. Surveying software captures field data from EFBs and integrates survey data into the CAD environment. Site engineers and surveyors can verify results and make data adjustments at the site. The package provides comprehensive COGO, component alignment design and survey adjustment capabilities. A multitude of geometric computations can be performed to define right-of-way limits and lay out streets, intersections, cul-de-sacs and subdivisions. This suite includes an easy-to-use graphics platform for reviewing drawings and projects and red-lining data in the field. Field Office is available for Microsoft DOS/Windows and Windows NT at a price of $2,975 (U.S.), a savings of more than 30 percent. Municipal Engineering Office is a suite of products for municipal, civil and public works public works pl.n. Construction projects, such as highways or dams, financed by public funds and constructed by a government for the benefit or use of the general public. Noun 1. engineers and designers. The package contains software for interactive graphical modeling and analysis of water distribution networks with data transfer to and from industry-standard analysis engines such as KYPIPE. Major features include a graphics converter for incorporating existing CAD drawings, database queries and user-definable color-coding for network review. The application for modeling, design and analysis of wastewater collection systems combines automated design and engineering tasks with extensive relational database relational database Database in which all data are represented in tabular form. The description of a particular entity is provided by the set of its attribute values, stored as one row or record of the table, called a tuple. capabilities, enabling users to manage and share project data. Key analysis features include pump and pressurized pres·sur·ize tr.v. pres·sur·ized, pres·sur·iz·ing, pres·sur·iz·es 1. To maintain normal air pressure in (an enclosure, as an aircraft or submarine). 2. flow support, database query capabilities and interference detection. Intergraph's relational information system (RIS RIS rabies inhibiting substance. ) for communicating information across a network is an important part of the package. Available now for Microsoft Windows NT, Municipal Engineering Office is priced at $5,000 (U.S.), a savings of more than 41 percent, or $7,295 (U.S.) with MicroStation, a savings of more than 40 percent. (Savings are based on a comparison of the price of the suite and the combined cost of buying components separately). Intergraph Background Information A member of the Fortune 1000, Intergraph Corporation (Huntsville, Ala.) is the world's largest company dedicated to supplying interactive computer graphics systems. Products range from point solutions, meeting individual and departmental needs, to integrated, enterprise-wide systems. Intergraph Software Solutions develops and markets integrated software for the Technical Desktop -- the combination of compatible technical applications and personal productivity tools in a single desktop computer. Technical applications include computer-aided design, engineering, analysis, manufacturing, publishing and earth sciences. ISS also provides core system software, high-end applications and training, consulting and implementation services. Note to Editors: If you wish to include telephone numbers for reader inquiries, please use 800-345-4856 or 205/730-5499; or direct your readers to the Internet address There are two kinds of addresses that are widely used on the Internet. One is a person's e-mail address, and the other is the address of a Web site, which is known as a URL. Following is an explanation of Internet e-mail addresses only. For more on URLs, see URL and Internet domain name. http://www.ingr.com/visual/visual.shtml. Use of these numbers and the Internet address will enable Intergraph to better serve your readers. Intergraph is a registered trademark of Intergraph Corporation. Other brands and product names are the property of their respective owners. CONTACT: Intergraph Corporation Jim Ruester, 205/730-3820 |
|
||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion